54 ^t)^ ILittle JFlotoers of 



ftrove together, not only many bodies, as 

 already there began to be feen, would have 

 perifhed by the knife, but even alfo many 

 fouls would the Devil have dragged down 

 into Hell ; and yet you, vain and filly that 

 you are, murmur at that which manifeftly 

 proceedeth from the will of God." And all 

 thefe things which Brother Maximus fpake 

 within his own heart were ftraightway re- 

 vealed of God to Saint Francis. Whence 

 Saint Francis drawing near to him fpake 

 thefe words : " Abide by thofe things on 

 which you now mufe, forafmuch as they are 

 good and ufeful, and infpired of God ; but 

 the firft complaints which you uttered were 

 blind and vain and arrogant, and inftilled 

 into your mind of the Devil." Then 

 Brother Maximus faw clearly that Saint 

 Francis knew the fecrets of his heart, and 

 knew for a furety that the Spirit of Divine 

 Wifdom guided the Holy Father in his 

 every adlion. 



