Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/110

 sake of  earthly  goods. Besides, in  punishment  of  venial sins  Almighty  God  permits  the  soul  to  be  assailed with more  violent  temptations. Whosoever is  ungenerous to  God  does  not  deserve  liberality  from  him. He who soweth  sparingly  shall  also  reap  sparingly.  Blessed Henry Suso,  in  the  vision  of  the  rocks,  described  in his  life,  seeing  a  great  many  on  the  first  rock,  asked who they  were. Jesus Christ  answered:  "  These  are  the tepid  who  only  seek  to  avoid  mortal  sin." The holy  man then asked  whether  they  should  be  saved. " If,"  replied the Redeemer,  "  they  die  in  the  state  of  grace,  they  shall be  saved;  but  their  danger  is  much  greater  than  they imagine.  They  think  they  can  serve  God  and  the senses;  but  this  is  scarcely  possible;  for  it  is  exceedingly difficult  to  persevere  in  the  grace  of  God  and  at  the same  time  to  indulge  in  sensual  pleasures."

Be not  without  fear  about  sins  forgiven. Why  does  the Holy Ghost  admonish  us  to  be  afraid  of  sin  which  has been already  pardoned? Because after  the  guilt  is  remitted the  temporal  penalties  of  sin  still  remain;  and among them  we  must  reckon  the  withdrawal  of  God's graces. Hence the  saints  never  ceased  to  weep  for  their faults, though  only  venial,  and  even  after  they  had been forgiven;  for  they  always  trembled  lest  their  past transgressions should  be  punished  by  the  subtraction  of the  graces  necessary  to  obtain  eternal  life. A favorite who has  offended  his  sovereign  will  not  be  raised  to  his former rank  and  dignity  immediately  after  he  has  obtained pardon,  nor  until  he  has  given  strong  proofs  of  a determination  to  atone  by  subsequent  services  for  his past misconduct. And when  Christians  insult  the  Majesty of  their  God  he  justly  withdraws  his  protecting arm and  his  former  familiarity,  until  by  tears  of  sorrow