138 ^Tije ILittle JFloto^rs of 



CHAPTER XXX. 



Of the glorious Sermo7i which Saint Francis 

 and Brother Rufus preached at AJfiJi. 



THE laid Brother Rufus, through con- 

 tinual contemplation, grew to be fo 

 abforbed in God that he became almofb 

 dumb and infenfible, and but very rarely 

 fpoke ; and withal he had not the Grace, 

 nor the Valor, nor the Eloquence to preach : 

 and neverthelefs Saint Francis charged him 

 upon a time that he fhould go to Affifi, and 

 Ihould preach to the people even as the 

 Lord ihould infpire him. To which Brother 

 Rufus made anfwer : " Reverend Father, 

 I befeech you, pardon me and fend me 

 not forth, inafmuch as you are well aware 

 that I have no grace in preaching, and 

 am fimple and unlearned." And then faid 

 Saint Francis : " Forafmuch as you have 

 not obeyed promptly, I command you by 

 your facred vow of Obedience that you 

 go, clad only in your breeches, unto Affifi, 

 and enter there a church and preach to 

 the people." Upon this command the faid 

 Brother Rufus laid off his raiment and 



went 



