Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/696

 universal and  particular,  public and  private,  open  and secret, thou,  O my  Lord, hast bestowed  upon  me; and therefore, prostrate  at  thy most sacred  Feet,  I give  thee all the  thanks  I am  able,  with the utmost  affection  of  my soul.

Therefore I call  upon  thy most blessed  Virgin  Mother, my Patroness,  the  holy  Angels, and  especially  my  Guardian, and  all  the  Saints  of  the Heavenly Court,  especially, my Patrons  and  Advocates, by their  thanksgivings,  to supply  my  deficiency,  and my signal  ingratitude,  for which I am  sorry,  and  entreat for  pardon. And since this is  so,  would  that I had as many  tongues  and  hearts as there  are  creatures  in  the  world,  stars  in  heaven, leaves upon  the  trees,  sands on the  sea-shore,  that  my song  might  make  some  approach towards  the  fitting measure of  my  thanksgiving to thee! And therefore  I take  up  the  prophet’s  words and say:

All ye  works  of  the  Lord, bless the  Lord: praise  and exalt him  above  all  for  ever.

Praise the  Lord  from  the heavens: praise him  in  the high places.

Bless the  Lord,  O my  soul; and let  all  that  is  within  me bless  his  holy  Name.

Bless the  Lord,  O my  soul: and never  forget  all  that  he hath  done  for  thee.

I will bless  the  Lord  at  all times: his praise  shall  be  always in  my  mouth.

In like  manner  I thank  all those who  have  rendered  me any  benefit,  whether  corporal or spiritual,  especially  those who have  instructed,  corrected, and  admonished  me; or  of their  charity  have  given  me any  occasion  of  meriting  well of my  most  dear  Jesus.

I protest that  I wish  to live  and  die  fortified  with  the merits of  the  Passion,  Death, and Blood-shedding  of  my Saviour;  and  with  the  Patronage of  the  most  glorious Virgin, and  of  all  the  Saints of the  Church,  and  of  those besides who  are  now  living  or shall  live  to  the  end  of  the world; all of  which  I offer  to God  for  the  remission  of  all my sins,  and  in  thanksgiving for all  the  blessings  I have received from  the  Divine  Majesty.

From this  time  forward,  for the hour  of  my  death,  I implore the  most  blessed  Virgin, my  Guardian  Angel,  and all the  Saints,  by  their  effectual prayers  and  merits,  to obtain  for  me,  as  long  as  I live,  and  especially  at  the hour of  my  death,  true  faith,