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affection of Thy love； that my faith may grow stronger； my hope in Thy
goodness increase； and my charity； once kindled within me by the tasting
of the heavenly manna； may never fail。
3。 But Thy mercy is able even to grant me the grace which I long for；
and to visit me most tenderly with the spirit of fervour when the day of
Thy good pleasure shall come。 For； although I burn not with desire so
vehement as theirs who are specially devout towards Thee； yet； through
Thy grace； I have a desire after that greatly inflamed desire； praying and
desiring to be made partaker with all those who so fervently love Thee；
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and to be numbered among their holy company。
（1） Luke xxiv。 32。
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CHAPTER 109
The Voice of the Beloved
Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion； to ask it
fervently； to wait for it patiently and faithfully； to receive it gratefully； to
preserve it humbly； to work with it diligently； and to leave to God the time
and manner of heavenly visitation until it come。 Chiefly oughtest thou to
humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion； yet not to
be too much cast down； nor to grieve out of measure。 God ofttimes
giveth in one short moment what He hath long time denied； He sometimes
giveth at the end what at the beginning of prayer He hath deferred to give。
2。 If grace were always given immediately； and were at hand at the
wish； it would be hardly bearable to weak man。 Wherefore the grace of
devotion is to be waited for with a good hope and with humble patience。
Yet impute it to thyself and to thy sins when it is not given； or when it is
mysteriously taken away。 It is sometimes a small thing which hindereth
and hideth grace； （if indeed that ought to be called small and not rather
great； which hindereth so great a good）； but if thou remove this； be it small
or great； and perfectly overcome it； thou wilt have what thou hast asked。
3。 For immediately that thou hast given thyself unto God with all thine
heart； and hast sought neither this not that according to thine own will and
pleasure； but hast altogether settled thyself in Him； thou shalt find thyself
united and at peace； because nothing shall give thee so sweet relish and
delight； as the good pleasure of the Divine will。 Whosoever therefore
shall have lifted up his will unto God with singleness of heart； and shall
have delivered himself from every inordinate love or dislike of any created
thing； he will be the most fit for receiving grace； and worthy of the gift of
devotion。 For where the Lord findeth empty vessels；（1） there giveth He
His blessing。 And the more perfectly a man forsaketh things which
cannot profit； and the more he dieth to himself； the more quickly doth
grace come； the more plentifully doth it enter in； and the higher doth it lift
up the free heart。
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4。 Then shall he see； and flow together； and wonder； and his heart shall
be enlarged within him；（2） because the hand of the Lord is with him； and
he hath put himself wholly in His hand； even for ever。 Lo； thus shall the
man be blessed； that seeketh God with all his heart； and receiveth not his
soul in vain。 This man in receiving the Holy Eucharist obtaineth the
great grace of Divine Union； because he hath not regard to his own
devotion and comfort； but； above all devotion and comfort； to the glory
and honour of God。
（1） 2 Kings iv。 （2） Isaiah lx。 5。
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CHAPTER 110
The Voice of the Disciple
O most sweet and loving Lord； whom now I devoutly desire to receive；
Thou knowest my infirmity and the necessity which I suffer； in what evils
and vices I lie； how often I am weighed down； tempted； disturbed； and
defiled。 I come unto Thee for remedy； I beseech of Thee consolation and
support。 I speak unto Thee who knowest all things； to whom all my
secrets are open； and who alone art able perfectly to comfort and help me。
Thou knowest what good thing I most stand in need of； and how poor I am
in virtues。
2。 Behold； I stand poor and naked before Thee； requiring grace； and
imploring mercy。 Refresh the hungry suppliant； kindle my coldness with
the fire of Thy love； illuminate my blindness with the brightness of Thy
presence。 Turn thou all earthly things into bitterness for me； all grievous
and contrary things into patience； all things worthless and created into
contempt and oblivion。 Lift up my heart unto Thee in Heaven； and suffer
me not to wander over the earth。 Be Thou alone sweet unto me from this
day forward for ever； because Thou alone art my meat and drink； my love
and joy； my sweetness and my whole good。
3。 Oh that Thou wouldest altogether by Thy presence； kindle； consume；
and transform me into Thyself； that I may be made one spirit with Thee；
by the grace of inward union； and the melting of earnest love！ Suffer me
not to go away from Thee hungry and dry； but deal mercifully with me； as
oftentimes Thou hast dealt wondrously with Thy saints。 What marvel if I
should be wholly kindled from Thee； and in myself should utterly fail；
since Thou art fire always burning and never failing； love purifying the
heart and enlightening the understanding。
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CHAPTER 111
Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ
The Voice of the Disciple
With the deepest devotion and fervent love； with all affection and
fervour of heart I long to receive Thee； O Lord； even as many Saints and
devout persons have desired Thee in communicating； who were altogether
well pleasing to Thee by their