human comfort, either for the attainment of devotion, or because of mine own necessities enforcing me to seek after Thee, then might I hope in Thy grace, and rejoice for the gift of fresh consolation.
4. Thanks be unto Thee, from Whom all things proceed, whensoever it is well with me.
But I am in Thy sight mere vanity and nothing, weak, and never continuing in one stay.
Whereof then can I glory? or for what do I desire to be respected? is it that I am nothing? this is most vain.
Mere empty glory is in truth an evil pest, a great vanity; because it draweth a man from true glory, and robbeth him of heavenly grace.
For whilst he pleaseth himself, he displeaseth Thee; whilst he gapeth after the praise of men, he is deprived of true virtues.
5. But the true glory and holy exultation is for a man to glory in Thee, and not in himself; to rejoice in Thy name, not in his own strength, and not to deligh in any creature but for Thy sake.
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 praises 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.
6. Let the Jews seek honour one of another, I will seek that which cometh alone from God.
For all human glory, all temporal honour, all worldly elevation, compared to Thy eternal glory, is vanity and folly.
