them that seek thee; nay, thou even invitest those who seek thee not.
I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost. For the love of thee I grieve from the bottom of my heart. Oh, that I had never offended thee! Oh, that I may offend thee no more for ever! Oh, who will grant me, that I might be according to the months past, and according to the days when I yet enjoyed the fatherly sweetness of thy countenance! Nevertheless, even now look upon me, and pity me, because I am poor and alone. Uphold thy servant unto good, for whither shall I fly from thy face any more? Without thee it has nowhere been well with me, since I have been a fugitive from thee. Cast me not away from thy face, and draw me not away together with the wicked. A sacrifice to thee is an afflicted spirit, a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Thou who search est the heart and reins knowest the desire of my heart, and my groaning is not hid from thee.
Christ. Can a mother forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? But if she should forget, yet will not I forget thee; for I have given my life for thee, and have washed thee in my blood. If thy sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow; and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool.
Man. Oh, how good and tender, O Lord, in all things is thy spirit! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all that he hath done for thee, who forgives all thy iniquities, who heals all thy diseases, who redeems thy life from destruction, who crowns thee with mercy and compassion, who satisfies thy desire with good things; thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s. I thank thee, O Lord, from the inmost marrow of my soul, that thou hast given me life and mercy until now, and hast not destroyed me, as thou mightst have done, in the midst of my sins, doubtless in order that thy goodness might lead me to penance.
11. Confession the second part of penance.
Christ. But, that thou mayest be the more fully restored to my favour, when thou hast confessed against thyself thy injustice to me, go and show thyself also to the priest, to whom I have given the power to bind and to loose. For he that hides his sins shall not prosper; but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy. My son, for thy soul be not ashamed to tell the truth. For there is a shame
