mity? When shall I rise again from the mire of the deep into which I am cast? Can it be thought that I have any hope of rising again? Can one that is dead again live?
Out of the depths, behold, I cry to thee, O Lord! Oh, graciously hear my voice. I have no hope of myself; would it were more firmly fixed on thee. A violent despair is ready to seize me, because my weakness grows daily greater by my fault. And if I say, Now I will begin; now is the hour for me to rise out of sleep; for now is the acceptable time, and the day of salvation; sin forthwith is present at the door, like a heavy yoke, and like a weight of lead pressing down my neck; and the enemy lifts himself up against me, and the habit of evil drags me in its fetters like one that is conquered and bound.
Look, O Lord, upon my affliction, deliver me from them that surround me, for the fear of them is grown strong upon me. For counsel has perished from me, and my strength has failed me. My arm is broken, and my sword will not save me. Thou only art left to me for a refuge. But, alas! I have too often forsaken thee, and therefore I justly dread to be forsaken by thee; nay, I fear already that I am cast away from thy sight. For thy countenance is against them that do evil things, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee.
2. The conviction and confusion of the sinner.
Christ. My son, I have heard thy groaning, and the cry of thy heart has reached my ears. For I am near to them that are of a contrite heart, and am ready to save the humble of spirit. But hearken awhile, on thy part, to my just complaints. True, I break not the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax; for it is not for me to destroy any one of those whom my Father has given me. But see thyself how justly my anger might burn like fire against thee. I made thee to my own image and likeness, and redeemed thee with my blood, that thou mightst serve me, who before wert the slave of Satan. But thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thy iniquities. Put me in remembrance, and let us plead together. Tell if thou hast anything to justify thyself.
Am not I thy Father, who have possessed thee, and made thee, and created thee? But thou hast forsaken the Father that begot thee, and hast forgotten the God that created
