transitory enjoyments of this world. Ponder the excellence of this kingdom, its riches, glory, and perpetuity. "The eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him." (i Cor. ii. 9.) Hence, St. Gregory Nazianzen had reason to say, " Happy is he, who buys Christ, though the purchase cost him all his goods and fortune."
THURSDAY.
The Second Beatitude.
I. " Blessed are the meek." (Matt. v. 4.) After poverty of spirit, that is, contempt of the world and its desires, follows meekness, as a child does its parent. The acts of this virtue are chiefly three: 1. To bridle the passion of anger and revenge; and when it is your duty to display zeal, to do it without any perturbation either exterior or interior. 2. To be affable to all, and troublesome to none, neither in word nor action. 3. The third act of meekness is, not to oppose or resist injuries with violence, even when you may lawfully do so, but to suffer contempt with peace and tranquillity of mind. Examine yourself on these heads, and reform whatever stands in need of correction.
II. Christ has given the world a most brilliant example of meekness. Speaking of the future Messias, the Prophet says: " He shall not contend, nor cry out, neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets." " The bruised reed He shall not break and smoking flax He shall not extinguish." (Matt. xii. 19; Is. xlii. 4.) "He shall not be sad nor turbulent." St. Peter, speaking of him, observes: " When He was reviled, He did not revile;
