lieve on it.

This preaching should induce sinners to grieve over their sins, and
should kindle in them a longing for the treasure. It must, therefore,
be a grievous sin not to hear the Gospel, and to despise such a
treasure and so rich a feast to which we are bidden; but a much greater
sin not to preach the Gospel, and to let so many people who would
gladly hear it perish, since Christ has so strictly commanded that the
Gospel and this testament be preached, that He does not wish even the
mass to be celebrated, unless the Gospel be preached, as He says: "As
oft as ye do this, remember me"; that is, as St. Paul says, "Ye shall
preach of His death." For this reason it is dreadful and horrible in
our times to be a bishop, pastor and preacher; for no one any longer
knows this testament, to say nothing of their preaching it, although
this is their highest and only duty and obligation. How heavily must
they give account for so many souls who must perish because of this
lack in preaching.

IV. We should pray, not as the custom is, counting many pages or beads,
but fixing our mind upon some pressing need, desire it with all
earnestness, and exercise faith and confidence toward God in the
matter, in such wise that we do not doubt that we shall be heard. So
St. Bernard instructs his brethren and says: "Dear brethren, you shall
by no means despise your prayer, as if it were in vain, for I tell you
of a truth that, before you have uttered the words, the prayer is
already recorded in heaven; and you shall confidently expect from God
one of two things: either that your prayer will be granted, or that, if
it will not be granted, the granting of it would not be good for you."

Prayer is, therefore, a special exercise of faith, and faith makes the
prayer so acceptable that either it will surely be granted, or
something better than we ask will be given in its stead. So also says
St. James: "Let him who asketh of God not waver in faith; for if he
wavers, let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the
Lord." This is a clear statement, which says directly: he who does not
trust, receives nothing, neither that which he asks, nor anything
better.

And to call forth such faith, Christ Himself has said, Mark xi:
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall surely have them." And Luke
xi: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and