is more of a resolve than a petition. It is generally a firm resolve which is made in prayer either to renounce some things for God's glory, or to perform or suffer other things for the same end. The " spiritual desire," " spiritalis desiderium? of S. Fulgentius expresses itself in the form of spiritual resolution.
This brief explanation of the plan upon which this book has been written, naturally leads to some suggestions as to its use.
And, firstly, it may be remarked, that only one Consideration should be read at the same time. In many cases one point even, with its " Affections and Prayers," will afford sufficient employment both for the head and heart. It must be remembered that the book is intended to be suggestive merely, not final or ample. It presents a skeleton which the devout reader is to clothe with flesh and blood, and animate with the life of his own spirit. It is an outline, the details of the picture being left to the reader to complete.
Secondly, it will be found most profitable, after having fixed the " Consideration " upon which the meditation is to be made, to read, first of all, its title, and the initial text of Holy Scripture, and for the reader to try to form a meditation for himself; after which he can compare his own
