sovereignty and might, that Thy words may sink deep into them. I know not
what is in their hearts, O my God, nor can tell the thoughts they think of
Thee. Methinks that they imagine that Thy purpose in calling them to Thine
all-highest horizon is to heighten the glory of Thy majesty and power. For
had they been satisfied that Thou summonest them to that which will
recreate their hearts and immortalize their souls, they would never have
fled from Thy governance, nor deserted the shadow of the tree of Thy
oneness. Clear away, then, the sight of Thy creatures, O my God, that they
may recognize Him Who showeth forth the Godhead as One Who is sanctified
from all that pertaineth unto them, and Who, wholly for Thy sake, is
summoning them to the horizon of Thy unity, at a time when every moment of
His life is beset with peril. Had His aim been the preservation of His own
Self, He would never have left it at the mercy of Thy foes.

I swear by Thy glory! I have accepted to be tried by manifold adversities
for no purpose except to regenerate all that are in Thy heaven and on Thy
earth. Whoso hath loved Thee, can never feel attached to his own self,
except for the purpose of furthering Thy Cause; and whoso hath recognized
Thee can recognize naught else except Thee, and can turn to no one save
Thee.

Enable Thy servants, O my God, to discover the things Thou didst desire
for them in Thy Kingdom. Acquaint them, moreover, with what He Who is the
Origin of Thy most excellent titles hath, in His love for Thee, been
willing to bear for the sake of the regeneration of their souls, that they
may haste to attain the River that is Life indeed, and turn their faces in
the direction of Thy Name, the Most Merciful. Abandon them not to
themselves, O my God! Draw them, by Thy bountiful favor, to the heaven of
Thine inspiration. They are but paupers, and Thou art the All-Possessing,
the ever-Forgiving, the Most Compassionate.

CXVII: "GLORY TO THEE, O MY GOD! THE FIRST STIRRINGS OF..."

Glory to Thee, O my God! The first stirrings of the spring of Thy grace
have appeared and clothed Thine earth with verdure. The clouds of the
heaven of Thy bounty have rained their rain on this City within whose
walls is imprisoned Him Whose desire is the salvation of Thy creatures.
Through it the soil of this City hath been decked forth, and its trees
clothed with foliage, and its inhabitants gladdened.

The hearts of Thy dear ones, however, will re