III. The third class are actuated, as they should be, by both principles, and in this follow the example of their Lord and Master, who exhorts all, " Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matt. v. 16.) Examine each one of your actions in particular, and see what actions you perform merely to please men, and what again to please God alone, even to the disedification of others, and their spiritual disadvantage; and form a well-founded resolution of pleasing God by a pure intention, and of edifying others by good example.
WEDNESDAY.
Necessity of Advancing in Virtue. — I.
I. All the disciples of Jesus Christ ought to make continual progress in virtue. Not to advance in the way of virtue is to recede, as all the saints teach us. As a boat in the swift current of a river will infallibly be carried down the stream unless continually propelled by oars, so, unless you continually struggle against the impetuous current of a vitiated nature, you will certainly be carried along with it. St. Bernard justly observes, " not to gain ground is to lose it;" and hence you will ultimately fall again into the hands of your enemies, whom you wished to escape, if you do not continually advance.
II. The second motive for continually advancing in virtue is because such is the will of God, who wishes that we should be pure and holy in His divine sight. "Be ye therefore perfect," says Christ, " as also your heavenly Father is perfect.', (Matt. v. 48.) No one can be perfect or eminent in any thing on a sudden, but by
