But he is
making a mistake. Let him make it no more. He feels himself
unworthy. Let him come all the more, that he may be made worthy.
Let him come, because he is worthy. For--strange it may seem, but
true it is--that a man is the more worthy to draw near to God the
more he feels himself to be utterly unworthy thereof.
He who partakes worthily of the Holy Communion is he who says with
his whole heart, 'We are not worthy so much as to gather up the
crumbs under thy table.' He with whom Christ will take up his abode
is he who says, 'Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter
under my roof.'
For humility is the beginning of all goodness, and the end of all
wisdom.
He who says that he sees is blind. He who knows his own blindness
sees. He who says he has no sin in him is the sinner. He who
confesses his sins is the righteous man; for God is faithful and just
to forgive him, as he did St. Peter, and to cleanse him from all
unrighteousness.
SERMON XIX.--A WHITSUN SERMON
PSALM civ. 24, 27-30.
O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them
all: the earth is full of thy riches. . . . These wait all upon
thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou
givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled
with good.
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