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The aim of every monk and the perfection of his heart tends to
continual and unbroken perseverance in prayer, and, as far as it is allowed
to human frailty, strives to acquire an immovable tranquillity of mind and
a perpetual purity, for the sake of which we seek unweariedly and
constantly to practise all bodily labours as well as contrition of spirit.
And there is between these two a sort of reciprocal and inseparable union.
For just as the crown of the building of all virtues is the perfection of
prayer, so unless everything has been united and compacted by this as its
crown, it cannot possibly continue strong and stable. For lasting and
continual calmness in prayer, of which we are speaking, cannot be secured
or consummated without them, so neither can those virtues which lay its
foundations be fully gained without persistence in it. And so we shall not
be able either to treat properly of the effect of prayer, or in a rapid
discourse to penetrate to its main end, which is acquired by labouring at
all virtues, unless first all those things which for its sake must be
either rejected or secured, are singly enumerated and discussed, and, as
the Parable in the gospel teaches, whatever concerns the building of
that spiritual and most lofty tower, is reckoned up and carefully
considered beforehand. But yet these things when prepared will be of no use
nor allow the lofty height of perfection to be properly placed upon them
unless a clearance of all faults be first undertaken, and the decayed and
dead rubbish of the passions be dug up, and the strong foundations of
simplicity and humility be laid on the solid and (so to speak) living soil
of our breast, or rather on that rock of the gospel, and by being built
in this way this tower of spiritual virtues will rise, and be able to stand
unmoved, and be raised to the utmost heights of heaven in full assurance of
its, stability. For if it rests on such foundations, then though heavy
storms of passions break over it, though mighty torrents of persecutions
beat against it like a battering ram, though a furious tempest of spiritual
foes dash against it and attack it, yet not only will no ruin overtake it,
but the onslaught will not injure it even in the slightest degree.
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