Chapter VI. Of the brother over whom he saw a devil. Against those who with- draw from unity

32. There was another brother, distinguished by fame among men, and still more distinguished through grace in the sight of God. Now the father of all envy envied this man for his virtues and thought to cut down the tree that was already touching heaven and to snatch the crown away from his hands. He encompassed, overturned, battered and sifted the things that were his,¹ if by any means he might put a fitting obstacle in that brother's way. And so he inspired him with a desire of solitude, under the semblance of greater perfection, in order that he might at length rush upon him alone and make him fall the quicker, and that falling alone he might have none to lift him up. To be brief, that brother severed himself from the Religion of the brethren and wandered through the world like a stranger and a pilgrim. Of the tunic of his habit he made a little tunic, with the hood detached; and so he went about, despising himself in everything. Now it came to pass that while he was thus wandering, God's comfort was soon withdrawn from him, and he was tossed by a storm of temptations. The waters came in even unto his soul, and his inward and outward man being thus made desolate, he went along like a bird hastening to the snare. And even now he was, as it were, close to the abyss, and being borne headlong over the precipice, when the eye of fatherly providence pitied the wretch and looked upon him in kindness. And so he recovered his understanding by affliction, and at last he came to himself and said, "Return, wretched one, to Religion, for there is thy salvation! "He tarried not, but arose straightway and hastened to his mother's bosom. 33. And when he came to the "place "of the brethren in Siena S. Francis was there: and as soon as the Saint saw him (wonderful to say) he fled from him, hurried to a cell and shut himself in. The excited brethren inquired the cause of his flight: and he said to them, "Why do you wonder at my flight, heeding not the cause? I fled to the protection of prayer that I might deliver the erring one. 1 saw in my son that which gave [me] just displeasure: but lo! now by the grace of my Christ all his delusion has departed." The brother fell on his knees and with shame owned himself guilty. "The Lord forgive thee, brother," said the Saint, "but beware in future of withdrawing from thy Religion and from the brethren under an appearance of holiness." Accordingly the said brother became a friend of the Congregation and Fellowship, being especially attached to those communities wherein the observance of the Rule thrives most.

O how great are the works of the Lord in the council and assembly of the righteous! For therein those molested [by temptation] are restrained, the crushed are raised up, the lukewarm are aroused, therein "iron sharpeneth iron," and brother helped by brother is established like a strong city. And though thou cannot see Jesus for the worldly throng, the angelic throng of heaven in nowise hinders thee. Only fly not, and being faithful unto death thou shalt receive the crown of life.

Another similar case

34. Shortly afterwards something of the same sort happened in the case of another. One of the brethren would not submit to the Saint's Vicar but followed another brother as his own superior. But after that the Saint, who was present, had admonished him through a messenger, he threw himself straightway at the Vicars feet, set at nought his first superior, and obeyed the one whom the Saint had appointed for him. But the Saint sighed deeply and said to his companion (the messenger whom he had sent): H Brother, I saw a devil on the disobedient brother's 1 1 back, clutching him by the neck. He had despised the curb of obedience and was following the reins of the rider's impulses by whom he had been subdued. And (he added) when I prayed the Lord for that brother, suddenly the devil departed in confusion." This man's sight was such that though for bodily things his eyes were weak, for spiritual they were acute.

And what wonder if he who will not bear the Lord of Majesty is weighed down by a shameful burden? There is no middle course, I say: Either thou shalt bear a light burden (whereby rather thou shalt be borne), or else wickedness, heavier than a talent of lead,1 shall sit [on thee], a great mill-stone hanging about thy neck.

Footnotes

1. "The things that were his "seems to mean the various elements forming the brother's character; the idea being that the Devil ransacked the brother's character in order to discover its weakest point. ↩