the_o business_n of_o their_o salvation_n why_o shall_v they_o not_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n reflect_v upon_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a and_o a_o furtherance_n to_o they_o and_o upon_o what_o stand_v in_o their_o way_n and_o hinder_v '_o they_o why_o shall_v they_o not_o examine_v well_o the_o state_n of_o their_o soul_n how_o it_o be_v dispose_v and_o incline_v and_o consider_v what_o they_o ought_v to_o pursue_v and_o what_o avoid_v this_o be_v all_o we_o call_v meditation_n and_o be_v it_o not_o what_o all_o the_o world_n practice_n §._o 2._o show_v far_o and_o more_o particular_o how_o easy_a it_o be_v to_o meditate_v by_o explicate_v the_o method_n that_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o meditation_n to_o descend_v to_o particular_n and_o prove_v how_o easy_a it_o be_v to_o meditate_v we_o must_v suppose_v that_o meditation_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o three_o faculty_n of_o our_o soul_n our_o memory_n understanding_n and_o will_n which_o we_o apply_v to_o consider_v christian_a truth_n and_o whatsoever_o may_v concern_v our_o eternal_a salvation_n after_o we_o have_v put_v ourselves_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o almighty_a god_n by_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n whereby_o we_o know_v and_o believe_v he_o be_v every_o where_o and_o after_o we_o have_v first_o adore_v that_o sovereign_a majesty_n with_o who_o we_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o treat_v in_o our_o prayer_n say_v with_o abraham_n how_o dare_v i_o speak_v to_o my_o god_n i_o that_o be_o but_o dust_n and_o ash_n and_o after_o we_o have_v make_v a_o act_n of_o contrition_n to_o cleanse_v ourselves_o from_o our_o sin_n which_o be_v great_a obstacle_n in_o our_o communication_n with_o god_n have_v first_o beg_v of_o he_o to_o assist_v we_o with_o the_o light_n of_o his_o grace_n necessary_a for_o our_o meditation_n that_o our_o soul_n may_v reap_v benefit_n thereby_o we_o must_v apply_v our_o memory_n to_o call_v to_o mind_v that_o christian_a truth_n or_o mystery_n upon_o which_o we_o intend_v to_o meditate_v and_o think_v of_o it_o serious_o and_o with_o the_o best_a attention_n we_o be_v able_a this_o be_v the_o proper_a excrcise_n of_o our_o memory_n how_o little_a capacity_n soever_o we_o have_v it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a but_o some_o reflection_n will_v arise_v and_o present_v themselves_o to_o we_o concern_v that_o verity_n we_o meditate_v upon_o and_o one_o reflection_n be_v sufficient_a to_o entertain_v we_o if_o we_o endeavour_v to_o taste_v and_o penetrate_v it_o well_o from_o whence_o there_o will_v natural_o follow_v a_o look_a back_n upon_o ourselves_o which_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o second_o reflection_n whereby_o we_o apply_v to_o ourselves_o that_o truth_n we_o before_o consider_v in_o order_n to_o draw_v from_o thence_o some_o conclusion_n for_o the_o reform_v and_o better_o regulate_v our_o manner_n and_o way_n of_o live_v thus_o we_o exercise_v our_o understanding_n our_o understanding_n have_v make_v this_o discourse_n and_o receive_v this_o light_n it_o can_v be_v but_o the_o will_n must_v feel_v several_a motion_n according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o object_n and_o reflection_n that_o have_v occur_v to_o we_o for_o if_o those_o object_n be_v in_o themselves_o great_a and_o lovely_a they_o will_v raise_v in_o our_o will_n love_n admiration_n gratitude_n desire_n hope_v and_o joy_n if_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o terrible_a they_o will_v produce_v in_o our_o heart_n fear_v aversion_n horror_n confusion_n sorrow_n and_o repentance_n in_o which_o act_n consist_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o will._n this_o be_v the_o method_n of_o prayer_n which_o saint_n ignace_n have_v teach_v we_o in_o his_o exercise_n a_o method_n both_o solid_a and_o easy_a approve_v by_o the_o