afflictions, which thou seest are necessary to break off my affections from all things here below.
Since none can see thee that loves any thing but for thy sake, permit not my heart to find here any rest but in seeking after thee.
Too bitter, alas, will be the anguish of a separated soul that desires, but cannot come to thee, clogged with the heavy chains of sin.
Here then, O my Saviour, keep me continually mortified in this world ; that, purged thoroughly by the fire of love, I may immediately pass into the everlasting possessions.
Have mercy on all sinners, &c.
" Our Lord Jesus Christ humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Phil. ii. 8.
Hear these my petitions, &c. as before.
Our Father, &c.
Hail Mary, &c.
I believe in God, &c.
Part III.
"At the name of Jesus," &c. Phil. ii. 10, 11, as before.
Eleventh Petition.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, --> grant me grace to fly evil company.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Jesus, grant me grace to fly evil company ; or if I chance to come among such, I beseech thee, by the merits of thy uncorrupt conversation among sinners, preserve me from being overcome by any temptations to mortal sin.
Make me, O blessed Lord, to remember always with dread, that thou art present and hearest ; who wilt judge us according to our words and actions.
How, then, dare I converse with slanderers, liars, drunkards, or swearers, or such whose discourse is either quarrelsome, dissolute, or vain ?
Repress in me, dear Jesus, all inordinate affection for the pleasure of taste and of the flesh ; and grant me grace to avoid all such as would excite the fire of these unhappy appetites.
