THE FIRST CHAPTER. Of Saint Francis his conuersation in secular habite.

IN the Citty of Assisium, there was a man called FRANCIS, whose name remaineth in blessed me­mory: for being prevented by the sweete blessings of GOD, he was mercifully delivered frō the dan­gers of this present life, & filled abundantly with the influences of Heavenly grace. For being in his youth nourished in vanities, among the vaine chil­dren of men, & being also after some littel know­ledge of Learning, deputed to the gainfull trade of Merchandise; yet by the assistance of God, nei­ther when hee was most addicted vnto pleasure, did hee followe the wantonnesse of the fleshe among lascivious young men, no [...] yet when he [Page 2]was most intentiue to gaine, did he put his confi­dence in mony and treasures, as covetous negoti­atours are commonly woont to doe. But in his hart there was euen from his infancy ingrafted a certaine singular pitty, & commiseration towards the poore, which growing and encreasing toge­ther with his yeeres, did replenishe his heart with so bountifull an affection in that behalfe, that opening his eares to the wordes of the Gospell, he pnrposed with himselfe to giue somewhat vnto euery one that should aske him; espetially making demaund for the [...]oue of God.

But whereas on [...]pon occasion of his trou­blesome businesse, wherevnto he was very inten­tiue, he did contrary to his custome, neglect the request of a poore man, that asked him almes for the loue of God: he presently remembring him­selfe, and entring into iudgement with his owne heart; did speedily runne after him, bestowing his almes with much affection vpon him, making furthermore, euen then a promise vnto Almighty God, that from thence forward, so long as he should haue any thing in the worlde to giue? hee would never denie to giue something, to such as should begge of him for our Lords sake: which he observing continually with an vnwearied zeale of devotion, vnto his death; was thereby made woorthie to obtaine an aboundant encrease of the favour and grace of Almighty God. For he was woont to say, after that he had perfectly put on Christ, that even whilest he was in secular ha­bite, he felt a great motion in his heart, whenso­ever [Page 3]he heard any worde expressing the loue of God. Furthermore the mildnesse of his conversa­tion, together with the sweetnesse of his man­ners; his patience, and tractable behaviour, more thē is ordinary in mē; & his liberality, beyond the measure of his ability; which appeared in him in his youth, were tokens; that God had a grea­ter aboundance of blessing to powre vpon him.

It fortuned once that a very simple man of Assisium (by the instruction of God, as we haue good cause to thinke) meeting vpon a time with Saint FRANCIS, as he passed along the Citty; cast off his cloake, and spread the same vnder his feete; affirming that he should be worthie of all manner of reverence: the time beeing nowe not long vnto, wherin he should performe great mat­ters: and should be of the whole worlde for that cause marveilously honored. But yet altogether ignorant was S. FRANCIS at this time of Gods determination concerning him: aswell beeing by the commaundement of his father, distracted in externall affaires: as also, by naturall corruption, carried away with terrestriall [...]ters; wherby he had not as yet learned to conteplate vpo the mat­ters of Heauen, nor had accustomed himselfe to taste of the sweetnesse of God. And because the scourge of affliction doth oftentimes giue light to the spirituall vnderstanding, the mighty hande of our Lord did come vpon him; & the right hand of the highest wrought a perfect change within him; afflicting his body with lingring in­firmities, whereby the better to prepare his soule [Page 4]to receiue the precious inspirations and motions of the Holy Ghost. But having recovered his strength, and being provided of decent apparell according to his vsuall manner; he chanced to meete a certaine souldiar, who was in yery deede a gentleman by birth, but poore and meanely ap­parelled; whose poverty he commiserating with a syncete affection, dispoiled himselfe of his own apparell; and furnished the poore souldiar there­withall: that so, in one worke, he might per­forme a double office, of piety; both in covering the shame, of a gentleman souldiar; & in releiue­ing the misery of a poore distressed man.

In the night following, when he had betaken himselfe to his naturall rest; it pleased the good­nesse of God, to shew vnto him a great and beau­tifull pallace, adotned with Military weapons, insigned with the Crosse of CHRIST: then fore­shewing vnto him, that the mercy which he had extended towards the poore souldiar, for the loue of the heavenly King; should be recompenced with an incomparable reward. Wherevpon de­maunding vnto whom all those goodly things did appertaine; it was aunswered to him from aboue, that they should be vpon him and his souldiars; freely bestowed. A waking therefore in the mor­ning, and having his minde not as yet exercised in the searching of Divine mysteries; neither yet knowing how by the formes of visible thinges to consider the trueth of things, invisible; he per­swaded himselfe, that this vnaccustomed vision; was a fore token of some great prosperity, to hap­pen [Page 5]vnto him. So being as yet ignorant of Gods Divine ordinance towardes him, he purposed to goe into Apulia, vnto a certaine Earle of great li­berality; hoping by service vnder him in the wars to purchase a name of honour: according as the mentioned vision; vnto him seemed, to foretell. And being shortly after, entred into his iourney; as he came to the next City, he heard in the night time, our Lord in familiar manner, thus speaking vnto him. FRANCIS, who is able to doe better for thee, the master or the servant, the rich man or the poore?. To whom Saint FRANCIS making aunswere, that the master; and the rich man were better able: Our Lord presently replied; why therefore doest thou leaue the master, for the servant; and the rich God, for a poore man. Then Saint FRANCIS asked, what wilt thou haue me, O Lord to doe? And our Lord said vnto him; re­turne into thine owne country: for the vision which thon hast seene, doth prefigurate a spiritual effect, which is to be, by the disposition of God, & not of man; accomplished in thee. In the morning therefore, he speedily returned backe to Assisium, resting nowe full of security and ioy: & making himselfe a patterne of obedience, did rea­dily expect the pleasure of our Lord. From that time foreward hee with-drewe himselfe from the practise of his common trafique, and devoutly be­sought Almighty God, of his mercy; that hee would voutsafe to shew vnto him, what he ought to doe. And when by much vse of praier, the flame of Heavenly desire; began aboundantly to [Page 6]encrease in him; so that nowe for the loue of the Heavenly country, hee contemned all earthely things, as very nothing, then did he well perceiue himselfe to haue found, the hidden treasure; & like a well advised marchant, purposed with the sale of all his marchandise; to purchase this rare and pretious pearle. But as yet he was ignorant how to proceed therein: saving that it was to his spirit sugested; that the entring into spirituall af­faires, is the contempt of the world; and that the warfare of Christ, is not otherwise to be by any man begun, than by obtaining first, the conquest of himselfe.

Riding therefore one day vpon the plaine, Beholde howe his adorning the Altar [...] did please god, other­wise the holy man woulde not haue done them. ad­ioyning nigh to Assisium: there came in his way, a certaine Leaper: vpon whose sodaine aspect, he cō ­ceived in mind, an especiall horror, and loathing. But returning to his already resolued purpose of perfection: and considering that he ought of ne­cessity first, to overcome himselfe, if he would be­come the souldiar of Christ: he presently alighted downe from his horse, and went to kisse him. At what time the Leaper, reaching fotth his hand: as hoping to receiue something from him: did in­deed teceiue money of him: and a kisse also there­withall. But he being presently gotten vp, vpon his horse againe, and looking round about in the open field, could not espie the Leaper there. Being therefore replenished, with admiration and ioy, he began devoutly to sing praises vnto God, pur­posing from this beginning: evermore to aspire vnto greater perfections.

From thenceforth he began to affect solitary pla­ces, Behold his pilgrimage to holy places. as best fitting vnto mourning and lamentati­on: wherevnto with redoubled sighes, he inces­santly gaue ouer himselfe: vntill such time, that after long instance of Praier: he obtained of our Lord, with his inclinable eare, to heare the same. For one day, as he was praying in a solitary place, & through excesse of fervour, wholly (in manner) absorpted vp in God: Christ Iesus our Lord, vout­safed to appeare vnto him: fast nailed as it were, vpon the CROSSE. At the sight wherof, his soul melted within him: & the memory of the Passion of Christ, was so efficatiously imprinted into his heart, that from that houre, so often as he remem­bred the Crncifijng of Christ: he was hardly able to abstaine from sighes and teares, externally bur­sting out vpon him: as himselfe afterward, fami­liarly reported, drawing then nigh vnto his end. For hereby the man of God, did fulwell vnder­stand, that those wordes of the GOSPEL: If thou wilt come after me, denie thy selfe, and take vp thy Crosse and followe me: were directly spoken vnto himself. From that time did he therfore put on vpon him, the spirit of poverty; a perfect sence of humility; and a zealous affection of inward Piety. For wher­as before he could not abide the company of such as were infected with Leaprosie, no, not so much as to see them, though distant a good way from him: nowe for the loue of Christ Crucified, who accor­ding to the wordes of the Prophet, seemed con­temptible as a Leaper: that he might fully contemne himselfe: he did with a godly kind of benignity, [Page 8]even towards the Leapers: performe the du­ties of humility, and of all manner, of good hu­manity. For he visited oftentimes their houses, & liberally bestowing his almes among them; & with great affection of charitable commiseration disdained not to kisse their handes, & their mou­thes. As for poore beggars also, it was his desire to bestowe vpon them, not only his goodes, but himselfe therewithall: sometimes putting off his owne apparell; sometime vnripping the same, & sometime, for lack of other, more conuenient meanes, cutting it in partes, to bestowe vpon thē To poore Priests also, he gaue succoure, with much reuerence and deuotion, especially in the ornaments of the Aulter: that he might both be partaker of the honour giuen vnto God: & might also supply the wants of such: as were to exhibite the same vnto him.

One time visiting the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle with religious deuotion, and beholding a great multitude of poore people, before the doores of the Church, he being then partly mo­ued, with the sweetnes of piety: partly allured, with the loue of pouerty, gaue vnto one of the poorest of them, his owne apparell, and couering himselfe with the ragges of the poore man spent that whole day ioyfully in the middest of the poore: with an vnwonted alacrity. and ioy of spi­rit: Thereby, aswell to contemne all wordly glo­ry, as also to arise, as it were by degrees, and to clime vp, to the top of Euangelicall perfection. Very vigilant he was in mortification of the flesh [Page 9]that so he might externally in his body, Se how the holy Father doth subdue the concu­piscence of the flesh by his morti­fication. carry a­bout the Crosse of Christ: as he did internally e­nermore, beare the same, in his hart. All these things did Saint Francis the servant of God, not being yet, either in habite, or conversation, se­questred from the world.

THE SECOND CHAPTER. Of his perfect conuersion vnto God, and how he re­paired three Churches.

BVT because the servant of the highest, had no other teacher in these matters, Churches were buil­ded for to pray in. Learn that to bēd ones knees vnto images, & to pray to those whom they do re­present, is a good and pious work & se what a miracle Christ did worke by this his image. but on­ly Christ himselfe, it pleased his merciefull good­nes yet further to visite him in the swetnes of his grace. For as being one day gone forth into the feild to meditate, he walked along by a Church dedicated vnto Saint Damian, which was so old and ruinous that it seemed ready to fall to the ground, by the instinct of Gods holy spirit, he entered into the same to pray: and falling pro­strate before the image of Christ Crucified, was in his praier replenished with a singular conso­lation of spirit. And as he did with weeping eies beholde the Crosse of our Lord, he heard with his corporall eares, a voice from this same Crosse, speaking thus three times vn to him: Francis, go, and repaire my House, which as thou seest, is wholy destroied. Saint Francis being then alone in the Church trembled not a litle thereat, as be­ing much amased at the hearing of so woonder­full a voice: and feeling in his hart the efficacie of [Page 10]Gods heauenly worde, He arose signeing himselfe with the signe of the Grosse. became as it were aliena­ted from himselfe in minde. But returning after­wards to his perfect remembrance, he readily pre­pared himself vnto obedience, wholy disposing himself towards the performance of the com­maundement, cōcerning the repairing of the ma­teriall Church: though the more principall intē ­tion thereof, had relation vnto that Church, which Christ had purchased with his owne bloud: as he was afterwardes taught by the holy-Ghost, and did himself reueale vnto his brethren. Rising vp therefore, and arming himfelf with the signe of the Crosse, he tooke vnto him certaine clothes provided for sale, which he speedily carried vn­to the Citty of Fulligney: and there selling his wares, and also the horse whereon he rode, the happy marchant, beinge well contented depar­ted with the price thereof in mony. And so retur­ning to Assisium, he reuerētly entered the church, which he was commaunded to repaire: and fin­ding a poore Priest therein, after due reuerence done vnto him, made offer of his mony for the reparation of the Church, and towardes the re­leefe also of the poore: making furthermore his humble sute vnto him, for licence to abide with him there for a time. The Priest well allowed of his aboade in the place: but misdoubting his pa­rents assent for the mony, vtterly refused to ac­cept thereof, which neuerthelesse the true con­temner of mony, casting into one of the win­dowes, esteemed it no better than pelfe and dust.

Now whilest the seruant of God was thus abi­ding [Page 11]with the forementioned Priest: as soone as his Father got knowledg thereof, he as one much perplexed in minde, rūne with great hast and speed to the place. But Francis being as yet but a yong soldier in the armie of Christ, when as he hearde the threatenings of them, that did perfe­cute him, and did also perceiue their comming at hand: being then desirous to giue place to the force of their sury, betooke himselfe to a secret Caue, whearein closely concealing himself for a few daies, he incessantly besought our Lord with aboundance of teares, that he would vouchsafe to deliver his soule, from his persecutors handes: and that the good purposes which he had inspi­red into his hart, he would also vouchsafe, to bring to a finall end and accomplishement being there­fore replenished with a certain excessiue gladsom­nes, he began to accuse himselfe of too much pu­sillanimity: whervppon forsaking his caue, and ca­sting away all manner of feare, he tooke his way straight to Assisium Where being espied of the Cittizens, and by the change of his countenance obserued to be wholy chaunged in minde, he was thereby of them adiudged to be out of his wittes: in so much as taking vp the durt and stones of the stteete, they began to throw the same at him, as though he had ben frantique and absolutely made indeed. But the seruant of God nothing at all dis­maied, or changed with so many iniuries, passed on as a deafe man amiddest them all. And When his father heard such a clamourous outcrie, he also presently running forth, not with a minde to [Page 12]free him but rather to destroy him: setting all co­miseration quite aparte, drew him home to his house, where first with wordes. and afterwards with stripes and bondes he did in lamentable ma­ner torment him. But he became thereby more prompt and couragious to proceed forward in his course begunne: remembring the saying of the Ghospell, Mat. 5. that: Blessed are they that suffer persecution for instice: for theirs is the Kingdome of heauen.

But it fell out not long after, that his Father being gone out of the Country, his mother not allo­wing of her husbands severity, and being her self quite out of hope to alter her sonnes inflexible constancie, dismissed him quite of his bondes, and gaue him leaue to depart. Who rēdring due thāks vnto Almighty God, returned againe to the place where he was before, But his Father not finding him at his comming home, and angry with his wife, went after furiously to the place: purposing if it were past his power to recall him, at the least yet to driue him out of the province. Neuerthe­lesse Sainct Francis receaving strength from God came forth of his owne acorde to meete his Fa­ther, all the violence of his fury notwithstanding, affirming boldly vnto him, that he did not esteme his fetters and stripes, and furthermore protesting therewithall that for the loue of Christ hee was ready ioyfully to fusteyne all manner of afflictions and evils whatsoever, Wherevpon his Father be­ing inraged as hauing now no hope to recall his sonne, converted all his care to recover the mony? which being found at lenght in a litle windowe, [Page 13]his fury was in some sorte appeased, the thrist of cove tousnes, beeing (as it were) by a draught of mony alayd. After this his Father, endevoured to bring his sonne (thus dispoyled of his mony?) before the Bishop of the City, that in his presence he might renounce his right vnto all his Fathers possessions, & might also restore vnto him all that ever he had. To the performance wherof, the true lover of poverty shewed himselfe both ready and willing. For cōming before the Bishop, without any delay, or lingring whatsoeuer, neither contra­dicting with wordes, nor yet did he expect any to be spoken vnto him: presently putting off evē his garments, restored them to hisfather. At what time the holy man was founde to haue a shirte of hearecloth next to his skinne, Which he concea­led vnder his more delicate apparell. Furthermore out of an admirable fervour of spirit casting off al his apparell, he stood all naked before the com­pany: and addressed his speach vnto his Father, thus: Hitherto haue I called you my Father in earth, but from hence forth I shall securely say: Our Father which art in heaven: in Whom I haue reposed all my treasure: & haue setled the whole summe of my hope and confidence. The Bishop beholding all this, and admiring such an excessiue fervour of pietie, in the man of God arose forth with from where hee sate: and em­bracing him in his armes with teares, as hee was a good and godly man, did also wrappe him in his owne garment? commaunding his servantes, to giue vnto him something to cover his naked bo­dy. But they gaue him a poore and base mantell. [Page 14]which they had of a husband man, that served the Bishop: which he accepting with great thanke­fullnes, did with a peice of lime which he founde in the place, mark vpon it the forme of the Crosse with his owne hand, fashioning it, as a fit co­vering for a poore man crucified, and litle better than naked. Thus therefore was the servant of the highest King, left all in nakednesse, that he might follow his naked Lord crucified, whom he so dearely loved, in this manner fortifying him selfe with the Crosse, that he might committ his soule to the secure harboure of salvation, by the which he might safely escape the shippwracke of this tempestuous world.

From thence forth this contemner of the world being altogether freed from the bondes of world­ly desires: forsaking the Citty, did with great se­curity and freedome of minde, betake himselfe vnto the secret parts of the desert: that there in solitarines & silence, he might attend vnto the misticall secrets by Almighty God from aboue di­stilled vnto him. And as this devout servant of God passed by a certaine wood singing praises vn­to God with great ioye and exultation: a sorte of thieues came rushing out of a secret place vp­pon him. Who demaunding of him with firce behaviour, what he was, the man of God answe­red with great confidence, and not without an instinct also of prophecy, I am the preacher of the great King. But they heaping blowes vpon him, cast him into a pitt filled vp with snowe, say­ing vnto him: Ly thou there Clowne, the prea­cher [Page 15]of God. But so soone as they were departed, Behold againe his pilgrimag to holy places. he got him speedily out of the pit againe: and be­ing marveilousely possessed with ioy, began with a lowder voice to sounde forth throughout the woodes, his songes of praise vnto the Creatour of all. And comming to a certaine religious house thereby, he asked almes as a beggar: and recea­ved the same as one vnknowen and dispysed. Frō thence going on along, he came to Eugubium: Where being of an old frend of his both knowen and entertained, he receaued a poore coate of his guifte, as one of the poore litle ones of Christ. From thence, being a louer of all manner of hu­mility, he applied himself to the leapers: & remay­ned with them, seruing them most diligently for the loue of God. He washed their feet, bounde vp their vlcers, wrung out the corruption of their soares, and wiped away the filthines of them. He also kissed their running botches with admirable devotion, being now in the way shortly to be­come an Euangelicall Phisitian. By these meanes he obtained so great power of God, that he wrought wonderfull effects in the purging both of spyrituall and corporall diseases.

Among many of that kinde, here will I now make reporte of one, which befeell, when the same man of God hade afterwardes begunne to be of greater note in the world, there was a mā in the Country of Spolerum, who had his mouth & iawe bone miserably eaten away with an horrible disease such as no art of Physicke was able to cure: wherefore having bin to visite the Church [Page 16]of the Apostles to craue the help of their meritts, S. Francis repaired three Churches with the almes of the faith­ful. There­fore it is a good work and plea­sing to God. it happened that in the way of his rerurne from pilgrimage, he met with this holy servant of God. At what tyme when as he would for very deuotiō haue kissed the footesteeps of his feete, the hum­ble man, in no sorte permitting the same, kissed the mouth of him that would gladely haue kissed his feet. But so soone as Sainct Francis, had with a marveillous piety, once with his sacred mouth touched that horrible and loath some soare, the malice forth with of the disease departed, and the diseased man presently attained his wished health and recouery. Herein I know not whether more to admire, either the perfection of so great humi­lity, in so charitable a kisse, or the excellencie of his vertue, in so wonderfull a miracle.

But let vs comme to our intended purpose: this holy man Saint Francis being firmely establishe in Christian humility, recalled againe to his due o­bedience to be exhibited in performance of the worke from the Crosse enioyned vnto him, con­cerning the repairing of Saint Damians Church & as a true obedient servant he returneth back to Assisium, that at the least by beginning, he might cōpasse so much as might suffice to performe the commaundement of God. For which cause put­ting aside all bashfullnes for the loue of Christ crucified, he was willingly contented to begg of them, amongst whome he was wont to liue in great aboundance: offering his wearied bo­dy, now wasted much with fasting, to the car­rieng of heavy stones towards the repaire of the [Page 17]ding. This Church therefore being finally repai­red, by the help of God & good devotion of the Cittysens, least that his hody should after labour waxe wanton cōdemning idlenesse, he seetled himselfe to the repayring of a certaine other Church dedicated to the holy Apostle S. Peter the same being distant som what further off from the Citty: thereof he made rather his choice, in re­gard of speciall devotion without of the purity of sincer faith he bare to the prince of the Apostles. This Church being at the lenght finished: he came vnto the place called Portiuncula: wherin was a Church builded to the blessed virgin Mother of God, but at that time decaied desolate & not re­garded of any. Which the man of God seing, to be thus forsakē: did for the fervent devotiō which he carried towards this B. mother begane to make his daily residence there, for the repayring of the same Church also. And perceiving that accor­ding to the name therof, which was from ancient time, called S. Mary of Angels, there appeared oftentimes Evangelicall visions: there did he sett vp his rest, and finall purpose of aboade, as well for the reuerence of the Angels, as for the singu­ler loue which he bare to the Mother of Christ.

This place the holy man loved aboue all o­ther places of the world. For here he beganne in humility, heere he proceeded in integritie, heere he made his end in felicity: this place at his death he commended to his brethren, as most dere to the blessed virgin. Of this place cerraine devout brother did a litle before his con­version [Page 18]behold a vision very worthy of relation. There appeared vnto him an innumerable com­pany of blinde men, standing within the Compasse of this Church: all of them having their faces di­rected towards heaven, and their knees bowed downe to the grounde: who strectching for the their handes on high, cried out to God in pittiful manner, desiring him of mercy, and reinioying of their sightes. And behold there came a great light from heavē, which spreading it self through them all, restored vnto enery one of them theire perfect sightes, and healthe, according as they had before desired. This is the place wheare S. Francis by the instinct of divine revelation, beganne the order of the Friers Minors. For by the appointmēt of Gods heavēly providence, wherby the servant of Christ was directed in all things, he erected three materiall Churchs, before the beginning of his Order he did apply himself to the preaching of the Ghospell, that he might not only ascend, as it were by degrees, frō things sensible, vnto things intelli­gible, & from matters of lesser moment to things of farre greater perfection: but that he might also foretell, as it were in a mistery, by some sensible worke, what he was heareafter to do. For like as the triple building was repayred by means of that holy man, so according to the same, forme rule & doctrine by him prescribed, the Church of Christ was in three sortes to be renewed, in a threefold triumphant armie of the elect, according as we do now see to be accomplished.

THE THIRD CHAPTER. Of the institution of his order of Religion, and of the approbation of his Rule.

