The Confessions And Letters Of St

39. But "because Thy loving-kindness is better than life," [1054] behold, my life is but a distraction, [1055] and Thy right hand upheld me [1056] in my Lord, the Son of man, the Mediator between Thee, [1057] The One, and us the many, -- in many distractions amid many things, -- that through Him I may apprehend in whom I have been apprehended, and may be recollected from my old days, following The One, forgetting the things that are past; and not distracted, but drawn on, [1058] not to those things which shall be and shall pass away, but to those things which are before, [1059] not distractedly, but intently, I follow on for the prize of my heavenly calling, [1060] where I may hear the voice of Thy praise, and contemplate Thy delights, [1061] neither coming nor passing away. But now are my years spent in mourning. [1062] And Thou, O Lord, art my comfort, my Father everlasting. But I have been divided amid times, the order of which I know not; and my thoughts, even the inmost bowels of my soul, are mangled with tumultuous varieties, until I flow together unto Thee, purged and molten in the fire of Thy love. [1063]