18. Frequent prayer also commends us to
God. For if the prophet says, “Seven times a day have I
praised Thee,” Ps. cxix.
[cxviii.] 164. though he was
busy with the affairs of a kingdom, what ought we to do, who
read: “Watch and pray that ye enter not into
temptation”? S. Matt. xxvi. 41.
Certainly our customary prayers ought to be said with giving of thanks,
when we rise from sleep, when we go forth, when we prepare to receive
food, after receiving it, and at the hour of incense, It is
doubtful whether incense was burnt as an adjunct of Christian worship
so early as the time of St. Ambrose, and the reference here may be to
the offering at evening in the Jewish temple. He speaks again of
incense in Expos. Ev. sec. Lucam. § 28, but again there is
no conclusive proof. It was certainly used as a
perfume. when at last we are going to
rest.