Meditations on Psalm 51 and Part of Psalm 31

Savonarola, after his first "examination," had nearly a month of quiet in the little prison, which, after all, was not less spacious or comfortable than his cell. . .This resting time the victim employed in a manner befitting his character and life. He wrote two meditations, one on the Miserere (51st Psalm) and the other on the 31st Psalm, in which he poured out his whole heart in communion with God. With the right hand which had been spared to him in diabolical mercy that he might be able to sign the false papers which were intended to cover him with ignominy, he still had it in his power to leave a record of that intercourse with his heavenly Master in which his stricken soul found strength and comfort. Between the miserable lies of the notary Ceccone, over which those Florentine nobles in the palace were wrangling; and the stillness of the little prison hung high in air over their heads, where a great soul in noble trust yet sadness approached its Maker, what a difference!
Lover and friends had forsaken him, honour and credit were gone from him, his very brothers had lifted up their heel against him, and God had not owned, as once he had hoped, his devoted service. But yet God was true, though all men were liars; God was true, though He hid His face. The soldier of Christ had been overborne in the fight, broken and cast down; but not less did he trust in his Leader and His cause, which one day should overcome.
MRS OLIPHANT, "The Makers of Florence."