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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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