CHAPTER XXXVI.

_That a man ought to esteem himself not worthy of any comfort._

_Christian._ LORD, I am not worthy of any comfort nor of any spiritual visitation.

And therefore thou dealest justly with me; when thou leavest me poor and desolate.

For though I could shed a sea of tears, yet I were not worthy of thy comfort.

For, alas, I deserve nothing but to be punished, in that I have grievously offended thee in many things.

But thou, O merciful God, who willest not that any should perish, to shew the riches of thy goodness, vouchsafest to comfort thy servant above the manner of men:

For thy comforts are not like the words of men.

2. What have I done, O Lord that thou shouldest bestow any heavenly comforts upon me?

I remember not that I have done any good, but have been always prone to sin and slow to amendment.

This is true, and I cannot deny it: if I should say otherwise, thou wouldst stand against me, and there would be none to defend me.

What have I deserved but hell and everlasting fire?

I confess in very truth, that I am worthy of all scorn and contempt, and it is not fit that I should be numbered among thy saints.

3. What shall I say, guilty as I am, and full of all confusion?

I have nothing to say but this; I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned; have mercy on me, pardon me;

*Suffer me a little, that I may vent my grief, before I go into the land of darkness, a land covered with the shadow of death.

What dost thou require of a guilty and miserable sinner, but that he humble himself for his offences?

Of true contrition and humbling of the heart, ariseth hope of forgiveness; the troubled conscience is reconciled to God; the favour of God which was lost, is recovered; man is preserved from the wrath to come, and God and the penitent soul meet together with an holy kiss.

4. Humble contrition for sin is an acceptable sacrifice unto thee, O Lord, savouring much sweeter in thy presence than the perfume of frankincense.

This is also the pleasant ointment which thou wouldst should be poured upon thy sacred feet.

For thou never despisest a contrite heart.