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HE knew by an other Religious, who being deluded by the deuil he more strictly to keepe silence proceeded so farre, as that he would not so much as confesse as did the other Religious but by signes as one dumme: which he vsed also when he demaunded any
thing, and without any speech he sheued such signes of spirituall a∣lacritie, that he moued all the Religious to prayse God: The fa∣me hereof was presentlie diuulged, so that he was generally held for a S. In the meane while S. Francis arriuing where this Religious was, he was aduertised of his proceeding; but he answeared that he was exceedingly tempted and deluded by the deuill, because confession of the mouth was necessary, as contrition of the soule, and satisfaction of worckes. The superiour of the place then con∣firmed the sainctity of the said Religious, vnto S. Francis, alleadge∣ing that it was not possible he should be tempted of the deuill, considering the signes of sanctity which he exteriourlie shewed. The holy Father replyed, proue him in this manner: commaund him to confesse twice or att least once euery weeke, which if he refu∣se, beleeue that it is a delusion of the deuill. Which the superiour hauing done, the Religious putting his finger in his mouth, and shaking his head, by these signes declared, that he could not doe it, for breaking of silence. His superiour would no farther vrge him: but the great prudence of S. Francis was not long vnknowne: for a litle after this Religious S. abandoned his Religion, a tooke a se∣culer habitt. Two Religious of his companions meeting him atty∣red seculerly, conceauing great compassion of his blindenes, sayd vnto him: O miserable wretch and forgetfull of thy selfe, where is that thy solitarie and sainct-like life, yea such, as thou wouldest not conuerse with thy Brethren, nor speake in Confession, for keeping of silence? thow now hauing lost thy selfe in the world, abandoned our habitt, reiected thy vow, and broaken the rule, as if thou had∣dest no beleefe of God? but he gaue them so diuellish an answeare, that he plainly discouered, he had not only chaunged habitt but also* 1.1 Religion, and interiour vertue. These good Religious could by no meanes reduce him, though they laboured to reprint in his minde the obligation he had to God, and the perill of his damnation: and so in few dayes after he dyed, being in possession of the deuill that held him choaked: because he would not confesse. It is a worthy example for all Religious, to beware of singularity, in matters appertayning to their Order, that demonstrate more pride then spiritt of deuotion and humility.
One must beware of singu∣larity.