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The Lady Poverty: A XIII. Century Allegory

Chapter 14: VIII
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About This Book

A thirteenth-century allegory recounts a saintly founder's quest to find and wed the personified Lady Poverty, narrated in episodic chapters that cover his search, guidance from elders, the discovery on a mountain, and the companions who join him. The work praises evangelical poverty, distinguishes authentic devotion from counterfeit forms, and examines obstacles such as avarice, prudence corrupted into greed, and spiritual sloth. It outlines the ideal conduct of religious life, records Poverty's consent and blessing upon the brethren, and is accompanied by a reflective essay on the spiritual significance of evangelical poverty together with devotional appendices.

VIII

OF THE APOSTLES

All which Things the Apostles and all the Disciples most diligently observed, nor did they ever fail to fulfil the Things they had heard from the Master. They bore themselves as most valiant Knights and Judges of the Earth, carrying the Message of Salvation everywhere, the Lord working with them, and Mark xvi. 20. confirming the Word with Signs that followed. They glowed in Charity, abounded in Piety, and endured every Want, taking care that it should not be said of them: These men preach but do not practise. Hence one of them speaketh boldly, saying: For Rom. xv. 18, 19. I will not dare to speak of any of those Things which Christ hath not wrought by me by Word and Deed, and by the Power of the Holy Ghost. And yet another speaketh thus: Silver and Gold have I Acts iii. 6. none. Thus did they, one and all, in Life and in Death, exalt me by the highest Praises. And those who heard these Masters, gave heed to their Preaching, selling all their Acts ii. 45. goods and substance, and dividing them according as every man had need. And they were all together and had Acts ii. 44. all things in common, praising God and having favour with all the People. Acts ii. 47.