“In his sermons for Sundays Campadelli relates that a young nobleman addicted to sins of the flesh, was warned by God and by men to amend his life; but he despised all their admonitions. He afterwards fell into a severe illness, confessed his sins, and promised to change his life; but, after his recovery, he returned to the vomit. Behold the vengeance of God! Being one day in a field during the vintage, he took fever, went home, and feeling that the disease was far advanced, he sent in haste for a priest who lived near the house. The priest comes, enters the house, salutes the sick man, but sees a frightful spectacle, the eyes and mouth open, the face black as jet. He calls the sick man, but finds that he is dead. Dearly beloved brethren, take care that you, too, be not miserable examples of the justice of God. Give up sin; but give it up from this moment; for, if you continue to commit sin, the same vengeance which has fallen on so many others shall also fall on you. Let us come to the remedy.

SECOND POINT. THE REMEDY FOR THOSE WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN SIN, AND WISH TO SAVE THEIR SOULS.

Jesus Christ was one day asked, if the number of the elect is small. Lord, are they few that are saved? But he said to them: Strive to enter by the narrow gate, for many, l say to you, shall seek to enter, and they shall not be able.” (Luke 13:23, 24.) He says that many seek to enter heaven, but do not enter; and why? Because they wish to obtain eternal life without inconvenience, and without making strong efforts to abstain from forbidden pleasures. Therefore, he said: ‘strive to enter at the narrow gate.”

Saint Alphonsus de Liguori Collection