Chapter I

88. In the former treatise, which (by the Saviour's grace) we have brought to a fitting conclusion, we have written a narrative, such as it is, of the life and acts of our most blessed father Francis down to the eighteenth year of his conversion. But his remaining exploits, beginning from the last year but one of his life, according as we have been able to learn them rightly, we will briefly add to this work: and at present we intend to note down those things alone which suggest themselves as the most necessary, so that they who wish to say more may still be able to find something to add.

In the 1226th year of our Lord's Incarnation, in the fourteenth Indiction, on Sunday the fourth day of October, in the city of Assisi, of which he was a native, at S. Maria de Portiuncula, where he first planted the Order of Lesser Brethren, our most blessed father Francis, having fulfilled twenty years from the time when he had perfectly cleaved to Christ, following the life and footsteps of the Apostles, came forth from the prison of the flesh and took his happy flight to the abode of the heavenly spirits, perfecting what he had begun. His hallowed and holy body was placed and honourably buried with hymns and praises in that city, where by many miracles it shines to the glory of the Almighty.

89. Now when this man was in the first flower of his youth he was little or not at all instructed in the way of God and in the knowledge of Him and remained for no short time in his natural simplicity and in the heat of vice; but he was changed by the right hand of the Highest and justified from sin, and by the grace and power of the Most High was filled with Divine wisdom above all who were found in his own time. For whereas the Gospel teaching had everywhere proved to a great extent ineffectual generally (though not in particular instances), this man was sent by God in order that after the Apostles' example he might bear witness to the truth throughout the whole world. And so it came to pass that his teaching showed most plainly that all the wisdom of the world is foolish; and turned it in a short time, under the guidance of Christ, by the foolishness of preaching to the true wisdom of God. For in this latest time this new evangelist, like one of the rivers of Paradise, diffused the streams of the Gospel over all the earth with tender watering, and preached in deed the way of the Son of God, and the teaching of the Truth. Through him accordingly unlooked-for gladness and holy renovation filled the world, and a shoot of ancient religion brought a sudden reviving to long-standing decrepitude. A new spirit was given in the hearts of the elect, and saving unction was poured forth among them when, like one of the luminaries of heaven, Christ's servant and Saint shone from on high with a new rite and new prodigies. Through him the ancient miracles were renewed, while in the wilderness of this world there was planted by a new method but after ancient custom a fruitful vine bearing sweet flowers, fragrant with holy virtues and stretching out everywhere the tendrils of a hallowed Religion.

90. Now though he was "a man of like passions with ourselves," he was not content to observe the common precepts, but overflowing with most fervent charity he took the way of entire perfection; he laid hold on the sum of perfect holiness, and saw every end fully attained. And so every order, age and sex finds in him plain instructions of salutary teaching and finds also eminent examples of holy works. If there be any who purpose to set their hand to arduous deeds and strive in emulation after the better unctions of the more excellent way, let them look into the mirror of his life and they shall learn all perfection. If any again fearing the steep climb to the top of the mountain betake them to a lowlier and easier course, they shall find, even at this level, fitting admonitions with him. And finally if any seek for signs and miracles let them interrogate his holiness and they shall get what they demand. And indeed the glorious life of this man sheds a clearer light on the perfection of earlier saints; the Passion of Jesus Christ proves this and His Cross makes it most fully manifest. Verity our venerable father was signed in five parts of his body with the token of the Cross and Passion, as if he had hung on the Cross with the Son of God. This sacrament is a great thing and makes known the majesty of love's prerogative; but therein a secret counsel lies hid, and a reverend mystery is covered which we believe to be known to God only and to have been in part disclosed by the Saint himself to a certain person.1 Wherefore it is not expedient to attempt much in praise of him whose praise is from Him who is the Praise, the Source, the Honour of all, the Most Mighty, giving rewards of light. Let us therefore return to our history, blessing the holy, true and glorious God.