22. So bounteous was his hand—further
details I leave to those who knew him, so that if anything of the kind
is borne witness to in regard to myself, it proceeds from that
fountain, and is a portion of that stream. Who was more under the
Divine guidance in admitting men to the sanctuary, To the
Sanctuary, i.e., To the Priesthood. or in resenting dishonour done to it, or in
cleansing the holy table with awe from the unholy? Who with such
unbiassed judgment, and with the scales of justice, either decided a
suit, or hated vice, or honoured virtue, or promoted the most
excellent? Who was so compassionate for the sinner, or
sympathetic towards those who were running well? Who better knew
the right time for using the rod and the staff, Ps. xxiii. 5. Rod and Staff, i.e.,
Punishment and support.
yet relied most upon the staff? Whose eyes were more upon the
faithful in the land, Ps. ci. 6. especially upon
those who, in the monastic and unwedded life, have despised the earth
and the things of earth?