POINT I.
First, I am to consider that our Lord Christ would that our own acts should be part of this sacrament, viz., contrition, confession, and satisfaction, [1] which answer to the three sorts of sinning by thought, word, and deed, that I myself might concur to the grace of my justification; and that, seeing I sinned with my acts, with the same I might dispose myself to receive my pardon. And now that it has been the good pleasure of our Lord to ennoble my acts, making them the instruments of His grace, it is reason that I should exercise them with the greatest excellency possible, that I may "in all my works" (as the Wise man says) " keep the pre-eminence," [2] begging of the three Persons of the Godhead particular favour for every one of them. Of the Holy Ghost, to whom is attributed charity, I will beg contrition of heart, beseeching Him that He will kindle in my soul the fire of His love, from which may proceed such a sorrow as may consume all the dross of my sins. Of the Son of Almighty God, who is the Word of the eternal Father, to whom is attributed wisdom, I will beg light to know my sins, and such humble words to confess them, that I may be purified and cleansed of them. Of the eternal Father, to whom is attributed power, I will beg force for the works of satisfaction, with perseverance until I have paid all the pains that I owe for my sins.
Colloquy. — O most blessed Trinity, assist my heart and my lips, that I may worthily confess all my sins, and obtain complete remission of them! Amen.
Then I must consider all that is necessary to exercise these three acts with great perfection, reasoning on every one of them.
POINT II.
Of contrition. — As concerning the first act, which is sorrow
