Page:Mahometanism in its relation to prophecy - or, an inquiry into the prophecies concerning antichrist, with some reference to their bearing on the events of the present day (IA mahometanisminit00philrich).pdf/152

 days of the Church's first love: "Look upon the lively example of the holy fathers, in whom shone real perfection and the religious life, and thou wilt see how little it is and almost nothing that we do! Alas! what is our life, if it be compared with theirs! Saints and friends of Christ, they served our Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, labour and weariness, in watchings and fastings, in prayers and holy meditations, in frequent persecutions and reproaches. Oh! what a strict and self-renouncing life the holy fathers of the desert led! what long and grievous temptations did they bear! how often were they harassed by the enemy! what frequent and fervent prayers did they offer up to God! what rigorous abstinence did they practise! what great zeal and fervour had they for spiritual progress! what a valiant conflict did they wage to subdue their imperfections! what purity and straightforwardness of purpose did they keep towards God! By day they laboured, and a great part of the night they spent in prayer; and even while they laboured they ceased not to pray in spirit. They spent all their time profitably; the hours seemed too short to spend with God; and even their needful refection of the body was forgotten in the great sweetness