may experience in the practice of religion, as light, and even agreeable, and may yield a more willing and an entire obedience to God.
But as many mysteries lie concealed under the words, which are here used, to declare the happiness reserved for us; they are to be explained in such a manner as to make them intelligible to all, as far as their respective capacities will allow. The faithful, therefore, are to be informed, that the words, "life everlasting," signify not only that continuity of existence, to which the devils and the wicked are consigned, but also, that perpetuity of happiness which is to satisfy the desires of the blessed. In this sense they were understood by the " ruler," mentioned in the Gospel, when he asked the Redeemer: " Lord! what shall I do to possess everlasting life?" [1] As if he had said, what shall I do, in order to arrive at the enjoyment of everlasting happiness? In this sense they are understood in the Sacred Volumes, as is clear from a reference to many pas sages of Scripture. [2] The supreme happiness of the blessed is thus designated, principally to exclude the notion that it consists in corporeal and transitory things, which cannot be ever lasting. [3]
The word "blessedness" is insufficient to express the idea, particularly as there have not been wanting men, who, inflated with the vain opinions of a false philosophy, would place the supreme good in sensible things; but these grow old and perish, whilst supreme happiness is defined by no limits of time. Nay, more, so far is the enjoyment of the goods of this life from conferring real happiness, that, on the contrary, he who is captivated by a love of the world, is farthest removed from true happiness: for it is written: " Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world; if any one love the world, the love of the Father is not in him:" [4] and a little after, " The world passeth away and the concupiscence thereof." [5] The pastor, therefore, will be careful to impress these truths on the minds of the faithful, that they may learn to despise earthly things, and to know that, in this world, in which we are not citizens, but sojourners, [6] happiness is not to be found. Yet, even here below, we may be said, with truth, to be happy in hope; " if denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world; looking for the blessed hope and coming of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ." [7] Many "who seemed to themselves wise," [8] not understanding these things, and imagining that happiness was to be sought in this life, became fools and the victims of the most deplorable calamities.
These words, "Life everlasting," also teach us that, contrary to the false notions of some, happiness once attained can never
