Читать книгу A Golden Treatise of Mental Prayer - St. Peter de Alcántara - Страница 6

PROLOGUE.

their zealous and heroic spirits, there they sealed the truth of the gospel with the effusion of their sacred blood : yea, what acts memorable in the Church of God are there, wherein* these men have not had a very great stroke ? And, finally, they so well employ and multiply those talents which the great Commander of heaven and earth hath bestowed upon them here, that assuredly they may expect an eternal reward in the kingdom of heaven hereafter.

But that which is more admirable to see, a multitude of the weaker sex abandon all worldly pleasures, they who in the world might have swum in bravery, and have had all things at their own command, to inclose themselves in a retired cloister ; there to spend their days in penance, and to consecrate the very flower of their springing youth a sweet-smelling sacrifice to their celestial spouse, Jesus Christ. These, truly, are those that✝ fill and beautify the garden of paradise with

* Hieron. Platus de bono status relig. 1. 2. c. 30.

✝ Nuptia replent terram virginitas paradisam. D.

Hieron.