THIS singuler seruant of God, S. Francis, now making his aboad in the Church of the most blessed virgin Mother, and standing with cō ­tinuall sighes before Her, who in her wombe con­ceiued theword, repleinished with grace and truth, desiring with vnspeakable affection, that she would vouchsafe to be come his aduocate: by the merrits of the mother of mercy, he did conceiue and bring foorth, the spirit of Euangelicall truth. For one day hearing Masse of the Apostles, with great deuotion: that Ghospell was read wherein Christe sending his Apostles to preache, prescri­beth vnto them an Euangelicall forme of liuing: to witt, that they possesse no gold, nor siluer, nor mony in their purses, nor Scripp for the Way, nor two coats, Math. 10.nei­ther yet to beare either shoes vppon their feete, or a rodde in their hand. All which wordes, this vnsained frend of Apostolicall pouerty, hearing, vnderstanding & to heedefull memory, cemmending: & feeling also in wardly in himselfe, an incredible ioy & conten­tation, This is (quoth he] the thing I doe couet, this is the same, which with all my whole harte, and soule, I desire. His shoes did he therfore loose from his feete, his staffe he layd a side, his wallet he reiected, and mony he vtterly abandoned? rhus resting contented with one only coate, refusing also his letherne belt, in steade of a girdle he toke [Page 20]a coarde, applieing all the diligence of his heart, how he might most duely performe the things he had heard, and might in all things conforme him­selfe to the exact rule of Apostolicall perfection. From this time the man of God by divine inspira­tion beganne to be a studious emulator of Evange­licall perfection, and to invite others vnto Pen­nance with him. His speeches were in no wise vaine, neither yet such as might Minister cause of laughter, but evermore full fraught with the po­wer of the Holy Ghost, penetrating even into the secret partes of the harte: by force whereof he wrought not a litle astonishment in the mindes all such as heard him. He preached alwaies peace, vnto the people, and in the beginning of his ex­hortation, he was wonte in this manner to salute them, saiyng: Our Lord giue his peace vnto you. For this manner of salutation he learned of God: ac­cording as himself afterwards affirmed. And there vpon it came to passe, that according to the say­ing of the Prophet, himselfe also being inspired with the spirit of prophesy, he did denounce peace he did preach salvation, and did with healthfull admonition, associate very many vnto the true peace: euen such as had binne before time disioy­ned much from the favour of Christe, and had thereby straied farr away from the porte of Sal­vation.

Now therefore when this holy servant of God did growe to be better knowen vnto many aswell for the truth of his sincere doctrine, as of his life: certaine other man also moved by his example, [Page 21]beganne to be animated and stirred vp vnto Pen­nance, and reiected all the impediments of this world, that they might be conioyned vnto him, both in habite and life, The first of which num­ber, was the venerable man, Bernardus who be the special vocatiō of God, merited to be the first borne of the blessed Father aswell in priority of time, as in priviledge of holy conversation. For he having had experience of the holinesse of the seruant of Christ, and purposing by his example perfectly to contemne the world, demaunded of him dire­ction for the better performance of his purpose. Which the servant of God vnderstanding, was re­plenished, with great consolation of the holy-Gost, for the conception of this his sonne, & said vnto him, that this councell was to be sought at the hands of God. Wherefore betimes in the mor­ning, they entered into the Church of S. Nicolas and there after humble prayers, exhibited the de­vout servant of the blessed Trinity S. Francis, three severall times opened the booke of the Gospells, instantly beseeching Almighty. God, that by a triple testimony he would wouchsafe to confirme the holy purpose of Bernard. In the first openning therefore of the book, he lighted vpon that place, which saith: If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast and giue vnto the poore. In the second: Take nothing in the way. But in the third: Mat. 19.21 Marc. 6.8 Ma. 16.24 If any man will come after me, let him denie himself, and take vp his Crosse and follow me. This is (saith the holy man) our life and Rule: and of all them who will conioyne thē selues to our society. So therefore, if thou willt [Page 22]be perfect, and performe the thinges thou hast heard delivered.

Not long after, it fell out, that fiue other men also were called by the same spirit, wherby the nūber of the spirituall children of holy S. Francis, was increased to sixe: among whom the third place befell vnto the Holy Father Aegidius, a mā also full of Gods grace, & worthy to be held in famous me­mory. For being afterwards most rarely exercised, in heauenly vertus according as the seruāt of God, had foretold of himself, although he were a simple and vnlearned man, yet was he exalted, vnto the top of Celestiall contemplation. For contine­wing long time togeather without intermission, intentive vnto heavenly actions, he was ravished also with so frequent excesse of contemplation in God: as I my self have with mine eies observed, that he was esteemed rather to haue led the life of Angels, then of men, though living and couer­sing among men.

Aboute the same very time vnto a certaine Priest of Assisium, named Syluester, a man of ho­nest life and conversation, our Lord vouchsafed to shew a vision, very worthy to be remembred For finding in himself, an especiall loathing and avertion from the manner & life of S. Francis and his brethren, least that he might haply be indan­gered for the rashnes of his iudgement, thus was he visited by the favour of Gods heauenly grace. He beheld in his sleep the whole Citty of Assisium to be environed rownde with a mōstrous Dragon, by reason of the vnmeasurable hugenes whereof [Page 23]the whole country seemed to be in danger of vt­ter wast and distruction. After this he might see a certaine Crosse of gold, issueing forth of the mouth of S. Francis, the topp where of reached vnto heauen, and the armes to the vtter most bounds of the worlde: at the glittering aspect wherof, that ougly and horrible Dragon, was vtterly put to flight, This vision being three times in this manner represented vnto him, he therevpon esteeming it as the very Oracle of God, declared the same in order to the man of God, and his brethren: and it was not long after, but himselfe also leaving the world, did with such perfection adheare vnto the footesteeps of Christ, that the life by him ledd in the order, gaue good credit and authority, to the vision he had seene in the world. Vpon the report and publication whereof, no whitt was the man of God ezalted in humaine glory: but acknowledging the bene­fits of God and the greatnes of his goodnes, he was more and more incouraged to withstād the crafte of the auncient enemye, and therewithall to preach and extoll the glory of the Crosse of Christ.

But it befell vnto him vpon a day, that walking in a certaine solitary place, and there recounting with himselfe his yeares mispent: as he did in the bitternes of his harte bewaile them, the gladsome comfort of the Holy-Ghost comming then vpon him, he was fully certified of the plenarie remis­sion of all his offences. And being afterwardes rapt as it were aboue himselfe, and having his vn­derstanding marveilously inlightened, he evidētly [Page 24]perceyved, what great matters were in tyme to come to be fall vnto himselfe and his whole pro­genie after him. Whervpon returning vnto his brethren: Be of good comfort (quoth he) my most dearely beloved, and reioyce in our Lord; & be in no wise eyther sad or sorrowfull, for that yee be but few in number, neyther yet be yee desmayed eyther out of myne, or your owne sim­plicity: for so much as our Lord hath certainely revealed vnto me, that he will make vs increase to a great and mighty companie; and will with the sweet blessing of his heavenly grace, multiply and augmente our noumber many and sundrie wayes.

At the same time also another devout man en­tred the religion among them, whereby the issue of the man of God did now amounte vnto seaven. Then the good Father calling all his children a­bout him: and speaking many things vnto them of the kingdome of God, of the contempt of the world, of the denying of their owne will, and of the chasticement of the body, withall declared vn­to them his purpose to send them into the foure partes of the world. For now the holy simplicity, of the holy Father, having brought forth seaven children, did also desire to beget the whole com­pany of the faithfull vnto Christ our Lord, by cal­ling them to the mournefull works of Pennance. Go your waies (quoth he sweet father to his wel­beloved children) and denouncing peace vnto men: preache vnto them Pennance for the remis­sion of sinnes. Be patiēt in tribulations, be watch­full [Page 25]in prayers, be vnweariable in labours, be mo­dest in your speeches; be graue in your manners, and ever thankefull for benefits receaved, consi­dering that in lieu of all these things, the goodnes of God hath prepared for you an eternall King­dome. Psalm. 54. But they humbly prostrating themselues vpon the earth before the servant of God; did with great gladnes of spirite embrace the com­maundement of holy obedience. Moreover, vnto every of them aparte, he said? Cast thy care vppon our Lord, and he will nourish thee. Which admonitiō he was ever wount to vse, so offen as he went about to induce any brother vnto obedience. Then he, forseing himselfe to be geven as a patterne & example vnto others, and so consequently that he ought first to performe the thing before he drew others to imitation: taking one of his com­panions vnto him, setled himselfe towatdes one part of the world, deputing the other sixe by two & two together, severed in the forme of a Crosse, to the other three partes of the earth. Psal. 46. But it was not long past, before the tender harted Father much longing for the presence of his deare chil­dren, and having no meane by himselfe to bring them all togeather: did offer vp his prayers vnto God that he would vouchsafe to effect his desire, Who doth congregate the dispersed of Israel. And so it came to passe, that according to his desire, without any call of man, by the only worke of God, they met all in one place together vnlooked for, not without the great admiration of them all. Having in this space of time gathered vnto them, [Page 26]fower other men also of honest fame, whoe ad­hearing vnto them: made their number now to be twelve.

Now the servant of Christ, perceyving that the noumber of his brethren. was by litle & litle daily encreased. wrote for himselfe and them, in playne wordes, a rule and forme of life, wherein hauing laid the obseruance of the Holy Ghospell, for an indissoluble foundation, he had also inser­ted therevnto certaine other few things, such as seemed most necessary, for an vniforme manner & course of liuing. And desiring to haue the same approued by the Chiefe Pastour of the Church: be determined with that small company of simple associates, to take his way to the Sea Apostolique, reposing all his trust in the only direction and help of God. Who from his heauenly seate, be­holding the finall end of his desire, vouchsafed by the shewing of this manner of vision vnto him, to reare vp the mindes of his companions, otherwise not a litle astonished, out of the consideraation of their owne simplicity. For, it seemed vnto him, that passing by a certaine way, he beheld standing nigh vnto him a goodly Tree of stately height & loftines: which as he approached more nigh vn­to it, and did stand vnder the same in admiration of the height thereof. he was sodeinly by the power of God, lifted vp into so great a height of the aire, that he did not only reach to the very top therof, but did also with great facility bow it downe, frō the vpper most parte, to the grounde. This vision the man of God vnderstanding to be a foretoke­ning [Page 27]of the fauourable inclination of the Aposto­lical dignity to his humble desires; was exhilerated much in spiritt therewithall: and comforting his brethren in our Lord, betooke himselfe to his iourney with them. But when he was come to the Court of Kome, and brought before the face of the supreame Bishop, the Vicar of Christ being thē walking in the Pallace of Laterane, in the place which is called Speculum, and there possessed with profounde meditations, repelled the seruant of Christ, as a man vnknowen, not without some shew also of discontentment. Who humbly de­parting out of the doores, in the night follow­ing this manner of revelation was by Almighty God made to the Pope himselfe. He saw from be­tweene his feete a palme branch springing out of the ground, & the same to become a most beauti­full Tree. And marueiling with himselfe what this vision should meane: his minde was illumi­nated by the worke of God, that by this palme tree that poore man was signified, whom he had the day before reiected. The next morning ther­fore, he caused his servants to seeke him through­out the Citty. Who hauing found him in the Ho­spital of S. Antony neare vnto Laterane, he cōman­ded them forthwith to bring him before himself. Thus S. FRANCIS, being brought in pre­sence of the Pope, disclosed vnto him the whole course ef his purpose: humbly and instantly ma­king sute vnto him. to approue the same methode and rule of liuing. The Vicar of Christ, Pope In­nocent the third, being a man of singular wisedom [Page 28]observing in the man of God. an admirable puri­ty of a simple minde, the constancy also of his purpose. and the fiery zeale of his holy desire: embraced this poore one of Christ with the loue of his harte, being much inclined in minde, to yeeld his favourable assent to the humble petition of this holy man. But yet deferred to ratifie the requests of the poore servant of Christ: for that his demaund seemed vnto some of the Car­dinalls, to be both a matter of novelty, and al­so of difficultie, beyond the measure of mans ha­bility.

But it happened at that tim to be among the Car­dinalls, a reverend man called Dominus Ioannes de sancto Paulo, Bishop of Sabina, a lover of all holy­nesse, and an especially helper of the poore servats of Christe, who inflamed with the spirit of God, delivered his mind in the matter before the Pope and his brethren, to this effect. If we shall saith he, deny the request of this poore man, as a mat­ter either of novelty, or of too much difficulty, wheras he requireth none other thing, but a form of Euangelicall life, to be confirmed vnto him: we haue iust cause to feare, least therein we doe offend against the Gospell of Christ. For who­soever shall assirme that any thing which is either newe, vnreasonable, or imposible to be obser­ved, is contained within the observance of Euā ­gelicall perfection, or within the vowe which is made thereof: he is manifestly convinced of blasphemy against Christ himselfe, the very Au­thour of the Gospell, Thus much being spoken [Page 29]in this behalf: the Successour of the Apostle S. Peter, turning himselfe towards the servant of Christ said vnto him, Offer vp thy praiers deere sonne, vnto Christe, that by thee he may vouch­safe to shewe his will vnto vs, to the end that it being once, more certainely knowen, we may the more securely condiscende to thy god­ly desires. Wherevpon the servant of Almigh­ty God, bestowing himselfe now wholy in praier, by his instant devotion obtayned to knowe, both what him-selfe shoulde exteri­riourly disclose, and what the Pope should inte­ourly conceyue. For having related a parable ac­cording as he had receaved the same from God, of a rich and mighty King, that willingly mar­ried with a beautifull, though a very poore wo­man, and of a noble issue begott betwixt them bearing liuely resemblance of the KING his Fa­ther, and in that respect very worthy to be nou­rished at the KINGES owne table: this also by way of interpretation hee therevnto adioyned. Wee haue no cause to feare, that the Sonnes and heires of the Eternall KING, shall perishe and die for hunger, who beeing borne of a poore Mother, by the power of the HOLIE GHOST to the image of CHRIST their KING, are also to bee gotten vnto him in a poore religion by the spirite of povertie. For if the KING of HEAVEN doe promise an eternall Kingdome to them that followe him: howe much more will hee provide them of things of necessity which he giveth indifferently [Page 30]not only to the good, but also to the wicked: This parable and the meaning thereof, when the Vicar of Christ had diligētly heard & observed, he mary vailed greatly thereat: & knew for certain, that it was vndoubtedly. Christ himselfe, who covertly spake in the man. And moreover also he avowed by the instinct of Gods heavenly spirit, that a cer­taine vision also which he had about this time re­ceyued from heaven, should be in this man accō ­plished. For he had seene in his sleepe as himselfe reported, the Church of Laterane, to be in present danger, now forthwith to fall to the grounde: the which a certain poore mā; of mean stature, & con­tēptible to behold, putting his own back vnder it did so preserue frō falling. Whervpon he thus pro­novnced: verely this is he, who by his worke & doctrine. shall vphold the Church of Christ. Then this prudēt Pa­stor being wholy fraught with devotion inclined himself in every degree to the desires of the ser­vant of Christ: & bare evermore vnto him a spe­ciall loue & affection. Wherfore he graunted his request, & promised to graunt yet more vnto him, he approued his Rule, he gaue him in Charge to vndertake the preaching of pennance, & for all the lay brethrē to that were associate the servāt of Christ he caused them to haue litle crownes made that they might freely preach the word of God.

THE FOVRTH CHAPTER. Of the increase of the Order vnder his hand, and of the cō ­firmation of the Rule formerly approued

THE holy man Saint Francis, now thus suppor­ted with Gods grace, and Papall authority, [Page 31]did with much confidence of minde, take his way to the vale of Spoletum: that he might, as well by deed as by worde, denounce the Gospel of Christ. But as he debated w [...]ih his companions in the way, by what meanes they might in all sincerity obserue the Rule, by them newly vndertaken, and how they might in all manner of holinesse and iustice, walke before the face of God, and further yet, how they might not only arise to greater profit in themselues, but might also be an example and guide vnto others, by long pro­tracting this manner of conference, the time so­deinely ouerpassed vnawares. And they being now much wearied with the long continewance of their travel, and hungry also therwithall, were inforced to stay, in a certaine solitary place of the desert. At which very time and place they haivng no kind of meanes to provide thēselues, of neces­sary food, then did the providence of God manifest it self in their behalf. For sodeinely a man appea­red vnto them, bringing bread in his hand, which he gaue vnto the poore ones of Christ: and forth disappeared, being altogether, vnknowene from whence he came, or whether he went. Here by the poore brethren perceyving that in the company of the man of God, they where assisted with the help of Gods heavenly protection, were better refreshed by the gift of this divine libera­lity, then by the refection of their emptie bodies. And morover they were so singularly replenished with the cōsolation of God that they firmely pur­posed, and irrevocably decreed, neuer for any [Page 32]violence either of hunger or tribulation: to faile from the promise of holie pouertie.

After this returning with this holie purpose in­to the vale of Spoletum they beganne to dispute a­mong themselues whether it were more expedi­ent for thē to converse among men, or to betake thēselues vnto solitarie places. But the seruant of Christ S. Francis, not presuming vpon the in­dustrie either of himselfe or of his bretheren: de­termined by instancy of praier, to seeke the good will and pleasure of God in this behalfe. Being therefore inlightened by the oracle of divine re­velation, it was given him to vnderstand, that he was for this very purpose sent of God, that he might gaine such soules vnto Christ, as the Di­vell endeavoured to leade astray. For which cause he rather chose to liue for the generall good of all, than for the private benefitte of himselfe alone: being therevnto provoked by his example who being, but one vousafed to die for all. The man of God therefore, together withall the rest of his companions, betooke himself to a certaine forlorne Cottage nigh to Assisium: Wherin they liued in much labour and needines, according to the rule of holy poverty: desiring rather to be su­stayned with the foode of teares, than with the nice of curiosities of delicate fare For there they were incessantly busied in fervent praiers procee­ding rather from mentall affection, thā outward­ly disclosed by vocall wordes, intending wholy to the studie of devotion, because they had not as yet any Ecclesiasticall bookes, where in they [Page 33]might sing there Canonical howers, but in­steede of them; they behelde continuallie the booke of the Crosse of Christ, and turned it over day and night; thereto instructed by the example and speach of the holie father, who daily prea­ched of Christ his Crosse vnto them.

But being requested of his brethren to teach them how to pray, he said: when you doe pray, you shal say the Pater noster: and this also: we adore thee the O Christ at al thy Churches, which are in the whole worlde, and we blesse thee because by thy holie Crosse thou hast redeemed the worlde. Moreover, he taught them to praise our Lord in al thinges and out of al his creatures: Heere thou maist see that faith [...] to be held and confes­sed whsch the holy Romane Church doth hold and teach. They fell downe prostrate praying at all Churches & Crosses. to vse especial reverence also to­wardes Priests: and principally this; firmelie to beleue, and simply to confesse, the puritie of faith according vnto such manner & forme, as the holie Romane Church doth hold and teach. All which precepts of the holy Father they on their parts in every, point inviolably observed, and at all Churches and before all Crosses which they could see a farr of, they did humbly pro­strate themselues according to the forme pre­scribed vnto them.

But it so fell out, that the brethren long time abiding in the foresaid place: the holy man, went forth vpon a Saterday, into the Citty of Assisium with purpose vpon a Sunday morning early to preach (as his costome was) in the Cathedrall Church. And as the devout man of God had with drawen himselfe, into a certaine shroud, that stoode within the Channons garden, there over­passing [Page 34]the night, according to his vsuall manner in the praier of God; albeit that he were then in bodie absent from his children. Behold yet even aboute the verie pointe of midnight, some of the bretheren being bent to sleepe, and some other of them continuing in praier, a fierie chariote of marveilous splendoure, entring in at the dore, of the house, whirled vp and downe the place, one while one way, and one while another, vntill it had at length, gone three severall times rounde a­bout the roome: vpon the toppe whereof, might be seene to rest, a globe of shining beames, as bright as the sunne; which caused the darke some night, for the time to seeme, as cleere as the day. Heere with all, the watchfull were amased, and the sleepy both waked and astonished: every of them finding no lesse clearenes in their harts, than outwardly vpon their bodies, it being effected by the power of this marvailous light, that the na­ked consciences of them all were discovered one to another. For they did all of them agreably vn­derstand, every of them seing into each others harte, that the holy Father being absent in body, but present in spirit, and in such apparence trans­figured: was with the beames of brightnes from aboue inlightened and inflamed, and out of su­pernaturall power, in a shining and fiery Cha­riot, by God represented vnto them, that as true Israelites, they might follow after him, who as an other Elias was by God ordained, to be the Cha­riot, 4, Reg. 2.11: and Chariot Driver of spirituall men. And verily good cause we haue to belieue that he who [Page 35]opened in former time, the eies of a Boie, 4. Reg. 6.7 wher­by to see the mountaine filled all with horses and fiery Chariots, in compasse of Aeliseus: did now also, at the praiers of his holy Servant Saint FRANCIS, in like manner, open the eies of this simple company, that they might see and behold, the woonderfull workes of God. But the holy man after this returning vnto his brethren, be­ganne to sift the secrets of their consciences, to refresh their spirits vpon occasion of this marvei­lous vision, and to foretell many things concer­ning the increase of the Order. At what time dis­closing vnto them many and sundry points, which far surpassed all humane vnderstanding: the bre­thren well perceyued, that the spirit of our Lord, had in so great aboundance; setled it selfe vppon this his servant Saint FRANCIS, that it should be their safest and most certaine course to imitate his life and doctrine.

After this, S. FRANCIS, the Pastor of that litle flock, being guided and directed by the grace of God, conducted this poore number of twelue brethren, to the Church of Saint Mary of Portiū ­cula: to the end that where the order of the Friers Minors, had by the merits of the Mother of God taken his beginning; there also by her helpe, it might take increase. And in this place also, being made a preacher of the Gospell, he went about preaching through the Citties and townes: Not in the learned words of humane wisedom, but in the pow­er of the spirit, denowcing the Kingdome of God. He seemed vnto all that sawe him to be a [Page 36]man of another world: for as he was allawayes, intentiue to heaven, both in minde and counte­nance, so did he seeke with his whole endevour to draw all men thither with him. And even now about this time, Of virgins were con­verted by him to im­brace per­petuall chastity: false it is that it is mipossible to keeps Virgiuity. beganne the vineyard of Christ to bud forth the buds of the sweete smels of our Lord: and having brought forth the flowers of sweetnes, Honor, and Honestie, did yeild a plentifull and fruitfull harvest. For many, both men and women, inflamed with the zeale of his preaching, serving our Lord in the Chastitie of wedlock, according to the forme receaved, of the servant of God; did binde themselves vnto new lawes of Pennance, whose manner of living the said servant of Christ decreed to be named The Order of the brethren of Pennance. For, as the way of pennance, is one and the very same vnto all such as desire to come vnto heaven, so likewyse this order, S. Clare now glori­fied in heauen is worthily worshiped in earth of the Church. admitting both the Clergie and the lay pepple, Virgins, and Married folkes, of both sexes, of how great merit it is in the sight of God; it is manifest by many miracles, which some of them haue wrought, as may be knowen to the world.

