That we must not receive the visitations of our Lord in vain.
Agreeable unto this foresaid advice we will give an other very like unto it: which is, that when our soul is visited either in prayer, or out of prayer, with any special visitation of our Lord, we suffer it not to pass away in vain, but take the commodity and benefit of that occasion, that is offered unto us. For certain it is, that with this wind a man shall sail more in one hour, than without it in many days. For as St. Peter took more abundance of fish at that one draught when our Savior commanded him to cast in his net, than he had done in all the whole night before: even so doth it happen unto us often times in this heavenly fishing, in case we know how to help ourselves by taking benefit of the opportunities, and occasions, that be offered unto us therein. And therefore for good cause are we advised by Ecclesiasticus, saying: Omit not to enjoy the good day that God sendeth thee, and suffer not the least part of his good gift to pass away without taking benefit thereof.
Opportunity is of great force, and helpeth much in all things, and more in this exercise of prayer than in any other. For herein it seemeth, as it were, that the Angel descendeth to move the water of the fishpond, and to give it virtue to heal. Or else to speak more plainly to this purpose, it is as it were the descending of almighty God to draw at the plough with a man, and to help him in his labor: whose help is more profitable, and available, than all the industry and diligence in the world. The mariner when he seeth that the time serveth him well to get out of the haven, forthwith he draweth up his anchors, and hoiseth up his sail, and stayeth not any longer, for fear of loosing that good opportunity, which the time offereth unto him. The like ought all spiritual persons to do when they receive any visitations from our Lord in their prayer, and meditation: and their diligence should be so much the greater, by how much this exercise of meditation is greater, and this divine blast more necessary for prayer, than that for navigation.
And so we read that the blessed holy religious father St. Francis did, of whom St. Bonaventure writeth, that he had such a special care of this point, that in case our Lord did visit him with any special visitation while he was traveling by the way, he caused his companions to go before, and he stayed alone behind, until he had made an end of chewing and digesting that sweet morsel, that was there sent unto him from heaven. Whosoever they be that do not well observe this point, are wont commonly to be chastised with this punishment, that they find not almighty God when they seek him, because he found not them when he sought for them.
These be the principal advices, that are to be observed in the exercise of mediation and in every of the other parts that do accompany the same, in case we mind fully to accomplish this business, and not to leave it in the mid way. Now it shall do well that we make haste to proceed forwards to treat of the rest, and so to bring this first part to an end, which perhaps hath been longer, than is requisite.
OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION 