degrees he must attain it. Hence at once the necessity of continual progress.
III. The third reason is because such ought to be the conduct of a true disciple of Christ. " The scholar that makes progress," says the eloquent St. Bernard, " is a glory to his master. Whoever, therefore, fails to make progress in the school of Christ is unworthy to have Him for his master." How shameful would it be, to have studied philosophy and theology seven years, and to have made no progress, but to end as we began! How much more ought you to blush if you have become more remiss in prayer, more given to distractions, a greater lover of yourself, your own ease and pleasure, than when you first entered the school of virtue! Endeavor, therefore, continually to advance in the glorious and honorable career of perfection.
THURSDAY.
Necessity of Advancing in Virtue.— II.
I. Many evils result from a neglect of improving in virtue. This neglect provokes the anger of God; and therefore He says to the bishop of Ephesus, in the Apocalypse, " Be mindful from whence thou art fallen, and do penance, and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will remove thy candlestick out of its place." (Apoc. ii. 5.) God may have designed you also to give light to many; take care, then, that He do not move you from your place in consequence of your tepidity and indevotion.
II. This neglect deprives us of many great spiritual advantages and rewards. " The slothful hand hath wrought poverty," says the Wise Man. (Prov. x. 4.) Oh, what glory should we purchase in heaven, were we al-
