ers, told the officer that he would follow
him as soon as he had finished them. He was sent for three several times
before he was ready, which the courtiers represented as a contempt of
his majesty; and the emperor, with some emotion, asked him why he had
made him wait so long, though he had sent for him so often. The bishop
answered, that though he had the most profound respect for his majesty,
yet God was infinitely above him; that while we are occupied with him,
it is our duty to forget every thing else; and that in this he judged he
had rather obeyed than neglected his majesty's orders, who, when he was
chosen bishop, had recommended to him ever to prefer the service of God
to that of men. This answer made such an impression on the emperor, in
favor of the saint, that he looked upon it as a complete justification
of his conduct as to every particular that had been laid to his charge:
he accordingly dismissed him with honor, and disgraced his accusers. The
saint took this liberty with a religious prince, that he might condemn
the sloth of many who suffer distractions or earthly trifles to
interrupt their commerce with God; but they who leave prayer for
necessary works of charity or obedience, find God still in the exercises
of those virtues. St. Ludger required so devout an attention at divine
service, that being at prayers one night with his clergy, and one of
them stooping down to mend the fire and hinder it from smoking, the
saint after prayer severely rebuked him for it, and inflicted on him a
penance for some days. St. Ludger was favored with the gift of miracles
and prophecy. He foretold the invasions of the Normans from Denmark and
Norway, and what ravages they would make in the French empire, and this
at a time when there was not the least apprehension of any such thing.
His great zeal inclined him to go and preach the faith to these northern
nations, but the king would not allow of it. His last sickness, though
violent did not hinder him from continuing his functions to the very
last day of his life, which was Passion-Sunday, on which day he preached
very early in the morning, said mass towards nine, and preached again
before night, foretelling withal to those that were about him, that he
should die the following night; and fixing upon a place in his monastery
of Werden where he chose to be interred. He died accordingly on the 26th
of March, at midnight. His relics are still kept at Werden. Joseph, an
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