Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/232

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Remember thou art my Father, and have compassion on my distressed soul; clothe it with all virtues and feed it with thy grace, for it belongs to a father to be careful of his child.

As it is in thee I live, sweet Jesus, so it is in thee I desire to die; and both living and dying I will ever profess that thou art good, and that thy mercy endureth for ever.

III. O sweetness of my life, and life of my soul, withdraw my heart and thoughts from all creatures, that they may find no rest but in thee.

My God, how long dost thou permit me to wander from thee? When wilt thou consume in me all that is corrupt and contrary to thy will? Draw me after thee, I beseech thee, that I may walk cheerfully in the way of thy precepts. Make me according to thine own heart, and let my soul be now thy habitation for ever.

My soul without thee is parched, like earth without water; moisten it, I beseech thee, with the dew of heaven, and grant me thy blessing from the land of the living. Wound my heart with thy love, that it may relish no earthly objects, but entirely depend on thy will.

Hail, dear Redeemer, whom I now desire to adore with the spirit and affection of thy elect; to thy direction I commit all the motions of my soul.

Ah! when will the day of eternity appear, that, liberated from this prison of flesh. I may join with the saints in thy everlasting praise? O sweet light, inflame my heart with the fire of celestial charity, and let its divine flames consume my bowels.

IV. O that I could give thee, dear Lord, as much praise, glory, and honour as is given thee by the angels and blessed spirits in heaven ! But as this