A Prayer of St. Augustine (430 A.D.)

Before Thine eyes, O Lord, we bring our sins and we compare them with the stripes we have received
If we examine the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little, what we deserve is great
What we have committed is very grievous, what we have suffered is slight
We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning
Under Thy lash our inconstancy is visited, but our sinfulness is not changed
Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent
Our life groans under sorrow , yet amends not in deed
If Thou spares us, we correct not our ways; if Thou punish we cannot endure it
In time of correction we confess our wrong-doing; after Thy visitation we forget that we have wept