Chapter XV. Of Avoiding Softness and a Multitude of Tunics, and of Patience in Necessity

This man, being clothed with virtue from on high, was warmed more within by a divine, than without by a bodily garment. He execrated those in the Order who were clad in threefold garments, and those who used softer clothing than was needful. But he was used to say that a necessity pointed out by will only and not by reason was a sign of a dead spirit, "For with luke warm spirit and one cooling from grace, little by little flesh and blood must seek their own." And he used to say, "For what remaineth when the wish for spiritual delight is wanting, except that the flesh should turn to its own." And when animal appetite pleadeth the article of necessity, then the sense of the flesh fashioneth the conscience. But if true necessity is on my brother, and straightway he maketh haste to satisfy it, what reward shall he receive? For an occasion of merit hath arisen, but he hath studiously proved that it displeased him. For not to bear patiently those wants is nothing other than to seek Egypt again." Never on any account would he that friars should have more than two tunics, though these he used to allow to be lined with pieces sewn together. He was accustomed to say that choice cloths were horrible, and he used to find fault very bitterly with those contrary to him, and that he might excite such by his own example, he was always used to sew rough sack upon his own tunic. Whence even in death he ordered his burial tunic to be covered with sackcloth. But to those friars whom infirmity or any other necessity compelled, he allowed another soft tunic next the skin, but yet so that out of doors roughness and vileness should always be preserved in their bearing. For he was accustomed to say with very great grief, "Now shall rigour be so much relaxed and sloth shall rule, that the sons of a beggar father shall not be ashamed to wear even scarlet cloths, its colour only being changed,"