Vol. 2

298 ST. LUKE.clinations, toward heaven. 3. To give us the truepeace of eternity.—There was nothing but darknesson earth, when the Son of God came down upon it;there is nothing but darkness in the heart of man,before that his grace begins to shine therein.It isby faith that he enlightens us; it is by this thathe conducts his elect to his glory ; it is this whichis the sole way of evangelical peace in this life, andof beatific peace in the other, to which all the designsof God concerning his elect tend, and in whichdo terminate all the mysteries of Christ, and hiswhole conduct towards his church." 80. And the child grew, and waxed strong inspirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showingunto Israel."The duties of an evangelical preacher, before hebegins his ministry, are, 1. To grow in piety, byfeeding on the bread of prayer. 2. To give his zealtime to wax strong, by reading the Holy Scriptures.3. To continue in silence and retirement, until Godis pleased to bring him forth and show him to theworld. How many graces, how many lights, werefor thirty years concealed in the deserts, while thedarkness of ignorance and vice increased on the earth!Men deceive themselves, when they imagine thatthey ought to produce and employ their talents withoutdelay, and that they cannot hide them withoutviolating the command of God. On the contrary,they violate it in not waiting his proper time, butmaking the wants of their neighbour alone a sufficientcall.