Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/327



''To pass  the  day  with  rectitude and  piety, it  is  most important  to  begin  it  well. When, therefore, thou  awakest  in  the  morning, begin  the day  at  once  with  recollection of  God, and  take  care  that no  other  than  God  has  the first  fruits  of  thy  actions  and thoughts. No day  will  go with  thee  ill  or  unhappily which  thou  beginnest  in  favour with  God; for  what but  good  can  proceed  from the  fountain  of  all  good?''

O eternal God,  from  the inmost depths  of  my  heart  I praise  thee  and  thank  thee, because thou  hast  created  me to  thy  image,  and  redeemed me with  the  precious  blood of thy  Son; and  besides  thy other countless  blessings,  hast so mercifully  preserved  me hitherto,  and  brought  me  safe to the  beginning  of  this  day, by keeping  me  in  the  night from all  danger  and  harm. What return,  O Lord,  shall I make thee  for  these  and  all thy other  favours  to  me.

Behold, O Lord,  I cheerfully offer  thee  all  that  I have, for thou  hast  given  it  me  all: my body,  soul,  their  respective powers,  all  the  thoughts, words, and  actions  of  this day, I dedicate  purely  and entirely to  the  greater  glory of thy  name; that  thy  ever-blessed  name  may  be  praised and glorified  in  all  of  them, in union  with  all  the  works that our  Saviour  wrought upon earth,  with  the  most perfect charity,  for  our  salvation; that  out  of  the  abundance of  the  merits  of  thy only-begotten Son,  in  whom thou art  well-pleased,  my  infirmity may  be  aided,  and  my deficiency  supplied.

But what  wilt  thou  have me do  to  please  thee? I know, O Lord,  that  we  must render thee  a strict  account of our  whole  lifetime,  when thou shalt  come  to  reckon with thy  servants. I do right, therefore, to  fear  all  my works,  knowing  that  thou dost not  spare  the  offender; and ignorant  at  what  hour thou wilt  come  and  summon me to  give  an  account  of  my stewardship; and  what  if  it should  be  to  day? Therefore, as by  thy  grace  I live  in