When you have quietly gone through each point of this examination, and have ascertained your own position, you will excite certain feelings and affections in your heart. Thank God for such amendment, however slight, as you may have found in yourself, confessing that it is the work of His Mercy Alone in you.
Humble yourself deeply before God, confessing that if your progress has been but small, it is your own fault, for not having corresponded faithfully, bravely and continually to the inspirations and lights which He has given you in prayer or otherwise.
Promise to praise Him forever for the graces He has granted to you, and because He has led you against your will to make even this small progress.
Ask forgiveness for the disloyalty and faithlessness with which you have answered Him.
Offer your whole heart to Him that He Alone may rule therein. Entreat Him to keep you faithful to Himself.
Ponder over the examples of the Saints, the Blessed Virgin, your guardian Angel and patron Saint, S. Joseph, etc.
CHAPTER IX. Reflections suitable to the renewal of Good Resolutions.
AFTER you have made this self-examination and having conferred with some holy director as to your shortcomings and their remedies, you will do well to pursue the following considerations, taking one daily as a meditation, and giving to it the time usually so spent; always making the same preparation and kindling the same affections as you learned to use before meditating in Part I. Above all, placing yourself in the Presence of God, and earnestly asking His Grace to confirm you and keep you steadfast in His Holy Love and Service.
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