Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/132

 for my  guide  and  rule,  until I am freed  from  the  bonds of this  wretched  life,  and  my soul,  bound  only  with  the  ties of thy  bounty  and  so  exquisite favours, may  respond  to  them by loving  thee  with  my  whole heart, by  dedicating  itself  entirely to  thee,  and  by  binding itself entirely  to  thy  holy service and  honour.

Oh, that  I may  serve  thee, my God,  for  the  whole  of  my life; that  I may  think  of  nothing else  but  to  do  what  is for  thy  glory,  and  direct  to this  most  desirable  end  all my actions,  my  strength,  and girts, as  well  of  nature  as  of grace. Let my  powers,  both of body  and  mind,  seek,  look to, and  aim  at  nothing  else but to  do  thy  most  holy  will. And oh,  that  I may,  in  some degree at  least,  correspond  to thy  infinite  love,  which  thou hast extended  to  me  always, that I may  not  be  altogether ungrateful to  so  great  a benefactor!

Bless the  Lord, O my soul,  and  let  all  that  is  within me bless  his  holy  name.

Bless the  Lord, O my  soul, and never  forget  all  that  he hath  done  for  thee.

Who forgiveth  all  thy  iniquities; who  healeth  all  thy diseases.

Who redeemeth  thy  life from destruction; who  crowneth  thee  with  mercy  and  compassion.

Who satisfieth  thy  desire with good  things:  thy  youth shall be  renewed  like  the eagle's.

Bless the  Lord  also  with me, all  ye  angels  and  archangels; all  ye  principalities and powers,  all  virtues  and dominations, all  thrones,  cherubim and  seraphim;  bless, I say, and  praise,  and  praise again without  end  our  common Lord,  because  he  hath not dealt  with  us  according to our  iniquities,  but  according to  his  great  and  fatherly mercy. Praise him,  ye  heavens, earth,  sea,  and  all  things that are  in  them,  let  them praise and  exalt  him  above all for  ever. Be glory,  therefore, given  to  God  by  every creature. Let every  creature bless and  give  thanks  to  the Lord in  every  place  of  hit dominion, now,  and  for  ever and ever. Amen.

1. None,  O Lord,  can truly express  the  number and amount  of  the  punishments which  thou  hast  prepared for  sinners,  and  which, by thy  almighty  power,  thou hast assigned  to  them  to  suffer hereafter. As thy  mercy is infinite,  so  too  is  thy  jus-