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gem novissimam in tabulis, theologe, cordium nostro- rum.

Ceelorum scire celsitudt- nes, marisque explorare abyssos temcrarium et in- tentabile ; astra autem nu- merare vel littoralem are- nam par cst. Sic de theo- logo dici non potest quot ipsum coronis quem atma- bat coronavit Christus, sn- pra cujus pectus recubuit, et in mystica coena eum lantissime refecit sicnt theo- logum et Christi amicum.

Terrestrem fpetisti apud Christum sedem habere ; at ille tibi pectus suum donat, o vocate theologe, tranquilla et qortanenis sede pulehri- tudinis ditatus es Aposto- lorum gloria,

Virginitatis florem, venc- randarum virtutum elec- tum habitaculum, sapien- tis instrumentum, templum Spiritus, os Ecclesie igni- ferum, charitatis manifestis- simum oculum, venerandis- simum Joannem, spiritu- albus canticis nune sur- sum celebremus, tamquam Christi famulum,

Evangelista Joannes, par Angelo, virgo, a Deo docte, limpidissimum latus san- guine et aqua fluens preedi- casti, per quem deducimur ad vitam etcrnam anima- bus nostris,

on the tablets of our hearts the true knowledge and the New Law.

To measure the height of the heavens, and explore the depths of the sca, is a rash and vain attempt—so too is it, to count the stars or the sand onthe shore. In like manner, we may not count the number of crowns wherewith Christ crowned his Beloved Disciple, who reposed on his Breast, and, in the mystic Supper, was most sumptuously regaled as the Theologian and Friend of Jesus.

Thou didst once ask to sit near Jesus on a_ terrestrial throne ; but he gave thee to recline on his Breast, and placed thee on a peaceful and eternal throne of beauty, O thou that art called the Theo- logian, and art the glory of the Apostles !

Let us now loudly celebrate in spiritual canticles this ser- vant of Christ:—he is the flower of holy Virginity, the chosen dwelling of sublime virtues, the instrument of wisdom, the temple of the Spirit, the burning tongue of the Church, the most bright eye of charity, the most vene- rable John.

O Evangelist John! angelic, virgin, taught of God ! *twas thou didst tell usof that Sacred Side, from whence, as from a most limpid stream, flowed Blood and Water : thus didst thou teach our souls the way to life eternal.

The Latin Churches of the Middle Ages were fer-