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How, as S. Francis and his brothers were discoursing of God, He appeared in the midst of them
How as S. Francis and his brothers were discoursing of God, He appeared in the midst of them
S. Francis and his companions, in the beginning of the Order, being gathered together to speak of Christ, in fervour of spirit he bade one of them open his mouth in the name of God, and speak of God whatever the Holy Spirit might inspire in him.
When the brother had done his bidding and spoken marvellous things of God, S. Francis laid silence upon him, and bade another brother do likewise. He yielding obedience, and discoursing subtly of God, S. Francis in like manner laid silence upon him, and bade a third discourse of God, the which in like manner began to speak so deeply of the secret things of God, that S. Francis knew of a surety that, even as the other twain, he spake by the Holy Spirit: and this likewise was set forth by example and a clear sign; for while they thus were speaking, there appeared the blessed Christ in the midst of them in form and fashion of a youth most fair, and blessing them all, filled them with such grace and sweetness, that they all were rapt away out of themselves, and lay as though dead, taking no heed of aught of this world. Then returning to himself again, S. Francis said unto them: ” My brothers most dear, give thanks to God, who hath willed,by the mouths of the simple, to reveal the treasure of heavenly wisdom; since God it is that openeth the mouth of the dumb, and maketh the tongues of the simple to speak words exceeding wise."