upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded on a rock.”* In fine, the Lord daily awaits our compliance with these, His holy admonitions; so that, if He prolongs the term of our mortal life, it is, that we may ultimately amend our evil ways, according to that of the Apostle: “Knowest thou not that the benignity of God leadeth thee to penance?”† for the merciful Lord saith, “Is it My will, that a sinner should die; and not, that he should be converted from his ways, and live?”‡ Having, then,