§ 3. The Attributes of God.

Contemplate with all the devotion of thy mind the goodness, the sweetness, the beauty, the loving-kindness, the mercy, the charity, the faithfulness of the Lord thy God, and His other perfections, which are utterly immense and incomprehensible. If thou wishest to aspire to Jesus by loving ejaculations, thou mayest with thy lips or in thy heart say these or the like words: “O good Jesus, would that I were pure and innocent before Thee! O that I might please Thee by true humility and perfect resignation of myself! O my most beloved, and most dear! O sweetness of my heart, the life of my soul! O my pure joy, and my chaste delight! O Lord, my God, what do I desire beside Thee? Thou sufficest me; Thou art my 176only and most joyful good! I desire to embrace Thee in the arms of my soul! O do Thou enkindle in me the fire of Thy love, and let it consume me. Grant that I may love Thee with my whole heart, with all my soul, and all my strength, according to Thy gracious will,” &c.

Be not, however, more vehement in these things than is fitting, but keep carefully within the bounds of discretion, lest thou shouldst injure thy head, and over-burden and destroy thy body. But when it happens to thee to feel some pain from thy spiritual exercises, offer it to God to His eternal praise, and be patient. If any one, without taking into account his strength, strives with violent and unseasonable efforts incessantly to concentrate his thoughts on interior objects, and to raise his mind to God, he does not suffer God to repose within him. Evil thoughts should indeed be repelled by salutary ones, and the eyes of the heart ought to be lovingly, calmly, and simply turned to God everywhere present. As one who is parched with thirst cannot easily forget his thirst, so one who exceedingly loves God, must of necessity be often mindful of Him, if he is not impeded by other thoughts. For where that is which we love and care for, thither turn of themselves the eyes and the thoughts. Each one should prudently consider the measure of grace he has received from God, since the Holy Spirit variously distributes His gifts.