[Scriptum compendiosum Psalterii intentionem declarans]

the importunate suggestions of carnal desires, which obstruct our senses, are overcome with the strongest intention and by insisting for so long until by persisting we win. For the kingdom of God is not promised to the negligent and the tepid, but as the Scripture says, "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." Hence Hugo original: "Hugo de Sancto Victore" in his exposition of the Rule: "I say," he says, "God loves insistence and importunity in prayer. If the rewards are great, the desires should not be few. For the magnitude of the desires ought to agree with the magnitude of the rewards." But if the Lord does not hear at the first tears, one should not desist even so from seeking and knocking; but rather, with such great insistence of persevering and with such obstinate clamor, the Savior is to be frequented until he fulfills the desire of the one praying. An example is the Canaanite woman who persevered in her request and through this obtained what she asked. Also, an example in Mary Magdalene, who because she persevered at the tomb, found whom she desired. Also, Anna lived for many years with her husband Elkanah, afflicting herself and praying to God that he would open her womb, who was finally heard. Also, Joachim and Anna, parents of the Blessed Virgin, offered prayers and sacrifices to the Lord for many days that they might deserve to have offspring,

but they were not immediately heard. Yet at last, after the reproach of their sterility, they were satisfied by the effect of their request. Also, Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of the blessed John the Baptist, supplicated the Lord for many years for offspring, but God delayed hearing them so that at last a sterile and aged womb could open. Also, an example for the same is in the mother of Saint Augustine, who had long prayed to God with many tears for the conversion of her son. And although the hearing had been long delayed, to the point that his conversion appeared miraculously, yet at last God deigned to grant her more than she had asked, because it was given to her not only that he should be a faithful Christian, but it was conferred upon him divinely that he should become a despiser of the world and such a light of the Church. From which examples it is clear that whatever a devout person asks of God with insistence, he finally obtains with the desired affection, provided it is for salvation. But not only is the insistence of prayer attended to in this, that one should pray perseveringly with an interrupted act, as is clear in the examples set forth, but it is also required that one should pray incessantly, that is, with a continued act. According to what the Savior says in Luke 18: "It is necessary to pray always and not to lose heart." And to the Thessalonians 5: "Pray without ceasing."