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 deeds which  we  had  lost  by  losing  His  grace;  He  restores to us  those  merits  and  that  grace  with  interest,  and  He places  us  in  a  position  more  advantageous  than  that  in which  we  were  when  we  fell  away  from  Him.

I am  not  at  all  astonished  that  St.  Mary  Magdalen  had not, even  after  thirty  years  had  elapsed,  ceased  to  weep for her  sins,  although  she  could  not  doubt  but  they  had been remitted. I am  not  surprised  that  St.  Peter  should have been  inconsolable  even  unto  death  for  having  failed in his  fidelity  to  so  good  a  Master,  notwithstanding  the certainty he  had  of  being  forgiven.

Can one  be  mindful  that  so  good  a  Master  has  been offended without  having  one's  heart  torn  with  grief,  and without feeling  a  hatred  of  one's  self? Can we,  who  have so coolly  insulted  Him  without  any  reason,  having,  on  the contrary, a  thousand  reasons  to  love  Him,  we,  who  have for so  long  a  time  abused  His  love,  His  patience,  His blessings, His  mercy,  can  we,  I  say,  recollect  this  without dying of  regret  and  repentance?

It is  that  thought  which  redoubles  my  grief,  at  having so cruelly  sinned  against  a  God  who  has  so  readily  forgiven me,  who  has  returned  good  for  evil,  and  all  kinds  of blessings  in  return  for  every  kind  of  evil.

Can it  be  that  I  shall  ever  forget  the  ingratitude  which He has  so  soon  forgotten? that I  should  forgive  my  own infidelities, which  He  not  only  has  pardoned  but  has  urged me to  accept  His  forgiveness  many  a  time? in fine,  that  I should  remain  satisfied  after  having  insulted  His  divine goodness so  often  and  for  so  long  a  time,  a  God  who  does not love  me  less  to-day,  and  who  loves  me  even  more  now than before  I  had  offended  Him?

Le Pere de  la  Colombiere.

''Reflections.