Page:Stalphonsuspraye00ligu.djvu/83

 dost Thou  love  me  thus? what good  thing  dost Thou see  in  me? Hast Thou  forgotten  the  injuries I have  done  Thee? But since  Thou  hast  treated me so  lovingly,  and  instead  of  casting  me  into  hell, hast granted  me  so  many  favors,  whom  can  I  desire to love  from  this  day  forward  but  Thee,  my  God. my All? Ah, most  gracious  God,  if  in  time  past  I have  offended  Thee,  it  is  not  so  much  the  punishment I  have  deserved  that  now  grieves  me,  as  the displeasure I  have  given  Thee,  Who  art  worthy  of infinite  love. But Thou  knowest  not  how  to  despise a heart  that  repents  and  humbles  itself:  "A  contrite and  humble  heart,  O  God,  Thou  wilt  not  despise" (Ps. l. 19). Ah, now,  indeed,  neither  in  this  life  nor in the  other  do  I  desire  any  but  Thee  alone:  "  What have  I  in  heaven?  and  besides  Thee,  what  do  I  desire upon  earth?  Thou  art  the  God  of  my  heart, and  the  God  that  is  my  portion  forever"  (Ps.  lxxii. 25,  26). Thou alone  art  and  shall  be  forever  the only Lord  of  my  heart,  of  my  will;  Thou  my  only Good, my  Heaven,  my  Hope,  my  Love,  my  All: "The God  of  my  heart,  and  the  God  that  is  my  portion forever."

The more  to  strengthen  thy  confidence  in  God. often call  to  mind  His  loving  treatment  of  thee,  and the gracious  means  He  has  used  to  drive  thee  from the disorders  of  thy  life  and  thy  attachments  to earth,  in  order  to  draw  thee  to  His  holy  love;  and therefore fear  to  have  too  little  confidence  in  treating with  thy  God,  now  that  thou  hast  a  resolute  will to love  and  to  please  Him  with  all  thy  power. The mercies He  has  granted  thee  are  most  sure  pledges of the  love  He  bears  thee. God is  displeased  with a want  of  trust  on  the  part  of  souls  that  heartily love Him. and whom  He  loves. If, then,  thou  desirest  to  please  His  loving  Heart,  converse  with  Him from this  day  forward  with  the  greatest  confidence and tenderness  thou  canst  possibly  have. "I have