Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/569

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and humble of heart, kind, temperate, chaste, merciful, and, in short, conspicuous for all probity and holiness; and this is God Almighty himself, who both heals me by his example and strengthens me by his aid.

All this is conveyed to my ears when Jesus is sounded in them. As man, therefore, I take from him examples; as the Mighty One I receive from him aid: the former I use as aromatic drugs, and add to them pungency with the latter; and so I make a confection the like of which can be made by no physician.

Such is the electuary, O my soul! which thou hast stored up for thee in the vessel of this word: Jesus, Saviour. Saving, indeed, it is, and can never be found without efficacy for any complaint thou mayest have.

May it be ever in thy breast, and ever in thy hand; that all thy thoughts, actions, &c., may be directed by it to Jesus![1]


A Sweet and Easy Method

OF PRAYING ALWAYS, AND AT THE SAME TIME OF HONOURING THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS.

Because we are commanded by Christ, always to pray, and never to faint,[2] and by the Apostle, all whatsoever we do in word or in work, to do all things in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ;[3] you have here a compendious and easy method of praying always, and at the same time of honouring Jesus. Here, I say, you have burning aspirations selected out of the royal Prophet, by which the soul may not only be easily elevated to God in every action, but also be instructed in certain, as it were, rules and means that may be useful for the perfecting of our works.

HOLY ASPIRATION

In praise of the most holy Name of Jesus.

Save me, O Lord, by thy Name, and judge me in thy strength.

And for the glory of thy Name, O Lord, deliver us, and forgive us our sins, for thy Name’s sake.

Let them trust in thee who know thy Name, for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee, O Lord.

I will freely sacrifice to thee, and will give praise to thy Name, O Lord, because it is good.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, from henceforth, now, and for ever.

  1. Serm. xv. upon Cant.
  2. Luke xviii. i.
  3. Col. iii. 17.