CONSIDERATION XXI
The unhappy life of sinner, and the happy life of the saint
"There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked." Isa. xlviii. 22.
"Great is the peace that they have who love Thy law." Ps. cxix. 165.
First Point.
ALL men in this life weary themselves to find peace the merchant, the soldier, and he who has a lawsuit they all try to find peace, thinking that by winning that gain, obtaining that post, gaining that lawsuit, to make a fortune, and thus to find peace. Poor worldly ones, who seek peace in this world, which cannot give it to them! God alone can give us peace, as the Church prays, " Give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give." No; the world with all its riches cannot satisfy the heart of man, because man was not created for these riches, but for God alone; therefore it is God alone that can satisfy him. Animals are created for the delights of sense only; these find then: happiness in earthly things. Give a horse a bundle of grass; give a dog a piece of flesh; they are both content they desire nothing more. But the soul which is created to love and to be united to God alone, will never be able to find peace in all the pleasures that sense can give. God alone can render it truly happy.
That rich man whom S. Luke records, whose ground brought forth plentifully, said within himself, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and
