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.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Of the different motions of nature and grace.