SECOND DEGREE OF PRAYER, CALLED HERE "THE PRAYER OF SIMPLICITY."
The second degree has been variously termed _Contemplation_, _The Prayer
of Silence_, and _of repose_; while others again have called it the
_Prayer of Simplicity_; and it is of this last term that I shall make
use here, being more appropriate than that of _Contemplation_, which
signifies a degree of prayer more advanced than that of which I speak.
After a time, as I have said, the soul becomes sensible of a facility in
recognising the presence of God; it collects itself more easily; prayer
becomes natural and pleasant; it knows that it leads to God; and it
perceives the smell of His perfumes.
Then it must change its method, and observe carefully what I am about to
say, without being astonished at its apparent implausibility.
First of all, when you bring yourself into the presence of God by faith,
remain a short time in an attitude of respectful silence. If from the
beginning, in making this act of faith, you are sensible of a little
taste of the presence of God, remain as you are without troubling
yourself on any subject, and keep that which has been given you, so long
as it may remain.
If it leaves you, excite your will by means of some tender affection,
and if you then find that your former state of peace has returned,
remain in it. The fire must be blown softly, and as soon as it is
lighted, cease to blow it, or you will put it out. It is also necessary
that you should go to God, not so much to obtain something from Him, as
to please Him, and to do His will; for a servant who only serves his
master in proportion to the recompense he receives, is unworthy of any
remuneration.
Go, then, to prayer, not only to enjoy God, but to be as He wills: this
will keep you equal in times of barrenness and in times of abundance;
and you will not be dismayed by the repulses of God, nor by His apparent
indifference.