A DAILY EXERCISE,
By far the most useful of all.
In which a great accession of grace and piety may be gained by the oblation of one's self and all one's actions to God, in union with the actions and merits of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is wonderful how much the maintenance and practice of a right intention, by which we refer all that belongs to us to the glory of God alone, conduces to advancement in grace and true piety.
But this exercise will be still more useful if we unite our actions to those of Christ, and so offer them to the eternal Father. To this St Paul exhorts us in the words: Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God. And again, All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this way our little actions, otherwise most valueless, as well as our afflictions, pains, and miseries; nay, even our every step, breath, and sigh, united to the actions and merits of Christ, will be clothed with an honour of the highest value and dignity, and cannot be otherwise than most pleasing to God.
Just as if lead, by being cast into melted gold, were 0 acquire the beauty and value of gold; or as if a vessel of water, by being poured into a cask of most excellent wine, were to be entirely changed into wine; even so it is 0 be warmed with the fleece of the Lamb that taketh away the sins of the world. For how can we, poor wretches that we are, who have no confidence in our own merits and justice, please the Father, except through the Son, in whom He is well pleased? For He is our head, by whose united action the members live and grow, and of his fulness we all have received. And how can our loving Father despise us, if he looks on the face of His Christ?
AN OBLATION TO GOD THE FATHER.
Most tender Father of mercies, and God of all consolation ! I thy unworthy creature, and vile slave that I am, humbly place myself before thee, my most gracious Lord and Creator, not trusting in my own merits, but in those of thy most beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ. I come to thee earnestly entreating to be made a partaker of thy grace and goodness, by the help of which I may be able in every thought, word, and deed of mine, so to direct myself according to the rule of thy will and pleasure,
