Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/162

 will command  the  clouds  to  rain  no  rain  upon  it." (Isa.  v.  5,  6.)

O divine Jesus,  adorable  benefactor  of  my  soul! covered with  confusion,  and  penetrated  with  grief,  I cast  myself  at  thy  feet,  not  as  my  judge,  but  as  my mediator,  imploring  of  thee  not  to  avenge  the  neglect of the  graces  I have  hitherto  received,  but  to  add  to and  renew  them  all. O adorable abyss  of  mercy ! wert thou  not  truly  infinite,  I should  long  since  have exhausted thy  priceless  treasures. I should have already been  “ trampled  on  in  thy  indignation,  and  trodden down  in  thy  wrath .”  (Isa.  lxiii.  3.)  But  Lord, though thou  speakest  justice,  yet  thou  wilt  “ be  unto me a God, a protector,  and  a house  of  refuge, to  save  me; for thou  art  my  strength  and  my  refuge; and  for  thy name's sake  thou  wilt  lead  me  and  nourish  me  ” (Ps. xxx.  3,  4); and  this  emboldens  me  to  approach thee in  the  bitterness  of  my  heart  to  deplore  the grievousness of  my  offences. Deaf to  thy  divine voice, I have  refused  to  follow  thy  inspirations,  and have made  as  little  account  of  thy  graces  as  if  they were not  the  purchase  of  thy  blood,  and  the  most precious pledges  of  thy  will  to  save  me. Why have  I not  served  thee  as  thousands  have  done,  who  have been less  favoured? What excuse  can  I offer  for not being  already  far  advanced  in  the  road  of  perfection? Can I presume  to  say  that  thy  arm  has been shortened  in  my  regard? My adorable Redeemer! on all  occasions,  in  all  circumstances,  my heart  tells  me  that  thou  couldst  not  do  more  than thou hast  done  for  thy  wretched  servant. Would I could  say  that  I also  had  done  for  thee  the  little  I was  able,  that  I offered  thee  my  heart  as  generously  as thou  deservedst  it. I have brought  forth  far  different fruits from  those  thou  hadst  reason  to  expect  from