who think themselves the wisest because they go often to
monasteries, and carry paternosters marked with a death's head, and wear
caps lower than others, must also be accounted foolish, for they rest
their salvation on their confidence in the holiness of wicked men, whom
they are led by a trifling semblance to regard as demigods."

"But who could help believing them," said Enna-suite, "since they have
been ordained by our prelates to preach the Gospel to us and rebuke our
sins?"

"Those who have experienced their hypocrisy," said Parlamente, "and who
know the difference between the doctrine of God and that of the devil."

"Jesus!" said Ennasuite. "Can you think that these men would dare to
preach false doctrine?"

"Think?" replied Parlamente. "Nay, I am sure that they believe anything
but the Gospel. I speak only of the bad among them; for I know many
worthy men who preach the Scriptures in all purity and simplicity, and
live without reproach, ambition, or covetousness, and in such chastity
as is unfeigned and free. However, the streets are not paved with such
as these, but are rather distinguished by their opposites; and the good
tree is known by its fruit."

"In very sooth," said Ennasuite, "I thought we were bound on pain of
mortal sin to believe all they tell us from the pulpit as truth, that
is, when they speak of what is in the Holy Scriptures, or cite the
expositions of holy doctrines divinely inspired."

"For my part," said Parlamente, "I cannot but see that there are men of
very corrupt faith among them. I know that one of them, a Doctor of
Theology and a Principal in their Order, (3) sought to persuade many of
the brethren that the Gospel was no more worthy of belief than Caesar's
Commentaries or any other histories written by learned men of authority;
and from the hour I heard that I would believe no preacher's word unless
I found it in harmony with the Word of God, which is the true touchstone
for distinguishing between truth and falsehood."

3 In MS. No. 1520 this passage runs, "a Doctor of Theology
named Colimant, a great preacher and a Principal in their
Order." However, none of the numerous works on the history
of the Franciscans makes any mention of a divine called
Colimant.--B. J.

"Be assured," said Oisille, "that those who read it constantly and with
humility will never be led into error by deceits or human inventions;
for whosoever has a mind filled with truth cann