(Ebook) A Golden Treatise of Mental Prayer by St. Peter of Alcantara

(Ebook) A Golden Treatise of Mental Prayer by St. Peter of Alcantara

I call St. Bonaventure to witness what I say: his words are these. The
inestimable virtue of prayer is able to obtain all good, and remove all
hurtful things.
If you will patiently endure adversity, be a man of prayer.If you will overcome tribulation and temptations, be a man of prayer.If you will trample upon your perverse inclinations, be a man of prayer.If you will know the deceits of Satan, and avoid them, be a man of prayer.If you will live joyfully in the work of God, and trace the way of labor and affliction,be a man of prayer.If you will exercise yourself in a spiritual course, and not walk according to the desires of the flesh, be a man of prayer.If you will put to flight your vain and trifling fancies, be a man of prayer.If you will feast your soul with holy thoughts, good desires, fervor, and devotion,be a man of prayer.If you will establish your heart with a manly spirit, and constant purpose in the service of God, be a man of prayer.
To conclude, if you will root out vice, and be endued with virtues, be a man of prayer.In it is received the unction of the Holy Ghost, which teaches all things. Also, ifyou will climb up to the top of contemplation, and enjoy the sweetembracings of your beloved spouse, be a man of prayer. For by the exerciseof prayer, we come to that contemplation and taste of heavenly things.