sions. Acknowledge as many distinct favors conferred on you by God as you have committed mortal sins; they were real favors, or you would now be in hell. Say then, with holy David, "I will glorify Thy name forever, for Thy mercy is great towards me: and Thou hast delivered my soul out of the lower hell." (Ps. lxxxv. 12.)
III. How many obligations you are under to a God so patient, who has so long waited for you to do penance. Beware, lest His patience, which you have abused so often, be changed into fury. Therefore, beg pardon for what is past, and reform your conduct for the future.
Mortal Sin— II. The Person Offended.
I. The greater the dignity of the person offended, the greater is the offence; it is a greater crime to wound a father or a prince than any indifferent person. Reflect deeply, then, who it is that you have so often provoked by your sins. 1. He is the God "at whose beck the pillars of heaven tremble and dread." (Job xxvi. 11.) 2. He is omnipotent; consequently able to torment you a thousand ways, or destroy you in a moment. 3. He is everywhere present; for "His eyes are open upon all the ways of the children of Adam." (Jer. xxxii. 19.) And yet you have been so insolent as to do those actions before His eyes which you would blush to do in the sight of men.
II. Consider the numerous favors which you have received from God; for, each one of these aggravates your crime. 1. He has created you out of nothing, preserved you like a most affectionate Father, and directed you as a guide. 2. He has drawn you out of the jaws of hell, and redeemed you with His precious blood. 3. He sanctifies you by His holy sacraments, directs you by His divine inspirations, and continually draws you by a thou-
