Page:The religious life of King Henry VI.djvu/41

Rh and inclinations and to say his prayers, as if he were some young religious."

The Prince manifested a filial fear of God by numberless acts of devotion. One of the English bishops of his time used to say that, having been his Confessor for ten years, he could declare that during all that time no slain of grievous sin had ever tarnished his soul.

"Oh! What constant care: oh! what diligent watchfulness to please God was found in this exalted young person. Attendite reges et principes universi, juvenes et virgines et populi quique, et laudate Dominum in Sanctis ejus. Imitate the virtue of this King, who could have done evil and did it not, but during his whole life, he shunned evil as far as he was able, because of God's displeasure."

King Henry was a constant and true worshipper of God. Indeed, he was more devoted to God's service and to the practice of devout prayer than to any worldly business or mundane matters, or to the playing of games or suchlike occupations. Mere frivolous things were abhorrent to him, and he assiduously practised himself in prayer, in the reading of the Holy Scriptures, or the study of history. From these he drew many useful