And this he doth not only
because the proud spirit cannot endure to be mocked, but also
lest, with much tempting the man to the sin to which he could not
in conclusion bring him, he should much increase his merit.
The final fight is by invocation of help unto God, both praying
for himself and desiring others also to pray for him--both poor
folk for his alms and other good folk of their charity, especially
good priests in that holy sacred service of the Mass. And not only
them but also his own good angel and other holy saints such as his
devotion specially doth stand unto. Or, if he be learned, let him
use then the litany, with the holy suffrages that follow, which is
a prayer in the church of marvellous old antiquity. For it was not
made first, as some believe, by that holy man St. Gregory (which
opinion arose from the fact that, in the time of a great
pestilence in Rome, he caused the whole city to go in solemn
procession with it), but it was in use in the church many years
before St. Gregory's days, as well appeareth by the books of other
holy doctors and saints, who were dead hundreds of years before
St. Gregory was born.
And holy St. Bernard giveth counsel that every man should make
suit unto angels and saints to pray for him to God in the things
that he would have furthered by his holy hand.
Pages:
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202