Of Thankes-Gevinge. Cap. VIII

THESE three partes beinge ended, there maie followe immediatlie a thankes-geuinge vnto almightie God for the benefites we haue receyued. And that we maie not interrupte the course of our deuotion with diuers affections, and matters, a man maie continewe this parte with the former, takinge occasion of such thinges as he hath meditated vpon, to geue thankes vnto our Lorde for the benefite he hath done vnto him in that meditation: and with this benefite to ioyne also all other benefites, and to geue him most humble and hartie thankes for them all.¹ As for example, when we haue ended our meditation vpon anie pointe of the passion, we maie then forthwith geue most humble thankes to our Lorde for the benefite of our redemption: and espetially for that it pleased him to redeeme vs with so great paines, and tormentes. And euen then also let vs geue him most humble thankes for all his other benefites. In like maner, when we haue meditated vpon our synnes, we maie geue him thankes for that he hath expected vs so longe time, and called vs to doe penance. And when we haue meditated vpō the miseries of this lyfe, we maie geue him thinkes for that he hath deliuered vs from a great nomber of them. And when we haue meditated vpon the departinge out of this worlde, we maie geue him thankes for that he hath geuen vs lyfe, and graunted vnto vs so longe a time to doe penance. And when we haue meditated vpon the glorie of paradise, we maie geue him thankes for that he hath created vs to be partakers of so great a felicitie. And so likewise maie we proceede in all the rest. And afterwardes (accordinge as we haue declared) a man must ioyne with this benefite all other benefites: as the benefites of creation, conseruation, redemption, vocation, and glorification: of the which benefites we haue treated heretofore in the meditation for Satturdaie at nighte. And then for these and other infinite benefites, as well publike, as secrete, we must geue him as manie hū ble and hartie thankes as we can, and calle vpō all creatures both of heauen and earthe to helpe vs herein. And with this spirite we maie sometimes saie that Canticle:² Benedicite omnia opera Domini Domino: or els the Psalme: Benedic anima mea Domino, & omnia quae intra me sunt, &c.