Even now also, divers Virgins were by him converted vnto perpetuall chastity, among which Saint Clare that notable Virgin and most deare to God, was the first plant and most beautifull blos­some of all the rest: who as as pure springing flo­wer gaue a sweet savour of holynesse; and glim­mered forth her beames as a bright shining star. she being now glorified with God in heaven, is [Page 37]worthely honored of the Church in earth: who being the daughter in Christ, of the holy poore Father Saint FRANCIS, did also become the Mother of the poore: And many not only moved with devotion, but inflamed with desire of Christian perfection, contemning the vanity of wordly things, did follow the steeps of Holy S. Francis. Who increasing daily more & more were quickly spreede forth to the end of the world. For that same holy poverty, which was the only thing they desired to carrie with them, for the defray of their charges, made them evermore ready, vnto all obedience, strong in sustaining of labours, and nimble in prosecuting their iourneis. And for so much as they possessed no earthly thing, nothing did they loue nothing, did they feare to loose: but were in every place secure, never assailed with feare, never distracted with care, wherby living as men in every point free from all manner of trouble of minde, they had patience in ex­pectance, of their morning and nightly suste­nance.

Many and sundry reproaches they sustained in diuerse parts of the world, as men contēptible and vnknowen: but the loue of the Gospell of Christ, had endewed them with so perfect pa­tience, that they sought in those places rather to be, were they might suffer persecution in body. than where, vpon observation of their vnfained holinesse, they might haue occasion to glory in the favour of the world. And even that very pe­nury of all things which they continually sustayned [Page 38]seemed vnto them a superaboūdant plenty: meane while that according to the wisemans Councell. In steed of a great thing, the least did contente them. For some of the brethren comming into the infidells countries, it happened that a certaine Saracin, moved with pittie, offered them mony for their necessary foode: which he perceiving them to re­fuse, wondered not a litle thereat, seeing them notwithstauding to be both poore and needy. But at the lenght perceiuing, that having voluntarily made themselues poore for the loue of God, they would possesse no mony: he was thereby conioy­ned vnto them, in so great loue and affection, that he offered to Minister vnto them all thinges necessary, so long as he should haue in the world to giue them. O inestimable price of poverty, by the admirable force whereof, even Barbarours cruelty, was chaunged into so great a sweetnes of mercy, Wherefore it is a thing most horrible and a wickednes vnexcusable, for a Christian man to tread vppon so pretious a pearle which an infi­dell Saracin held in so great a reverence.

About this time Moricus, a Religious man of the Order called Cruciferi, being miserably affli­cted in an Hospital neare to Assisium, with a long and greivouse disease, through the violent force whereof, the Phisitions were in vtter despaire of his recoverie: made humble request to the man of God, by a messenger sent for purpose, with in­stant desire, that he would vouchsafe to pray for him. Whervnto, the blessed Father, with a willing minde assenting, after praier devoutly [Page 39]made, taking cartaine crummes of bread into his hand, and mingling the same with oyle, taken from, out of the Lamp which burned before the Altar of the Blessed virgin, brought it at lenght, as it were, to a certaine kinde of electuary, which he sent vnto the sicke man, by the handes of his brethren, saying, Beere ye this medicine vnto our brother MORICVS: where by the po­wer of Christ, will not only restore him vnto per­fect health againe, but will make of him a strong and hardy warriour, and shall further adioyne him perpetually, vnto our troupe and company: No sooner had this sicke, man tasted of that exquisit medecine, made & confected by the Holy Ghost his invention, but rising vp forth with, now per­fectly whole and well, he obtained of God so much strength both of body & minde, that with­in a litle while after, entring into the Religion of the holy man he was contended with one only slender coate, Behold the wonderfull abstinence of the holy man who for a long space tasted neither bread nor wine and wasfed only with rawe meats. vnder which also he ware for long time together, a coate of maile next to his skinne, & vsed no other diet than raw meates, as hearbes fruits and such like other things as he gathered v­pon the earth: not tasting for many and soundrie years, either of bread or wine. All which not­withstanding, he still continewed in good health and strenght of body.

And as the merrits of the vertue of these litle ones of Christ did daily more and more increase so the sweet smell of their good opinion, spreading it self ronde about, drew many out of divers parts of the world, to come in person to see the holy [Page 40]Father. Among whom there was a curious in­ventor of secular songes, who having binne for that cause crowned by the Emperour, and called the king of verses determined to go see this man of God, the contemner of wordly things. And finding him preaching in a certaine Monastery, at the Castle of Saint SEVERINVS: the hand of our Lord comming then vpon him, be beheld Saint FRANCIS the preacher of the Crosse of Christ, ensigned with two swordes, one overthwarr the other in the forme of a Crosse, the one of them stretched along from his head to his feete, and the other, Crosse-wise along his breast, from on hand to the other. Wherby although he knew not the contenance of the servāt of Christ: yet was he ful­ly secured that this very man was he, by the admi­rable apparence of so great a miracle. At the so­dain aspect whereof being much amased he be­ganne to propose vnto himselfe better things in his minde: and being at the lenght compunct by the force of his words, no lesse than if he had bin stricken through with the sword of the spirit, is­sueyng out of his mouth, vtterly contemning all secular pompes he conioyned himselfe in profes­sion, with the blessed Father. Wherevpon the ho­ly man, seeing him to be perfectly converted, frō the trouble of the world, to the peace of Christ, called him by the name of Frater Pacificus. He after­ward increasing in al holinesse, before such time as he was made provinciall Minister in France for he was the first that bare that office there merrited once, and againe, to see the greeke letter T. in [Page 41]the forehaid of holy S. Francis: the same being di­stinguished with such seemely variety of colours, as did wonderfully adorne his face and counte­nance. This signe the holy man did reverence with great affection, this signe he did commend with frequent speeches: and in his letters which he vsually dispatched, he evermore with his owne hand subscribed the same: Ezech. 9.4 as if all his study were to make the signe T according to the saieing of the Prophet vpon the foreheades of them that sighed and mourned, and were vnfainedly con­verted to Christ.

Now when the number of brethren, was in processe of time increased; the carefull Pastor, be­ganne to call them together vnto a general Chap­ter, then to beholden in the place of our Lady of Portiuncula: that in the measure of divine distri­bution, he might giue vnto every one his portiō of obedience, in the land of their poverty. Where although there were great penurie, and the bre­thren sometimes came together aboue fiue thow­sand in number: yet by the help of Gods mercie they had sufficient foode; together with health of body, and aboundance of spirituall ioy. But for so much as he could not be in body present at the provinciall Chapiters, he was therefore in spirit, by the diligent care of his governement: by the instancy of prayer; and by the efficacy, of be­nediction; evermore present, at them: notwith­standing that sometimes, by the marvailous po­wer and worke of God, he did visibly appeare. For as Saint Anthony that worthy preacher, who [Page 42]is now a notable Confessour of Christ, was prea­ching in the Chapter at Arles of the title of the Crosse: Iesus of Nazareth King of the Iewes: a certaine brother of approued vertue, called Monaldus, loo­king, as the will of God was towardes the Chap­ter house doore; sawe with is corporall eies the blessed Father Saint FRANCIS lifted vp alofte in the aire, ad blessing his brethren with his handes stretched out as it were in the forme of a Crosse. At which very time all the brethren did feele thē ­selues to be replenished with so great & vnvsual-a consolation of spirit, that the inward testimony which they felt in their hartes did sufficiently se­cure them of the vndoubted presence of the holy Father: though afterwardes it was, not only by evident signes, but also by the said holy Fathers owne wordes, externally confirmed. And well it may be believed that the same power of Almighty God, which granted the devout and holy Bi­shop Saint Ambrose, to be present at the in tom­bing of the glorious Bishop Saint Martin, to the end that he might with devout reverence, honor the devout Bishop deceased: did also by an espe­ciall favour, present his servant Saint Francis, at the sermon of his true preacher Saint, Anthony: that he might approue the words of truth: those espe­cially, of the Crosse of Christ, whereof himselfe was a continuall bearer, and a most faithfull ser­vant

But the Order being now great amplified & augmented, he did greatly desire, that the forme and rule therof by Pope Innocenci [...]s already appro­ved, [Page 43]might be Honorius his successor, for ever be ratified and confirmed. and even then he was by Almighty God admonished, with this manner of revelation. It seemed vnto him that he was ga­thering vp from the earth, certaine most excee­ding small and slender crummes of bread, by him to be distributed among a great many hungry brethren of his, that stoode in expectance rownde aboute him, And fearing to distribute so smalle crummes, least perhaps they should fall out of his handes, he heard a voice from aboue, saing vnto him: Francis, make one hast of all the crummes, and giue vnto them that will eate. Vnto which voice he shewing himselfe obedient, whosoever did not receiue the distribution devoutly, or did make light of the guift already receaved, were presently marked with a leaprous infection. All which the holy man did the next morning after, relate vnto his brethren; sorrowing much, that he could not vnderstand the mistery of the vision But the next day following, as he persisted watch­full in praier, he heard a voice from heaven speke vnto him, Francis, the crummes which thou sawest in the night past, are the wordes of the Gospell, the host is the Rule, and the leaprousie iniquity. Being therefore desirous, before he sought the confirmation of his Rule. to reduce the same as being hitherto more largely compiled out of sundry parts of the Ghospell, vnto a more compendious forme and methode, according as the vision did purporte vnto him: he went vpp with two of his companions into a certaine hill, [Page 44]wherevnto he was by the Holy Ghost conducted, He fasted with bread & water. and there contenting himselfe with bread & wa­ter, during the time of his fast he caused the same to be written, according to that which the spirit of God suggested vnto him, as he was yet perse­vering in fervent prayer. Which being there by him, in this manner finished, and himsefe now comming downe from the montaine, he gaue the same to his Vicar to keepe: who within few daies, confessing himselfe to haue lost it, by fault of negligence, the holy man went againe, the se­cond time, into the solitary place of the desert, & presently renewed the same againe: as if he had taken the wordes, from out of the mouth of God. And shortly after obtained, according to his owne desire to haue the same confirmed, by the foresaid Pope HONORIVS: in the eight yeare of his Popedome. Wherevpon taking occasion with great fervency to perswade his brethren a new to the observance of the rule, he avowed vnto them that he had not thereinto inserted any thing out of his owne industrie, but had simply and plainly written downe all & every point, euē in such sorte as had binne from God revealed vnto him. S, Francis caused his rule to be written as he had re­ceiued by diuine re­nelation. Which, that it might the more manifestly appeare, as being confirmed and approved by the testimony of God himself, within few daies after the signes & Marks of our Lord Iesus were imprinted vpon him, by the finger of the living God, as it were the Bull of the chiefe and most supreame Bishop Christ himselfe aswell to the absolute confirmatiō of the Rule, as also to the commendation of the [Page 45]Author thereof as shall be hereafter set downe in convenient place, after we shall hane declared his excellent vertues.

THE FIFTH CHAPTER. Of the austerity of his life, and how the Creatures of God gaue sollace vnto him.

NOvv when the holy servant of God Saint Francis, did perceive that many were by his exāple incouraged with fervencie of spirit to carry the Crosse of Christ: himselfe also, like a good lea­der of the army of Christ was therby animated dai­ly more and more: to attaine vnto the crowne of victory, by the exquisite perfection of most invincible vertue. For cōsidering the sayng of the Apostle; that, Se with what seue­rity of dis­ciplines the holy Father did mortifi the concupis­cence of his flesh. Se also his wonderful abstinen [...]. They who are of Christ haue crucified their flesh together with their vices and concupiscenses: he to the ende he might in his owne body beare the armour of the Crosse, did with so great severitie of discipline, restraine his sensuall appetites; that scantly he allowed vnto himselfe, the very things that were necessary for the sustentation of nature Vsing evermore this māner of saying; that, It could not be but marueilous hard, to fatisfie the necessities of the body, & yet not to condiscen vnto the euill inclination of sensuall desirs: for which cause, in time of health he would hardly be induced to eat of boiled meats, or at least wise very seldome: & if he did at any time, he vsed either to put ashes amonghst it, or els by mingling of water with the sāe, to make the meat [Page 46]vnsavoury. What shall I speake of his moderate drinking, when as he would scarrely drink of cold water, sufficient to alay the violence of his thrist. He ever invented new waies of more perfect ab­stinence, and by exercise did daily more & more increase therein: and although he had already at­tained vnto the highest degree of perfection, yet some thing alwaies he did as a new beginner inno­vate? punishing, with afflictions, his fleshly con­cupissence. Neverthelesse, at such times as he wēt abroade to preach the Gospell, he did conforme himselfe in the quality of his meate according to the custome of the persons that did entertaine him: but, at his returning home againe, then did he strictly obserue the rigour of most parsimonius abstinēce. And so in all respects, vsing austerity to­wards himself, curtesie towards his neighbour, & obedience to the Gospell of Christ; he was an ex­ample of edification to others, not only by abstai­ning, but even also by eating. The bare ground he vsed most commonly, as a bed, for his weried body: He slept often on the bare ground. and tooke his sleep oftentimes sitting, lea­ning his head vpon a piece of woode, or a stone: and resting alwaies contented with one coate, he served our Lord in cold, and nakednesse.

Whetevpon. it being one time demaunded of him, how he could with so thinne a garment de­fende himselfe from the extreame sharpenesse of the winter cold, Behold his great au­sterity in his apparell he answered with afervour of spi­rit. If we were inwardly toucht by fervent desire with the flame of the heavenly coūtry, we should easily be able to indure this eternall colde. He [Page 47]could not abide softnes of apparell, but asperous clothing he much esteemed; affirming that S, Iohn Baptist was in that respecte commended by the mouth of God himselfe. And therefore, if at time he found any kinde of easefulnes in such garmens as had bene given vnto him, he vsed to weare litle cords into the inner side therof alluding vnto the words of truth, that softnes of apparell was not to besought for Cottages of the poore, but in prin­ces pallaces For he had learned by certaine expe­riece, that the divels are terrefied by asperitie: but by delicious nicenesse, more forciblely animated to rentation. Whervpon having on night (contrary to his vsual custome a pilow of feathers at his head in regard of a special infirmity which he susteined generally in that parte, and particulerly in his eies the divell entring thereinto, did till the howre of Martins, wonderfully molest and trouble him, from the study of holy praier, vntill that at length calling one of his bretheren vnto him, he caused the same pillow together with the diuel in it, to be carried quite a way out of his Cell. But the brother going out of the Cell therewithall, lost the strength and vse of al his members: vntill by the voise of the holie father, to whom it was re­veiled in spirit, his former strength, both of harte and body was fully restored vnto him againe.

He observed great rigour and discipline, and stode with great heedfullnes vpon his owne de­fence: having an especiall care, for preservation of the puritie of euerie man. Wherefore at the be­ginning of his conversion, he vsed oftentimes, [Page 48]even in the winter season, to cast himselfe into a watrie pitte, frosen ouer with ice: that so he might both perfectlie overcome his domesticall enemie; and might also preserue the white gar­ment of chastitie, from the raging fire of volup­tuouse pleasure. For he thought it more tol [...]e­rable by much, and without al comparison, for a spirituall man to sustaine great colde, in his body, then to feele neuer so smale a kindling of carnall pleasure, within his minde. But it hapned vpon a certaine night, that as he was praing within his Cell, in the deserte of Sarthianum, the ancient ene­mie did call him three severall times by his name, saying: Francis, Francis, Francis, who demanding of him, what he would haue, he craftelie replied in these wordes: There is no sinner in the worlde, whom God will not pardon, vpon his conuersion vnto him: but he that shal kill him selfe with harde penance shall neuer finde mercie at his hands. The servant of God hear­ing this, had presentlie by revelation discovered vnto him, the whole drifte and devise of the wic­ked enemie: by what kinde of deceipte he went about to drawe him into a slacknes in devotion, as the event following, did evidently declare. For immediately after this, Iob. 41.12 by the blaste of his mouth, Whose breath making burning coales to flame, he was assailed with a great and greivous tente­tion, of the fleshe, comming then vpon him. Which so soone as this lover of chastitie did we forsee, putting of his coate, he beganne very feircly to beate him selfe with a corde, saying goe to brother Asse, thus doth it beseme thee to con­tinue, [Page 49]thus oughtest thou to indure the scourge. Thy coate serveth for Religion, it beareth the badge of holinesse: for it is lawfull for anie one that is delighted in vnlawful lust, to intrude vpon it: if any whither thou wouldest goe, then goe thy waies. Moreouer also, being animated with a most wonderfull feruour of spirite, The whole purpos of this holy man was to purg his mind of all vices. opening the doore of his Cell, he went his way forth into the garden: and there casting downe his poore naked bodie, into the deepe snowe, he caught the same in his handes, and made thereof, seaven heapes: which being orderly placed before him, thus did he then speake to his outwarde man: loe here (saith he) the bigger of these is thy wise, these other foure, are thy two sonns, and thy two daughters, and these two that remaine, are thy servantes thy man and thy maied, which thou oughtest to haue to waite vpon thee. Haste thee now therefore, and see thou forslow not to cloth them al, for they are in present danger, to die for colde. But if the manifolde care, of these seaven be over molestful vnto thee: then serue thine one and onely Lord alone, with heedfull diligence. The tempter forthwith perceiving himselfe by this meanes to be subdued: departed straight a­way, with shame enough, and the holie man, re­turned with victorie into his Cell againe: for while he exteriourly, afflicted his bodie with the extremitie, of the paineful colde, which he in­dured, he did so perfectlie extinguishe the heate of his inwarde lust, that never had he after that time, any feeling or touch thereof againe. But it [Page 50]chanced, that a brother among them, attending this meane while vnto praier, did by the light of the Moone, which then shined very bright moste plainely see and discerne, the whole course of all that had ben done. Which the man of God per­ceiving, and knowang that he had seene what had bene done in the night, related vnto him also, the manner of the tentation and straightly charged him there with all, that so long as him selfe lived he shoulde not disclose what he had seene, vnto any man in the worlde.

He did moreover teach, The vices of the flesh ar to be mortified and the. In tys­ments ther vnto ought to be bri­dled and the exter­nal sences with great diligence to be kepte. that in no wise it was sufficient onely to mortefie the vices of the flesh, by subduing the euil motions thereof: but that also the outward sences, by the which, death en­treth into the soule, were to be keept with great care and vigilancie in so much that the familiari­tie, the conference, and sight of women, which vnto manie are oftentimes occasion of ruine, he commanded carefully to be avoided: affirming that by such occasions, as well the weake spirit is broken, as the strong also most cōmonly, not a litle weakened. And as harde would he say it was, for him that conversed among them, vnlesse he were a man of most singuler and and approved honesty, to avoide the cōtagion of them as it is, according to the wordes of the Scripture. to walke in the fire, and not to burne his feete. For he himselfe had con­tinually so averted his eies, from beholding of such maner of vanity: that as (he said sometime to one of his companions) there was hardlie that woman in the world whom he did knowe by the [Page 51]face. For he did not thinke it safe, vvhat wil our here­tickes hers say which neuer de­part from the com­pany of womē none of the holy fathers euer be­haued them se­lues in such sort. This ma­keth aga­inst our new Euā ­gelists who will suffer no tribu­lations or labours to obtain the King­dome of heauen but only presuming of their vain faitl led their life in pleasure and idle­nesse. to drawe in­wardlie the images of those formes, into his minde: which might either reviue the sparkles of the subdued flesh, or might els defile, the vnspot­ted clearenes of chast and honest mindes. Where­vpon, he also affirmed, that al maner of speach with a woman was vtterlie vaine and frivolouse, except only in confession, or els for cause of in­struction, & yet euen in these occasions the same to be done withal brevitie, such as shoulde be most expedient, for her salvation, and best agrea­ble with her honest reputation. For what busines would he say, can a religious man haue, where aboute to treate with a woman, saue onely in en­ioyning holy Pennance vnto her, or els in giving her councell to refome her life, when she doth in religious maner require it. Out of too much se­curitie, the enemie is lesse avoided. And the divell if he can get but one haire of a mans head, to be his owne, he wil soone make it to growe as big as a beame.

Idlenes also, he taught to be eschewed, as the very sinke and common receptacle, of al naughty thoughts: shewing by his owne example, that the rebelliouse and slothful flesh, was to be kept vnder by cotinuall discipline, and profitable la­bours. Wherefore he called his body, his brother Asse, for that it was to carrie hevie burthens, and to be beaten with manie and frequent strips: and not otherwise to be fed then with base & meane diet. If he saw anie idle or loitring person, to liue vpon the fruites of others mens labours, this man [Page 52]he called brother flie, for that such an one doing no good him selfe, but impairing the good la­bours of other men, maketh himselfe vile and abhominable, to all sortes of people. Wherefore he vsed sometimes this manner of saying: I will that my bretheren occupie themselues, in labour and exercise: least that being inclined to idlenes, either theire harte or tongue, doe wander after vnlawful thinges. For his will and care was to haue silence by his bretheren observed, accor­ding to the prescript & rule of the Gospel: which admonisheth men at al tims with all dilligence to abstaine from al maner of idle words, as being to render an accompte thereof at the day of iudge­mente. Wherefore if he did finde any of his bre­theren, to be accustomed vnto idle and vaine wordes, he did there vpon, very sharpely repre­hend him, affirming that modest taciturnitie, was both a secure preservation of a pure hart, & like­wise a vertue of no smalle accompt: considering that Death & life, are said to be in the hāds of the tongue, not so much in regard of the taste, as of the speach

But although he endevored alwaies to induce his bretheren vnto austeritie of life: yet he appro­ved not that strcikt kinde of severitie, which pro­ceeded not from the bowels of devotion, neither yet was seasoned with the wholesome salte of discretion. For, when as one of his brethren, was vpon a night; through too much extremity of abstinence, greatly vexed with famine, & could not in that respect, take any naturall rest: the good and carrefull Pastor preceiving that one of [Page 53]his sheep was then in present danger of perishing, called the brother forth with vnto him, and set, him bread before him, and to the ende all bash­fullnes, might be away removed: he first began to eate therof himselfe, and so with sweetnesse invited him, to do the like. Whereby the bro­ther being well incouraged, reiected shame and willingly tooke his meate: very much reioicing, that by the wise and provident condiscending of the prudent Pastor he had happily escaped the ha­zard of his body, and had also received, no small example of edification, when the morning was come, the man of God calling his brethren alto­gether, after relation made vnto them of what had chanced in the night, adioyned also this heed­ful admonition vnto them. Let charity, saith he, & not meat, my brethren, be a patterne and example vnto you. Furthermore he taught them to follow iscretion as the Chariot man of al vertues, how be­it not that discretion, which the flesh doth advise, but that very same, which Christ hath taught: whose most holy life, is vnd [...]ubredly knowen to be the most exact paterne of all perfection.

