An Act of Desire and Love

As the wearied hart thirsts after the fountains of water, so doth my soul pant after thee my Saviour! my Lord! my Jesus! It ardently longs to drink of those fountains, which thy love hath opened for its comfort and relief. Tired, therefore, with my own evil ways, I now return hungry and thirsty, crying aloud have mercy on me, O Son of God, and permit me to taste of thy banquet, that my soul may be refreshed. O that I had the affections of the heavenly spirits, that my soul might truly languish after thee, the fountain of life, of wisdom, and of eternal light, the impetous torrent of celestial happiness. O that my soul did truly hunger after thee, the bread of angels, the food of blessed souls, and that all that is within me might be delighted with the taste of thy sweetness. I here despise all human consolations, that I may be comforted by thee, my only good, my God and Saviour, whom I love above all things and desire to entertain within my breast, with as much devotion and affection as is conceived by thy chosen servants, who now sit at thy table of celestial bliss.

O sweet Jesus, the God of my heart, and the life of my soul! I am overjoyed at the hearing of these happy tidings, that I am to go into the house of our Lord; or rather that our Lord is to come into my house, and take up his abode with me. Oh! happy moments, when I shall be admitted to the embraces of the living God, for whom my poor soul languishes with love! Oh! come, dear Jesus, and take full possession of my heart for ever! I offer it to thee without reserve. I desire to consecrate it eternally to thee. I love thee with my whole soul above all things; at least I desire so to love thee. It is nothing less than infinite love that bringeth thee to me. Oh! teach me to make a suitable return of love.