Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/124

 (while on  earth)  and  whose  food  it  was  to  do  thy will. But, O my  God,  hast  thou  not  already  anticipated my  conversion? Didst thou  not  see  from  afar, by facilitating  to  me  the  means  of  return  to  thy arms? Didst thou  not  clothe  me  in  the  tribunal  of thy  mercy  with  the  robe  of  innocence? And this very day  hast  thou  not  fed  me  with  the  heavenly banquet, which  is  only  prepared  for  the  children  of thy  kingdom? Why didst  thou  load  me  with mercies, often  denied  to  those  whom  thou  hast  always with thee,  and  who  have  never  disobeyed  thee  in  anything? Ah! it is  because  I was  lost,  and  thou  hast found me; because  I was  dead,  and  by  thy  all-reviving grace  I am  now  re-animated. Oh, complete  thy mercies, infinite  goodness! restore unto  me  *the  joy of thy  salvation  ( Psalm  1.  14); restore  unto  me  that peace and  happiness  I once  enjoyed  in  thy  service. 1 am not  worthy  to  be  called  thy  child; but  I entreat thee once  more,  in  the  name  of  thy  beloved  Son,  to receive  me  among  the  last  of  those  who  are  happy enough to  love  and  serve  thee.

IVINE Jesus,  I was  not  worthy  to  receive  thee — I am unworthy  to  possess  thee — and  I acknowledge myself  infinitely  undeserving  of  thy  stay  in  my sinful  heart. Oh, may  the  love  and  humility  of  this thy minister,  and  of  all  those  happy  souls  who  are  at this  moment  about  to  receive  thee  in  any  part  of  the world, supply  for  the  little  preparation  thou  hast found in  my  heart; and  may  their  thanksgiving and lively  gratitude  offer  thee  such  homage  as  thou canst never  expect  to  receive  from  me. My God, since thou  hast  condescended  to  enter  under  my  roof — since thou  hast  come  in  person  to  heal  my  soul,