thing, but that we may occupy ourselves therein, omitting till some other time that which before we had premeditated, because divine impulsion or moving is the principal cause of this work which we are to follow, provided, however, that it proceed not from lightness of mind nor instability of heart, to jump from one matter into another without sufficient cause. This being premised, before we begin meditation we are to do these things following.
1 . First, we are to lift up our heart and the faculties of our soul to God our Lord, beholding Him as He is there present with an interior, attentive, reverend, and loving regard; since if a man is to speak with a prince, it is necessary that he go to his palace, or to the place where he is, and present himself before him; for with one that is absent we cannot speak; and seeing God is present in heaven, and in earth, and in every place, assisting all and beholding all, when I am about to pray, and to speak to Him, I need not go to seek Him in any other place, but to quicken my faith, and to behold how He is there present, persuading myself that when I pray I am not alone, but that there is also with me the most holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to whom I speak, who sees me and hears me, and is accustomed to answer within my heart, with inspirations and illuminations, communicating the light of truth to the understanding, and fervent affections of devotion to the will, and infusing gifts and virtues, and other graces, into the soul, as has been said before.
Sometimes I may behold God as he is round about me encompassing me on every side, and myself within Him, as the fishes are within the sea. At other times I may behold Him as he is within me by essence, presence, and power, knowing what I do, and aiding me to do it. And in this manner is fulfilled the saying of our Lord Christ, " When thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber," that is, into thy
