to suffer any grievous and burdensome cross whatsoever it be, yea to shed their blood for his sake. To conclude, prayer is a bath, an open place, a bed of pleasure, wherein the soul recreateth and refresheth herself.
If you ask me what be the chiefest means to attain unto this heroical virtue of devotion, I answer with the same Doctor, that it is gotten by serious meditation, and contemplation of heavenly things. For the ruminating of these in the soul, with a more attentive and profound consideration, doth beget in the will that disposition which we call devotion, which effectually rouseth and pricketh a man forward to every good work. For this cause, the exercise of prayer and meditation was frequent and familiar to men of sanctity, as judging it the easiest means to compass devotion, which, although it be but one only simple virtue, yet it disposeth, and maketh us fit for all others, and as it were with spurs pricketh us forward to the performance of every good work.
I call St. Bonaventure to witness what I say: his words are these.[1] The inestimable virtue of prayer is able to obtain all good, and remove all hurtful things. If thou wilt patiently endure adversity, be a man of prayer. If thou wilt overcome tribulation and tempta-
- ↑ Bonaventure in the Meditation of the life of Christ, cap. 73.
