CHAUCER.

BORN 1328-DIED 1400.

1. Certainly there is no sin in man so horrible, but may, in this life, be taken away, through virtue of the passion and of the death of Christ. Alas! what need men then to be despaired, sith that his mercy is so ready and large! Ask, and have.

2. For certainly, in this world, there is no wight that may be kept sufficiently without the keeping of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Many are the ways spiritual that lead folk to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the reign of glory. Of which ways, there is a full noble way, which may not fail to man nor woman that through sin hath misgone from the right way of Jerusalem celestial; and this way is called Repent

ance.

4. O good God, well ought man to have great disdain of sin, sith that through sin he who was free from sin was made bound.

5. Sith that Jesus Christ took on him the pain of all our wickednesses, much ought sinful man to weep and bewail that, for his sins, God's Son of heaven should all this pain endure.

6. Certainly God Almighty is all good; and, therefore, either He forgiveth all sin, or else right nought.

7. Though no earthly man may eschew all sins, yet may

he refrain them, by the burning love that he hath to our Lord Jesus Christ.

8. Do many good works, and speak few vanities.

9. Jesus Christ is entirely all good; in Him is none imperfection; and, therefore, either He forgiveth all sin perfectly, or else, never a deal.

10. Men should remember them of the shame that is to come at the day of doom, to men that be not penitent and forgiven in this present life; for all the creatures in earth and in hell shall see openly what has been hid in this world.

11. Full oft time I read, that no man trust in his own perfection, be he stronger than Samson, or holier than Daniel, or wiser than Solomon.

12. Thou shalt understand also that God ordained fasting; and to fasting pertaineth four things: gifts to poor folk; gladness of heart spiritual; not to be angry or annoyed; nor to grudge that he fasteth.

13. One doubt cometh of this, that he deemeth he hath sinned so greatly, and so oft, and so long lain in sin, that he shall not be saved. Against that cursed doubt he should think, that the suffering of Jesus Christ is more strong to unbind, than sin is strong to bind. As often as he falleth he may rise again; and, though he hath lain never so long in sin, the mercy of Christ is alway ready to receive him to mercy.

14. Let men understand what is the fruit of all, after the words of Jesus Christ. It is an endless bliss of heaven. There joy hath never end; there is no woe nor grievance; there all harms of this present life hath passed; there, as

there is security from the pain of hell, so there is the blissful company that rejoice evermore, every one of others' joy; there the body of man, that sometime was foul and dark, is more clear than the sun; there the body, that sometime was sick, frail, feeble, and mortal, is immortal, and strong, and whole; there is neither hunger, thirst, nor cold, but every soul replenished with the sight of the perfect knowing of God. To which life may He bring us that bought us with His precious blood. Amen.

THOMAS (A KEMPIS).

BORN 1330-DIED 1471.

1. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, except only the love of God, and an entire devotedness to His service.

2. What have redeemed souls to do with the distinctions and subtleties of logic? He whom the Eternal Word condescends to teach is disengaged at once from the labyrinth of human opinions.

3. O God, who art the truth, make me one with Thee in everlasting love! I am often weary of reading and weary of hearing; in Thee alone is the sum of all my desires. Let all teachers be silent, let the whole creation be dumb before Thee, and do Thou only speak to my soul.

4. To place thyself lower than all mankind can do thee no hurt; but much hurt may be done by preferring thyself to a single individual.

5. We might enjoy much peace, if we did not busy our minds with what others do and say, in which we have no concern. But how is it possible for that man to dwell long in peace, who continually intermeddles in the affairs of others; who runs about seeking occasions of disquietude, and never, or but seldom, turns to God, in the retirement of a recollected spirit?

6. It is good for a man to suffer the adversity of this earthly life, for it brings him back to the sacred retirement

of the heart, where only he finds that he is an exile from his native home, and ought not to place his trust in any worldly joy.

7. It is by gradual advances, rather than impetuous efforts, that victory is obtained; rather by patient suffering, that looks to God for support, than by impatient solicitude and rigorous austerity.

8. In judging others, a man labours to no purpose; commonly errs, and easily sins; but, in examining and judging himself, he is always wisely and usefully employed.

9. If thou art not able to make thyself that which thou wishest to be, how canst thou expect to mould another in conformity to thy will?.

Io. If thou canst refrain from unnecessary conversation and idle visits, and suppress the desire of hearing and telling some new thing, thou wilt find not only abundant leisure, but convenient opportunity for holy and useful mediation.

II. No man can safely go abroad who does not love to stay at home; no man can safely speak who does not willingly hold his tongue; no man can safely govern that would not willingly become subject.

12. The closet, long continued in, becomes delightful; but, when seldom visited, it is beheld with reluctance, weariness, and disgust.

13. If thou hadst never gone abroad and listened to idle reports, thou hadst continued safe in the possession of peace.

14. He that loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.