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devout persons have desired Thee in communicating； who were altogether
well pleasing to Thee by their sanctity of life； and dwelt in all ardent
devotion。 O my God； Eternal Love； my whole Good； Happiness without
measure； I long to receive Thee with the most vehement desire and
becoming reverence which any Saint ever had or could have。
2。 And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion；
yet do I offer Thee the whole affection of my heart； even as though I alone
had all those most grateful inflamed desires。 Yea； also； whatsoever
things a pious mind is able to conceive and long for； all these with the
deepest veneration and inward fervour do I offer and present unto Thee。
I desire to reserve nothing unto myself； but freely and entirely to offer
myself and all that I have unto Thee for a sacrifice。 O Lord my God； my
Creator and Redeemer！ with such affection； reverence； praise； and honour；
with such gratitude； worthiness； and love； with such faith； hope； and purity
do I desire to receive Thee this day； as Thy most blessed Mother； the
glorious Virgin Mary； received and desired Thee； when she humbly and
devoutly answered the Angel who brought unto her the glad tidings of the
mystery of the Incarnation。 Behold the handmaid of the Lord； let it be
unto me according to thy word。（1）
3。 And as Thy blessed forerunner； the most excellent of Saints； John
Baptist； being full of joy in Thy presence； leapt while yet in the womb of
his mother； for joy in the Holy Ghost； and afterwards discerning Jesus
walking amongst men； humbled himself exceedingly； and said； with
devout affection； The friend of the bridegroom； who standeth and heareth
him； rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice；（2） even so I wish
to be inflamed with great and holy desires； and to present myself unto
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Thee with my whole heart。 Whence also； on behalf of myself and of all
commended to me in prayer； I offer and present unto Thee the jubilation of
all devout hearts； their ardent affection； their mental ecstasies； and
supernatural illuminations and heavenly visions； with all the virtues and
praises celebrated and to be celebrated by every creature in heaven and
earth； to the end that by all Thou mayest worthily be praised and glorified
for ever。
4。 Receive my prayers； O Lord my God； and my desires of giving
Thee infinite praise and unbounded benediction； which； according to the
multitude of Thine unspeakable greatness； are most justly due unto Thee。
These do I give Thee； and desire to give every day and every moment； and
with beseechings and affectionate desires I call upon all celestial spirits
and all Thy faithful people to join with me in rendering Thee thanks and
praises。
5。 Let all peoples； nations and tongues praise Thee； and magnify Thy
holy and sweet…sounding Name； with highest jubilations and ardent
devotion。 And let all who reverently and devoutly celebrate Thy most
high Sacrament； and receive it with full assurance of faith； be accounted
worthy to find grace and mercy with Thee； and intercede with all
supplication for me a sinner； and when they shall have attained unto their
wished…for devotion and joyous union with Thee； and shall depart full of
comfort and wondrously refreshed from Thy holy； heavenly table； let them
vouchsafe to be mindful of me； for I am poor and needy。
（1） Luke i。 38。 （2） John iii。 29。
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CHAPTER 112
The Voice of the Beloved
Thou must take heed of curious and useless searching into this most
profound Sacrament； if thou wilt not be plunged into the abyss of doubt。
He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by the glory thereof。（1）
God is able to do more than man can understand。 A pious and humble
search after truth is to be allowed； when it is always ready to be taught；
and striving to walk after the wholesome opinions of the fathers。
2。 Blessed is the simplicity which leaveth alone the difficult paths of
questionings； and followeth the plain and firm steps of God's
commandments。 Many have lost devotion whilst they sought to search
into deeper things。 Faith is required of thee； and a sincere life； not
loftiness of intellect； nor deepness in the mysteries of God。 If thou
understandest not nor comprehendest the things which are beneath thee；
how shalt thou comprehend those which are above thee？ Submit thyself
to God； and humble thy sense to faith； and the light of knowledge shall be
given to thee； as shall be profitable and necessary unto thee。
3。 There are some who are grievously tempted concerning faith and the
Sacrament； but this is not to be imputed to themselves but rather to the
enemy。 Care not then for this； dispute not with thine own thoughts； nor
make answer to the doubts which are cast into thee by the devil； but
believe the words of God； believe His Saints and Prophets； and the wicked
enemy shall flee from thee。 Often it profiteth much； that the servant of
God endureth such things。 For the enemy tempteth not unbelievers and
sinners； because he already hath secure possession of them； but he
tempteth and harasseth the faithful and devout by various means。
4。 Go forward therefore with simple and undoubting faith； and draw
nigh unto the Sacrament with supplicating reverence。 And whatsoever
thou art not enabled to understand； that commit without anxiety to
Almighty God。 God deceiveth thee not； he is deceived who believeth too
much in himself。 God walketh with the simple； revealeth Himself to the
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humble； giveth understanding to babes； openeth the sense to pure minds；
and hideth grace from the curious and proud。 Human reason is weak and
may be deceived； but true faith can