CAPITULUM II

HOW SORROW RISETH IN THE AFFECTION

WHILE Reuben waxeth, Simeon is born; for after dread it needeth greatly that sorrow come soon. For ever the more that a man dreadeth the pain that he hath deserved, the bitterlier he sorroweth the sins that he hath done. Leah in the birth of Simeon cried and said: "Our Lord hath heard me be had in despite."³⁶³⁶ Gen. xxix. 33. And therefore is Simeon cleped "hearing";³⁷³⁷ Exauditio. for when a man bitterly sorroweth and despiseth his old sins, then beginneth he to be heard of God, and also for to hear the blessed sentence of God's own mouth: "Blessed be they that sorrow, for they shall be comforted."³⁸³⁸ Matt. v. 4. For in what hour the sinner sorroweth and turneth from his sin, he shall be safe.³⁹³⁹ Ezek. xxxiii. 14. Thus witnesseth holy Scripture. And

9also by Reuben he is meeked,⁴⁰⁴⁰ Made humble. and by Simeon he is contrite and hath compunction of tears; but, as witnesseth David in the psalm: "Heart contrite and meeked God shall not despise";⁴¹⁴¹ Ps. li. 17 (Vulgate l.). and without doubt such sorrow bringeth in true comfort of heart.