whisper, when my sight is almost gone, when my ears are almost deaf. Then, O my good Jesus, haste Thee to help me, and send Thy holy angels to comfort me in my agony, that the cruel enemy, who lies in wait for us at our last hour, may not prevail against me. He even dared to look for some weak point in Thee, that might be open to his attack; but finding none, he was utterly confounded, and departed from Thee. So let them be confounded that seek after my soul to destroy it, let them be turned backward and be put to shame suddenly. But let my soul be joyful in Thee, and rejoice in Thy Salvation, O Lord, meditating on Thy gracious second Word from the Cross: "Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt he with Me in Paradise." May those words, made sweeter by the thought that Thou didst speak them from Thy Cross, be often on my lips, and more often still in my heart. Words coming from the lips of my Lord as He hung upon the Cross, have a more grateful sweetness, and a fuller power, than any others, and call therefore for more thoughtful attention, more anxious meditation. Oh that I may have grace so to live; Oh that I may strive so to serve my Lord, that when the hour of my departure from the body shall come, I may be found worthy to hear that most sweet word spoken from on high: "This day thou shalt he with Me in Paradise"! And Oh that Thou wouldst also speak to Thy poor servant those other most joyful words: "Well done, thou good servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." For at that hour nothing can profit more, nothing bring more joy, than to have led a good life, and to have served Thee faithfully until death.
