CHAPTER IX.

_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.