Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/277

 What have  I gained  by  so  many  sins? [Reflect on  the frequent  repetition  of  your  besetting  sin.]  A guilty conscience, a heavy  heart,  a burdened  soul,  hell deserved, and  God  lost ! Ah, my  God  and  Father, unite me  to  thee  once  more  and  for  ever  in  sacred charity. [Excite the  spirit  of  contrition  in  your  heart, and  make  a firm  resolution.]

II. Consider how  this,  the  only  important  concern, is the  most  neglected  of  all. We think  of  everything but our  salvation. We have  time  for  everything  but God. Exhort a man  of  the  world,  to  receive  the sacraments oftener,  or  to  make  a meditation  of  half an hour,  and  he  will  answer  you: I have  children,  I have  property  to  take  care  of,  I have  business,  I have so much  to  do ! O my God! Have you  not  a soul too ! Call upon  all  your  possessions,  and  your children, and  relations,  to  help  you  at  the  hour  of death; they  will  give  you  no  relief,  neither  can  they rescue you  from  hell  when  you  are  damned. Flatter yourself not  with  the  hope  that  you  can  reconcile God and  the  world,  paradise  and  sin. The affair  of your  salvation  is  not  a thing  which  can  be  arranged easily; you must  make  efforts; you  must  do  yourself violence  if  you  would  win  the  crown  of  eternal life. [ Think of  that  besetting  sin  which  lies  in  your  way.] Ah! how many  Christians,  who  are  now  in  hell, flattered themselves  that  at  some  future  time  they would serve  God  and  save  their  souls. What folly ever to  think  always  of  what  finishes  so  soon,  and  to think  so  little  of  that  which  will  never  end! O Christian ! think of  your  true  home,  remember  that you will  soon  quit  this  earth,  and  enter  into  the dwelling of  eternity. O horrible misfortune  for  you, should you  be  damned! Then, remember  it  well, then there  is  no  more  help  for  you. [Arouse in