the leprosy of the flesh; cure me of the madness of anger; subdue in me the swelling of pride; pluck out from my heart the sting of envy; keep me from excess in eating; drive far from me the plague of covetousness, and crush within me all my impure desires. These most grievous afflictions of an ailing soul, these secret impulses of the devil and his angels, can be healed by Thee alone, O Lord; can be cast out no otherwise than by Thy resistless Word. None can heal these spiritual wounds, none can work wonders of holiness in the inner life, but Thou alone, O Almighty God, Who speakest and it is done. Who commandest and straightway Thy order takes effect. Say therefore, I beseech Thee, to my soul: "Be thou clean," and forthwith it shall be cleansed: say to the unclean spirit which so often tempts me: " Go out of the man, and enter no more into him ": say to my soul, whenever trouble comes upon me, "Fear not, I am Thy salvation ": speak but one word only, and my soul shall be healed.
CHAPTER XXI
☙ Of the Example, and the Holy Life, of Jesus,
and His tribulations in the world
LORD JESUS CHRIST, Pattern of
holiness, Model of all perfection, Flower
of virtue, Savour of life, Mirror of
patience, I bless Thee and give thanks
to Thee, for all Thy virtues, for Thy beauteous
Life, for Thy surpassing gentleness, and for the
faultless example which Thou didst openly set to
Thy disciples, and to all the people of Israel; thus
