Page:StJosephsManual1877.pdf/116

 and good works will then seem to yon sweet and delightful. O, why did I not follow this lovely and pleasant path? The sins which before seemed very little will appear as big as mountains, and your devotion very small.

3. Consider the long and languishing farewells your soul will then give this world; she will then take her leave of riches, vanities, and all idle company; of pleasures, pastimes, friends, and neighbors; of kindred, children, husband, and wife; in short, of every creature; and finally of her own body, which she will leave pale, hideous, and loathsome.

4. Consider with what hurryiug they will carry away this body, to cover it under the earth; which done, the world will think no more of you than you have thought on others; God's peace be with him, they will say, and that's all. O Death, how void art thou of regard or pity!

5. Consider how the soul, being departed from the body, takes her way to the right hand, or to the left. Alas! whither shall yours go? What way shall it take? No other than that which it began here in this world.

Affections and Resolutions. — 1. Pray to God, and cast yourself into his arms. Alas! O my Lord, receive me into thy protection at that dreadful day; make that hour happy and favorable to me; and rather let all the other days of my life be sad and sorrowful.

2. Despise the world. Since, then, I know not the hour in which I must leave thee, O wretched world, I will no more set my heart upon thee. O my dear friends and relations, pardon me if I love you no more but with a holy friendship, which may last eternally; for why should I unite myself to you, so as to he forced to break and dissolve that knot?

3. I will then prepare myself against that hour,