chap, mi]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

229

a shadow of trust can be reposed in them; but thatwhatever they pretend, they will infallibly massacreyou, either in open war or by treachery, or somehorrid torture—they, who always accomplish theirthreats, never their promises. Since no possibleescape from them is left, why then let despair (asto earth) be your weapons, as long as you have thepower to make a single struggle; and then recom-mend your soul to God, in the firm conviction thatHis tender charity can never be extinguished. Hisimmense love will make up for our defects; and donot doubt but that without further penitence, orsuffering after death, your spirit will ascend at onceto a blessed eternity. So now confess your sinseach to each other; be your death glorious to your-self and useful to Christianity, and be sure ofpardon.” 1

Then did every man kiss his neighbour; andmany who had been long enemies, died warmfriends, Mass was said, and they took the sacra-ment. Now to your posts!—The Grand Master ofthe Templars had determined upon his , 2 and with hea-venly resignation and self-devotedness, went straightto the sultan’s tent, and had less difficulty than heexpected in persuading him of the peril of reducingthe Christians to despair; so the Saracen was

1 Michaud: Hist., v. 427. 2 Id. : Id., 129.