Chapter XI. How Friars, and Especially the Prelates and Learned Among them, were Contrary to Francis in Making Humble Dwellings and Habitations

But when blessed Francis had ordered that the friars' churches should be small, and their house be builded only of wattle and dab, in token of holy poverty and humility, wishing this pattern to be set in the dwelling of St. Mary of the Portiuncula, that the houses should be constructed of wood and clay, so that it should be an everlasting memorial to all friars, present and to come, since that it was the first and principal place of the whole Order, certain friars were against him in this matter, saying that in some provinces beams were dearer than stones, so that it seemed not good to them that their houses should be made of wood and clay. But the blessed Father would not contend with them, the more because he was near death and was sore sickening. Wherefore he caused it to be written in his will, "Let friars beware of receiving churches and dwellings and all other build ings which be constructed for them save as becometh holy poverty; living there ever as guests and strangers and pilgrims." But we who were with him when he wrote the Rule and well-nigh all his other writings bear testimony that he made many things to be written in the Rule and in his other writings (wherein many of the friars were against him, notably our prelates and learned folk) which would to-day have been very useful and necessary to the whole Order: but for that he greatly feared scandal, he suffered, though not willingly, the wishes of his brethren. Yet often he was used to say these words, "Woe to those friars who are contrary to me in this matter, which I firmly know to be of the Will of God for the greater usefulness and necessity of the whole Order, though unwillingly I bend myself to their will." Whence often he used to say to us, his fellows, "Herein is my grief and my affliction; that in those things which with much labour of prayer and meditation I obtain of God through His mercy, for the benefit, present and future, of the whole Order, and which I am assured by Him are according to His will, some brethren by the authority of their knowledge and false foresight are against me and make them void, saying, ' These things are to be held and observed, and these not.' "