[516] III. Soc. viii.; see 1 Cel. x. and 2 Cel. x.
[517] Spec. per. 3, 9, 19, 122. How truly he also felt their spirit is seen in the story of his words, at a somewhat later period, to a certain Dominican: “While he was staying at Siena, a certain doctor of theology, of the order of the Preachers, himself an humble and spiritual man, came to him. When they had spoken for a while about the words of the Lord, this master interrogated him concerning this text of Ezekiel: ‘If thou dost not declare to the wicked man his wickedness, I will require his soul of thy hand’ (Ezek. iii. 18). And he added: ‘I know many indeed, good father, in mortal sin, to whom I do not declare their wickedness. Will their souls be required at my hand?’
“To whom the blessed Francis humbly said that it was fitting that an ignorant person like himself should be taught by him rather than give answer upon the meaning of Scripture. Then that humble master replied: ‘Brother, albeit I have heard the exposition of this text from a number of the wise, still would I willingly make note of your understanding of it.’
“So the blessed Francis said: ‘If the text is to be understood generally, I take it to mean that the servant of God ought by his life and holiness so to burn and shine in himself, that the light of his example and the tenor of his holy conversation would reprove all wicked men. Thus I say will his splendour and the odour of his reputation declare their iniquities to all,’” Spec. perf. 53; also 2 Cel. iii. 46.
[518] As to the acquisition of the Portiuncula see Spec. perf. 55, and on Francis’s love of it see Spec. perf. 82-84, 124.
[519] 1 Cel. xi.
[520] This seems to be true of Francis’s great Exemplar.
[521] Spec. perf. 69; 2 Cel. iii. 124; III. Soc. 25.
[522] Francisci admonitiones, xx.
[523] Spec. perf. 62; 2 Cel. iii. 71.