Vol. 2

610 ST. LUKE.need of it every moment, even to the hour of hisdeath ? As the kindness and gentleness of Godtowards^ us, is the rule and pattern of that which weowe to others : so our rigour and severity towardsothers is, as it were, the rule and pattern of thatwhich God will exercise towards us. There is nothingmore dangerous to such as have need of aninfinite mercy, than to set bounds and limits to theirown.*' 5. ^ And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increaseour faith."How necessary is this prayer continually throughoutthe whole course of our life ; and especiallywhen we are to forgive injuries, and to sacrifice tocharity the deceitful sweetness of revenge ! Faithdecays every moment, unless it be supported byprayer. Prayer owes its birth to faith ; but faithowes its increase to prayer : and both are a gift ofGod in every degree. Lord, thou alone canst infuse,preserve, increase, and perfect thy gifts in us,and make them helpful and subservient one to another.** 6. And the Lord said. If ye had faith as a grainof mustard-seed, ye might say unto this sycaminetree,Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thouplanted in the sea; and it should obey you.'^Faith is a thing which appears mean and contemptibleto the eyes of the carnal man : and yetthere is nothing more strong and powerful. Lord,I do not ask this gift of thee, either to pluck up treesby the root, or to remove mountains, but to root outof my heart self-love and concupiscence, that accursedtree which bears nothing but corrupt fruit,