Chapter II.—He Begs of God that
Through the Holy Scriptures He May Be Led to Truth.
2. But when shall I suffice with the tongue of
my pen to express all Thy exhortations, and all Thy terrors, and
comforts, and guidances, whereby Thou hast led me to preach Thy
Word and to dispense Thy Sacrament unto Thy people? And if I suffice
to utter these things in order, the drops of time are dear to me. Long time
have I burned to meditate in Thy law, and in it to confess to Thee
my knowledge and ignorance, the beginning of Thine enlightening, and the remains of my darkness, until infirmity be swallowed up by strength. And I would not that to aught else those hours should flow away, which I find free from the necessities of refreshing my body, and the care of my mind, and of the service which we owe to men, and which, though we owe not, even yet we pay.
3. O Lord my God, hear my prayer, and let Thy
mercy regard my longing, since it bums not for myself alone, but
because it desires to benefit brotherly charity; and Thou seest
into my heart, that so it is. I would sacrifice to Thee the service
of my thought and tongue; and do Thou give what I may offer unto
Thee. For “I am poor and needy,” Thou rich unto all that call upon
Thee, who free
from care carest for us. Circumcise from all rashness and
from all lying my
inward and outward lips. Let Thy Scriptures be my chaste
delights. Neither let me be deceived in them, nor deceive out of
them. Lord, hear
and pity, O Lord my God, light of the blind, and strength of the
weak; even also light of those that see, and strength of the
strong, hearken unto my soul, and hear it crying “out of the
depths.” For unless
Thine ears be present in the depths also, whither shall we go? whither shall we cry? “The day is Thine, and the night also is Thine.” At Thy nod the moments flee by. Grant thereof space for our meditations amongst the hidden things of Thy law, nor close it against us who knock. For not in vain hast Thou willed that the obscure secret of so many pages should be written. Nor is it that those forests have not their harts, betaking themselves therein, and ranging, and walking, and feeding, lying down, and ruminating. Perfect me, O Lord, and reveal them unto me. Behold, Thy voice is my joy, Thy voice surpasseth the abundance of pleasures. Give that which I love, for I do love; and this hast Thou given. Abandon not Thine own gifts, nor despise Thy grass that thirsteth. Let me confess unto Thee whatsoever I shall have found in Thy books, and let me hear the voice of praise, and let me imbibe Thee, and reflect on the wonderful things of Thy law; even from the beginning, wherein Thou madest the heaven and the earth, unto the everlasting kingdom of Thy holy city that is with Thee.
4. Lord, have mercy on me and hear my desire. For I think that it is not of the earth, nor of gold and silver, and precious stones, nor gorgeous apparel, nor honours and powers, nor the pleasures of the flesh, nor necessaries for the body, and this life of our pilgrimage; all which are added to those that seek Thy kingdom and Thy righteousness. Behold, O Lord my God, whence is my desire. The unrighteous have told me of delights, but not such as Thy law, O Lord. Behold whence is my desire. Behold, Father, look and see, and approve; and let it be pleasing in the sight of Thy mercy, that I may find grace before Thee, that the secret things of Thy Word may be opened unto me when I knock. I beseech, by our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, “the Man of Thy right hand, the Son of man, whom Thou madest strong for Thyself,” as Thy Mediator and ours, through whom Thou hast sought us, although not seeking Thee, but didst seek us that we might seek Thee,—Thy Word through whom Thou hast made all things, and amongst them me also, Thy Only-begotten, through whom Thou hast called to adoption the believing people, and therein me also. I beseech Thee through Him, who sitteth at Thy right hand, and “maketh intercession for us,” “in whom are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Him do I seek in Thy books. Of Him did Moses write; this saith Himself; this saith the Truth.