Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/303

 that hath  promised  pardon  to  those  who  repent,  has not promised  another  day  to  those  who  continue  in their  vices. Perhaps I shall  have  time; and  perhaps I shall not. Must I not  have  lost  my  senses  to  trust my salvation  to  a mere  perhaps?

[Reflect now upon  the  time  you  have  been  deferring  your  conversion  to  God,  and  tremble  at  the  sight  of  your  danger.]

“I said, Now  I have  begun.” — Psalm  lxix.

“ We cannot be  too  cautious  where  eternity  is  at  stake.”— St. Gregory.

1. What  will  the  world  say? Let it  say  what  it  will. Should the  talk  of  fools  hinder  you  from  being  wise? What will  my  acquaintances  say? They will  say  that you fear  God  more  than  you  fear  man; the  greatest libertines will  secretly  admire  you,  and  acknowledge within themselves  that  you  are  doing  right. But what matters it,  after  all,  what  people  may  say  of  you, provided you  do  your  duty,  and  that  God  be  satisfied?

2. Oh! what cowardice  to  blush  at  the  Gospel! To wear  the  livery  of  a prince  is  held  honourable: is it  then  shameful  to  wear  that  of  Jesus  Christ? The lowest mechanics  make  open  profession  of  the  trades they follow; and  yet  Christians  in  the  Church,  blush at being  thought  Christians! The Son  of  God  will deny before  his  Father  in  heaven  the  Christians  who shall have  denied  him  before  men.

3. What,  then! is there  anything  in  Jesus  that you should  be  ashamed  of? Is his  name  infamous? Is it  shameful  to  follow  his  maxims  and  example? But let  people  say  what  they  will,  the  man  that  is most  esteemed  is  he  who  serves  God  with  most fidelity, and  who  openly  professes  himself  to  be  a follower  of  Christ.

Ask yourself seriously  whether  this  phantom  of  the  world  doth