fishes of the sea, which pass through the paths of the sea." (Ps. viii. 5, 8.) "If there be such delight in the earth, which is man's prison-house," exclaims St. Augustine, " what must there be in our future palace?"
II. Not content with having provided all these things for you, God' condescends to concur with creatures for your advantage. In the fire He warms you; He enlightens you in the sun; in the air He refreshes you; and He feeds you in your food. Say, therefore, with St. Augustine, " As there is no hour or moment, O Lord, in which I do not enjoy your benefits, so ought there to be no moment in which you are not present before my eyes by remembrance, and in which I do not love you with all my strength."
III. God has bestowed other benefits on you that belong to the mind. Such are good education, parental care, the counsel and example of the virtuous, the endowments of knowledge, the conveniences of life, perhaps with little labor of yours, which others have to obtain with the sweat of their brow, and sometimes at the imminent danger of losing their souls. Say with the Psalmist, " What shall I render to the Lord for all the things that He hath rendered to me?" (Ps. cxv. 3.) He desires nothing in return but yourself. " My son," He says, "give Me thy heart." (Prov. xxiii. 26.)
FRIDAY.
The Benefit of Redemption.— I.
I. In order that you may the better understand the extent of this benefit, reflect how miserable you would be were you to become a slave to some cruel tyrant, who should force you to endure perpetual imprisonment, hunger, and thirst, and frequent scourges. Remember
