Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/544

 dreadful hour  when  my  manifold  transgressions  will be laid  before  me. What must  become  of  me,  if  my iniquities  are  to  decide  my  eternal  destiny? O Jesus, let me  not  go  alone  before  the  throne  of  divine justice; come thou  into  my  soul; accompany  me  to 1 he  tribunal  of  God; there  let  all  thy  mercies  plead for me. I have nothing  to  trust  to  in  myself,  but upon thy  infinite  goodness  I have  every  reason  to rely. Let us  then,  my  soul,  confidently  recur  to  the mercies of  our  Lord; there  let  us  shelter  ourselves  in the  virtue  of  his  blessed  wounds; there,  though  our sins cry  aloud  for  justice,  his  precious  blood  cries still louder  for  mercy. It is  in  this  mercy  I place my confidence,  and  in  this  hope  I desire  to  die. Come now,  dear  Jesus,  into  my  soul,  and  possess  it for  ever.

Thou art  “ my  Lord  and  my  God  ” ( John  xx.  28); behold I am  thy  servant; give  me  understanding,  and strengthen me,  that  I may  ever  conform  to  thy holy will.

Thou art  the  Lamb  of  God,  the  spotless  Lamb,  who takest away  the  sins  of  the  world. Cleanse me  from all that  is  sinful,  and  give  me  that  which  is  pleasing in thy  sight.

Thou art  my  love  and  my  joy,  my  God  and  my  all; thou art  my  portion  and  inheritance.

Let the  powerful  force  of  thy  love  affect  all  my faculties; let  it  entirely  change  my  heart,  that  I may die to  the  world  for  the  love  of  thee,  who  wast  pleased to die  on  the  cross  for  the  love  of  me.

“ Into thy  hands  I commend  my  spirit ” (Pa.  xxx.  6), my whole  being,  and  the  remainder  of  my  life,  whilst I am in  possession  of  it,  and  have  the  power  of  making the offer  and  sacrifice. Amen.