Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/216

Rh And thou shalt say, "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us."

LORD, I am not worthy of Thy consolation, nor of any spiritual visitation; and therefore Thou dealest justly with me, when Thou leavest me poor and desolate.

For though I could shed a sea of tears, still I should not be worthy of Thy consolation.

I am not then worthy of any thing but to be scourged and punished, because grievously and often I have offended Thee, and have in many things greatly sinned.

Wherefore, all things duly considered, I am not worthy even of the least comfort.

But Thou, gracious and merciful God, Who willest not that Thy works should perish, to shew the riches of Thy goodness upon the vessels of mercy, vouchsafest even beyond all his desert to comfort Thy servant above the manner of men.

For Thy consolations are not like to the discourses of men.

2. What have I done, Lord, that Thou shouldst bestow any heavenly comfort upon me?