MHCC 9: Less Than The Least of All God's Mercies

Matthew Henry certainly appreciated the divine poetry of George Herbert and quotes him often in his Commentary. Writing on the prayer of Jacob in Genesis 32, Henry makes reference to Herbert's personal posie (motto, often engraved on a ring), which epitomized his life and his work. The posie is one which Herbert repeated during his life, and even on his deathbed, having completed his masterpiece, The Temple, he sent it to Nicholas Ferrar to be considered for publication with these words:

Sir, I pray deliver this little book to my dear brother Farrer, and tell him, he shall find in it a picture of the many spiritual conflicts that have passed betwixt God and my soul, before I could subject mine to the will of Jesus my Master: in whose service I have now found perfect freedom. Desire him to read it; and then, if he can think it may turn to the advantage of any dejected poor soul: let it be made public; if not let him burn it; for I and it are less than the least of God’s mercies.

And indeed The Temple was published with this summary at the conclusion of the preface from the printers to the reader:

We conclude all with his own Motto, with which he used to conclude all things that might seem to tend any way to his own honour;

Lesse then the least of Gods mercies.

George Herbert, The Temple:

The Posie.

Let wits contest,
And with their words and posies windows fill:
Lesse then the least
Of all thy mercies, is my posie still.

This on my ring,
This by my picture, in my book I write:
Whether I sing,
Or say, or dictate, this is my delight.

Invention rest,
Comparisons go play, wit use thy will:
Lesse then the least
Of all Gods mercies, is my posie still.

Matthew Henry on Gen. 32.10:

How meanly and humbly he speaks of himself, disclaiming all thought of his own merit: "I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, much less am I worthy of so great a favour as this I am now suing for." Jacob was a considerable man, and, upon many accounts, very deserving, and, in treating with Laban, had justly insisted on his merits, but not before God. I am less than all thy mercies; so the word is. Note, The best and greatest of men are utterly unworthy of the least favour from God, and just be ready to own it upon all occasions. It was the excellent Mr. Herbert's motto, Less than the least of all God's mercies. Those are best prepared for the greatest mercies that see themselves unworthy of the least.