Saint jfvantin of ^nnini. 15 



like unto a true obferver of the Holy Gof- 

 pel, did ftretch forth his hand into the lap 

 of Bernard, and drawing it out full of 

 money, caft the fame into the lap of Sil- 

 vefter, faying, " If more you defire, yet 

 more will I give you." Silvefter being 

 content with that that he had, went away 

 and returned to his own houfe ; but at 

 evening, pondering on that which he had 

 done that day, and reproaching himfelf for 

 his avarice, confidering the fervor of Ber- 

 nard and the fan6lity of Saint Francis, 

 the following night, and for yet two other 

 nights, God fent him this rare vifion : that 

 from the mouth of Saint Francis there 

 iffued forth a crofs of gold, the top of 

 which reached even unto Heaven, and the 

 arms of which ftretched from the Eafb 

 even unto the Weft. Becaufe of this vifion 

 he gave away for love of God all that that 

 he had, and became one of the Gray Friars ; 

 and fuch were his fan6lity and grace while 

 in the Order, that he fpake with God even 

 as one friend with another, as Saint Francis 

 many times experienced, and as is by him 

 fet forth in thefe pages. 



Bernard likewife received great grace 

 from God, forafmuch as he was often tranf- 



ported 



