Chapter VIII. How in preaching to the Perugians he foretold that there would be sedition among them: and of his commendation of unity

37. Some days afterwards, while the blessed father was once coming down from the aforesaid cell, he said in mournful tones to the brethren who were present: "The men of Perugia have done much evil to their neighbours, and their heart is lifted up, which shall be for their ignominy. But the vengeance of the Lord is nigh: and His hand is on His sword." And a few days later he arose in fervour of spirit, and turned his course toward Perugia. The brethren might [therefore] surely take it that he had seen some vision in the cell. So when he came to Perugia he began to preach to the assembled people; but when the knights (after their manner) rode up armed and hindered the Word of God with warlike sports, he turned to them, and said with groaning: "O wretched men, pitiable is your folly in not heeding nor fearing God's judgment! But hear what the Lord announces to you by me, the little poor man. The Lord hath exalted you above all that are round about' you; wherefore ye ought to be kinder to your neighbours, and more thankful to God; but. unthankful for favour, you attack, kill and plunder your neighbours with armed hand. I tell you this shall not be left unpunished, and for your heavier punishment God shall make you fall by intestine war, so that one shall rise up against another in mutual sedition. Wrath shall teach those whom kindness has not instructed."

Not many days later discord arose among them; neighbours took up arms against neighbours, the burghers attacked the knights, the nobles in their turn fell upon the plebeians; and at last they fought with such fury, and there was such slaughter, that the very neighbours around, whom they had wronged, grieved with them.

A judgment worthy of praise! for, since they had withdrawn from the One Supreme, it was impossible that unity should remain among them. There can be no stronger bond in a state than duteous love to God, and faith sincere and unfeigned.