The Good News of God (Electronic book text)

You will break both of the golden rules which St. Anthony, the famous hermit, used to give to his scholars.--'Regret not that which is past; and trust not in thine own righteousness.' For you will lose time, and lose heart, in fretting over old sins and follies, instead of confessing them once and for all to God, and going boldly to his throne of grace to find mercy and grace to help you in the time of need; that you may try again and do better for the future. And so it will be true of you--I am sure I have seen it come true of many a poor soul--what David found, before he found out the goodness of God's free pardon: -'While I held my tongue, my bones waxed old through my daily complaining. For thy hand was heavy upon me night and day; my moisture was like the drought in summer.'