§. 131. Of Popish Night vigils.

§. 131. Of Popish Night vigils.

Right watching unto Prayer, is to be noted against the Night-vigils of Papists, who place an extraordinary great point of Religion and devotion in the observing of them.¹ Usually they make three vigils, one at the closing up of the day, and beginning of the night. Another at mid-night. The third at the closing up of the night, and beginning of the day. In some places they have more vigils, as some are more superstitious then others. These vigils they ground on this and other like places, where we are commanded to watch unto Prayer; as if they who waked to mumble over and over a few set prayers, whilst others slept, observed this precept. For in the outward babbling of a few prayers, standeth the greatest part of their Religion. I wot well those night prayers are oft performed so drowsily, and sleepily, that it were better they were fast asleep in their beds, then betwixt sleeping and waking so to mock God.

RIght watching vnto Prayer, is to be noted against the Night-vigils of Papists, who place an extraordinary great point of Religion and deuotion in the obseruing of them.¹ Vsually they make three vigils, one at the closing vp of the day, and beginning of the night. Another at mid-night. The third at the closing vp of the night, and beginning of the day. In some places they haue more vigils, as some are more superstitious then others. These vigils they ground on this and other like places, where we are commanded to watch vnto Prayer; as if they who waked to mumble ouer and ouer a few set prayers, whilst others slept, obserued this precept. For in the outward babbling of a few prayers, standeth the greatest part of their Religion. I wot well those night prayers are oft performed so drowsily, and sleepily, that it were better they were fast asleepe in their beds, then betwixt sleeping and waking so to mocke God.

1. 1Bellarmin. de bonis oper. lib. 1 cap. 11.