_That it is a sweet thing to despise the world, and serve God._
_Christian._ NOW I will speak again, O Lord, and will not be silent; I
will speak in the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King that is on high.
*O how great is the abundance of thy goodness, O Lord, which thou hast
laid up for those that fear thee!
*But what art thou to them that love thee? What to them that serve thee
with their whole heart?
*Truly, unspeakable is the sweetness of contemplating thee, which thou
bestowest on them that love thee.
In this chiefly thou hast shewed me the sweetness of thy love: in that
when I was not, thou madest me; and when I went astray a far off from
thee, thou broughtest me back again, that I might serve thee.
2. O fountain of everlasting love, what shall I say of thee?
How can I forget thee, that hast vouchsafed to remember me, even after
I had pined away, and perished?
Thou hast shewed mercy to thy servant beyond all my expectation.
Thou hast exhibited thy favour and friendship beyond all my desert.
What shall I return to thee for this favour?
Is it much that I should serve thee, whom all creatures are bound to
serve?
*It ought not to seem much unto me to serve thee: but this rather
seemeth much and marvellous unto me, that thou vouchsafest to receive
into thy service one so poor and unworthy, and to join him with thy
beloved servants.
*3. Behold, all is thine which I have, and whereby I serve thee.
*And yet, contrary-wise, thou rather servest me, than I thee.
*Behold heaven and earth, which thou hast created for the service of
man, are ready at hand, and all daily perform whatsoever thou dost
command.
*And this is little: thou hast also appointed the angels to the service
of man.
*But that which excelleth all this is, that thou thyself hast
vouchsafed to serve man, and hast promised to give thyself unto him.
4. What shall I give thee for all these thousands of benefits?
Would I could serve thee all the days of my life!
Would I were able at least for one day, to do thee worthy service!
Verily, thou art worthy of all service, of all honour, and everlasting
praise.
*Verily, thou art my Lord, and I thy poor servant, that am bound to
serve thee with all my might; neither ought I ever to be weary of
praising thee.
*This I wish to do, this I desire: and whatsoever is wanting unto me,
vouchsafe, I beseech thee to supply.