*Turn us unto thee, O Lord, that we may be thankful, humble, and holy; for thou art our power, and our strength, and our salvation. CHAPTER VIII. _That all things are to be referred unto God, as unto their last end._ _Christ._ SON, I ought to be thy last end, if thou desirest to be truly blessed. By this intention thy affection shall be purified, which is often inordinately bent down to itself, and unto creatures. For if in any thing thou seekest thyself, thou soon fallest into a langour. Refer therefore all things unto me, for I am he that hath given all. *2. Out of me, as out of a living fountain, the little and the great, the poor and the rich, draw the water of life: and they that willingly and freely serve me, shall receive grace for grace. But he that will glory out of me, or be delighted in any good that tends not to me, shall not be grounded in true joy, nor enlarged in his heart, but shall be many ways incumbered and straitned. Thou oughtest therefore to ascribe nothing of good unto thyself, nor attribute goodness unto any man; but give all unto God, without whom man hath nothing. I have bestowed all, and will that all be returned unto me again: and with great strictness, I require thanks. 3. This is the truth that putteth to flight vain-glory. And if true love enter in, there shall be no envy, or straitness of heart, neither shall there be any place for self-love. If thou art truly wise, in me alone thou wilt rejoice, in me alone thou wilt hope: for none is good but God alone, who is to be praised above all things, and to be blessed in all. 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?