16. The mind must be strengthened, beloved brethren, by these meditations. By exercises of this kind it must be confirmed against all the darts of the devil. Let there be the divine reading in the hands,42    Pamelius, from four codices, reads, “Let there be the divine reading before the eyes, good works in the hands.” the Lord’s thoughts in the mind; let constant prayer never cease at all; let saving labour persevere. Let us be always busied in spiritual actions, that so often as the enemy approaches, however often he may try to come near, he may find the breast closed and armed against him. For a Christian man’s crown is not only that which is received in the time of persecution: peace43    [“Habet et pax coronas suas.” Comp. Milton, Sonnet xi.] also has its crowns, wherewith the victors, from a varied and manifold engagement, are crowned, when their adversary is prostrated and subdued. To have overcome lust is the palm of continency. To have resisted against anger, against injury, is the crown of patience. It is a triumph over avarice to despise money. It is the praise of faith, by trust in the future, to suffer the adversity of the world. And he who is not haughty in prosperity, obtains glory for his humility; and he who is disposed to the mercifulness of cherishing the poor, obtains the retribution of a heavenly treasure; and he who knows not to be jealous, and who with one heart and in meekness loves his brethren, is honoured with the recompense of love and peace. In this course of virtues we daily run; to these palms and crowns of justice we attain without intermission of time.

XVI. His meditationibus corroborandus est animus, fratres dilectissimi, ejusmodi exercitationibus contra omnia diaboli jacula firmandus. Sit in manibus divina lectio, in sensibus Dominica cogitatio: oratio jugis omnino non cesset: salutaris operatio perseveret. Spiritalibus semper actibus occupemur, ut quotiescumque inimicus accesserit, quoties adire tentaverit, et clausum adversum se pectus inveniat et armatum. Non enim christiani hominis corona una est quae tempore persecutionis accipitur: habet et pax coronas suas, quibus de varia et multiplici congressione 0649B victores, prostrato et subacto adversario, coronantur. Libidinem subegisse continentiae palma est. Contra iram, contra injuriam repugnasse corona patientiae est. De avaritia triumphus est pecuniam spernere. Laus est fidei fiducia futurorum mundi adversa tolerare. Et qui superbus in prosperis non est, gloriam de humilitate consequitur. Et qui ad pauperum fovendorum misericordiam pronus est, retributionem thesauri coelestis adipiscitur. Et qui zelare non novit, quique, unanimis et mitis, fratres 0650A suos diligit, dilectionis et pacis praemio honoratur. In hoc virtutum stadio quotidie currimus, ad has justitiae palmas et coronas sine intermissione temporis pervenimus.