Page:Faithcatholics.pdf/485

 truth, those members still living.–This body, with that of Peter, shall always be for Rome a more secure defence than walls and towers.” Hom. xxxii. in Ep. ad Rom. T. ix. p. 402. Paris. 1636.

ST. AUGUSTIN, L. C. He relates a miracle that was wrought at Milan, while he resided there with St. Ambrose, in the presence of the bodies of certain Martyrs lately discovered; as likewise another extraordinary cure, effected by similar means, in his own country: but he dwells chiefly, as more immediately under his own eye, on a variety of wonderful facts, attested by the whole country, and verified by himself, produced by the Relics of the Protomartyr St. Stephen. De Civit. Dei, L. xxii. c. vii. T. vii. p. 663. and seqq.-Speaking, on another occasion, of these miracles, he observes :“ A small portion of dust called together so great a multitude: the dust lay hidden, but its beneficial effects were made public. Consider, my brethren, what God reserves for us in the land of the living, who, from the ashes of the dead, confers these signal benefits. The body of St. Stephen may be deemed of little value; the merit of his faith commands our praise. But let us so hope to receive temporal blessings, that, by imitating him, we may deserve those that are eternal.”— Serm. cccxvii. de St. Stephano, T. v. p. 1269.-“Divine Providence, by the wonders which he works by the Relics of Martyrs, gives to these Relics a more abundant honour; while that which to the eye is void of beauty, attests more strongly the presence of the Author of life.” Serm. cclxxvi. in Natal, St. Vincent. T.v. p. 1111.-On the general subject of miracles, he says: “ Some men ask-why are not such miracles, at this time, wrought, as formerly, you declare, were?-I could answer, that then they were necessary for the conversion of the world. But he who now requires prodigies, is himself the greatest; not believing when the world believes. Their pretended difficulty, however, shews, that they do not admit even those ancient miracles." He pur-