Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/283

 be  directed  to  keep  all  these words which  I have  now heard thee  utter,  lest  the  servant,  that  knows  his  lord’s will  and  does  it  not,  should be  worthy  to  be  beaten  with many  stripes.

Thou dwellest  in  the  heavens, as  upon  the  throne  of thy  glory; but  the  high  thou knowest afar  off,  and  strictly observest our  ways. For thy eyes are  brighter  than  the sun. Therefore, from  the throne of  thy  majesty  thou beholdest in  every  place  the good and  the  evil,  but  thy beloved children  thou  regardest  with  particular  favour and kindness. Grant me, I beseech thee,  to  love  thee, and walk  before  thee,  as  thou commandest; and also  to  fear thee, not  as  a culprit  his judge, but  as  a son  his  father; and to  endeavour  to  be  perfect, even  as  thou,  my  heavenly Father,  art  perfect.

Before all  things  I have this only  wish,  O good  Jesus! that in  thy  name  every  knee should bow; that  by  me  and by all  men  all  things  should be done  with  a right  and  a pure  intention  to  the  greater glory of  thy  name; that  all should know  thee  and  worship thee,  O most  holy  Redeemer of  the  world! Oh, that our  light  also  might  so shine  before  men,  that,  seeing our good  conversation,  they might glorify  thee,  our  Father in heaven!

For we  are  strangers  and pilgrims upon  earth. For this were  we  born,  and  what is more,  were  so  formed  to thy  image,  nay  redeemed  by thy  blood,  that  we  might  be partakers  of  thy  kingdom (for we  have  not  now  a lasting city,  but  we  seek  one that  is  to  come); and  that, seeking and  minding  the things that  are  above,  not those that  are  upon  the  earth,