LETTER IX.

第九封信

To the Provincial Ministers of the Order of the Friars Minor.

致小兄弟会修会省会长

To the beloved Brethren in Christ, the Provincial Ministers of the Order of Friars Minor.

    致基督内亲爱的兄弟，小兄弟会修会省会长。

In your government I beseech you to be careful of two things: first, that you be not respecters of persons ; and secondly, that you be not free in commanding in virtue of holy Obedience, for this is unsheathing the sword, which should not be done except after mature deliberation and on great occasions. Be moderate in your commands, merciful to sinners, easy in pardoning, sparing in food, poor in dress, mild in words, and faithful to God and your office. Preach by your works, if you wish your subjects to listen to your words and obey your precepts, and what you command by your mouth, fulfill in your actions. Farewell in the Lord.

在你的管理中我恳求你要注意两件事：第一，（不要）不尊重他人；第二，在神圣的服从美德中，不要随意发布命令，因为这就是剑拔弩张，在没有重大的时机和深思熟虑之后，不要这样做。你的命令要合理，对罪人要仁慈，容易宽恕，食物节俭，衣着粗贱，言语温和，要忠于天主和你的教会职务。以你的行为榜样去传道，如果你希望你的子民听你的话，并遵守你的戒律，从你嘴里发出什么命令，你的行为就要遵守什么命令。主内再见。