CHAPTER VI. The Third Part of Meditation, Affections and Resolutions.

MEDITATION excites good desires in the will, or sensitive part of the
soul,–such as love of God and of our neighbour, a craving for the
glory of Paradise, zeal for the salvation of others, imitation of our
Lord’s Example, compassion, thanksgiving, fear of God’s wrath and of
judgment, hatred of sin, trust in God’s Goodness and Mercy, shame for
our past life; and in all such affections you should pour out your soul
as much as possible. If you want help in this, turn to some simple book
of devotions, the Imitation of Christ, the Spiritual Combat, or
whatever you find most helpful to your individual wants.

But, my daughter, you must not stop short in general affections,
without turning them into special resolutions for your own correction
and amendment. For instance, meditating on Our Dear Lord’s First Word
from the Cross, you will no doubt be roused to the desire of imitating
Him in forgiving and loving your enemies. But that is not enough,
unless you bring it to some practical resolution, such as, “I will not
be angered any more by the annoying things said of me by such or such a
neighbour, nor by the slights offered me by such an one; but rather I
will do such and such things in order to soften and conciliate them.”
In this way, my daughter, you will soon correct your faults, whereas
mere general resolutions would take but a slow and uncertain effect.
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