the same sentiments, and be filled with a holy confusion, on seeing, " That the children of this world are wiser" (Luke, xvi. 8), and more careful in the concerns of this life, than we are in the affairs of heaven, and let this prevent us from remaining any longer in our sloth and tepidity.
CHAPTER VIII.
To aim at the highest Things, is very conducive to the Attainment of Perfection.
It will conduce much to our spiritual advancement, that we propose to ourselves as objects the highest things, and such as are of more exquisite perfection, according to the counsel of the apostle, " Be zealous for the better gifts. And I yet shew to you a more excellent way." (I Cor. xii. 31.) This means is without doubt of very great importance; for our desires must necessarily soar high, if we wish to elevate our actions to that perfection, with which even our indispensable duties should be performed. This may be easily explained by a familiar comparison: when your bow is too feebly bent, you will never be able to hit the mark unless you aim considerably higher; because the looseness of the string gives to the arrow a downward direction. It is precisely so with us. Our nature is so feeble, and we are so relaxed by the evil habits we have contracted, that we must take our aim considerably higher than the mark, if we wish to reach it. Man is become so weak by sin, that to attain an ordinary degree of virtue, his thoughts and desires must soar much higher. But some will say, " All I propose is to avoid mortal sin: this is the only perfection I aspire to." It is much to be feared, that you will not reach this point you propose to yourself, for the string is slack. Perhaps you would have reached this point, had you directed your thoughts higher; but not having done so, it is probable you will never reach it, and it is very probable you will fall into mortal sin. The religious who intends not only to keep the commandments of God, but likewise endeavours to follow his counsels — the religious who purposes to avoid not only mortal, but also venial sins, and even the least imperfections, as much as he can, adopts a good means of not falling into mortal sin, because he takes his aim considerably higher; and though his frailty should
