<Saint jFrancis oC ^nninu 31 



by any blows or pinches, faid to himfelf, 

 "Verily, it cannot be but that is a holy 

 man;" and drawing near to him, he quef- 

 tioned him thus: "Who art thou, and 

 wherefore haft thou come hither ? " And 

 Brother Bernard for all anfwer put his hand 

 into his bofom and drew forth the Rule of 

 Saint Francis, and gave it to him that he 

 might read ; and having read, confidering 

 his extreme ftate of Perfe6tion, with the 

 utmofh wonder and admiration he turned 

 to his companions and faid, "Verily, this 

 is the moft high ftate of religion of which 

 I have heard ; and this man and his com- 

 panions are the moft holy men in all the 

 earth, and he who harms the leaft among 

 them is guilty of a very grievous fm ; for 

 every man among them fnould be held in 

 high honor, inafmuch as he is the true 

 friend of God." And he fpake to Brother 

 Bernard, faying, " If you will abide among 

 us, where you may ferve God acceptably, 

 I for the falvation of my foul will joyfully 

 give you an abiding-place." Brother Ber- 

 nard made anfwer : " Sir, methinks your 

 words are infpired of Our Lord Jefus Chrift ; 

 and I cheerfully accept this your offer, to 

 the honor and glory of Chrift." Then the 



faid 



