_POINT IV._ That war against Satan and against human depravity has been going on for nineteen centuries. Millions have been following Christ to victory, and are now reigning with Him in Heaven. Our time is come; we too must make our choice. Our King has said: “He who is not with me is against me,” “No man can serve two masters” (St. Matth. vi, 24). Let us offer ourselves to be the generous and faithful followers of our Blessed Saviour, imitating Him on earth that we may follow Him into the glory of Heaven. What sacrifices in particular can I offer Him? _Colloquy._ Beg earnestly for light and grace to understand and follow the example of Christ. SECOND MEDITATION On the Incarnation Here St. Ignatius begins what he calls the Second Week of his Exercises, in which he bids us study how the great King leads us in the grand enterprise of establishing the Kingdom of His Father, by considering His coming on earth, His nativity, His childhood and His private life. The main purpose all along is to make us know Him more intimately, love Him more ardently and follow Him more faithfully. This following consists in making ourselves more and more like to Him: “Whom he (God) foreknew he also predestinated to be made comformable to the image of his Son” (Rom. viii, 29). By this conformity to Christ we make God reign in our hearts and prepare ourselves to enter into His Heavenly Kingdom. In this and the following exercises a change is made in the process so far followed; namely, instead of recalling the facts to memory in the body of the meditation, we now recall them in a special prelude, put before the two usual ones. Then in the points we do less reasoning; we rather look on and behold the event as it were passing before our eyes, noticing in particular the persons, their words and their actions, and dwelling on the thoughts and the sentiments which they suggest to our minds. From the fact that we behold rather than reason, these exercises are usually called _contemplations_, rather than _meditations_, though the name is of little importance, provided the process be well understood. _1st Prelude._ Recall the facts to mind, as they are related by St. Luke (i, 26-38). _2nd Prelude._ Imagine you see the face of the earth, as it was at that time, inhabited by diverse races of men, civilized and barbarian, all steeped in vice and rushing on, a vast torrent, into the abyss of Hell. In the little town of Nazareth the Virgin Mary at prayer, and God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost looking down from Heaven upon the varied scene. _3rd Prelude._ Beg fervently that you may understand this mystery, and may learn from it to know your King, Christ, more clearly, love Him more ardently and follow Him more faithfully. _POINT I._ _Study the scene_ as it was before the descent of the Angel, noticing the persons, with their words and actions.