land of promise, we need food no less for the soul than for the body, that we faint not in the way. For not in bread alone does man live, but in every word that proceeds from thy mouth.[1] The food, therefore, of my soul is thy Word, and also thy Sacraments, but especially that Bread of Angels, that true Manna from Heaven, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he says himself: My flesh is meat indeed, and my Blood is drink indeed, of which if any man eat, he shall never die. Grant me, O my Lord, that when I go the way of all flesh, and pass from the desert of this world to the Land of the eternal Promise, I may not want a Viaticum; but especially that this divine Bread may strengthen my heart. With thy own Body and Blood refresh my soul, that in the strength of that food I may walk even to the high mountain of thy glory, where thou shalt feed with the fat of wheat thy Elect, whom thou hast fed here for a time with the bread of tears, and satisfy them with the plenty of thy house.
STEP V.
REMISSION OF SINS.
And forgive us our debts.
I know, O Lord, that not anything defiled can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven;[2] and that thou admittest no one there save him who is reconciled both to thee and to his neighbour. But ah! alas, I am wretched and poor, and the debts by which I am bound to thee are infinite; nor have I wherewith to pay them or make satisfaction. What shall I do? Behold, with thee, O Lord, there is mercy, and plentiful is the redemption of thy Son. He came to make good our defaults, and to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. Oh, enter not, I beseech thee, into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight no man living shall be justified; but look on the face of thy Christ.
From the bottom of my heart I am sorry that I have ever offended thee, my God and my chief Good. And, therefore, I forgive from my heart my neighbours all their offences; lest perchance I look in vain to thee, my Lord, for mercy, if, servant as I am, I reserve anger for my fellow-servant. Forgive me, then, according to the promise of thy Son, who said, Forgive, and it shall be forgiven to you, especially at that last hour when I shall be summoned to appear before thee, my Judge! Alas for me! if, then, thou mark my iniquities! Oh, that the handwriting of the decree, that
