will, to endure it patiently, as long as it pleases thee; only so that thou strengthen me with thy grace, never even lightly to offend thee, or swerve in the least degree from thy most holy Will.
And, oh, that I were able singly to endure the burdens of all and each of those who have ever suffered for thee, that so I might make Borne return, whatever it might be, for thy infinite charity! Come, I beseech thee, O most bountiful Jesu, and so unite mine to thy most holy Will, that I may be able to wish nothing save what thou wilt.
CHAPTER IX.
Seven Steps to a Happy Death;
or,
A DAILY EXERCISE ON THE LORD’S PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH.
Our Father who art in heaven.
O eternal Father of thy Son Jesus Christ by nature, and of us by grace; for thou hast created us to thy own Image; and when become by sin children of wrath, hast adopted us for sons of grace and heirs of eternal life, by the Blood of thy Son; and although heaven is the seat of thy majesty and glory, yet thou continually regardest us upon earth, and rulest us with fatherly care, charity, and providence.
To thee, therefore, do I lift up my eyes, O merciful Father, who dwellest in heaven, from whence comes my help. My soul pants after thee, as the hart after the fountains of water. For thou hast created us for thyself, and our heart is disquieted until it return and rest in thee. For where my Father is, there is my country! there is my hope and my inheritance, and my portion in the land of the living. My heart sighs after thee; my soul has adhered to thee. Oh, that thy right hand would uphold me, for thy mercy is better than life! Oh, when shall I be delivered from this banishment? When shall I be taken out of this prison into which I was cast when stolen away from my country? When shall I go into my Father’s house where there are many mansions? When wilt thou bring me out of this pit of misery, and out of this filthy mire? When shall I come and ap-
