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ISAAC: Although, in our former discussion on the character of prayer,
enough was, as I think, said on this subject, yet as you want it repeated
to you again, I will give you a brief instruction on steadfastness of
heart. There are three things which make a shifting heart steadfast,
watchings, meditation, and prayer, diligence in which and constant
attention will produce steadfast firmness of mind. But this cannot be
secured in any other way unless all cares and anxieties of this present
life have been first got rid of by indefatigable persistence in work
dedicated not to covetousness but to the sacred uses of the monastery, that
we may thus be able to fulfil the Apostle's command: "Pray without
ceasing." For he prays too little, who is accustomed only to pray at the
times when he bends his knees. But he never prays, who even while on his
bended knees is distracted by all kinds of wanderings of heart. And
therefore what we would be found when at our prayers, that we ought to be
before the time of prayer. For at the time of its prayers the mind cannot
help being affected by its previous condition, and while it is praying,
will be either transported to things heavenly, or dragged down to earthly
things by those thoughts in which it had been lingering before prayer.
Thus far did Abbot Isaac carry on his Second Conference on the
character of Prayer to us astonished hearers; whose instruction on the
consideration of that verse quoted above (which he gave as a sort of
outline for beginners to hold) we greatly admired, and wished to follow
very closely, as we fancied that it would be a short and easy method; but
we have found it even harder to observe than that system of ours by which
we used formerly to wander here and there in varied meditations through the
whole body of the Scriptures without being tied by any chains of
perseverance. It is then certain that no one is kept away from perfection
of heart by not being able to read, nor is rustic simplicity any hindrance
to the possession of purity of heart and mind, which lies close at hand for
all, if only they will by constant meditation on this verse keep the
thoughts of the mind safe and sound towards God.
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