Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/209

 O Lord, didst  say  it,  who  could  believe  it  to  be  true? And unless  thou  didst  command  it,  who  would  dare attempt to  approach?

Trusting then,  O Lord,  in  thy  goodness,  and  in  thy great mercy,  I come  sick  to  my  Saviour,  hungry  and thirsty to  the  Fountain  of  life,  needy  to  the  King  of heaven,  a servant  to  his  Lord,  a creature  to  his  Creator, and  one  in  desolation  to  his  loving  Comforter. But whence  is  this  to  me,  that  thou  shouldst  come  to me? Who am  I that  thou  shouldst  give  thyself  to me? How dares  such  a sinner  appear  before  thee? And how  dost  thou  vouchsafe  to  come  to  a sinner? Thou knowest  me,  and  thou  knowest  that  I have nothing of  good  in  me,  which  can  entitle  me  to this  favour. I confess, therefore,  my  unworthiness, I acknowledge  thy  bounty,  I praise  thy  goodness, and  I give  thee  thanks  for  thy  excessive  charity. For it  is  of  thy  own  mercy  thou  dost  this,  not  for my merits; that  thy  goodness  may  be  better  known to me; that  greater  charity  may  be  imparted,  and humility more  perfectly  recommended. Since, therefore, this  is  what  pleaseth  thee,  and  thou  hast  commanded it  should  be  so,  thy  merciful  condescension pleaseth me  also; and  I wish  that  my  iniquity  may be no  obstacle.

O Lord, in  the  simplicity  of  my  heart,  with  a good and firm  faith,  and  in  obedience  to  thy  command,  I come  to  thee  with  hope  and  reverence; and  I do  verily believe that  thou  art  here  present,  God  and  man. It is then  thy  will  that  I should  receive  thee,  and through love  unite  myself  to  thee. Wherefore I implore  thy  mercy: and  I beg  of  thee  to  give  me  for this a special  grace,  that  I may  be  wholly  melted away in  thee, and  overflow  with  thy  love,  and  seek  no more  any  comfort  from  anything  else. For this  most