The Crusades

171: Abundance of Rewards in Paradise

What think you,” said Jesus to his disciples, “of paradise? Is there a mind that could comprehend such riches and delights? Man must needs have a knowledge as great as God’s if he would know what God wills to give to his servants. Have you seen, when Herod; makes a present to one of his favourite barons, in what sort he presents it?” John answered: “I have seen it twice; and assuredly the tenth part of that which he gives would be sufficient for a poor man.” Jesus said: “But if a poor man shall be presented to Herod what will he give to him” John answered: “One or two mites.” Now let this be your book wherein to study the knowledge of paradise,” [said Jesus]: “because all that God has given to man in this present world for his body is as though Herod should give a mite to a poor man;; but what God will give to the body and soul in paradise is as though Herod should give all that he has, yes and his own life, to one of his servants.”