An ornate woodcut headpiece features scrolling acanthus leaves and floral patterns, with two winged cherubs flanking a decorative fountain.

TO GOD, THE BEST AND GREATEST,

MY INCOMPREHENSIBLE

CREATOR, BE GLORY, PRAISE, HONOR, BLESSING

I am pained and ashamed, most Clement God, Beginning and End, Alpha and Omega, at the base and horrendous nature of my ingratitude, as often as I think of your infinite Omnipotence, your goodness, and your mercy. O that immense and supreme Providence of Majesty, which, before I was even born, chose me from eternity into the number of your faithful ones, purely by your grace.

O God of great height, merciful God, you regenerated my soul, which was wasting away in ignorance, with the virtue of your glorious and infinite mercy.

O immense God, goodness that never fails, King of Saints and Kings, merciful God, you gave and made for me your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as wisdom, justification, sanctification, and a holy sacrifice for my sins.

O Protector of the Faithful, restorer of the age, powerful Victory, Beatitude of the saints, Equity of Justice, Dispeller of Wickedness, true Charity, merciful God, you gave me all things necessary for this life and the life to come. You heaped me, though undeserving, with countless goods; and you led me to the true, honest, and sacred anchor of divine religious instruction.

O Christ, Almighty Messiah of heaven and earth, our Emmanuel, eternal Legislator, support of the age, Purity of the Exalted God, binding of every creature, wisdom of God the Father, Creator of the universe, Inspector of Justice, man's...