soul from the sword of death, and mine only one "from the hand of the dog" [1] of hell, that I may live to Thee and confess Thy holy name! Amen.
2. I will likewise weep for my sins, because with them I have "pierced" [2] the only-begotten Son, who through excellence merits this name, Christ Jesus my Lord — within myself crucifying again, " the Son of God [3] and having, as much as lieth in me, given occasion for Him to die.
Colloquy. — O only-begotten Son of the Father, I am exceedingly sorrowful for my sins, for having been thereby a cause of Thy death; return, O Lord, to live in my soul with Thy grace, seeing Thou didst die to give it life.
3. At other times it tells me that I should weep like a bride that has by death lost her beloved spouse, upon whom depended her whole solace, thereby remaining a widow, poor and abandoned. And so will I weep for my sins, by which I have lost Almighty God, the spouse of my soul, and with Him have lost the jewels of His grace and charity, and the gifts that He had given me, remaining, like a widow, not able to engender children of good works, merits of life everlasting, but abandoned and left desolate, without the protection of so sweet a spouse.
Colloquy. — Oh that my heart would shiver, and break with the force of sorrow, for having lost such a spouse, such jewels, and such amiable protection!
4. And yet, notwithstanding, if I perceive that my heart is still hardened, and melts not with the considerations of love, I will make use of those of fear before mentioned, that fear (as St. Bernard [4] says) may quicken me, and open the door to love. Excitetur ut excitet. Let fear be awakened
