came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. Now, therefore, be mindful of thy word, in which thou hast given me hope; receive again the son, who has been a prodigal and a fugitive from thy presence, and, now that he returns to his dearest Father, embrace him with the arms of love. Cast me not away from thy presence, and forgive thy servant all his sin, and strike not out my name from the book of the living.
4. The sinner urged to hasten his penance,
Christ. I, even I, am he that blots out thy iniquities for my own sake, and I will not remember thy sins. It is I that justify the wicked, forgiving him all his sins for my name’s sake; for I choose rather to be merciful than angry, and desire to spare more than to punish. Why, then, dost thou fear? Why tremblest thou to approach so loving a bosom? I am more ready to pardon than thou to repent.
But see thou be not slow to turn to the Lord, and that thou defer it not from day to day. Marty herein are the evils of delay and procrastination. When thou art sick, dost thou defer to take care of thy health? On the contrary, dost thou not presently send for a physician, and deem that the disease should be met in its beginning, lest perhaps medicine be prepared in vain, when the complaint has gained strength by too long a delay?
Thou art wise in so doing; but why dost thou not the same when thy soul is sick? Then, surely, thou art in greater danger than if pestilence or poison had penetrated into the inmost parts of thy body. Why, then, dost thou slumber? Why delay? Arise, make haste, and turn to God thy Saviour, lest at any time he seize upon thy soul as a lion, and there be none to ransom it, none to save. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, and beware of habituating thyself to any sin: for nothing binds down a man more powerfully than a bad habit. It is as difficult to rid one’s self of a bad habit, which is as it were a second nature, as of nature itself. Shouldst thou give thy prime to the world and the flesh, and thy refuse to me, who have given thee my all, not the worst, but the best, and for thy sake have been in labours from my youth?
Man. To many this saying, O Lord, is hard, and they cannot receive it. Hence they say, Come, and let us enjoy the good things that are present, and let us speedily use the creatures as in youth. Let not the flower of the time pass by us; let us crown
