28. A prayer of the devout lover of God

" Dirigatnr, Domine, oratio mea, stent incensum in conspcctu tico."* " Let my 'prayer he directed as incense in thy sight!''' 1. I desire, 0 Lord my God, in every place and at all times, to join Thy saints, and all Thy creatures, in devoutly praisinfj and blessing Thee ; — in publishing Thine infio o o o nite perfections ; — in loving Thee perfectly ; — in glorifying Thee without ceasing, and in exalting the greatness and glory of Thy holy name for ever ; for Thou, O Lord, Thou art my God, and I am Thy poor servant.

For thou art my light and my hope, O my God ! Thou art my strength and my patience, my praise and my glory, O my God !

Thou art my wisdom, my prudence, my beauty, and all my sweetness, O my God !

Thou art my music and harp, my organ and timbrel, O my God !

Thou art the psalm that brings gladness to my heart, my hymn, my canticle, and my song of joy, O my God !

Thou art my casque and breastplate, my bow and my sword, 0 my God !

2. Thou art my treasure, my o o gold and silver; and the talent with which I am to pay all my debts, 0 my God I Thou art my dwelling-place, my fortress, and my palace, O my God!

Thou art my shield and banner, my tower of strength, and the defence of my life, 0 my God !

Thou art my garden and orchard, my bower of green, and cool retreat, O my God !

Thou art ray refectory and table, my meat and my drink, O my God ! for all food not prepared and seasoned by thee, seems to me stale and flat, O my God !

Thou art my aromatical plant, and balsam of sweetness, my spikenard and choice myrrh, and most precious ointment, O my God !

Thou art my rose and lily, my wreath and garland, 0 my God !

Thou art my dormitory, and mv y o o bed, my napkin and covering art thou, O my God !

3. Thou art my light and my lamp, — my lustre and star that enlightens me, O my God !

Thou art my book written within and without ; my Bible, in which all the Holy Scripture is contained, and the teacher who gives to me understanding, 0 my God!

Thou art my kind instructor, and skilful physician, kindly administering the remedies requisite for mv spiritual welfare, 0 my For in Thee I find all things, and all that I have is through Thy mercy and goodness ; and I feel that all that I seek, or all that I desire out of Thee, is of little or no profit to my soul.

Open then my heart to Thy holy law ; " restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation ;"* enlarge my heart that I may run in Thy ways ; confirm me hy Thy words, for Thou alone canst help me, and lead me to eternal life.

O Lord, my God, hear the vows I address to Thee, in joy, in tribulation, in health, or sickness, — in all things, — I commend me into Thy hands, and desire to bless Thee for ever and ever. Amen. o