some time in silence, and then at length burst forth into these words:
Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace! Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight no man living shall be justified! Remember me, thou who only art without sin, Christ, the Saviour of the world; bring me out of the death of this body, and translate me to thy kingdom! I know that I merit not to behold thee, yet thou knowest that my hope has been ever in thy mercy!
And now, too, in dying, O Christ, will I breathe out my last breath in the confession of thy holy Name. Uphold me, therefore, according to thy great mercy, and let me not be disappointed of my expectation. As I speed on my way, open to me the gate of life; and let me not be met by the princes of darkness. Let thy hand lead me into a place of refreshment, even though it be the last of the mansions which thou hast prepared for thy servants who fear thee!
At these words he expired.
Of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, — who, in an illness which it was thought would be his last, with weighty and undoubtedly golden words confounded the accusations of the enemy,— the author of his Life, who was himself present at the time, thus speaks:
And now when he seemed to be on the point of breathing his last, he seemed to himself to be brought before the Lord’s judgment-seat. There, too, stood Satan over against him, attacking him with wicked accusations. But when he had made an end of all his charges, and the man of God was to speak for himself, nothing terrified or disturbed, he said:
“ I own I am not worthy, nor can I, by my own merits, obtain the Kingdom of Heaven. But my Lord, who holds it of double right, that is to say, by his Father’s inheritance and by the merit of his Passion, contents himself with one, and gives to me the other. By his gift I claim it rightfully and I am not confounded. ’ At these words the enemy was put to shame, &c.
Oh, beautiful words! how deeply to be impressed on all dying persons.
SAINT LAURENCE JUSTINIAN, Patriarch of Venice,
When at the point of death, prayed thus:
Thou knowest, O Lord, that my life when I reflect upon it, must be called, not so much a life as a period of confusion. But in the spirit of humility, and with a contrite
