struck the two sons of Aaron with sudden death, in the sight of all the people, because in haste they used in their thuribles unsanctified fire; " fire coming out from the Lord destroyed them." (Lev. x. 2.) 3. He commanded a poor man to be stoned to death for having gathered a few sticks on the sabbath day. (Num. xv. 35.) Lastly, He inflicted death on Moses before he could enter the promised land, although he most ardently desired to enter it; and his fault, as the holy Fathers expounded it, was some small degree of diffidence when God commanded him to strike the rock. Compare these and other examples with your faults, and you will discover that you have deserved more severe punishments. Shudder at the idea, and repent.
II. God has ordained more severe punishments than these, for venial sin, after life is over, in purgatory. "The purgative fire," writes St. Augustine, "will be more severe than any pain whatsoever, that can be seen, felt, or even understood in this life." There, every debt which has been contracted will be exacted to the last farthing, and no satisfaction will suffice but suffering; and "which, of you," exclaims Isaias, " can dwell with devouring fire!" (Is. xxxiii. 14.)
III. Since you would not consent to remain, even for a very short time, in flames, even to gain the whole world, how reasonable it is that you should begin to do penance for what is past. If through human frailty you cannot avoid every venial sin, shun at least those of greater consequence, and endeavor continually to diminish their number, in order " that the purgative fire," as St. Augustine again remarks, "may find little or nothing in you to consume."
