CONSIDERATION IX
The peace one feels when dying
"The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, .... but they are in peace." Wisd. iii. 1-3.
First Point.
The souls of the just are in the hand of God." If God holds the souls of the just in His hand, who is it that can pluck them out of it? It is true that hell never ceases to tempt and to insult the saints, even when they are dying; but God never ceases to assist them; and when, as S. Ambrose observes, His faithful servants are placed in more danger, then does He give them more help.
When the servant of Elisha saw the city surrounded by enemies, he was affrighted; but the saint encouraged him, Saying, " Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings vi. 16.) And Elisha then prayed, and the young man's eyes were opened, and he saw an army of angels sent by God to defend them. The devil will indeed come to tempt the dying man, but his guardian angel will also come to comfort him. S. Michael, who is appointed by God to defend His faithful servants in this their last combat with hell; but above all, Jesus Christ will come to keep this His penitent and innocent sheep for whose salvation He once gave up His life. He will give thy soul that confidence and strength which in such a combat it will stand in need of, so that He will
