Chapter 21: Thanksgivings for the confirmation of the aforesaid favours

Amongst other things, it has pleased Thee, my Lord, in the abundance of Thine inestimable charity, to ratify and confirm these favours. On a certain day. as I meditated on and compared Thy mercy and my malice, I was filled with extreme joy, even to such presumption, as to complain that Thou hadst not assured me of these favours by solemn contract; when Thy sweet and affable charity agreed to satisfy my objection, saying to me : " Do not complain of this; approach and receive the confirmation of My pro mises." And immediately Thou didst open to me, with both hands, the ark of Thy Divine love and infallible truth, namely, Thy Deified Heart ; and Thou didst command me to extend my hand, — I, perverse creature as I am, seeking, like the Jews, for a sign ; and then, drawing back Thy Sacred Heart, with my hand enclosed therein, Thou saidst : " Behold, I promise to preserve inviolate the gifts which I have bestowed on thee ; however, if I suspend their effects for a time, by way of dispensation, I oblige Myself, by the omnipotence, wisdom, and love of the Trinity, in which I live and reign true God through all ages, to recompense thee afterwards threefold.''

After these most sweet words, as I withdrew my hand, I perceived thereon seven golden circlets, in the form of rings, one on each finger, and three on the signet finger ; which indicated that the seven privileges were confirmed to me, as I had asked. Then Thy loving mercy added these words : " Each time that you acknowledge your nnworthiness of My gifts, and confide fully in My mercy, each time you acquit yourself of the debts you owe Me for these benefits."

Oh, how ingenious is Thy Paternity in providing for Thy children, notwithstanding their vile degeneracy, and the mariner in which they have squandered Thy substance, falling from innocence, and depriving Thee of Thy rightful worship ! yet hast Thou deigned to accept as an offering the reflection I make on my miseries. Do Thou, the Giver of gifts, the Source of all good, without whom nothing is good and nothing is holy, — do Thou, for Thy glory and the salvation of my soul, grant me grace to know my un- worthiness of all Thy gifts, whether great or little, whether exterior or interior, and in all things to have the most perfect confidence in Thy mercy.