Joseph Boero Life of the Blessed Mary Ann of Jesus, De Paredes Y Flores

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Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. The world, engrossed with the things of the earth, far from admiring and extolling such vir tue, abominates and despises it, or at least re gards it as obsolete and antiquated, and unsuited to the carnal refinement of the age. Many also even of the professed followers of Christ will stare when they view such perfection and be come disheartened, and despairing of ever reach ing such an eminence, they will remain in their tepidity without advancing a step. God, however, has his own ends in view ii. Preposing to us these sublime and heroic exam ples of sanctity. In the first place he wishes to make us see the power of his grace, which not only renders possible but easy and agreeable whatever is contrary to the weakness of nature. In the second place he intends to reuse the sin ner, to call him to penance, and conduct him to the observance of the divine precepts, setting before him certain privileged souls, enabled by him to suffer great things, even beyond what is needful and what he himself commands. Finally, he gives vigour and alacrity to fervent Chris tians, in order that they may emulate the gener ous sacrifices of his dearer and more faithful servants, if not entirely at least partially.