Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/346



. Come  to  me,  all you that  labour  and  are  burdened, and  I will  refresh  you. I am the  Good  Shepherd,  who have laid  down  my  life  for  my sheep; and  I feed  them  with that which  is  by  far  the  sweetest food  of life,  my  own  very Body and Blood. For, to  shew the wealth  and  power  of  my kingdom,  I have  made  a great feast. Come, then,  and  eat of my  bread,  and  drink  of  my wine,  which  I have  mingled for you; for  my  delight  is  to be  with  the  children  of  men. I desire to  make  you  partakers of  my  grace  and  glory; that is,  of  all  my  goods,  by every  right  and  title  of  true and faithful  friendship. And therefore have  I come  from heaven into  this  world,  and become man,  endured  so  many labours, tortures,  and  death itself, and  with  great  desire desired to  eat  this  pasch  with my disciples. And that  I might  leave  you  a perpetual memorial of  my  great  love, and pledge  of  future  glory,  I have  given  you  myself. Behold, my whole  self  have  I given  you; at  my  birth  to  be your  friend,  at  my  table  to  be your  food,  at  my  death  to  be your  redemption,  and  finally, in my  kingdom,  to  be  your reward. And what  greater or more  excellent  gift  could I bestow? Or what  could I do more  that  I have  not done?

. Thou,  O Lord,  art sweet and  meek  indeed,  and very merciful. Oh, how  ad-