Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/101



In which  a great  accession of grace  and  piety  may  be gained  by  the  oblation  of one's  self  and  all  one's  actions to God,  in  union  with  the actions and  merits  of  our Lord Jesus  Christ.

It is  wonderful  how  much the maintenance  and  practice of a right  intention, by  which we refer  all  that  belongs  to us  to  the  glory  of  God  alone, conduces to  advancement  in grace  and  true piety.

But this  exercise  will  be still  more  useful  if  we  unite our actions  to  those  of  Christ, and so  offer  them  to  the  eternal Father. To this  St  Paul exhorts us  in  the  words: Whether you  eat  or  drink, or whatsoever  else  you  do, do all  to  the  glory  of  God. And again, All  whatsoever you do  in  word  or  in  work, do all  in  the  name  of  the Lord Jesus  Christ.

In this  way  our  little  actions, otherwise  most  valueless, as  well  as  our  afflictions, pains, and miseries; nay, even our  every  step, breath, and sigh, united  to  the  actions and merits  of  Christ,  will  be clothed  with  an  honour  of  the highest value  and  dignity,  and cannot be  otherwise  than  most pleasing to  God.

Just as  if  lead, by  being cast into  melted  gold, were  0 acquire the  beauty  and  value of gold; or  as  if  a vessel  of water, by  being  poured  into  a cask  of  most  excellent  wine, were to  be  entirely  changed into wine; even  so  it  is  0 be warmed  with  the  fleece  of  the Lamb that  taketh  away  the sins of  the  world. For how can we,  poor  wretches  that  we are,  who  have  no  confidence in our  own  merits  and  justice, please  the  Father, except through the  Son,  in  whom  He is  well  pleased? For He  is our  head,  by  whose  united action the  members  live  and grow, and  of  his  fulness  we all  have  received. And how can our  loving  Father  despise us, if  he  looks  on  the  face  of His  Christ?

Most tender  Father  of  mercies, and  God  of  all  consolation ! I thy unworthy  creature, and  vile  slave  that  I am,  humbly  place  myself  before thee,  my  most  gracious Lord and  Creator,  not  trusting in  my  own  merits,  but  in those  of  thy  most  beloved Son our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. I come to  thee  earnestly  entreating to  be  made  a partaker of  thy  grace  and  goodness, by  the  help  of  which  I may  be  able  in  every  thought, word, and  deed  of  mine,  so  to direct  myself  according  to  the rule of  thy  will  and  pleasure,