predestinating, calling, justifying, and, finally, glorifying him; for infusing into him grace and virtues; for giving him so many oppbrtunities of doing good; for protecting him amid the many temptations, deceits, snares, and dangers of this life; for enabling him to persevere to the end, and for crowning him now with so much glory and honour in heaven. Praise him, lastly, for warning and arousing you by their example, to contend, by fighting bravely, for a similar prize and reward.
There is, therefore, no reason to apprehend derogation to my praise and glory from the praises of the saints. For it is impossible to praise their virtues without praising me, who am the author of all virtue and grace. For without me they could do nothing; I gave them the will and the power. All the praise, therefore, of the saints returns to me as its source. I am the vine; they were branches, which could have borne no fruit of themselves, unless they had abided in the vine. Therefore, in rewarding them, I crown, not so much their good works, as my own gifts.
But they have always themselves candidly acknowledged that they had nothing but what they had received, and, though they did all their duty, still they confessed themselves unprofitable servants. Hence they had never any vain-glory, but always gave glory to my name. Observe, and follow this example, if thou wilt truly raise the saints, and God in is saints.
Man. But to me thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honourable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. For who is able worthily to praise thy saints? My eyes are dazzled by the majesty and glory of those who shine in thy presence as the brightness of the firmament, and sparkle with as many virtues as the sky with stars. Thou art truly wonderful, O Lord, in,thy saints; I praise and glorify thee for thy boundless goodness, because thou hast so abundantly prevented them with blessings of sweetness; thou hast set on their head a crown of precious stones; with glory and honour thou hast crowned them, O Lord.
II. Invocation of the Saints.
Christ. It is part of the praise and glory of the saints to be invoked for succour, and to protect you in necessity. True indeed it is, that thy help is from me alone, and that there is salvation in none other, but only in my name. But I have freely granted this to my elect, that, since they have served me