sea_n apostolic_a and_o practise_v by_o so_o many_o holy_a man_n whereby_o virtuous_a soul_n have_v find_v very_o great_a benefit_n tho'_o the_o half_a witted_a and_o malicious_a have_v endeavour_v to_o cry_v it_o down_o but_o can_v no_o more_o prevail_v than_o those_o phanatiques_n and_o other_o visionary_a mystiques_n who_o will_v have_v it_o undervalued_a as_o if_o it_o be_v below_o those_o great_a and_o elevate_a soul_n who_o god_n call_v to_o contemplation_n to_o practice_v it_o for_o all_o spiritual_a and_o experience_a person_n grant_v that_o this_o manner_n of_o prayer_n can_v lead_v or_o dispose_v we_o to_o a_o empty_a dream_a contemplation_n which_o by_o sad_a experience_n in_o these_o latter_a day_n be_v find_v subject_n to_o very_o great_a illusion_n no_o less_o extravagant_a than_o dangerous_a but_o to_o a_o solid_a contemplation_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o a_o continual_a mortify_n of_o self_n love_n our_o own_o will_n passion_n and_o sense_n to_o which_o this_o method_n of_o bless_a saint_n ignace_n insensible_o conduct_n those_o pious_a soul_n that_o be_v punctual_a in_o observe_v and_o follow_v his_o method_n chap._n iu._n show_v how_o to_o practise_v mental_a prayer_n to_o reduce_v this_o method_n we_o have_v explicate_v into_o practice_n and_o render_v it_o easy_a for_o all_o person_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o give_v some_o example_n upon_o the_o different_a subject_n of_o meditation_n all_o the_o suject_n upon_o which_o we_o be_v to_o meditate_v may_v be_v reduce_v to_o seven_o head_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o history_n of_o holy_a scripture_n as_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o angel_n the_o sin_n of_o adam_n the_o conversion_n of_o saint_n mary_n magdalen_n second_o moral_a and_o christian_a verity_n as_o those_o which_o set_v four_o the_o importance_n of_o our_o etèrnal_a salvation_n the_o necessity_n of_o repentance_n the_o certitude_n of_o death_n and_o the_o incertitude_n of_o the_o time_n three_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o bless_a savior_n life_n upon_o earth_n as_o his_o incarnation_n nativity_n and_o passion_n four_o such_o maxim_n of_o the_o holy_a gospel_n as_o this_o if_o any_o man_n will_v come_v after_o i_o let_v he_o deny_v himself_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v i_o five_o the_o parable_n in_o the_o gospel_n as_o that_o of_o the_o barren_a figtree_n six_o the_o action_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o his_o wash_v the_o foot_n of_o the_o apostle_n seven_o the_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n of_o almighty_a god_n as_o his_o immensity_n infinite_a power_n mercy_n and_o goodness_n etc._n etc._n §._o 1._o the_o application_n of_o the_o method_n we_o have_v already_o explicate_v to_o some_o historical_a passage_n in_o holy_a scripture_n as_o for_o example_n to_o that_o of_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o angel_n the_o exercise_n of_o our_o memory_n call_v to_o mind_n that_o the_o angel_n be_v create_v by_o almighty_a god_n in_o a_o state_n of_o great_a perfection_n instead_o of_o attribute_v the_o happiness_n they_o enjoy_v to_o he_o from_o who_o they_o have_v receive_v it_o and_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o their_o last_o end_n whereby_o together_o with_o their_o fidelity_n and_o submission_n they_o merit_v that_o infinite_a happiness_n for_o which_o they_o be_v destine_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o a_o most_o ungrateful_a and_o criminal_a vanity_n imagine_v they_o be_v rich_a and_o powerful_a enough_o of_o themselves_o without_o depend_v upon_o almighty_a god_n or_o consider_v he_o as_o their_o last_o end_n and_o only_a felicity_n which_o oblige_v god_n to_o punish_v they_o â—_o ride_v by_o cast_v they_o headlong_o into_o hell_n there_o to_o glorify_v his_o justice_n by_o their_o eternal_a pain_n since_o they_o will_v not_o glorify_v his_o goodness_n