at the thought of that terrible sentence, and who will nevertheless on the last day be among the unhappy wretches on the left hand of the Judge, so that they will hear that sentence thundered forth against themselves? Why is this? It comes from the fact (and the same may be said of other truths too) that after they have been for some time disturbed in mind by what they have heard, after having considered in a cursory manner what a reasonable man should do to avoid such an irreparable calamity, they forget those good thoughts in a short time, drive them out of their minds, and go on in their usual vicious, tepid, idle, vain, and therefore as far as their salvation is concerned, most dangerous way of life. This is chiefly the case with those who, that they may not become melancholy, as they term it, deliberately avoid all reflection on such salutary and terrible truths, and lest they should be forced to face them, wilfully absent themselves from sermons. Ah, my dear Christians, I augur something better for you!
Folly of the sinner who cannot be moved to repent by the thought of that sentence.
But you, O sinners, who are not yet earnestly resolved to renounce your vicious ways and to return to God by sincere repentance, fear! tremble! Bewail and lament your folly, the hardness and blindness of your hearts! Is it then your determination for such a wretched thing, for a momentary carnal pleasure, for some trifling gain, for the sake of being revenged on your enemy, to satisfy your vanity, or for the love of a mortal creature—is it your determination to hear one day the terrible words: Depart from Me, you cursed? Ah, souls, I beg of you by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, which still cries out to heaven for mercy; by the tears that the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, the Refuge of sinners, the Mother of mercy, has shed for you, enter into your selves, and return to your God, most worthy of love, who now sincerely desires not your damnation, but your eternal happiness! I assure you that even I, willing as I am to help you to get to heaven, even I on that dreadful day shall have to appear against you before the divine tribunal, and in the presence of my Judge and yours to cry out before all creatures: I have warned you in the words with which God inspired me at the time, telling me to speak to your hearts in His name, and you have paid no attention; you have heard and understood the truth explained to you, but you became no better. If you will not be influenced by what I say to you now, then hear the words that God your future Judge says to you by the Prophet Jeremias: “I am weary of entreat-
