20. On the poor and sick Lazarus

" Ego sum pauper et dolens, Deus adjuva we."* ^' I om poor and sorrowful, let 1 . This is the prayer of one who is poor and in suffering, whose sighs continually ascend to Heaven.

Ye sufferino- poor, bear patiently, yet a little while, your sorrows and privations, whether of food or raiment ; you shall not have long to wait the hour of your deliverance.

Give thanks to God, for it is better to be afflicted now on earth, in company with the poor and the sick, than to be tormented hereafter in hell with the powerful and the wealthy.

Recal to mind thy past transgressions, whether against God or thy neighbour, and bear the chastisement which the Lord sends to afflict thee, in remission of such sins as thou hast not fully repented of, or for which thou hast not made ample satisfaction.

Comfort thy soul by the memory of the cruel sorrows and sacred wounds of Jesus Christ. Thy divine Saviour has endured more c o bitter stripes for thee, than thou canst suffer for the love of Him.

Comfort thy soul in Him, by recalling to thy memory how Lazarus, poor and covered with sores in this life, was, after death, joyously received into Abraham's bosom ; and fear the end of that rich man, who fared sumptuously, but who, after his feasting, was buried in hell, whence there was no departure.

Make now thy choice — thou must either endure for a short while the pains and privations of Lazarus, in his poverty and sickness for the sake of joy eternal in Christ, or partake in the dainties of the rich man in full health, which may end so shortly in sudden death and instant burial in hell to burn in tire for ever with the devil and his angels. Few words are needed by him that is wise. o o 2. Blessed is he tluit understands and purifies his heart from all depraved allectioiis, while yet in his power ; lest he be condemned to endure the horrible punishments which await the impenitent sinner.

For he on whom holy instructions make no impression, or awaken no sentiment of penance, shall be given over one day to cruel torments, which he shall be constrained to endure fruitlessly and without hope for all elernity.

Lazarus, poor and afflicted in this life, was, after death, delivered from these punishments, and was borne by holy anc{els in joy and triumph to Abraham's bosom.

Remark also even in the life time of poor Lazarus, the multiplied consolations which the merciful goodness of the Lord offers him in his misery.

We have never heard that he was visited by rich friends to comfort him in his misery ; — that he had servants to wait his orders ; — that he was surrounded by anxious brethren : — but Jesus tells us, that the dogs came and licked his sores !* these were all that came to him in his misery ! no consolations from man, dogs only ministering to him ! Can any misery be worse than this ? Yet no murmuring or impatient word fell from his lips, but rather thanksgiving and praise : — he that was refused comfort from the instrumentality of man, received it meekly from the sensibility of beasts.

Thou then, weak and suffering brother, murmur not, if, even for a season, thou inayest be deprived of human consolation, or if the goad of thy infirmities press yet more heavily. Remember that the divine mercy so disposes it, in order that — " Cut and burned in this world, thou mayest not be lost in the next."

Lazarus, perhaps, was not guilty in the sight of God, but of very slight faults ; while thou hast often and very grievously offended Him.

Bear then thy infirmities with patience ; and if sometimes the consolations of man be withheld, rejoice, nevertheless, that, with Lazarus, thou mayest thereby be wor thy to enter the gates of the hcav enly kingdom. o o