POINT II.
1. Secondly, at noon, before dinner, setting myself in the presence of Almighty God, and having asked of Him light to come to the knowledge of my sins, I will examine those which I have committed that morning in that particular vice, which, if they were many, I should be ashamed that I have not fulfilled the resolution that I made, nor kept my word which I gave to Almighty God, accusing myself of infidelity, inconstancy, and mutability, and being sorrowful for my transgressions in this, on account of their being against a God that is so faithful and constant in benefiting me, and in accomplishing whatsoever He purposes to do for my good. I must reprehend myself (as Cassian [1] says), saying to myself, " Art thou he that this morning didst purpose such great matters, and offered thyself to suffer very terrible things? Then how comes it that so light an occasion has overthrown thee? Thou didst purpose to kill all the enemies of Almighty God, and thou hast surrendered thyself to the least of them! Be ashamed of thy cowardice, humble thyself before Almighty God, and turn anew to resolve, trusting with more liveliness in His mercy, that it may aid thy great imbecility!" I will likewise examine the cause and occasion of having failed in order to avoid it or to prevent it, wholly resolving upon amendment the rest of the day.
2. I may likewise at this time remember that Christ our Lord was crucified at midday, and continued a great part of the evening, suffering most grievous pains upon the cross with constancy, until He gave up the ghost. And in thankfulness for this benefit I must purpose to be very constant in not yielding to the appetite of my flesh, nor to my own will in that vice, that it may die in me, or I may die
- ↑ Collat. xix. c.14.
