Chapter 10

Let the Brothers who are Ministers and servants of the other Brothers visit and admonish their Brothers, and correct them with humility and charity, commanding them nothing that is contrary to their souls and our Rule. But let the Brothers who are subjects remember that, for God’s sake, they have renounced their own will. Therefore, I firmly command them to obey their Ministers in all things that they have promised the Lord to observe, and that are not contrary to their souls and our Rule.

And wherever the Brothers may be, if they know and recognize that they cannot observe the Rule spiritually, let them and let them be able to have recourse to their Ministers. And let the Ministers receive them with charity and kindness, and have such great familiarity with them that these Brothers may speak and act with them as masters with their servants: for it must be so, that the Ministers be the servants of all the Brothers.

Now I admonish the Brothers, I exhort them in the Lord Jesus Christ, to guard themselves from all pride, vainglory, envy, avarice, the cares and anxieties of this world, detraction and murmuring. And let those who do not know letters not concern themselves with learning them; but let them consider that, above all things, they ought to desire to possess the spirit of the Lord and His holy operation; to pray always to God with a pure heart; to have humility and patience in persecution and infirmity; and to love those who persecute, rebuke, and blame us: because the Lord has said: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute and slander you. Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. But whoever perseveres to the end will be saved.