26. Of the eterxal praise of God and the desire of eterxal glory

" Lauda, anima mea^ DominumP* " Praise the Lord, O my souJ,^'' -from whom comcth all good, both now and forever more.

1. Thus oiightest thou to refer all to Him, as to the first beginning and last end of all good. Thou oughtest to praise Him with sentiments of inmost gratitude, in order that the gift of His heavenly gTace may flow upon thee anew in kirger streams, and with continued increase ; until thou wilt have arrived at the fountain of life eternal, to the country of eternal charity, and to the beatific vision of His divine presence and glory.

For thee there is nothing better or more sahitary, more sweet or agreeable, more worthy, more exalted, more happy, more perfect, more blessed, tlian to love God most ardently, and to praise Him without measure. This, I would tell thee a hundred times ; — this I would repeat a thousand times. There is no study so elegant, no employment so noble, as that of loving and praising God, thy Creator and Redeen.ier, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength.

Do this as long as thou hast life, and being, and intellect ; let this be the oidy object of all tliy discourse, and of all thy actions, night and day, at morning, at midday, at evening, at every hour, and every instant, o o 2. Unite thyself to Him as strictly as thy strength and knowledge permit, wholly and entirely ; — in order that to thee, God may be all things, and that, before all and above all. He may be loved, blessed, praised, and exahed by thee for all ages, and that thou mayest enjoy together with Him a happiness without end.

Exult, then, O faithful soul, in the Lord thy God, as the blessed Virgin Mary rejoiced in Jesus Christ her Saviour.

Exult and praise thy God, who has made and redeemed thee, for to God thou art indebted for all those many and inestimable benefits which thou dost daily receive from His merciful bounty ; for even wert thou a holy angel, thy gratitude as such would still be inadequate to His goodness and infinite "Tandeur. o c Praise Him nevertheless, thank Him, as a mortal man dependant on His mercy, and ever seeking and imploring it with tearful perseverance.

Cease not to pray to Him and to praise Him, and although thou shouldst often unhappily iall into sin, and thereby ofiend Him, despair not, but rather humble thyself, and pray with more fervour.

Love, and thou shalt be loved : love purifies the soul from all past faults ; cleanses and cures all its wounds — enlightens the spirit — inflames the heart — drives away sadness, and begets inward joy ; such as the world knoweth not, and flesh and blood can never feel.

Praise God, and thou shalt be praised ; bless Him, and thou shalt be blessed ; sanctify His name, and thou shalt be made holy ; magnify Him and thou shalt be made great ; glorify Him, and thou shall be glorified by Him in soul as well as in body.

3. The Soul. — But when shall these things be ? When wilt thou open my mouth, to sing Thy praises for ever ? when will my heart and my soul rejoice together with Thy saints in glory ?

The Lord. — Wait yet a little while, and when the trumpet shall sound, thou shalt see great wonders : then shall I give to my saints, in recompense of their pains, and labours, rest and life eternal, — what wishest thou more ?

The Soul. — Absolutely nothing, O Lord ; Thou alone art sufficient for me, my God ; Thou who givest life eternal, to those who love and praise Thee ; Thou who renderest goods, vast, inestimable, and eternal, for what is valueless and perishable.

246 VALLEY or LILIES.

The Lord. — Give then thyself to God, and all that thou hast ; give Him all thy actions, all thy knowledge, all thy faculties ; and thou shalt be richer, and dearer to Him than thou hast ever yet been.

Say with St. Paul, that " we are as having nothing, and possessing all things " in God ;* poor, afflictod, despised, in the eyes ol men, but rich and " always rejoining "t in the Lord, and sure of receiving our reward in heaven. J s/lvation, and :ny God ! when shall I^y fOul enjoy in Thy kingdom the grcV io'<s light of Thy countenance ? Oh ! >vt^.n wilt thou enlighten all the darkness of my spirit in ihe splendoui of ^^ternal ligl:^. ?

When 'viH ty>ou remove ^rcm niy heart evcr>y- cbs»-ac-le wh'cb prevents me iroip :ni'iLc>: mysolt intimately to Thee. O true peace, supreme blessedness, })errect felicity !

O Lord, when shall I be able to follow Thee, free from all hindrance and restraint ; and go wherever Thou shalt lead the way?

When shall I be able with mine eyes to see Thee clearly, without a glass, without a riddle, without a parable, without a figure, without uncertainty, without the doubts, and discussions, and questions of the learned ?

When shall it be given me to fully understand all these things which the Holy Scriptures present to my belief, — all these things which I have read in various authors ; — all these things which in various places I have heard from learned instructors concerning my God, concerning the Angels, their different choirs, concerning the glory and beatitude of the heaveno c ly country, concernino^ the peace and joy ineffable of the celestial inhabitants !

When shall I be there ? when shall I be able to appear in Thy blessed presence ; to contemplate Thy radiant countenance, and the glory of Thy heavenly kingdom, with the cherubim and seraphim, and all the saints ?

But the hour is not yet come ; the gates of heaven are yet closed to me ; wherefore, O my God, my heart is afflicted ; and my mouth uttereth groanings, as long as I tarry here, and until I come to Thee, my God.