CHAPTER XVI.
THAT WE OUGHT TO LAY OPEN OUR NEEDS TO CHRIST, AND TO CRAVE HIS GRACE.
THOU most sweet and loving Lord, Whom I now desire to receive with all devotion, Thou knowest My infirmities and necessities; in how many sins and evils I am involved; how often I am weighed down, tempted, disturbed, and defiled by them.
Unto Thee I come for remedy, I entreat of Thee consolation and support.
I speak to Thee Who knowest all things, to Whom all my inward thoughts are open, and Who alone canst perfectly comfort and help me.
Thou knowest what good things I stand in most need of, and how poor I am in all virtue.
2. Behold, I stand before Thee poor and naked, calling for grace, and imploring mercy.
Refresh Thy hungry supplicant, inflame my coldness with the fire of Thy love, enlighten my blindness with the brightness of Thy presence.
Do Thou turn all earthly things into bitterness, all things grievous and contrary into patience, all low and created things into contempt and oblivion.
Lift up my heart to Thee in heaven, and do not send me away to wander over the earth.
Be Thou alone sweet unto me from henceforth for evermore; for Thou alone art my meat and drink, my love and my joy, my sweetness and all my good.
