A treatise of the difference bbtwixt [sic] the temporal and eternal composed in Spanish by Eusebius Nieremberg ... ; translated into English by Sir Vivian Mullineaux, Knight ; and since reviewed according to the tenth and last Spanish edition.

§ 3.

After the same manner the evils and pains of this World are nothing comparable unto those which are eternal; and therefore as the three hundred years en∣joying of one heavenly pleasure seemed unto that Ser∣vant of God no longer than three hours; so to the contrary three hours of eternal pains will appear un∣to the damned as three hundred years, and much more: since even of the temporal pains in Purgatory this notable accident is written by St. Antoninus. A man of an evil life was visited by our Lord with a long infirmity, to the end he might repent and reflect upon his sins; which took effect. But his sickness by continuance grew so grievous and tedious unto him, as he often with great earnestness recommended him∣self unto God, and besought him to deliver him from the prison of his body. Whereupon an Angel appear∣ed unto him with this choice, either to continue two years sick in that manner he was, and then to goe straight to Heaven, or to die instantly, and remain three dayes in Purgatory. He was not long in his ele∣ction, but presently chose the latter: and immediate∣ly died; but had not been an hour in those pains,

when the same Angel appeared unto him again, and after some encouragement and consolation demanded if he knew him; he answered, No. I am, said he, the Angel who brought thee that choice from Heaven, either to come hither, or to remain in thy infirmity for two years: To whom the afflicted soul replied; It is impossible thou shouldest be the Angel of the Lord: for good Angels cannot lie; and that Angel told me, I should remain in this place but three dayes; and it is now so many years, that I have suffered those most bitter torments, and can yet see no end of my misery. Know then, said the Angel, that it is not yet an hour, since thou left thy body, and the rest of the three dayes yet remain for thee to suffer; To whom the Soul replied, Pray unto the Lord for me, that he look not upon my ignorance in making so foolish a choice, but that out of his Divine mercy he will give me leave to return once more unto life, and I will not onely patiently suffer those two years, but as ma∣ny as it shall please him to impose upon me. His Pe∣tition was granted, and being restored unto life, his experience of Purgatory made all the pains of his infir∣mity seem light unto him; in so much as he endured them not onely with patience but joy. Much like un∣to this (as appears in the Chronicles of the Minorits) happened unto a religious person of the Order of St. Francis, who demanded the same of God Almighty in regard of the much trouble he put his religious bre∣bren unto, as also for what he suffered himself. An Angel appeared unto him, and gave him his choice either of suffering one day in Purgatory, or remaining a whole year longer sick as he was. He made choice to die presently; and had scarce been one hour in Pur∣gatory; when he began to complain of the Angel, for having cozened him. The Angel appeared unto him again, certifying him, that his body was not yet buried because there was one onely hour past since his death. He gave him his choice the second time. His Soul

was presently reunited to the body, and he rose out of his Bed to the great astonishment of all. If this then pass in Purgatory, it will not be less in hell; and if an hour seem a year, which contains above eleven thou∣sand hours, an eternity in hell will appear eleven thousand eternities. O how dearly bought are the short pleasures of the senses, which are paid for with so long and so innumerable torments! For if pain should last no longer than the pleasure that deserved it, it would seem to those, who are to feel it, ten thousand times longer. What will it do being eternal? O pains of this World, infirmities, griefs and troubles, how ridiculous are ye compared with those which are eter∣nal: since the time which you endure is but short, and it is not much that you can afflict us; nay, if by temporal punishments we may escape the eternal, you are most happy unto us, and ought to be received with a thousand welcoms.

Notes

• St. Anto. 4. p. §. 4.
• Chron. S. Fran. 2. p. l. 4. c. 8.