For if I could shed tears like a sea, yet should I not be worthy of thy comfort;
Since I have deserved nothing but stripes and punishments, because I have grievously and often offended thee, and in very many things sinned against thee.
Therefore according to all just reason I have not deserved the least of thy comforts.
But thou, who art a good and merciful God, who wilt not have thy works perish, to shew the riches of thy goodness towards the vessels of mercy, vouchsafest beyond all his deserts to comfort thy servant above human measure; for thy consolations are not like the consolations of men.
2. What have I done, O Lord, that thou shouldst impart any heavenly comfort to me?
I can remember nothing of good that ever I have done; but that I was always prone to vice, and sluggish to amendment.
It is the truth, 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 for my sins but hell and everlasting fire?
In truth, I confess I am worthy of all scorn and contempt; neither is it fitting that I should be named among thy devout servants. And though it goes against me to hear this, yet for truth's sake I will condemn my sins against myself, that so I may the easier obtain thy mercy.