INCREASING DISCORD. 27 His Mystica Theologia is in sharp contrast to the arid scholas- tic theology of the day as represented by Thomas Aquinas. The soul is brought face to face with God ; its sins are to be repented of in the silent watches of the night, and it is to seek God through its own efforts. It is not to look to others for aid or leader- ship, but, depending on itself, strive for the vision of the Divine. Through this Path of Purgation it ascends to the Path of Illumi- nation, and is prepared for the reception of the Divine Radiance. Finally it reaches the Third Path, which leads to union with the Godhead and participation in Divine Wisdom. Molinos and Ma- dame Guy on indulged in no more dangerous speculations ; and the mystic tendencies of the Spirituals received a powerful stimu- lus from such teachings.* It was inevitable that the strife within the Order between property and poverty should grow increasingly bitter. Questions were constantly arising which showed the incompatibility of the vows as laid down by St. Francis with the functions of an organ- ization which had grown to be one of the leading factors of a wealthy and worldly Church. In 1255 we find the sisters of the monastery of St. Elizabeth complaining to Alexander IV. that when property was given or bequeathed to them the ecclesiastical authorities enforced on them the observance of the Rule, by com- pelling them to part with it within a year by sale or gift, and the pope graciously promised that no such custom should be enforced in future. About the same time John of Parma complained that when his friars were promoted to the episcopate they carried away with them books and other things of which they had properly only the use, being unable to own anything under peril of their souls. Again Alexander graciously replied that friars, on promo- tion, must deliver to the provincial everything which they had in their hands. Such troubles must have been of almost daily occur- rence, and it was inevitable that the increasing friction should result in schism. When the blessed Gilio, the third disciple who joined St. Francis, was taken to Assisi to view the splendid build- ings erected in honor of the humble Francis, and was carried through three magnificent churches, connected with a vast refec-
- S. Bonavent. de Paup. Christi Art. I. No. i., ii.— Ejusd. Mystic. Theol. cap. I.
Partic. 2; cap. n. Partic. 1, 2; Cap. in. Partic. 1.
