dost Thou love me thus? what good thing dost Thou see in me? Hast Thou forgotten the injuries I have done Thee? But since Thou hast treated me so lovingly, and instead of casting me into hell, hast granted me so many favors, whom can I desire to love from this day forward but Thee, my God. my All? Ah, most gracious God, if in time past I have offended Thee, it is not so much the punishment I have deserved that now grieves me, as the displeasure I have given Thee, Who art worthy of infinite love. But Thou knowest not how to despise a heart that repents and humbles itself: "A contrite and humble heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise" (Ps. l. 19). Ah, now, indeed, neither in this life nor in the other do I desire any but Thee alone: " What have I in heaven? and besides Thee, what do I desire upon earth? Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever" (Ps. lxxii. 25, 26). Thou alone art and shall be forever the only Lord of my heart, of my will; Thou my only Good, my Heaven, my Hope, my Love, my All: "The God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever."
The more to strengthen thy confidence in God. often call to mind His loving treatment of thee, and the gracious means He has used to drive thee from the disorders of thy life and thy attachments to earth, in order to draw thee to His holy love; and therefore fear to have too little confidence in treating with thy God, now that thou hast a resolute will to love and to please Him with all thy power. The mercies He has granted thee are most sure pledges of the love He bears thee. God is displeased with a want of trust on the part of souls that heartily love Him. and whom He loves. If, then, thou desirest to please His loving Heart, converse with Him from this day forward with the greatest confidence and tenderness thou canst possibly have. "I have
