.Saint ^iFiMncis of Assist* 197 



ill even unto death, infomuch that naught 

 could he take ; and therewithal he would re- 

 ceive no carnal medicine, but all his faith he 

 put in the Heavenly Phyfician, Jefus Chrift 

 the Bleffed, and in His Bleffed Mother; 

 thereby he merited the divine clemency of 

 being mercifully vifited and healed. Hence 

 he being once in his bed and making ready 

 for death with all his heart, and with all 

 due devotion, there appeared unto him the 

 glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of Chrift, 

 with an exceeding great multitude of An- 

 gels and Holy Virgins, with wondrous 

 fplendor. She drew nigh unto his bed : 

 whence he gazing upon her was moft 

 greatly comforted and rejoiced, both in 

 foul and in body; and he began to pray 

 humbly that She would pray Her beloved 

 Son that through His merits He would 

 releafe him from the prifon-houfe of this 

 wretched flefh. And perfevering in this 

 prayer with many tears, the Virgin Mary 

 replied to him, calling him by name, and 

 faying : " Doubt not, fon, forafmuch as your 

 prayer is granted, and I am come to com- 

 fort you a little before that you depart 

 hence from this life." There were with 

 the Virgin Mary three Holy Virgins, which 



bore 



