CHAPTER XLII.
_That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone._
_Christian._ LORD, what is my trust in this life? Or what is my greatest comfort of all things under heaven?
Is it thou, my Lord God, whose mercies are without number?
Where hath it been well with me without thee? Or when could it be ill with me, when thou wert present?
I had rather be poor for thee, than rich without thee.
I had rather chuse to be a pilgrim on earth with thee, than to possess heaven without thee.
*Where thou art, there is heaven; and there is death and hell, where thou art not.
Thou art my desire; and therefore I cannot but sigh, and cry, and pray unto thee.
For I have none to trust in, none that can help me in my necessities, but thee alone, my God.
*Thou art my hope, thou art my trust, thou art my comfort, and most faithful unto me in all things.
2. All men seek their own; thou only seekest my salvation, and turnest all things to my good.
Although thou exposest me to divers temptations and adversities; yet thou orderest all this to my advantage, who art wont to try thy beloved a thousand ways.
In which thou oughtest no less to be loved and praised, than if thou didst fill me with heavenly comforts.
3. In thee therefore, O Lord God, I put my whole hope and refuge:
On thee I rest in all tribulation and anguish.
For I find all to be weak and inconstant, whatsoever I behold out of thee.
*For neither can my friends avail, nor strong helpers aid, nor wise counsellors give any profitable answer, nor the books of the learned comfort, nor any wealth deliver, nor any secret or pleasant place defend: if thou thyself dost not assist, help, strengthen, comfort, instruct, and keep us.
4. For all things that seem to make for peace, without thee are nothing, and bring indeed no felicity at all.
Thou therefore art the end of all that is good, the height of life, the depth of wisdom:
*And the strongest comfort of thy servants is, to trust in thee above all things.
To thee therefore do I lift up mine eyes; in thee O my God, the Father of mercies, I put my trust.
*Bless and sanctify my soul with thy heavenly blessing, that it may be made thy holy habitation, and the seat of thy eternal glory:
*And that nothing may be found in the temple of thy glory, that may offend the eyes of thy majesty.
According to the greatness of thy goodness, and the multitude of thy mercies, look upon me, and hear the prayer of thy poor servant, who is far exiled from thee in the land of the shadow of death.
*Protect and keep the soul of thy servant, amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life, and by thy grace accompanying me, direct it by the way of peace to the country of everlasting light. _Amen._
An Extract of the CHRISTIAN PATTERN:
Or, a treatise on the imitation of Christ. Written in Latin by _Thomas a Kempis_.
BOOK IV.
_An_ Exhortation _unto the_ Holy Communion.
_The voice of Christ._
COME unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden and I will refresh you.
The bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.
Take, eat, this ♦is my body that is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.
♦ “in” replaced with “is”
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
The words which I speak unto you are spirit and life.