Vol. 2

70 ST. MARK.distemper, and by the preference which she receives.God has his proper times and moments. He seemsto neglect a sinner, and not to hear his prayer: butvery often he only defers it. The secret is, to havepatience, and not to give over following him in hisways." 26. And had suffered many things of manyphysicians, and had spent all that she had, and wasnothing bettered, but rather grew worse,"It is a great piece of infidelity for men not tothink of God in afflictions until they have experiencedthe insufficiency of human remedies. Whata mercy is it to be forced to have recourse to God,by misfortunes, diseases, or the ill usage of men !See here a representation of those physicians ofsouls,who, not acting in the name and in the spiritof Christ, do nothing else but feed and increase theirmaladies. Men are very far from doing as muchfor the health of the soul as for that of the body,and from giving all for eternal salvation, as theywillingly spend all they have for temporal life. Theyare apt to seek out such physicians from whom theymay suffer little or nothing, such as are likely to bemost easy and gentle ; and scarce will they hear speakof bestowing some slight alms. What wonder then,if such persons are nothing bettered, but rather growworse !" 27. When she had heard of Jesus, came in thepress behind, and touched his garment :"The Gentiles, represented by this woman, passingas itwere through the crowd of the Jewish people,approach Christ, and believe in him. A sinneroftentimes, by means of his faith, receives a grace