Now indeed the memory, from the recollection of things past, will supply no small matter of joys. For first, the recollection of God's benefits throughout one's whole life — spiritual and corporal, natural and supernatural, temporal and eternal — brings incredible gladness, when the just man considers that he has been anticipated in so many ways by blessings of sweetness. Then, what gladness will the recollection of the dangers bring — dangers from which God delivered us in wondrous ways, at every age, in every office, in every state? Among other dangers I place this one first: that often someone was near to mortal sin, and thereby near to hell, and God, moved by His goodness alone, prevented the sin. Surely this mercy of God, so great and so singular, so often bestowed upon His elect, when it comes to mind in that safest and most peaceful region, will supply the greatest gladness. And if this recollection were wanting to the blessed in heaven, how could they, as the Psalm says, sing the mercies of the Lord for ever? (Ps. 88:2) "Than which song," says St. Augustine in the last book of the
City of God, "sung to the glory of the grace of Christ, by whose blood we have been freed, there will surely be nothing more delightful to that city." (City of God, Bk. 22, ch. 30)
What shall I say of the course of the times and of the ages, from the beginning even to the end? How great a delight will the remembrance of so many vicissitudes of things, and of such great variety, bring — vicissitudes which the inimitable providence of God so wisely governed and ruled, and brought to their due ends? This, perhaps, is that torrent of the river which so wondrously gladdens the city of God (Ps. 45). For what is the order of the ages, gliding by with great speed and never interrupting their course, but the torrent of a river that without ceasing sweeps its waters along and bears them down, until they are plunged into the ocean and disappear? And now indeed, while the river flows and the times glide on, many dispute about the providence of God; nor are there wanting even among the servants of God those who, troubled by this torrent of the river — which often brings many losses to the good and many advantages to the wicked, while it carries off the good soil taken from the fields of the just and bears it to the fields of the impious — have suffered grievous temptations, and seemed to doubt the providence of God. Hear the Royal Prophet: But my feet were almost moved, my steps had well nigh slipped: because I was jealous of the wicked, seeing the peace of sinners (Ps. 72); and below: Behold these very sinners, and abounding in the world, have obtained riches; and
I said: In vain have I justified my heart, and washed my hands among the innocent, and I have been scourged all the day. Hear Jeremiah: Thou indeed, O Lord, art just, if I plead with Thee; but yet I will speak just things to Thee: Why doth the way of the wicked prosper? Why is it well with all them that transgress, and act wickedly? Thou hast planted them, and they have taken root...: they prosper and bring forth fruit: Thou art near to their mouth, and far from their reins (Jer. 12). Hear Habakkuk:
Why, he says, dost Thou look upon them that do unjust things, and holdest Thy peace when the wicked devoureth one more just than himself? And Thou wilt make men as the fishes of the sea, and as the creeping thing that hath no ruler (Hab. 1). But when the course of the times has been unfolded and the river plunged into the sea, when the blessed in heaven shall recall that whole course to memory and understand the reasons of all those vicissitudes, it is incredible to say how vehemently the torrent of that river, represented to the memory, will gladden the city of God. There they will see why God permitted the first Angel and the first man to fall; and why the mercy of God freed man, but did not free the Angel. There they will see why God chose the sons of Abraham for His people, though He foresaw that they would be most stiff-necked; and what great goods He was to prepare for the Gentiles out of their stubbornness. And, to pass over the universal providence, there they will see why He permitted most of the just — indeed almost all — to suffer tribulation in the world, namely that He might crown them most gloriously. And from this remembrance they will bless with immense joy all the crosses they suffered in the world, when they see them turned into everlasting crowns; and they will say with the Prophet: According to the greatness of my sorrows in my heart, Thy comforts have given joy to my soul (Ps. 93).