declared that He hates sin, therefore He cannot do otherwise than hate him who sins, " For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto God." (Wisd. xiv. 9.) When man sins, he is bold enough to declare himself the enemy of God. " He stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty." (Job xv. 25.) God is that powerful One Who, from nothing, but as it were with a " beck," has created the heaven and the earth: " God made them of things that were not." (2 Mace. vii. 28.) And if He wishes, He can with another "beck" destroy them all. "Who at a beck can cast down .... all the world." (2 Mace. viii. 18.) And when the sinner consents to sin, he stretches out his hand against God. He stretches out his neck that is to say, pride, and flies in the face of God; he arms himself with a thick shield, that is to say, with ignorance thickness being a symbol of ignorance and says: " What have I done? what harm is there in the sin I have committed? God is merciful; He pardons sinners." O my God, keep me from such boldness and blindness.
Affections and Prayers.
Behold, O my God, at Thy feet the rebellious one; the bold one, who has had the boldness to insult Thee so many times, and to turn away from Thee; but now I seek for mercy from Thee. Thou hast said, " Call unto Me, and I will answer thee." (Jer. xxxiii. 3.) I know that hell is a fitting punishment for me; but Thou knowest that I feel very sorry for having offended Thee, O Thou Infinite Goodness; more sorry than if I had lost everything I possess, and my life even. Ah, my Lord, pardon me, and never let me offend Thee more. Thou hast waited for me, so that I may for ever bless Thy mercy, and love Thee. Yes, I do bless and love Thee, and hope because of. the merits of Jesus Christ, never more to be separated from Thy love. Thy love has freed me from hell; and for the future, it must free me from sin. I thank Thee, my Lord, for this light, and for the desire ever to love Thee, which Thou dost give me. Ah, take me entirely into Thy possession, my soul, my body, my powers, my senses, my will, and my liberty, " I am Thine,
