5. The present is the season of
confession: confess what thou hast done in word or in deed, by
night or by day; confess in an acceptable time, and in the day of
salvation 2 Cor. vi. 2. receive the heavenly
treasure. Devote thy time to the Exorcisms: be assiduous at
the Catechisings, and remember the things that shall be spoken, for
they are spoken not for thine ears only, but that by faith thou mayest
seal them up in the memory. Blot out from thy mind all
earthly Literally
“human.” care: for thou art running for thy
soul. Thou art utterly forsaking the things of the world:
little are the things which thou art forsaking, great what the Lord is
giving. Forsake things present, and put thy trust in things to
come. Hast thou run so many circles of the years busied in vain
about the world, and hast thou not forty days to be free (for
prayer Some mss. omit τῇ
προσευχῇ after
σχολάζεις.), for thine own soul’s sake?
Be still Ps. xlvi. 10: σχολάσατε.
Compare Procat. 13., and know that I
am God, saith the Scripture. Excuse thyself from talking many
idle words: neither backbite, nor lend a willing ear to
backbiters; but rather be prompt to prayer. Shew in ascetic
exercise that thy heart is nerved Compare Procat.
17: xviii. 1.. Cleanse
thy vessel, that thou mayest receive grace more abundantly. For
though remission of sins is given equally to all, the communion of the
Holy Ghost is bestowed in proportion to each man’s faith.
If thou hast laboured little, thou receivest little; but if thou hast
wrought much, the reward is great. Thou art running for thyself,
see to thine own interest.