| The Servant. Three things there are at which I marvel very much; one is, that You should be beyond all measure so amiable Thyself, and yet so severe a judge of evil deeds. Lord, when I reflect on Your severe justice, my heart with passionate voice exclaims: "Woe to all who persist in sin!" for did they but know the strict account of every single sin, which You will infallibly require, even from Your very dearest friends, they would sooner pluck out their teeth and hair than ever provoke Your anger! Woe is me! How very terrible is Your angry countenance, how very intolerable Your ungentle averted looks! So full of fire are Your threatening words that they cut through heart and soul. Shield me, O Lord, from Your wrathful countenance, and extend not Your vengeance against me to the next world. Lo! when I only doubt, lest, because of my guilty deeds You mayest have turned Your face angrily away from me, it is a thing so insupportable, that nothing in all this world is so bitter to me. Oh, my Lord and Father, how could my heart endure Your angry countenance for ever! When I but seriously reflect on Your countenance inflamed with anger, my soul is so horrified, all my strength is so shaken, that I can liken it to nothing else than to the heavens beginning to darken and grow black, to fire raging in the clouds, and to a mighty thunder rending them, so that the earth trembles, and fiery bolts dart down upon men. Lord, let no one confide in Your silence, for verily Your silence will soon be turned to dreadful thunder. Lord, the angry countenance of Your Fatherly anger to that man who is fearful of provoking and losing You, is a hell above all hells. I will say nothing of that furious countenance of Yours which the wicked at the last day will have to behold in bitterness of heart. Woe, everlasting woe to those who shall have to expect so great a calamity! | |
