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GOeing to preach thorough Italy, he mett on the way a poore sick creature, afflicted with many infirmities, of whome he cō∣ceaued a strong compassion. Then spake of him to his compa∣nion, who answeared, that it was very true that he seemed poore, ex∣teriourly
but perhappes was interiourly more puffed vp with desires then any of that country. The holy Father very bitterly reprehen∣ded him for this rash iudgement, and then sayd: If my company be gratefull vnto thee, thou shalt performe the pennaunce that I shall now enioyne thee. The Religious acknowledging his fault and submitting himselfe to doe his penaunce, S. Francis said vnto him: Strip thy selfe naked and aske him pardon, and beseech him to pray to God for thee, which was done.
He caused an other Religious to doe the like, for hauing only giuen a rigorous answeare to a poore man that asked an almose. He manife∣sted to his Brethren how they ought to behaue themselues towardes the poore in these termes: When you shall see a poore creature, con∣sider that it is a mirour which our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST, pro∣poseth vnto you of his pouerty, and of his blessed virgin mother, and that he presenteth it to your sight: When you shall see a sick person, know that it is a paterne of the infirmity which he tooke on him for our sakes: & if the pride and irreuerence of the riche displease God, how much more will displease him the rigorous wordes of Freer Minors to such as make professiō of pouerty? If in this our profession, God per∣mitt that we be honoured of great personnes, how intollerable will our pride appeare, if proudly puffed vp, we contemne such as are as poore as our selues? Lett vs therfore beware that by iust permission of God it happen not to our confusion, that the rich make lesse esteeme of vs, yea that they suffer vs to die for want of releife.
How he punished a rash iudgemēt
What profit may be drawne out of the sight of the poore & diseased.