CHAPTER III.
_That it is profitable to communicate often._
_The voice of the disciple._
*BEHOLD, O Lord, I come unto thee, that I may be comforted by thy gift, and delighted in thy holy banquet, which thou, O God, hast prepared in thy goodness for the poor.
Behold in thee is all I can or ought to desire; thou art my salvation, and my redemption, my hope and my strength, my honour and my glory!
*Make joyful, therefore, this day, the soul of thy servant, for I have lifted it up unto thee, O Lord Jesus.
*I desire to receive thee now with devotion and reverence. I long to bring thee into my house; that with _Zaccheus_ I may be blessed by thee, and numbered among the children of _Abraham_.
My soul thirsteth to receive thy body and blood, my heart desireth to be united with thee.
*2. Give me thyself, and it sufficeth; for, besides thee, no comfort is available.
I cannot be without thee, nor live without thy visitation;
And therefore I must often come unto thee, and receive thee for the welfare of my soul, lest haply I faint in the way, if I be deprived of thy heavenly food.
For so most merciful Jesu, thou once didst say, preaching to the people, and curing sundry diseases, I will not send them home fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Deal thou therefore in like manner now with me, who hast vouchsafed to leave thyself in the sacrament for the comfort of the faithful.
For thou art the sweet refection of the soul; and he that eateth thee worthily, shall be partaker of everlasting glory.
3. O the wonderful condescension of thy mercy towards us, that thou, O Lord God, the Creator and giver of life to all spirits, dost vouchsafe to come unto a poor soul, and with thy whole deity to replenish her hunger!
O happy mind and blessed soul, that receives thee, her Lord God, with devout affection, and in receiving of thee is filled with spiritual joy!
O how great a Lord doth she entertain! How beloved a guest doth she harbour! How pleasant a companion doth she receive! How faithful a friend doth she take in! How lovely and glorious a spouse doth she embrace!
She embraceth him, who is to be loved above all that is beloved, and above all things that may be desired.
*Let heaven and earth, and all the hosts of them, be silent in thy presence; for what praise and beauty soever they have, it is received from thy bounty, and cannot equal the beauty of thy name, of whose wisdom there is no number.