CHAPTER VIII He who enters upon this office is often led into sin unless he be a very noble-minded man
CHAPTER VIII
He who enters upon this office is often led into sin unless he be a very noble-minded man
209. Where the loss extends only to property then, and the danger to bodily death, no one will lay any charge to those who use much forethought; but where the destiny of those who are shipwrecked is, not to fall into this sea, but into the abyss of fire; and the death which awaits them is not that which divides the soul from the body, but that which along with this dismisses it to eternal punishment, why here, do you rage and hate because I did not throw myself headlong into so great mischief? Do not, I pray and entreat you.
210. I know my own soul, which is feeble and weak. I know the greatness of that ministry, and the extreme difficulty of the thing.
211. Greater waves than those with which the winds disturb the ocean, agitate the soul of him that becomes a priest.