knowledge of God, and of his goodness and infinite majesty, discovers to us the depth of our own misery; and it is by the beams of this divine light, that we best perceive the many atoms of our imperfections, and how much we still want of being perfect But he who is yet but a beginner in the practice of virtue, by not knowing how many things are still requisite for its attainment, is apt to fancy that he is already, in a very high degree, become master of it. It many times happens with a man, who has little or no skill in painting, that when he sees a picture, he presently admires it, and discovers no fault; but if an excellent painter happens to view1 it, and to consider it attentively, he will observe many defects. The same occurs in spiritual matters. He who has not attained to the art of self-knowledge, cannot perceive the faults which lie concealed in the tablet of his own soul; whereas another man, who is better skilled in that art, would quickly discover them.
Let this, therefore, serve to augment in us daily a desire of acquiring the virtue still wanting to us; for, " Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after justice" (Matt. v. 6); that is to say, as St. Jerom explains it, such as never think themselves perfect enough, but always labour to improve in virtue. Thus did the Royal Prophet, when he said to Almighty God: li Wash me still more and more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin" (Ps. 1. 4), as if he would have said: It is not enough, 6 Lord! that I should be washed, an ordinary washing and cleansing is not sufficient for me, " But I beseech thee to wash me, so as I may become whiter than snow." (Ib. 1. 9-) Let us cry to Almighty God in the same manner: " Wash me, O Lord! still more and more." Give me more humility, patience and charity; more mortification, and a more perfect and absolute resignation to your holy will in all things.
CHAPTER XVII.
Of the Perseverance we ought to have in Virtue.
St. Austin, explaining the words of St. Paul, " No one is crowned, but he who lawfully fights (2 Tim. ii. 5), says, that to fight lawfully, is to fight with perseverance to the end, and that only those who fight ill this manner deserve a crown. And upon this occasion he alleges, what St. Jerom also says, that
