Chap. XV How We Are to Be Disposed, and What We Are to Say When We Desire Any Thing
1. My Son, say thus in every occasion; Lord, if it be pleasing to thee, let this be done in this manner.
Lord, if it be to thy honour, let this be done in thy name.
Lord, if thou seest that this is expedient, and approvest it as profitable for me, then grant that I may use it to thy honour;
But if thou knowest that it will be hurtful to me, and not expedient for the salvation of my soul, take away from me such a desire.
For every desire is not from the Holy Ghost, though it seem to a man right and good.
And it is hard to judge truly, whether it be a good or bad spirit that pushes thee on to desire this, or that, or whether thou art not moved to it by thy own spirit.
Many in the end have been deceived, who at first seemed to be led by a good spirit.
2. Whatsoever therefore presents itself to thy mind as worthy to be desired; see that it is always with the fear of God, and the humility of heart that thou desire or ask for it;
And above all, thou oughtest with a resignation of thyself to commit all to me, and to say,
O Lord, thou knowest what is best; let this or that be done as thou wilt.
Give what thou wilt, how much thou wilt, and at what time thou wilt.
Do with me as thou knowest, and as best pleaseth thee, and is most for thy honour.
Put me where thou wilt, and do with me in all things according to thy will.
I am in thy hand, turn me round which way thou wilt.
Lo, I am thy servant, ready to obey thee in all things; for I dont desire to live for myself, but for thee: I wish it may be perfectly and worthily.
A Prayer
For the fulfilling of the Will of God.
3. Grant me thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and may labour with me, and continue with me to the end.
Grant me always to will and desire that which is most acceptable to thee, and which pleaseth thee best.
Let thy will be mine, and let my will always follow thine, and agree perfectly with it.
Let me always will or not will the same with thee; and let me not be able to will or not will any otherwise than as thou willest or willest not.
4. Grant that I may die to all things that are in the world; and for thy sake love to be despised, and not to be known in this world.
Grant that I may rest, in thee above all things desired, and that my heart may be at peace in thee.
Thou art the true peace of the heart, thou art its only rest; out of thee all things are hard and uneasy.
In this peace, in the self same (that is, in Thee, the one sovereign eternal Good) I will sleep and take my rest. (Psalms iv.) Amen.