Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/220

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Who madest Esther, when she fasted, to find favour in the eyes of king Assuerus, Esth. xiv.
Who didst deliver Mardochai from the gibbet, when he called upon thee in sackcloth and ashes. Ibid. xvi.
Who didst succour the Machabees, when they fasted and invoked thee in sackcloth and ashes, 1 Mac. iii.
Who has commanded the priests to weep, pray, and offer sacrifices for the people, Joel ii.

III.

Who camest into this world to save sinners, have mercy on us. 1 Tim. i.
Who, in coming to redeem the world, didst send John before thee to be a preacher of penance,
Who givest him to be a mirror of penance, by his wonderful austerity in food and apparel,
Who thyself didst fast forty days and forty nights,
Who, rich in mercy, for the exceeding charity wherewith thou lovedst us, even when we were dead in sins, hast quickened us together in Christ,
Who, by thy grace, didst call Matthew sitting in the custom house,
Who didst testify that the publican received the grace of justification, when he struck his breast in sorrow and humility,
Who didst heal the paralytic of his disease, when thou hadst first forgiven him his sins,
Who, by the example of the prodigal son returning to his father, has given to sinners the hope of pardon and forgiveness.
Who didst open a fountain of living water to the woman of Samaria,
Who broughtest salvation to the house of Zacchseus, when he was penitent and made restitution,
Who didst graciously hear the woman of Canaan, when persevering in her prayer,
Who didst mercifully pardon the woman taken in adultery,