ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI
God only desires to terrify them by his threats, in order that they may depart from sin, and thus be saved.
_The devil wishes to destroy that fear, in order that they may persevere in sin, and thus be lost._
Many are the wretches who believe the devil in preference to God, and are thus miserably damned. At present, behold the Lord displays his anger and threatens us with chastisement.
Who knows how many there may be in this country who have no thought of changing their lives, in the hope that God will be appeased, and that it will be nothing. Hence the subject of the present discourse: SINNERS WILL NOT BELIEVE IN THE DIVINE THREATS, UNTIL THE CHASTISEMENT SHALL HAVE COME UPON THEM.
My brethren, if we do not amend, the chastisement will come; if we do not put an end to our crimes, God will.
