heard the cock crow. It is written, that his eyes became two perennial fountains of* tears, and that his cheeks were furrowed by continual weeping. Be confounded at your own insensibility. Persevere, therefore, in the works of penance, and take advantage of the admonition of Ecclesiasticus, " Be not without fear of sin forgiven" (Ecclus. v. 5.)
SATURDAY.
The Despair of Judas.
I. " Then Judas, who betrayed Him, seeing that He was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver, to the chief priests and the ancients, saying, I have sinned, in betraying innocent blood." (Matt, xxvii. 3, etc.) Observe how the consciousness of guilt tortured the mind of that treacherous and sacrilegious Apostle. He found no satisfaction in the money, for which he had sold his Lord; but, actuated by fruitless remorse, brought it back again. Learn hence that sinners reap no solid advantage from their sins; but, on the contrary, are pained, disquieted, and troubled. 44 Lord," says St. Augustine, "you have ordained that it should be so, and it is so, that every disordinate mind is its own punishment." Hence it is said of the impious man, " The sound of dread is always in his ears, and when there is peace, he always suspects treason." (Job xv. 21.)
II. The wicked priests said to Judas, when he returned the money: " What is that to us? look thou to it." (Matt, xxvii. 4.) They were unconcerned in regard to the salvation of their neighbor, and like Cain refused to be their brother's guardian. Virtuous men hold to an opposite conduct; they attempt to prevent their neighbor from sinning, or when he has sinned, to restore him to
