II. If Christ wished His Apostles to prepare themselves in this manner for the reception of the Holy Ghost, how much more necessary is it for those, who have embraced the same vocation, to remain in solitude and retirement, and to prepare themselves, by the continual contemplation of divine things, for their office, until " they be endued with power from on high?" (Luke xxiv. 49.) Imitate the fervor of the Apostles, in preparing yourself for the reception of the divine spirit; pray with the Royal Penitent, " Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within my bowels," (Ps. 1. 12.) and be convinced that no one can be saved, without the influence of the Holy Ghost.
III. The coming of the Divine Spirit was delayed ten days, in order that we might learn to expect with patience, the coming of the Lord, whose presence in our souls, though of short duration, will abundantly recompense every delay. "God by delaying," observes the pious St. Augustine, " increases our desire; by our desiring, He enlarges our hearts, and makes them more capacious."
PENTECOST-EVE.
Expectation of the Holy Ghost.— II.
I. Consider the causes, which induced the Divinity to communicate the Holy Ghost to mankind. The first was the infinite goodness of God, "Whoso loved the world, as to give His only begotten Son." (John iii. 15.) Although the world had treated this only begotten Son so ill, God nevertheless for our advantage was determined to send the Holy Ghost " to teach us all truth." (John xvi. 13.) The second cause was the prayers and
