Page:MeditationsOnTheMysteriesOfOurHolyV1.djvu/158

 Colloquy. — O Prince of Heaven, to whose tribunal I go to be judged, grant me that I may take Thy wholesome counsel, agreeing always with these two good " adversaries," that, being freed from the sin, I may be so likewise from the "officer" and eternal " prison." Amen.

2. But above all, I am to consider the most rigorous examination of the judge Himself, in which are two terrible things, i. The first is, that it is universal with regard to all things whatsoever, charging me with all my sins of deed, word, and thought, though they were but "idle" ones; and with omissions and negligences of my life, with the ingratitude and deficient correspondence to God's benefits, as well general as special, as are sacraments, inspirations, &amp;c. I shall also be charged with the evil circumstances that I mixed with my good works; for on this it is said, " that when He shall take a time, He will judge justices," making a very rigorous examination of those works that appear good.

ii. The second property of this examination is, that it shall be evident to the examined himself, for the proof of all these charges shall be a clear light, wherewith God will discover to my soul all its sins, without omitting any one, even those which it had forgotten, and supposed were not at all. And upon this He says by one of the prophets, That He "will search Jerusalem by lamps," that is to say, that He will not only judge the wicked that dwell in Babylon, but also the just that live in Jerusalem, and that He will inflame such a light to search into their souls that they themselves may see the very corners of their consciences.

Colloquy. — Oh, how afflicted shall my poor soul find itself with so strict and rigorous an examination! Oh,