Page:The religious life of King Henry VI.djvu/42

22 lessons for his own spiritual consolation and for that of others. For this reason he was constantly consulted by, and gave helpful advice to, many in every state and condition of life and of every age; the young he exhorted to fly from vice and cultivate virtue. Many of older age than he and, indeed, even priests he urged to strive to grow in virtue and thus to make sure of the reward of eternal life. He was wont to quote to them the words of the Psalmist: "Ite de virtute in virtutem. Videbitur enim tunc Deus Deorum in Syon."

King Henry's devout attitude in church was most noteworthy. He never liked to make use of a seat, or to move about, as is the custom of worldly-minded people. His head was always uncovered during the celebration of the divine offices: he rarely raised his eyes but almost always remained on his knees before a book, following, with his eyes on his missal and with his hands partly raised, the epistles and gospels said by the celebrant. To the wonder of many people he used to send letters full of holy and salutary advice to some of his clerics.

Wherever the King might be, he manifested a special devotion to the Holy Cross.