XIII. THE CHILD-MAN.

JOHN GERSON, the pious and learned Chancellor of Paris, beholding and bemoaning the general corruption of his age, in doctrine and manners, was wont to get a choir of little children about him, and to entreat them to pray to God in his behalf.²⁷²⁷In his Life, juxta finem. Supposing their prayers least denied with sin, and most acceptable to Heaven.

Men now-a-days are so infected with malice, that little children are the best chaplains to pray for their parents. But O, where shall 135such be found, not resenting of the faults and factions of their fathers? Gerson’s plot will not take effect, I will try another way.

I will make my address to the holy child Jesus, [Acts iv. 27.] so is he styled even when glorified in heaven; not because he is still under age (like Popish pictures, placing him in his mother’s arms, and keeping him in his constant infancy), but because with the strength and perfection of a man he hath the innocency and humility of a child; him only will I employ to intercede for me.