.Saint jFrancis of '^urAni. 141 



contempt, and to edify the flock of Chrift 

 Jefus by their good Example, and to fliow 

 what it is to dcfpife the World ; and that 

 day fo great was the devotion which the 

 people felt for them, that he held himfelf 

 bleffed who could but touch the hem of 

 their garments. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



How Saint Francis duly kfiew the Jccret Souls 

 of all his Brethren. 



EVEN as our Lord Jefus Chrift faith in 

 the Gospel, " I know my fheep and 

 they know me," etc., fo the bleffed Father 

 Saint Francis, like unto a good fhepherd, 

 knew all the merits and virtues of his Com- 

 panions by divine revelations, and even fo 

 was made aware of their defe6ts ; for the 

 which thing he knew how to provide for each 

 the beft remedy, which is to fay, he hum- 

 bled the Proud, exalted the Lowly, inveighed 

 againft Vice, and lauded Virtue, according 

 as may be read in the wondrous revela- 

 tions which he had concerning his firffc 

 family. Among the fame we learn that 



Saint 



