a great sign of weakness; nor he that is exercised by affliction, ought, therefore, to be dejected, seeing temptation is for the most part a testimony of a valiant mind.
Christ ascended up to heaven in the presence of his disciples, that they might be witnesses of this mystery, of which, they were beholders, none can give better testimony to Almighty God's deeds, than he who hath learned them by experience; wherefore, he that would certainly know how good, hov/ sweet, and merciful he is towards his, and what is the force and efficacy of his divine grace, love, providence, and spiritual consolations; let him ask those, who, indeed, have had experience of them, for they, and only they, will give him the best instructions and satisfaction.
Moreover, Christ would ascend, his disciples looking upon him, that they might pursue him with their eyes and spirit, that they might have a cordial feehng of his departure; that in his absence they might fear to remain alone, and that they might the better dispose themselves to receive his holy grace. The prophet Eliseus, when Elias was to be taken and separated from him, desired that he would give his spirit Elias made answer: "Rem difficilem postulasH attamen si videris me, quaiido tollar a te, erit tibi quod petisli: si autem non videris, non erit." " Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee,
