Chap. II That Truth Speaks Within Us Without Noise of Words
1. Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel iii.—I am thy servant, give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies. Psalms cxviii.
[USCCB: Psalms cxix. 27.]
Incline my heart to the words of thy mouth: let thy speech distil as the dew.
Heretofore the Children of Israel said to Moses, Speak thou to us, and we will hear: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die. Exodus xx.
It is not thus, O Lord, it is not thus I pray; but rather with the prophet Samuel, I humbly and earnestly entreat thee, Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.
Let not Moses, nor any of the prophets speak to me; but speak thou rather, O Lord God, the inspirer and enlightener of all the prophets; for thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me; but they without thee will avail me nothing.
2. They may indeed sound forth words, but they give not the spirit.
They speak well; but if thou be silent, they do not set the heart on fire.
They deliver the letter, but thou disclosest the sense.
They publish mysteries, but thou unlockest the meaning of the things signified.
They declare the commandments, but thou enablest to keep them.
They shew the way, but thou givest strength to walk in it.
They work only outwardly, but thou instructest and enlightenest the heart.
They water exteriorly, but thou givest the increase.
They cry out with words, but thou givest understanding to the hearing.
5. Let not then Moses speak to me, but thou O Lord my God, the eternal Truth, lest I die and prove fruitless, if I be only outwardly admonished, and not enkindled within.
Lest the word which I have heard and not fulfilled, which I have known and not loved, which I have believed and not observed, rise up in judgment against me.
Speak, then, O Lord, for thy servant heareth; for thou hast the words of eternal life. John vi.
Speak to me, that it may be for some comfort to my soul, and for the amendment of my whole life; and to thy praise and glory, and everlasting honour.