cSaint iFrancfs of ^ssisC, 143 



fore the face of the faid Brother Rufus. 

 How Saint Francis Hkewife knew the 

 faults of his Brethren may be clearly feen 

 in Brother Elias, whom ofttimes he re- 

 proved for his pride ; and in Brother John 

 of the Choir, to whom he did prophefy that 

 he fliould go out and hang himfelf by the 

 neck ; and in that Friar whom the Devil 

 held faft by the throat when he was cor- 

 re6led for his difobedience ; and in many 

 other Friars, whofe fecret faults and virtues 

 he knew clearly through a revelation from 

 Chrifl. 



XXXII. 



How Brother Maximus entreated of Chrijl the 

 Virtue of Meeknefs. 



THE firft Companions of Saint Francis 

 ftrove with all their ftrength to be 

 poor in worldly goods and rich in virtues, 

 by which they might gain true riches, 

 celeftial and eternal. It happened one 

 day, that they being met together to talk 

 of God, one of them related this parable : 

 " There was a certain man who was a dear 

 friend of God, and had great gifts alike for 



a 



