principal master of this science is God Himself, yet it is also a help to have a visible tutor that may direct him, and to take time to learn and practise what he shall teach.
iii. The third occasion is, when one desires to take some state of life, and doubts which were fittest for him to choose for his salvation and perfection; — or when he desires to begin any great enterprise in the service of God, and stands in doubt of our Lord's will and pleasure therein;— or, being assured of it, he desires to enter with good footing, and to prepare himself with prayer, imploring God's favour to have good success therein; — in such cases, it is very convenient to take some time of retirement, as Christ our Lord, before He began to preach, retired Himself forty days into the desert. [1]
iv. The fourth occasion is, when those that use this mental prayer perceive themselves cold, distracted, and dry in it, and, besides, find themselves very slack in matters of divine service. In these cases, the most effectual means to renew themselves and to re-enter into their former fervour is to dedicate eight days to these meditations, spending therein the greatest part of the day; and as this slackness ordinarily enters by little and little into all, it is good once every year to re-collect one's self some eight days to this end.
v. Finally, although a man find no slackness, yet it is good now and then to give himself an abundance and fulness of God, so to increase in His love and to excel the more in His service, as many saints were accustomed to do, who by this means attained to very high degrees of sanctity.
2. As for the ordinary time, there can no general rule be given for all; for this time must be measured by the health and ability, by the state and office, and by the necessary obligations and occupations of every man. But all this considered, the more time that may be employed in this exercise without being wanting to the things above mentioned, the
- ↑ Matt. iv. 2.
