Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/98

 ample field  on  which  to  exercise  thy  mercy. Pardon, O infinite abyss  of  goodness,  pardon  the  multitude of my  offences. From the  bottom  of  my  heart  I cry to thee  that  I have  sinned,  and  that  my  iniquities  are countless; but multiplied  as  they  are,  thy  mercies are still  more  numerous,  and  thy  loving  heart  is moved  to  forgiveness  upon  our  sincere  repentance. To the  grace  of  pardon  for  the  past,  deign  also  to add  that  of  amendment  for  the  future. Grant, through the  merits  of  this  adorable  sacrifice,  that  I may  never  more  offend  thee. But O sweet  Lord! if thou, knowing  my  weakness,  foreseest  that  this  will excite my  pride,  then  chastise  me  with  the  tenderness of a Father;  make  use  of  sufferings,  sickness,  affronts, injuries, and  all  the  humiliations  which  thou  thinkest fit for  my  cure; but  oh! never suffer  me  to  fall  into mortal sin; may  this  never  be  the  punishment  of  it. How great,  O my  God,  is  thy  love! thou hast  proved it, not  only  by  once  dying  for  us  on  the  cross,  but by daily  immolating  thyself  mystically  upon  our altars. Bestow on  me  a gratitude  corresponding  to thy  benefits; give  me  an  upright  heart,  and  a will conformable to  thine,  that  in  all  my  thoughts,  words, and actions,  I may  have  no  other  aim  than  thy greater glory. O my God  and  my  Father! yet how shall I dare  address  thee  by  that  tender  name  of Father,  having  so  grievously  offended  thee. Sensible of my  unworthiness,  I would  retire  from  thy  presence, had not  thy  beloved  Son  shed  his  blood  for  my redemption. If my  sins  provoke  thy  just  anger, that precious  blood  will  move  thee  to  compassion. If thou  art  deaf  to  my  sighs  and  tears,  thou  wilt hearken to  the  voice  of  his  blood,  which  cries  louder than that  of  Abel,  not  for  punishment,  but  for pardon of  my  crimes. Besides, I know  thou  wouldst