; then he resolved never again to
speak of his past sins in confession. From that day he was free from
scruples, and felt certain that it was the will of our merciful Lord
to deliver him from his trouble of soul.

Besides the seven hours devoted to prayer, he spent a portion of his
time in assisting souls who came to him for advice. During the rest of
the day he gave his thoughts to God, pondering on what he had read or
meditated that day. When he retired, it often happened that wonderful
illuminations and great spiritual consolations came to him, so that he
abridged the short time he had already allotted to sleep. Once while
thinking over this matter he concluded that he had given sufficient
time for conversation with God, and that moreover the whole day was
also given to Him. Then he began to doubt whether these illuminations
were from the Good Spirit. Finally he came to the conclusion that it
would be better to give up a portion and to give sufficient time to
sleep. This he did.

While he persevered in his resolution to abstain from meat, it
happened on a certain morning after rising, that a dish of cooked meat
seemed to be set before him. He appeared to see it with his eyes,
although he had felt no previous craving for it. At the same time he
afterward experienced within himself a certain movement of the will,
urging him to eat meat. Although the remembrance of his former
resolution came to mind, he had no doubt about determining to eat
meat. When he made this known to his confessor, the latter advised him
to consider whether it was a temptation or not. Pondering over it, he
felt certain that he was right. At that period God dealt with him as a
teacher instructing a pupil. Was this on account of his ignorance or
dulness, or because he had no one else to teach him? Or on account of
the fixed resolve he had of serving God, with which God Himself had
inspired him, for the light given him could not possibly be greater?
He was firmly convinced, both then and afterward, that God had treated
him thus because it was the better spiritual training for him. The
five following points will prove what he says:--

In the first place, he had a great devotion to the Blessed Trinity.
Every day he prayed to each of the three Persons and to the whole
Trinity. While thus praying to the Blessed Trinity, the thought came
of how to offer fourfold prayers to the Divinity. This thought,
however, caused him little or no trouble. Once, whil