In some sort extensively, by ⟨p. 22⟩comparing all things, how many, or how great soever with thee, and loving thee before, & above all, that I had rather all things in the world, and my self too to have no being, then once to offend thee. But Lord thou lovest thy friends in an unspeakable manner more then they can love thee. O therefore thou great Lord, thou great Good, that fillest heaven and earth, why doest thou not fill my very little soul? O my soul that art so little, so miserable, why dost thou not open all thy little doors? why dost thou not extend thy utmost capacity, that thou mayest be wholly possest, wholly satiated, wholly ravished with the sweetness of so great love: specially, seeing thou art so very little, yet nothing less will satisfy thee. O therefore my most loving God, I beseech thee tell me what may most effectually draw out my love to thee, considering what prevention of love, what privative, positive good things I receive from thee, infinite in greatness, infinite in multitude: It is a wonder that any one can think of these things and not be wholly swallowed up of love, wholly turned into love: But I see Lord, 'tis easier to speak these things, and to write them down, than to do them. Thou therefore most good & most powerful Lord to whom nothing is difficult, give I beseech thee that I may more easily do these things in my heart, then utter them with my mouth: Open, I beseech thee, thy most bountiful hand, and enable me, that nothing may be more easy, nothing more sweet, nothing more delightful, then most effectually, and most affectionately to fulfil that which I speak about loving of thee. Lord give me leave a little to presume above my hope, and to plead with thee about thy magnificent goodness: humane friendship will not give the repulse to a poor, wanting, begging friend, O therefore most liberal Lord help me that I may love thee. Christians 'tis worth while to make it your business to climb up to this love-ecstasy. This you will find to be a completing rule, an effectual means, and a singular exercise of exact and conscientious walking.
In some sort extensively, by ⟨p. 22⟩comparing all things, how many, or how great soever with thee, and loving thee before, & above all, that I had rather all things in the world, and my self too to have no being, then once to offend thee. But Lord thou lovest thy friends in an unspeakable manner more then they can love thee. O therefore thou great Lord, thou great Good, that fillest heaven and earth, why doest thou not fill my very little soul? O my soul that art so little, so miserable, why dost thou not open all thy little doors? why dost thou not extend thy utmost capacity, that thou mayest be wholly possest, wholly satiated, wholly ravished with the sweetness of so great love: specially, seeing thou art so very little, yet nothing less will satisfie thee. O therefore my most loving God, I beseech thee tell me what may most effectually draw out my love to thee, considering what prevention of love, what privative, positive good things I receive from thee, infinite in greatness, infinite in multitude: It is a wonder that any one can think of these things and not be wholly swallowed up of love, wholly turned into love: But I see Lord, 'tis easier to speak these things, and to write them down, than to do them. Thou therefore most good & most powerful Lord to whom nothing is difficult, give I beseech thee that I may more easily do these things in my heart, then utter them with my mouth: Open, I beseech thee, thy most bountiful hand, and enable me, that nothing may be more easie, nothing more sweet, nothing more delightfull, then most effectually, and most affectionately to fulfil that which I speak about loving of thee. Lord give me leave a little to presume above my hope, and to plead with thee about thy magnificent goodness: humane friendship will not give the repulse to a poor, wanting, begging friend, O therefore most liberal Lord help me that I may love thee. Christians 'tis worth while to make it your business to climb up to this love-extasie. This you will find to be a compleating rule, an effectual means, and a singular exercise of exact and conscientious walking.
