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ROGER OF WENDOVER Flowers of history. The history of England from the descent of the saxons to A.D. 1235. vol.1
page 421
416 KOGEE OF "WENDOVER. [A.D . 1098.
patrimonies they had left at home, to come upon pilgrimage for the cause of Christ, and they murmured at the ingratitude of the Almighty, who had no respect for their sufferings, but let them, as if they were a people unknown to him, be delivered into the hands of their enemies.
Of the consolation which God bestowed upon the afflicted pilgrims.
But the Lord at last looked down upon his suffering people, and sent them consolation from the mercy-seat. A poor pilgrim, who was a priest, and belonged to the army, came to the princes and pilgrims of the west, and said these words to them :—" Hear, my brethren and dear friends, the vision which I have seen.. I made up my mind to pass the night in the church of the mother of God, and to pray to the Lord to ease our sufferings ; whether awake or half-asleep I know not, God only knows, but I saw our Lord Jesus Christ without knowing him ; his blessed mother was also present, together with Peter the prince of the apostles. A s I looked upon them, the Lord said to me, ' Dost thou know me ?' and I replied, ' No, my Lord.' Meanwhile a bright cross shone above his head, and he again asked me the same question : to whom I answered, ' My Lord, if I understand rightly from the sign of the cross above your head, I take you for our Redeemer.' To which he said, ' It is as thou sayest.' I then threw myself at his feet, and bedewing his knees with my tears, said to him, ' Lord, Lord, pity us, pity thy people ; Lord, help us ! ' The Lord then answered, ' I have helped you hitherto ; for I permitted you to take Nice, and have covered you in many battles. Under my guidance you have conquered and prevailed at Antioch, and I have been indulgent to your wishes during the siege itself ; but you have been ungrateful to me for my kindness and rebelled against me : your iniquities have arisen from your abundance ; you have provoked me to anger by the injuries which your nation have done me, in committing fornication with strange women. The ill-savour of you has gone up to heaven, and has made me avert my eyes from you. I will repay you for your ingratitude ; neither will I spare your debaucheries and your licentiousness.' Then the mother of mercy and Peter fell down at the feet of the merciful Redeemer, and mitigated his threats by their supplications :—' Lord, for
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