and_o power_n by_o submit_v themselves_o willing_o to_o his_o holy_a and_o divine_a law_n the_o exercise_n of_o our_o understanding_n or_o reflection_n upon_o this_o history_n mortal_a sin_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o horrible_a and_o detestable_a in_o god_n sight_n since_o he_o who_o be_v all_o wisdom_n goodness_n and_o mercy_n punish_v by_o so_o grievous_a and_o infinite_a pain_n so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o such_o excellent_a creature_n as_o the_o angel_n be_v for_o one_o mortal_a sin_n and_o that_o only_a in_o thought_n and_o but_o of_o one_o moment_n duration_n the_o application_n of_o this_o reflection_n or_o the_o return_n and_o look_v back_o upon_o ourselves_o if_o god_n have_v with_o so_o great_a severity_n punish_v the_o angel_n that_o be_v capable_a 〈◊〉_d procure_v he_o so_o much_o glory_n how_o can_v i_o hope_v that_o he_o will_v treat_v i_o more_o favourable_o i_o who_o be_o so_o miserable_a and_o poor_a a_o creature_n guilty_a of_o so_o many_o and_o such_o grievous_a sin_n as_o from_o time_n to_o time_n i_o have_v heap_v together_o the_o least_o of_o which_o deserve_v eternal_a torment_n the_o exercise_n of_o the_o will._n the_o motion_n of_o the_o will_n that_o natural_o arise_v from_o this_o reflection_n be_v first_o that_o of_o astonishment_n to_o see_v so_o great_a severity_n use_v towards_o the_o angel_n and_o so_o great_a mercy_n and_o patienâ—â—_n towards_o i_o second_o of_o
the_o method_n of_o mental_a prayer_n render_v practical_a and_o easy_a for_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n compose_v in_o french_a by_o r._n f._n francis_n nephew_n s._n j._n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o method_n how_o to_o offer_v up_o mass_n according_a to_o the_o four_o end_n of_o this_o sacrifice_n london_n print_v by_o thomas_n hales_n 1694._o the_o advertisement_n to_o the_o reader_n nothing_o have_v take_v so_o much_o place_n nor_o sink_v so_o deep_a into_o the_o mind_n and_o opinion_n of_o most_o man_n as_o the_o groundless_a prejudice_n they_o entertian_n against_o mental_a prayer_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v so_o great_a a_o hindrance_n to_o their_o devotion_n at_o this_o unlucky_a and_o mistake_a prevention_n which_o fright_v most_o people_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o so_o holy_a profitable_a and_o withal_o so_o necessary_a a_o exercise_n the_o very_a name_n of_o mental_a prayer_n make_v most_o people_n afraid_a some_o out_o of_o a_o foolish_a modesty_n and_o show_v of_o humility_n persuade_v themselves_o that_o this_o kind_n of_o prayer_n be_v only_o proper_a for_o soul_n that_o be_v already_o perfect_a that_o one_o must_v have_v great_a wit_n and_o learning_n or_o else_o a_o very_a particular_a grace_n a_o call_n from_o god_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a great_a presumption_n in_o they_o to_o attempt_v this_o exercise_n other_o by_o a_o more_o gross_a illusion_n look_v upon_o the_o duty_n and_o practice_n of_o meditation_n as_o a_o thing_n very_o incompatible_a with_o the_o care_n which_o they_o must_v take_v of_o their_o affair_n or_o with_o their_o quality_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o converse_v much_o in_o the_o world_n where_o their_o many_o civil_a and_o necessary_a duty_n do_v not_o afford_v they_o leisure_n to_o attend_v to_o meditation_n which_o they_o conceive_v to_o be_v a_o employment_n that_o only_o become_v religion_n person_n and_o such_o as_o live_v retire_v and_o separate_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v some_o other_o that_o be_v still_o blind_a and_o more_o unjust_a also_o than_o these_o who_o look_v upon_o meditation_n as_o a_o idle_a employment_n in_o vogue_n only_o among_o silly_a devotee_n and_o weak_a simple_a soul_n and_o be_v please_v to_o make_v it_o the_o ordinary_a subject_n of_o their_o mirth_n and_o raillery_n so_o that_o many_o time_n such_o secular_a person_n as_o be_v addict_v to_o mental_a