Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/39

push me out or to keep me from the temple-door; and so I entered with those who were entering. Then indeed a strong terror seized me, and I was all trembling and troubled, as I again approached the door that before was fastened against me; just as if all the force that had formerly debarred me from entering the door had afterwards assisted my entrance in advancing. Thus was I filled with spiritual mysteries within the temple, and I was considered worthy to pray for the mysteries of the honoured and quickening Rood. Then I beheld there the mysteries of the holy God, how He is ever ready to receive the repentant. Then I cast myself forward on the floor, and kissed the sacred earth. As I went out, I again arrived at the place whence I before saw the holy mother's likeness, and bent my knees before the holy presence, saying these words: " Oh, thou most benign lady, who hast shewn me thy gracious mercy, and didst not cast from thee my unworthy prayers, I have seen the glory that we sinners by our merits never behold; glory be to Almighty God, who through thee receiveth the sorrow and repentance of sinners and misdoers. What more can I, a despairing wretch, think or tell of? Now is the time to perform and fulfil, as I before said, thy favourable protection. Direct me now in the way that thou wiliest; let an evident guide to salvation and a teacher of truth now appear to me, going before me in the way that leadeth to amendment." While I thus spoke, I heard a voice calling afar off: "If thou wilt pass over the river Jordan, there thou shalt experience and find good rest." When I heard this voice, and understood that it was uttered on my account, I spake with weeping, looking towards the likeness