far as they are necessary, to give us them, even with no care of ours, if we seek first the kingdom of God and his justice; we, deliberately despising the things of earth, lift up the eyes of our mind to that heavenly kingdom, that inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading in heaven, which only they merit to receive who set not their heart upon riches, but despise the kingdom of the world and all its pomp, and sigh continually for the riches of the kingdom of heaven, in praying from their heart,
Thy kingdom come,
The kingdom of all ages, when we shall be filled with the good things of thy house, and be satisfied, when thy glory shall appear; for we believe that we shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Oh, what, and how great, are they! Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for them that love him.
Meantime, may thy kingdom of grace and justice come to us also, whicn may make us, though poor in worldly things, nevertheless rich in the merits of good works. For poor as is the life we lead here, yet, if we fear God, we shall have many blessings. For not earthly wealth, but virtues and the gifts of grace are the true riches.
But we must beware of being surprised by faintness and sloth in seeking the kingdom of God; for, Not every one that saith: Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth Vie will of my Father who is in heaven.
Next, therefore, to the victory over avarice, will come the struggle against sloth. The weapon to assail it with is this:
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
That is, oh, that we, inhabitants of earth, may do it like those of heaven! In heaven God is praised with the greatest delight. In heaven the angels, with wonderful readiness, obey his pleasure. Oh, that we might do so with similar devotion, alacrity, and promptitude upon earth! Even to wish this is much in the sight of God, who sees into our good will.
But because the weakness of our flesh compels us to refresh our bodily powers with meat and drink, an act which is productive of pleasure, the devil endeavours to make this an occasion of entangling us in the vice of gluttony, and of leading us into excess
