CHAPTER XVI.

_That we are to rest in God above all his gifts and benefits._

_Christian._ ABOVE all things, and in all things, O my soul, rest in the Lord: for he is the everlasting rest of the saints.

*Grant me, O most sweet and loving Jesus, to rest in thee above all creatures:

Above all health and beauty, above all glory and honour, above all power and dignity, above all knowledge and subtilty, above all riches and arts, above all joy and gladness, above all hope and promise, above all desert and desire!

Above all gifts and presents that thou canst impart unto us;

Above all joy and triumph, that the mind of man can receive and feel:

Lastly, above the angels and arch-angels, and above all the host of heaven, above all visible and invisible things, and above all that thou art not, O my God.

*2. For, thou my Lord God, art best above all, thou alone art most high, thou alone most powerful, thou alone most full and sufficient, thou alone most sweet and overflowing with comfort, thou alone most lovely and loving, thou alone most noble and glorious above all things, in whom all good things are together, and most perfectly, and ever have been and shall be:

And therefore it is too little whatsoever thou bestoweth on me besides thyself, or revealest unto me of thyself, whilst thou are not seen and fully obtained;

For surely my heart cannot truly rest, unless it rests in thee, and surmount all gifts and creatures whatsoever.

3. O my beloved bridegroom, Jesus Christ the most pure lover, the governor of all creatures!

O that I had the wings of true liberty, that I might fly away and rest in thee!

O when shall it be granted me in quietness of mind, to see how sweet thou art my Lord God:

*When shall I fully gather up myself into thee, that by reason of my love to thee, I may not feel myself, but thee alone, above all sense or measure, in a manner not known unto every one?

4. O Jesus, the brightness of the eternal glory, thou comfort of the banished soul, with thee is my tongue without a voice, and my silence speaketh unto thee.

How long doth my Lord delay to come?

Let him come unto me, his poor servant, and make me glad.

Let him put forth his hand, and deliver me from all trouble.

*Come, O come! for without thee I shall have no joyful hour; for thou art my joy, and without thee my table is empty.

A wretched creature I am, until thou comfortest me with the light of thy presence, and settest me at liberty.

5. Let others seek what they please instead of thee; but for me nothing else doth, or shall delight me, but thou only, my God, my hope, my everlasting salvation.

I will not hold my peace, nor cease to pray, until thy grace returneth, and thou speakest inwardly unto me.

_Christ._ Behold I am here; behold I come unto thee, because thou hast called upon me.

Thy tears and the desire of thy soul, thy humiliation and the contrition of thy heart, have brought me unto thee.

_Christian._ Lord, I have called thee, and have desired to enjoy thee, being ready to cast away all things for thee.

For thou first hast stirred me up, that I might seek thee.

Blessed be thou, therefore, O Lord, that hast shewed thy goodness to thy servant, according to the multitude of thy mercies.

*6. What hath thy servant more to say before thee, but greatly to humble himself in thy sight, always mindful of his own iniquity and vileness?

For there is none like unto thee in all that is wonderful in heaven and earth.

Thy works are very good, thy judgments true, and by thy providence all things are governed.

Praise therefore, and glory, be unto thee, O Wisdom of the Father! Let my mouth, my soul, and all creatures together praise and bless thee.