Colloquy. — O omnipotent Goodness, how dost Thou so liberally give Thy concurrence to him that so evilly abuseth it? Why dost Thou not employ this omnipotence to chastise him that makes no better of it? Pardon, O Lord, this boldness, which hath been greater than I can imagine, for I am grieved at it more than I can express, and yet I would that it grieved me much more. O infinite God, that showest Thine omnipotence principally in pardoning and having mercy on a sinner, [1] pardon me and have mercy on me, and aid me that I may never more use Thine infinite power unless it be to serve Thee!
And in this manner may be considered the attributes of the mercy, justice, and charity of Almighty God, and others that shall be touched in the following point.
POINT II.
Secondly, I must consider the infinite benefits of our Lord and what Almighty God has been to me, comparing it with what I have been to Him, and what exceeding great injury it is to offend an infinite benefactor. [2]
1. First, I will consider the benefits of my creation, preservation, and government, which include innumerable benefits belonging to the natural essence and being both of body and soul, and aiding the supernatural being of grace. And with this consideration I will endeavour to be exceedingly sorrowful for having offended my Creator, without whom I had had no being; my Preserver, without whom I could not have continued; and my Governor, without whose providence I could not live. To this end it will help much to consider all that which Moses said to his people in the canticle which he made reproaching them with their sins, especially in these words, "Is this the return thou
