PRELIM.] THE KINO'S RELIGIOUS FAITH. kind, the devil, is so subtle, that when any persons are near dying, be labours with all his power to make them depart with doubts of the articles of our faith ; for he knows well that he cannot deprive a man of the good works which he may have done ; and that he loses the soul if the man die in the true belief of the Catholic faith. For this reason every one should be on his guard, and have such a steady belief that he may say to the enemy when he comes to tempt him, 4 4 Go thy way, thou enemy of mankind ; thou shalt never take from me what I so firmly believe, namely, the articles of my religion ; I had rather that thou shouldst cut off all the members of my body ; for I am determined to live and die in the faith." Whoever acts thus, conquers the enemy with the staff with which he meant to slay him. The good king, however, said that faith in God was of such a nature that we ought to believe in it implicitly, and so perfectly as not to depend on hearsay. He then asked me if I knew the name of my father ; I answered, that his name was Simon. 44And how do you know that?" said he. I replied, that I was certain of it, and believed it firmly, because my mother had told it me several times. 4 4 Then," added he, 4 4 you ought perfectly to believe the articles of the faith which the apostles of our Lord have testified to you, as yon have heard the Credo chanted every Sunday." tie told me that a bishop of Paris, whose Christian name was William,* informed him that a very learned man in sacred theology once came to converse with, and consult him, and that when he first opened his case he wept most bitterly. The bishop said to him, 4 4 Master^ do not thus lament and bewail, for there cannot be any sinner, however enormous, bnt that God has the power to pardou." 4 4 Ah," replied the learned man, 4 4 know, my lord bishop, that I cannot do any thing but weep ; for I am much afraid that, in one point, I am an unbeliever, in not being well assured with respect to the holy sacrament that is placed on the altar, according to what the holy church teaches and commands to be believed. This is what my mind cannot receive ; and I believe," added he, 44 that it is caused by the temptation of the enemy." 4 4 Master," answered the bishop, 4 4 now tell me, when the * Wh o has left behind him several works, and under whom the question of plurality of benefices was agitated.