Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/117

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4. I offer to thee also all the pains, sorrows, martyrdoms, and all the penal sufferings of mind and body which all men have, do, or shall suffer, in this world, in purgatory, or in hell, to satisfy thy justice and increase thy" glory; with all things which thou knowest to be possible for each and all to endure, not in this world only, but in a hundred thousand, or an infinite number of worlds, purgatories, and hells. So that, if it so pleased thee, I would, with the assistance of thy grace, willingly suffer them all for thy love, and my own and my neighbour’s salvation.

5. But chiefly I offer thee the precious blood and infinite merits of my Lord Jesus Christ, with the merits of the blessed Virgin, and all the saints, and, together with them, all that has been already mentioned; as well as all my thoughts, words, deeds, desires, occupations, and actions of this day, and of my whole life.

Lastly, I desire to make this oblation with all the burning affection of heart which thou knowest to be possible; and, as often as I draw my breath, to be entirely thine, and dedicated to thee for ever. Amen.


IX.

Act of Resignation towards God.

Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you.[1]


1. My most loving Lord, I renounce in all things every affection of my heart, to resign myself entirely to thee, and that with the greatest desire which thou knowest to be possible. And as much as I am able, I desire most perfectly to make over my will to thy divine will, in which alone, and in nothing else, I wish to have pleasure and repose.

I pray thee, therefore, to dispose of me, and all that I have, in the manner and to the extent that thou pleasest, and judgest to tend most to thy greater glory.

Thus, then, with entire resignation to thee, I offer myself as prepared to receive from thy most powerful hand whatever happens to me in this life, whether of prosperity or adversity.

2. If, then, thou wilt have me live, I thankfully accept life; if thou wilt nave me die, I refuse not death. If thou wilt have me well, I accept health; if ill, sickness; if rich, riches; if poor,

  1. i Pet. v. 7.