be excoriated that is, stripped of all bad dispositions and humours. The skin nailed to the seat of judgment, is Christ's passion, which is a memorial to us of what our conduct should be.

TALE XXX.

OF OFFENCE AND JUDGMENT.

A CERTAIN king determined on the occasion of some victory to appoint three especial honours, and an equal number of disagreeable accompaniments. The first of the honors was, that the people should meet the conqueror with acclamations and every other testimony of pleasure. The second, that all the captives, bound hand and foot, should attend the victor's chariot. The third honour was, that, enwrapped in the mantle of Jupiter,

he should sit upon a triumphal car, drawn by four white horses, and be thus brought to the capitol. But lest these exalted rewards should swell the heart, and make the favourite of fortune forget his birth and mortal character, three grievances were attached to them. First, a slave sat on his right hand in the chariot-which served to hint, that poverty and unmerited degradation were no bars to the subsequent attainment of the highest dignities. The second grievance was, that the slave should inflict upon him several severe blows, to abate the haughtiness which the applause of his countrymen might tend to excite-at the same time saying to him in Greek, "Twee GEAUTOV," that is, know thyself, and permit not thy exaltation to render thee proud. Look behind thee, and remember that thou art mortal. The third grievance was this, that free licence was given, upon that day of triumph, to utter the most galling reproaches, and the most cutting sarcasms.

(27)

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the emperor is our heavenly Father, and the conqueror, our Lord Jesus Christ, who has obtained a glorious victory over sin. The first honor typifies his entry into Jerusalem, when the people shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David." The second, those enslaved by sin. The third, Christ's divinity. The four white horses are the four Evangelists. The slave, is the worst of the two robbers crucified with our Lord. The second grievance is the blows he received; and the third, the indignities with which he was overwhelmed.

TALE XXXI.

OF THE RIGOR OF DEATH.

WE read, that at the death of Alexander, a golden sepulchre was constructed, and that a

number of philosophers assembled round it. One said "Yesterday, Alexander made a treasure of gold; and now gold makes a treasure of him." Another observed" Yesterday, the whole world was not enough to satiate his ambition; to-day, three or four ells of cloth are more than sufficient." A third said "Yesterday, Alexander commanded the people; to-day the people command him." Another said-" Yesterday, Alexander could enfranchise thousands; to-day he cannot free himself from the bonds of death." Another remarked-" Yesterday, he pressed the earth; to-day it oppresses him." "Yesterday," continued another, "all men feared Alexander; to-day men repute him nothing." Another said, "Yesterday, Alexander had a multitude of friends; to-day, not one." Another said, Yesterday, Alexander led on an army; today, that army bears him to the grave."

APPLICATION.

My beloved, any one may be called Alexander who is rich and worldly-minded; and

to him may the observations of the philosophers be truly applied.

TALE XXXII.

OF GOOD INSPIRATION.

SENECA mentions, that in poisoned bodies, on account of the malignancy and coldness of the poison, no worm will engender; but if the body be struck with lightning, in a few days it will be full of them. (28)

APPLICATION.

My beloved, men are poisoned by sin, and then they produce no worm, that is, nọ virtue; but struck with lightning, that is, by the grace of God, they are fruitful in good works.