Now, in order to give this reflection all its weight, — that disposition, which deliberately allows itself every infidelity which will not, it believes, be followed by eternal punishment, is the disposition of a slave and hireling; that is to say, that, could they promise themselves the same impunity and indulgence from the Almighty, for the transgression of the essential points of the law, they would violate them with the same indifference as they violate the least; for were cruel and avowed revenge, calumny of the blackest nature, and criminal attachments, to be attended in futurity with no worse consequences than slight and momentary resentments, accidental and careless evil-speaking, or too much self-love, they would feel no more horror in the commission of the former than the last-mentioned crimes; that is to say, that when faithful to the commandments, it is not from a love of righteousness, but the dread of that punishment which would attend their infraction; it is not to order and to the law that they submit themselves, it is to their chastisement; it is not the Lord they have in view, it is themselves; for, while his glory alone is interested, and no serious consequences may be expected to follow our infidelities, from their apparent slightness, we are not afraid of displeasing him; we even justify to ourselves in secret these kinds of transgressions, by saying, that notwithstanding they offend, and are displeasing to the Lord, yet they bring not death nor eternal punishment to the soul. We are not affected by what regards only him, his glory goes for nothing in the distinction we make between actions allowed or forbidden; our interest alone regulates our fidelity, and nothing can warm our coldness but the dread of everlasting punishment. We are even delighted at the impunity of those trivial transgressions; of being able to gratify our inclinations, without any greater misfortune attending, than the displeasure of the Almighty. We love this wretched liberty, which seems to leave us the right of being unpunished, though unfaithful. We are the apologists of it; we carry it even farther than in reality it goes; we wish all to be venial; gaming, dress, sensual pleasures, passion, animosities, public spectacles; — what shall I say? We would wish this freedom to be universal; that nothing which gratifies our appetites should be punished; that the Almighty were neither just, nor the avenger of iniquity; and that we might yeild ourselves up to the gratification of every passion, and violate the sanctity of his law, without any dread of the severity of his justice. Provided a lukewarm soul will descend to an examination of itself, it will feel, that this is truly the principle of its heart, and its real disposition.
Now, I ask you, is this the situation of a soul in which the sanctifying charity and grace are still preserved; that is to say, a soul which loves its Maker more than the world, more than all created beings, more than all pleasures or riches, more than itself; — of a soul which can feel no joy bat in his possession; which dreads only his loss, and knows no misfortune but that of his displeasure? Does the charity you flatter yourselves
