THorow many hands hath this Plate passed, before it came to mine; and yet, though I bow’d to every one of those that helpt to Conveigh it, I kept my chief and solemnest Acknowledgment for the fair Lady that sent it. VVhy should’st thou not, O my Soul, instruct thy Gratitude to tread in the steps of thy Civility? VVhen thou receivest any Blessing from that Father of Lights, from whom every good and perfect Gift comes down, pay a fitting share of thy thanks to them that hand it to thee; but thorow all those means, look principally to that God that sends it: Let not the Pipe usurp upon the Spring, (that were as absurd, as ‘twere for me to Kiss my hand to the Plate, or at best, to those that helpt to conveigh it, with a neglect of the Lady) but so pay thy due Acknowledgment to the Reachers, that thou be sure to reserve thy principal Thanks, and highest strains of Gratitude, for the Giver.
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