pen, Lord, my heart in Your law, and teach me to walk in Your commandments.† Grant me to understand Your will, and with great reverence and diligent consideration to remember Your benefits, in general as well as in particular, that henceforth I may be able worthily to give You thanks. But I know, and confess, that I am not able , even in the least point, to give You due thanks and praises. I am less than any of the benefits bestowed on me; and when I consider your generosity, my spirit faints before its greatness. All that we have in soul and in body, and whatever we possess outwardly or inwardly, by nature or beyond nature, are Your benefits, and proclaim You bountiful, merciful, and good, from whom we have received all good things. Although one has received more, another less, all notwithstanding are Yours, and without You even the least blessing cannot be had.
He who has received cannot glory of his own merit, nor extol himself above others, nor insult the lesser. For he is the greatest and the best, who ascribes least to himself, and who in rendering thanks is the humblest and the most devout. And he who esteems himself viler than all men, and judges himself most unworthy, is fittest to receive the greater blessing.
