Page:Thecompleteascet02liguuoft.djvu/39

 3. This torment  will  be  immensely  increased  by  the remembrance of  the  graces  that  God  bestowed  upon  it, and the  love  which  he  evinced  towards  it  during  its lifetime. It will  especially  call  to  mind  the  love  of Jesus  Christ  in  shedding  his  blood,  and  laying  down  his life for  its  salvation;  but,  ungrateful  soul,  not  to  forego 'its own  miserable  gratifications,  it  consented  to  lose  God, its sovereign  good;  and  it  will  find  that  no  hope  will  be left  of  ever  regaining  him.

Ah, my  God! were I  in  hell,  I  should  not  be  able  to love  Thee,  nor  to  repent  of  my  sins;  but  as  I  have  it  now in my  power  to  repent  and  to  love  Thee,  I  am  sorry  with my whole  soul  for  having  offended  Thee,  and  love  Thee above all  things. Grant me  to  remember  continually that hell  which  I  have  deserved,  that  I  may  love  Thee with still  greater  and  greater  fervor. O Mary,  refuge  of sinners! do not  abandon  me.

i. It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die,  and  after  this  the judgment. It is  of  faith,  that  immediately  after  death we shall  be  judged  according  to  our  works  in  this  life. And it  is  also  of  faith,  that  upon  this  judgment  will  depend  our  eternal  salvation  or  perdition. Imagine your self to  be  in  your  agony,  and  to  have  only  a  short  time to live. Think that  in  a  short  time  you  would  then  have to appear  before  Jesus  Christ  to  give  an  account  of  your whole life. Alas! how alarming  would  the  sight  of  your sins then  be  to  you!

Jesus, my  Redeemer! pardon me,  I  beseech  Thee,  be fore  Thou  judgest  me. I know  that  I  have  many  times