Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/242

 as much sequestered  from  creatures  as  duty  will allow; a life hidden,  absorbed  in  God; a life  suited to the  condition  of  a victim; entirely  spent  in  adoration of  thy  Father's  excellence; in  a profound  annihilation of  myself; in  an  humble  penitential  state on account  of  my  sins;  in  continual  sighs  and groans, by  reason  of  my  wretchedness; in  incessant prayers and  supplications,  invoking  thee  for  my  many wants; in an inviolable obedience  to  the  will  of  my Creator,  with  respect  to  my  duties; in  a privation of earthly  comforts,  ever  dying  to  the  world,  to  sin, and to  concupiscence;  ever  living  to  God,  and  to heavenly  and  eternal  objects; ever  absorbed  in  the contemplation of  the  perfections  of  God; and  ever burning with  love  in  the  ardour  of  charity,  O may my condition  in  this  deceitful  world  resemble,  as much  as  possible,  thine  in  this  holy  sacrament: having eyes,  ears,  a tongue,  hands,  feet,  and  a heart, let me  neither  see,  hear,  speak  of,  feel,  seek  after,  or attach  myself  to  any  of  those  objects  which  are  so much  the  delight  and  admiration  of  deluded  worldlings. Perhaps, dearest  Lord,  the  present  day  may be the  last  of  my  life: if  so,  thy  most  holy  will  be done. I accept of  death  with  entire  submission  as to  the  day,  the  hour,  the  manner,  thy  providence shall ordain. I come to  make  a previous  sacrifice  of my  death  to  thy  Eternal  Father,  in  union  with  thine. I come to  declare  to  him  that  I am  disgusted  with the world,  of  which  I was  formerly  so  fond,  and  that I leave it  with  pleasure  for  the  sake  of  enjoying  my God; that  my  desires  and  inclinations  are  weaned from this  earth,  and  that  henceforward  my  ardent desire shall  be  to  go  and  behold  him  for ever. As it is  thou,  my  Jesus,  whom  I now  happily  receive, who holdest  the  keys  of  life  and  death,  and  allottest