A golden treatise of mentall praier with diuerse spirituall rules and directions, no lesse profitable then necessarie for all sortes of people. First composed by the venerable and blessed father, Fr. Peter de Alcantara, of the Seraphicall Order of S. Francis. Beatified the 18. of Aprill. 1622. Translated into English by G.VV. To vvhich is prefixed a breife relation of the life, and death of the same father vvritten by G.VV. of the same order and obseruance.

The sixth Admonition.

THere be many which be not discreet in their spirituall exercises, when they enioy heauenly consolations, and it often∣times falleth out, that this prosperitie doth expose them to manifest perill, for when God almightie shewreth downe, more aboundantly this celestiall dewe, vpō their soules, they are so rauished with the sweet∣nes of it, that they addict themselues with∣out measure to this only exercise: to this end they prolonge the time of prayer, ma∣cerate themselues with watchinge and other corporall austerities, so that nature it selfe at length is constrained to sinke vnder the burthen of such indiscreet mortifica∣tion. Hence it cometh to passe, that many

abhorre spirituall exercises, and some are not only made by this meanes vnfitt for corporall, but also dull for spirituall la∣bours of prayer and meditation. Wherfore in all these, there is great neede of discre∣tion, especially in the beginninge, when spirituall consolations be more feruent, and commonly whē discretion is least. For we must so order our diet that we doe not faint in the middest of our iourny. On the contrary there be some so slouthfull and vndeuout, that vnder the colour of discre∣tiō, immoderatly make much of thēselues, refusinge the least labour, or trouble. This although it be dangerous to all, but espe∣cially to beginners. For as S. BERNARD saith, it is impossible that he should perse∣uer longe in a spirituall course, who is dis∣creet at first. That whē he is a nouice estee∣meth himselfe wise, and when he is younge gouerneth himselfe like an old man. Nei∣ther can I easily iudge which of these, be more dangerous. Except, as THOMAS A KEMPIS saith, the first is more in∣curable, for whilst the body is stronge and sounde, there may be hopes to cure tepidi∣tie: but when it is once weakened through indiscretion, it scarce euer can be brought to its former feruour.