Tuesday 3 March 2009

P

Praise the Lord for every new benefit given to you, and then use it to promote his glory, the Church's good and your own salvation. Esteem graces given as spurs to godliness and pledges of eternal life.
Prevent anger before it is kindled. It is wisdom to quench the least spark of fire before it begins to flame. Consider: 1. the origin of anger, being pride or self-love 2. the cursed fruits of anger, by giving the devil a foothold 3. God's patience 4. God's image in your brother 5. Your own weakness in the same kind 6. The wrong is not remedied by revenge, but just enlarged; nor is the wrong doer corrected, but imitated.
Prepare yourself for death and pull out his sting by 1. hating sins past 2. turning to God in the time to come 3. Purposing a new life. None can die ill that has had a care to live well. Persuade yourself that if you live well you will die well.

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