prayer_n be_v oblige_v out_o of_o discretion_n or_o for_o fear_n of_o be_v laugh_v at_o rather_o to_o conceal_v its_o practice_n than_o expose_v themselves_o to_o their_o censure_n and_o mockery_n infine_v some_o other_o less_o unreasonable_a than_o the_o former_a yet_o not_o less_o to_o be_v pity_v tho'_o they_o understand_v and_o apprehend_v very_o well_o the_o great_a benefit_n of_o meditation_n and_o be_v convince_v â—hat_n â—hey_n may_v reap_v greaâ—_n advantage_n some_o so_o holy_a a_o exercise_n can_v they_o but_o serious_o apply_v themselves_o to_o it_o yet_o either_o their_o apprehension_n of_o occur_v difficulty_n hinder_v they_o from_o venture_v upon_o any_o trial_n at_o all_o or_o the_o little_a trouble_n they_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o beginning_n dishearten_v they_o from_o that_o perseverance_n in_o it_o as_o will_v afford_v they_o comfort_v it_o be_v in_o order_n to_o disabuse_v all_o such_o as_o be_v seduce_v and_o deceive_v by_o these_o groundless_a dangerous_a and_o common_a error_n that_o i_o undertake_v first_o to_o prove_v by_o strong_a plain_a and_o evident_a reason_n how_o necessary_a meditation_n be_v for_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n second_o that_o i_o endeavour_v to_o make_v they_o understand_v how_o easy_a it_o be_v for_o they_o to_o meditate_v by_o propose_v so_o plain_a and_o easy_a a_o method_n that_o i_o dare_v undertake_v that_o whoever_o will_v lay_v aside_o the_o prejudice_n he_o have_v already_o conceive_v against_o it_o or_o for_o a_o while_o suspend_v it_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v none_o of_o so_o mean_v a_o capacity_n nor_o so_o engage_v in_o business_n or_o worldly_a affair_n but_o may_v easy_o if_o they_o will_v daily_o make_v their_o meditation_n and_o therefore_o that_o all_o person_n ought_v to_o do_v so_o when_o i_o have_v once_o explicate_v this_o easy_a method_n of_o prayer_n i_o shall_v add_v the_o rule_n necessary_a to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o and_o give_v example_n upon_o all_o the_o different_a subject_n of_o meditation_n whereby_o i_o shall_v reduce_v the_o method_n into_o practice_n and_o teach_v the_o manner_n how_o to_o observe_v all_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v for_o it_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n notwithstanding_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o i_o pretend_v not_o here_o to_o write_v a_o formal_a treatise_n of_o mental_a prayer_n which_o will_v be_v very_o unnecessary_a consider_v the_o many_o excellent_a treatise_n already_o write_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o age_n upon_o that_o subject_a but_o that_o my_o only_a design_n be_v to_o intru_v and_o assist_v those_o that_o desire_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o retreat_n who_o not_o be_v use_v to_o mental_a prayer_n find_v themselves_o in_o the_o begin_n at_o some_o loss_n they_o be_v yet_o ignorant_a how_o to_o apply_v their_o mind_n to_o meditation_n which_o be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o chief_a business_n of_o a_o retreat_n wherefore_o when_o i_o have_v let_v they_o evident_o see_v how_o profitable_a and_o necessery_n meditation_n be_v i_o doubt_v not_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o easiness_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n make_v they_o master_n of_o this_o holy_a art_n by_o teach_v they_o a_o short_a and_o easy_a manner_n how_o to_o meditate_v and_o lay_v before_o they_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o upon_o such_o different_a subject_n as_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o matter_n of_o meditation_n so_o that_o by_o one_o hour_n read_v they_o may_v be_v sufficient_o inform_v of_o the_o manner_n how_o to_o make_v their_o meditation_n well_o and_o afterward_o with_o very_o little_a pain_n may_v put_v their_o knowledge_n into_o practice_n but_o tho'_o i_o have_v at_o first_o nothing_o else_o in_o