ve recognized Thy reality,
however much they may ascend towards the heaven of Thy praise, can never
hope to pass beyond the bounds which, by Thy behest and decree, have been
fixed within their own hearts. How can the creature who is as nothing
comprehend Him Who is the Ancient of Days, or succeed in describing the
full measure of His sovereignty, His glory, and His grandeur? Nay, and to
this Thou Thyself dost witness, O Thou Who art the Governor of nations!
Every created thing hath recognized its own impotence, and the power of
Thy might, and hath confessed its own abasement and Thy great glory.

I beseech Thee by Thy Lastness which is the same as Thy Firstness, and by
Thy Revelation which is identical with Thy Concealment, to grant that they
who are dear to Thee, and their children, and their kindred, may become
the revealers of Thy purity amidst Thy creatures, and the manifestations
of Thy sanctity amongst Thy servants.

Thou art, verily, powerful to do Thy pleasure. Thou art, in truth, the
Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

CXLI: "I GIVE THEE THANKS, O MY GOD, FOR THAT THOU HAST..."

I give Thee thanks, O my God, for that Thou hast made me to be a target
for the darts of Thine adversaries in Thy path. I offer Thee most high
praise, O Thou Who art the Knower of the seen and unseen and the Lord of
all being, that Thou hast suffered me to be cast into prison for love of
Thee, and caused me to quaff the cup of woe, that I may reveal Thy Cause
and glorify Thy word.

Which of my tribulations am I to recount before Thy face, O my Lord? Am I
to recite before Thee what in days of old befell me at the hands of the
workers of iniquity among Thy creatures, or to describe the vexations
which have compassed me about in these days for the sake of Thy good
pleasure?

Thanks be to Thee, O Thou the Lord of all names; and glory be to Thee, O
Maker of the heavens, for all that I have sustained in these days at the
hands of such of Thy servants as have transgressed against Thee, and of
Thy people that have dealt frowardly towards Thee.

Number us, we implore Thee, with them who have stood fast in Thy Cause
until their souls finally winged their flight unto the heaven of Thy grace
and the atmosphere of Thy loving-kindness. Thou art, verily, the
Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

CXLII: "GLORY BE TO THEE, O MY GOD! MY FACE HATH BEEN..."

Glory be to Thee, O my God! My face hath been set towards Thy face, and