that every day. we newly charge ourselves with two debts to our Lord, although very different, and for very diverse respects, i. The first debt is for the innumerable benefits we receive of Him. ii. The second, for the innumerable sins we commit against Him. The first is paid with thanksgiving, the second with sorrow. And it is reason that in the end of every day we should pay them both, beginning with the first debt, as well because it disposes to pay well the second, as also because (as St Basil [1] says), when we go to prayer, we are not always to enter begging immediately for our own profit; for in that it seems that we give it to be understood that we seek in it principally our own interest; but sometimes we must begin with the praises of Almighty God, giving Him thanks for the favours He has done us; for hereby we give it to be understood that we principally seek the glory of God, and that we esteem it more than all other things. The same thanksgiving will also serve us (as St. Thomas says) [2] for a means to obtain our petitions, for Almighty God willingly gives us what we ask Him, when He sees that we are thankful to Him for what He has given us.
2. Besides this, since I am about to stir up the offensive sink of my sins, lest they should cause me such despair and grief as should swallow and consume me, it is good (as St. Bernard says) [3] to foreguard myself with the remembrance of God's benefits, praising Him for them, taking (as Isaiah says) this "bridle" of "praise" which He puts in my mouth, "lest" I be thrown down headlong and " perish." [4] And although it is true (as St. Bonaventure says) [5] that it is not always necessary to observe this order in the beginning of prayer, yet in this present exercise it comes much to the purpose for the reasons declared.
