Page:Goldentreatiseof00pete.djvu/172

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CHAPTER IX.

OF GIVING OF THANKS.

After meditation, followeth giving of thanks, the occasion of which, must be taken from the matter meditated upon; for example, if the meditation be of the passion of our Saviour, we must give thanks unto him, that, he hath redeemed us from so great torments. If of sins, that with longanimity he hath expected us to do penance. If of the miseries of this life, that he hath preserved us from the greatest part of them. If of death, that hitherto, he hath defended us from the perils of sudden death, and hath favorably granted us time of penance. If of the glory of paradise, that he hath created us to that end; that after the storms and troubles of this present life, we should enjoy eternal felicity; after this manner, we are to proceed in other meditations.

To these benefits, we may join the others which we handled before, to wit, the benefits of our creation, conservation, redemption, and vocation. As much as in us lieth, let us give him thanks, that he hath created us, after his own image and likeness, that he hath given us a memory to remember him, an understanding to know him, and a will to love him, that he