for past, or as firm a purpose to avoid future sins, as I wish and ought to have in proportion to the greatness of my abominations.
3. Therefore, I beseech thee, O my God, accept, for the supply of that which I ought to have, the infinite hatred with which thou detestest sin; and in place of the sorrow which I fail in, I offer to thee, most merciful Father, the sorrows of Jesus Christ, thy Son, my Redeemer, together with the sacrifice of his spotless life, and the holy fervour and zeal that drew him to the most ignominious and bitter death, that he might destroy sin.
4. Ah, my most tender Jesus, I prostrate myself at the feet of thy mercies, beseeching thee, by the love which drew thee down from heaven into the Virgin’s womb, to apply to me the merits of thy most bitter passion and most precious blood, which thou hast shed for sinners, of whom I am the chief; and thus to supply all my failings, and pardon ail my faults, sins, negligences, and ingratitude.
Grant, I beseech thee, that all those things may be far from me in future; and although by nature I cannot be totally free from sin, grant me, O infinite goodness, the grace at least never to sin mortally. This is no other than thy own will, desire, wish, and command. Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.
Lastly, O Lord, cause all kinds of holy virtues to be ingrafted in me in place of those vices, and all to yield thee a return of glory and thanksgiving, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
II.
Act of Good Resolution.
I have sworn, and am determined to keep the judgments of thy justice.[1]
1. O most mighty God! by the light of thy grace I know how greatly I am bound to do good works and to follow virtue, to turn from evil and to flee from sin. Therefore, now, wholly distrusting myself, and leaning confidently on thy holy grace, I propose and determine, with all the power of my free will, and with my fullest and most deliberate consent, never to sin again ; and a thousand times rather to throw away my life every hour, than, my God, ever seriously
- ↑ Ps. cxviii. 106.
