Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/146

 predestinating, calling,  justifying, and,  finally,  glorifying him; for  infusing  into  him grace and  virtues; for  giving him so  many  oppbrtunities of doing  good; for  protecting him amid  the  many  temptations, deceits,  snares,  and  dangers of  this  life; for  enabling him to  persevere  to  the  end, and for  crowning  him  now with so  much  glory  and  honour in  heaven. Praise him, lastly, for  warning  and  arousing you  by  their  example,  to contend,  by  fighting  bravely, for a similar  prize  and  reward.

There is,  therefore,  no  reason to  apprehend  derogation to my  praise  and  glory  from the praises  of  the  saints. For it is  impossible  to  praise their virtues  without  praising me,  who  am  the  author  of all  virtue  and  grace. For without me  they  could  do nothing; I gave  them  the will and  the  power. All the praise, therefore,  of  the  saints returns to  me  as  its  source. I am the  vine;  they  were branches, which  could  have borne no  fruit  of  themselves, unless they  had  abided  in  the vine. Therefore, in  rewarding them,  I crown,  not  so much  their  good  works,  as my  own  gifts.

But they  have  always  themselves candidly  acknowledged that they  had  nothing  but what they  had  received,  and, though they  did  all  their duty, still  they  confessed themselves unprofitable  servants. Hence they  had  never any vain-glory,  but  always gave glory  to  my  name. Observe, and follow  this  example, if  thou  wilt  truly raise the  saints,  and  God  in is  saints.

But to  me  thy  friends, O God, are  made  exceedingly honourable; their principality is  exceedingly  strengthened. For who  is  able  worthily to  praise  thy  saints? My eyes  are  dazzled  by  the majesty and  glory  of  those who shine  in  thy  presence  as the  brightness  of  the  firmament, and  sparkle  with  as many  virtues  as  the  sky  with stars. Thou art  truly  wonderful, O Lord,  in,thy  saints; I praise and  glorify  thee  for thy boundless  goodness,  because thou  hast  so  abundantly prevented them  with  blessings of  sweetness; thou  hast set on  their  head  a crown of precious  stones; with glory and  honour  thou  hast crowned them,  O Lord.

It is  part  of  the praise and  glory  of  the  saints to be  invoked  for  succour, and to  protect  you  in  necessity. True indeed  it  is,  that thy help  is  from  me  alone, and that  there  is  salvation  in none  other,  but  only  in  my name. But I have  freely granted this  to  my  elect,  that, since they  have  served  me