CHAPTER V.
Of the Correction of thee Brethren who offend.
Therefore take well care of your own souls, and of those of your brethren, for ‘it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God/ However, if the Ministers should command one of the brethren anything contrary to our Rule and the salvation of his soul he is not bound to obey, because that is not obedience in which a fault or sin is committed. Nevertheless, let all the brethren who are subject to the Ministers and Servants of the Friars Minor, consider, uprightly and diligently whether they see any one of them walking carnally and not spiritually, according to the perfection of our Rule; and if after three admonitions such an one will not amend, let them, without allowing anything to prevent it, denounce him to the Minister and Servant of the whole Fraternity in the Chapter of Pentecost. Again, if among the brethren, wherever they may be, there should be found one who desires to live according to the flesh, and not according to the spirit, let the religious with whom he dwells admonish, instruct, and correct him humbly and diligently. And if after three admonitions he will not amend, let them send him, or make the matter known to his Minister, who must do with him what he deems most expedient before God. But let all the brethren, as well the Ministers as the others, take care not to be angry nor troubled at the fault or bad example of anyone, for the devil desires to corrupt many by the sin of one ; but let them endeavour, as much as possible, to help him who has sinned, remembering that ‘he that is whole needs not a physician, but he that is sick.’ In like manner let not the brethren desire to have power and authority, especially among themselves, for as Our Lord says in the Gospel : ‘ The princes of the Gentiles lord it over them : and they that are the greater exercise power upon them’ It shall not be so among the brethren, but whosoever will be the greater among them, let him be their Minister and Servant, and he who is the first, let him be as the last. Let not any brother say or do anything against another, but let them rather in the spirit of charity willingly serve and obey each other. This is the true and holy obedience of Our Lord Jesus Christ. And let all the religious, who in any way whatsoever decline from the commandments of God, and wander from obedience, know that they are cursed out of obedience as long as they remain consciously in that sin. And when they persevere in the commandments of the Lord as they have promised according to the holy Gospel and their Rule, let them know that they stand fast in true obedience, and are blessed by God.