e might enjoy much peace, if we would not busy ourselves with the words and deeds of other men, which have nothing to do with us. How can he abide long in peace, who thrusts himself into the cares of others, who seeks occasions abroad, who little or seldom recollects himself within his own breast?
Blessed are the pure at heart, who will one thing, for they will enjoy much peace. Why were some of the saints so perfect and contemplative? Because they studied to mortify themselves wholly to all earthly desires; and therefore they could from their heart's core fix themselves upon God, and be free to retire within themselves.
We are too much held by our own passions, and too much troubled about transitory things. We seldom overcome even one vice perfectly, and are not set on fire to grow better every day; and therefore we remain cold and lukewarm. If we were dead unto ourselves, them we should be able to relish things divine, and to know something of heavenly contemplation.
The greatest, and indeed the whole impediment is, that we are not disentangled from our passions and lusts, neither do we endeavor to enter into the perfect path of the saints. When any small adversity meets us, we
