§ 2. Sorrow in Desire.

Neither be thou tormented if perchance thou feelest no sorrow nor contrition. For if thou dost heartily wish and desire that thou hadst not offended God, or even if thou art sorry that thou dost not grieve for it; this sorrow is seen and accepted by God, who considers not so much what thou feelest as what thou desirest. Say often these or similar words, “O Lord Jesus! would that I had never offended thee! O that I might henceforth live according to thy most gracious will, and be pleasing to thee!”

That contrition is most excellent which is combined with love, hope, and humble confidence in God. Lighter offences are doubtless more effectually and quickly effaced, if a man humbly acknowledging his 141fault, straightway turns lovingly to God, than if he timidly dwells upon his defects, and reflects upon them in his own mind.