CHAPTER XIV.
OF CONSIDERING THE SECRET JUDGMENT OF GOD, THAT SO WE BE NOT LIFTED UP FOR ANYTHING GOOD IN US.
HOU, Lord, thunderest forth Thy judgments over me, Thou shakest all my bones with fear and trembling, and my soul is very sore afraid.
I stand astonished; and I consider "That the heavens are not pure in Thy sight."
If in angels Thou didst find wickedness, and didst not spare even them, what shall become of me?
Even stars fell from heaven, what then can I presume who am but dust?
They whose works seemed commendable, have fallen into the lowest misery: and those who did eat the bread of angels, I have seen delighting themselves with the husks of swine.
2. There is therefore no holiness, if Thou, Lord, withdraw Thine hand.
No wisdom availeth, if Thou cease to guide.
No courage helpeth, if Thou leave off to defend.
No chastity is secure, if Thou do not protect it.
No vigilance of our own availeth, if Thy sacred watchfulness be not present with us.
For, if we be left of Thee, we sink and perish; but being visited of Thee, we are raised up and live.
Truly we are unstable, but by Thee we are established: we wax lukewarm, but by Thee we are inflamed.
