Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 2.djvu/123

Rh soul, and have mercy upon me." Prayer appointed in the Khudhra for the fourth Friday of the summer season.

§ 4. "All the works of sin which are begotten within us we are bound to avoid, and above all we must watch against the words of the tongue, for life and death are in its power, and therewith every one of us must give account unto the righteous Judge for all that we do in this abode of our pilgrimage. … When I would open my lips to sing praises unto Thee, I find my mind accusing me and opposing to me day by day that my inward actions do not correspond to the words of my lips. I beseech Thee, therefore, to enlighten my mind through my tongue that I may sing Halleluia unto Thee." Prayer appointed in the Khudhra for the fourth Sunday of the summer season.

§ 5. "I am drawn by two thoughts, one of which calls me to repentance, and the other drives me to works of vanity. I do indeed desire to be worthy of forgiveness; but I am not willing to give up the works of iniquity. I would be set up in the eternal kingdom; but the fruits of the love of are wanting in me. I wish to possess the perfect reward; but I am unwilling to plough and to work in Thy vineyard even at the eleventh hour. Therefore, O most merciful, and Lover of mankind, do Thou have mercy upon me." From the Monday service for the Baootha d'Ninwâyé, in the Khudhra.

§ 6. "I know that I am a sinner, and that of myself I cannot repent, because I was born in iniquity, and in sin was I conceived … I am clothed with a frail nature, and endowed with an evil inclination. How can I be made clean who sin every hour? How can I free myself from the yoke of those passions whereto I am bound? These passions are woven in my veins, and these lusts abide in my members. If Thou dost not come near unto me, how can my actions be acceptable, for I am full of uncleanness? When I look upon a thing I lust after it, and when I hear I am captivated, and I become a sinner through the words of my mouth. I know how to do good, nevertheless I cannot do it. I moreover understand that sin is vile, yet I cannot escape from it. I know and am persuaded that I am far removed from goodness, and that sin is ever present with me, how then can I be justified? I love