Despair of Forgiveness

Fr John of Kronstadt

You, sinner, who have fallen into the depths of evil, when you represent to yourself the mutlitude of your sins, and fall into despair and hardness of heart, remember that the Heavnely Father sent his only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to save you from your sins, and from the eternal condemnation which they merit., Turn then with faith to him, imploring him from the depths of your soul to wash away your sins by his all-cleansing blood, shed for us on the cross; turn zealously to repentance, confessing your sins before his priest as before himself, that you may be justified; after which, if the minister of penitence finds you prepared and fit, draw nigh to the holy cup, and you shall be cleansed from all your sins: peace shall flow into your soul like a river, and you shall be the son of the Heavenly Father, the son who was dead and is alive again, who was lost and is found.. (Spiritual Counsels, p. 128)