examination of the heart 552 will be brought down from above, on the clouds. Then the Son of Man will appear, arriving with great power and majesty (cf. Lk 21:27). The most Holy Queen of Heaven will be at His right side; the Archangel Michael with his host will be at His left. Now, the appearance of Christ will be so frightful that at first, even the righteous ones will seem somewhat frightened, because He is going to judge even the righteous deeds. Now, having come down to the earth, He will occupy His throne, and with Him the twelve apostles will take theirs, in order to judge the twelve tribes of Israel (cf. Lk 22:30). Oh, what great dread will seize sinners, what great despair, when their own conscience will accuse them, and they will acknowledge themselves most deserving of eternal condemnation! For the just however, a better hope will increase due to the practice of virtues, their good deeds, and the Passion and merits of Christ the Lord. Their bodies will be filled with wonderful joy for this reason, that already they are going to obtain the most precious immortality, of which your body shall not be deprived, if only you will mortify it in this life. [f.181r] 3. Consider the verdict of the implacable Judge, who, with His countenance assuming the greatest and almost unbearable gravity, will turn towards those standing at His left side, the sinners to be condemned eternally; and, giving that verdict in a fiery and terrifying voice, He will say: “Go, you cursed, into everlasting fire,” etc. (cf. Mt 25:41). At once the earth, opening its mouth, will engulf them, together with all of the evil spirits, to be exceedingly tormented forever in the abyss of infernal punishments, and whatever abominations will then be on its surface, all this it will drag with them. But the same Judge, gazing most gently at the righteous at His right side, will invite them with the sweetest voice to take possession of eternal joys: “Come, you blessed of [M]y Father, and possess the Kingdom, which was prepared for you by [M]y Father forever” (cf. Mt 25:34). Learn from this to devote yourself to purity of conscience, which will be the only fearless thing before the tribunal of
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