was against us, and of my debts, may be blotted out by the Blood of Jesus Christ, that was shed for us upon the Cross to the remission of sins!
STEP VI.
VICTORY OVER TEMPTATIONS.
And lead us not into temptation.
For what is this life of ours but a continual temptation and warfare upon earth? Hence comes that terrible struggle with our enemies, many and strong, whom we are not able to withstand, unless, thou, the Lord mighty in battle, fight for us and protect us.
Suffer me not, O God, who art faithful, to be tempted above that I am able; but make with the temptation issue, especially at the hour of my passage out of this world; for then commonly our enemy more violently besets us, in lying in wait for our heel.
Be with me in that doubtful struggle, and at the moment of my last agony, on which depends my whole eternity, and the fruit of all the labours which thy Son underwent for me, and of the Blood which he shed for me. Ah me! if his ransom for me be all in vain! Strengthen me, that I may not sink under temptation; enlighten my eyes, that I never sleep in death; lest at any time my enemy say, I have prevailed against him. Grant to me that, by taking to myself the armour of God, I may be able to resist in the evil day, and to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one, that he snatch not away the crown of justice laid up for me. If thou art with us, who is against us? Though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death. I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear, &c.
STEP VII.
DELIVERANCE PROM ETERNAL DEATH.
But deliver us from evil.
Here, indeed, we are afflicted with many evils, which force us to go to thee, O God, to pray for deliverance. There is the world, the whole of which is seated in wickedness; Satan too, who stands alone in malice; and other evils of pain without number. But there is no evil like the death of the soul, the unhappy offspring of sin. For sin, when it is completed, begets death. Therefore the death of sinners is very evil; for in the evil day to be se-
