Preface.

what could I, a worthless little worm original: Würmlein; a common 17th-century Pietist expression used to emphasize human frailty and humility in the presence of the Divine., then imagine for myself, I who am not even a tiny mote of sun-dust before so great a world? And yet You, the living fountain-spring of all love and kindness, have shown such great mercy and grace toward me, such a lowly creature, even from my mother’s womb, that I can never count it all, much less thank You enough for it.

But I thank You for such great, innumerable compassion from my whole heart in the deepest humility; especially, however, that You have shown me the grace that I—according to my weakness—heartily love You. And such love, flowing from You, drives me so that I would also gladly do what is dear to You, namely Your noble, alone-good will and pleasure.

But I am a poor, sinful human being and can do nothing, unless You give me both the willing and the doing A reference to the biblical passage Philippians 2:13: "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.". Therefore I pray, whimper, and plead to You through the precious name of JESUS CHRIST, Your slaughtered Lamb, that You would, to me Your poor creature—