viate without a fault. That, therefore, she be not too immoderate in her exercise, we must know that devotion is never to be expressed with the violence of our arms, as some do think, who with constrained sorrow, do wring out tears and commiseration, while they consider the torments of Jesus Christ; for this doth rather dry the heart, than make it capable of divine visitations (as Cassianus doth excellently teach): moreover, this extraordinary force doth often hurt the body, and by reason of the burthen which this violence bringeth with it, the mind is left so nauseous, that it feareth to return again to these exercises. When experience teacheth that it is the cause of so much trouble, he, therefore, that will fruitfully meditate upon the passion of Christ, let him not be too anxious for sensible commiseration, but let it suffice that he exhibiteth himself present to his sufferings, beholding them with a simple and quiet eye, and considering them with a tender compassionate heart, rather disposed to entertain that affection which Almighty God's mercy shall suggest, than that which shall be wrung out with violence; which, when he hath done, let him not be solicitous nor sorrowful what other things God doth deny or will not give.
THE FOURTH DOCUMENT.
Hence we may gather what attention is to be observed in prayer; wherefore, the heart
