springs that devotion which comprehends three sorts of affections corresponding to them in the will. [1]
4. Some affections concern himself; confounding himself for his sins and want of zeal, being exceedingly sorrowful for them, purposing amendment, and humbling himself for that instead of fruit he has brought forth nothing but sin. Others concern Christ our Lord; compassionating His afflictions, rejoicing in His virtues, desiring in them to imitate Him, and asking His grace to that end. Others concern God our Lord, admiring His greatness, praising Him for it, giving Him thanks for the benefits He has done us, and offering ourselves very sincerely to serve Him in return for them, mingling with this petitions of celestial graces and gifts for himself, and for the whole Church, and for his neighbours, particularising those things of which he has greatest necessity.
5. This presupposed, any person whatsoever desirous to use mental prayer, however weak he be, may put himself in the presence of the living God, whom he has near him and within him; and renewing the knowledge which he has by faith of the three things aforesaid, may quietly exercise the affections corresponding to them, sometimes confessing to God all his miseries one by one, with affections of grief and humiliation, and desiring remedy of them — sometimes calling to memory the virtues resplendent in some mystery of Christ our Lord, His humility, obedience and patience, with affections and desires to imitate them — at other times recounting the benefits he has received of God, with affections of thanksgiving; or remembering the infinite perfections of God, His bounty, mercy and providence, with affections of prayer and joy. And these affections by God's favour will be drawn forth without any difficulty; for the mysteries and verities of our faith are like flint-stones, which, in touch-
- ↑ 2 2, q. lxxxii., art. 8.
