NOTE: 64

Let us direct our minds in spirit to the words of the preacher, and not wander elsewhere; for if, despising spiritual counsels and doctrines, we cast [them] aside and indulge in the useless thoughts of the world, we shall become unfruitful from hearing the divine word. Rather, we must bring to mind the counsel of the holy apostle, who saith: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation: giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed" (II Cor. 6:2–3). 4. We must not speak with those beside us during the sermon, nor deprive those who listen eagerly of spiritual and good counsels. For when someone in a gathering recounteth a tale or speaketh of something amusing, it is incivility if those seated do not listen, but speak among themselves of other matters; how much more, then, is it incivility and unseemliness in holy church, when the preacher is teaching the divine precepts, for us to hold conversation with those beside us, and [deprive them of] that profitable doc[trine]—