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[ 76 ] THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST FRANCIS those holy men, expounded with great fervour of spirit the Word of God, speaking to them in a loud voice that which the Holy Spirit dictated. Now the subject he took for his sermon was this: ‘ My children, we have promised great things to God, and God has promised even greater things to us.

If we observe what we have promised to Him, we shall certainly receive what He has promised to us. The pleasures of this world pass quickly away, but the punishment which follows them is eternal. The sufferings of this world are trifling, but the glory of the life to come is without bounds.’ And, preaching on these words most devoutly, he comforted the brethren, encouraging them to holy obedience, to reverence for holy Mother Church, to charity among themselves, to pray God for all people, to bear with patience the adversities of life, to be temperate in pros¬ perity, to keep angelic purity and chastity, to be at peace with God, with men and with their own con¬ science, to love, to observe, and to practise holy poverty.

He then added: ‘ I command you all here present, through holy obedience, to take no thought what you shall eat or what you shall drink, or of aught else that is necessary to the body, but only to meditate, to pray, and to praise God, casting on Him the thought of all the rest, for He has you all in His especial care; and let each of you receive this command with a happy heart and a joyful countenance.’ St.

Francis having finished his sermon, all the friars began to pray. Dominic, who was present, wondered much at this order of St. Francis, considering it as indiscreet, for he could not understand how such a great multitude could exist without taking thought for the body.

But the heavenly [ 77 ] THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST FRANCIS Pastor, our Blessed Saviour, wishing to show the care He takes of His lambs, and with what singular love He loves His poor servants, put into the hearts of all the people of Perugia, of Spoleto, of Foligno, of Spello, of Assisi, and of all the neighbouring country, to take meat and drink to that holy congregation; and presently men came from all these places with horses, and asses, and carts, laden with bread and wine, with beans and cheese, and other good things of which the poor of Christ had need.

Besides all this, they brought napkins, and knives, and jugs, and glasses, and all that was needed for such a multitude; and those who could carry most and serve the best rejoiced greatly, and knights, barons and other noblemen, who were present, waited on the brethren with great devotion and humility.

Dominic, seeing this, and knowing of a certainty that it was the divine providence of God which had provided for them thus, acknowledged most humbly that he had unjustly accused St. Francis of giving indiscreet orders; and going to him, knelt humbly before him and confessed his fault, adding: ‘ The Lord truly hath especial care of all these holy servants of poverty.

I knew it not till now, and henceforth I promise to observe holy evangeli¬ cal poverty; and in the name of God, I condemn all friars of my Order who shall seek to have possessions of their own.’ And St. Dominic was greatly edified by the faith of the most holy Francis, by the obedience and poverty of so large and well-ordered a chapter, and he blessed the providence of God, who had given them every grace in such abundance.

The chapter being ended, St. Francis encouraged them all in well-doing, warning them how to avoid sin in this wicked world, and sent [78] THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST FRANCIS them back to their divers provinces, with his blessing and that of God, filled with spiritual joy and consolation.

THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER How St. Francis was grievously tormented with a disease in his eyes St. Francis at one time being grievously tormented with a disease in his eyes, the Cardinal Ugolino, pro¬ tector of his Order, who loved him dearly, wrote to him to come to Rieti, where there were excellent oculists.