longer portions should not be divided. Or else, since in the Paradise, as at an elegant repast, there are various dishes served up, each may choose what is most to his taste. For here too, as elsewhere, much in substance is better than much in quantity. But let us close our Introduction with the words of S. Augustine. He says, —
To pray long is not , as some suppose , to pray with much speaking. A quantity of words is one thing, continuance in affection is another. For it is written of the Lord himself that he passed the whole night in prayer and that he prayed very long; all which was to give us an example how seasonable is the prayer that is made in time, of which the Father is the eternal hearer. For prayer should be free from much speaking, yet not from much praying, if the intention continue fervent. For to speak much in prayer is to express a necessity in a superfluity of words. But to pray much is to knock to him to whom we pray with a lasting and holy energy of heart, a work that is better performed with groans than with speeches, with weeping than with words.
PREPARATORY PRAYER,
THAT MAY BE USED PROFITABLY BEFORE ANOTHER PRAYER.
Almighty and everlasting God, I, an unworthy sinner but the work of thy hands, come before thy presence to praise thee, because thou art my God, my Lord, my Creator, my Saviour, and my Preserver; who alone, I know, canst bestow gifts profitable to my own and my neighbour’s salvation, because thou art supremely powerful; nor can I doubt thy will, because thou art supremely good: to whom all creatures in heaven and earth owe praise, and can never praise as thou meritest to be praised.
But, wretch that I am, bow unworthy, alas! and unprepared, from the countless number of my sins, do I come to pray to thee! From the bottom of my heart I am sorry that I have ever offended thee, my God, who art supremely good, whom I ought to have praised and loved above all things.
But thou, of thy mercy, make me worthy, and cleanse me from all my iniquities with the precious Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ my Saviour. Deliver also my heart from all vain, hurtful, and absent thoughts, that I may be able to adore and praise thee in spirit and in truth, and obtain what
