1840.] 



Life and Writings of Father Beschi. 



293 



the words of the Saviour, addressed to Joseph j the third contains 

 Joseph's reply. 



** Emharling on the ship of true renunciation of the u-orld, and set- 

 ting vp therein the tall mast of strong determination, spreading the 

 two broad sails of devotion and godly fear, whilst the breeze of the ex- 

 cellent gifts of God bloics upon them, the pilot of unceasing medilation 

 steering them though the sea of this sinful ivorld, they shaU reach the 

 desired haven of eternal bliss. 



*' But whilst the ship of remivciation thus sails along, some, hy cor- 

 ruption of the penance they had oommenccd, will sin/c into tht^ sea of 

 sin, and 'perish as though hy the upsetting of the vessel: some among 

 them (one or two only) seizing with earjies'ness the raft of repenlance 

 and floating in a sea of teats, di'-ecting their course straight-forward^ 

 shall obtain the joys of heaven. Thus, although it is difficult rightly to 

 ^perform penance, it is far more difficult for those ivho leave off that which 

 they had commenced to reach tie shores of heaven. 



''^Joseph, the possessor of the brayich which blossomed ivith honey- 

 dropping flowers, attended to all the divine Son uttered; and hy the 

 mouth of his ear di'inking in the necfar poured from the vessel of trufhy 

 thus replied: fVe may consider the wicked like to a?i unbaked earthen 

 vessel, which when broken it is easy to joi?i again, and to bake in the 

 furnace of penance ; hut as it is impossible to joiyi again a vessel broken 

 after it is once baked, so it is most difficult for those who have left off 

 to he penitent io be restored.'^ 



