life is as it were but painted; as also because it wonderfully torments, as being the instrument of Almighty God, and of a wrathful God, whose hand is exceeding heavy when He revenges His injury. For as the fire melts the silver, to purify it from dross, so this fire, as the Prophet [1] says, shall melt, that is, shall terribly afflict those souls, to purify them from the dross they brought from the world. So that whilst there is anything to purify, the pain shall continue; for there is no sleep, nor distraction, nor anything else to temper the fury thereof, as there is in this life. And upon this holy men conclude [2] that the torments of purgatory exceed in that which is pain and torment the torments that sinners endure in this life, and those which martyrs have sustained; and even those that the king of martyrs Himself, Christ Jesus our Lord did suffer, to whom I am humbly to say,
Colloquy. — O most sweet Eedeemer, chastise me not in Thy fury within the fire of hell, and purify me so in this life that I may have no need of the fire of purgatory! Amen.
2. From this consideration I should collect three affections and intentions of very great importance.
i. The first is, a great fear of Almighty God, and of the rigour of His justice. For if I consider it well, what need I be so much amazed that the majesty of God stands beholding the souls burn in hell without having compassion of them, seeing they are His enemies, and persist in abhorring Him; as that He should see those of purgatory burn, enduring most terrible pains, and sometimes for very light sins? — and yet loving them much, and being beloved by them, He lets them burn and be in pain until they pay all that they owe Him.
