Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/232

 Remember thou  art  my  Father,  and  have  compassion on  my  distressed  soul; clothe  it  with  all  virtues and feed  it  with  thy  grace,  for  it  belongs  to  a father to be  careful  of  his  child.

As it  is  in  thee  I live,  sweet  Jesus,  so  it  is in thee I desire to  die; and  both  living  and  dying  I will ever profess that  thou  art  good,  and  that  thy  mercy endureth for  ever.

III. O sweetness of  my  life,  and  life  of  my  soul, withdraw my  heart  and  thoughts  from  all  creatures, that they  may  find  no  rest  but  in  thee.

My God,  how  long  dost  thou  permit  me  to  wander from thee? When wilt  thou  consume  in  me  all  that is corrupt  and  contrary  to  thy  will? Draw me  after thee, I beseech  thee,  that  I may  walk  cheerfully  in the  way  of  thy  precepts. Make me  according  to  thine own heart,  and  let  my  soul  be  now  thy  habitation  for ever.

My soul  without  thee  is  parched,  like  earth  without water; moisten it,  I beseech  thee,  with  the  dew  of heaven,  and  grant  me  thy  blessing  from  the  land  of the  living. Wound my  heart  with  thy  love,  that  it may  relish  no  earthly  objects,  but  entirely  depend  on thy  will.

Hail, dear  Redeemer,  whom  I now  desire  to  adore with the  spirit  and  affection  of  thy  elect; to  thy direction I commit  all  the  motions  of  my  soul.

Ah! when will  the  day  of  eternity  appear,  that, liberated from  this  prison  of  flesh. I may join  with the saints  in  thy  everlasting  praise? O sweet light, inflame my  heart  with  the  fire  of  celestial  charity, and let  its  divine  flames  consume  my  bowels.

IV. O that I could  give  thee,  dear  Lord,  as  much praise, glory,  and  honour  as  is  given  thee  by  the angels and  blessed  spirits  in  heaven ! But as  this