is the faculty which governs and controls the other powers of the soul. By the holy Fathers it is also called " compunction of heart," and hence the works written by them on contrition they prefer inscribing, treatises on "compunction of heart;" [1] for, as imposthumes are cut with a lancet in order to open a passage to the virulent matter accumulated within; so the heart of the sinner is, as it were, pierced with contrition, to enable it to emit the deadly poison of sin which rankles within it. Hence, contrition is called by the Prophet Joel, a rending of the heart: "Be converted to me," says he, "with all your hearts in fasting, in weeping, in mourning, and rend your hearts." [2]
That for past transgressions the sinner should experience the row should deepest sorrow, a sorrow not to be exceeded, will easily appear from the following considerations. Perfect contrition is an act of charity, emanating from what is called filial fear: the measure of contrition and charity should, therefore, it is obvious, be the same: but the charity which we cherish towards God, [3] is the most perfect love; and, therefore, the sorrow which contrition inspires, should also be the most perfect. God is to be loved above all things; and whatever separates us from God is, there fore, to be hated above all things. It is, also, worthy of observation, that to charity and contrition the language of Scripture assigns the same extent: of charity it is said: " Thou shall love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart:" [4] of contritrition: "Be converted with thy whole heart." [5] Besides, if it is true, that of all objects which solicit our love, God is the supreme good, and no less true, that of all objects which deserve our execration sin is the supreme evil; the same principle which prompts us to confess that God is to be loved above all things, obliges us also of necessity to acknowledge that sin is to be hated above all things. That God is to be loved above all things, so that we should be prepared to sacrifice our lives rather than offend him, these words of the Redeemer declare: " He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me:" [6] " He that will save his life shall lose it." [7] As charity, it is the observation of St. Bernard, recognises neither measure nor limit, or to use his own words, as " the measure of loving God is to love him without measure," [8] so the measure of hating sin should be, to hate sin without measure. Besides, our contrition should be supreme not only in degree, but also in intensity, and thus perfect, excluding all apathy and indifference, according to these words of Deuteronomy: " When thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shall find him: yet so if thou seek him with all thy heart, and all the affliction of thy soul;" [9] and of the prophet Jeremiah: " thou shalt seek me and shalt find me, when thou shalt seek me with all thy heart; and I
