In the morning, however, enquiries were set on foot; and messengers despatched in pursuit of her. Now there was at that time in the Emperor's palace, a champion of remarkable prowess, and with whom the execution of justice was never dilatory. When he understood the contempt and ingratitude which the lady had exhibited towards her parent, he armed himself, and hastened after the fugitives. A battle speedily ensued, in which the champion triumphed, and decapitated the seducer on the spot. The lady he conveyed back to the palace; but being refused admittance to the presence of her father, thenceforward she passed her time in bitterly bewailing her misdeeds. It happened that a wise person in the Emperor's court heard of her repentance. On all occasions when his services were required, he had proved himself an active mediator between majesty and its offenders; and being now moved with compassion, he reconciled her to her indignant parent, and betrothed her to a powerful nobleman. He afterwards made her several valuable presents. In the first place, he presented a tunic, which extended to the

And thus, the lamp of good works is extinguished, and the dog of conscience destroyed : and thus, the soul follows the devil in the dark night of sin. These things, when our champion had heard, namely, GOD-because, “there is no other that fights for us, but only Thou, our God," instantly he combats with that wicked mis-leader the devil, gains a victory, and leads the soul to the palace of the heavenly King. The wise mediator is CHRIST; as the apostle says, 1 Tim. ii. "There is one mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus." The son of the king is CHRIST. So the Psalmist witnesses-" Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee." Christ is also our brother. Gen. xxxvii. "He is our brother." And he is our spouse, according to that of Hosea ii. "I will marry thee in faithfulness." Again, “Thou shalt be the spouse of my blood." By him, we are reconciled to our heavenly Father, and restored to peace. "For he is our peace, who hath made both one." Ephes. ii. From him we received the aforesaid gifts : first, a cloak descending to the ancle-that is, his most precious skin; (2) and said to be of

up,"

delicate texture, because it was woven with stripes, blood, bruises, and other various instances of malice. Of which texture, nothing more is meant than this" I have raised thee ," because I have redeemed thee; do not throw thyself into further evil. “ Go,” said our Lord," and sin no more."This is the vest of Joseph the garment dyed in the blood of a goat. Gen. xxxvii. That same Christ our King, gave to us am all glorious crown; that is, when he submitted to be crowned for our sakes. And of a truth, “Thy dignity is from me"even from that crown. John xix. "Jesus went forth, bearing the crown of thorns." Christ is our champion, who gave us a ring-that is, the hole in his right hand; and we ourselves may perceive how faithfully it is written" I have loved thee, do thou also love." Rev.i. "Christ our mediator loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood." He gave us another ring, which is the puncture in his left hand, where we see written, "What have I done? how much? why?"—" What have I done?" I have despoiled myself, receiving the form of a ser

vant.

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"How much?" I have made God and man. Why?" To redeem the lost. Concerning these three-Zachary xiii. “What are the wounds in the middle of thy hands? And he answered, saying, I am wounded by these men in their house, who loved me." Christ is our brother, and son of the eternal King. He gave us a third ring-to wit, the hole in his right foot; and what can be understood by it, except," Thou art noble, despise not thy nobility?" In like manner, Christ is our brothergerman. And he gave us a fourth ring, the puncture in his left foot, on which is written, Approach; fear not-I am thy brother." Christ is also our spouse; he gave us a signet, Iwith which he confirmed our inheritance : that is, the wound made in his side by the spear, on account of the great love, with which he loved us. And what can this signify but "Thou art now joined to me through mercy; sin no more."

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Let us study, my beloved, so to keep the gifts of the world, that we may be able to exclaim, as in St. Matthew, "Lord, thou gavest

to me five talents ;" and thus, unquestionably, we shall reign in the bosom of bliss. That we may be thought worthy the Father, Son, &c.

TALE II.

OF MERCY.

THE Emperor Titus made a law, that whosoever provided not for his parents, should be condemned to death. It happened that there were two brethren, descended from the same father. One of them had a son who discovered his uncle in the greatest indigence; and immediately, in compliance with the law, but in opposition to the will of his father, administered to his wants. Thereupon the father expelled him from his house. Notwithstanding he still maintained his poor uncle, and supplied him with every requisite. By and by,