_Christian._ OPEN, O Lord, my heart in thy law, and teach me to walk in thy commandments. Grant me to understand thy will, and remember thy benefits; that henceforward I may be able worthily to give thee thanks. But I know and confess that I am not able to give thee due thanks for the least of thy favours. I am less than the least of all thy benefits; and when I consider thy bounty, the greatness thereof maketh my spirit to faint. 2. All that we have in our souls and bodies, and whatsoever we possess outwardly or inwardly, naturally or supernaturally, are thy benefits, and speak thee bountiful, merciful, and good, from whom we have received all good things. Although one have received more, another less, all notwithstanding are thine, and without thee even the least cannot be had. He that hath received greater, cannot extol himself above others; for he is greater and better, that ascribeth least unto himself, and is more humble and devout in rendering thanks. And he that esteemeth himself vilest of all men, is fitter to receive greater blessings. 3. And he that hath received fewer, ought not to repine, nor envy them that have greater store; but attend rather unto thee, and highly praise thy goodness, who bestowest thy gifts so bountifully, so freely, and so willingly, without respect of persons. All things proceed from thee, and therefore in all things thou art to be praised. Thou knowest what is fit to be given to every man, and why one hath less and another more. It is not ours, but thine to judge, who dost exactly know what is meet for every one. 4. Nothing therefore ought so to rejoice him that loveth thee, and acknowledgeth thy benefits, as thy will in him, and the good pleasure of thy eternal appointment. With this he ought to be so contented and comforted, that he would be as willing to be the least, as another is to be the greatest. He is as peaceable and contented in the last as in the first place. *He is as willing to be despised and contemned, and to be of no esteem or account, as to be preferred in honour above all others, and to be greater in the world. For thy will, and the love of thy glory, ought to be preferred above all things: And to comfort him more, and please him better than all the benefits which either he hath received or may receive. CHAPTER XVIII. _Of four things that bring much peace._ _Christ._ SON, now will I teach thee the way of peace, and true liberty. *Endeavour to do rather the will of another than thy own. *Ever chuse rather to have less than more. *Always seek the lowest place, and to be beneath every one. *Continually wish and pray, that the will of God may be wholly fulfilled in thee. Behold such a man entereth into the ♦bounds of peace and quietness. ♦ “bonds” replaced with “bounds” per Errata 2. _Christian._ Lord, this thy short speech containeth much perfection.