Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/311



O Truth, O Goodness,  who art here  and  every  where most present  with  me,  I believe thee,  and  I believe  that this N.,  and  whatever  else has been  written,  done,  and said by  thee,  is  for  my  instruction, and  in  the  presence of thy  court  I profess  that  it is  all  most  certainly  true,  and that I have  no  excuse  if  I do not  believe  this,  and,  by  thy grace, show  not  my  belief  in my  conduct.

Thou art  most  mighty, most wise,  and  most  good, and shall  I not  believe  thee, and embrace  these  evidences of thy  will? They indubitably demand  all  my  belief  and my love,  whether  I listen  to reason  and  the  wise,  or  look into the  nature  of  things. Would that  I had  ever  listened to  thee,  and  had  never offended thee,  who  art  all good. Would that  I had honoured thee  by  my  life,  and by my  patience  had  shown my faith!

But henceforth,in  deed  and in truth,  I will  believe  thee and love  thee  for  ever. Do with me  for  ever  what  seems good to  thee,  and  I,  out  of the  depth  of  my  love  for  thee, will, by  thy  grace,  do  what I know to  be  thy  will,  and embrace whatsoever  thou hast revealed  for  my  salvation, and  all  that  is  thy  will, O my life  and  all  my  good! Amen.

Thou knowest,  my  God, thou knowest  that  we  are  not sufficient to  do  any  thing  of ourselves,  and  therefore  not this, N.,  as  of  ourselves. I, therefore, that  am  dust  and ashes, have  recourse  to  thee, that through  thee,  and through patience  and  comfort of  the  Scriptures,  I may have hope,  and  hoping  in  thee may not  be  confounded. For can it  be,  O Goodness! that thou callest  me  thus,  and  yet wilt reject  me? Can be  it that  thou  invitest  me  thus, and drawest  me  to  follow thee, and  yet  wilt  suffer  me to  faint  in  the  way?

I know, O Lord,  that though unworthy  of  thy grace (for  I find  in  my  members a law  that  is  fighting against  the  law  of  my  mind), yet by  hoping  in  thee,  I shall never be  confounded. But,