spirit of penance , and make the firmest resolution — especially , never more to think of this or that bad or vain object , but rather on something quite opposite.]
II. Consider what stings of conscience it will give you at the moment of death to remember, that you have not thought of serving God! What sorrow, when, at the end of your days, you see that there is nothing left to you, at that hour, of all your possessions, honours, splendour, and pleasures, but a handful of dust! what consternation then to see that you have lost the favour of God, and your immortal soul, for the sake of vain trifles and things that perish, when it is too late to remedy the evil, too late for you to try the better way! O what despair! O cruel torment! You will then see, but too late, how great is the value of time; you would willingly purchase it then with your blood, but alas! you will not be able. O bitter day for him who has not served and loved God ! [Awaken in your breast the sentiments of contrition, and make a firm resolution .]
III. Consider how men neglect their salvation, that great end of man. They do not forget to amass riches, to eat, to prepare entertainments, and make all things comfortable about them: but they think little of serving God. You have thought so little of saving your soul, and you consider your everlasting end a thing of little consequence. And thus the greater part of Christians, are hurrying, feasting, singing, dancing, and playing, on their way to hell, O if they only knew the meaning of that word Hell! O man! what pains thou takest to be lost, and wilt thou do nothing to be saved?
When once the private secretary of a king was lying on his death-bed, he exclaimed: Miserable man that I am! I have used so much paper in writing
