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PRACTICE OF MENTAL PRAYER

attaining to such union, following the example of the merchant in the Gospel, who dis- covered a pearl of great price and sold all that he had to buy it.

The cleansing of the soul once accomplished, there still remains its adornment with virtues: the second degree of Christian perfection. Just as an earthly king would not enter the house of one of his subjects if it were only clean, but at the same time unfurnished and with- out ornament, in like manner the King of Heaven could not visit a soul to be united to it by love, unless to purity of conscience was added the adornment of Christian virtues.

How is the soul to acquire virtues? By meditating on the mysteries of faith, espe- cially the life and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our divine Master's example is truly, at one and the same time, clear, inspiring and consoling. It enlightens us, since virtue shines immeasurably more bright in Jesus Christ than anywhere else. His example charms us, because Jesus Christ attracts and triumphs by reason of His beauty, and draws us by the odor of His ointments.'' ^ Lastly, His example is consoling, because

¹ Ps. 44: 5; Cant, 1: 3.