self, — though the lowest of thy suppliants, I ask, I say, with all the humility I am able, to enjoy thee singly and alone, to breathe and repose in thee only, and not on any of thy gifts, however excellent, noble, precious, or divine.
7. I ask for the clearest enlightenment of my understanding to know chiefly three things. First, to know most perfectly thy most holy will, and to fulfil it entirely. Secondly, to know my own vileness, ingratitude, and unworthiness of all good. Lastly, to have a perfect knowledge of all the moral virtues and their acquirement, that the simple, pure, and sincere love of thee may grow in me more and more.
8. Finally, I beseech thee to be pleased to accept my prayers, not as proceeding from myself, but, as it were, inspired by thee, and to unite them with the prayers of thy Son Jesus Christ, of his most holy Mother, of the holy An-, gels, Apostles, Martyrs, Doctors, Virgins, Confessors, &c., of the Church, both triumphant and militant, for obtaining, as well for my neighbour as myself, the above-named graces and gifts, both spiritual and corporal: regarding not my person, O Lord, but theirs, whose merits and prayers I offer to thee, through Jesus Christ thy Son, from whom proceeds and is derived every meritorious work and every good desire. And may this all turn to the eternal honour and glory of the most glorious Trinity, worthy of the utmost adoration and love. Amen.
V.
Act of denunciation of Pleasures
FOR
THE PRESERVATION OF CHASTITY.
They shall neither marry nor be married, but shall be as the angels of God in heaven.[1]
1. O Lord, most pure and most worthy possessor of the hearts of men, I give thee most cheerfully the entire possession and direct control of all that I have, by renouncing every earthly affection and sensual delight; so that if I could enjoy all the pleasures of sense, and gratifications of the flesh, which are commonly tasted, and possessed, and desired by all men ; and even if I could enjoy these without sin, I would still, neverthe-
- ↑ Matt. xxii. 30.
