Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/99

 rather be  esteemed  the  Father  of  mercies  than  the God of  vengeance;  all  which  makes  me  hope,  that thou wilt  not  reject  a contrite  and  humble  heart, especially when  presented  by  thy  own  beloved  Son, who, as  High  Priest,  is  going  to  immolate  himself in my  behalf. For his  sake,  receive  me  again  as  thy child. Give me  what  the  depth  of  my  necessities requires, and  what  the  greatness  of  thy  goodness knows how  to  bestow. Imprint in  my  heart  those dispositions which  will  render  it  pleasing  in  thy sight. Give me  a humility  as  profound  as  the nothingness whence  I sprang,  or  rather  as  deep  as the  abyss  into  which  my  sins  have  cast  me. Renew in me  thy  image,  defaced  by  sin; and  destroy  in  me all  that  is  offensive  in  thy  eyes,  that  I may  become  a child  worthy  of  such  a Father. Let neither  pleasure nor fear  again  withdraw  me  from  the  line  of  duty,  or cause  me  ever  to  offend  thee  more.

EFLECT, that  by  sin  you  have  transgressed  the law of  God. preferring to  it  the  law  of  flesh  and blood, in  the  indulgence  of  your  own  will. Beg grace in  future  to  make  the  divine  law  the  rule  of  all your actions.

MY God! when I listen  to  thy  holy  Gospel,  do I not  hear  the  sentence  of  my  own  condemnation, unless  thy  infinite  mercy  avert  it? For he who  refuses  to  bear  thy  sweet  yoke,  deserves  severe punishment. And when  have  I submitted  to  the restraints it  imposes? Have I not  rather  criminally followed the  perverse  inclinations  of  my  heart,  and the corrupt  maxims  of  the  world,  than  the  holy  rules