Exclamation II

1. Often do I think, O my Lord, that if aut can soothe a life apart from Thee it is solitude, wherein the soul rests- with Him Who is its true repose. Yet, unable: as it is to enjoy Thee with full liberty, its torment often redoubles. Yet this is a delight compared with that of being forced to deal with creatures, and thus deprived of holding converse alone with the Creator. But how is it, my God, that rest wearies the soul which only seeks to please Thee?

2. O sovereign love of God, how different are thine effects from those of earthly love, which seeks no companion, fearing lest it should lose what it possesses! Love for my God increases on learning that others love Him, and its joys diminish at seeing that all men do not share its happiness.

3. Therefore, O my only Good, during Thy tenderest caresses and consolations, I grieve at remembering the many hearts which do not desire these joys, and still others who will lose them for ever. Thus my soul seeks company, gladly leaving its own delight, moved by the hope that it may incite souls to strive to attain it. But, O my heavenly Father! were it not better to defer this care for others until the soul enjoys less of Thy favours, and to yield myself now wholly to enjoying Thee?

4. Oh, my Jesus! how deep is Thy love for the children of men! The greatest service we can render Thee is to leave Thee, for the sake of loving and aiding them. Then do we possess Thee most entirely, for, though our will enjoy Thee less, yet love delights to please Thee, During this mortal life, all worldly delights are found to be uncertain even though they seem to come from Thee, unless the love of our neighbour bear them company.

Who loves not his brethren, loves not Thee, my Lord, for Thy blood, shed for us, bears witness to Thy boundless love for the sons of Adam.