which produces all things from nothing, and if it will, with the same ease will reduce all things to nothing; which nothing can resist, but all things obey.
O dreadful omnipotence, to be adored and worshipped in religious silence! Thou, O King of ages, by thyself canst do all things. From thee began, and on thee depends, all the power, strength, fortitude, activity, and energy of all things. Thou hast created all things out of nothing, thou preservest them by thy sustaining influence, and holdest them, as it were, hanging from the hand of thy omnipotence, lest they should fall hack to their own nothing, from whence they came forth. Thou, O Lord, by thyself canst give, and do, not only all that all men, together with the holy angels, can conceive, but also all that thy infinite wisdom can think. For thy almighty power is equal to thy wisdom, and extends and diffuses itself equally, because it is its only rule and measure. For what other measure can there be of power that is immense, but immensity itself?
2. O Lord, I exceedingly rejoice in the greatness of thy majesty and power, the thought of which leads me to beseech of thee to imprint on my soul the deepest reverence and submission towards thy divine majesty. It is my wish for thee to order and dispose of me and all thy creatures according to thy will, for no one can say to thee, Why dost thou so? All things are thine, and they are the works of thy hands.
3. Make me, O Lord, always to have before my eves the most certain truth, that thou are constantly present with me, and that unless I obey thy commandments, and so never offend thee, I am threatened with the thunderbolt of eternal damnation from thy all-powerful hand.
Give to my heart a secure confidence towards thee, that I may fear none but thee, and that no creature may be able to separate me from thy love. For are not all creatures nothing, when compared with thee? What harm can they do me without thy permission? But if, O Lord, thou permittest any of them to afflict me, this will tend to my salvation, and will cooperate with me for the attainment of eternal life. And therefore I place all my confidence in thee, and would have it ever repose on thee, O most mighty God and Lord. Amen.
O most wise God, thou art
- ↑ Ecclus. xv. 10.
