life and despair of recovery; for his only words were: “Alas! I must die so young! I must leave forever my companions; never again shall I take part in their games, their feastings, dances, theatrical entertainments! No; instead of these things all that now remains to me is the grave.” From these examples we can see what sources of comfort and hope they have who lead bad lives and never think of death. Such people do not even dream of doing penance; and if they attempt it, how could they manage it successfully at so unsuitable a time?
All the circumstances of the case prevent such repentance. For when the weakened body is filled with pain and anguish the sick man’s only thought is how to procure some alleviation; the doctor is at hand to prescribe medicines for him; his friends are there to see that he is in as comfortable a position as possible, and to prevent others from wearying him by talk; his mind is filled with fear, anxiety, care, and terror on account of having to leave the world and bid adieu to his sorrowing relations. Thus, as we have seen in the last sermon, he is so disturbed at the approach of death that, as experience tells us, he is hardly able to say a Hail Mary with due devotion; while his soul is overwhelmed at the thought of his past sins and surrounded by the demons who assail it with the most violent temptations, so that many holy servants of God have had enough to do to prevent themselves from being completely unnerved at the hour of death. Tell me; would you speak to the sick man in such circumstances of an important law-suit on which much depends, and ask him to advise you on it? By no means; he is not in a fit state for that work. Is it then likely that he should be able to manage the most important of all affairs, on which his salvation depends, and of which he has been utterly careless hitherto? That he should be able to settle with God for all the sins he has committed during his whole life, in thought, word, deed, or omission, and in the short time that remains, to arrange the long law-suit that he has been carrying on against God? How then can we believe that he will do true penance and die a happy death? Humanly speaking, and taking all the circumstances into consideration, the thing is impossible.
Generally a death-bed repentance is not supernatural.
Yes, I say again, as I have said already, that the sick man will agree to all the priest says to him; he will express sorrow for his sins; he will kiss the crucifix; he will pray for forgiveness and receive absolution, holy Communion, Extreme Unction, and the general absolution. Do you think therefore that he must