Chapter XLI. Of his commendation of alms-seeking

Of Alms-seeking

71. The holy father made use of alms gathered from door to door much more willingly than of such as had been offered. He declared that to be ashamed of begging was hostile to salvation, but affirmed that that shame in begging which does not draw back the foot was holy. He praised the blush rising in a modest forehead, but not the being confounded by fear. Sometimes in exhorting his disciples to seek alms he used these words: "Go, for at this latest hour the Lesser Brethren have been lent to the world in order that the elect may fulfil in them that which shall bring them this commendation from the Judge: ' That which ye have done to one of My Lesser Brethren ye have done to Me '." And accordingly he said that the Order had been privileged by the great Prophet who had so clearly expressed the title of its name. And therefore he wished the brethren to dwell not only in towns but in hermitages, in order that all might have whereof to deserve well, and that the reprobate might be stript of the veil of excuse.