for you see how old I am now how many years do you think I may be able to live?" She answered, "You might live for twenty years." " O foolish tradeswoman!" he lovingly said; " for another twenty years of life on this earth, you would have me forfeit a happy eternity, and condemn myself to an eternity of pain."
O God, give us light! If this question of eternity were doubtful, or a probable opinion only, even then we ought to make it our whole study to live well, so as not to expose ourselves to the danger of being eternally unhappy, if ever this opinion should prove true. But not so. This point is not doubtful, but certain; it is not an opinion, but an article of faith, " Man goeth to his long home." Alas! says S. Teresa, that the want of faith should be such, as to cause so great sins, and the condemnation of so many Christians. Let us then ever rekindle faith by saying, I believe "in the life everlasting." I believe that after this life, there is another life which shall never end, and with this thought always before the eyes, let us seize the means to secure our eternal salvation. Let us frequent the Holy Sacrament; let us every day meditate, and reflect upon eternal life; let us flee from opportunities which are dangerous; and, if necessary, let us leave the world, since no security can be enough to make sure of this great point of eternal salvation. S. Bernard says, " That no security is excessive, where eternity is in danger."
Affections and Prayers.
Therefore, my God, there is not a middle way; either I must be happy for ever, or for ever unhappy; either in a sea of delights, or in a sea of torments; either ever with Thee in paradise, or for ever afar off and separated from Thee in hell. I know for certain that I have often merited this hell; but I also know that Thou dost pardon him who repents, and that Thou deliverest from hell him who hopes in Thee. Thou assurest me of it, "He shall call upon me, and I will hear him .... I will deliver him, and bring him to honour." (Ps. xcv. 15.) Make haste, then, my Lord, make haste to pardon me and to deliver me from hell, repent, O Highest Good, above every other evil, the having
