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NOT alone giving thanks to Him for that He has created us as reasonable
beings, and endowed us with the power of free will, and blessed us with the
grace of baptism, and granted to us the knowledge and aid of the law, but
for these things as well, which are bestowed upon us by His daily
providence; viz., that He delivers us from the craft of our enemies; that
He works with us so that we can overcome the sins of the flesh, that, even
without our knowing it, He shields us from dangers; that He protects us
from falling into sin; that He helps us and enlightens us, so that we can
understand and recognize the actual help which He gives us, (which some
will have it is what is meant by the law); that, when we are through
His influence secretly struck with compunction for our sins and
negligences, He visits us with His regard and chastens us to our soul's
health; that even against our will we are sometimes drawn by Him to
salvation; lastly that this very free will of ours, which is more readily
inclined to sin, is turned by Him to a better purpose, and by His prompting
and suggestion, bent towards the way of virtue.
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