Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/128

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Of a Mean Conceit of Ourselves.

2. Thy love is the cause hereof, freely preventing me, and relieving me in so many necessities, guarding me also from pressing dangers, and snatching me from evils out of number.

For indeed by loving myself amiss, I lost myself; and by seeking Thee alone, and purely loving Thee, I have found both myself and Thee, and by that love have more deeply reduced myself to nothing.

Because Thou, dearest Lord, dealest with me above all desert, and above all that I dare hope or ask.

3. Blessed be Thou, my God; for although I be unworthy of any benefits, yet Thy royal bounty and infinite goodness never cease to do good even to the ungrateful, and to those who are turned away far from Thee.

Turn Thou us unto Thee, that we may be thankful, humble, and devout; for Thou art our salvation, our courage, and our strength.