Chapter LXXXII. How the Devil called him and tempted him-concerning lust; and how the Saint overcame the temptation

116. At the "hermitage" of the brethren at Sartiano that wicked one who ever envies the advantage of the children of God presumed to attack the Saint after this manner. Seeing that he was still increasing in holiness, and was not neglecting the profit of to-day on account of, that of yesterday, one night while the Saint was at prayer in a cell he called him thrice, saying: "Francis, Francis, Francis"; and he answered: "What wilt thou? "And the Devil said: "There is no sinner in the world whom the Lord will not pardon if he turn [from his sin]; but whosoever shall kill himself by hard penance shall find no mercy for ever". The Saint immediately perceived by revelation the stratagem of the foe, how he had tried to recall him to lukewarmness. What of that? The enemy forthwith attacked him in another way, and, seeing that he could not conceal this snare, he prepared another, namely, the enticement of the flesh. But in vain, for he who had unmasked the wiles of the spirit could not be tricked by the flesh. So the Devil put into him a most grievous temptation of lust. But as soon as the blessed father felt it he laid aside his garment and scourged himself with his cord with all his might, saying: "There! brother ass, thus must thou stay, thus endure the whip! The tunic belongs to Religion! it is not lawful to steal it: if thou wilt go any whither, go!" 117. But seeing that, in spite of Cf, S. d3< scourging himself, the temptation did not leave him, ?^±f.4 though he had coloured all his members with weals, he opened the cell, went out into the garden, and plunged naked into deep snow. Then, collecting the snow by handfuls, he made up seven lumps of it like balls, and setting them before him began to address his body thus: "See," he said, "this large one is thy wife, those four are thy two sons and two daughters, the two others are the manservant and maidservant who are required to wait on them; and make haste and clothe them all, for they are dying of cold! If, however, the manifold care of them troubles thee, be zealous to serve God only." Forthwith the Devil departed, being put to confusion, and the holy man went back to his cell glorifying God. A certain spiritual brother, who was then engaged in prayer, saw it all by the bright moonlight; and when the Saint found out afterwards that the brother had seen him, he was much distressed, and bade him reveal the thing to no one as long as he should live.