Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/133

 tice infinite,  which  in  infinite ways will  be  displayed  against sinners, not  in  the  next  world only, but  even  in  this,  which is peculiarly  allotted  to  mercy. So that  all  may  learn  to  fear thee, and  that  those  who  are not moved  by  the  bounty  of a most  tender  Father,  may at least  be  terrified  by  the severity of  a most  just  Judge. He will  suffer  no  evil  to  go unpunished,  nor  any  good unrewarded; for  with  thee there is  no  respect  of  persons, because thou  art  a most  just Judge.

2. I am  pleased  and  delighted, O Lord,  with  this thy justice; of  which  I would not, if  I were  able,  deprive thee of  ever  so  little,  to  prevent thee  from  punishing  my sins. Nay, I solemnly  declare, that  if,  through  my malice,  hardness,  and  obstinacy, I would  not  be  converted to  penance,  and  if  I were  willing  to  die  thus hardened, impenitent,  and desperate, (from  so  dreadful a misfortune,  O Lord,  preserve me),  but  if  I should  be so  mad,  I declare  my  desire from this  hour,  that  thy  justice should take  effect,  and  should send me  to  eternal  punishment; that  since  I would  not glorify thy  mercy  by  a voluntary and  saving  penance,  I might  at  least  in  torments glorify thy  justice.

3. But  while  I have  life,  I may  by  thy  grace,  O my  most loving Lord,  appeal  from  the tribunal of  thy  justice  to  the tribunal of  thy  mercy. And, therefore, at  this  hour,  and for ever,  with  great  confidence, O Lord,  with  my whole  heart,  with  my  whole soul, and  with  my  whole strength, I appeal  to  thy mercy. And I beseech  thee, through Jesus  Christ  thy Son, to  pardon  me  my  sins, that I may  not  be  cited  as  a criminal  before  the  dreadful tribunal of  thy  justice. I give thee my  sacred  promise,  that I will, with  thy  divine  help, amend my  life  for  the  future, and live  as  becomes  a good servant; that,  by  my  true penitence, thy  mercy  may  be more  delightfully  and  happily glorified. Amen.

i. As  thou,  O Lord,  art  the first and  supreme  efficient cause of  all  things,  so  thou art equally  the  last  end,  especially of  rational  creatures. I ought, therefore,  to  withdraw my  mind  to  a distance from creatures,  and  to  place in them  no  hope,  because  they very much  hinder  me  from arriving at  my  happy  and  last end, for  which  thou  hast created me,  who  art  my  true, only, and  supreme  good.