Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/214

[This page is missing in the source scan. The text is from The paradise of the soul by Jacob Merlo Horistus. The translation on this page is taken from pages 229-231 of |The path to Heaven, a complete collection of all the public and private devotions in general use, published by BURNS LAMBERT AND OATES, 1833, which includes copies of these same prayers.]

cometh into this world, enlighten my eyes, that I may never sleep in death.

O Fire, ever burning and never failing, behold how tepid and cold I am! Inflame my reins and my heart, that they may be on fire with the love of thee; for thou camest to cast fire upon earth; and what dost thou desire but that it be enkindled?

O King of heaven and earth, rich in mercy, behold I am poor and needy: thou knowest what I stand most in need of; thou alone canst assist and enrich me. Help me, O God, and out of the treasures of thy bounty succour my needy soul.

O my Lord and my God, behold I am thy servant: give me understanding, and excite my affection, that I may know and do thy will.

Thou art the Lamb of God, the Lamb without spot, who takest away the sins of the world: oh, take away from me what may hurt me, and displease thee, and give me what thou knowest to be pleasing to thee, and profitable to me.

Thou art my love and my joy; thou art my God my portion, and my All; thou art he that will restore my inheritance to me.

O my God and my All, may the sweet flame of thy love consume my soul, that so I may die to the world for the love of thee, who hast vouchsafed to die upon the cross for the love of me!