Page:Ivanhoe (1820 Volume 3).pdf/172

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

spects, had associated to himself a Jewish damsel, wandered in this lewd company through solitary places, defended her person in preference to his own, and, finally, was so utterly blinded and besotted by his folly, as to bring her even to one of our own Preceptories, what should we say but that the noble knight was possessed by some evil demon, or influenced by some wicked spell?—If we could suppose it otherwise, think not rank, valour, high repute, or any earthly consideration, should prevent us from visiting him with punishment, that the evil thing might be removed, even according to the text, Auferte malum ex vobis. For various and heinous are the acts of transgression against the rule of our blessed Order in this lamentable history.—1st, He hath walked according to his proper will, contrary to capital 33, Quod nullus juxta propriam voluntatem incedat.—2d, He hath held communication with an excommunicated person, capital 57, Ut fratres non participent cum excommunicatis, and therefore hath a portion in Anathema Maranatha.—3d, He hath conversed with strange women, contrary to the capital, Ut fratres non conversantur cum extraneis mulieribus.—4th, He hath