Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/59

 Moses to  the  tabernacle  to ask  counsel  of  the  Lord. It is in  vain  for  you  to  rise  before the  dawn,  O sons  of  men! Never, till  the  Sun  of  Justice, invoked in  prayer,  has  shone upon you,  will  you  rise  in  good time to  labour.

Man. Oh, that  thou  wouldst impress effectually  on  my heart,  O Lord,  the  wholesome words which  thou  soundest so patiently  in  my  ears! I understand thy  advice  and thy commands,  teach  me  also to do  thy  will,  that  nothing may hinder  me  from  praying always; so  will  I bless  the Lord at  all  times,  his  praise shall be  always  in  my  mouth. Oh, that  my  will  were  in  thy law, that  it  might  be  my  delight to  meditate  in  it  day  and night. There is  not  a moment but we  enjoy  thy  benefits,  it is,  therefore,  but  just,  that not a moment  should  escape thy praise. Accordingly, thy Apostle counsels  us  to  pray without ceasing,  and  thou thyself, the  eternal  truth,  hast said, that  we  ought  always  to pray, and  not  to  faint.

§ 6. ''Confidence  and  resignation in  prayer. ''

Christ. Thou knowest these things,  my  son,  happy art thou  if  thou  do  them. Be not like  a servant  who  knows his Lord’s  will,  but  does  it not. Call to  mind  all  the  motives and  incitements,  the  admonitions, the  examples,  and parables I have  set  forth,  in order  to  persuade  you  to  constancy, frequency,  confidence, and perseverance  in  prayer. Surely he  must  be  very  ready to give  who  urges  thee  so  much to ask. Think of  the  woman of Canaan,  who  prayed  with such constancy,  and  who  was at length  heard  after  many repulses. Think too  of  him who knocked  at  his  friend’s door by  night,  and  did  not leave off  till  he  had  obtained what he  wanted. Think too of the  judge  who  feared  neither God  nor  man,  and  who, nevertheless, undertook  the cause of  the  widow  who  entreated him  with  so  much  importunity.

But if  my  gifts  and  benefits are now  but  seldom  bestowed upon you,  lay  it  to  your  own door. The hand  of  the  Lord is not  shortened  to  exercise his mercy  towards  you,  but it is  you  who  render  yourselves unworthy  and  incapable of  receiving  it,  while you ask  in  a way  so  unbecoming. For though  you  do sometimes  approach  me,  still this is  done  faintly,  as  though you did  not  care  to  receive, neither do  you  pray  with  becoming faith; and  if  I do  not instantly grant  what  you  seek, you cast  away  all  courage,  you forsake prayer,  you  speak  ill of me,  and  even  suspect  me. And then  perverse  thoughts of my  goodness  rise  up  into your hearts,  as  though  I moved above  the  poles  of  heaven, and would  not  consider  your