Chapter XXXIII. Of some Motives which should lead the Sinner to turn to God without delay

THE first motive which ought to induce the sinner to return to God is, the consideration of God Himself, Whom, as He is the Supreme Good—Supreme Power, Wisdom, and Goodness—man should never have dared to offend. Not only because it is prudent, for it is an evil choice for a man to dispute with Almightiness, and with the Supreme Judge Who has to judge him; nor simply because of justice and fitness, for it is not to be tolerated that a mere nothing, a little dust, a creature, should offend his Creator; a servant, his Lord; the benefited, the Benefactor; the son, the Father.

The second motive is, the great obligation of the sinner to return at once to his Father's house; seeing that the conversion of the son, and his return to the house, honours the Father and gladdens all the household, and the neighbours, and the Angels of Heaven.

For as the son, at first, by sinning, offended and vexed the Father, so by returning, with bitter tears for his offence, and with full purpose of will to obey Him henceforth in all His commands and desires, he honours and rejoices his Father, and so touches His heart and moves Him to pity, that He is not content to wait for him longingly, but runs towards him, falls on his neck, kisses him, and clothes him with His grace, and His other gifts.

The third motive is, self-interest; for every sinner has to consider that if he turn not in time, the winter and sabbath-day are certainly approaching, and he will fall for ever into the pains of Hell. But were there no other pain than the infinite increase of those passions which hold him in the bondage of sin, without the hope of being once able to dip the tip of his finger in those waters in which he delights, this ought to be sufficient to terrify him.

Nor is there any ground for confidence in the intention to turn to God at the end of life, or after some months or years; since such a proposal is madness and extreme impiety. It is a sign of a weak head to propose to cope with a great difficulty at the very time when a man has the least strength.

The sinner, as he continues in sin, has less power to turn to God every day, both because of the evil habit which gradually becomes natural to him, and from an increasing indisposition for receiving the grace of conversion; also, by disdaining God through the great impiety of cleaving as long as possible to the creature, and then at the last gasp, or at least late in life, giving himself to God, out of self-interest, he forfeits the help which he will stand in need of in that hour.

Again, such an idea and intention befit a madman, for, even granting that he will be capable of conversion and have effectual grace, what security has he, or can he have, that he will not die suddenly and without the power of speech, as has happened, and does happen continually?

Cry, cry, O sinner, to the Lord, even while you are reading, and say—"Turn me, and I shall be turned, for Thou art my Lord God." And do not cease, until you are converted to your Lord and Father, mourning exceedingly over your offences against Him, and accepting with resignation whatever by way of satisfaction He may be pleased to require of you.