A
GOLDEN TREATISE
OF
MENTAL PRAYER
COMPOSED BY THE REVEREND AND HOLY FATHER FR. PETER DE ALCANTARA, OF THE SERAPHICAL ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS.
CHAPTER I.
In this Chapter we will briefly set down the fruit of prayer and meditation, that men considering the benefit of them, may be incited with a prompt and more willing mind to frequent these holy exercises.
It is most certain, that the malice of our own hearts, is the principal cause that hindereth us from attaining to our beatitude and everlasting happiness, because it maketh us slow to godly actions, dull to virtuous exercises, and suggesteth a greater difficulty in them than there is, which if it were not, a man might walk without any molestation in the way of virtue, and at length without labor attain to his desired end. Hence, it is, that the Apostle saith: "I am delighted with the law of God according to
