Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/260



Blessed is  the  man  whom, thou shalt  instruct,  O Lord, and shalt  teach  him  out  of thy  law; yes, O Lord,  he  is every  way  blessed, because  he cannot  go  astray  under  thy guidance, for  thou  art  the way; nor be  deceived  under thy teaching,  for  thou  art  the truth; nor perish  under  thy protection, for  thou  art  the life. Teach me,  therefore, goodness, discipline,  and knowledge. For many  indeed are the  lessons  of  virtue  and piety that  I every  where  hear; I read much  that  has  been piously and  laboriously  written by  thy  servants  upon  the means, the  warnings, and  the commands to  obtain  thy  grace; but how  shall  I understand it, unless  thou  enlighten  my understanding? And how shall I perform  it,  unless  thou too inflame  my  affection? For to will  is  present  with  me, but I find  not  how  to  accomplish. I can do  nothing  indeed without  thee,  but  in  thee I can do  all  things; for  from thee is  all  our  sufficiency.

Therefore, while  I read what is  piously  written  in books, inscribe  the  same,  I beseech  thee,  with  thy  finger on the  tables  of  my  heart. For things  beautifully  sail soothe the  ear,  but  without thee they  affect  not  the  soul. In vain  am  I addressed  by one  that  is  a man  like  myself, let him  speak  ever  so  piously, learnedly or  eloquently,  unless thou,  O Lord,  speakest inwardly to  my  heart. Speak, then, Lord,  for  thy  servant heareth; but  if  I hear  not, then cause  me  to  hear;  for thou makest  the  deaf  to  hear and the  dumb  to  speak.

But make  my  heart  also