if he heard it not, is not offended: he takes the reproach to himself, acknowledges his unworthiness, and, striking on his breast, exclaims : 0 God, be merciful to me a sinner. It is no great thing for the sinner to do this; whom, whether he will or not, the weight of guilt weighs down and humbles : but when the just man, conscious of many good deeds, utters the sentiments of a sinner, he excites surprise, indicating the true symptoms of a contrite and humble heart." Ibid. p.146.--" It is this compunction of heart, which, like a fire, burns and destroys every vice of the soul: whatever evil it finds, it utterly consumes.” Ibid. p. 145.
CENT. V.
St. AUGUSTIN, L. C.-“In the act of penance, it is not the length of time that must be considered, but the intensity of sorrow; for God despises not the contrite and humbled heart.” Enchirid. c. lxv. T. vi. p. 220.—“A troubled spirit is a sacrifice to God. Not only did David make this offering; but he thus shewed us, what should be done. It is not enough, to correct our evil manners, and to abstain from sin; unless moreover satisfaction be made to God for our passed offences, by penitential sorrow, by the tears of an humble spirit, by the sacrifice of a contrite heart, joined to almsgiving. The merciful shall find mercy.” Serm. cccli. T. v. p. 1362.—“He that has been baptised, and has violated this sacrament, if he do penance with all his heart; if he do it where God sees, who saw the heart of David, when grievously menaced by the prophet, he exclaimed: I have sinned! With him the sinner will hear: The Lord hath taken away thy sin. (2 Kings xii, 13.) In the words--I have sinned-are but four syllables ; but those four syllables are powerful: by them the flame of the sacrifice of the heart was wafted up to heaven.” Serm. cccxcii. Ibid. p. 1507.
