CHAPTER L.
HOW A DESOLATE PERSON OUGHT TO PLACE HIMSELF IN THE HANDS OF GOD.
LORD God, holy Father, be Thou blessed both now and for evermore, because as Thou wilt, so is it done, and what Thou doest is good.
Let Thy servant rejoice in Thee, not in himself nor in any thing else; for Thou alone art the true gladness, Thou art my hope and my crown. Thou art my joy and my honour, O Lord.
What hath Thy servant, but what he hath received from Thee, even without any merit of his?
Thine are all things, both what Thou hast given, and what Thou hast made.
I am poor, and in trouble, from my youth: and sometimes my soul is sorrowful even unto tears; sometimes also it is disturbed by reason of sufferings which hang over me.
2. I long after the joy of peace, the peace of Thy children I earnestly crave, who are fed by Thee in the light of Thy comfort.
If Thou give peace, if Thou pour into my heart holy joy, the soul of Thy servant shall be full of melody, and shall become devout in Thy praise.
But if Thou withdraw Thyself, he will not be able to run the way of Thy commandments; but rather he will bow his knees, and smite his breast, because it is not now with him as it was in times past, when Thy candle shined upon his head, and under the
