Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/332

 praise and  glory  of  thy  supreme majesty  for  ever.

Then, when  I was  unworthy of  any  grace  or  blessing, nay, full  of  uncleanness,  and worthy of  punishment,  how graciously thou  bestowedst upon me  the  Holy  Ghost, together with  his  gifts; and, besides all  this,  preparedst for me  in  heaven  eternal blessings and  joys!

I beseech thee  also,  by  thy infinite goodness,  O most  gracious Saviour  Jesus  Christ! to keep  me  this  day  from  all sin, that  I may  not  lose  thy grace; but  may  devote  my heart,  and  all  my  intentions, my understanding,  and  my will,  with  all  the  powers  of my  body  and  soul,,  to  thy honour and  worship  alone; that my  thoughts,  words,  and works may  please  thee  in every  respect.

But because,  from  my  utter imperfection, I am  not  sufficient to  do,  no,  nor  even think anything  of  myself that can  be  acceptable  in  the sight of  thy  divine  majesty, meritorious or  profitable  to myself,  for  all  our  sufficiency is of  thee; vouchsafe,  I most humbly implore  thee,  to  succour  my  deficiency  or  poverty out of  the  infinite  abundance of thy  charity,  and  the  inexhaustible treasure  of  thy merits.

Thus, then,  I now  finally  offer and  recommend  to  thee,  O Lord  Jesus  Christ,  my  works that are  most  worthless  and vile in  themselves,  to  be  by thee  united  to  the  most  worthy and  holy  works  of  thy whole life,  done  in  the  most ardent and  perfect  charity, with which  thou  wroughtest all things  for  our  salvation in the  midst  of  the  earth, according to  the  will,  and  for the glory  of  thy  eternal  Father.

Lastly, whatever  is  necessary for  me  to  do  or  suffer this day,  I pray  thee  not  only mercifully to  accept,  but  also, by thy  most  holy  incarnation, life, passion,  and  death,  to make  meritorious  and  saving in its  effect,  that  my  soul’s salvation may  be  more  and more advanced  by  it,  and my whole  life  be  more  perfectly conformed  to  the  example of  thy  most  holy  life and passion; that  thus  I may be more  fitted  to  promote  my neighbour’s  salvation,  and  to maintain  with  him  peace  and charity; but  above  all,  that I may be  able  with  my  whole heart to  promote  and  accomplish the  will,  service,  and love of  thy  divine  Majesty. Amen.

The peace  of  our  Lord  Jesus Christ, and  the  efficacy  of  his most sacred  passion; the  sign of the  holy  Cross  with  its triumphal title,  Jesus  of Nazareth  the  King  of