Saint iFtancCfl of '^Xnnini. 211 



fame path. Then Brother John rofe up, 

 and haftcned after him, and yet again did 

 fall at His feet, and with a holy importu- 

 nity did hold Him by His garment, and 

 with moft pious tears befought Him, fay- 

 ing : " O fweeteft Jefus Chrift, have mercy 

 upon my tribulation ; hearken unto me for 

 the abundance of Thy mercy, and for the 

 truth of Thy falvation, and give me back 

 the light of Thy countenance and of Thy 

 loving kindnefs, forafmuch as the whole 

 earth is full of Thy merciful deeds." And 

 Chrift departed from him yet again, and 

 fpake not to him, neither gave He him any 

 confolation ; and He did even as the mother 

 doth to her child, when fhe lets him long 

 for her breaft, and lures him to purfue her 

 with weeping, to the end that fo he may 

 take it more gladly. At which Brother 

 John once more with greater fervor and 

 defire followed after Chrift ; and having 

 drawn nigh to Him, Chrift the Bleffed 

 turned to him, and looked upon him with 

 a gracious and fmiling countenance ; and 

 opening His moft holy and merciful arms, 

 He did moft fweetly embrace him. And in 

 that opening of His arms Brother John 

 faw rays of refplendent light to iffue from 



the 



