Note 2 — Chapter I · THE SPIRITUAL FRANCISCANS.

Even the great Franciscan preacher, Berthold of Ratisbon (who died in 1272) will concede only qualified merit to those who labor to save the souls of their fellow-creatures, and such labors can easily be carried to excess. The duty which a man owes to his own soul, in prayer and devotion, is of much greater moment.—Beati Fr. Bertholdi a Ratisbona Sermones (Monachii, 1882, p 29). See also his comparison of the contemplative with the active life. The former is Rachael, the latter is Leah, and is most perilous when wholly devoted to good works (Ib. pp. 44-5).

So the great Spiritual Franciscan, Pierre Jean Olivi—“Est igitur totius rationis summa, quod contemplatio est ex suo genere perfectior omni alia actione,” though he admits that a lesser portion of time may allowably be devoted to the salvation of fellow-creatures.—Franz Ehrle, Archiv für Litteratur-und Kirchengeschichte, 1887, p. 503.