having deserved hell, as that I have abused Thy infinite goodness. Never more, my God, never more; let me die rather than offend Thee more. If I were now in hell, O my Sovereign Good, I could not love Thee any more, neither couldst Thou further love me. I love Thee, and I desire to be loved by Thee. I do not deserve this; but Jesus Christ merits it, Who so sacrificed Himself upon the Cross that Thou mightst be able to pardon and love me. Eternal Father, for the love, then, of Thy Son, give me grace to love Thee ever, and to love Thee much. I love Thee, O my Father, for having given Thy Son to me. I love Thee, O Son of God, for Thou hast died for me.
Second Point.
" If the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be." (Eccles. xi. 3.) Wheresoever the tree of thy soul shall fall in death, there it will have to abide for ever. There is no middle way: either a king for ever in heaven, or a slave for ever in hell; either for ever blessed in a sea of joy, or despairing for ever in a pit of torments. S. Chrysostom, considering the feaster who was counted happy in this world because he was rich, but who was afterwards confined in hell; and considering Lazarus, on the other hand, who was reckoned miserable because he was poor, but who was afterwards happy in paradise, says, " O unhappy happiness which drew the rich man into eternal unhappiness! O happy unhappiness which led the poor man into the happiness of eternity! "
What does it serve to trouble yourself, as some do, by saying, " Am I among the number of the reprobate or the predestined? " When the tree is cut down, where does it fall? It falls as it inclines. To which side do you incline, my brother? What life are you leading? Study ever to incline towards the south; preserve yourself in the grace of God; fly from sin; and by so doing you will save yourself and will be numbered with the elect. To avoid sin, have ever before your eyes the great thought of eternity, called by S. Augustine " the great thought." This thought has caused so many youths to fly from the world and to
