tice infinite, which in infinite ways will be displayed against sinners, not in the next world only, but even in this, which is peculiarly allotted to mercy. So that all may learn to fear thee, and that those who are not moved by the bounty of a most tender Father, may at least be terrified by the severity of a most just Judge. He will suffer no evil to go unpunished, nor any good unrewarded; for with thee there is no respect of persons, because thou art a most just Judge.
2. I am pleased and delighted, O Lord, with this thy justice; of which I would not, if I were able, deprive thee of ever so little, to prevent thee from punishing my sins. Nay, I solemnly declare, that if, through my malice, hardness, and obstinacy, I would not be converted to penance, and if I were willing to die thus hardened, impenitent, and desperate, (from so dreadful a misfortune, O Lord, preserve me), but if I should be so mad, I declare my desire from this hour, that thy justice should take effect, and should send me to eternal punishment; that since I would not glorify thy mercy by a voluntary and saving penance, I might at least in torments glorify thy justice.
3. But while I have life, I may by thy grace, O my most loving Lord, appeal from the tribunal of thy justice to the tribunal of thy mercy. And, therefore, at this hour, and for ever, with great confidence, O Lord, with my whole heart, with my whole soul, and with my whole strength, I appeal to thy mercy. And I beseech thee, through Jesus Christ thy Son, to pardon me my sins, that I may not be cited as a criminal before the dreadful tribunal of thy justice. I give thee my sacred promise, that I will, with thy divine help, amend my life for the future, and live as becomes a good servant; that, by my true penitence, thy mercy may be more delightfully and happily glorified. Amen.
i. As thou, O Lord, art the first and supreme efficient cause of all things, so thou art equally the last end, especially of rational creatures. I ought, therefore, to withdraw my mind to a distance from creatures, and to place in them no hope, because they very much hinder me from arriving at my happy and last end, for which thou hast created me, who art my true, only, and supreme good.
- ↑ Apoc. i. 8.
