COLLOQUY XXIV.
Religious should not Frequent the Palaces of the Great
Being asked by Leo, Cardinal of the Holy Cross, to stay with him a short time in Rome, the holy Father humbly consented, on account of the reverence and love he bore to this Prelate. But the first night of his abode there, when after prayer he wished to take a little repose, a troop of demons came and cruelly assaulted the man of God, and when they had beaten him long and severely, left him half dead. Then his companion came to him, and the holy Father related to him what had happened, adding : ‘ I believe. Brother, that the devils, who can do nothing but what Divine Providence permits, have thus ferociously assaulted me, because my sojourning in the palaces of the great is not good. My Brethren who are dwelling in poor houses when they hear that I am dwelling with Cardinals, will suspect me of mixing in worldly affairs, of being advanced to honours, and of enjoying pleasures. I think, therefore, it is better for one who is called to be an example to others, to fly from the Court, and remain in lowly dwellings with the humble, that he may animate those who are suffering from poverty by bearing the same.’ Very early, therefore, the next morning he arose, and, excusing himself to the Cardinal, departed.