And for so much as it is not possible for a man invironed with the infirmity of his fleshely bo­dy, so perfectly to followe, the vnspoted lambe of Christ crucified for vs vpon the Crosse, but that he shall daily gather some filthy Dreggs of sinne; vpon this cause, he avowed by vnfallible docu­ment, that they who do with vigilancy aspire to the perfection of life, ought daily to cleance thē ­selues with streames of teares. For though him­selfe [Page 54]had already attained vnto a wonderfull puri­ty both of heart and body: yet ceased he not with showers of teares, continually to cleance the eies of his minde, not much regarding the losse of his corporall eies. For having gotten through continuall weeping, amost daungerons imperfe­ction in his eies, & being for that cause by the Phisitian advised, in any wise to abstaine from teares, vnlesse he would vtterly loose his sight, the holy man made answeare vnto him, Brother Phi­sitian, we must not in any sorte, for the love of that light, which is common aswell to flies, as to vs men; in any small degree, refuse the visitatiō of that light, which is of everlasting continew­ance: considering that it is not the spirit, which hath for vse of the flesh, receiued the benefit of light, but contrary wise, it is the flesh, which for the vse and service of the spirit hath receyued the same at the bountifull hand of God. And therefore he did rather chuse, to loose his corpo­rall eiesight: than by repressing the devotion of his spirit, to hinder those comfortable streames of teares, wherby the inwarde eie is cleared, that it may by able to see God.

But being ypon a time, councelled by the Phisitians, and therewithall, instantly perswa­ded by his brethren; to suffer himselfe to be cu­red by a certaine kinde of Cawtery: the mā of God humbly assented therevnto: the rather in that he perceyued, it would aswell be healthfull as other­wise painefull vnto him. The Surgion therefore, being sent for, came; and put his iron instrument [Page 55]into the fire, to worke the cure. But the servant of Christ, chearing vp his body, which was now sommewhat daunted with feare, beganne in this manner, as to a frind, to speake vnto the fire, say­ing, My brother fire, whom Almighty God hath created of a most exquisite seemelinesse, full of fotce notably beautifull, and profitable, be favou­rable at this houre, be curteous now vnto me. I beseech the great & omnipotent Lord who hath created thee, so to temper the violence of thy burning heat, that burning with sweetenesse, I may be able to endure thee. This praier indeed, he made the signe of the Crosse right over against the red hotte iron instrument: and so remained after­wards without all kind of feare or quailing. Then was the sparckling iron entred vp to the top with­in the tender flesh: and the Cautery was drawen from the very eare, to the eie brow. In the doe­ing whereof: what paine the holy man sustayned, he himselfe expressed vnto his brethren, saying, Giue praise vnto God my brethren: for I verely say vnto you; that I haue neither felt the heat of the fire, nor yet any payne in my flesh. And tur­ning to the Phisitian, he said vnto him, If the flesh be not already well concocted, put in your iron againe. The Phisitian, then perceaving, in so weake and feeble flesh, so invincible a power of the spirit, admired with himselfe thereat: and extolled this divine miracle, faying, I tell you plainly brethren: I haue seene wonderfull things to day. For the holy man was now come vnto that excellent degre of purity, that by a wonder­full [Page 56]sweet consent & harmonie, his flesh did agree with his spirit, & his spirit did wholy conforme it self vnto God, it was by a divine ordināce, brought to passe, that the creature obeying the Creator, was miraculously subiect to his will & cōmandement. As may also be seene by this other exāmple of the same holy servant of God, who being sicke one time of a most dangerouse disease, in the Desert of S. VRBANE; & feeling then directly in himselfe the defect of nature: demaunded a cup of wine to be brought vnto him: S. Francis making the [...]igne of the Croste tur­ned puer Water into most exci­lent wene. whervpon answere being made that there was no wine, there to be had, he required them to bring him water; which being donne he blessed the same with the signe of the Crosse Immediarly therevpon, that which was before very naturall watter, was now turned in­to [...]ost excellent wine, and that which the pover­ty of the place, could not afforde the same did the purity of the hol [...] men, deserue to obtaine. By the taste also whereof, he so spcedily recovered him­selfe againe, that both the newnesse of the rast, & the present reuewing of his imapired health: alter ring supernaturally, both the thing tasted, & him that was the taster therof, did by a double testimo­ny confirme the absolute dispoiling of the olde man, and the perfect putting one of the newe.

And not only was this manner of obedience, by the creatutes of God, to his holy servant, exhi­bited: but the providence also of the Creator, did every where condiscend to satisfie his wil and de­sire. For his body being vpon a time ouer-dulled with the concurrence of many diseases together, [Page 57]he founde in himselfe a desire to heare some har­monicall kinde of sounde, that thereby he might be reviued and receiue more comforte of spirite: but it not beseming his life and profession to pro­cure it by the ministerie of man, behold; the ser­vice of Angels, was ready to accomplish, the Holy mans desire. For as he was waking one night & meditating vpon God, so dainly there sounded a Harpe, of most wonderfull harmony, and of most sweet and pleasant melodie. At what time, he saw not any man: but might well perceive the passage and returne of the Harper, by the alteration of the sounde of the musicke; as it was sometime nigher, and sometime further from him. Where­fore, directing his spirit vp to God, he was so sin­gularly delighted in that most sweet soūding mu­sicke, that he did almost thinke himselfe, to haue bin in another world. This also could not be hid­den from his brethren: who did oftentims by cer­taine and vnfallible tokens perceiue, that he was visited by Almightie God with so excessiue & fre­quent consolations, that it was not possible for him, in any sorte to conceale them.

An other time also, as the man of God went to preaeh, betweene Lombardie and the Marquisate of Tervisium, being then accompained with one of his brethren, & travailing along by the Riuer Poe, the darkenesse of the night sodainly came vpon them. By meane whereof, the way being subiect vnto many and sundry perilouse daungers, as wel in regarde of the Fenns thereabouts: as also of the River it selfe, the brother associate, spake vnto [Page 58]the holy man. saying: make thy praiers, good Father, vnto God, that we may be delivered out of these imminent daungers. To whom the man of God answeared with much hope an confidence, in this wise: God is able no doubt (my brotherr if it stand with the good pleasure of his sweet disposi­tion, to dispearse the deepe darkenesse of this ob­scure night, and to vouchsafe vnto vs the benefit of light. Which wordes he had no sooner vtteted, but by the power of God, such an aboundant light beganne to shine about them, that the night being darke to others, they neverthelesse did see in cleare and perfect light, not only the way, but very ma­ny things on every side aboute them, being by the conduct thereof, both corporally directed, & spiritually, comforted: whereby they came safe the last to the place of their lodging, by the pas­sage of no small space of grounde, which they ioyfully overpassed, with singing Himnes and praises, in honor of Almightie God. See now & consider, vnto how great vertue and wounderful purity this holy man had attained; at whose beck, the fire did temper his heat, the water did change her tast, the melodie of Angels did recreate his spi­rits, & whome the light of heaven, did guide & conduct in his way: that so it may fully appeare: that vnto the sanctified sences of Gods holy ser­vant, the whole frame of the world, did readilie yeild, an obsequious kinde of obeisance.

THE SIXTH CHAPTER. Of his humility and obedience; and of Gods fauourable condiscending. vnto all his desires.

THE guardian and ornament of all vertues, hu­mility, had in so aboundant manner reple­nished, this holy servant or God, that in his own reputation he was nothing els but a wretched sin­ner: whereas in very deed he was a perfect mir­rour, and amost gloriouse ressemblance of all mā ­ner of holynesse. Vpon this grounde worke, he determined to build vp himselfe, having as a wise Architecke laid that very same foundation, which he had learnd of our Sauiour Christ. For this cause he saied that the sonne of God, did come downe from the highnes of his Fathers Bosome to these our contemptible things, that being our Lord & Maister, he might aswell by his owne example, as by his worde: teach this excellent vertue of hu­mility vnto vs. And therefore, as the true disciple of Christe, his praier was to seeme vile and base, both in his owne and other mens eies: remēbring the same which is said, by the most superexcellent Maister, That which is high amonge men is abhomination with God. Thervnto also adding this saying of his owne, that: Looke how much a man is the sight of God, so much he is, and no more. And therefore he held it for a very vaine and foolish thing, to be extolled with the favours of the world: reioycing much to be reproached, and sorrowing no lesse to be com­mended. For he had farre rather heare himselfe reuiled and reproched, than praised: or commen­ded, knowing that the one might provoke him to amende, and the other might giue occasion to fall. And for that cause, oftentimes, when the people extolled in him, the meritt of holinesse he com­manded [Page 60]one of his brethren, to vtter some words of debasement and reviling against him, in his owne hearing. Which when the brother did, al­though much against his will, calling him a rusti­call and rude body, an vnskilfull and vnprofita­ble hireling: he was marveilously exhilerated ther­at, aswell in minde, as in countinance: whereby he answered; Our Lord blesse thee, my most dere sonne; for thou speakest the very truth, and such wordes, as it best beseemeth Peter Bernardus sonne, to heare.

But to the end he might make himselfe abiect and contemptible vnto others, he spared not his owne disgrace, but in his publique praaching be­fore all the people he would open and manifest his owne defects. As having once vpon occasion of a right grievouse sicknesse, remitted in some forte, the rigour of his vsuall abstinence, for the better recoverie of his health againe, after such time as he had somewhat better resumed his strength vnto him: the true dispiser of himselfe, a­nimating himselfe to the reproache of his owne flesh; It is not meete, said hee that I shoulde be held for a man of abstinence, meane while that I secretly giue me selfe, to the pampering of my flesh. Wherefore he raised vp himselfe, as being wholy inflamed with the spirit of holy humility & assembling the people together, in a streete of the City of Assisium, himselfe with many of his bre­thren, which he had brought with him, entred solemnely into the greater Church where having a roape fastened about his neck, he caused himself [Page 61]to be drawen all naked saving only of his breeches in the open sight, and veiwe of them all, even to that very stone whervpon malefactors at the time of their punnishment, were wonte to be placed. Vpon the which, he then getting vp as he coulde albeit that, he were both weake and affected with a quartane Ague; yet in such extreame cold as the time did then affoarde, did preach with great effi­cacie and force of minde. At which time he affir­med in the hearing of them all, that he was in no wise to be honored as a spirituall man, but rather to be contemned of all men as a fleshly and glut­tenouse personne. Wherevpon the people there assembled, wondring at so strainge a spectacle: and being also compūcted with devotion: because they well knew the strictnesse of his austerity, did openly protest, that such manner of humility, was rather to be admired, than in any sorte to be imi­tared. And though this action might rather seeme to be a wonder in nature, according to the saying of the Prophet, then otherwise a matter of exam­ple, yet was it vndoubtedly, a true patterne of perfect humility, whereby the scholler of Christ, is instructed to contemne the glory of transitorie praise, to represse the swelling pride of arrogan­cie, and to reproue the falshood of craftie dissimulation, Oftentimes he did many things after this manner: that externally he might appeare as a lost vessel: and internally might possesse the spiritt of sanctification.

He studdied also to hide the guifte of his Lord and Creatour in the secret inclosure of his bress [Page 62]thinking it not convenient to lay open to vaine glory, that which might be vnto himselfe, an oc­casion of ruine. For oftentimes being commen­ded of the multitudes, for a blessed and holy man he vsed to applie this manner of speache vnto thē softe; I may yet haue both sonnes and daughters doe not therefore praise, such an one as is not al­ready secure. No man is to be praised; whose ende is vn­certaine. Eccl. 11.13. And these were his wordes to them that peaised him. But to himselfe he spake in this sorte; Oh FRANCIS, if God Almighty had besto­wed so greate benefits, euen vpon a Thiefe, as he hath vouchsafed vnto thee; he would be no doubt more thankefull than thy selfe, vnto him, To his brethren also he saied oftentimes; thad no man ought with an vndue applause to flatter himselfe vppon occasion of any kinde of thinghe, which is in à sinners power to doe. For saith he a sinner may fast, a sinner may pray, a sinner may mourne, and lament, a sinner may also macerate his owne flesh: but this only a sinner cannot do, namely to be faithfull, to his Lord and Maister. In this ther­fore we may haue iust cause to glory, if to our Lord we render, the glory which is of righte his owne: if serving him faithfully, whatsoever it is that he do giue vnto vs; the same do we faithfully resctibe vnto him againe.

But this Evāgelicall Marchāt, to the end he might by more occasiōs in crease his gaine, & might turn all the present time, to his furthermerit: tooke not much delight to hold the place of a Governour, as of a subiect: neither yet desired so much to com­mand, [Page 63]as to obay. Behold the great obedience and humi­lity in the holy Fa­ther, And therfore resigning his office of General, he desired a gardiā, to whose wil & cō ­mandement he mighte in all manner of pointes, accomodate himselfe. For he affirmed, that the fruite of holy obedience, was of so great plenty and aboundance, that vnto them who submitted their neckes to her yoke, no time overpassed, with out some gainefull commoditie. Wherefore his cu­stome was, vnto such brothers, as he vsually went with all, evermore to promise obedience, and faithfully to obserue the same. And thervpon ths he spake sommetime of himselfe vnto his compa­nions. Among other things which the goodnesse of God hath of his greate bountie vouchsafed to graunte vnto me, this grace he hath freely besto­wed vpon me, that I could as diligently yeld mine obedience vnto a Novice of one howres standing, if he were appointed to be my Guardian; as to one of the most auncient, and discreetest brerhren. For the subiect (saieth he) must not consider his Superiour as a man, but as him for whose lone he is become subiect vnto him. And by how much the more contemptible he is that doth commaund by so much the more acceptable, is the humili­tie of him, that doth exercise obedience.

He being one tīe demāded who was to be iudged truly obedient proposed the similitude of a deade body for an example. Take me vp (saith he) a dead body, & put it where you please: you shal neither see it striue, when it is moued; nor murmure, when it is placed, nor yet repine, when it is displa­ced. But if you set it in a chaire, it looketh not vp [Page 54]alofte, but downe righte to the grounde: if you apparel it in purple roabes it discovereth the pale­nesse of his countenance, two for one, more­than it did before. Euen very this (saieth he) is a true patterne of obedience, who doth not discern why hee is mooued, who careth not where he is placed, who desireth not to be changed, who being aduanced to office, retaineth his former humilitie: and who the more he is honored, doth so much the more repute himselfe vnworthy. And for mine owne parte (quoth he one time) vnto his companions, I cannot thinke my selfe worthy the name of a Friar Minor, vnlesse that I be in this very state, which I shal now de­scribe vnto you. See now, I goe as Prelate and Cheife of my brethren, conducting them all vnto the Chapter: there I preache among them, there I vse mine admonitions vnto them, and in fine it is spoken with disgrace vnto me. Thou euil be fittest to rule among vs, for that thou art a man vnlearned harshe in thy speaking, an Idiote, and a simple person. At length, I am cast out with reproache, as a man contemptible and basely este­med at euery hande. I speake it vnto you truly, my brother, that vnlesse I shal with the same cheare­fulnes of countenance, with the same in ward a­lacritie of minde, and with the same inuiolable purpose of holinesse, attend vnto the hearing of these wordes: a Friar minor I cannot be. And this admonition also he wel adioined; In preeminence there is a ruine, in praise a downfal; but in the humilitie of the subiect, is the gaine of the soule. Why therefore [Page 65]doe we follow daungers more than gaine, seing that wee haue received time, to make our com­modity.

And for this very cause, this perfect patterne of humility Saint Francis: would haue his brethren to be called Minors, and the Prelates of his Order, to be tearmed Ministers, as well thereby to vse the wordes of the Gospell, which he had promi­sed to obserue, as also that his disciples, mighte by their very name be continually put in minde, that they were come to learne humility, at the Schooles of their humble Maister, Christe. For Iesus Christ that excellent Maister, and most ex­quisite teacher, of this notable vertue humi [...]itie; to the ende he might perfectly informe his Disci­ples therein, said vnto them: whosoeuer will be the greater among you, let him be your Minister: Math. 20.26.and he that will be first among you, shall be your servant. And con­formably herevnto, it being demaunded of him by the Bishop of Hostia, then Cardinal Protector, and chiefe advancer of the Order of the Friars Minors, who afterward according to the fore­prophccieng of the holy man, being exalted to the honor of Papall Dignity; was called Gregory the Ninth, whether it stood with his liking, to haue his brethren promoted vnto Ecclesiasticall Digni­ties: he made answeare vnto him: My Lord, for this cause are my brethren called Minors, which is as much to say, as lesser or inferiour persons, that they may not presume to be made greater. If you will haue thē to bring forth fruit in the Church of God: then hold and conserue them, in the state [Page 66]of their owne vocation: & permitte thē not by any meanes to ascend vnto Ecclesiasticall governments.

And for so much as he preferred humility, as well in himselfe, as in them that were vnder him, before all other honours besides; God therefore the lover of humble persons, adiudged him to be worthy in that respect of farre greater and more high dignities: accordingly as it was by a vision from heaven revealed vnto one of the brethren, of spetiall vertue and devotion. For being in the company of the man of God, & togeather with him praying in a certaint solitary & abādoned Church, with a great & fervent affectiō, he fell into a trāce, and sawe among many seates in heaven, one of more excellent dignity than all the rest besides: the same being adorned with precious stones, and shining also with all manner of glory. And won­dering then within himselfe, at the brightnesse of that highe and eminent Throne, he beganne very carefully in his thoughts to enquire, who should be so happy, as to be assumed therevnto. At which very time he hearde a voice which saied vnto him; This was the seate of one of them that fell, and now it is kept for humble Francis, And afterwards, the brother returning vnto himselfe againe, followed the blessed mā out of the Church according to his wounted manner. At what time, talking, by the way as they went, of Almightie God: the brother, not vnmindefull of the vision shewen vnto him, very prudently demaunded of him, what conceite and opinion he held of him­self. To whom the humble servant of Christ made [Page 67]answeare: Verily I doe esteeme my selfe the grea­test sinner of the world. Wherevnto the brother repliyng that he could not with the safety of his conscience either say or thinke in such wise of himself, he presently therevnto againe reioined, saying: O my brother, if Christe had shewed so greate mercy vnto the most wicked man aliue, as he hath donne to me I do verely belieue that he would haue binne more thankefull vnto Almigh­ty God than, I haue bin. Vpon the hearing of the which so admirable humility: the brother was absolutely confirmed, concerning the truth of the vision disclosed vnto him: acknowledging by testification of the holy Gospell it self, that vn­to the excellency of glory, from the which the proude is cast downe: he that is truly humble is exalted.

Another time also as he was praiyng in a certaine solitary Church within the Province of Massa, at the hill Casalis; he vnderstood by revelation of the spirit, that there were certain holy Reliques remai­ning there in that place: which he thē with griefe of minde perceaving, to haue binne for long to­geather defrauded, of the honor due vnto them; commanded his brethren to translate them in all reverent manner, vnto a more convenient and se­mely place of abiding. But himselfe being vppon iust occasion for a time departed from them; the children then vnmindfull of the commandement of their father, neglected the merite of holy obe­dience. Notwithstanding vpon a certaine day, when as they intended to celebrate the holy Mi­steries, [Page 68]having removed the vpper covering of the Aultat, they founde there not without great ad­miration, sundrie most faire and fragrant bones, discerning them to be the same holy Reliques, which no hand of man but the power of God had brought to the place. And it was no long while after, Thou which dost contemne the relick of saintes, beholde what re­verence the man of God gaue vnto them that the holy man of God returning back againe: beganne diligently to enquire whither that which himselfe had commaunded concerning the Reliques, had binne by them accomplished. But the brethren humbly cōfessing their fault, in neg­lecting their due obedience, deserved to obteine pardon, togeather with some punnishement also therewithall. And then the holy man burst forth into these wordes, Blessed, saith he, be my Lord my God, who hath by himself fulfilled that which your parte and dutie ought to haue performed. Consider now diligently the cate of Gods divine providence, concerning this dust of ours: & pon­der also maturely in minde the excellent savour which humble Saint Francis enioied in the eyes of God. For man refusing to obay his commaun­dements, Almighty God vouchsafed, to grant his desires.

Vpon a certaine time also comming to the Cit­ty of IMOLA, he went forthwith to the Bishop and humbly then besought him that he might with his good favour, assemble the people vnto a Sermon. Whervpon the Bishop somewhat rough­ly repliyng, saied, It sufficeth Brother that to the people vnder my charge, I my self do preache, Im­mediatly the paterne of true humility, bowing [Page 69]downe his heade with humble reverence, depar­ted out of the place: how be it that within lesse than an howre he returned thervnto againe. Wer­vpon the Bishop seming to be much offended, de­maunded of him what he sought for at his handes, now the second time: vnto whome with no lesse inward humility of harte, than outward submis­sion of words, thus the holy man replied: my Lord, if the Father, repell his sonne at one doore, he must enter in againe at another. By force of which humility, the Bishop being wholy subdued, em­braced him with a loving and chearefull counte­nance: saiyng then vnto him: Beholde that none can preach the worde of god without leaue of his superiour. From hence forth both you and your brethren may freely preache in in my Diocesse, by my licence generall, for so much your holy humility, hath very well deser­ved.

It happened that once he came to Aretium at such time as the whole Cittie was so miserably af­flicted with civill warre and dissention, that it see­med to be therby in present danger of vtter distru­ction. And he being then lodged in the suburbes sawe a route of Divells alofte in the aire right o­ver the Citty insulting, and also inflaming the per­turbed mindes of the Cittizens, to mutuall armes and slaughter. But to the ende he might driue a­way those seditious powers of the aire, he sent brother Siluester, a man of singular simplicity, and sincerity, assigning vnto him the Office of a Crier, saiyng: Go before the gate of the Citty, and on the parte of Almighty God commande the Diuells by vertue of obedience, that they speedily departe [Page 70]Incontinently the childe of true obedience made hast to performe the Fathers commaundement: & having first given praise vnto Almighty God, he beganne with loude voice to crie before the gate of the Citty, on the parte of God Almighty, and by the commaundement of his servant Francis, de­part ye farre, away from hence all ye wicked Di­vells. Aud presently vpon these wordes, the Citty returned vnto peace againe: and all the Cittizens with great good agreement, renewed the lawes of their former civility. For the raging pride of the Diuells, which had as it were besieged that Citty, being once repelled, the wisedome of the poore, that is to say, the humility of Saint Francis, com­ming then vppon them, restored peace vnto the people, and preserved the Citty from desolation. For by the merite of that rare and excellent vertue of humble obedience, he had obtained so power­full a commaundement ouer those prowde & re­bellious spirits, that the did both represse theire insolent arrogancy, and did also repell their im­portunate violence. In this manner the prowde Diuels do ever flie away, from the eminent vertues of the humble: saving that sometimes the mercie of God permitteth them to be buffeted of the e­nemie, for the better preservation of their humi­lity, according as Saint Paul the Apostle writeth of himselfe, 2. Cor. 12.7. and as Saint Francis proved by expe­rience. For being requested by Lord LEO, Cardi­nall of the Holy Crosse to remaine some litle wile with him in the Citry, he humbly consented ther­vnto, for the reverence and loue he bare vnto him. [Page 17]But in the very first night of his entertainement his praiers being ended, and he preparing himself to sleep, a sorte of Divells issued in vpon him, fu­riously assailing the souldier of Christe. Aug. 18. de ciu. Deic. 18. Whome when they had long and sorely beaten, at lenght they left him for dead. But as soone as the fiends were gone the servant of God calling his compa­nion, related vnto him the whole matter as it had befallen him: saiyng, I do verely belieue Brother that the Divells, who can doe nothing, but as the providence of God doth dispose, haue for this cause rushed now with so great fury vpon me, be­cause ther is no good hope to be conceiued of my aboade in the Court of Princes. For my brethren that abide in poore and forlorne places, hearing that I am now in company with Cardinals, will peradventure imagine, that I am busied in word­ly affaires, that I am advanced with honors, and that I do abound with pleasures. Wherfore I thinke it better, that he who is given as an examplevn to o­thers, should avoide the Court, and converse hum­bly among the humble in humble places: to the ende that vnto them who sustaine povertie, him­selfe may giue encouragement, by sustaining the like with them. In the morning therefore they came, and humbly excusing themselves, tooke their leaue of the Cardinall.

