Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/280

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Of Seeking Union with Christ.

CHAPTER XIII.

THAT THE DEVOUT SOUL OUGHT WITH THE WHOLE HEART TO SEEK UNION WITH CHRIST IN THE SACRAMENT.

O LORD, how shall I obtain favour to find Thee alone and by Thyself, to open unto Thee my whole heart, and to enjoy Thee even as my soul desireth? that henceforth none may look upon me, nor any creature move me, nor have regard to me, but that thou alone mayest speak unto me, and I to thee, as the beloved is wont to speak to his beloved, and a friend to rejoice with his friend.

This I beg, this I long for, that I may be wholly united unto Thee, and may withdraw my heart from all created things, and may learn more and more by means of this sacred communion to relish things heavenly.

O Lord God, when shall I be wholly united to Thee, and absorbed by Thee, and become altogether forgetful of myself?

Thou in me, and I in Thee; so also grant that we may both continue together in one.

2. Verily, Thou art my beloved, the choicest amongst thousands, in Whom my soul is well pleased to dwell all the days of her life.

Verily, Thou art my peacemaker, in Whom is highest peace and true rest, out of whom is labour and sorrow and infinite misery.