Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/118

 heavenly lessons; I am  unworthy  that  thou  shouldst speak to  my  soul; for  I have  often  transgressed  thy law, trampled  on  thy  graces,  and  slighted  thy  inspirations. I have gone  astray  from  thee  like  a sheep  that was lost; but,  O charitable  Pastor,  seek  thy  servant, because, amid  all  my  wanderings,  I have  not forgotten thy  commandments  ( Psalm  cxviii.  176); I have never  ceased  to  acknowledge  thee  for  my  God, my Redeemer,  my  heavenly  Guide. Oh, had  I fled from sin  with  the  horror  it  is  calculated  to  inspire — had I valued  as  I ought  the  graces  which  were purchased for  me  by  thy  precious  blood — how  near should I be  to  thee  at  this  moment! how pleasing would my  sold  be  in  thy  sight! how dear  would  it be  to  thy  merciful  heart! O my God,  the  hope  and salvation of  those  who  trust  in  thee,  enlighten  my darkness,  that  I may  know*  thy  testimonies,  for  I have  inclined  my  heart  to  keep  them  for  ever. (Psalm cxviii.)

ADORABLE Jesus,  how  insensible  should  I be to  my  own  eternal  and  temporal  welfare,  did  I refuse  my  heart  to  thee,  for  whom  it  was  created,  and who alone  can  satisfy  its  desires ! Yet, my  God,  in offering  thee  all  that  I have,  what  do  I present? A soul, redeemed  indeed  by  thy  precious  blood,  but stained with  such  sins  as  should  render  it  hateful  in thy  sight; an  ungrateful  heart,  which  thou  hast repeatedly demanded,  but  which  I have  so  long refused. O my God,  canst  thou  accept  now  a gift which thy  mercy  alone  could  have  caused  thee  to require? Yes, divine  Jesus,  thou  wilt  now  accept  my offering,  for I present  it  to  thee,  not  as  my  heart,  but as thy  sanctuary: not  single,  but  incorporated  with thee by  the  closest  union  which  God  can  grant  to