Ginnekin.
_Craton the Philosopher_ (Vol. viii., p. 441.).--
"At that time two brothers, who were extremely rich, sold their
inheritance by the advice of Crato the philosopher, and bought diamonds
of singular value, which they crushed in the Forum before all the
people, thus making an ostentatious exhibition of their contempt for
the world. St. John, happening to be passing through the Forum,
witnessed this display, and, pitying the folly of these misguided men,
kindly gave them sounder advice. Sending for Crato their master, who
had led them into error, he blamed the wasteful destruction of valuable
property, and instructed him in the true meaning of contempt for the
world according to Christ's doctrine, quoting the precept of that
teacher, his own Master, when, in reply to the young man who inquired
of Him how he might obtain eternal life, He said, 'If thou wilt be
perfect, go and sell all that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou
shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.' Crato the
philosopher, acknowledging the soundness of the apostle's teaching,
entreated him to restore the jewels which had been foolishly crushed to
their former condition. St. John then gathered up the precious
fragments, and, while he held them in his hand, prayed for some time
with his eyes raised to heaven. His prayer being concluded, and all the
faithful present having said _Amen_, the broken pieces of the jewels
became so closely united, that there remained not the slightest
appearance of any fracture. Then Crato the philosopher, with all his
disciples, threw himself at the apostle's feet, believed, and were
baptized; and Crato, preaching openly the faith of the Lord Jesus,
became a true philosopher. Moreover, the two brothers who before
destroyed their property to no purpose, now, in obedience to the
evangelical precept, sold their jewels, and distributed the price in
alms to the poor of Christ. And a multitude of believers began to
attach themselves to St. John, and to follow his steps."--_Ordericus
Vitalis_, b. II. ch. v. (Mr. Forrester's translation), Bohn's edit.,
vol. i. pp. 240, 241.