CHAPTER XIV. SIXTH MEDITATION.

On Judgment.

Preparation.

1. PLACE yourself in the Presence of God. 2. Intreat Him to inspire
you.

Considerations.

1. When the time comes which God has appointed for the end of this
world, and after many terrible signs and warnings, which will overwhelm
men with fear,–the whole earth will be destroyed, and nothing then
left.

2. Afterwards, all men, save those already risen, shall rise from the
dead, and at the voice of the Archangel appear in the valley of
Jehoshaphat. But alas, with what divers aspects! for some will be
glorious and shining, others horrible and ghastly.

3. Consider the majesty with which the Sovereign Judge will appear
surrounded by all His Saints and Angels; His Cross, the Sign of Grace
to the good and of terror to the evil, shining brighter than the sun.

4. This Sovereign Judge will with His awful word, instantly fulfilled,
separate the evil and the good, setting the one on His Right Hand, the
other on His Left–an eternal separation, for they will never meet
again.

5. This separation made, the books of conscience will be opened, and
all men will behold the malice of the wicked, and how they have
contemned God; as also the penitence of the good, and the results of
the grace they received. Nothing will be hid. O my God, what confusion
to the one, what rejoicing to the other! Consider the final sentence of
the wicked. “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared
for the devil and his angels.” Dwell upon these awful words. “Go,” He
says–for ever discarding these wretched sinners, banishing them for
ever from His Presence. He calls them “cursed:” O my soul, what a
curse: a curse involving all other maledictions, all possible evil, an
irrevocable curse, including all time and eternity; condemning them to
everlasting fire. Think what that eternity of suffering implies.

6. Then consider the sentence of the good. “Come,” the Judge says–O
blessed loving word with which God draws us to Himself and receives us
in His Bosom. “Blessed of My Father”–O blessing above all blessings!
“inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.”
O my God, and that Kingdom will know no end!

Affections and Resolutions.

1. Tremble, my soul, at the thought. O God, who will be my stay in that
hour when the pillars of the earth are shaken?

2. Abhor your sins, which alone can cause you to be lost when that
fearful day comes. Surely I will judge myself now, that I be not
judged;–I will examine my conscience, accuse, condemn, punish myself,
that the Judge may not condemn me then. I will confess my faults, and
follow the counsels given me.

Conclusion.

Thank God for having given you means of safety in that terrible Day,
and time for repentance. Offer Him your heart, and ask for grace to use
it well. OUR FATHER, etc.

Gather your bouquet.
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