V. Collect thy thoughts often in the course of thy prayer. Renew very frequently thy recollection of the divine Presence. Prayer (that is, vocal prayer, especially if framed by another) should be, as it were, sprinkled and seasoned from time to time with some mental address of thy own, that it may speak of itself to God, and also may treat with God, standing alone, as it were, without the support of another. This is to be done by eliciting affections in unison with the selection of words or of sentences, as of faith, hope, charity, contrition, gratitude, humility, &c.
VI. Lastly, do not forget to go away from prayer with reverence. If admitted by thy Sovereign to a conference on an affair of thy own, how rude and unbecoming would it be, if, after laying it before him, thou wert instantly to turn thy back upon him and depart, without showing any mark of gratitude or of respect!
Examine, therefore, briefly, the issue of thy prayer. Be sorry and ask pardon for its defects, offer and commend humbly to God thy service, imperfect though it be, that it may please him, through the merits of his Son Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the Saints, and this for the intention or object proposed at the beginning. All this, for which some form will be given below, may be briefly and readily accomplished.
This is the method of praying rightly and profitably, or of using the forms of prayer prescribed in the Paradise or elsewhere; which, if thou observe not, good reader, I myself will also be ready to admit that vocal prayer is dry and devoid of spiritual fruit and devotion; and that thus is verified the complaint of the Prophet, that you eat , but have not enough; you drink , but are not filled with drink; you sow much , and bring in little , &c.
I will not deny that prayers read from books have the disadvantage that is to be expected where there is the deficiency above mentioned of earnestness in prayer; that they often fail to harmonise with the particular feelings or wants of the person who reads them. Thus the words may express compunction, love of God and our neighbour, zeal for the divine Law, detestation of covetousness, &c., as when is said, for instance: Lord, my heart is not exalted , nor are my eyes lofty. And again, Oh, how have I loved thy law , O Lord; it is my meditation all the day . Therefore have I loved thy commandments above gold and the topaz, &c. Incline my heart to thy testimonies , and not to covetousness .s And yet
