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 become useless  to  them: the  bread  of  the  strong does not  fortify  their  souls,  therefore  the  sacraments which are  a source  of  grace  and  salvation  to  other sinners, become  the  chief  subject  of  their  condemnation. As to  their  ingratitude,  what  can  be  more ungrateful, than  to  trample  on  the  sacred  blood which purified  their  souls? to insult  a God  again  who so often  received  them  with  mercy! Ah! 1 will never be  guilty  of  such  ingratitude;  I will  never expose my  soul  to  such  danger;  but  I must  not depend on  my  own  strength; though  I trust  in  the mercy of  God,  that  the  spirit  of  sin  has  gone  forth from me,  yet  has  he  not  perhaps  already  said  that  he would  return? (Luke xi.  24.)  Does  he  not  perceive, with  envy  and  rage,  that  my  soul  is,  as  the Gospel says,  swept  and  garnished? (Ibid.) That  it is  purified  by  a good  confession,  and  adorned  with the robe  of  sanctifying  grace; with  the  ornaments of virtuous  desires  and  holy  resolutions? Has not that wicked  spirit  determined  to  disturb  the  happiness I now enjoy,  and  to  tempt  me  again  with  seven times more  violence  than  before? O my God! my strength! my refuge! thou knowest  that  the  least temptation would  be  too  strong  for  me,  if  1 be abandoned  to  myself. O stay with  me,  then,  my God! protect me  from  mine  enemies; and  rather take me  out  of  the  world,  than  permit  me  to  commit one mortal  sin.

Second Point. — The  second  description  of  relapsing sinners, are  those  who  communicate  regularly,  yet continue to  commit  venial  sins  deliberately,  and  persevere in  a course  of  tepidity  and  negligence. Those are persons  whose  example  you  should  most  carefully guard  against,  because  you  would  be  more likely to  imitate  them  than  notorious  sinners. The