Book III, Chapter LIX

That All Hope and Confidence Is to be Fixed in God Alone

1. Lord, what is my confidence which I have in this life? or what is my greatest comfort amongst all things that appear under heaven? Is it not thou, my Lord God, whose mercies are without number? Where was it ever well with me without thee? or when could it be ill with me when thou wast present? I had rather be poor for thee, than rich without thee. I choose rather to sojourn on earth with thee.

than to possess heaven without thee. Where thou art, there is heaven; and there is death and hell where thou art not. After thee I have a longing desire, and therefore I must needs sigh after thee, and cry and pray. In fine, I cannot fully trust in any one to bring me seasonable help in my necessities, save only in thee, my God. Thou art my hope, thou art my confidence, thou art my comforter, and most faithful above all.

2. All seek their own interest; thou aimest only at my salvation and profit, and turnest all things to my good. And although thou expose me to various temptations and adversities, yet all this thou ordainest for my good, who art wont to prove thy beloved servants a thousand ways; under which proofs, thou oughtest no less to be loved and praised, than if thou wert to fill me with heavenly comforts.

3. In thee, therefore, O Lord God, I put all my hope and refuge; in thee I place all my tribulation and anguish; for I find all to be infirm and unstable whatever I behold out of thee. For neither will a multitude of friends be of any service to me, nor can strong auxiliaries bring me any succors, nor wise counsellors give me a profitable answer, nor the books of the learned comfort me, nor any wealth deliver me, nor any secret and pleasant place secure me, if thou thyself do not assist; help, strengthen, comfort, instruct, and defend me.

4. For all things which seem to be for our peace and for our happiness, when thou art absent, are nothing, and, in truth, contribute nothing to our felicity. Thou, therefore, art the fountain of all good, and the height of life, and the depth of wisdom; and to trust in thee above all things is the strongest comfort of thy servants. To thee I lift up mine eyes; in thee, O my God, the Father of mercies, I put my trust; bless and sanctify my soul with thy heavenly blessing, that it may be made thy holy habitation, and the seat of thy eternal glory; and let nothing be found in the temple of thy dignity that may offend the eyes of thy Majesty. According to the greatness of thy goodness, and the multitude of thy tender mercies, look down upon me, and give ear to the prayer of thy poor servant, who is in banishment afar off from thee in the region of the shade of death. Protect and defend the soul of-thy servant amidst so many perils of this corruptible life; and direct him, in the company of thy grace, through the way of peace, to the country of everlasting light. Amen.

THE

FOLLOWING OF CHRIST.

OF THE SACRAMENT.

THE VOICE OF CHRIST.

Come to me, all you that labor, and are heavy burdened, and I will refresh you, saith the Lord. (Matthew 11) The bread which I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. (John 6) Take and eat; this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: do this in remembrance of me. (1 Corinthians 11) He that eat- eth my flesh, and drinketh my blood\ abideth in me, and I in him. (John 6) The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6)

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