makest to the Lord, O foolish and senseless people? Is not He thy Father that hath possessed thee, made thee," and created thee? [1] " Thou hast forsaken the God that begot thee, and hast forgotten the Lord that created thee " [2] and redeemed thee.
2. Secondly, I will consider the benefits of my redemption, into which enter the incarnation of the Eternal Word, and all the labours and fatigues of the life, passion, and death of our Lord Christ, beholding Him as our Father, pastor, physician, master, and Saviour: so that with my sins I have injured Him who holds all these titles in my regard And (as the Apostle says) I have crucified Jesus Christ within me, I have trodden under foot the Son of Almighty God, I have trampled upon His blood, [3] I have despised His examples, I have contemned His laws and His precepts, and I have lived as if no such redemption for me had ever passed in the world.
Colloquy. — Then how is it, O my soul, that thou meltest not into tears, having offended such a Father, such a master, such a pastor and Redeemer? How is it that thy heart doth not break asunder with grief for having offended with thy sins Him that died to deliver thee from them? O my Redeemer, how much grieveth it me to have offended Thee! Pardon, O Lord, my offences! Wash out with Thy blood the spots of my transgressions, by virtue of which I purpose, with Thy grace, no more to return to pollute myself with them. Amen.
3. In this manner I may consider the benefits of my sanctification, into which enter baptism and the rest of the sacraments, especially that of penance and the Eucharist, and the inspirations of the Holy Ghost, and other innumerable both manifest and secret benefits, as also the promise of future
