of other blessings, or of both? The realized make it of the kind for which thanks were given. What is not of that kind is not part of the increase gratitude makes obligatory, but belongs to gracious favour anew, rather than recompense.
Some say that any blessing occurring after gratitude is recompense and increase, while blessings not following gratitude belong to gracious favour itself.
They say this only through not knowing the correspondences among things chosen by the Wise, glorified is He. Those holding this view intend to declare the Real free of restriction: He gives what He wills without restriction. The realized possess greater knowledge, while these are outwardly more transcendent in their account. In meaning all are equal in declaring the Real transcendent. God grants success.
Part Ninety-Nine ends. It is followed by Part One Hundred, Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-One: On Leaving Gratitude.
Notes
Translator’s note TN4123-1: The two views differ over which later blessings count as recompense for gratitude. The realized require correspondence with the thanked-for blessing and classify other gifts as fresh favour; the alternative treats any following blessing as the promised increase.
