| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: shalt be encompassed with horror and the stink of corruption.
But thy soul shall they hurl into the nether-regions of the
earth, into the condemnation of Hades, until the final
resurrection, when re-united to her body, she shall be cast forth
from the presence of the Lord and be delivered to hell fire,
which burneth everlastingly. These, and far worse haps than
these, shall be thy destiny, if thou continue in unbelief.
"But and if thou readily obey him that calleth thee to salvation,
and if thou run unto him with desire and joy, and be signed with
his light, and follow him without turn, renouncing every thing,
and cleaving only unto him, hear what manner of security and
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Augsburg Confession by Philip Melanchthon: an enemy, call not upon Him, and expect no good from Him.
Augustine also admonishes his readers concerning the word
"faith," and teaches that the term "faith" is accepted in the
Scriptures not for knowledge such as is in the ungodly but for
confidence which consoles and encourages the terrified mind.
Furthermore, it is taught on our part that it is necessary to
do good works, not that we should trust to merit grace by
them, but because it is the will of God. It is only by faith
that forgiveness of sins is apprehended, and that, for
nothing. And because through faith the Holy Ghost is received,
hearts are renewed and endowed with new affections, so as to
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Unconscious Comedians by Honore de Balzac: Southerner as a question. "Madame Fontaine is thought, by those who
seek to pry into the future, to be wiser in her wisdom than
Mademoiselle Lenormand."
"She must be very rich," remarked Gazonal.
"She was the victim of her own idea, as long as lotteries existed,"
said Bixiou; "for in Paris there are no great gains without
corresponding outlays. The strongest heads are liable to crack there,
as if to give vent to their steam. Those who make much money have
vices or fancies,--no doubt to establish an equilibrium."
"And now that the lottery is abolished?" asked Gazonal.
"Oh! now she has a nephew for whom she is hoarding."
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