that it should be done; that absolution is not to be granted, but with much precaution and discretion, after sinners have wept and sighed long; and when the whole Church has prayed for them, that so no man may prevent the judgement of Jesus Christ." Ep. 1. ad Sympron. Bibl. PP. Max. T. iv P. 307.
St. John CHRYSOSTOM, G.C.-“When the heart is to be afflicted, is bodily strength required? Or to offer prayers to God; to recollect offences; to put on humility; or to eradicate pride? By these actions God is pleased. In them where is the labour? where the pain? And yet, as if it were so, they are omitted to be done. The severity of haircloth, the narrow retirement of a cell, the gloomy solitude of caves, God does not require: what he demands, is, that we keep ever in our minds the remembrance of our failings; that we hold the consciousness of these before our eyes, and that for them we implore forgiveness.” De Compunct. Cordis, L. 1. T. i. p. 139.—“The soul that desires to compound and to preserve that precious unguent, by which I understand compunction of heart, must draw within herself all corporeal sensations, and thus suppressing their natural indolence, be actively awake to, and intent solely on the object that is before her.—This was the case with the blessed Apostle, who, living amongst men, seemed to converse with them as we do with the absent dead. The world, he said, is crucified to me, and I to the world ; (Gal. vi. 14.) signifying, that the impression of external objects had ceased to affect him.” Ibid. L. ij. p. 142.—“ When you shall have done all things that are commanded you, say: we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do. (Luke xvii. 10.) In this sense spoke the publican ; (Ibid. xviii. 13.) who, laden with many evils, could not lift up his eyes towards heaven, nor dared he pour out a long prayer, nor approach the Pharisee. This man had insultingly said: I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. But he, as
