2. I praise thee for thy almighty power, glory, dominion, and empire over us and over all things, and because they proceed from thyself. Truly, O Lord, if by an impossibility I could possess any thing which thou hast not, I would most willingly yield the whole of it entirely to thee. Nay, I would not, if I were able, be God, that thou mightst be alone, and mightst have no equal.
3. I wish and desire also, from the bottom of my heart, all the creatures which are in heaven, earth, and sea, and whatever has or can have existence any where, to acknowledge that they have received their whole being from thee, and to render thee honour and service. I desire them all to be drawn by thy infinite goodness, and the excellence of thy majesty, to praise, magnify, and love thee only, because thou alone art most worthy of all praise.
Moreover, it fills me with the greatest joy to know that whatsoever thy creatures endeavour to offer through love of thee, all falls infinitely short of thy dignity and greatness.
4. And since thou art of thyself worthy of infinite love, with my whole heart I desire to love thee with the same perfection that all the blessed have ever loved thee, love thee now, and will love thee ever. And with the same affection of heart I offer to thee that fervour and flower of charity, with which thou lovest, hast loved, and wilt love thyself for ever.
5. I am immeasurably glad, and give thee endless thanks, for supplying my duty, and that of all thy creatures, by thy love of thyself. And I offer thee this very love of thyself in thanksgiving for all the glory, honour, and happiness which thou enjoyest: together with all that glory, honour, and praise, which all the blessed spirits, and all the just of this world, offer thee with one consent. And, in return, I desire, in and for thyself, thy being, thy glory, and every good that thou hast.
6. I would wish thee also, whom I most tenderly love, to be well assured of my determination to love thee with so firm and constant a will, that although thou shouldst never grant me any thing that is good, either in this world or the next; nay, though thou shouldst visit me with every affliction in this life and consign me to eternal punishment in the next, — I would love thee nevertheless, and serve thee from the very bottom of my heart; and, by the help of thy grace, would not cease or slacken in loving thee for a moment. And I most humbly entreat of thee to
