and ills thou art exposed in the way wherein thou walkest, before thou reachest to the goal. Art thou not sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death? Art thou not walking in the midst of snares? Turn thee whithersoever thou wilt, whether to the right hand or to the left, everywhere are enemies and snares; fightings without, fears within. The devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. The whole world, seated in wickedness, allures but to deceive; the flesh, thy household foe, more dangerous than all, flatters but to corrupt. The creatures, which ought to be thy steps of ascent to the Creator, are made a snare for the feet of the unwise. Thy very senses are doors and windows by which death enters into thy soul.
Man. Too often, O Lord, have I found what thou sayest to be true: what wonder, then, if I too exclaim, Unhappy man that I am, who will deliver me from the body of this death? Whither shall I turn in the midst of so many dangers? What shall I do, that my feet may be guided into the way of peace and safety, that I may not be lost, but come securely to the goal, to thee, my God, who art my sovereign good? I am perplexed on every Side, but I know not what I ought to do; I have no resource left but to lift up my eyes to thee in heaven, from whence cometh my help.
Christ. This is what I would have thee convinced of above all things, that thou mayest understand how necessary for thee is serious and frequent prayer. Call on me, therefore, in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. In vain is the net spread before the eyes of the winged ones, of those who build their nest in the heavens, and in spirit fly thither from the earth. For they who dwell under the defence of the Most High abide securely under the protection of the God of heaven. Dost thou think thyself safe while thou trustest to thy own skill, and makest flesh thy arm? The thoughts of men are fearful, and their counsels uncertain. Without me you can do nothing; for it is I who give the will, the power, and the deed.
They who, without prayer, have ventured on great things, or attempted to effect the thoughts and purposes of their hearts, have been brought to nothing, and been confounded. They have woven spiders’ webs; they have been like a garden without water, and like the ashes of tow. But look at the man that is given to prayer. He shall be like a tree planted by the waterside; all his works shall prosper. Search the
