But it is necessary that, when we do these things, we should immolate our very selves to God in contrition of heart; for we who celebrate the mysteries of the Lord's Passion ought to imitate what we perform. Then truly will there be for us a victim to God, when we shall have made ourselves a victim. But we must strive that, even after the times of prayer, insofar as God grants, we may keep the soul in its own weight and vigor; lest afterward a fluid thought dissolve it, lest a vain gladness creep upon the mind, and the soul lose the gain of compunction through the negligence of a wandering thought. For thus indeed Hannah merited to obtain what she had asked, because after her tears she remained in the same vigor of mind. Of her indeed it is written:
150:2
Vultusqueejusnonsuntampliusindiversamutati (1 Reg. I, 18). Quaeigiturnonestoblitaquodpetiit, uonestprivatamunerequodpoposcit.'_;
'And her countenance was no more changed into diverse ways' (1 Samuel 1:18). She therefore who did not forget what she had petitioned, was not deprived of the gift she had begged.