History of the Jesuits: Their origin, progress, doctrines, and designsNicolini, G. B. (Giovanni Battista)
History
History of the Jesuits: Their origin, progress, doctrines, and designs
Nicolini, G. B. (Giovanni Battista)
Jesuits -- History
But then the above “Exercises” are followed by certain “Additions,”
which are recommended as conducing to their “better performance.” Some
of these are very strange; for instance—“The fourth is, to set about the
contemplation itself, now kneeling on the ground, now lying on my face
or on my back; now sitting or standing, and composing myself, in the way
in which I may hope the more easily to attain what I desire. In which
matter, these two things must be attended to: the first, that if, on
my knees or in any other posture, I obtain what I wish, I seek nothing
further. The second, that on the point in which I shall have attained the
devotion I seek, I ought to rest, without being anxious about pressing
on until I shall have satisfied myself.” “The sixth, that I avoid those
thoughts which bring joy, as that of the glorious resurrection of
Christ; since any such thought hinders the tears and grief for my sins,
which must then be sought by calling in mind rather death or judgment.”
“The seventh, that, for the same reason, I deprive myself of all the
brightness of the light, shutting the doors and windows so long as I
remain there” (in my chamber), “except while I have to read or take my
food.” At page 55 we find, in the Second Week—“_The Fifth Contemplation_
is the application of the senses to those” (contemplations) “mentioned
above. After the preparatory prayer, with the three already mentioned
preludes, it is eminently useful to exercise the five imaginary senses
concerning the first and second contemplations in the following way,
according as the subject shall bear.
“The first point will be, to see in imagination all the persons, and,
noting the circumstances which shall occur concerning them, to draw out
what may be profitable to ourselves.
“The second, by hearing, as it were, what they are saying, or what it may
be natural for them to say, to turn all to our own advantage.
“The third, to perceive, by a certain inward taste and smell, how great
is the sweetness and delightfulness of the soul imbued with Divine gifts
and virtues, according to the nature of the person we are considering,
adapting to ourselves those things which may bring us some fruit.
“The fourth, by an inward touch, to handle and kiss the garments, places,
footsteps, and other things connected with such persons; whence we may
derive a greater increase of devotion, or of any spiritual good.
“This contemplation will be terminated, like the former ones, by adding,
in like manner, _Pater noster_.”
At page 52, among things “to be noted” is—
“The second, that the first exercise concerning the Incarnation of Christ
is performed at midnight; the next at dawn; the third about the hour of
mass; the fourth about the time of vespers; the fifth a little before
supper; and on each of them will be spent the space of one hour; which
same thing has to be observed henceforward everywhere.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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