Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/688

 was against  us,  and  of  my debts,  may  be  blotted  out  by the  Blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  that was shed  for  us  upon  the Cross to  the  remission  of sins!

For what  is  this  life  of  ours but a continual  temptation and warfare  upon  earth? Hence comes  that  terrible struggle with  our  enemies, many and  strong,  whom  we are  not  able  to  withstand,  unless, thou,  the  Lord  mighty  in battle,  fight  for  us  and  protect us.

Suffer me  not,  O God,  who art faithful,  to  be  tempted above that  I am  able; but make with  the  temptation issue, especially  at  the  hour of my  passage  out  of  this world; for  then  commonly our enemy  more  violently  besets us,  in  lying  in  wait  for our heel.

Be with  me  in  that  doubtful struggle,  and  at  the  moment of  my  last  agony,  on which  depends  my  whole  eternity, and  the  fruit  of  all  the labours which  thy  Son  underwent for  me,  and  of  the  Blood which he  shed  for  me. Ah me! if his  ransom  for  me  be all  in  vain! Strengthen me, that I may  not  sink  under temptation; enlighten my eyes,  that  I never  sleep  in death; lest  at  any  time  my enemy  say,  I have  prevailed against him. Grant to  me that,  by  taking  to  myself  the armour of  God,  I may  be  able to resist  in  the  evil  day,  and to extinguish  all  the  fiery darts of  the  most  wicked  one, that he  snatch  not  away  the crown of  justice  laid  up  for me. If thou  art  with  us,  who is against  us? Though I should  walk  in  the  midst  of the  shadow  of  death. I will fear no  evils,  for  thou  art with me. If armies  in  camp should stand  together  against me, my  heart  shall  not  fear, &amp;c.

Here, indeed,  we  are  afflicted with  many  evils,  which force us  to  go  to  thee,  O God, to pray  for  deliverance. There is the  world,  the  whole  of which  is  seated  in  wickedness; Satan  too,  who  stands alone in  malice; and  other evils of  pain  without  number. But there  is  no  evil  like  the death of  the  soul,  the  unhappy  offspring  of  sin. For sin, when  it  is  completed,  begets death. Therefore the death of  sinners  is  very  evil; for in  the  evil  day  to  be  se-