I. God is our supreme Master. We have no claims on Him. He has no obligations towards us, and is actuated only by His infinite equity and love and gratuitous generosity. In particular, the higher state which transcends nature is beyond all our requirements and all our power of earning it. When we had lost it in Adam, God was in no way bound to restore it to us ; and still less when, after it had been restored, we forfeited it again by our own personal revolt. Even if God had left us in the simply natural state to carry out a temporal work here as part of the general cosmic process, and then to cease from existence like the beasts even that would have been an immense favour for us, and beyond our deserts. But God has chosen to make a new beginning with us, and to bring about the accomplishment of His original design in another way. He has not straightway replaced us in the state of integrity and the fulness of supernatural life from which we had fallen. That has now become a progressive work, proceeding from small beginnings and gradually mounting to its perfection. "The path of the just, like a shining light, goeth forward and increaseth even to perfect day" (Prov. iv. 18). Be grateful that He has not left you in your fallen state, but started you afresh. Strive earnestly and pray that "He who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. i. 6).
II. The highest of God's graces are not bestowed indiscriminately on all men, nor from the first; but a sufficient initial grace is given to all to lead them ultimately to holiness and eternal life. All of mankind have been brought out of the mass of perdition to this extent, that they are entirely relieved of their inability to rise to the supernatural state. Some sufficient means, varying indefinitely according to different cases, has been provided for all without exception. Not only those who, as God foreknows, will be saved, but even those whom He knows to be reprobate, receive ample opportunities of salvation. Christ died for all sinners, and the graces He purchased are fully at their disposal. "I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live" (Ez. xxxiii. 11). The prodigality of God s grace is perhaps shown more abundantly in the case of sinners than in the just, for their greater misery appeals more to the pity of the Saviour. The first call comes to every one: God begins His work in every soul; the further advance and completion depends on the way in which we follow up the operation of grace. God's light and strength have not failed you, nor ever will, how ever great your unworthiness. You may not have received all that you desire, but you have received the beginning. Be faithful and the rest will follow.
III. The first grace given by God is generally incipient only and incomplete; it does not convey the fulness of light and strength. It is not sufficient by itself for the whole working out of salvation, but it is sufficient in that it leads to the ampler graces which will lead to the final goal. Men have to struggle painfully from one stage to another. Progress implies a previous incompleteness. They must prove themselves faithful in few things before they are set over many. So the glimmering star which appeared to the wise men in the East was by no means a full revelation of the Divine Child at the first; it even failed them for a time. But they were faithful to the scantiest indications, they used their natural opportunities to supplement the super natural ones, and they arrived at the cradle of the Messias. A similar grace is accorded to all men, but many are glad to excuse themselves on the ground of its dimness and uncertainty; they neglect to follow it up as far as it leads, and they tempt God by expecting that He will send them the ulterior grace that will convince them without their own exertions. Be faithful to the earliest and slightest move ments of grace. A tiny rill is sometimes the first source of a gigantic river. A momentary folly may stop a long progression of graces.
Read from the Original Book.
