§23De genu quoque ponendo uarietatem obseruationis patitur oratio per pauculos quosdam qui sabbato abstinent genibus.
Concerning bending the knee as well, prayer suffers a variety of observance through a very few who abstain from bending the knee on the Sabbath.
quae dissensio cum maxime apud ecclesias causam dicit, dominus dabit gratiam suam, ut aut cedant aut sine aliorum scandalo sententia sua utantur.
Since this disagreement is pleading its cause especially among the churches, the Lord will give His grace so that they may either yield or use their own opinion without scandal to others.
nos uero, sicut accepimus, solo die dominicae resurrectionis non ab isto tantum, sed omni anxietatis habitu et officio cauere debemus differentes etiam negotia, ne quem diabolo locum demus.
But we, as we have received, on the day of the Lord's resurrection alone ought to guard against not only that, but every posture and duty of anxiety, deferring even our businesses, lest we give any place to the devil.
tantundem et spatio Pentecostes, quae eadem exultationis sollemnitate dispungitur.
Just as much also in the space of Pentecost, which is distinguished by the same solemnity of exultation.
ceterum omni die quis dubitet prosternere se deo uel prima saltem oratione qua lucem ingredimur? ieiuniis autem et stationibus nulla oratio sine genu et reliquo humilitatis more celebranda est.
But on every other day, who would hesitate to prostrate himself to God, at least at the first prayer with which we enter the light? On fasts and stations, however, no prayer is to be celebrated without bending the knee and the remaining custom of humility.
non enim oramus tantum, sed et deprecamur et satisfacimus deo domino nostro.
For we do not only pray, but we also supplicate and make satisfaction to God our Lord.
de temporibus orationis nihil omnino praescriptum est, nisi plane omni in tempore et loco orare.
Concerning the times of prayer nothing at all is prescribed, except clearly to pray at every time and place.
§24Sed quomodo omni loco, cum prohibeamur in publico? omni, inquit, loco, quem opportunitas aut etiam necessitas importarit.
But how in every place, since we are forbidden to pray in public? In every place, he says, which opportunity or even necessity has brought on.
neque enim contra praeceptum reputatur ab apostolis factum, qui in carcere audientibus custodiis orabant et canebant deo, aut a Paulo, qui in naui coram omnibus eucharistiam fecit.
For the deed done by the apostles, who in prison with the guards listening were praying and singing to God, or by Paul, who in the ship made the thanksgiving in the presence of all, is not reputed to be against the precept.
§25De tempore uero non erit otiosa extrinsecus obseruatio etiam horarum quarundam, istarum dico communium quae diei interspatia signant, tertia, sexta, nona; quas sollemniores in scripturis inuenire est.
Concerning the time, indeed, the outward observance of certain hours will not be idle, I mean of those common hours which mark the intervals of the day, the third, the sixth, the ninth; which one may find in the scriptures as more solemn.
primus spiritus sanctus congregatis discipulis hora tertia infusus est.
The Holy Spirit was first poured out upon the gathered disciples at the third hour.
Petrus, qua die uisionem communitatis omnis in illo uasculo expertus est, sexta hora orandi gratia ascenderat in superiora.
Peter, on the day when he experienced the vision of all common things in that vessel, had ascended to the upper parts at the sixth hour for the sake of praying.
idem cum Iohanne ad nonam in templum adibat, ubi paralyticum sanitati reformauit.
The same with John was going to the temple at the ninth hour, where he restored the paralytic to health.
quae etsi simpliciter se habent sine ullius obseruationis praecepto, bonum tamen sit aliquam constituere praesumptionem, quae et orandi admonitionem constringat et quasi lege ad tale munus extorqueat a negotiis interdum, ut, quod Danieli quoque legimus obseruatum utique ex Israelis disciplina, ne minus ter die saltem adoremus, debitores trium Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti; exceptis utique legitimis orationibus, quae sine ulla admonitione debentur ingressu lucis et noctis.
Even if these things simply are so without any precept of observance, yet it would be good to establish some custom, which might both bind the admonition of praying and, as if by law, extort us from business sometimes for such a duty, so that—as we read was observed by Daniel also surely from the discipline of Israel—we may worship at least no less than three times a day, debtors as we are to the three, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; except, of course, the legitimate prayers which are due without any admonition at the entrance of light and of night.
sed et cibum non prius sumere et lauacrum non prius adire quam interposita oratione fideles decet.
But it also becomes the faithful not to take food or go to the bath before placing a prayer between.
priora enim habenda sunt spiritus refrigeria et pabula quam carnis, quia priora caelestia quam terrena.
For the refreshments and foods of the spirit are to be held prior to those of the flesh, because heavenly things are prior to earthly things.
§26Fratrem domum tuam introgressum ne sine oratione dimiseris (uidisti, inquit, fratrem, uidisti dominum tuum), maxime aduenam, ne angelus forte sit.
Do not dismiss a brother who has entered your house without prayer (you have seen, he says, a brother, you have seen your Lord), especially a stranger, lest perchance he be an angel.
sed nec ipse a fratribus exceptus priora fecerit refrigeria terrena caelestibus.
But neither should you yourself, when received by brethren, make earthly refreshments prior to heavenly ones.
statim enim iudicabitur fides tua.
For your faith will be judged immediately.
aut quomodo secundum praeceptum pax huic domui dices, nisi et eis qui in domo sunt pacem mutuam reddas?
Or how will you say "Peace to this house" according to the precept, unless you also return mutual peace to those who are in the house?
§27Diligentiores in orando subiungere in orationibus Alleluia solent et hoc genus psalmos quorum clausulis respondeant qui simul sunt.
Those who are more diligent in praying are accustomed to subjoin Alleluia to their prayers and this kind of psalms, to the clauses of which those who are together may respond.
et est optimum utique institutum omne quod praeponendo et honorando deo conpetit saturatam orationem uelut opimam hostiam admouere.
And it is certainly the best institution to bring in a saturated prayer as if a rich sacrifice, which is fitting for everything that puts God first and honors Him.