First Prelude.—Represent to yourself two vast plains. In the one, near Babylon, Lucifer assembles all the sinners, but those in particular who can aid Him in his designs of death. In the other, near Jerusalem, Jesus Christ gathers around Him the just and all His fellow workers in the plan of mercy which brought Him down from heaven. This work is to impart true life to man.
Second Prelude.—Ask for grace to discover the machinations and to frustrate the efforts of Lucifer, and to understand and assist Jesus Christ in His zeal.
First Point.—Standard of Lucifer. I. Imagine that you see the prince of the reprobate in the vast plains of Babylon, seated on a throne of fire, surrounded by a whirlwind of flame and smoke. The hideousness of his features and his terrific looks spread terror and dismay.
Understand the meaning of these figures. The vast plains signify the wide roads in which sinners walk. Babylon, which means a city of confusion, gives some idea of the torment of a guilty conscience.
The throne of fire is the symbol of pride and passion, which gnaw the souls of the wicked. The smoke pictures the sinner's blindness, and the vanity of his enjoyments. The hideous features, the terrifying look of Lucifer signify the hideousness of sin, and the influence of the wicked spirit over souls. This active influence becomes visible in the terrible agitation, disquietude, sadness, and I know not what secret repulsive expression* depicted on their countenances.
II. Behold the standard of Lucifer. You will read on it three words which will teach you the means he employs to pervert and destroy men: riches, pleasures, honors. Consider the countless multitude of followers and co-operators who surround this dreadful chief; all those bad angels cast out of heaven with him because they followed him in his revolt. For these fallen spirits evil is now a second nature. Consider all the men who become the slaves of passions and sin. Notice in particular that corps d'elite in the army of Satan, all those authors and propagators of irreligious and immoral doctrines, all those scandalous men who make a trade of destroying souls. What is the object of this appalling assemblage? What does the enemy of God and of men wish to do? He wishes to induce the whole human race to offend its Creator, and after its fall he intends to drag it into the eternal abyss.
III. Hear Lucifer: he excites and inflames the rage of his aides. He sends them through the whole world; he commands that no province, no city, no hamlet, no palace, no cottage, must remain free from their attacks; they must spare no condition, no age, no person. He teaches them the arts of destroying souls. "Riches, pleasures, honors. Hold up continually this three-fold enticement to the three passions whose germ is in the hearts of all men. Deceive, point out the way strewn with flowers; say nothing of the abyss to which it leads."
IV. Consider with what obedience, what promptness, whatdevo- tion the ministers of Satan execute his orders; how active they are in their infernal mission; how cunning and perfidious in laying their snares. See with what constancy and rage they pursue the work of destroying souls! They use everything to aid them in their murderous designs, books, works, songs, errors of the mind, evil inclinations of the heart. Consider, finally, the lamentable success of Lucifer. He appeals to all the passions, and all the passions respond to his appeal. Can we not say with too much truth: " Behold the whole world goes after him." (Joan. xii. 19.) Where are they who always resist the concupiscence of the flesh, concupiscence of the eyes, the pride of life? Moreover, there are very many, alas! who, after being seduced, become seducers themselves? Hence hell opens wide its jaws. Oh, how many there are who fall into the frighful abyss at every moment; and yet hell is everlasting. Will you remain unmoved at the frightful spectacle?
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