thy commandments, and be directed back into the right way. Tell me how great are my iniquities and my sins.
8. Contrition the first part of penance.
Christ. Thy own conscience, if not blunted or seared, will easily answer thee; question it earnestly, and it will not be silent. Does it not very often, unasked, torment, reprove, and scourge with secret lash the guilty sinner? But if any thing is forgotten, however, after diligent scrutiny, commit it to my mercy, and weary not thyself with scruples; for I intend this Sacrament of Penance for thy comfort, and not thy torture. Yet self-love not unfrequently causes a man to incline his heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins. Exercise, then, with all impartiality, within thyself, the several functions of culprit, accuser, and judge; and when thou hast found thyself guilty, do not spare, but reprove thyself very severely, and grieve from the bottom of thy heart, that thou hast offended and despised me thy God, thy Creator, and thy Saviour, who should have been the supreme object of thy love, because I am supremely good.
Think how greatly thou sorrowest and weepest instantly for the loss of something most worthless; and dost thou not sorrow when thou hast injured thy own soul, and lost me, thy greatest good? Thou confessest me thy Lord, but where is my fear? Thou callest me thy Father, but where is my love? How often have I spoken to thee in thy heart, and said, nay, even thy own conscience has said to thee, Thy way is perverse; by this men go not to heaven; this is the broad way that leads to destruction: none have gone by it who pleased God. How long wilt thou love vanity, and seek after lying? But for all this, thou hast cast my words behind thee; and behold, still I stand at the door and knock, and am hardly admitted.
Man. Enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Remember, O Lord, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay, and wilt bring me into dust again. And since thou hatest nothing that thou hast made, let thy mercies speedily overtake me, for I am become exceeding poor.
9. Method of awakening in one's self contrition, or sorrow for sins.
Christ. Remember, my son, what I have done for thee; for what hast thou
