earth. Even so, as the saint observes, does it happen with habitual sinners, " Entangled by a bad habit, they are holden by the enemy; flying, they are cast down into the same vice." S. Bernardine of Sienna adds, that some continue to sin even without the occasion. The saint remarks, that habitual sinners are like unto windmills which turn round at every breath of wind; and turn round more when there is no corn to grind, and although the miller does not wish them to turn. An habitual sinner will be seen, who, without occasion, will indulge in bad thoughts; who without desire, and who almost without wishing it, will be drawn by force to do evil. As S. Chrysostom observes, " Habit is a hard thing, which sometimes compels those who are unwilling to do what is wrong." Yes, because, according to S. Augustine, the bad habit at last becomes a sure necessity. And S. Bernardine also adds, " Habit is changed into nature;" for, as it is necessary for man to breathe, even so to habitual sinners who are made the slaves of sin, it seems necessary to sin. I say slaves of sin; there are servants who serve and are paid, but slaves serve because they are obliged to do so, and without any pay. Even to this do some miserable ones come even to sin without feeling any pleasure in doing so. " When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt." (Prov. xviii. 3.) S. Chrysostom well applies this to the habitual sinner, who being placed in that pit of darkness, despises corrections, sermons, censures, hell, and even God; who despises every thing, and becomes like the vulture, which rather than leave the dead body is willing to be killed upon it. S. Bernard tells us even that for habitual sinners it is no use to pray we must weep for them as for those who are lost. But how can they avoid the precipice if they can no longer see? They need a miracle of grace. These wretched ones will open their eyes in hell, when there will be no longer any good in opening them, except to weep more bitterly over their folly.
Affections and Prayers.
My God, Thou hast indeed favoured me with Thy blessings in blessing me more than others; and I have clearly, by my offences, displeased Thee more than any other that I know.