prospect_n but_o by_o this_o small_a treatise_n to_o help_v those_o that_o desire_v to_o enter_v into_o retreat_n yet_o now_o i_o hope_v it_o may_v become_v also_o very_o useful_a to_o such_o as_o be_v inspire_v with_o a_o sincere_a desire_n of_o work_v their_o own_o salvation_n and_o that_o they_o may_v accomplish_v that_o great_a work_n with_o less_o difficulty_n and_o great_a security_n be_v desirous_a to_o make_v use_n of_o so_o excellent_a and_o necessary_a a_o mean_n as_o meditation_n be_v experience_v to_o be_v to_o so_o profitable_a a_o end_n a_o easy_a method_n for_o mental_a prayer_n reduce_v to_o practice_n chap._n 1._o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o meditation_n a_o man_n will_v think_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o explicate_v only_o what_o we_o mean_v by_o meditation_n to_o convince_v those_o that_o be_v the_o most_o prepossessed_a with_o prejudice_n against_o this_o holy_a exercise_n that_o it_o be_v moral_o necessary_a for_o all_o that_o efficacious_o intend_v to_o save_v their_o soul_n for_o by_o meditation_n we_o mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o serious_a reflection_n upon_o the_o maxim_n of_o the_o holy_a gospel_n upon_o the_o great_a and_o save_a truth_n of_o our_o faith_n upon_o our_o duty_n towards_o almighty_a god_n upon_o the_o best_a mean_n that_o may_v facilitate_v and_o secure_v our_o happiness_n or_o upon_o the_o obstacle_n that_o may_v retard_v or_o hinder_v our_o eternal_a felicity_n which_o reflection_n natural_o produce_v those_o good_a and_o pious_a desire_n holy_a affection_n and_o such_o sincere_a and_o efficacious_a resolution_n as_o reduce_v those_o good_a desire_n into_o practice_n and_o move_v we_o to_o put_v in_o execution_n all_o our_o good_a design_n by_o make_v use_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o by_o our_o reflection_n we_o find_v capable_a of_o further_a we_o in_o the_o work_n of_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o of_o help_v we_o to_o overcome_v whatever_o obstacle_n oppose_v it_o all_o the_o holy_a father_n suppose_v this_o great_a truth_n that_o meditation_n or_o a_o consideration_n and_o serious_a reflection_n be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n and_o have_v always_o admit_v this_o for_o a_o fundamental_a maxim_n in_o christian_a morality_n it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o saint_n chrysostom_n and_o saint_n austin_n who_o both_o assure_v we_o that_o a_o serious_a consideration_n and_o reflection_n be_v the_o first_o principal_a and_o foundation_n of_o all_o good_a action_n and_o saint_n bernard_n prove_v that_o prayer_n and_o meditation_n be_v of_o equal_a necessity_n for_o meditation_n say_v he_o discovers_z what_o we_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o and_o prayer_n obtain_v from_o almighty_a god_n whatever_o we_o want_v the_o one_o show_v we_o the_o way_n and_o the_o other_o bring_v
we_o to_o our_o journey_n end_n meditation_n discover_v the_o danger_n that_o encompass_v we_o and_o prayer_n guard_v we_o very_o safe_o through_o '_o they_o and_o it_o be_v to_o show_v we_o the_o great_a necessity_n of_o meditation_n that_o this_o great_a saint_n so_o well_o verse_v in_o all_o spiritual_a concern_v compose_v that_o admirable_a book_n of_o consideration_n he_o dedicate_v to_o pope_n engenius_fw-la but_o not_o to_o insist_v upon_o bare_a authority_n i_o will_v give_v the_o reason_n upon_o which_o this_o general_a opinion_n and_o consent_n of_o all_o the_o father_n be_v ground_v which_o will_v also_o serve_v to_o remove_v all_o the_o prejudice_n that_o any_o well_o meaning_n christian_n can_v have_v against_o meditation_n the_o first_o reason_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o be_v save_v without_o know_v god_n neither_o be_v a_o slight_a superficial_a knowledge_n of_o he_o sufficient_a but_o so_o lively_a and_o penetrate_a a_o knowledge_n as_o be_v full_a of_o 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