Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/239

 wounded for  our  iniquities,  he  was  bruised  for  our sins: the chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and by his  bruises  we  are  healed." ( Isau  liii.  5.)  O that I could  correspond  with  the  greatness  of  his  love  by due  feeling  of  gratitude,  I acknowledge  thy  power,  O heavenly  Physician,  and  I place  my  whole  confidence in  thy  mercy. Grant  that  I may  loathe  my  disorders as  thou  loathest  them; that  I may  be  as  anxious  to receive  my  health  as  thou  to  bestow  it  upon  me. Come  then,  O charitable  Physician,  for  health, strength, life,  and  all  that  I desire,  will  come  to me  together  with  thee.

EHOLD, O most  amiable  Physician,  the  number and depth  of  the  wounds  I have  received  from my enemies: my  unmortified  passions  of  pride,  ambition, avarice,  sensuality,  anger  and  envy. My mind is filled  with  error  and  delusion,  my  imagination  is disordered,  my  passions  are  headstrong,  my  senses are under  no  control. I labour under  such  a complication of  diseases  that  no  human  aid  can  avail  me. Heal me,  therefore,  I beseech  thee,  in  order  to  display, thy  power,  and  show  forth  the  glory  of  thy name. If the  touch  of  thy  garments,  O my  Saviour! whilst thou  wert  upon  earth,  cured  all  sorts  of  diseases, shall  not  thy  most  precious  body  and  blood, which thou  hast  given  me  as  food,  produce  the  same wonderful effects?

But thou,  my  soul,  who  hast  recourse  to  thy  divine Physician for  health,  art  thou  sincerely  desirous of being cured? He now  puts  the  question  to thee  as  he  once  did  to  the  paralytic  at  the  pond  of Bethsaida,  "Wilt  thou  be  made  whole?"  (John v. 6.) Thou canst  not  reply  as  did  this  poor  cripple,  that