rashly deceive ourselves; by the former, deprive ourselves of what is good and profitable. Let us, then, invoke their Intercession, and beg that they extend to us a helping hand," while we ourselves remain constant in the pursuit of virtue.” Homil. i. in i. Thess. T. xi. p. 429, 432. See Homil. xlv. de St. Meletio, T. ii. p. 518. Homil. de SS. Bernice, Prosdoce et Domnina. Ibid. p. 634.
St. ASTERIUS OF AMASEA, G. C.-“ The Saints, in virtue of their power with God, are the Intercessors of the world. We adore not the Martyrs, but we shew honour to them as the true adorers of God. We worship not men, but we admire those, who, in time of persecution, nobly died in his service. We deposit their remains in monuments of curious workmanship, and we raise magnificent temples to their memories, that we ourselves may learn to emulate their deeds.—Though dead, the Saints can still do much: they can impart favours to us. — Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. (Ps. cxv.) wherefore, let us offer up our prayers to God, and entreat the Martyrs, that our common Lord would communicate the spirit of compunction to those who err ; and that, all doubt, as a wall of separation, being removed, we may all meet together, in fraternal union.” Encom. in SS. Martyres, T. i. p. 191, 198, 207. In N. Auctario Combefis. Paris, 1648.
St. JEROM, L. C.-“We worship not, we adore not the relics of Martyrs-nor Angels, nor Archangels, nor Cheru-
