when they had once come in contact with the body, were made whole. These miraculous effects, attracted the attention of the emperors and the pontiff. They determined to support the bier; and when they had done so, they were sanctified by the holiness which proceeded from the corse. They then scattered great abundance of gold and silver about the streets, that the people's natural cupidity might draw them aside, and the bier be carried forward to the church; but, strange to say, careless of all else, they pressed yet the more vehemently to touch it. At length, after great exertions, he was brought to the church of St. Boniface, the Martyr; and there, for the space of seven days, they tarried, praising God. They constructed a monument, glittering with gold and precious stones, and here, with the greatest reverence, placed the body of their Saint. Even from the very monument, so sweet an odour of sanctity broke forth, that it seemed to be entirely filled with the most fragrant aroma. He died about the year of our Lord cccXXVIII. (12)

APPLICATION.

My beloved, Eufemian is any man of this world who hath a darling son, for whose advantage he labours day and night. He obtains a wife for him, that is, the vanity of the world, which he delights in as in a bride; nay, the world's vanities are often more to a man than the most virtuous wife-for life is sacrificed to the one, but, alas! how seldom to the other! The mother, is the world itself, which greatly values her worldly-minded children. But the good son, like the blessed Alexius, is more studious to please God than his parents, remembering that it is said,"He who forsakes land or houses, or father, or mother, or wife, for my sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and possess eternal life." Alexius enters a ship, &c. The ship is our holy Church, by which we ought to enter, if we would obtain everlasting happiness. We must likewise lay aside gorgeous raimentthat is, the pomps of the world; and associate with the poor-that is, the poor in spirit.

The warden, who conducted him into the Church, is a prudent confessor, whose duty it is, to instruct the sinner, and lead him to a knowledge of the sacred Scriptures, by which the soul may pass unharmed to immortality. But sometimes tempests arise, and hurry a man to his own country, as it happened to Alexius. The temptations of the Evil One, are symbolized by these tempests, which turn the voyager from his settled course, and prevent a life of goodness. If, therefore, you feel that you are subject to certain temptations, follow the example of the holy Alexius. Assume the dress of a pilgrim—that is, take the qualities necessary for the pilgrimage of this life, and disguise yourself from your carnal and worldly father, and become a man of God.

But if it fall out, that when such a one aspires to a life of penitence, his parents lament, and decry their child's contempt of the world, and his voluntary choice of poverty for the love of God-still, it is safer to displease them, than Heaven. Obtain, therefore, a fair piece of paper, which is a good conscience, on which inscribe your life; and

then, the High Priest with the emperors will draw near-that is, Christ with a multitude of angels-and convey your soul to the church of St. Boniface-that is, to eternal life, where all sanctity (or joy) abounds.

TALE XVI.

OF AN EXEMPLARY LIFE.

WE read of a certain Roman Emperor, who built a magnificent palace. In digging the foundation, the workmen discovered a golden sarcophagus, ornamented with three circlets on which were inscribed," I have expended -I have given-I have kept-I have possessed-I do possess-I have lost-I am punished." In the front also, was written, "What I expended, I have; what I gave away, I have." (13) The Emperor, on seeing this, called to him the nobles of his empire, and

said, "Go, and consider amongst ye, what this superscription signifies." The noblemen replied," Sire, the meaning is, that an Emperor, who reigned before your Majesty, wished to leave an example for the imitation of his successors. He therefore wrote, I have

expended'—that is, my life; judging some, admonishing others, and governing to the best of my ability. I have given,'—that is, military equipments, and supplies to the needy; to every one according to his desert. 'I have kept,'—that is, exact justice; shewing mercy to the indigent, and yielding to the labourer his hire. I have possessed,'that is, a generous and true heart; recompensing faithfully those who have done me service, and exhibiting at all times a kind and affable exterior. I do possess,' that is, a hand to bestow, to protect, and to punish ⚫ I have lost,'—that is, my folly; I have lost the friendship of my foes, and the lascivious indulgences of the flesh. I am punished,'that is, in hell; because I believed not in one eternal God, and put no faith in the redemption." * . (14)

*