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2. But when shall I suffice with the tongue of my pen to express all
Thy exhortations, and all Thy terrors, and comforts, and
guidances, whereby Thou hast led me to preach Thy Word and to
dispense Thy Sacramen. unto Thy people? And if I suffice to utter
these things in order, the drop. of time are dear to me. Long time
have I burned to meditate in Thy law, and in it to confess to Thee
my knowledge and ignorance, the beginning of Thine enlightening, and
the remains of thy darkness, until infirmity be swallowed up by
strength. And I would not that to aught else those hours should flow
away, which I find free from the necessities of refreshing my body,
and the care of my mind, and of the service which we owe to men, and
which, though we owe not, even yet we pay.'
3. O Lord my God, hear my prayer, and let Thy mercy regard my
longing, since it bums not for myself alone, but because it desires to
benefit brotherly charity; and Thou seest into my heart, that so it
is. I would sacrifice to Thee the service of my thought and tongue;
and do Thou give what I may offer unto Thee. For "I am poor and
needy,'' Thou rich unto all that call upon Thee? who free from
care carest for us. Circumcise from all rashness and from all lying my
inward and outward lips. Let Thy Scriptures be my chaste delights.
Neither let me be deceived in them, nor deceive out of them. Lord,
hear and pity, 0 Lord my God, light of the blind, and strength of
the weak; even also light of those that see, and strength of the
strong, hearken unto my soul, and hear it crying "out of the
depths.'' a For unless Thine ears be present in the depths also,
whither shall we go? whither shall we cry? "The day is Thine, and
the night also is Thine.. At Thy nod the moments flee by. Grant
thereof space for our meditations amongst the hidden things of Thy
law, nor close it against us who knock. For not in vain hast Thou
willed that the obscure secret of so many pages should be written. Nor
is it that those forests have not their harts. betaking themselves
therein, and ranging, and walking, and feeding, lying down, and
ruminating. Perfect me, O Lord, and reveal them unto me.
Behold, Thy voice is my joy, Thy voice surpasseth the abundance of
pleasures. Give that which I love, for I do love; and this hast
Thou given. Abandon not Thine own gifts, nor despise Thy grass
that thirsteth. Let me confess unto Thee whatsoever I shall have
found in Thy books, and let me hear the voice of praise, and let me
imbibe Thee, and reflect on the wonderful things of Thy law; even
from the beginning, wherein Thou madest the heaven and the earth,
unto the everlasting kingdom of Thy holy city that is with Thee.
4. Lord, have mercy on me and hear my desire. For I think that it
is not of the earth, nor of gold and silver, and precious stones, nor
gorgeous apparel, nor honours and powers, nor the pleasures of the
flesh, nor necessaries for the body, and this life of our pilgrimage
all which are added to those that seek Thy kingdom and Thy
righteousness. Behold, O Lord my God, whence is my desire. The
unrighteous have told me of delights, but not such as Thy law, O
Lord.s Behold whence is my desire. Behold, Father, look and
see, and approve; and let it be pleasing in the sight of Thy mercy,
that I may find grace before Thee, that the secret things of Thy
Word may be opened unto me when I knock? I beseech, by our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, "the Man of Thy right hand, the Son of
man, whom Thou madest strong for Thyself, as Thy Mediator and
ours, through whom Thou hast sought us, although not seeking Thee,
but didst seek us that we might seek Thee, Thy Word through whom
Thou hast made all things, and amongst them me also,Thy
Only-begotten, through whom Thou hast called to adoption the
believing people, and therein me also. I beseech Thee through Him,
who sitteth at Thy right hand, and "maketh intercession for us,".
"in whom are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Him. do I
seek in Thy books. Of Him did Moses write; this saith Himself;
this saith the Truth.
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