sician? Does any one get the warmer the farther he removes from the fire? But the physician who has borne your infirmities is myself; it is I who came to cast fire upon the earth, and what will I but that it burn and inflame your hearts?
But I will speak with thee more plainly, my son, that in this thou mayest know how seriously thou errest in common with others. The Sacrament of my Body and Blood confers grace: this doubtless thou wilt admit, if no obstacle be interposed by the receiver. Is it not the fact, that the oftener thou receivest, the greater the grace thou obtainest? But with increase of grace there is increase of faith, hope, charity, devotion, reverence, purity, and the other virtues, which enlighten the understanding, awaken the affection, purify the heart, &c. And is not this the apparel, this the wedding garment, which I chiefly require of thee, in order to come worthily to my table?
Thou seest, therefore, how one communion disposes to another, so that he comes best disposed for to-morrow’s, who brings with him the effects or the fruit of to-day’s. Nor hast thou reason hence to fear contempt. True, among men, contempt easily springs from familiar conversation, because by frequent intercourse the faults, failings, and imperfections of every one become better known. But the more frequently and closely thou art united to me, the greater and more numerous are the perfections thou wilt find in me, and hence the greater the honour and reverence which thou wilt render me.
But this is too plain to need proof, although the father of lies would persuade you otherwise, as he does persuade many, who, caring little for my glory, and less for their own salvation, walk in the desires of their own heart. Hence, because they know that closer self-watchfulness and continual fear should accompany frequent communion, they, who hate discipline, choose rather themselves to abandon frequent communion than a bad habit, that thus, unchecked as it were, they may be the more free to go after their own evil desires. For they reckon it a sort of freedom to be without communion and sacrifice, although to serve me is, in fact, to reign. But if, perchance, on some solemn festival, or when requisite for the fulfilment of a duty, they communicate or sacrifice, they practise devotion for a little while, until they have discharged their duty, soon again to return, like the dog to his vomit and the sow to her wallowing, to their first disposition and habits. Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear,