For the holy man abhorred pride, as the roote and of spring of all other evills besides, no lesse detesting the foule vice of disobedience, which he esteemed as her most pestilent & deformed daugh­ter? but the humility of pennance, he did as e­qually [Page 72]approue. It fortuned once, a certaine bro­ther to be brought before him, who having com­mitted some offence against the law of obedience, was therefore rightfully to be corrected, by the discipline of iustice. But the man of God, by evi­dent tokens perceyving, that the brother was vn fainedly pennitent, for his fault of transgression: was by the loue he bare to humility, much incli­ned to pardone him yet least that his facility in par doning might be vnto others an occasion, in like manner to offend, he commaunded the brothers Capouche to be taken from him, and cast into the middest of the flaming fire, to the end that all men might obserue with how great and with what mauner of revenge, the offence of disobedience ought of right to be chasticed and corrected. But when the Caponche had bine a good while in the fire, he commaunded the same to be taken out of the fire againe, and to be delivered vnto the bro­ther, vpon his humble repentance. A wonderfull marter it is to reparte. The Capouche being raked out from the middest of the flames, bare no marke or signe of burning at all: and so it came to passe, that wod, by this one miracle, did both approue the vertue of the holy man, and did also commend the humility of pennance. Worthely therefore is the humility of Saint FRANCIS to be immita­ted and embraced, which obtained even in earth so admirable a dignity, as to incline the wil of God to his desire, to chaunge the affection of man: to foile by his commaundement, the insolent pride of the Divells, and with a beck to represse, the [Page 73]devouring names of the fire. This is in very de [...]e that high and excellent vertue, which exalting them that possesse it: while it giveth reverence vnto all, deferveth worthily, to be honored of all.

THE SEAVENTH CHAPTER. Of his loue of pouerty, and of the marueilous supply of his wants.

AMONG the many and fundry gifts of spi­rituall graces, which holy Saint FRANCIS obtained of the bountifull giuer of all things: he merited by a certain speciall prerogatiue to aboued in the riches of simplicity, by the loue of most perfect pouerty. This vertue, the holy man con­sidering to hane binne familiar vnto the sonne of God, & waighing also the same to be now a daies as it were abandoned throughout the world: did so efficacioussy endeuour to espouse the same vn­to himselfe by perpetuall Charity, that for the loue thereof he did not only forsake both Father and Mother, but also did freely distribute and disbur­den himself, of what ever he either had, or might in time to come be able to haue. Never was there man so desirous of gold, as he was of poverty: nor yet more carefull to keepe his treasure than he to preserue this Evangelicall Pearle. Math. 13.45. And herein espe­cially was his sight offended, if any thing he might obserue in the brethren, which did not tend vnto poverty, in every point agreable. And he verely himselfe, with a Coate, a Corde, and a certaine [Page 74]sseight paire of breeches, See whata favorer and dili­gent lover S. Francis was of Enangeli­call pover­tie. esteeming himself to be aboundantly riche: rested therewithall, from his first entrance into religion, vntill his very death fully satisfied and contented. He vsed oftentimes with teares to call to minde, the povertie of Christ Iefus and of his Mother: affirming that therefore this was the Queene of vertues, for that it so sin­gularly excelled, in the Kinge of Kings, and in the Queene his Mother. For being demanded of his brethren in the Chapter house, by what vertue a man might be made most grarefull and accepta­ble vnto Christ; opening as it were the secretre of his harte, he made answere vnto them Knowe ye my brethren, that pouertie is the speciall way of salvation, as being the nutriment of humility: and the roote of perfection; whose fruit is manifold but secrette and vnknowen. For this is that hidden treasure of the feilde, which the Gospell commendeth vnto vs: for the buieng whereof, all things are to be solde and the things which cannot be solde, are to be despised in comparison of it. That man (saith he, who desireth to attaine vnto the perfectiō of this vertue, ought not only to renounce all worldly wisedome, but in some sorte also the knowledge of secular learning, that beeing desinherited of such a possession, Psal. 70.16. he may enter into the po­wers of our Lord, and may offer himselfe, naked into the armes of Christ Iesus, crucified. For he can in no wise be accounted perfectly to renownce the worlde, who reser vethwithin thesecrette inclosure of his harte, the coffers of his owne proper seuce and vnderst an­ding.

And oftentimes preaching vnto his brethren of this vertue of povertie, he vsually brought to their mindes this place of the Gospell, that The Foxes haue holes, and the foules of the aire haue nests: Mat. 8.20.but the soune of man hath not where to lay his heade For which cause he taught his brethren, that according vnto the manner of poore men, they should build vnto themselves poore and simple cottages: which ne­verthelesse they should not in habite as their owne, but like as forrainers & pilgrimes do abide in the harbours of other men. For these he saied are the lawes of pilgrimes: to refresh themselves vnder another mans roofe, to thirst after their Conntry, and to passe along in peace. He commanded som­times, that the houses which were alreadie buil­ded, should be beaten downe, or els that the bre­thren should be removed from them: if at any time he perceawed ought to be in them, which by rea­son either of propriety, or otherwise of costlinesse were contrarie to the pouerty, by the Gospell ad­vised. This he said to be the foundation of his Order: which being laied and grounded first of all, the whole building of Religion doth so rest and rely vppon it, that by the perpetuity thereof, it is confirmed and by the overthrowing thereof, it also, is vt­terly overthrow en and ruined.

And therefore as himselfe had learnt by reve­lation, so did he teache and instruct his followers that the entraunce into holy Religion was to be begun from those words of the Gospel, If thou wilt be perfect, go, and sel all that thou hast, and geue vnto the poore. Wherefore he admitted none into his Order [Page 76]but such as were disposseffed of all things, and re­tained nothing of their owne; as well in regard of the word of the holy Gospel, as also that the wealth reserved, might be free from occasion of scandale Wher vpon it came to passe, that in the Marquisate of Ancona, the true Patriarck of the poore made an­swere vnto a certaine man that demanded to be re­ceved into the order: if thou de sirest to be ioyned to the poore ones of Christ, distribute thy goods to the poore. Which when the man had heard, he yet went forward, & by the sinister intisement of car­nal loue, relinquished his wealth to his kinsfolks referving for the poore no whit at all. Gen. 12.10 But when the holy man, had by his owne relation, vnder­stoode thereof, after a very hard and sharpe re­proofe, he said ynto him, Goe thy waies, brother flie, for that thou hast not as yet departed out of thy house and kindred: but hast given thy goods to thine owne bloud and allies, having defrauded the poore, wherefore thou art vn worthy to be a sociate vnto the holy poore servantes of Christ. Thou hast begunne from the flesh, whereby thou hast laied a ruinouse foundation, for a spirituall building. Then returned the senfuall man to his frendes, demanding of them his goodes againe: which having refused to giue to the poore, did him selfe the sooner forsake, his vertuouse purpose.

At an other time also he being in the place of Sansta Maria de Portiuncula, was then in so great dis­tresse of poverty, that there seemede to be no meane of providing, for the exigent necessitie of the number of the bretheren, that thither fre­quently [Page 77]reso rted from for raine places: wherevpon the Vicar repayring vnto the man of God, and al­ledging vnto him the penurie of the bretheren, craved of him also therewithall that it might be lawfull to referue some parte of the goodes of the Novices that entred into religion, for supplying the vrgent wantes of the bretheren as necessity should require. To whom the holy man not be­ing ignorant of Gods heauenly purpose; answea­red, God forbid, my most deare brother, that for any mans sake we should impiously offend against the Rule. I had rather thou shouldest vncover the Alter of the gloriouse Virgin when necessitie doth require, then to attempt any thing in never so smale a degree against the vowe of poverty, or contrarie to the observance of the holy Gospel of Christ. For the Blessed Virgin will more grate­fully accept, to haue her Altar vncovered, so long as the councel of the Gospell shal be observed: then to haue the same adorned, and the councell of Christ neglected, when it is vndertaken and promised vnto him.

But it fortuned one time that the man of God passing with his companion, through Apulia, nigh vnto Barrum: did finde in the way a great pursse stuffed at it was to be thought with mony. This bagge the poor servant of Christ, was by his com­panion admonished, and instantly also required to take vp from the ground, and to bestowe the mo­ny vpon the poore. Which he the holy man of God refused to doe; affirming that there woulde appeare some stratageme of the divel in this newe [Page 79]founde purseand adding also Moreo ver, that the brother did not perswade him to a matter of me­ritte, but of sinne, in councelling him to take a­way & dispose, the right and interest of an other man. So they departed from the place, and haste­ned onward to proceed in their iourney. But the brother could not yet be quiet, suffering him selfe to be deluded by a vayne Pretext of piety, wherby he molested the man of God, as though he had no care of the necessary releiuing of the wants of the poore. At the length therefore the humble man assented, to returne to the place: how beit not to satisfie the wil of the brother, but the rather to discouer the fraude & deceite of the diuell. Wher­fore he rerurned to the purse together with the brother & another yong man that was in the way. And after praier devoutly made, he commaunded the brother to take it vp. Who being then amazed and trembling also for feare, did at length beginne to discerne that divellish monster: yet nevertheles in regard of the commaundement of holy obedi­ence, driving away all doubtfullnesse of minde, he stretched our his hand to the purse. And behold a great Scrpent iffueing out of the purse, and toge­ther therewithall instantly vanishing away, mani­festly detected vnto the brother the diuells fraude and deceipt. The holy man therefore, having thus discovered the Crafte of the subtill enemy, gaue therevpon this caution to his companion, say­ing: Mony. O my brother, is vnto the servants of God, none other thing than the diuell, or an adder full of poison.

After this there happened vnto the holy man a wonderfull matter, as he went a long in his way vpon vrgent occasion, towards the citty of Sienna. For it so fell out, that in a certaine great and large plaine betweene Campilium and S. Quiricus; there mett him three poore women altogether a like, in stature age, and countenance; presenting vnto him a new, & vnvsuall manner of salutation: say­ing, VVell meette Lady Pouertie. Vpon the hearing wherof, he being indeede a most absolute louer of povertie was there withall replenished with a sin­gular and vnspeakeable consolation, as hauing no­thing in himselfe whereby he would so willingly have binne saluted, as by that name of pouertie, which they voluntarily & freely applied vnto him But they also sodeinely disappearing out of sight, and the brethren in company with the holy man there vpon considering, aswell their wonderful likenesse & resemblance, the strangenesse of their salutation and meeting, as lastly of their vanishing & disappearing: did by good reasō iudg & discerne, that some misticall thing was thereby designed concerning the holy man. And verely it seemed in­deed, that by those three poore women, appearing vnto him so like in countenance, saluting him so strangely, and vanishing away so sodeinly, it was conveniently enough declared, that the eminent beauty of Euangelicall perfection, did in an equall degree, in that holy man of God shine & cast forth her gloriouse beames, whether in respect of cha­stity, or of obedience, or els of poverty: though he rather chose to glory in the priviledge of Po­verty; [Page 80]which somtime he was wonte to call his mother, sometime his spouse, and sometime his lady and mistresse In this ver [...]e he desired to ex­ceede all others, for so much as by the [...]ame he had learned, to repute himselfe inferiour to all men. And therefore if at any time he saw any man to be poorer than himselfe he presently then rebuking himselfe was incirred therby vnto the like: striuing as it were by emulation of poverty, and fearing to be by any overcome theirn For it happened that meeting a poore man in the way, and beholding his nakednesse to be very greathe conceaved much compassion therof in his har [...]e and with lamenta­ble voice vnto his companion saied: The poverty of this man, my brothet, hath giuen great caus [...] of shame vnto vs; considering that we haue for great riches made choice of poverty, and behold it ap­peareth now more in him.

This devour seruant of Almighty God, for the loue with he bare vnto holy poverty, did much more willingly make vse of the Almes which he be god from doore to doore, thā of those which were offered freely vnto him. For if he were at my time invited by great persones, at whose tables he were to be honored with more aboundant fare [...] he was ever accustomed before hand to begge some frag­ments of bread at the next neighbours houses, & so being first inriched which povertie, he after­wardes sate downe at the table. And having dōne the like one day when he was invited by the By­shop of Hostia, who bare an especiall loue and affe­ction vnto the poore servant of Christ; the By­shop [Page 81]then complaining that he did derogate much from his honor, who being to eate in his house, would before hand go begge for Almes; the ser­vant of God made answeare: saying. My Lord, I haue exhibited great honor vnto you, meane while that I haue honored a Lord far greater than you: for our Lord God is well pleased in poverty, and in that especially which is voluntary begging for Christ. This regall dignity, which our Lord Iesus being made poore, hath voutsafed for vs to asume to the intēt that by his poverty he might inrich vs and might make vs being poore in spirite to be Kings and Coheires of his heavenly Kingdome: this, I say I will in no wise relinquish for any fee of deceitfull riches, which are graunted vnto vs but for an houers contineuance.

Sometimes exhorting his brethren to goe beg for Almes, he vsed these wordes vnto them, Goe your waies now, saith he, for so much as in this last howre, the Friers Minors are lent vnto the worlde, to the ende that in them, the elect may fulfill that worke of piety, for the which they may be by the iudge commended: at what time as they shall heare that most sweete and confortable saieng, Math. 25.40. As long as you did it to one of these my least bre­thren, you did it to me. And therefore he said it was a delightfull thing to begge vnder the title of the Friers Minors, whom the Maister of Evangeli­call truth, hath with his owne mouth in the re­ward of the iust, so directly signified. Vppon prin­cipall feasts also, when opportunity would serue, he vsed to begg: saying that in the holy poore, that [Page 82]word of the Prophet was accomplished Man hath eaten the bread of Angells. Psalm. 72.25. For that bread he said vn­doubtedly to be the bread of Angels, which being asked for the loue of God, and being by the holy suggestion of the blessed Angells, for charitie to­wards him bestowed, is so by holy poverty gathe­red and collected from doore to doore. Whervpō it be falling him to abide vpon an Easter day in a certaine Hermitage which was so farre from the company of men, that conveniently he could not begge: he then calling himself to minde of him who appeared the same day in the forme of a strā ­ger vnto his Disciples as they went vnto Emaus, Luc. 24.1. demaunded Almes therefore of his brethren, as a poore man; and a stranger. Which when he had with humility receaved, he then instructed them with holy speeches: that passing through the de­sert of this world, they should like forraniers and strangers, as true Hebrewes in povertie of spirit continually celebrate the Passeover of our Lorde: vnderstanding therby his passage out of this world vnto his Father,

And for because in the asking of Almes, he was not ledde with desire of gaine, but with the liberty and freedome of spirit; God therefore, the Father of the poore, see med ouer him to beare a speciall care and protection. For it happened that the servant of God being surprised with sicknesse in a certaine place called Noceria, he was from thence convaied towards Assisium, by certaine solemne Messengers which the people of that Cit­ty, had out of their great devotion, sent for that [Page 83]purpose vnto him. Who bringing with them the servant of Christ, came to a certaine poore village called Sarthianum, where as well the time of the day, as hungar also, requiring meate they went out to provide, but finding no meate to be bought for money, they returned emptie to the place a­gaine. To whom the holy man said: for this cause ye haue founde nothing, because you trust more in your Flies: than you doe in our Lord. For he called their pieces of mony, by the name of Flies. But returne (said he) to the houses, wherby you passed before, and humbly desire the Almes of the inhabitants, offering the loue of God for a reward vnto them. Neither do ye out of a false estimation hereof conceiue, as of a thing either of bashfull­nesse, or basenes for you to vndertake: conside­ring that the great Almes giver hath now after sinne, by his aboundant goodnesse, graunted & disposed of all thinges in Almes, both to the wot­thy & vnworthy. Wherevpon his conductours being warfairing men, setting shame a side, and craving Almes with a willing minde, made better market for the loue of God, than for their mony. For by the divine in stinct of God, the poore inha­bitants were so compunct in heart, that they free­ly offered not only their goodes, but themselues also therewithall. And so it came to passe, that the same degree of wāt which mony could not re­lieue, euen that did the riche poverty of Sainct FRANCIS aboundantly supply.

At such time as the holy man lay sick in an Er­mitage nigh to Reate, a certaine Phisitian reforted [Page 84]oftentimes with timely endeavour ynto him. But the servant of Christ not being able to giue a re­ward vnto him answereable to his paines and la­bours: the most liberall God, who would not dis­misse him without a present requitall, recompen­sed his godly industrie in his poore servants be­halfe, with this newe and vnvsuall benefite. For this Phifition having about that very time newly built him a house wherevpon he had bestowed, the whole summe of all his former gaines, and labours, the same by meane of a wide rifte in the wall, reaching from the toppe to the bottome of the foundation, was ready to fall to the grounde. in so much as it seemed impossible by any art or numane industrie to be prevented. But he having great confidence in the meritts of the holy man, did with great zeale of faith request the brethren, that some thing might be given vnto him, which the man of God had toucht with his handes. Ha­ving therefore at length with great instancy of intreatie obtained, some litle parcell of his haire, he put the same over night within the rift of the wall, which he rising betimes in the morning, founde to be shut and conioined againe with so strong & firme a solidity, that neither could he pul out the Reliques which he had inclosed therein, nor yet could he finde any marke of the former division. Whereby it was through the goodnesse of God provided that he who diligently ministred vnto the decaied body of the holy servant of God did prevent the danger of his own dwelling house which was ready to fall to the ground.

Another time also the man of God desiring to go vnto a certaine desert, where he might more freely attend vnto contemplation: for so much as he was weake and feeble he was carried vppon a certaine poore mans Asse. And when as the same poore man by reason of following the servant of Christ, and passing with him over the mounta­nouse places, in the extreamest heats of the yeare, was then so wearried with the painfullnes and length of his iourney, that he seemed to fainte through the excesliue heat of his thirst, he instant­ly beganne to crie after the holy man; Beholde I die for thirst, vnlesse I may be presently refreshed by the benefit of some draught of drinke. Where­vppon the man of God, incontinently alighting downe from the Asse, fixed his knees vppon the grounde, Praying vpon his knees and lifting his handes to­vvardes heauen he obtain­ed his peti­tion. and streetching forth his armes to hea­ven, ceased not to pray vntill he perceived himself to be heard. But his praier being ended at lēgth, make haste (saith he) vnto the man, and goe to yonder rocke, for there thou shalt finde a spring of liuely water, which Christ hath mercifully pro­vided out of the stone, for thee to drinke. Woon­derfull without doubt is the favourable good­nes of Almighty God, which doeth so easely in­cline it selfe vnto his servants desires. The Thirstie man drank from out of the rock, of that comfor­table and refreshing water, which was by the effi­cacie of praier produced, and filled his cuppe, out of the most hard and flintie stone. In this place never had there binne water seene before: ney­ther could there any since be founde; as hath well [Page 86]appeared by diligent enquirie and experience.

But in what wonderfull manner Christ did by the merites of his poore servant, multiplie the meate in the Sea, considering that we are hereaf­ter to set it downe in place conveniēt, thus much only it shall be sufficient in this place to haue re­hearsed, Exod. 17.6.4. Reg. 4.43. that out of a small proportion of Almes bestowed vpon him he delivered the Marriners for many daies togeather, from the perill of fa­mine of death: that thereby it may be well obser­ved, that the servant of Almighty God, even as he was like vnto Moyses, in bringing water out of the Rock, so was he also like vnto Elizeus, in the multiplication of victualls. Good cause therfore it is that all diffidence should farre away departe from the servants and followers of Christ. For if the poverty of Saint Francis: were of so plentifull sufficiency, that by a wonderfull vertue it did so farre forth supply the wants of them by whome he was holpen in his neede, that they wanted nei­ther meate, drink, nor house, when mony, arte; and nature did faile them, much more shall it de­serue to obtaine those thinges which are by the accustomed order of Gods divine prouidence, cō ­monly vouchsafed and granted vnto all men. If, I say, the drienesse of the rocke, haue at the voice of a poore man, yeelded drinke aboundantly to the thirstie, then shall nothing in the world denye service vnto them, who haue forsaken all thinges fot love of the Author of all things,

THE EIGHT CHAPTER. Os his affection of Piety: and how creatures devoied of reason, seemed to be affected towards him.

VNFAINED pietie, which according vnto the Apostles saieng, is Profitable to all things, had so far forth penetrated and replenished the harte of S. Francis, that the man of God seemed wholy to be subiected therevnto. Tim. 4.8. This is that vertue, which did by force of deuotiō, eleuate him aloft vp vnto God, which did by cōpassion trans­forme him, into Christ, which by way of condis­cending, declined him to his neighbour, & which by an vniuersal reconcilement and accord of all thinges, did refigurate and againe restore him, vnto the state of innocency. And allbeit that our of this pietie he were devoutly affected vnto all thinges: yet at such time especially, as he percea­ued that the soules which were redemed with the precious bloud of Christe Iesus, were defiled with any filth of sinne, he then bewailed them, with such a tendernesse of commiseration, that as a mother in Christe, he dailie laboured to bring them forth againe. And this was the special, cause that moved him so much to reuerence the ministers of the word of God: for that they doe both raise vpp seede to theire brother deceased namely vnto Christ, who vouchsafed to be cruci­fied for sinners) by working the conversion of them; and being converted, doe also governe [Page 88]them, with an industriouse & careful pietie. This excellent office of commiseration, he affirmed to be vnto the Father of mercie more acceptable than any sacrifice: especially when it proceedeth from the industrie of perfect charitie: whereby more diligent labour is emploied therein by force of example, than by course of words, by mourne­ful praiers, rather than by babling discourses. Wherevpon he would say, that that Preacher was much to be lamented as a man wholy destitute of true and perfect pietie; who, either in preaching, seeketh not the health of soules, but his owne priuate praise and glory; or who by the naughti­nesse of his life, destroieth what euer he buildeth vp, by the truth of doctrine. Before such an one therefore, he saied, that a simple and ignorant brother was far away to be preferred, who by his owne good example, 1. Reg. 2 5. prouoketh others also vnto the like. And to his effect he expounded that place of holy scripture; Vntil the barren haue brought forth many children. For the barren (saied he) is vnder­stand to be that poore brother, whose proper office, is not to ingender children in the holy Church. But he neverthelesse, shal yet in the iudg­ment bring forth many children: because that such as by his private praiers he doth convert vnto Christe; shal then be by the Iudge, vnto his glory ascribed. And She that hath many children, shal be enfeebled: because the vaine and talking preacher who now glorieth of many children, as by meane of his owne labour and industrie begotten, shal the plainely knowe and discerne himselfe not to [Page 89]haue any right or interest in them at all. He there­fore with all the hartie affection and desires of pietie, and with a burning and zealous emulation of minde, thirsting after the salvation and good of soules, was euer more accustomed to say, that he was as it were replenished with sweete odours and was in a maner annointed with a most preci­ouse and delightfull ointmente, so often as he hearde that many weare induced vnto the way of truth, by the sweete smelling fame of his holy bretheren, dispersed through sundrie partes of the world. Vpon the hearing of these reports his spirit not a litle reioyced: heaping most accep­table and aboundant blessings, vp on all those bre­theren, who either by worde or deede, did induce sinners vnto the lout of Christ. But he contra­riwise, whosoever, did by theire euel demeanoure violate the holy stare of Religion? did thereby in­curre the most greivouse sentence of his maledi­ction: Of thee, O my most holy Lord (said he) and of all thy blessed courte of heauen, and of me thy poore and humble servant, be the al aceursed, who by theire euill example, doe confoundeand de­stroy that which by the holy bretheren of this or­der, thou hast already builded, and doest not cease yet to build. And oftentimes he conceived so ex­ceeding great sorrowe and greife, vpon occasion of the scandall of weakelings, that he thought himself to haue beene almost dead therewithall, had he not beene vpholden by the consolation of Gods divine clemencie. But onetime especially being marveilouse much distressed with the evill [Page 90]examples which he sawe to begiven, and praing with a perplexed spirite vnto the father of mercie for his children: this maner of answeare from our Lord he therevnto received. Why arte thou thus, thou poore and sillie man afflicted? haue I in such maner of wise ordained thee to be Pastor o­ver this my religious order, that thou doest not knowe me to be the principall patrone and dire­ctor thereof? For this cause haue I thervnto de­signed thee being but a simple man: that what thinges I shall worke in thee, be to no humane industerie, but vnto the mightie power of God, ascribed. It is I who haue called them, I also will keepe them and feede them; and if some of them doe at any time falle away, I will subrogate other into theire roomes againe: so farre forth that if they be not yet borne, I wil make them to be borne vpon purpose. And with how many as­saultes soever this my poore religion shalbe dis­tressed, yet shal it ever abide in saftie, by mine es­peciall giftand protection.

