In England from Wicliffe to Henry VIII - James Aitken Wylie
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Arundel: "Whom callest thou true pilgrims?"<br />
Thorpe: "Those travelling <strong>to</strong>wards the bliss of<br />
heaven. Such busy themselves <strong>to</strong> know and keep<br />
the biddings of God; flee the seven deadly sins; do<br />
willingly all the works of mercy, and seek the gifts<br />
of the Holy Ghost. Every good thought they think,<br />
every virtuous word they speak, every fruitful work<br />
they accomplish, is a step numbered of God <strong>to</strong>ward<br />
Him in<strong>to</strong> heaven.<br />
"But," continued the confessor, "the most part<br />
of men and women that now go on pilgrimages<br />
have not these conditions, nor love <strong>to</strong> have them.<br />
For, as I well know, since I have full often tried,<br />
examine whoever will twenty of these pilgrims,<br />
and he shall not find three men or women that<br />
know surely a commandment of God, nor can say<br />
their Paternosters and Ave Maria, nor their creed,<br />
readily, in any manner of language. Their<br />
pilgrimage is more <strong>to</strong> have here worldly and<br />
fleshly friendship, than <strong>to</strong> have friendship of God<br />
and of His saints in heaven. Also, sir, I know that<br />
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