Chapter CXLVIII. Of his special devotions, and how he was moved by the mention of "the love of God"

Of the Saint's Special Devotions

196. It will perhaps be neither unprofitable nor unfitting to touch briefly on the special devotions ofS. Francis. Though as one who enjoyed the unction of the Spirit he was devout in all things, still, he felt a special emotion with regard to certain special things. Among other expressions in common use he could never hear the words "the love of God "without undergoing a kind of transformation; for immediately on hearing those words he was aroused, stirred, inflamed, as though some inner chord of his heart were being touched by the plectrum of an outward voice. He declared that to offer such payment as "the love of God "in exchange for alms was a noble prodigality, and that those who valued it at less than money were most foolish. For himself, he kept unfailingly until his death the resolution he had made while yet mixed up with the things of the world, never to refuse any poor man who asked him for anything for the love of God. For once when a poor man asked him for something "for the love of God," and he had nothing, he stealthily took scissors and hastened to divide his tunic with him; which thing he would have done, had he not been detected by the brethren; whereupon he caused the poor man to be otherwise provided for. "The love of Him who loved us much, is much to be loved," he said.