The vice of detraction also, he abhorred, as the professed enemie to the pure fountaine of grace and pietie, as the venemovse sting of a fer­pent, and as a most desperate and deadly poyson, avowing the same to be most abhominable, in the sight of Gods most mercifull and sweete dispoti­on: considering that the man of detraction is fed with the bloud of soules, which he doth murder with the fowrde of his tongue. And hearing once one of the bretheren to disgrace the good name and fame of another, he turned therewithall vnto [Page 91]his Vicar, saying: arise, arise, discusse the matter diligently: and if you shal finde the brother accu­sed to be innocent faile not with sharpe corre­ction to chastice the accuser, wherby to make him an example in that behalfe vnto others. And sun­drie times also he would aiudge that brother who had dispoiled another of his good name and fame, to be himselfe deprived of his habite: and that he might not presume to lifte vp his cies vnto our Lord, before he had done his best indevour to re­store that which he had vncharitably taken away, For so much greater said he is the impiety of detra­ctors, than of open theiues and robbers, as the law of Christ which is fulfilled in the observanc of pie­ty, doth more precisely oblige vs to desire the well fare of our neighbours soules, than of their bo­dies.

And with a wonderfull tendernesse of compas­sion, commiserating the cause of all that were af­flicted with any corporall grief or molestation, if he saw any penurie or defect in any man, he did with a notable sweetnesse of a most zealous affe­ction induce him to relie vpon Christe, He had out of doubt, an ingrafted clemencie within him, which neverthelesse the superinfused pietie of Christ, doubled yet more and more vppon him. His minde therefore was even melted towardes the poore and feeble, and vnto them whome he could not helpe with his hand, he reached fotth his most harty affection. It happened once that a certaine poore man. asking Almes with some importunity at the handes of one of the brethren, [Page 92]the same brother returned an ouer hard and vn­gentle answeare vnto him. Which being heard by this devout lover of the poore, he forth with commaunded the brother, to cast himself downe naked, before the poore beggars feete, in such wise acknowledging himself to be faulty, craving also the help of his praier, & pardon for hisoffece. Vpon the humble performance whereof, the lo­ving father sweetely spake thus vnto him: When thou seest any poore creature, Omy brother, thou hast a liuely resemblance presented vnto thee of our Lord, and of his poore Mother. And like wise in the weake and feeble thou hast to consider the infirmities, which he vouchsafed to take vpō him. And when as in all poore people, himselfe also the most Christian poore man, did hehold, the image & figure of Christe: vnto such of that sorte as he chanced to meete, he did not only with free libe­rality imparte of the necessary sustenances of life, which had binne given vnto himselfe, but as though they were properly theire very owne, did adiudg that they ought of dutie to be rendred vn­to them. Whervppon it fell out, that he returning once from Sienna, did meete a poore man in the way: at what time himselfe vpon occasion of spe­tiall infirmitie, had a certaine kind of short cloake which he did weare aboue his habite. But behol­ding with a tender eye the misery of that poore man, he spake vnto his companion, saieng: we ought verily brother to restore this cloake vnto this poore man, it being of right his owne: for we tooke the same but as lent vnto vt, vntill we [Page 93]might chance to finde another in greater neede thereof than our selues, But the brother conside­ring the necessity of the good father, did very se­riously and stiffly therein withst and him, in noe wise assenting that meanewhile he provided for others, himselfe should remaine disappointed. Where vnto he thus replied, I hold it, said he, for a matter of theft to be by the great Almes giver imputed vnto me, if this cloake, which I beare about me, I shall not giue vnto a more needy per­sone. And therefore, whensoever any thing was given him to releiue the necessity of his body, he vsed to aske leaue of the giuers, that he might lawfully bestowe the same, vpon some poorer body than himselfe as he might happe to meete, He spared no manner of thing, neither cloakes, nor habbitts, nor bookes, nor ornaments also of the Aultar, but gaus them all to the poore as oc­casion required, to performe the office of pietie. And oftentimes when as he mette with poore men laden vpon the way, he vndertooke theire burdens, vpon his owne weake and feeble shoul­ders.

And considering with aboundanr piety the be­ginnings of all things created, he called even the least creatures by the name of Brother and Sister: because he knewe them to haue one and the same beginning with himselfe. But yet vnto those crea­tures aboue all others he did beare a most sweete and entire affection, which the Scriptures do te­stefie by a naturall likenesse to represent the mee­kenes of Christ. He oftentimes redeemed lambes. [Page 94]which were ledde to be killed: resting mindefull of that mosl milde Lambe, who would be ledde to the slaughter for redemption of sinners. It chaunced one time that the servant of God being lodged in the Monastery of Saint Verecundus, Isa. 53.7. with­in the Bishopricke of Eugubium a certaine Ewe brought forth a yong lambe that very night. But a feirce and ravening Sowe that came by, not spa­ring the life of the poore innocent Lamb, did bite it to death with her cruell tuskes. Vpon the hea­ring whereof the good father being moved with a marveillous compassion, and remembring there­withall the vnspotted Lambe, lamented before thē all for the death of the Lambe, saieing: O woe is me, my brother Lambe, innocent creature, re­presenting Christ to the mindes of men, cursed be that wicked Sowe which hath killed thee, and let her not be meare for any, either man or beast: A marveilouse thing it is to tell. Forthwith that brutefull Sowe beganne to be sicke: and being punnished with three daies continuall paine in her body, sustained at length the vengeance of death. But being afterwardes throwen into the vale of the monasterie, and lieng there long time together she grewe so hard and drie as a board, that she was no meate for any hungar starven creature. Let the impiety of man therefore well weigh and consi­der with how great punnishment it is finally to be rewarded, if the crueltie of a beast doe appeare to haue binne smeeten, with so terrible a kinde of death. And let the devout and faith full man, not lesse ponder and weigh with himselfe, of what [Page 95]wonderfull vertue and sweetnesse, was the piety of the sevant of God: considering that the nature of brute beasts did in their kinde applaude & cō ­forme themselves vnto him. For making his ior­ney once neare to the Cittie of Sienna, he founde in the pastures a great heard of sheepe. Which when he had curteously saluted, according to his wonted manner, the sheepe leaving their pasture, ranne all vnto him: and lifting vp their heads, did fixe their eies directly vpon him. So great an ap­plause they verely made vnto him, that both the sheppheards & the brethren marveiled not a litle therat: beholding not only the lambes of the sheep but also the Rammes themselues leaping and re­ioycing in such marveilous manner about him.

Another time also at our Ladies of Portiuncula a certaine sheepe was presented vnto the man of God: who gratefully received the same for loue of that innocencie and simplicitie, which the nature thereof pretendeth. This shepe the devoute man admonished, both to be attentiue vnto the praises of God, and also to be warie from all maner of of­fence to the bretheren. Wherevpon the sheepe, marking, as it were, and observing, the pietie of the servant of God; did very carefully obserue his rule and instruction. For hearing the bretheren to sing in the Quire, shee also entred into the Church without any direction, bowing her knees and bleating, before the Altar of the Virgin mo­ther of the most vnsported and innocente lambe; and that in such maner of wise as if she did de­light and reioyce to salute her. And yet moreover, [Page 96]when the most sacred body of Christ, VVhen the most sacred body of Christ vvas eli­uated in time of Masse a sheepe did bowe her knees thereat. See how brut beasts do know & reve­rence there god which miserable beretickes refuse to do. was elevated amidst the solemnities of the MASSE, she also then did bend her knees: as if that she poore reve­rent beast, accused the vndevoure of theire irre­verence, and invited the devoute servantes of Christ vnto a further adoration of this most holy Sacrament. And one time he chanced for reve­rence of that most milde lambe of God, to haue in the cittie with him alitle lambe, which he com­mitted to the custodie of a noble Matrone, called Madame lacoba de septem sotiis, to be by her norished in her closette, but the lambe being instructed as it were by the Saints, in spirituall thinges, did al­waies with inseperable diligence attend vpon her, as she wente to the Church, all the time she re­mained there, & when she returned from thence. If it were long in the morning before she rose, the lambe rising vp, seemed to force her, as it were with his hornes, and with bleating voice to incite her, admonishing her aswell by gesture as by signes, to make hast to the Church. Wherfore this lambe the scholer of holy S. Francis, being now become a Maister of devotion, was by this noble woman kept, as worthy to be both loved and ad­mired.

At Graecium, also vpon a time, a certaine yong leveret was given aliue, vnto the servant of God: which being set free vpon the ground, whereas it might haue gone which way it wonlde: yet being by the good father called vnto him, it came forth­with running & leaping into his bosome, making much of it therefore with great affection, he see­med [Page 97]to haue compassion thereof, as a mother hath towardes her childe: and warning, it with swete wordes, not againe: to let it self be taken, gaue it free leaue to departe. But being put oftentimes vpon the ground, and returning alwaies into the fathers bosome againe, as if it had some secrete fe­ling, of the inwarde pietie of his loving harte at length by the fathers commaundement it was brought by the bretheren, vnto some safer parts of the desert. In like maner also, in the Ile of the Lake of Perusium aliue cunnie was taken, and brought to the man of God: which though it thought to escape from all others besides, yet in­to his handes and bosome it committed it selfe, with a domesticall kinde of securitie. So also as he passed once to the desert of Graecium along by the Lake of Reate, a certain fisherman, of speciall devo­tion presented a river foule vnto him: after grate­full acceptaunce whereof, with opened handes he gaue it way to departe: though neverthelesse the foule remained with him, whervpon he lifte­ing vp his eies, remained long in praier, and retur­ning a long hower after vnto himselfe againe as it were from another world: he sweetely the secōd time commaunded the birde to departe and praise our Lord. After licence therefore with his bles­sing receaved, and pretending also a certaine kind of ioye, as by the gesture of her body appeared, she tooke her flight away. In the same lake also was brought vnto him a great sishe aliue: which he saluting as his custome was by the name of bro­ther, did forth with returne it againe into the wa­ter, [Page 98]neere to the sheepe. But the fishe plaieng in the watter before the man of God, as being in a manner allured with his loue: would in no wise departe from the shippe, but vpon his licence & benediction formerlie obtained.

And yet also, another time, walkeng with one of the brethren, nigh vnto the Marshelandes of Venice, he found a great multitude of birdes, sit­ting and singing in the Thicket. Vpon sight whereof, he saied to his companions; Our Sisters the birdes doe praise their creatour: let vs there­fore goe, into the middest among them, and there let vs sing our praises, and Canonicall houers to our Lord. And being entred into the verv middest of them all, the birdes never stirred out of theire places: and for because in respect of their chirping noise, the holy men and his brother could not heare one another in saieng their houres: he ther­fore turning himselfe to the birdes, spake thus vnto them. ye birds, my sisters, leaue of your sing­ing vntill we may haue performed the due praises we owe to God. The birdes presently surceased all manner of noise: and continewed all that while in silence: vntill the said houres and praises being leisurely performed, they were licensed by the Saint of God to sing againe. But so soone as the man of God had giuen this licencevnto them, they presently betooke themselues to theire former singing.

So also at s. Maria de Portiuneula, a certain Grashop­per fitting & singing vpō a figg tree, nigh vnto the Cell of this holy man, and having with her fre­quent [Page 99]voice, incited the Seruant of God to divine praises, who even in small thinges had learnt to admire the magnificence of the Almighty Crea­tour: he called her one day vnto him, at what time, shee, as being therevnto from heaven in­structed came flieng by and by vpon his hand. To whome when he had said, Sing my sister Grashop­per, and with thy chirping voice, praise thy Lord and Creator, she obeieng, without any stay be­ganne to sing, never ceasing, vntill by the com­maundement of the Father, she flewe backe a­gaine to her vsuall place of abiding. But there this Grashopper remained eight daies together, day by day comming, singing, and departing, according to the Fathers commaundement. Wherevpon at length the man of God saied to his companions, Let vs now licence our Sister Grashopper to de­part: for she hath now sufficiently delighted vs with her singing, having for eight daies space to­gether stirred vp our mindes therewithall, to the praise of Almighty God. And presently vppon leaue obtained, the Grashopper depared from him not comming any more to that place, as in noe wife daring to transgresse his commaunde­ment.

As once he lay sicke at Sienna, a certaine noble man sent him a liue Pheasent Cock, which had binne newly taken: this Cock had no soner seene and heard the holy man, but that he adheared vn­to him with so great a lovingnesse, that he would by no meanes suffer himselfe to be disioined from him. For being oftentimes put out of the brothers [Page 100]harbour, into a certaine vineyarde by, to the ende that if he would he might departe, he swiftely al­waies returned vnto the father againe: as if he had all his time bin by him brought vp and nourished. But being at length bestowed vpon a certain man, who was accustomed out of devotion to visite the servant of God; the pheasant as if it had binne grievouse vnto him to be absented from the good Fathers sight, refused to take any manner of meat. Whereas afterwardes being returned to the servāt of God, he eare his meate very greedily by out­ward gesture discovering his inward ioy.

When he came to the desert of Aluerna, to cele­brate the Lent which he observed in honor of S. Michael the Archangel, divers sortes of birdes came flieng about his Cell, who reioicing as it were at his comming, did with their pleasant harmony and other tokens of mirth seeme to in vite and al­lure the devoute father to stay and abide with thē. Which when he well perceaued, he said to his companion: I see plainely brother it is the verie will of God that we should now stay heere for a while, because our Sisters the birdes doe seeme to be so much comforted at our presence. And whiles he thereforefore remained in that place a faulcon there building her nest: was ioined vnto him in a singular manner of frendshippe. For with her singing and noise, she did continually in the night time, prevent the hower whereat the holy man was accustomed to rise, to his divine service which was a thing most acceptable vnto the ser­vant of God: for that the so great watchfullnesse [Page 101]of this faulcon ouer him, did cause him to shake of all sloth and slugishenes. But when the servant of Christ was more than vsually afflicted with any kind of infirmitie, then did the faulcon in some sorte abstaine, neither did shee at those times a­wake him so earely but as it were instructed ther­vnto of God; about the breake of day she gaue a gentle knocke with the bell of her voice: & sure­ly it seemeth, that this reioicing of birdes of ma­ny kindes, and that the singing also of the faulcō, should be a divine foresignification: that this no­table praiser and most excellēt worshipper of God, being carried aloft by the wings of contempla­tion should then be there exalted: by a Seraphicall apparition.

During the time he once aboad in the Ermitage of Grecium: the inhabitans in that place, were grievously afflicted, with many and sundry evills. For not only a multitude of ravening wolues did thereaboutes consume both men and beasts, but a yearely and violent Tempest also of haile, did continually destroy, the corne and vineyardes. At what time therefore as this denouncer of Gods holy Gospell preached vnto them in the middest of this their distresse and affliction, he saied vnto them: to the honor and praise of Almighty God, I require you to be of good hope, that all this pe­stilence shall soone forsake you, and that our Lord with his mercifull eies regarding you, will multi­plie you in temporall goodes, if crediting my wordes, you will nowe first of all beginne to take compassion vppon your selues: whereby ma­king [Page 102]a true confession of your sinnes, you may bring forth the workes worthy of pennance. But this againe I denounce vnto you, that if as vn­greatefull men for such benefits, you shall returne to your vomite againe: then shall your plague be renewed, your punnishment shalbe redoubled, and a greater indignation shall iustly fall vpon you From that very hower the people doeing pennāce according as he exhorted them, their miseries ceased, their daungers were all at an end: & nei­ther the wolues nor the haile did any more mis­chief among them. Nay which is more to be ad­mired, if the neighbours fieldes, were at any tyme endaungered with haile, so soone as it approached vnto theire confines, either there it rested, or els diverted to some other parte. Thus not only the haile did cease, but the wolues also kept the con­venante of the servant of God, neither did they offer any more contrary to the law of piety to in­rage against men converted vnto God, so longe as they according to their promise, did not wickedly transgresse against the lawes of God Wherfore we haue good cause, devoutly to thinke of the piety of this blessed man: which was of so marveilouse sweetenesse and efficacy that it tamed wilde crea­tures in so much that those of the woodes it made liue in howses, & made double thrice those which were of more gentle nature, it did incline the na­ture of brute beastes which hath binne fince the fall of man rebellious against him, to become now obedient vnto him. This verely is that vertue which confederating all creatures with it selfe, Is [Page 103]profitable to all thinges: having promise of the life that now is, and of that to come.

THE NINTH CHAPTER. Of the fervour of his Charity, and of his desire of Martirdome.

BVT that fervent Charitie, Wherewith this frend of the spouse, Saint Francis, was alto­gether inflamed, what man may be able sufficiēt­ly to expresse? For as a certaine fierie coale, he see­med to be wholy absorbted in the flame of Gods loue. For soddainely vpon the very hearing of the loue God he was forthwith stirred vp, he was in marveilouse manner affected, and wholy set on fire: as though with the outward stroake of the voice; the inwarde string of the harte were tou­ched. And therefore to offer such manner of tri­buts insteede of Allmes, he saied it was a noble kinde of prodigality: and those that esteemed thereof lesse than of mony, he held to be most foolishe, confidering that the vnprisable valewe of the only loue of God, is aboundantly sufficient to gaine the Kingdome of heaven: and that the loue of him who loued vs much, is much to be loued and esteemed. But to the end he might be out of all things provoked vnto the loue of God, he marveilously reioiced in all the workes of our Lord his handes: and by the mirrours of delight­somnesse, he raised vp himself into the liuely or­riginall and cause of them: For he did beholde in [Page 104]the things that were beautifull, him that was most beautifull of all: and by the perfections imprin­ted in all things the euery where prosecuted the thing beloued; making as it were vnto himselfe, a ladder of all things, whereby he might ascend and take hold of him, who is altogeather & who­ly to be desired. For with an affection of devo­tion more than had binne heard of, he tasted in e­very of the creatures as it were in litle Rivers, that excellent goodnesse of the fountaine it self; and as if he had conceaved a heauenly harmony, in the consonantes of the vertues and actions giuen by God vnto them, he sweetely exhorted them, ac­cording to the manner of the prophet DAVID, vnto the honour and praise of Almighty God.

Christ Iesus crucified evermore remained as a handefull of Mirrhe within the bosome of his minde into whome he desired to be through the fervour of most excessiue loue in euery parte transformed. And for a prerogariue of a peculier devotion vnto him, from the feaste of the Holie Epiphanie, during the space of full forty daies to­gether, that is to say during all that time whearin Christe remained solitary in the desert, he also be taking himselfe to solitary places, and being in his Cell retired, did with wonderfull strictnesse aswell of meate as of drinck in fastings and praiers, con­tinually attend to the praises of God. So feruent was that affection, wherewith he was carried vn­to Christ. But Christ his well beloved, did requite him againe, with so familiar a kinde of loue, that it seemed vnto him the servant of God, as if he [Page 105]had the continuall presence of his Saviour before his eies: Let the heretickes he [...]re con­sider the deuotion of this Saint to our B. Lady the Mother of God in her especially after Christ he put speciall confideuce her he made an aduocate for him­selfe and his bre­theren. according as he sometimes familiarly de­clated vnto his companiōs. He burned with an ad­mirable fervour of al his hart & soule, towards the blessed Sacrament of our Lord his body: woon­dering with an vnspeakable amazement, at that most charitable condiscending, and most condi­scending charity: He did oftentimes communi­cate, and that with so great devotion, that he made others also to be devoute by his example: whilest he at the sweete tasting of the immacu­late Lambe, was as one drunck in spirit, ravished for the most part into an extasie of minde. He lo­ved the mother of our Lord Iesus Christ with an vnspeakable loue: for that by her the Lord of Maiestie, is be come a brother vnto vs, and we by her haue happily obtained mercy. In her next af­ter Christ, he reposed his principall confidence & her he did most especially choose, to be the Ad­vocatrix for himselfe and all his brethren. And to her honor, he did most devoutly fast, from the feast of the holy Apostles Saint Peter & Saint Paul vntill the feast of her Assumption. Vnto the An­gelicall spiritts also, considering them to burne with a maveilouse fire of excessiue loue towardes God, and of inflaming the soules of the elect ther­withall, he was conioined with an inseparable band of loue: and for devotion towardes them he fasted fortie daies from the Assumption of the glorious virgin, attending all that time vnto conti­nuall praier. But vnto blessed Saint Michaell, the Archangell, for that it belonged vnto his office to [Page 106]represent the soules he was the more devoted in an especiall bonde of loue, the rather for the fer­vent zeale he bare vnto the salvatiou of all the e­lect. And as concerning the Saints, out of the re­membrance of all them, as out of fierie stones, he grewe to be more aboundantely inflamed in the vnquencheable zeale and loue of God: bearing towardes all the Apostles, and specially to Sainct Peter and Saint Paule, for the exceeding charitie which they had towardes Christe, a most princi­pall and rate devotion: and for the reverence and loue of them, he dedicated vnto our Lord a pecu­liar Lenten observance.

