Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/123

 action, in  thought,  and  in  affections, thou  art  immutable, because the  shadow  of  change and vicissitude  falls  not  upon thee, but  thou  art  ever  most firmly fixed  in  the  same  being and will.

3. Thou  art  eternal,  without beginning  or  end. Thou embracest, in  one  point  of  indivisible eternity,  all  duration and difference  of  times. With thee there  is  no  time  but  that most perfect  Now, which  answers equally  to  all  time. Thou art  to  thyself  the  adequate and  most  perfect  measure of  eternity.

4. Because  thy  excellence, then, is  so  great,  O Lord,  as I most  firmly  believe,  I now adore and  worship  thee  with my whole  heart,  with  the greatest humility  and  reverence; and  in  union  with  the blest spirits  of  the  just,  I confess that  THOU  ART  WHO  ART. Prostrate on  the  earth  I reverently bow  before  thee; and with  the  deepest  humility I submit thyself  to  thee: and I will love  thee  for  ever,  with a pure and  sincere  love,  because thou  art  worthy  of  all love.

And for  thy  glory  also  I desire  that  all  creatures  may for ever  love,  acknowledge, reverence, honour,  and  praise thee; and I therefore  offer thee my  life,  my  strength,  my faculties,  and  all  that I have, or can  have.

5. I rejoice  too,  and  am glad  whenever  I reflect  that thou art  so  great,  infinite, immense, incomprehensible, immutable, and  eternal  a Lord,  and  that  all  these  perfections are  found  in  thee.

6. I congratulate  thee  with the deepest  affection  of  my heart  on  thy  so  great  majesty, glory,  and  happiness, which thou  possessest,  and will possess  for  ever. Therefore I call upon  all  creatures together to  join  me  in  blessing thee,  and  say:  All  ye works  of  the  Lord, bless  the Lord, praise and  exalt  him above all  for  ever.

7. My  joy  and  consolation are redoubled,  when  I hope and consider  that  this  very happiness of  thine  will  be mine  hereafter. For thou hast promised  it  to  me,  merited and  prepared  it  for me, and  bestowed  it  on  me through  Christ  thy  only-begotten Son,  my  Redeemer, whom I shall  enjoy  with  thee to all  eternity,  if  only  I continue faithful  in  thy  love. And then  I shall  be  satisfied, when thy  glory  shall  appear.

1. O my  almighty  God, thou art  that  power  which can do  all  that  it  will,  which admits of  no  weakness,  and is never  wearied  with  action;