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But some in this province, not knowing the reason why this office was
appointed and introduced, go back again to bed after their Mattin prayers
are finished, and in spite of it fall into that very habit to check which
our Elders instituted this service. For they are eager to finish it at that
hour, that an opportunity maybe given, to those who are inclined to be
indifferent and not careful enough, to go back to bed again, which most
certainly ought not to be done (as we showed more fully in the previous
book when describing the service of the Egyptians), for fear least the
force of our natural passions should be aroused and stain that purity of
ours which was gained by humble confession and prayers before the dawn, or
some illusion of the enemy pollute us, or even the repose of a pure and
natural sleep interfere with the fervour of our spirit and make us lazy and
slothful throughout the whole day, as we are chilled by the sluggishness
caused by sleep. And to avoid this the Egyptians, and especially as they
are in the habit of rising at fixed times even before the cock-crow, when
the canonical office has been celebrated, afterwards prolong their
vigils even to daylight, that the morning light when it comes on them may
find them established in fervour of spirit, and keep them still more
careful and fervent all through the day, as it has found them prepared for
the conflict and strengthened against their daily struggle with the devil
by the practice of nocturnal vigils and spiritual meditation.
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