examination of the heart 524 the righteous, those given to all kinds of mortifications, the obedient, and those living in perseverance under the discipline of the sacred law and of the rules; it is everlasting glory, the happiness of having the untiring vision of God, the Supreme Good, and the endless life that is free from death, according to those wellknown words: “But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them” (Wis 3:1). 3. Attentively consider what fruits of mortification you have gathered during your religious life. What benefit has your soul obtained from frequently receiving the Most Holy Sacraments and the continuous exercise of the virtues? How much and to what extent has it brought back the benefit of salvation from so many frequent spiritual readings, conferences, conversations and exhortations? How much has it progressed in striving for virtues, as stimulated and, [f.171r] as if by spurs, roused to the good by so many pious speeches, by so many holy inspirations and admonitions? What advantage have prayers, corporal mortifications, dwelling in the house of God and customary fasts brought to you? Also, examine your conscience as to wasted time, which flies by irrevocably, as you draw daily nearer to eternity and know that you will soon reach its port. But what cargo of holy goods are you going to bring in? If you are not going to have those gems of virtue, which are greatly valued in the heavenly regions, realize that you are not going to be admitted to the shore of the heavenly regions. Now, if this should happen (God forbid!), where are you going to turn? In the ocean of the world your ship may not always remain in winter quarters; it constantly seeks the shore and makes for it: be it the happy shore of the Promised Land or the unhappy one of eternal condemnation. This colloquy shall consist of sorrow for and renouncement of failings, all sins, and imperfections, followed by holy, generous, and absolute resolutions of exercising the heroic virtues; to which you must add a serious emendation of your whole life.
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