Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/431

 Heresy and the Friars 395 KAnd let the brothers not say, "This is a new Rule"; for is is only a reminder, a warning, an exhortation ; it is my last will and testament, that I, little Brother Francis, make for you, my blessed brothers, in order that we may observe in a more Catholic way the Rule which we promised the Lord to keep. Let the ministers general, all the other ministers, and the custodians be held by obedience to add nothing to and take nothing away from these words. Let them always keep this writing near them beside the Rule ; and in all the assemblies which shall be held, when the Rule is read, let these words be read also. I interdict absolutely by obedience all the brothers, clerics and laymen, to introduce comments in the Rule, or in this will, under pretext of explaining it. But since the Lord has given me to speak and to write the Rule and these words in a clear and simple manner, so do you understand them in the same way without commentary, and put them in practice until the end. And whoever shall have observed these things, may he be crowned in heaven with the blessings of the heavenly Father, and on earth with those of his well-beloved Son and of the Holy Spirit, the Consoler, with the assistance of all the heavenly virtues and all the saints. And I, little Brother Francis, your servitor, confirm to you, so far as I am able, this most holy benediction. Amen. BIBLIOGRAPHY Monastic Orders: EMERTON, pp. 555-577; MUNRO, pp. 122-134; A. Refer- TOUT, pp. 198-209. The Spread of Heresy: BEMONT and MONOD, pp. 512-514; EMER- TON, pp. 333-338; MUNRO, pp. 175-178; TOUT, pp. 214-217. The Albigensian Crusade: BEMONT and MONOD, pp. 506-511; EMERTON, pp. 339-342. The Mendicant Friars: EMERTON, pp. 578-581; MUNRO, pp. 178- 180 ; TOUT, pp. 434~444- The Rule of St. Francis : HENDERSON, Historical Documents, PP- 344-349-