[148] Door-keepers,—an office constituting a lesser order in the Church.
[149] “The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?”
[150] “While the wicked draw nigh me, to eat my flesh, my enemies that trouble me have themselves been weakened and have fallen.”
[151] “If armies in camp shall stand together against me, my heart shall not fear.”—Ps. xxvi.
[152] The guardian genius of the place.
[153] Blind.
[154] The rack was used for a double purpose; as a direct torment, and to keep the body distended for the application of other tortures. This of fire was one of the most common.
[155] There are many instances in the lives of martyrs of their deaths being the fruit of prayer, as in St. Praxedes, St. Cæcilia, St. Agatha, &c.
[156] “In peace, in the selfsame, I will sleep and I will rest.” Ps. iv. 9.
[157] For Thou, O Lord, singularly hast placed me in hope. Ps. v. 10.