action, in thought, and in affections, thou art immutable, because the shadow of change and vicissitude falls not upon thee, but thou art ever most firmly fixed in the same being and will.
3. Thou art eternal, without beginning or end. Thou embracest, in one point of indivisible eternity, all duration and difference of times. With thee there is no time but that most perfect Now, which answers equally to all time. Thou art to thyself the adequate and most perfect measure of eternity.
4. Because thy excellence, then, is so great, O Lord, as I most firmly believe, I now adore and worship thee with my whole heart, with the greatest humility and reverence; and in union with the blest spirits of the just, I confess that THOU ART WHO ART. Prostrate on the earth I reverently bow before thee; and with the deepest humility I submit thyself to thee: and I will love thee for ever, with a pure and sincere love, because thou art worthy of all love.
And for thy glory also I desire that all creatures may for ever love, acknowledge, reverence, honour, and praise thee; and I therefore offer thee my life, my strength, my faculties, and all that I have, or can have.
5. I rejoice too, and am glad whenever I reflect that thou art so great, infinite, immense, incomprehensible, immutable, and eternal a Lord, and that all these perfections are found in thee.
6. I congratulate thee with the deepest affection of my heart on thy so great majesty, glory, and happiness, which thou possessest, and will possess for ever. Therefore I call upon all creatures together to join me in blessing thee, and say: All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all for ever.
7. My joy and consolation are redoubled, when I hope and consider that this very happiness of thine will be mine hereafter. For thou hast promised it to me, merited and prepared it for me, and bestowed it on me through Christ thy only-begotten Son, my Redeemer, whom I shall enjoy with thee to all eternity, if only I continue faithful in thy love. And then I shall be satisfied, when thy glory shall appear.
1. O my almighty God, thou art that power which can do all that it will, which admits of no weakness, and is never wearied with action;
- ↑ Matt. xix. 26.
