Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/695

 Creed, so  do  I desire  to  die in the  same  Faith: and  therefore, confessing  the  same,  I say: I believe  in  God,  the Father Almighty,  &amp;c.,  understanding them  all  in  the  same sense in  which  Holy  Mother Church has  ever  understood them.

I protest that  I most  humbly ask pardon  of  all  my  sins  committed against  the  divine  Majesty, my  neighbour,  and  myself, by  thought,  word,  deed, and omission  in  the  observance of  the  commandments of God,  the  precepts  of  the Church [the  rule  and  constitutions which  I have  professed], in the  spiritual  and  corporal works of  mercy,  in  the  abuse of the  Sacraments,  and  in  the careless custody  of  my  senses. For all  my  sins,  mortal  or venial,  secret,  or  caused  by myself  in  others,  I beseech pardon of  my  God,  through  his infinite goodness  and  mercy, through the  merits  of  the Life, Passion,  and  Death  of His  Son,  my  Lord  Jesus Christ; through the  most powerful intercession  of  the most glorious  Virgin  Mary, Mother of  Christ; through the aid  of  all  the  Angels  and Saints of  the  Heavenly  Court, and especially  of  my  Patrons. And I most  humbly  beg  of the  divine  Goodness  to  vouchsafe, out  of  so  vast  a treasure, to supply  all  my  defects  committed in  Sacramental  Confession, and  even  now,  at  the last, to  grant  me  true  and sincere contrition  for  all  my sins.

I protest that  I forgive from my  soul  all  who  have ever, in  any  way  soever,  injured or  offended  me,  nay,  I beg  of  the  divine  Bounty  for them all  the  blessings  which I desire for  my  own  soul; and I ask  pardon,  moreover, if I have  given  them  occasion to offend  me; and  pray  Almighty God  to  give  me  a deep  and  lively  sense  of  this in my  heart,  that  I may  be able  truly  and  sincerely  to say,  Forgive  me  my  debts, even as  I forgive  my  debtors.

I protest that  I most  humbly ask  pardon,  with  all  my heart,  of  all  whom,  by  bad  example, deeds,  words,  or  in  any way soever,  I have  knowingly or ignorantly  offended,  and am most  ready  to  offer  myself to make  every  satisfaction; and I earnestly  pray  God, if I have  injured  or  defrauded any one,  to  recall  it  to  my memory,  and  to  grant  me  the sincere will  and  full  power to make  reparation  for  every injury before  I die.

I protest that,  in  thought, word, and  deed,  I am  inadequate to  the  divine  Goodness, and that  I am  utterly  unable to respond  to  the  infinite benefits and  graces  which,