This poore man of Christ had no more but two mites, his body namely and his soule, to giue vn­to God with liberall charitie. But these two he spated not for the loue of Christ to offer vp so cō ­tinually, that as it were all his life time, he sacrifi­ced his body, by the rigour of abstinence. and his spirit by the fervour of desire, exterioutly in the Porche of his body immolating the burnt sacri­fice, and in the temple of his soule inwardly begin­ning the sweete smelling incense, of devotion. But yet for all this so was he borne alofte to divine things by the excessiue devotion of charity, that neuer thelesse his affectuous benignity did dilate it selfe vnto his Copartners in nature and grace. For whome the singular pietie of his hart had made to be a brother vnto all creatures besides him, it is no marvaile if the charity of Christ did make to be much more a brother vnto creatures ennobled with the Image of their creatour, and redeemed [Page 107]with the bloude of theire maker. And therefore he reputed not himselfe to be the friend of Christ vnlesse he did cherishe the soules, which he had redeemed. He saied that nothing was to be pre­ferred before the wellfare of soules, approvinge the same especially by this, that the only begoten soone of God, vouchsafed for the loue of them to hang vpon the Crosse. And from hence procee­ded his combatte in praier, his discourse in prea­ching, and his excesse in giving good example. Wherevpon so often, as ouer much austerity was reprehended in him, he made answere that he was giuen for an example vnto other men, For not­withstanding that his innocent flesh, which had now willingly and freely subiected it selfe to the spirit, stoode no waies in neede of any scourge at all, for his owne offences; yet for examples sake he daily renewed both paines and burdens vppon himselfe, keeping hard waies for other mens in­struction. For he vsed to say, If I speake with the tongues of men and of Angells and haue not Charity, in my selfe, whereby to giue example of vertue vn­to my neighbours: I profite others but litle, and my selfe no white at all.

And with a fervent inflammation of charitie, he did emulate the glorious triumphe of the holy Martirs: for that in them neither could the flame of loue, be extinguished, nor yet could the sta­bility of fortitude, be any way infeebled. Wher­fore being wholy set on fire, with that perfecte charity, which casteth out feare, he also desireth by the flame of Martirdome to offer himselfe as a [Page 108]liuing sacrifice vnto our Lord: to the end he might make requitall, according to his power. vnto Christ that suffered death for vs vpon the Crosse, and might also provoke others by his example vn­to the loue of God: For in the sixt yeare after his conversion, burning altogether in desire of Mar­tirdome, he purposed to passe the seas vnto the partes of Siria, to preach the Christian faith and pennance, vnto the Saracens, and other infidelles, And being gotten aboarde into a cerraine shippe, that made for those partes, by meane of contrary winds, he was inforced to put a shore vpon the coaste of Salauonia. Where having made some tyme of aboade, and nor having founde any shippe in all that space prepartd to passe the Seas: he there­by perceiving himselfe to be disappointed of his desires, made earnest request vnto certaine Mar­riners, euen then prepared for Ancona, that for the loue of God they would take him along with them. But they obstinately refusing him, as not having wherewith to deftay his charges: the mā of God singulerly reposing vpon the goodnesse of our Lord, entred secretly into the shippe, himself and his companion with him. At that time fortu­ned to be there, a certaine man, of Gods owne sending, as is to be thought, for the relief of his poore servant: who bringing with him necessary provision of victuals, and calling vnto him one of the shippe, that had the feare of God before him, delivered the same vnto him, saieng, keepe these things faithfully for the poore brethren, that lie secret in the shippe, and in the time of neede, im­parte [Page 109]thereof friendly vnto them. And so it came to passe that when the shippemen, labouring by sorce of the windes for many daies together, and all that time not being able to get to lande, had in the meane while exspended all their provisions yet still vnto poore Saint Francis remained, of that Almes which was by Gods appointement reser­ved for him. Which nevertheiesse, though it were but very small, was yet by Gods devine power, so marveilousely multiplied, that they making very many daies aboade vpon the Sea, it aboundantly supplied all their necessities euen vntill they came vnto the very Porte of Ancona. The marriners therefore perceiving themselues by meane of the servant of God to haue escaped many daungers of death: as men who had seene the horrible daun­gers of the Sea. and had also well observed the wonderfull workes of our Lord in the deepe gaue thanks therfore vnto Almighty God: who shew­eth himselfe alwaies in his friends and servants to be marveilouse, and worthy to be beloued. But the servant of God having now left the Sea, and beginning, to walke vpon the lande, casting vpō the grounde, the seede of saluation, reaped thereof, fruitfull handefulles in the time of har­vest.

Yet neverthelesse for so much as the fruit of Martirdome had so farre forth allured his harte, that aboue all the merites of vertues he longed to suffer a preciouse death for Christ, he tooke his way towardes Morocco, there to preache the Go­spell of Christ vnto Miramolin [...] and his people; if so [Page 110]by any meanes he might attaine vnto the desired crowne of Martirdome. For he was borne along with so fervent a desire therof, that albeit he were very weake of body, he did neverthelesse outgoe his companion, in travell, and being full of speede to bring his purpose to effect, did flie away, as it were, for very drunckenesse & fervour of spirite. But being now already comme into Spaine, by Gods sweete disposition which reserved him for other things, there came vpon him a most grie­vous infirmitie, whereby he was so hindered that he could in no wise accomplish what he so much desired. The man of God therefore perceivinge that his life in the flesh, was yet necessary for the yssue which he had begotten, albeit that he estee­med death as a gaine for himselfe: therefore re­turned to feede the sheepe, which were by Al­mighty God, vnto his care, commended.

But the burning fire of charity, more then infor­cing his spirit vnto Martirdome, he yet the third time adventured, for spreading abroade the faith of the holy Trinity, to travell into the parts of the infideles. For in the thirtenth yeare after his conversion, hastening towardes the partes o [...] Siria, he constantely exposed himselfe vnto many daungers, that he might comme to the Souldan of Bahilon. For at that time was betweene the Christians & the Sarasens a warre so implacable, and the Tents also of the Armies on either part, so closely pitched, that no way of mutuall passage remained, but with imminent danger of death. For the Soldan had given out a cruell edict: that [Page 111]whosoeuer could bring the head of any Christian, should receaue a golden crowne of Bizance for his rewarde. But the hardie warriour of Christ Saint Francis, hoping that now shortly his purpose might be obtained, determined to vndertake the iourny being nothing terrefied with the feare of deathe, but much provoked with the desire thereof. Wer­fore after praier before hand made, he being com­forted and strenghned by the hands of our Lord, did confidently sing that verse of the Prophette, For although I shall walke in the middest of the shaddow of death I will not feare euills because thou art with me. Taking with him therefore a companion, Psal. 22.4. brother Huminatus by name, a man verely both of light & vertue, as he was entred in his way, he met two litle sheepe, vpon the sight whereof, the holy man was marveilously reioiced, and said vnto his companion; Be of good hope in our Lord my bro­ther, for in vs that word of the Gospell is fulfilled: Behold I send you as sheepe in the middest of wolues. Mat. 10.16. But being gone a litle further they mette with Sa­racene officers: who running as very wolues inded vpon the poore sheepe, and feircely laieng hands vpon them the seruants of God, did in very cruell and contemptible manner intreate them? disho­noring them with reproaches, afflicting them with stripes, and binding them in bands. Vntill that hauing binne many and soundry wayes affli­cted and distressed, they were at length by Godes divine providence, brought vnto the Souldane, according to the man of Gods desire. Who beeing of that great Prince demaunded, from what per­sons, [Page 112]to what pursose, and in what maner, they had bin sent; as also by what meanes they had so farre arrived the servant of Christ. Sainct Francis, with a couragious harte made answere, that he was not sent from man, but from God Almighty himselfe, to shew vnto him and his people the way of salvation, and to preach vnto them the Gospell of truth.

But with so great constancy of minde, with so efficacious power of the soule, and so rare a fer­vour of spirite, did he preache vnto the foresaide Souldan, one only God in Trinity, and Iesus Christ the Saviour of makinde: that in him that place of the Gospell well appeered to be accom­plished, Luc. 21.18. which saieth, I will giue you a mouth and wisedome, which all your aduersaries shall not be able to resist and gainesay. For the very Souldan himselfe be­holding in the man of God an admirable fervour of spiritte, and singuler vertue therewithall did both willingly giue eare vnto him, and did also the more instantly invite him to make longer a­boade with him. But the servant of Christ enligh­tened with Gods divine Oracle, if thou wilt, said he: with thy people be converted vnto Christe: I will for his loue willingly remayne amonge you, But if you make doubt for the faith of Christe, to refuse the law of Mahomet, commaunde then a very great fire to be kindled, and I together with thy Priests will enter into the same; that yet so at least thou maiest well discerne, Which faith is of very right to be held, for more holy and certaine. Where vnto the Souldan answeared, I doe not be­lieue [Page 113]that any of my priests wil for defēce of their faith, ether expose thēselues to the fire or otherwil vndertake any kind of tormēt. For he had sene one of his priests, a mā of special years & authority, im­mediatly vpon the hearing of those words to haue withdrawen himself out of his sight. Then said the holy man vnto him, If thou wilt for thy self & thy people make promise vnto me, tocome to the ser­vice of Christ, if I shal without harm passe through the fire: I wil enter, into the same my self alone: & if I shalbe burnt, be it imputed to my sins, but if the mighty power of God shal protect me, acknow­ledg then Christ the power & wisdome of God to be himself very God, & vndoubted Lord & saviour of al mākind. But the Soldā answered, that he durst not accept of this conditiō for that he feared a se­ditiō among the people. Neverthelesse they offered vnto him many pretious rewards al which the man of God, being no waies covetous of wordly things, but altogeather desirouse of the saluation of souls, did vtterly reiecte as durt. Whereby the Souldan perceiving the holy man to be so perfect a contem­ner of wordly things: & being also moved with ad­miration therof, conceyved in himself a far greater devotion towards him. And albeit that he would not, or that perhaps he durst not receiue the Chri­stian faith, yet did he instantly beseeche the ser­vant of Christ to accept of the forsaide guifts to be for his soules health bestowed vpon Christian poore people or to the vse of their Churches. But he for that he esche wed the burden of mony, and did not see the rote of true piety to be in the mind [Page 114]of the Souldan, would in no wise be perswaded there vnto. And furthermore perceiving that he did not prevaile in the converfion of that nation neither yet could attaine vnto his purpose therein vpon forewarning by revelation from heaven re­ceaved, he made his returne vnto the partes of the faithfull. And so both mercifully and mar­veilously it came to passe, by the clemencie of God soe ordaining. and by the vertue of the holy man promerriting the same, that this friende of Christ did for his loue seeke after deathe with all his whole desire, and could by no meanes find it: whereby he might nor want the metrite of most desired Martirdome, but might be yet reser­ved, to be afterwardes insigned with a singuler priviledge. And by that meanes was it also effected, that, that divine fire did yet more perfectly escape and boile in his harte, that after wardes it might more powerfully, flame and burst out in his flesh O holy man, most truly blessed: whose flesh al­though it be not cut with the sworde of the Ty­rant doth not yet wante the similitude of the Lambe that was slaine, O truly and perfectly bles­sed (I say, whose life although the sworde of the persecutor did not take away, yet did he not loose the Glory of Martyrdome.

THE TENTH CHAPTER. Of his diligence and fervency in praier.

THE holy servant of Christ Saint Francis, per­ceaving that in body he was as yet a pilgrime [Page 115]from God, albeit that vnto earthly desires, 2. Cr. 5.7. he was already, through the charity of Christ, become altogether insensible: 1. Thes. [...].17. yet to the ende he might not be without the consolation of his wellbelo­ved, attending vnto praier without intermission. he endeavoured to offer vp his spirit before the presence of God. And praier, Beholde how neces­sary prater is to a re­ligious man. dovbtlesse was a solace vnto him, in his contemplation, meane while that in the circuite of the heavenly man­sions, he being already made a fellow Cittizen of Angells, did with fervent desire seeke after his welbeloved: from whom none other thing but the wall of his flesh did now disioyne him. This al­so was a helpe vnto him in worke & labour name­ly that in all the thinges he tooke in hande; di­strusting his owne industrie, and firmely repo­sing vppon Gods heauenly piety, he did by the instancy therof cast all his thought vpon our Lord. He firmely avowed that promptenesse in praier was aboue all things to be desired on the parte of a religious man: & verely believing that without the same no man might be able to prosper in the service of God, he did by all the meanes he might stirre vp his brethren vnto the diligent exercise thereof. For, walking and setting, within doores and abroade, labouring and recreating, hewas evermore so attentiue vnto praier, that he see­med, not only for what was in him either in harte or body, but in labour also and time, to haue dedi­cated and devoted all wholy therevnto, He was alwaies heedefull, at no time negligently to ouer­passe any visitation of the spirite. For when i [...] [Page 116]was offered vnto him, he followed the same: and so long as our Lord vouchsafed to graunt it, he comfortably enioied the sweetenesse thereof: And even at such very times as he was seriously inten­tiue to trauell, 2. Cor. 6.1. when he founde in himselfe any sweete motions, Gods heauenly spiritt, he suffer­ing his brethren to goe before him, did for a while make stay in the place, and by that meanes conver­ting the new inspiration vnto a present fruition, he did not receaue the grace in vaine.

Oftentimes he was lifted vp with so great an excesse of contemplation, that being ravished a­boue himselfe, and finding within him some­thing beyond humane sence and vnderstandinge he did not know what was exteriourly donne a­bout him. For pasling one time through the Bo­rough of Saint Sepulcher a Towne doubtlesse very populous and well replenished, he beeing then borne vpon an Asse by reason of the feeblenesse of his body, did meete a great multitude of people which came thronging vpon him for very devo­tion. But being by them, pulled, halled; and de­tained, as also crushed, and many waies pressed, he seemed to be in all those things vnsensible: and as a body devoided of life did not obserue what was donne about him. In so much having now a good way passed the towne, and being freed of the multitudes, when he came vnto a certaine Hospitall of the Leapours, the contemplator of he­venly things returning euen then as it were from another world, demaunded diligently of his com­pany when they should come nigh to the Bou­roughe. [Page 117]For verely his minde being fixed in the beames of heauenly Glory, did not discerne the variety of places, and times, nor yet of the per­ [...]ons, that frequently came to meete him. And the like hearevnto, the manifold experience of his companions, hath well testified, very often to haue befallen vnto him. And for so much as in praier he had fully perceaved, that the much de­sired presence of the holy-Ghost, did so much the more familiarly offer it self vnto them that attend vnto praier, by how much as he did finde them to be more alienated and enstraunged, from the disturbance of worldly things: he therefore see­king after solitary places, did in the night tyme resorte, by reason of praier, into the Deferts, and Churches at that time vnfrequented. Howbiet that in those places he very many times sustained most horrible assaults of the Divells: whoe sen­sibly entring into combatte with him, endevou­red to disturbe him from the exercise of praier. But be armed with Gods heavenly wepons, looke how much the more vehemently he was assailed by his enemies, so much the more strong did he become in power of resistance, so much the more fervēt & perseverant he was in the accomplishment of his praier. Confidently v [...]sing this speachevnto Christ, Vnder the shaddow of thy wings, do thou protect me: Psal. 16.8.from the face of the wicked, who haue afflicted me. But vnto the D [...]uels he said; spare not to worke vpon me, al that you are able, O ye malignāt & deceitful spirits, For yee can doe nothing, but as the hand of God, let­teth loose the reines vnto you: and I for my parte [Page 118]am ready with all willingnesse of minde to sustain whatsoever he hath determined to be inflicted vpon me, Which constancy of his minde, the proude Divels not being able to abide, departed away from him, with shame and confusion.

But the man of God now remaining solitarie, & vndisturbed, filled the woodes, with dolorouse groanes, he sprinkled his places of abode, with tea­res he beate vpon his breast with his hand: and ha­ving gotten as it were a secrete place of residence, he had free conference with his Lord and Maister. There be made answeare for himselfe, before his Iudge; there he made supplication, vnto his Fa­ther, there he familiarely discoursed with his be­loued friend. He praieth with his hand stret­ched out a crosse. There also he was somtime heard by his brethren, that devoutly obserued him; with clamorous groanes, to call vnto Gods devine cle­mency in the behalf of sinners: with lowde voice also to be waile our Lord his passion, even in such wise, as if it had then visibly bin set before him. There was he seene in the night season, praieing with his handes stretcht out a crosse, his whole body being lifted vp on high from the grounde; and rounde about environed, with a brrght and gloriouse cloude: so that, of that marveilouse gar­nishing, which he had inwardly in his minde, the admirable glorious light, wihch outwardly appea­red about his body, might be an vndoubted te­stimony. Even there also, according as it is ap­proved by most evident tokens, the vncertaine & hidden points of Gods divine wisedome were dis­covered vnto him: albeit that he did in no sorte [Page 119]exteriourly diuvlge them, otherwise then as his charity towardes Christ, did inforce him, and the [...]rofite of his neighbour, did especially require [...]m. For he would commonly say, that for a very mean and light hire, a thing of inestimable praice and valewe happeneth oftentimes to be vtterly lost: & that he who gaue the same, is easily provo­ked in no wise to giue the like againe.

Evermore when he returned from his private prayers by the which he was almost chaunged in­to another man; he was especially carefull to cō ­forme himself vnto others; least haply that which had bin out wardly discovered, might by the breath of humane favour, be inwardly evacuated of me­rite and reward. And therfore when in some pub­licke place, he had bin at any time visited by our Lord, he alwaies gaue some other matter of ob­iect, vnto the standers by, least that the familiar loue tokens of the spouse, should be outwardely obserued, and reported abroade. As for muche spitting, groaning, deepe sighes, and outward ge­stures, during the time he praied amongst his bre­theren, he altogether eschewed them: either be­cause he loued to be secrete, in those thinges, or els because in his inward cogitatiō, he was whole borne vp alofte into Cod. And oftentimes in this sorte he would speake vnto his familiars, whē the servant of God, in time of praier is visited frō aboue, he ought forth with to say vnto him, Thou O Lord, hast sent this comfort from heaven vn­to me a sinner and vnworthy person, and I com­mite the fame againe vnto thy custody, because I [Page 120]perceaue my selfe to be but a robber of thy divine treasure, And when he returneth from pray­er, he ought to shewe himselfe as very a poore wretch and as much a sinner, as if he had obtained no such new grace an favour at all

But it chaunced vpon a time when the man of God was praieng in the place of Portiuncula that the Bishopp of Assisium came vnto him to visite him, according to his accustomed manner. Who so soone as he entred into the place, did ouer bol­ly approach vnto the Cell whearein the servant of Christ did pray, but having knockt at the little doore, and putting forward himselfe to enter in, no sooner had he put in his head and seene the ho­ly man at praier, but being stricken with a sod­deine feare, all the partes of his body did loose their strength, and his vety speach did also leaue him. Moreover he being through Gods divine will, by force driven out of the place, was sod­dainely borne backe a good way of. Whereat the Bishoppe being much astonished, made hast to the brethren as fast as he could: and God then re­storing vnto him his speache againe; in the first wordes he spake, he confessed his fault.

One other time also it happened, that the Abbot of the monastery of S. Iustine, which is with­in the Bishoppricke of Perusium, did meete the ser­vaunt of Christe. Vpon whose sight, the devout Abbot did speedily alight from his horse: aswell to doe, reuerence vnto the man of God; as also to conferre with him vpon some things concerning the health & well fare of his soule. And at length [Page 121]after sweete conference passed betweene them, the Abbot departed, humbly desiring him, to pray for him. To whom the beloved servant of God, answeared, I will pray for you willingly. Behold the wonder­full force of Saint Francis his praier. So the Abbot being nowe gone a little way of the faith­full man Saint Francis, saied vnto his companion, expecte a while my brother because I desire to pay the debt, which I haue promised. But meane while that he contineued in prayer, the Abbot so­deinely felt in himselfe in an vnusuall kinde of warmeth and swetnes, vntill that time altogether vnknowen vnto him: and that in such degree, that being brought into an extasie of the minde, he fai­led wholy from himselfe into Almighty God. And so for some little space he remained: but after­wardes returning into himselfe againe, he did well perceiue the efficacie of the prayer of holy Saint Francis. For which cause he was evermore infla­med with a greater love vnto the Order, and vnto many he reported this fact for a miracle.

The holy man was alwaies accustomed, Loe with what de­votion & attention he reciteth his canoni­call how­ers. with no lesse reverent feare, then attentiue devotion, to recite his Canonicall howers. For notwithstan­ding that he was troubled with the infirmity of his eies, of his stamacke, of his spleene and liuer: yet would he not leane against any wall or resting place while he did sing his seruice: but euermore accōplished his howers, bearing himself vpright, with his head vncovered, his eies, vnremoued, and without any manner of cutting shorte his wordes and sentences. And if at any time he were in ior­ney, he neverthelesse made stay for the time, in no [Page 122]sorte omitting this holy and reuerent custome, for whatsoeuer aboundance of raine and flouds, that might come vpon him. For thus he would often say. If the body doe quietly eate this present foode which shall with the same become the meate of wormes: with howe great peace and quietnesse is it then expediēt for the soule to receiue the foode and sustenance of life. Wherfore he did thinke himselfe greivously to offend, if at any time while he was at prayer, he were inwardly distracted with vaine fantasies. And when any such thing had chaunced to be fall; he made no spare, forth­with by confession to purge himselfe thereof. Which his so singuler a care, he had converted into so vsuall an habite, that he was exceeding rarely troubled with such kinde of flees,

He had in one lent season, made a certaine litle vessel to over passe some short moments of time, that they also, might not be lost in idlenesse. Which comming once into his memory as he was saying his third hower, & hauing then in some li­tle degree distracted his minde: he was there vpon so moved with feruour of spiritte, that he consu­med the same in the fire saying: I wil sacrifice it vn­to our Lord, whose sacrifice it hath impeached. He vsed to recite his psalmes with soe great attention of minde and spiritte, as if he had God ever present before him: and when he chanced in them to finde the name of our Lord, he seemed euen to licke his lipps, for the very aboūdant delight, of the sweet­nesse, he tasted therein. And being also desirous with a most especiall reverence to honour the ve­ry [Page 123]name of our Lorde, and that not only thought, but also named and written he did sometimes per­swade his brethren, togather vp al the litle scrapps of paper that might any where be founde, contai­ning the same, & them to put, in some cleane and decent place, least it might haply chance, that the sacred name written therein should be trodden vnder foote. But the name of Iesus, when he did either speake it or heare it, did inwardly so fill him with such a singuler kinde of exvltation, that he thereby seemed to be altogether chaunged, euen exteriourly, as if some mellifluous swetenes had altered his tast, or some harmoniacall sounde his hearing.

