lo ^f\t autle iFlotoers of 



though he had already renounced the world, 

 and went about defpifing all vain fhow, and 

 mortifying his flefh by manifold forms of 

 penitence, infomuch that of many he was 

 held to be half mad, and was fcorned as a 

 fool and driven forth with ftones and loath- 

 ing alike by his family and by ftrangers, and 

 he amidft all infults and injuries remained 

 paffive, as if deaf and dumb, — Bernard of 

 Affifi, who was one of the moft noble, rich, 

 and wife men of that city, began prudently 

 to confider Saint Francis' exceeding con- 

 tempt for this world and his great patience 

 amid infults ; how that for the fpace of two 

 long years, being thus held in abomination 

 and defpifed of all men, he feemed ever but 

 the more fteadfaft in his faith. He began 

 to think and to fay to himfelf, " It can in no 

 wife be but that this Brother is poffeffed of 

 the great grace of God ; " and he invited 

 him to fup with him that night and to lodge 

 with him. And Saint Francis accepted 

 his proffers, and fupped and lodged with 

 him. And then did Bernard ponder in 

 his heart and meditate upon his fan6lity; 

 whereupon he ordered a bed to be laid for 

 him in his own chamber, wherein a lamp 

 ever burned at night. And Saint Francis 



defiring 



