that of refusing to pardon an enemy: and a soul in such a disposition may be looked upon as marked for hell.
[Examine your heart before the crucifix; and if you feel a hatred for any person, take sentiments of charity from the wounds of Jesus.]
“ He that hates his brother is a murderer.” — 1 John iii. 15.
“You a Christian, and yet desire to be revenged! but Christ hath not yet taken vengeance.” — St. Austin .
TWENTY-NINTH DAY. — IMITATION OF CHRIST.
1. The Son of God, when he united his divinity to our human nature, became the model for Christians. He is the head of the predestined; we are therefore bound to resemble him.
2. The manners of the world are carefully studied; but the life of Jesus Christ is hardly thought upon. Courtiers form themselves after the model of their prince, philosophers have been imitated, even in their faults. Hid we ever seriously strive to imitate Jesus? Have we taken any pains to follow his example, or to copy after the virtues of his holy life?
3. What shall we say for ourselves at the awful tribunal of Divine Justice, when we shall be compared to our model? when the life of Jesus shall be opposed to our life? his humility to our pride? his wounds to our delicacy? his sweetness to our anger and impatience? &c. Ah! what a monster is a Christian without Christianity ! baptized, and a slave to the devil! under the banners of the Cross, yet a follower of the flesh and of the world! We must, then, renounce our Baptism, or conform to the life of the Saviour.
[See whether you bear any resemblance to the Son of God, and whether you may be truly considered as a disciple of a crucified Jesus.]
“Master, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest.” — St. Matt.
“ In vain am I a Christian if I follow not Christ.”— Bernard.
