Page:The Praises of Amida, 1907.djvu/76

 why he should not have trusted to Christ's Mercy to pardon his sin, grievous though it undoubtedly was, now that he had come to Him with heartfelt contrition and open confession. Nor was there any reason why he should have troubled himself about his worldly reputation; for when a man enters the paths of religion he leaves these things behind him, and there is no question about his having been a good man or a bad one in the past. I could not understand, therefore, why he should have despaired, or given way to remorse and shame. 3. On second thoughts, however, I saw that it was not quite so strange; for the true cause of his sorrow flashed across me, and I realized that his pain all came from the deceitful heart within him. Deep down in his inmost soul, he felt the shame of the sin he had committed, and it was an unbearable thought that he, with such a load of guilt on his conscience, should enjoy such a reputation for sanctity among the members of his flock. But for a long time he lacked the courage to break down and destroy his