8. Assist us, Almighty God, with thy grace, that we who have undertaken the office of priesthood, may serve thee worthily and devoutly, in all purity and good conscience. And, if we cannot live in so great innocency as we ought, grant us at least duly to bewail the sins which we have committed; and in the spirit of humility, and with full purpose of heart, to serve thee hereafter more fervently. ♦CHAPTER IX. _How he who is to communicate, ought to prepare himself._ ♦ Chapter number duplicated in text _The voice of the Beloved._ I AM the lover of purity, and the giver of all holiness. I seek a pure heart, and there is the place of my rest. Make ready and adorn for me the great chamber, and I will keep with thee the passover among my disciples. 2. Know thou, notwithstanding, that no merit of any action of thine is able to make this preparation, altho’ thou shouldst prepare thyself a whole year together, and think of nothing else. Thou art of my mere grace and favour suffered to come to my table. Like a beggar invited to dinner by a rich man, who hath nothing else to return him for his benefits, but to humble himself, and give him thanks. Do what lieth in thee, and do it diligently; not for custom, nor for necessity; but with fear and reverence, and affection, receive thy beloved Lord God, who vouchsafeth to come unto thee. *I am he that hath called thee; I have commanded it to be done; I will supply what is wanting in thee; come and receive me. 3. When I bestow the grace of devotion, give thanks to thy God; for it is given thee, not for that thou art worthy, but because I have mercy on thee. If thou hast it not, but dost feel thyself dry, continue in prayer, sigh, and knock, and give not over until thou art meet to receive some crumb or drop of saving grace. Thou hast need of me, not I of thee. Neither comest thou to sanctify me, but I come to sanctify and improve thee. Thou comest that thou mayst be sanctified by me, and united unto me, that thou mayst receive new grace, and be enflamed anew to amendment. CHAPTER X. _That a devout soul ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the sacrament._ _The voice of the disciple._ WHO will give me this, O Lord, to find thee alone, and open my whole heart unto thee, and enjoy thee as my soul desireth? And that no man may look toward me, nor any creature move or regard me, but thou alone mayst speak unto me, and I to thee, as the beloved is wont to speak to his beloved, and a friend to banquet with his friend? This I pray for, this I desire, that I may be wholly united unto thee, and may withdraw my heart from all created things. That I may ♦by often communicating, learn more and more to relish heavenly and eternal things. ♦ “be” replaced with “by” per Errata