Blanquerna

OF DEVOTION

Faith and Truth, together with Blanquerna, came to a place where sat Devotion beneath a right beauteous pinetree, and she was in prayer and tears, desiring the honour of Jesus ChriSt and remembering His grievous Passion. Devotion welcomed Faith and Truth, and greeted them with cheerful countenance, but Faith and Truth greeted Devotion with countenances that were sad and troubled. Wherefore Devotion feared left her brother Understanding had some sorrow or grief, and she enquired of them con¬ cerning the cStatc of their brother. Faith and Truth answered Devotion by relating the happenings set forth above, and they told how Understanding their brother begged her earnestly that she would come to him to move his disciples to love to the end that they might follow him, giving praise to the Holy Divine Trinity and the Incarna¬ tion of the Son of God, that God and His works might have the honour among us which is fitting, and we ourselves be well-pleasing to Him, and they that are in falsehood and error be enlightened by faith and truth and understanding.

2. “ How then? ” said Devotion, “ Have they me not in their minds when my brother presents to them Truth my siSter ? ” “ Contrary is it to nature," said Devotion, “ to know God and His works, and not to have charity and devotion to honour God and His works. This contrariety is engendered by forgetfulness of the Divine Virtue, and the glory of Heaven, and the pains of Hell, and remem¬ brance of the vanity of this world and fear of death. Alas, unhappy that I am ! Where are Hope and Charity and Justice and Prudence and Fortitude that they aid you not and aid not the wisdom of my brother? ” Greatly mar¬ velled Devotion, and sorely lacked she comfort as she spake the words aforesaid.

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BLANQUERNA

3. While Devotion marvelled at this ignorance of the disciples, who feared death and trials borne for the honour of God and the gaining of celeflial happiness more than they feared to have not Charity, Hope and Fortitude, Faith and Truth begged Devotion that she would go to the dis¬ ciples, for there had been overmuch delay, and it was time that devout upholders of the Faith should preach to the unbelievers; for souls are haftening daily to the eternal flames even as the rivers hasten ceaselessly to the sea. Devotion answered : “ Well know ye that no power avails over free will in the disciples of my brother, wherefore unless they will it freely I cannot be in them ; for else would my works be contrary to Charity and Juflicc which accord with merit of glory and merit of blame. Therefore it is well that ye return to my brother and his disciples, and tell them that they may have me all the hours that they will in their company and in their mind whensoever they are pleased to have remembrance and desire for me. And to the end that they may desire me, there is figured upon the Cross the image of Jesus Chrift, the which should cause them to have great shame because they desire not to have me that they may pay to Him the honour due.”

4. Faith and Truth returned to Understanding right disconsolate in spirit. Blanquerna took courteous leave of them and went on in search of a habitation. And as he journeyed all alone through the foreft, he remembered the words of Devotion, and praised and blessed the Charity, Wisdom and Juflice of God, Who had charged faithful Chnftians, through the Incarnation and Passion of the Son of God, to fear neither trials nor death that God and His works may be honoured.

OF DILIGENCE