Another no less remarkable example is that of St. Augustine, who, in his Confessions, tells us that when he began to think seriously of leaving the world a thousand difficulties presented themselves to his mind. On one side appeared the past pleasures of his life, saying, “Will you part from us forever? Shall we no longer be your companions?” On the other, he beheld virtue with a radiant countenance, accompanied by a multitude of persons of every state in life who had led pure lives, and a voice said to him, “Can you not do what so many others have done? Was their strength in themselves? Was it not God who enabled them to do what they did? While you continue to rely upon yourself you must necessarily fall. Cast yourself without fear upon God; He will not abandon you.” In the midst of this struggle the saint tells us that he began to weep bitterly, and, throwing himself upon the ground, he cried from the depthof his heart, “How long, Lord, how long wilt Thou be angry? Remember not my past iniquities. How long shall I continue to repeat, ‘tomorrow, tomorrow’? Why not now? Why should not this very hour witness the end of my disorders?”. (Confess., L. 8, c. 11).

‘The Sinner’s Guide’ by St Louis of Granada