CHAPTER XXIX.
_That man hath no good of himself, nor any thing whereof he can glory._
_Christian._ LORD, what is man, that thou art mindful of him; or the son of man that thou visitest him?
What hath man deserved, that thou shouldst give him thy grace?
Lord, what cause have I to complain, if thou forsakest me; or if thou dost not that which I desire?
Surely, Lord, I am nothing, I can do nothing, I have nothing that is good of myself, but in all things I am defective, and do ever tend to nothing.
And unless thou help and inwardly instruct me, I become altogether cold and dissipated.
2. But thou, O Lord, art always the same, and endurest for ever; always good, just, and holy, doing all things well, justly and holily, and disposing all things with wisdom.
But I, that am more ready to go backward than forward, do not ever continue in one estate; for seven times are passed over me:
Yet it is soon better with me, when it so pleaseth thee, and when thou vouchsafest to stretch forth thy helping hand.
For thou alone canst help me without the aid of man, and so strengthen me, that my countenance shall be no more changed, but my heart shall be turned to thee alone, and there shall rest.
3. Thanks be unto thee, from whence all proceedeth, as often as it goeth well with me:
But I am mere vanity in thy sight, an inconstant and weak man.
Wherefore then can I glory? Or for what do I desire to be esteemed?
For nothing? But this is most vain?
The true glory and holy rejoicing is for a man to glory in thee, and not in himself:
To rejoice in thy name and not in his own virtue; nor to delight in any creature but in thee.
Praised be thy name, not mine: magnified be thy work, not mine.
Let thy holy name be blessed; but to me let no part of men’s praise be given.
Thou art my glory, thou art the joy of my heart.
In thee will I glory and rejoice all the day; but as for myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities.
4. Let the _Jews_ seek honour one of another; I will desire that which is from God only.
For all human glory, all temporal honour, all worldly highness is vanity and folly.
O my truth, my mercy, my God, most blessed Trinity; to thee alone be praise, honour, power, and glory for evermore.