Page:Writings of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.djvu/110

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104
Writings of Patrick.

[Here] begins the Confession of Saint Patrick, Bishop.

God, my God, omnipotent King, I humbly adore Thee. Thou art King of kings, Lord of lords.[1] Thou art the Judge of every age.[2] Thou art the Redeemer of souls. Thou art the Liberator of those who believe. Thou art the Hope of those who toil. Thou art the Comforter of those in sorrow. Thou art the Way to those who wander. Thou art Master to the nations.[3] Thou art the Creator of all creatures. Thou art the Lover of all good. Thou art the Prince of all virtues. Thou art the joy of all Thy saints. Thou art life perpetual.[4] Thou art joy in truth.[5] Thou art the exultation in the eternal fatherland.[6] Thou art the Light of light.[7] Thou art the Fountain of holiness. Thou art the glory of God the Father in the height. Thou art Saviour of the world. Thou art the plenitude of the Holy Spirit. Thou sittest at the right hand of God the Father on the throne, reigning for ever.

I seek for forgiveness of my sins, O my God, Jesus Christ. Thou art He who desirest no one to perish, 'but have all men saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.'[8] Thou, O God, with Thy holy and chaste mouth hast said: In whatever day the sinner may be converted 'living he shall live and shall not die.'[9] I will return to Thee, O God, and with all my heart[10] will cry to Thee, my God, and to Thee now I desire to confess my sins. My transgressions are multiplied above me,[11] because my sins have no number before Thine eyes. O Lord, I appear [i.e., stand before Thee] a witness accused by conscience. I dare not ask what I do not deserve to obtain. For Thou knowest, Lord, all things which are done in us, and we blush to confess what by