Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/385

THE SERAPHIC FUNERAL. 381 man under an astonishment betwixt the hope of life and the fear of death, and because profession does not oblige a man before the wearing of the hood.

Th. Whether it be an obligation or no, it is certain they think it one ; and the resignation of the whole mind is acceptable to God. And this is the reason that the good works of monks, if we allow them to be but equal with other persons, are more acceptable to God than those of other men are, because they spring from the best root. Ph. I shall not here enter into the examination of the merit of a man's dedicating himself wholly to God when he is no longer in his own power. I take it that every Christian delivers himself up wholly to God in his baptism, when he renounces all the pomps and vanities of Satan, and lists him- self a soldier to fight under Christ's banner all his life after. And St. Paul, speaking of those that die with Christ " that they may live no longer to themselves, but to Him that died for them," does not mean this of monks only, but of Christians universally.

Th. You have very seasonably put me in mind of baptism ; for in times past, if they were but dipped or sprinkled at the last gasp, there was hope given them of eternal life. Ph. It is no great matter what the bishops promise ; but it is a matter of great uncertainty what God will do ; for if it were certain that such men were presently made citizens of heaven by having a little water sprinkled in their faces, what greater gap could be laid open, that worldly men might all their life-long serve their filthy lusts and appetites, and then get two or three drops of water sprinkled upon them when they were not able to sin any longer ? Now, if the same rule holds in your profession and this baptism, it is very well provided for the wicked, that they may not be damned ; that is, that they may live to the devil, and die to Christ. Th. If it be lawful to divulge the seraphic mysteries, the profes- sion of a Franciscan is more efficacious than baptism. Ph. What is that you say 1 Th. In baptism our sins are only washed away, and the soul, though it be ptirged, is left naked ; but he that is invested with this profession is presently enriched with the egregious merits of the whole order, by being grafted into the body of the most holy fraternity. Ph. Well, and pray is he that is engrafted into the body of Christ never the better neither for the head nor the body 1 Th. He is never the better for the seraphic body, unless he deserves it by some special bounty or favour. Ph. Pray, from what angel had they this revelation 1 Th. Let me tell you, not from any angel, but Christ him- self with His own mouth revealed this, and a great deal more to St. Francis face to face. Ph. I entreat you, if you have any kindness for me, and I adjure you, tell me what the discourses were. Th. These are deep, profound mysteries, nor is it meet to commit them to profane ears. Ph. Why profane, my friend I I never wished better to any order than to the seraphic. Th. But you give them shrewd wipes sometimes. Ph. This is a sign of love, Theotimus. The greatest enemies of the order are those professors of it, that by their 01 lives bring a scandal upon it. And whosoever wishes well to the order can- not but be offended with the corrupters of it.

Th. But I am afraid St. Francis will be angry with me if I blab any of his secrets. Ph. What can you be afraid of from so harmless a person 1 Th. What, why lest he should strike me blind, or cause