2. If you have any hope of salvation; if you
have the least thought of God, or any desire for good things to come;
if you have any fear of the chastisements reserved for the impenitent,
awake without delay, lift up your eyes to heaven, come to your senses,
cease from your wickedness, shake off the stupor that enwraps you, make
a stand against the foe who has struck you down. Make an effort
to rise from the ground. Remember the good Shepherd who will
follow and rescue you. Though it be but two legs or a lobe of an
ear, cf.
Amos iii. 12. spring back
from the beast that has wounded you. Remember the mercies of
God and how He cures with oil and wine. Do not despair of
salvation. Recall your recollection of how it is written in
the Scriptures that he who is falling rises and he who turns away
returns; cf.
Jer. viii. 4. the wounded is
healed, the prey of beasts escapes; he who owns his sin is not
rejected. The Lord willeth not the death of a sinner but
rather that he should turn and live. cf.
Ezek. xviii.
32. Do not despise, like the wicked
in the pit of evil.
Prov. xviii.
3, LXX. There is
a time of endurance, a time of long suffering, a time of healing,
a time of correction. Have you stumbled? Arise.
Have you sinned? Cease. Do not stand in the way of
sinners, cf.
Ps. i. 1. but spring
away. When you are converted and groan you shall be
saved. Out of labour comes health, out of sweat
salvation. Beware lest, from your wish to keep certain
obligations, you break the obligations to God which you professed
before many witnesses. cf.
1 Tim. vi.
12. Pray do
not hesitate to come to me for any earthly considerations.
When I have recovered my dead I shall lament, I shall tend him, I
will weep “because of the spoiling of the daughter of my
people.”
Is. xxii. 4. All are
ready to welcome you, all will share your efforts. Do not
sink back. Remember the days of old. There is
salvation; there is amendment. Be of good cheer; do not
despair. It is not a law condemning to death without pity,
but mercy remitting punishment and awaiting improvement. The
doors are not yet shut; the bridegroom hears; sin is not the
master. Make another effort, do not hesitate, have pity on
yourself and on all of us in Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom be
glory and might now and for ever and ever.
Amen.