II. We are bound not only to love God, but also to honor him as our Father, and to show that respect and reverence which His service and our duty require. " Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou mayst be long lived upon the land " (Exod. xx. 12); and God Himself says, by the prophet Malachias, " If, then, I be a father, where is my honor?" (Malach i. 6.) We cannot show this respect and honor, to our Father without imitating Him. Christ therefore says, "Be ye therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matt. v. 48.) And St. Paul, who had deeply imbibed the spirit of his Master, tells his Ephesian converts, " Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children." (Eph. v. 1.) You must imitate His sanctity and impeccability, His charity, mercy, and justice, together with His other perfections. "Ye shall be holy," He says, "because I am holy." (Lev. xi. 45.)
III. We are bound, in consequence of the benefit of adoption, to fear our Father. " Let every one fear His Father." (Lev. xix. 3.) If children of this world are afraid of offending their parents, lest they should be disinherited by them, how much more reason have we to fear God? Beware, lest it may ever be said of you, " I have brought up children, and exalted them, but they have despised me." (Is. i. 2.) You will despise Him, if instead of His will, you follow your own, and prefer your own ideas to His counsels and commands.
THURSDAY.
Benefits from the Sacraments.
I. Your heavenly Father is not simply content to have adopted you for His son, but He has employed various means, in order to make you persevere in the
