Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/534

 ERCIFUL Redeemer,  and  holy  God  of  infinite patience! great is  my  confusion  to  appear  in  thy divine presence,  having  so  frequently  preferred  contemptible creatures  to  thee,  the  omnipotent  Creator of the  universe. I utterly detest  my  presumption in sinning  ill  thy  most  pure  sight; I acknowledge myself a criminal,  and  I plead  guilty  at  the  bar  of thy  dread  tribunal. Thou mightest  have  been  glorified in  thy  justice,  by  striking  me  suddenly  dead,  and condemning me  to  eternal  flames,  for  base  indignities offered to  thee; but  thou  wast  pleased  to  be  glorified in the  high  prerogative  of  thy  mercy,  in  calling  me back  to  repentance. 1 abhor all  my  crimes  of thought,  word,  and  deed; not  only  for  the  hope  of reward,  or  fear  of  punishment,  but  for  thy  own  sake, and because  thou  dost  infinitely  abominate  them. O God of  majesty  and  mercy! look upon  those sacred marks  in  thy  hands,  feet  and  side,  which  thou still retainest  in  thy  glorified  body,  to  plead  my pardon. By that  tender  love  which  induced  thee  to create,  redeem,  and  sanctify  me,  unite  the  abyss  of thy  merits  to  the  abyss  of  my  misery; strengthen my weakness,  confirm  this  my  resolution  of  never offending thee  more. O rather let  me  lose  everything, with life  itself,  than  lose  thy  favour  by  mortal  sin. My heart  was  created  for  thee,  and  I love  thee  more than myself. Every aspiration  of  my  life,  especially the last,  shall  be  a protestation  of  my  pure  and sincere love  of  thy  Divine  Majesty. Sweet Saviour of perishing  mankind! who openest  thy  hand  and idlest every  creature  with  benediction,  give  me  now such a blessing  as  thou  didst  bestow  on  thy  beloved disciples when  ascending  in  triumph  from  Mount Olivet, that  I may  live  and  die  in  this  happy disposition. Amen.