exiled from Paradise by a just sentence of banishment, and deserving, by our unworthiness and perversity, to become the objects of God's hatred, and to be doomed to eternal punishment. This consideration should excite in us sentiments of unfeigned humility, sentiments, too, which our prayers should piously breathe. Diffiding entirely in ourselves, like the publican, we will fly to the mercy of God: attributing all to his bounty, we will render immortal thanks to him who has imparted to us his Holy Spirit; that Holy Spirit encouraged by whom we are emboldened to say, " Abba, Father." [1] We will also be careful to consider what is to be done, what avoided, in order to arrive at the kingdom of heaven. We are not called by God to lead lives of ease and indolence; he himself declares, that " the kingdom of God suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away;" [2] and if we will enter into life, we must keep the commandments. [3] Not enough, therefore, that we seek the kingdom of God: we must also use our best exertions for its attainment; and it is a duty incumbent on us to co-operate with the grace of God, in pursuing the path that leads to heaven. God never abandons us; he has promised to be with us at all times; and we have, therefore, only not to forsake God, or abandon ourselves.
In this kingdom of God, which is his Church, he has provided all those succours by which he defends the life of man, and accomplishes his eternal salvation; whether they are invisible to us, such as those which we receive from the ministry of the hosts of angelic spirits, or visible, such as we receive from the sacraments, those unfailing sources of celestial virtue. Defended by these safeguards, not only may we securely defy the assaults of our most determined enemies, but may even lay prostrate, and trample under foot, the fell tyrant himself, with all his infernal legions.
In conclusion, let us, then, earnestly implore of God the effusion of his Divine Spirit, that he may command us to do all things in accordance with his holy will; that he may over throw the empire of Satan, so as to have no power over us on the great accounting day; that Christ may be victorious and triumphant; that the divine influence of his law may be spread throughout the world; that his ordinances maybe observed; that there be found no traitor to, no deserter from, his standard; and that all may so conduct themselves, as to come with joy into the presence of God their King, and may reach the possess ion of the celestial kingdom, prepared for them from all eternity, in the fruition of endless bliss with Christ Jesus.
