Chapter 11. The Goods of This World, and Those of the Earthly Paradise Compared with the Joys of the Hea Venly Paradise.

WE will now advance further, and com pare all the goods of this world, as well as those of the earthly paradise, with the joys of the heavenly paradise alone ; and these being united together, we shall see which preponderate. To accomplish this, let us imagine that the riches, power, pleasures, and glory of Solomon, and of other like fortunate men, could be acquired without labour, and retained without fear: let us also suppose, that these men could never sin, nor ever die. These points then being granted, I affirm that the joys of the heavenly paradise alone far excel all the goods of this world and those of the terrestrial paradise united together. And hence I conclude, that all these joined together can never fill the soul, can never satisfy her desires, because the heart of man is capable of an infinite good: but these are finite. Wherefore, the words of St. Augustine, which are to be found in the beginning of his " Confessions/' will always be true : '' Thou hast made us, O Lord, for Thyself; and our heart cannot rest until it rest ill

Thee."* True also are the words of David, " I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear." (Psalm xyi.) But as long as the heart is not at rest, it will be miserable, and if miserable, it will not be happy. Now, our heavenly paradise will both satiate the soul, and take away all fear and uneasi ness. For what can he desire who will be like unto God, because he will see Him as He is? What can he desire, whom God "shall place over all his goods ?" What can he desire who will reign with God, and be a co-heir with Christ, "whom the Father hath appointed heir of all things ?" More over, because the goods of this world, and those of the earthly paradise also, may be lost, however great they are, they are not therefore perfect goods ; nor can they satiate and satisfy the soul; and, on this account, they cannot make it blessed and happy. But the goods of the heavenly paradise are, in every way, perfect and secure : they cannot be lost, nor diminish ed in the least. For the saints, placed on their most blessed thrones, can neither die nor sin, and are most certain of their eternal happiness !

May mortals therefore open the eyes of their soul, and seriously ponder how important it is, not to lose their heavenly paradise. The subject is truly of the deep est interest, and not concerning transitory

• " Fecisti nos, Domine, ad te, et in quietum est cor nos trum, donee requiescat in te." (Confess. Lib. 1. cap. 1.)

things ; for the wisdom of God hath said, ' What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ?"