Page:Stalphonsuspraye00ligu.djvu/418



" I  came  down  from  heaven,  not  to  do  My  own  will,  but  the  will  of Him  that  sent  Me."— John  vi. 38.

my beloved  Infant,  my  dear  Redeemer,  since Thou hast  come  down  from  heaven  to  give Thyself to  me,  what  else  shall  I  go  about seeking in  heaven  or  on  earth  besides  Thee,  Who art my  Sovereign  Good,  my  only  Treasure,  the  Paradise of  souls? Be Thou,  then,  the  sole  Lord  of  my heart,  do  Thou  possess  it  wholly. May my  heart obey Thee  alone,  and  seek  to  please  Thee  alone! May my  soul  love  Thee  alone,  and  mayest  Thou alone be  its  portion! Let others  strive  after  and enjoy (if  enjoyment  can  ever  be  found  out  of  Thee) the goods  and  fortunes  of  this  world;  Thee  alone  do I  desire,  Who. art my  fortune,  my  riches,  my  peace, my hope,  in  this  life  and  in  eternity. Behold, then, my heart;  I  give  it  wholly  to  Thee;  it  is  no  longer mine own,  but  Thine. In the  same  manner  as  at Thy  entrance  into  the  world  Thou  didst  offer  to  the Eternal Father  and  present  to  Him  Thine  eternal will, as  David  has  taught:  "  In  the  head  of  the  book it  is  written  of  Me;  that  I  should  do  Thy  will;  O  My God,  I  have  desired  it"  (Ps.  xxxix.  9),  so  do  I  on  this day offer  to  Thee,  my  Saviour,  my  entire  will. At one time  it  was  rebellious  against  Thee,  and  with  it I  offended  Thee;  but  for  all  the  wicked  consent  by which  I  have  miserably  forfeited  Thy  friendship,  I am  now  heartily  sorry,  and  I  consecrate  my  entire will to  Thee. " Lord,  what  wilt  Thou  have  Me  to do?" (Acts ix.  6.)  Tell  me  what  Thou  desirest  of me,  for  I  am  willing  to  do  all. Dispose of  me  and of my  affairs  as  Thou  wilt,  for  I  accept  of  all,  and  in everything  I  resign  myself  to  Thee. I know  well that Thou  wiliest  what  is  best  for  me,  and  therefore