.Saint jftamin of ^nnini. 25 



I charge him that he fliall go forthwith to 

 that young man." Brother Elias, hearing 

 Saint Francis' charge of obedience, went 

 out to the gate greatly troubled, and with 

 fury and noife did open it, and fpakc to the 

 young man, faying, " What would you with 

 me ? " The young man made anfwer, fay- 

 ing, " Beware, Brother, left you be troubled 

 in fpirit even as you feem ; for anger clouds 

 the mind, letting it not fee the Truth." 

 Then faid Brother Elias, "Tell me what 

 you would with me." The young man 

 made anfwer, " I afk you whether it be 

 lawful for followers of the Holy Scrip- 

 tures to eat that which is fet before them, 

 even as Chrift fpake to his difciples ; and 

 I afk you alfo whether it be lawful for 

 any man to fet before them aught that is 

 contrary to Chriftian freedom .?" Brother 

 Elias made anfwer loftily : " Well might I 

 anfwer your queftion, but I will not do fo ; 

 go your way." The young man faid, " Bet- 

 ter can I anfwer this queftion than can you." 

 Then Brother Elias, vexed and angered, 

 clofed the gate and went thence. Going 

 in, he began to ponder upon the faid quef- 

 tions, and to doubt within himfelf concern- 

 ing them, and he knew not how to folve 



them 



