Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love
I bless Thee, O Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, for
that Thou hast vouchsafed to think of me, poor that I am. O, Father of
Mercies and God of all comfort,(1) I give thanks unto Thee, who
refreshest me sometimes with thine own comfort, when I am unworthy of
any comfort. I bless and glorify Thee continually, with thine only
begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, for ever and ever. O
Lord God, Holy lover of my soul, when Thou shalt come into my heart,
all my inward parts shall rejoice. Thou art my glory and the joy of my
heart. Thou art my hope and my refuge in the day of my trouble.
2. But because I am still weak in love and imperfect in virtue, I need
to be strengthened and comforted by Thee; therefore visit Thou me often
and instruct me with Thy holy ways of discipline. Deliver me from evil
passions, and cleanse my heart from all inordinate affections, that,
being healed and altogether cleansed within, I may be made ready to
love, strong to suffer, steadfast to endure.
3. Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh
every heavy burden light, and equaliseth every inequality. For it
beareth the burden and maketh it no burden, it maketh every bitter
thing to be sweet and of good taste. The surpassing love of Jesus
impelleth to great works, and exciteth to the continual desiring of
greater perfection. Love willeth to be raised up, and not to be held
down by any mean thing. Love willeth to be free and aloof from all
worldly affection, lest its inward power of vision be hindered, lest it
be entangled by any worldly prosperity or overcome by adversity.
Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing loftier,
nothing broader, nothing pleasanter, nothing fuller or better in heaven
nor on earth, for love was born of God and cannot rest save in God
above all created things.
4. He who loveth flyeth, runneth, and is glad; he is free and not
hindered. He giveth all things for all things, and hath all things in
all things, because he resteth in One who is high above all, from whom
every good floweth and proceedeth. He looketh not for gifts, but
turneth himself to the Giver above all good things. Love oftentimes
knoweth no measure, but breaketh out above all measure; love feeleth no
burden, reckoneth not labours, striveth after more than it is able to
do, pleadeth not impossibility, because it judgeth all things which are
lawful for it to be possible. It is strong therefore for all things,
and it fulfilleth many things, and is successful where he who loveth
not faileth and lieth down.
5. Love is watchful, and whilst sleeping still keepeth watch; though
fatigued it is not weary, though pressed it is not forced, though
alarmed it is not terrified, but like the living flame and the burning
torch, it breaketh forth on high and securely triumpheth. If a man
loveth, he knoweth what this voice crieth. For the ardent affection of
the soul is a great clamour in the ears of God, and it saith: My God,
my Beloved! Thou art all mine, and I am all Thine.
6. Enlarge Thou me in love, that I may learn to taste with the
innermost mouth of my heart how sweet it is to love, to be dissolved,
and to swim in love. Let me be holden by love, mounting above myself
through exceeding fervour and admiration. Let me sing the song of love,
let me follow Thee my Beloved on high, let my soul exhaust itself in
Thy praise, exulting with love. Let me love Thee more than myself, not
loving myself except for Thy sake, and all men in Thee who truly love
Thee, as the law of love commandeth which shineth forth from Thee.
7. Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient,
faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly, and never seeking her own;
for wheresoever a man seeketh his own, there he falleth from love. Love
is circumspect, humble, and upright; not weak, not fickle, nor intent
on vain things; sober, chaste, steadfast, quiet, and guarded in all the
senses. Love is subject and obedient to all that are in authority, vile
and lowly in its own sight, devout and grateful towards God, faithful
and always trusting in Him even when God hideth His face, for without
sorrow we cannot live in love.
8. He who is not ready to suffer all things, and to conform to the will
of the Beloved, is not worthy to be called a lover of God. It behoveth
him who loveth to embrace willingly all hard and bitter things for the
Beloved’s sake, and not to be drawn away from Him because of any
contrary accidents.
(1) 2 Corinthians i. 3.