CHAPTER II.

On the Strict Judgment of God.

For it is a fearful thing to fall
And who for fear can tell the

Be

"LET my heart rejoice that it may fear Thy Name."1 My GOD, Thou art very lovely, but very terrible also. Let him that loves, rejoice; and him that loves not, fear. Whoso neither fears nor loves, is foolish and mad. into Thy hands. power of Thy anger? or who shall stand to look upon Thee in the coming Judgment Day? cause as the roaring of a lion is Thy voice, and Thy sword as a shining fire. At the sound of Thy voice all the inhabitants of the world shall be moved, and the foundations of the earth shaken when Thou comest. Who then shall not fear, or how shall any escape Thy hands? If a man conceal himself beneath the strongest rock, Thou shalt thunder above it, and its strength shall be rent asunder. And if he hide in caves or mountains, he shall be brought forth, and abide the anger of Him Whom he strove not to appease.

2. Assuredly there is no place where man can be concealed from Thy face. For all things are naked and open before Thee: Thou piercest also the inner parts of man, and knowest his most

1 Ps. lxxxvi. 11.

subtle thoughts. Nothing secret then is hidden from Thy eyes. Oh! how terrible wilt Thou be to sinners and men of hardened minds, who now boast when they have done evil, and glory in basest deeds, and say,—“The LORD doth not see, neither doth GOD understand." They are

SO

puffed up with vain words, as if Thou wast not about to come; and they turn away their eyes that they may not look to the end. But Thou wilt come in an hour when they think not, and they will be taken in the snares of their sins. And as thieves and robbers are confounded, when taken, so will they be in their own time. Thou wilt laugh at them who now mock Thee, and wilt recompense their wickedness unto them who have hated Thy Righteousness. Now they are deaf to Thy voice, but the day will come when they will cry, and none shall hear. They now turn Thy word into a fable, but then they shall be turned into fire. For Thy word shall go forth with a terrible blast, and strike without pity the ungodly and unbelieving.

3. What then will the proud, puffed up with knowledge and swollen with power, say? What answer make, when the last trump has sounded, when Thou, O LORD our GOD, hast appeared in majesty with the angels and archangels?

1 Ps. xciv. 7.

Then will all the unjust scoffers of Thy word be dumb, and they who feared not to persecute the devout will be confounded on every side. Then will they be confounded with great confusion who made shipwreck of conscience, and goodness of life, and gave themselves up to vanity and pleasure. Then shall they be punished who have given the reins to the flesh. Then shall they cry aloud to Heaven, who now joy in the music and the dance. Then whatever hath been won through immoderate joy, shall all be changed to grief. Then shall they be bound in bundles to be burnt who have been companions in drunkenness. And those whom love knit together in sin, the avenging flame shall then punish.

4. Oh! foolish and hapless ones. O mad and blind lovers of the world, what do ye, and mean? How will ye escape the anger of GOD? Why for a little pleasure which ye love, haste ye to eternal torments? Why dread ye not hell, since ye so fear brief penitence? And ye, who flee the death of the flesh, why guard ye not against the eternal death of the soul? For unless ye be converted and repent, ye will not (when GOD judges) escape these fearful evils, and fiery torments. I tremble as I think of the last day and hour; when GOD will no longer be moved by prayers, but be the just Judge of all. Holy GOD, Holy and

Mighty, Holy and Merciful SAVIOUR, deliver me not over unto bitter death, but grant me a season for repentance, that I may worthily lament my sins ere I depart this life.

CHAPTER III.

On Grief and Weeping for Sins.

"My sin is ever before me.' 921 My GOD, I have stained my life with many sins, but see my tears which I shed before Thee on account of them. For I know that in me dwelleth no good thing; and as long as I bear a mortal body, I am not free from sins. Therefore I do evil and sin daily, and what is far worse, I allow many to pass away without groanings and worthy contrition. For too often intent upon, and involved in external affairs, and vain curiosity, I cannot quickly enough return to saving tears. Therefore on this account thickly are the shadows of sin multiplied in me, damming up the fountains of grace, and closing the channels of divine consolation. And is this a little evil? It is in truth a great one, my GOD; and it becomes the more grievous when it passes more quickly from my heart, and pierces me with no sorrow.

! Ps. li. 3.

2. O LORD, wilt Thou not look on me? How long shall I mock Thee, and deceive myself? How long art thou silent, O LORD? Where is Thy rod? Where Thy goad and staff? Why withdrawest Thou the judgment and hell from my eyes? If these were before me, thinkest Thou I should act carelessly? If Thou art silent for my amendment, Thou showest long-suffering; but if I despise it, wilt Thou not afterwards severely punish, if not here, assuredly hereafter? For no sin, small or great, shall go unpunished. But far better is punishment here, where weeping is fruitful, labour short, satisfaction more acceptable, reconciliation easier. Spare not then the rod, but anoint my eyes with keen salve; nor defer my punishment to the last, lest I be delivered over to the tormentors to pay the uttermost farthing. It is better now to be pierced a little and savingly, than hereafter to endure such bitter pangs.1 I must mourn then, and grieve bitterly for my sins. For many have I to weep for, and no cause to laugh. Darkness of heart, a slippery conscience, falls into sin, neglect of grace, persuade, nay often compel me from my needs to weep and groan. And when I think of the different temptations and assaults of sin, what room is there for laughter? Spare me, O LORD, spare me. No 1 Tormenta Purgatorii.