*Preserve my heart and body undefiled, that, with a chearful and pure conscience, I may celebrate thy mysteries, and receive them to my everlasting health: which thou hast ordained and instituted for thy honour and for a perpetual memorial. 6. Rejoice O my soul, and give thanks unto God for so excellent a gift, so singular a comfort left unto me in this vale of tears. For as often as thou receivest, so often art thou made partaker of all the merits of Christ. For the love of Christ is never diminished, and the greatness of his propitiation is never exhausted. Therefore thou oughtest always to weigh with attentive consideration, this great mystery of thy salvation. *So great, new, and joyful it ought to seem unto thee, when thou comest to these holy mysteries; as if the same day Christ first descending into the womb of the virgin, was become man; or hanging on the cross, did suffer and die for the salvation of mankind. CHAPTER III. _That it is profitable to communicate often._ _The voice of the disciple._ *BEHOLD, O Lord, I come unto thee, that I may be comforted by thy gift, and delighted in thy holy banquet, which thou, O God, hast prepared in thy goodness for the poor. Behold in thee is all I can or ought to desire; thou art my salvation, and my redemption, my hope and my strength, my honour and my glory! *Make joyful, therefore, this day, the soul of thy servant, for I have lifted it up unto thee, O Lord Jesus. *I desire to receive thee now with devotion and reverence. I long to bring thee into my house; that with _Zaccheus_ I may be blessed by thee, and numbered among the children of _Abraham_. My soul thirsteth to receive thy body and blood, my heart desireth to be united with thee. *2. Give me thyself, and it sufficeth; for, besides thee, no comfort is available. I cannot be without thee, nor live without thy visitation; And therefore I must often come unto thee, and receive thee for the welfare of my soul, lest haply I faint in the way, if I be deprived of thy heavenly food. For so most merciful Jesu, thou once didst say, preaching to the people, and curing sundry diseases, I will not send them home fasting, lest they faint in the way. Deal thou therefore in like manner now with me, who hast vouchsafed to leave thyself in the sacrament for the comfort of the faithful. For thou art the sweet refection of the soul; and he that eateth thee worthily, shall be partaker of everlasting glory. 3. O the wonderful condescension of thy mercy towards us, that thou, O Lord God, the Creator and giver of life to all spirits, dost vouchsafe to come unto a poor soul, and with thy whole deity to replenish her hunger! O happy mind and blessed soul, that receives thee, her Lord God, with devout affection, and in receiving of thee is filled with spiritual joy!