Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/45

 I purpose humbly  to  ask  of  thy  infinite  goodness; and  this according to  the  good  pleasure  of  thy  most  gracious  will,  to which  in  all  things  I cheerfully  bow  myself. But how  can one who  is  an  unprofitable  servant  find  grace  in  thy  sight? Look, O Father,  upon  the  face  of  thy  Christ,  in  whom  thou art well  pleased,  in  whose  name  I humbly  entreat  thee  mercifully to  hear  me.

Behold, I offer  thee  his  most  ardent  prayers,  devout  affections, and  holy  desires,  his  most  holy  thoughts,  words,  and works, and  all  the  merits  of  his  Life,  Passion,  and  Death, that from  their  union  and  perfection  all  my  defects  may  be supplied,  and  that  by  him, as  our  Mediator  and  Advocate, this, my  obedient  service,  may  be  pleasing  to  thee,  O eternal Father!

And oh,  that  with  the  affection,  zeal,  and  fervour  of  the most Blessed  Mother  and  Virgin  Mary,  of  the  holy  Angels, and of  all  the  Blessed,  especially  my  Patrons  N.  and  N.,  I may be able  to  worship  thee,  love  thee,  and  praise  thee!

And this,  to  the  end  that  thou  mayst  take  away  from me all,  especially  N.  and  N. , that  is  displeasing  to  thee  in  me. Thy eyes  see  my  imperfection,  O Searcher  of  hearts! And that thou  mayst  bountifully  bestow  on  me  the  grace  and virtues most  necessary  to  me,  as  these  N.  and N.,  that  I may the more  worthily  serve  thee  in  my  vocation. That I may do all  things  to  the  greater  glory  of  thy  Name,  and  to  my own  and  my  neighbour’s  salvation,  especially  those  to  whom I am most  especially  bound.

This, only,  O Lord,  is  the  earnest  desire  of  my  soul,  to serve  thee,  please  thee,  and  adhere  to  thee,  now  and  for ever. For thou  art  my  God  and  my  all! Amen.

Open my  lips,  O Lord,  to  bless  thy  holy  Name; for  I desire to  sing  to  thee  faithfully  and  attentively,  and  to  praise thee sincerely,  in  union  with  that  most  perfect  attention, with which  thou  prayedst  to  thy  Father,  and  praisedst  him upon earth,  and  that  especially  with  which,  with  all  the  fervour of  thy  heart,  and  in  the  Bloody  Sweat  of  thy  face,  thou prayedst at  Mount  Olivet.

Aid me  by  thy  grace,  without  which  I can  do  nothing, and let  the  power  of  thy  measureless  charity  supply  all  my defects,  that  my  obedient  service  may  please  thee,  which  I offer  for  the  glory  of  thy  Name,  and  for  my  own  and  my neighbour's  salvation.