Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/222

 with all  my  strength;  that  as  every  moment  is  an  increase of my  life,  so  it  may  be  also  of  my  love  towards  thee. I desire,  with  all  the  affections  and  powers  of  my  soul, that as  the  utmost  thanks  are  due,  so  they  may  be  returned to  thee,  by  all  the  faithful,  for  this  divine  food, which is  our  refreshment,  support,  strength,  armour,  and defence in  all  our  dangers  and  distresses;  and  that  my love  may  never  cease,  inflame  my  heart  with  the  fire  of heaven,  that  it  may  continue  burning,  till  nature  and corruption being  weakened  and  consumed,  I  may  be wholly  transformed  into  thee. Come, O  Lord,  hasten  to release  me  from  the  bonds  of  sin,  and  prepare  me  for  the blessings thou  art  now  about  to  bestow  on  me.

As the  wearied  hart  thirsts  after  the  fountains  of  water, so doth  my  soul  pant  after  thee,  my  Saviour,  my  Lord, and my  God. It ardently  longs  to  drink  of  those  fountains which  thy  love  hath  opened  for  Its  comfort  and  relief. Tired with  my  own  evil  Ways,  I  return  hungry  and thirsty, crying  out  aloud,  Have  mercy  on  me,  O  Son  of God,  and  permit  me  to  taste  of  thy  banquet,  that  my  soul may be  refreshed. Oh, that  my  soul  did  truly  hunger after thee,  the  bread  of  angels,  the  food  of  blessed  souls, and that  all  that  is  within  me  might  be  delighted  with the taste  of  thy  sweetness! I here  despise  all  human consolations, that  I  may  be  comforted  by  thee,  my  only good, my  God  and  Saviour,  whom  I  love  above  all  things, and desire  to  entertain  within  my  breast,  with  as  much devotion and  affection  as  is  conceived  by  thy  chosen servants, who now  sit  at  thy  table  of  celestial  bliss. And however  I  may  have  been  hitherto  wanting  in  my duty,  or  unjust  to  thee,  in  displacing  my  affections,  I desire  for  ever  to  renounce  my  folly  and  weakness,  and from my  heart  request  that,  for  the  future,  my  joy,  my relief, my  treasure,  and  rest,  may  be  entirely  centred  in thee. May I  never  desire  any  thing  besides  thee;  and may all  things  seem  contemptible  and  as  nothing  without thee,  O  my  God.