Preface.

A 4

also on the contrary / and I knew it from experience / that not all people have received the gift / to pray much and at length and extensively. I would wish that we were all capable of this difficult art. But I say nevertheless / that we are not all capable of it. Some pray best / with very short / individual sighs Original: Seufftzern. In 17th-century devotional literature, "sighs" or "groans" referred to brief, spontaneous, and heartfelt prayers that were often considered more sincere than long, formal orations. / in which they can directly / and with few words / express what they are thinking. And these [prayers] are composed in such a way / that one’s devotion Original: Andacht. can, as it were, catch its breath again after every short interval. There are indeed people / whose devotion is like a precious balsam / which can be poured out so that it flows. They can pour out their heart like water / and swim, so to speak, in nothing but good thoughts. Psalm 119 The longest chapter in the Bible (176 verses), representing sustained, lengthy meditation. is not at all too long for them. But many others, by contrast / have only dry incense / which consists of individual grains / that must be thrown onto the coals bit by bit. The Psalms that are not much longer than Psalm 117 The shortest chapter in the Bible (2 verses), representing brief, concise prayer. are suited for...