THAT WE MUST ENDEAVOR to have a long and profound prayer, and great abundance of devotion.
An other advice there is not much differing from this aforesaid, nor of less necessity than it: which is, that the servant of God do not content himself with every little taste he findeth in his prayer, as some persons use to do, who when they shed a few tears, or feel a little tenderness of heart, persuade themselves forthwith that they have then accomplished and performed their exercise. But surely this is not enough for the obtaining of that thing, which we here seek to have. For like as a little dew, or sprinkling of water is not sufficient to cause the earth to bring forth fruit, (which doth no more but only allay the dust, and wet the uppermost part of the ground) but it is needful also to have so great abundance of water, that it may enter into the innermost part of the earth, and there soak and water through the same: even so if we will have our soul to bring forth the fruits of virtues, and good works, it is not sufficient to have that little dew and sprinkling of devotion, which at the turning of the head is dried up with the least blast of wind or heat of sun that cometh, (with the which the soul maketh some outward appearance that it is devout, but in very deed it is not so within,) but it is also requisite to have a long profound prayer, and great devotion, which after the manner of a great shower of rain may descend and sink down into the bottom of the heart, and there cause it to be so well watered and washed therewith, that neither sun, nor wind, I mean hereby, that neither any business, nor cares of the world may be able to dry it up, nor make any alteration therein. According hereunto we read of the blessed holy religious woman St. Clare, that she rose some times from prayer, and meditation, so wholly absorbed in contemplation upon almighty God, that she could not (but with very great difficulty) frame her heart to deal in such business as she was enforced to attend unto by reason of her office. This kind of devotion is not like unto that, which is carried away with the wind, and dried up with every air: but it is like unto that devotion, whereof it is written in the Canticles, That many waters shall not be able to quench the fire of charity, neither shall the great rivers overflow it.
And therefore we are counseled (and that for very good cause) to take as long a time for this holy exercise of prayer and meditation as we may. And surely it is better to have one long time for the same, than two short times. For if the time of prayer be short, all is spent in settling the imagination, and in quieting the heart: and then so soon as we have quieted the same, we rise up forthwith from our exercise at the very time when we should begin it. So that we are like unto the Miner, which in searching for gold giveth over digging at the very time when he findeth the vane thereof, and so loseth his former travail, when he should presently enjoy the fruit of his labor. For undoubtedly the fruit and profit of a long and profound prayer is wont some times to be so great, that a man hath thereby store enough to spend many days together, and to go with Elias to the mount of almighty God, with the virtue and force of the food and sustenance which he hath there received.
But to descend more particularly in limiting this time, I am of opinion, that whatsoever is less than one hour and a half, or two hours, is too short a time for prayer, and meditation. For often times there is spent more than half an hour in tempering and tuning our instrument, (to with, our heart,) and in quieting our imagination, and so all the rest of this time is little enough for the enjoying of the fruit of prayer. True it is I grant, that when we go to this exercise after some other holy exercises, as for example, after matins, or after that we have heard or said Mass, or after some devout reading, or vocal prayers, our heart is then better disposed unto this exercise. For then this heavenly fire of devotion is enkindled with less difficulty in our heart, which by reason of the former holy exercise is very apt (like dry wood) to take fire much more quickly therein. Likewise early in the morning before day the time of our prayer and meditation may be the shorter: because then our heart is much better disposed for this exercise, as hereafter shall be declared. Howbeit in case it be so, that a man by reason of his manifold business, and affairs, have but little time to bestow in prayer, and meditation, yet let him not omit to offer up his mite with the poor widow in the temple. For (if he fail not of his duty herein through his own negligence) almighty God who provideth for all creatures according to their nature, and necessity, will provide for him also according unto his necessity.
OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION 