5. On the authority of the foregoing Revelations.

The revelations made to the holy women mentioned above were known to the whole world, and have long ago been approved by pious and learned men; for the holy Fathers everywhere quote them in their books and writings. During the lifetime of St. Bridget, distinguished bishops and theologians examined her revelations; and after her death the Council of Basle deputed some who were eminent for 306piety and doctrine to investigate them again most diligently; and all these constantly affirmed that they came from God. In like manner the revelations of St. Gertrude were, both before and after her death, examined with the utmost diligence by most enlightened men; one of whom, after an accurate study of them, wrote his opinion as follows:— “In the light of divine truth I am convinced that no one who is illuminated by the Spirit of God can calumniate or attack those things which are contained in this book, for they are Catholic and holy.”

From all which it appears how far from the Spirit of God are those who reject and ridicule these revelations as the dreams of foolish women. May God forgive them; and may He deign, through the merits and intercession of His most dear spouses (on whom He abundantly poured forth His Spirit, and whom He surpassingly illuminated with the light of truth), to bring us all, after this miserable life, to eternal blessedness in the life to come.

THE END.

R. AND T. WASHBOURNE, PRINTERS, 4 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.