Day 19

When we have been filled with fear by these words, we may arouse hope within us by the following ones, remembering that the whole Church tells us with St Paul: c We hope for better things from you. 9 1 Then, having heard St Paul, we may listen to St Peter : — 4 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn back from that holy commandment which was delivered to them. For that of the true proverb has happened to them : the dog is returned to his vomit, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.’ 2 Merely to hear such expressions horrifies and even sickens us ; but the thing itself is much more horrible ; and animals in the condition described are not nearly so degraded as the penitent who has fallen away again.

1 Heb. vi. 9. 3 2 Peter ii. 21, 22.

twentieth 2>a$ — our Lord remembers that dined to vanity, would like tc the external practices of sue and this thought gives rise precept: — ‘Take heed that ; justice before men to be see does not forbid our practising on all occasions that we may bour ; on the contrary, He ‘So let your light shine befo they may glorify your Fa Heaven * 1 in your good works not to do them in order to b< you will lose your reward.’ ^