been the spear that goaded Thee, the thorns that how therefore shall I be so bold as

pierced Thee to come unto Thee? Shall I repose Thy sacred Body in a den of dragons, a nest of scorpions ! What other thing is a soul full of sin? Wherefore dost Thou cast Thy children's bread unto the dogs, and Thy precious margarite to swine? How wilt Thou rest with me, O my Lord, who art the purity of a virgin, the fountain of all pulchritude? Thy most Holy Body taken from the Cross, was wrapped in fine linen, laid in a new sepulchre, wherein never any was laid: but what part of my soul is clean? what new? How then shall I receive Thee, O my Saviour and Redeemer? I am ashamed so often as I behold myself in such a state; I blush, considering what I am, and whither I am about to come. My refuge is, to fly unto Thy mercy, according to which mercy, O Lord, look upon Did the stones cleave asunder when Thou sufferedst Thy Passion; and shall my stony heart be nothing moved, for whom Thou didst suffer? Did the earth move, and shall my earthly mind stand immovable, like a dead centre? No, no, I am moved, O my Saviour!

me.

ANOTHER FORM OF CONFESSION.

Take it not heinously, O my Lord, that being such a one as Thou seest me to be, I dare presume to come into Thy sight. I remember, Thou wast not offended with the poor woman which had the issue of blood, but didst accept of her, saying, "Be of good comfort, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole." I have a greater issue, and come to Thee to be cured.

I call to mind Mary Magdalen, who washed Thy feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. Behold, here lieth a sinner, who hath more sins, but fewer tears; she was not the first, nor the last, whom Thy mercy received. Receive me, O Lord, though I have not shed so many tears as may wash Thy feet, yet hast Thou shed as much blood as can wash away my sins. O my Lord, Thou hast not changed Thy office and nature, though Thou seemest to be far away.

I read in the holy Gospel, that all that were sick and diseased did resort unto Thee, and that the multitude sought to touch Thee, for there went virtue from Thee'. The lepers came unto Thee, and Thou, stretching forth Thy blessed hands, didst heal them; Thou gavest unto the blind their

y Matthew ix. 22.

Luke vi. 19.

sight, unto the lame their limbs; Thou didst cure the sick, dispossess the devil, raise the dead, and canst Thou now forget to shew mercy, who art mercy itself? I come unto Thee, O my Redeemer, I come unto Thee, O eternal Creator of heaven and earth, beseeching Thee, that as the holy king David did accept at his table, and shew favour unto Mephibosheth, though of himself deformed; yet for the love of Jonathan, of whom he was descended, willing thereby to honour the son for the father's sake so may it please Thee to admit me, though of myself most deformed, for the love of Him in whom Thou art well pleased.

I offer unto Thee, O Lord, an humble heart; and had I many hearts, I could offer them all unto Thee. Lord, I can be no more without Thee, nor live without Thee, than can this body of mine remain, when life is taken from it. Wherefore necessity driveth me unto Thee, and hope of mercy ministereth boldness, by how much the more unworthy I am, by so much the more art Thou glorified in shewing mercy to me, Thy poor and unworthy servant.

a 2 Samuel ix. 11.

CHAPTER XVII.

A MEDITATION OF THESE WORDS: WHENCE COMETH THIS, THAT MY LORD COMETH UNTO ME?

HE bringeth himself that sendeth not another.

He who hath so many spirits, His ministers, cometh Himself unto His servants; He visiteth His sick, lifteth up and comforteth the fallen, helpeth the afflicted, refresheth the hungry with His own Body and Blood, who aboundeth with so many, so divers means and medicines, as to whom the fulness of the whole earth doth appertain. He bringeth Himself unto thee, O my soul, as a father, when He pursueth thee with love; as a brother, when He maketh thee by adoption the son of God; as a fellow, when He appointeth thee a co-heir of His heavenly kingdom; as a heavenly repast for thy eternal comfort; and an intercessor for the remission of thy sins. O, the wonderful love of the Son of God! Unde venit? from whence cometh this, that my Lord cometh unto me?

CHAPTER XVIII.

A MEDITATION UPON THESE WORDS OF THE CENTURION NON SUM DIGNUS UT INTRES SUB TECTUM MEUM; LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY THAT THOU SHOULDEST ENTER UNDER MY ROOF.

LORD, hadst Thou rather be at another man's house with dishonour, than at Thine own with honour? At least, O good Jesu, if Thou hadst no respect of Thine honour, if Thou castest under foot all praise and renown, if Thou takest unto Thee every vile sinner, yet have regard to Thy estate. Lord, I confess "I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof." Thou knowest my poverty and need: I have this poor cottage, far unmeet to entertain so great a guest as Thou, O my Lord. This body is not compact of gold and silver, but of dust and ashes; and also subject to infirmities, diseases and death. This soul, joined to my body, is far from that holiness it should be endued with, far unmeet a place it is for such a personage. I am altogether confounded, I tremble and shake at the coming of so great a guest into so poor a house as my soul is.