io8 Kf\t ILittlt jFIotoers of 



abiding at a Convent hard by. And hav- 

 ing fignified to him their purpofe, Saint 

 Francis came unto that perverfe Leper ; and 

 drawing nigh to him, he greeted him, fay- 

 ing : " God grant thee peace, my beloved 

 Brother." The Leper made anfwer, " What 

 peace can I have of God, Which hath robbed 

 me of peace and of every good thing, and 

 hath made me all corrupt and ftinking ? " 

 And Saint Francis faid, " Son, have pa- 

 tience, forafmuch as the infirmities of the 

 body are given us of God in this world 

 for the falvation of our foul, they being of 

 exceeding merit when they are borne 

 meekly." The fick man replied, "And can 

 I endure the continual Pain that torments 

 me night and day ? And not only am I 

 affli6ted by mine infirmity, but far worfe do 

 I fuffer from the Brethren whom you have 

 given me to wait upon me, and they ferve 

 me not as they fhould." Then Saint Fran- 

 cis, knowing by a revelation that this Leper 

 was poffeffed of an evil fpirit, went out and 

 prayed, and entreated God pioufly for him. 

 And his prayer ended, he returned to him 

 again and fpake thefe words : " My Son, 

 I myfelf will ferve you, fmce you are ill- 

 content with the others." " It pleafeth me 



well," 



