operation it was that thy saints achieved such wonders. Let thy grace precede me also, and its aid follow me. I can do all things in thee, who strengthenest me. Lead me, O Lord, into the path of thy commandments, which the saints themselves so cheerfully trod, because thou didst enlarge their heart, that in their footsteps I may come to thee, and with thy saints praise thee, and be united to thee for ever and ever.
Christ. Take courage, my son; I provided for my saints a severe contest, that they might learn from victory that patience is stronger than all things. But thou art more gently dealt with than they. For this thou needst not think a season of persecution necessary. He who desires to lead a good life will hardly fail of being persecuted. Prove at least in small conflicts how bravely thou canst stand thy ground in greater. Behold, my apostles forsook all and followed me. Renounce at least thy affection for the goods of this life, and if they increase, set not thy heart upon them. The martyrs hesitated not to shed their blood, and to die for my name. But I say not to thee, Die, lay down thy life, overcome tyrants, or shed thy blood for me. But mortify thy members that are upon the earth. Restrain the desires of the flesh. Deny thyself. Be patient, humble, meek. Render not evil for evil. Set a watch over thy mouth, fence in thy ears with thorns. Turn away thy eyes, that they may not behold vanity. Be reconciled to thy brother. Break thy bread to the hungry. Will these, and similar duties, be hard for thee? Canst thou not bear to die? Bear at least an insult or a trivial injury with patience. Thou hast not resisted unto blood, like so many thousands of my martyrs. Behold, even young and delicate maidens outdo their sex and age, and trample under foot the world, the flesh, and the devil. Even they vanquish tyrants, and, unstained in mind and body, fly to the standard of the cross. And canst not thou chastise thy body, and bring it into subjection? Or expectest thou to go straight to heaven by so soft and broad a way, as living luxuriously, and pampering thy slave, the body? Go; this was not the way of the saints. Arise, thou that sleepest, and I will enlighten thee. My hand is not shortened. Be not wanting to thyself, and I, who have aided the saints, will not be wanting to thee. Praise, therefore, the saints with fervour, invoke them often, and diligently follow their example. As I have been theirs, so I will be also thy exceeding great reward.
