though the sinner's departure was gradual, his return must be immediate

VI. Consider sixthly, that although the sinner's departure from God was gradual, his return must not be so, but immediate ; for the particle as is not used here to denote proportion of similarity, but of quantity: and therefore it is not said, "Return as you had revolted," in which case the conversion would have to be of the same kind as the revolt; but it is said, "Return as you had deeply revolted," showing that the conversion should be in proportion to the depth of the revolt. There would be very little hope of any one succeeding in gradually climbing up so steep a precipice, since for each step that he made forward he would slip back more than one, so great is the power of inveterate habit, unless destroyed by acts which amount to the heroic. And, therefore, it will not do to walk up, he must run—he must fly; he must " take wings as eagles."1 Divine grace is waiting to supply him with them. With wings like these—wings not of nature but of grace, a Pelagia, a Thais, a Theodora, a William of Aquitaine flew swiftly to the summit of the most perfect virtue ; and shouldst thou require them, they will be ready for thee too if only thou trustest God as they did. All that He requires of thee is to set thy face resolutely towards Him, with the intention of drawing as near to Him as thou hast gone far from Him : "Return as you had deeply revolted, O children of Israel." It rests with Him to give thee such grace as will enable thee at once to accomplish what thou intendest. Thou mayest infer this, if thou art afraid, from the invitation which He gives thee. Does not He know that of thyself thou canst do nothing ? And yet He bids thee take a step of exceeding difficulty. This is a proof, then, that He has the grace ready for thee to enable thee to take it. Otherwise, what sort of an invitation would it be which He gives thee ? Not certainly that of so tender a lover as He is, but of one who mocks.

The Manna of the Soul