omnipotence and justice of Almighty God, who takes it for its instrument
3. The third is, that it wants that which used to refresh, and retains that which is pure torment. For (as has been mentioned already) it burns and gives no light; it burns and consumes not; it burns perpetually and never diminishes, for it is preserved by God. And although the miserable damned (according to the saying of the prophet) are as " stubble," [1] this fire laying suddenly hold upon them without any resistance, yet this stubble never ceases to burn, and the flame that proceeds from it casts out such a smoke that it blinds but chokes not; it torments, but kills not. Then what will it be to see one of the damned steeped and overwhelmed in a pit of fire, and in an immensity of flames, with pitiful groanings, howlings and exclamations, without finding any refreshing or hope of ease? Oh, what a terrible evil is sin, seeing that Almighty God being infinitely merciful, beholding one that is His own creature, redeemed with the blood of the Lamb, suffering such horrible torments, yet has no compassion of him nor pulls him out of that fire; nay, rather from heaven He stands looking on him, and rejoicing that he suffers according to the statute of His justice!
Colloquy. — O my soul, hear what this our Lord says, "Which of you can dwell with devouring fire? Which of you shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" [2] If thou darest not touch the light fire of this life, why dost thou not tremble at the terrible fire of the other? Contemplate this fire with attention, that the fear of it may consume the fire of thy insatiable desires, if through thy want of fervent zeal, the fire of God's love be not sufficient to consume them.
