Vol. 2

;CHAPTER I.29TNothing is greater than " to go before the faceof the Lord to prepare his ways" in souls; since thisis that which makes all the greatness of John. Hisfunction, and that of all spiritual directors, is to teachmen Jesus Christ, and to prepare them to receivefrom him " the knowledge of salvation, and the remissionof their sins/' There is a necessary connectionbetwixt the true knowledge of salvation, andreconciliation with God : for, by filling themselveswith bad principles and maxims remote from the gospel,men too often set themselves at a farther distancefrom God, and lull themselves asleep in a superficialpiety. Teach us. Lord, this true knowledge of salvation,which will infallibly guide us to thee !" 78. Through the tender mercy of our Godwhereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us,"The incarnation, and the whole train of our blessedSaviour's mysteries, the first light which shines onour heart, and the whole series of graces which worksalvation, are the effects of the love and tender mercyof God. The incarnation is the rising of the Sunof righteousness, which is come to change the darknessof sin into the light of faith.Such, in respectof a sinner, is the first ray which strikes the eyes ofhis mind, in order to make him a child of light.These are two benefits, the one general, the otherparticular, both worthy of an eternal acknowledgment." 79. To give light to them that sit in darknessand in the shadow of death, to guide our feet intothe way of peace."The designs of God in the incarnation of his Son,are, L To dispel the darkness of ignorance, sin,and death. 2. To turn our hearts, and all their inn3