Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/512

 tellect; allow  me  to  speak  of  the  application  of  the  will  to the  holy  exercise  of  the  divine  presence. And it  is  necessary, first,  to  know  that  to  remain  always  before  God, with the  mind  always  fixed  on  him,  is  the  happy  lot  of the  saints;  but  in  the  present  state  it  is  morally  impossible to  keep  up  the  presence  of  God  without  interruption. Hence we  should  endeavor  to  practise  it  to the  best  of  our  ability,  not  with  a  solicitous  inquietude and indiscreet  effort  of  the  mind,  but  with  sweetness  and tranquillity.

There are  three  means  of  facilitating  the  application of the  will  to  this  exercise.

I. The  first  method  consists  in  frequently  raising  the heart to  God,  by  short  but  fervent  ejaculations,  or loving  affections  towards  God,  present  with  us. These may be  practised  in  all  places  and  in  all  times,  in  walking, at  work,  at  meals,  and  at  recreation. These affections may  be  acts  of  election,  of  desire,  of  resignation, of oblation,  of  love,  of  renunciation,  of  thanksgiving,  of petition,  of  humiliation,  of  confidence,  and  the  like. In whatever occupation  you  find  yourself,  you  can  very easily turn  to  God  from  time  to  time  and  say  to  him:

My God,  I  wish  only  for  Thee,  and  nothing  else.

I desire  nothing  but  to  be  all  Thine.

Dispose as  Thou  pleasest  of  me,  and  of  all  that  I  possess.

I give  myself  entirely  to  Thee.

I love  Thee  more  than  myself.

I wish  only  what  Thou  wishest.

I renounce  all  things  for  the  love  of  Thee.

I thank  Thee  for  the  great  graces  Thou  hast  bestowed upon  me.

Assist me,  have  mercy  on  me.

Give me  Thy  holy  love.

Lord, I  should  be  at  this  moment  in  hell.

I delight  in  Thy  felicity.