temptible, weak, and impotent; and hence happiness is promised in this magnificent form as the corresponding indemnification for this lowliness : — 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven?
At the word ' blessed ’ the heart swells with joy; when 'poverty ’ is named it contracts; but it expands afresh at the sound of 'kingdom' still more when it is the ' Kingdom of Heaven.’ For who would not suffer for the sake of such a kingdom : a realm to be enjoyed in company with God Himself, and inseparably from Him: — eternal, spiritual, abounding in all things, and whence all trouble is banished for ever?
O Lord, I offer Thee everything — I give up everything — that I may share in such a realm! May I only be sufficiently stripped of all other goods to hope for it! In heart and mind 1 deprive myself of them all; and when it shall be Thy will to deprive me actually, I submit to Thee.
All Christians are under this obligation; but the humble Religious must go further, and must actually rejoice in being despoiled of all things, dead to the world, and incapable of holding possessions. O happy deprivation, which gives God in return!
