we shall see the Lord coming to our aid. For the first time I am now learning to understand the book of Psalms,[1] to pray as I ought, to ponder over the insults of Christ and the sufferings of the martyrs, as Isaiah saith: Vexation alone shall make you under stand what you hear.[2] Again: What doth he know, that hath not been tried?[3]
I don’t understand what our learned doctor of Biberach wants. The Goose conjectures nothing from his negligence in writing,[4] except that he is well in body. May his soul’s health especially be confirmed by the Lord! for it is his soul’s health, no less than his bodily health, that I hope is being improved, and will after death be perfected in bliss with all the saints.
In prison hid from human sight,
The stated offices of night,
The gospel readings as they fall,
Litanies, vigils do not pall.
The “hours” pass lightly:[5] for this road
The Master went, Who bore our load.
This is my passion, naught indeed,
Or slight, if I from sin be freed.
May Christ the Lord stand by His own,
Lest Antichrist do gulp me down!
Rejoice all of you, who are one in the Lord. Greet one another, and prepare yourselves worthily to eat the Lord’s Body before Easter. I shall be without it, so far as the outward elements are concerned,[6] as now
