from heavenly things to those of this world, do certainly fall among thieves. Ponder how like this world is to Jericho; that is, to the moon. Nothing on earth is certain or constant, but always varying and decaying. How dangerous it is to travel in a road, in which we know that thieves are lurking. Such is our journey through life, " because your adversary, the Devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about, seeking whom to devour." (i Pet. v. 8.)
II. Consider how the Devil treats those who surrender themselves to him, for he can injure no one who does not consent to be injured. He robs them of the ornaments of grace, he inflicts on them the desperate wounds of vicious habits, and leaves them half dead. When the soul of man is dead by sin, he cannot be said to be more than half alive, though he may enjoy perfect corporal health. Examine if you be in this state, and grieve that you have fallen into it so often. Take care that you never fall again into the hands of so cruel a tyrant.
III. Consider the great mercy of our Saviour, who approaches the sinner by His holy inspirations, particularly in the sacrament of the Eucharist, in order to bind up his wounds and cure the infirmities of his soul. " The Lord shall bind up the wound of His people, and shall heal the stroke of their wound." (Is. xxx. 26.) Who would not place confidence in such a physician? He pours wine and oil into the wound, to teach us how we ought to cure our neighbors, when they are wounded by sin. We must temper severity with mildness, so that in our corrections " there may be love without remissness, and vigor without harshness."