But in the third yeare before his death, it came to passe, that for the stirring vp of greater devo­tion, he purposed to celebrate the festivall memo­rie of the birth of the childe Iesus, at the village of Graecium, withal the greatest solemnity that pos­sibly he could. And to the end the same might not be imputed to levitie: he craved licence of the Pope; and having obtained the same, he caused a manger to be prepared, as also hay to be gotten, and an oxe and an Asse to be brought to the place. The brethren were called togither; the people as­sembled themselues, the woode adioyning was ful of voyces, and that venerable night, was by meane of many cleare shining lights, of lowde soundinge and harmoniacall praises, made to be, both very light some, and full of solemnity. There stood the man of God before the manger, full of devotion, besprinkled with teares: and overcome with ioy. [Page 124]The holy sacrifice of the Masse was solemnely ce­lebrated vpon the manger, & the Leuite of Christe S. FRANCIS, did sing the Ghospell. And after­wardes, vnto the people that stood about him, he preached of the nativity of the poore King: and ever as he named him, he did for the very tender­nesse of loue, call him the child of Bethlem. But in this meane while, a certaine souldier, of great ver­tue and creditte, called Maister Iohn of Graecium, who hauing for the loue of Christe forsaken the secular warfare, was now in great familiarity conioined vnto this seruant of God, did testifie himselfe to haue seene, a litle child of great comlinesse lieing a sleepe in that manger: whom, the Blessed Father S. Francis embracing in both his armes, did seem to wake out of his sleepe. And this vision of the de­vout souldier, not only the holinesse of him that beheld the same, did make to be credible: but the very evident truth thereof, did vndoubtedly ap­proue it, and the miracles succeding, did also con­firme it. For the example of holy S. Francis, being considered of the world, is of great force to stirre vp the harts of such as are heauie and dull in the faith of Christe, and the hay of that manger being by the people reserued, was in marveilouse man­ner effectuall, for the recouerie of sicke Cattell, and a singuler preservatiue against divers other pestilences. God Almighty in all things glorifieing his servaunt, & demonstrating the efficacy of holy prayer, by manifest wonders and miracles.

THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER. Of his, vnderstanding the scriptures, and of his spiritte of prophecy.

BVT vnto so great a perspicacity of minde, had the vnwearied custome of prayer, together with the continuall exercise of vertues, brought this holy man of God, that albeit he had no skill in the holy sacred scriptures by the ordinarie course of learning, yet neverthelesse being enlightened with the beames of eternall light, he did searche the depth of them with a wonderfull sharpenesse of vnderslanding. For his conceite being pure from all manner of blemish, did penetrate into the most hidden misteries: and where the science of the Doctour did stand without doores, even there was the affection of the lover, admitted to enter in. Sometimes he did reade in the holy bookes, and what soeuer he did once take in his minde, he did most firmely imprint in his memory: not hea­ring any thing in vaine, with the bare present at­tention of his minde, but ruminating therevppon, with an affection of continuall devotion. And be­ing once demanded by his brethren, if he did like, that the men of learning, who were alreadie ad­mitted vnto the order, should still attend vnto the study of the holy scriptures, he answeared: It li­keth me truly very well but yet soe, that follow­ing the example of Christe, of whom we may ob­serue, that he did more frequently pray, than reade, they do in no waies omit the exercise of [Page 126]prayer, nor yet doe so giue themselues to study, as only to knowe howe they ought to speake: but to practise the things they haue learnd & when they haue donne those things themselves, then after­wardes to propose them vnto others to doe the like. For I would (said he) that my brethren should be disciples of the Gospell, & that soe they should profitte in the knowledge of the truth, as that therewith all, they doe also increase in the pure­nesse of simplicity: whereby they doe not separate from the prudence of the serpent, the simplicity of the done: which our chiefe maister hath with his owne blessed mouth, conioyned therevnto.

Being demaunded at Sienna, by a certaine reli­giouse man, whoe was Doctor of divinity, concer­ning certaine questions which were very difficult & hard to be vnderstood: he did with such a clear­nesse of doctrine, discouer the secretts of Gods divine wisedome, that the same learned man, was thereat greatly amazed, and with much admira­tion thereof, did say: Vndoubtedly the divinity of this holy Father, is like as it were an Eagle, borne vp a lofte with the wings of purity, and contem­plation, but our knowledg, creepeth belowe, vpon the ground. For though he were but euen vnskil­full in the manner of speaking, yet was he so full of heauenly knowledg, that he explicated most doubtfull questions, and produced to light many hidden and secret things. Neither is it to be held for strange, that the holy man had from Almighty God receaued, the vnderstanding of the scriptures: seeing that by the perfect imitation of Christe, he [Page 127]did beare the truth of them, liuely expressed in his workes: and that by the plentifull vnction of the Holy Ghoste, he had the teacher of them abiding with him in his harte.

And so singulerly also did the spirite of prophe­cy appeare in him, that he did not only foresee fu­ture things, but did also see into the hidden secrets of mens harts: & did moreouer behold the things that were absent, as though they were present, in marveilouse manner exhibiting himself, present, vnto those that were absent. For at that time whē that the army of the Christians did beseige the cit­ty of Damiata, the seruāt of God chāced to be there: not armed with weapons, but with firmenesse of faith. Vpon the very day therfore, when the Chri­stians were readie prepared to make the assault, the servaunt of Christe, vnderstanding so much, did fetch a most deepe & hartie sight; and therewith­all said vnto his cōpanion: Our Lord hath shewen vnto me that if the battell be vndertaken, it shall not prosperously succeede vnto the Christians. But if I shall discover the same, I shal be reputed a foole: and if I shall conceale it, I shall not escape the grudge of myne owne conscience. What doe you therfore aduise to be donne in this case. Vnto whom his companion answeared, saying. Brother let it be of no moment vnto you, to be censured by the mouths of men: for you doe not nowe be­ginne, to be reputed a foole. Discharge therefore your cōscience, & feare God more than mē. Vpon the hearing of which wordes, out stepped the pro­phette; applying to the Christians his behouefull [Page 128]admonitions: he did forbidde them the conflict, and denounced the euent. But the truth was taken for a fable, they hardened their harts & would not returne. See therefore? They did indeed encounter together, and ioyne in battell: but all the Christian forces were put to flight, and the army was beaten back with much dishonor, and without triumphe. And in such degree was the number of the Chri­stians diminished, which the greatnesse of the slaughter, that about sixe thowsand personnes were slaine and taken. Wherein it did euidently appeare that the wisedome of the poore man was not to be despised: considering that. The soule of the iust man, shall sometimes discouer the truth, more than seauen sentinells, Eccl. 37.18sitting on high to keepe the watche.

Another time also after his returne from be­yond the Seas, he came to preache at Celanum: and euen then a certaine souldier, did with great devo­tion, and much instancy invite him to dinner. Whervnto the holy man assenting, did according­ly come vnto the souldiers house: all the whole familie, Behold the custome of Chri­stians to pray be­fore then eate. not a litle reioycinge the entrance of those poore guests. But before the company beganne to eate, the devoute holy man Saint Francis, (accor­ding to his wonted manner) stoode offering his prayers and praises vnto God, with his eies lifted vp to heauen. And when his prayer was donne, he familiarely called aside his curteous Hoste, and spake in this wise vnto him: Loe nowe brother Hoste, at the instancie of your earnest requests, I haue entred into your house, to eate with you. Wherefore agree nowe I pray you, vnto my coun­cell [Page 119]and advise: for heare you shall not eate, but in another place. Confesse forthwith your sinnes, with the perfect contrition of true repentaunce: If Sacra­mentall confession had not beene ne­cessarie according to the precept of God and in vse amongst the anciēt Fathers S. Francis had not commaun­ded it to be performed of a man now ready to day. and let nothing remaine within you so secret, but that you discover it, with true and sincere Con­fession. Because our Lorde will this day rewarde you, for the great devotion, wherwith you haue receaved his poore servants. The soldier forth­with conformed himselfe vnto the holy mans ad­vise [...] and vnto one of his companions, discove­ring all his sinnes in humble Confession: he dis­posed of his house; and withall his best endevours, prepared himselfe to die. But at the length they sate them downe at the Table: and when the rest beganne to eate, sodeinely the hoste himselfe gaue vp the Gost: being taken away with sode in death according to the worde of the man of God. And so it came to passe by the meritte of Hospitality, that the devoute souldier Receauing a Prophette, did (according to the word of truth) receaue the reward of a Prophette: while he giving creditt vnto the pro­pheticall forewarning of the holy man, did pro­vide himselfe against the sodeine assault of death, that being armed with the weapons of pennance, he might escape endlesse damnation; and might enter, into the eternall tabernacles.

One time when the holy men lay sicke at Reate a certaine Prebend named Gedeon, a loose & word­ly man, keeping his bedde vpon occasion of a sore and grievouse infirmity; being brought ne­verthelesse vnto him, did with teares, aswell by himselfe as by the standers by, instantly requeste [Page 120]him with the signe of the holy Crosse. Vnto whom blested Saint Francis in this wise replied: conside­ring that your life hath hither to binne, according to the desires of the flesh, without feare of Gods iustice and judgments; how may I make the signe of the Crosse vpon you? But yet for the devout de­sires of your frends, I do signe you with the signe of the Crosse, in the name of our Lord. But know this for certaine, that if being delivered from this infirmity, you shall afterwardes returne, vnto your wonted evil life againe, you shal be [...]ure to suffer, farre more grievous punnishments: for in regarde of the sinne of ingratitude, S. Francis making the signe of the Crosse vpon a sick man he forthwith becometh whole. the latter pe­nalties are alwaies worse than the former. Thus therefore the signe of the Crosse being made vpō him, he who lay but even now contracted before them. did forth with rise vp perfectly well reco­vered: and bursting forth into the praise of God, I am, saith he, even now delivered. And the ve­ry Chine bones of his back, did giue a great found in the hearing of all that were present: euen as though a sorte of drie sticks had binne broken by hand. But within very small time after, this man, forgetfull of Gods benefits vnto him, gaue ouer his body vnto vnchaste delights. And when he was one evening at supper in a certaine Cannons house; and did there lodge for all that night so­deinely the roofe of the house fell downe vpon them al. But yet so that all the rest finding meane of escape from death, only this vnfortunate and wretched man, was in that fall intercepted and slaine. Thus therefore by the iust iudgement of [Page 121]God, the last things of this man, became worse than the former; because of the vice of ingrati­tude, and for his contempt of God: whereas he ought to haue binne thankefull for the pardon he had already receaved, considering that a crime re­newed, is a double offence.

Another time also, a certaine noble and very devout woman, came vnto this holy Saint, aswel to explicate vnto him her sorrowe and griefe, as also for the same to require a remedy. For she had a very cruel husband, who also was adverse vnto her in the service of Christ. And therefore shee re­quested the holy man to pray for him, that God of his clemency would vouchsafe to mollifie his hart. But he vnderstanding her case, gaue answere vnto her, saying, Go your wais home in peace, & with­out doubt or dreade, expect forthwith to finde comfort at your husbands hands. Heere we may see that euer Married people may by the grace of God liue chaste y [...] we find many Saints to haue liued in this sorre And this more­over he adioyned; you shall say vnto him on the part of God and me, that now is the time of Cle­mency, and afterwards of equity. The woman having receaved his blessing, forthwith returned, and finding her husband, denounced those words vnto him. And, loe, the holy Ghost immediately did fall vpon him: who making him of the olde man, to become a new, did also worke in him, with mildenesse of hart in this manner of wise to make answere vnto her. Lady, let vs attend to the service of our Lord, and let vs indevour our selues to saue our foules. So that at the perswasion of his holy wife, they both living togeather for many yeares a fingle life, did also both of them vpon one same [Page 122]day; happily departe vnto our Lord. And woun­derfull doubtlesse, was the efficacy of Propheti­call spiritte, which did abounde in this holy man or God, wherby he restored strength vnto withe­red members, and imprinted piety in stony harrs: albeit that no lesse wounderfull was the cleare perspicacity of the same spiritte, whereby he did in such wise foreknowe the finall event of things to come, that he did searche even into the secrett thoughts of mens hartes, as another Elizeus ha­ving obtained the double spiritte of Elias.

For having foretolde, vnto one of his familiar friends at Sienna, some certaine things which were finally to be fall vnto him; and being also in way of doubt demaunded, by that learned man, whom I haue already mentioned to haue had sometime conference with him, concerning the Scriptures whether he had foretold those thinges which he had heard by the relation of the man to whom he fortold them he not only affirmed himself to haue reported those words inded; but did also propheti­cally forwarne him of his owne end; that had cu­riously enquired of another mans. And to the end he might the more certainely imprinte the same in his minde, he did by no lesse wonderfull reve­lation, vnfolde, than by most wholsome Concell resolue, a certaine secrette scruple of his consci­ence, which he the foresaid learned man, had ne­ver discovered to any man aliue. For confirma­tion of all which things, it came to passe, that the same religiouse man, did so finally make his ende even as the servant of Christ had foretolde him.

At such time also, as he once returned from be­yond the Seas, having then in company with him brother Leonard of Assisium, it chaunced that he being much wearied and overlaboured, did for some [...]i [...]le while ride vpon an Asse. But the bro­ther following meane while a foote, and beinge himselfe also not a litle wearie, beganne, (out of some kinde of humane passion) to say thus with­in himselfe: His parents and minde plaied not at like game. But see, he rideth, and I, a foote­man, leade his Asse. And euen as he was then thinking the foresaid words, the holy man forth­with alighted from the Asse, and said vnto him; It is not meete brother that I should ride, and you goe a foote: because you haue binne more noble, and of greater power in the world than I, Heare­vpon the brother being forthwith amazed, and blushing therat for shame, and also acknowledg­ing himselfe to be taken in a fault; did fal downe at the fecte of the holy man: and with abondance of [...]ares, manifested the naked truthe of his thought, & humbly craved pardon for the same.

A cortaine brother very devout vnto God, and to his blessed servant of Christe, did frequentely revolue this thought in his minde, that he, should be worthy of Gods good favour, whom this holy [...]an did embrace with a familiar and in ward affe­ction: and that he; whom he reputed as a straun­ges vnto him, should be by God reputed out of [...]umber of his elect. And being therefore of­ [...]mes troubled with the violence of this cogi­ [...]ation, he did very vehemently desire the familia­rity [Page 124]of the man of God, but yet not having revea­led vnto any man the secret of his heart; the lo­ving good Father called him & did sweetly speake in this manner, vnto him. My sonne let no cogi­tation trouble you, for accompting you as most deare among my beloved, I do willingly bestowe vpon you, the gifte of my loue and familiaritie. The brother marveiling herevpon, and of one already very devout yet new becomming muche more devoute, did not only encrease in loue to­wards the holy man, but being endewed with the grace of the holy-Ghost, was plentifully enriched with farre greater gifts.

But During the time that he once remained so­litarie in his Cell, vpon the mounte of Alverna, one of his companions did exceedingly desire to haue some parcell of our Lord his words, briefly written with his hand. For he made accounte thereby to escape, or at least wise more casely to beare a very grievous tentation, not of the flesh, but of the spiritte, wherwith he was sorely trou­bled. And languishing with this desire, he was not a litle molested in minde, for that be durst not through shamefastenes [...]e, to open the matter vnto the reverent father. But to whome no man did declare it, the spiritte of God did vouchsafe to reveale it. For he willed the foresaid brother to bring him inck and paper: and according vnto his desire, he wrote therein with his owne hand the praises of our Lord, and last of all, concluded the same with his benediction, saicing vnto him, Take vnto you this litle piece of paper, and keep [Page 126]the same diligently to the very day of your death. The brother gladly receved this much desired gift and all the former tentation, forthwith departed. The writing also was carrefully reserved. And whereas afterwardes, marveilouse effects by it were wrought, it was a testimony of the vertues of holy Saint Francis.

There was a brother, who outwardly seemed to be of great holinesse, and of very excellent cō ­versation: but was yet indeede very singuler. For attending evermore vnto praier, he did so exactly observe continuall silence, that he was accusto­med to make his confession, not by wordes, but by signes. But it fortuned one time that the holy Father, came vnto the place to see this brother, & to conferre with the rest of the brethren, about him. At what time they all commending him, & magnifieng him very much, The man of God, re­plied vpon them, Beware my brethren: doe not extoll vnto me, in him the Divels counterfeiting. For know in very truth, that it is a diuelish ten­tation, and a fraudulent decoite. The brethren did but hardly accep [...] of this iudgement: as hold­ing it impossible, that the false flourishes of fraude and dece [...]t, should colour themselues, with such notable signes of good perfection. But it was not many daies after, that he went out of religion, whereby it evidently appeared, with what an ex­cellent clearnesse, of internall sight, the man of God had beholden the secreas of his harte. And in like manner, with infallible truth foretelling, the cuine and fall of many that seemed to stand, as al­so [Page 126]the conversion of many to Christ, that were as yet perverse, he seemed to haue drawen nigh to the beholding of that mirrour: of eternal light; by the marveilouse brightnes wherof the sight of his minde, did behold things absent in body, from him as if they had binne verely present before him.

For vpon a time, his Vicar held a Chapter: but he in the meane while, remained aparte in his Cell at praier, as a mediatour, betweene the bre­thren and God. And when one of them, vnder some cloake and pretext of defence, did not sub­mit himselfe vnto discipline, the holy man, even then, beholding the same in spirit [...]e: called one of the brethren and saied vnto him, Brother, I haue seene the Diuell sitting vppon the backe of that disobedient brother, & him, straitly to hold his neck: who being spurred on wardes by such a rider, and contemning the raines of obedience, did follow the sway, of his owne violent motion. And when I did pray vnto God; for the brother, sodeinely the Diuell, with shame, departed. Goe therefore, and say vnto him, that he doe forth­with submit his nock vnto the yoke of holy obe­dience. He therefore being by the Messenger ad­monished, and presently converted vnto God, did humbly prostrate himselfe, at the Vicats fete.

Another time also it chaunced that two of the brethren came from a farre of to the Ermitage of Grecium to see the man of God, and to returne with his benediction, which they had now long time desired. But comming thither, and not fin­ding him, because he was then returned from pu­blique [Page 127]place to be solitary in his Cell: they de­parted away, pensiue and desolate. And see euen as they were in going, the holy man, whereas according to humane vnderstanding, he coulde haue no knowledg either of their goeing or com­ming, yet neverthelesse contrary to his vsual man­ner, came out of his Cell, and calling aloude after them, according to their desire, did blesse them with the figne of the Crosse in the name of Christ. Ther came two brethrē vpon a time from the lād of labour: whereof the auncentier brother gaue soundry scandals vnto the yonger. But when the were both come to the Father, he asked of the yonger, how the brother his companion had be­haved himselfe towards him in the way. Who an­swearing surely, well enough. The Father re­plied. Beware brother, least vnder the pretence of humility, you make a lie: for I know, I know, but marke a while, and you shall see. The bro­ther marveiled very much, how he, by force of the spiritte, could haue knowledg of things that were donne so farre from him. But within fewe daies after, that other brother, who had given the scandall vnto him, not having asked pardon of the Father, nor yet having receaved due disci­pline for the same, seting nought by his Order, did forsake his covent. In whose fall and ruine, two things are at once to be considered: namly the vp­rightnesse of Gods divine iustice, and the singuler perspicuity of his propheticall spiritte. But in what manner of wise: by force of Gods mighty power he did exhibite himselfe present vnto them [Page 129]that were absent from him, it is evidently to be seene out of the things before recited: if it be well recalled to minde, how he being absent from the brethren, neverthelesse appeare vnto them, trans­figured in a fiery Chariotte; and how also he pre­sented himself vnto them, in the forme of a Crosse at the Chapter of Alres. The which we ought to belieue to be donne by Gods heavenly disposition that by the marveilouse apparition, of his bodily presence it might manifestly appeare, how present and ready at hand his spiritte was vnto the light of externall wisedome, which is more moveable then all moveable things, Sap 7.24.and reaching every wheare, by her o Wne puritie, doth transfuse herself through nations into holy soules, Mat. 11.25 Psal 70.16 Mat 16.17and ordain [...]th the frends and prophetts of God. For the most bigh and superexcellent Doctor, is accustomed to discover his hidden misteries vnto simple persons and litle ones according as first it appeared in David, that finguler Prophert, and afterwards, in the prince of the Apostles, S. Peter, and now at length, in the poore litle one of Christ Saint Francis. For these whereas they were but simple according to the course of humane lear­ning, wereby the instruction of the holy Ghoste, made right excellēt & renowned, The on; a Shep­heard: to feede the flock, of the Sinagogue, ledde out of Egipt: The other a Fisher, to replenish the net of the Church, with the manifold numbers of believers: And this last a Marchant adventurer, to buy the pearle of Evangelicall life, with the sale and distribution, of all that he had; for the loue of Christ.

THE TWELFETH CHAPTER. Of the efficac [...] of his preaching: and of his gifte in Curing.

THE right loyall seruaunte, and faithfull mi­nister of Christe, Sainct Francis, to the end he might both faithfully and perfectly, accomplish all the things committed vnto him, did most espe­cially addict himself, vnto those exercises of vertue which by revelation of the holy spiritte, he knewe to be most pleasing to his beloved Lorde. Vpon occasion whereof, it chaunced him to fall, into a greate agonie of a certaine kind of doubtfulnesse: which for many daies together, at his returne from prayer, he did purpose vnto his familiar brethrene, to be by them determined. What councel, said he, doe ye giue vnto me my brethrene? What doe ye commende vnto me? Whither that I should attend vnto prayer, or trauel abroad to preache For I, litle one that I am beinge simple and rude of speache, haue receaued at Gods hands a greater grace, in praying, than in speaking. There seemeth also, in prayer to be a gaine, and heaping vp of graces, but in preaching, a certaine kind of distribution of the gifts from heauen receaued: in prayer a gaine, ap­peareth to be a purifiyng of the inward affections and an vniting of them, vnto the one, true & chie­fest good, together with a strengthening of vertue but in preaching a bedusting of the spiritual feete, a distraction about many things, and a slackening [Page 130]In prayer breiflly, we speake vnto God, and therin also we heare him, and leading as it were an Ange­licall life, we doe converse among Angells: wheras in preaching, we must condiscend in many things vnto men, and liuing according vnto humane cu­stome among them, we must thinke vpon humane things, we must see them, speake of them, & heare them. But one thing is yet to be saied, on the con­trarie parte, which seemeth to ouer ballance all these things, before the face of God: namely that the only begotten sonne of God, who is the very height of wisedome it self, did come downe from his Fathers bosome, for the salvation of soules, that instructing the world, by his owne example, he might preache the worde of salvation, vnto men whom he was to redeeme, with the price, to cleanse, with the lauer, and to sustaine, with the Cup, of his most holy and sacred blood, not reser­ving any thing vnto himselfe, which he did not li­berally bestowe for our salvation. And cōsidering that we ought to doe all things, according to the patterne of those things which we see in him, as it were vpon a hight and loftie hill: it seemeth more pleasing to God, that intermitting the course of rest, I should goe for the vnto labour. And hauing in this manner, conferred with his brethrene for many daies together, he could not certainely dis­cerne, whether of these courses, was rather to be taken, as being indeed, more truly acceptable vn­to Christe. For though, by the spiritte of prophe­cye, he did knowe wonderfull things, yet of him­self, he was not able clearely to resolve this que­stion; [Page]the singular providence of God in [...] manner of wise, disposing, that both the meritte of preaching, should be manifested, by an Oracle, from above, and that the humility of the servante of christ, should also be preserued. This true Minor who had learnt great things of the most excellent Maister, was not ashamed to aske litle things, of them that were indeed, lesser than himself. For he was alwaies accustomed with especiall diligence to enquire, by what way and by what manner of meane, he might more perfectly serve God, accor­ding vnto his good will and pleasure. This was his chiefest philosophy, this was his chiefest desire, so long as he lived: to learne of the wise, and of the simple, of the perfect and of the vnperfect, of litle ones, and of aged persons, how he might be able, more efficaciously to aspire, vnto the very topp of perfection.

Calling therfore vnto him, two of his brethren he sent them to brother Siluester, who had before time seene the Crosse issueing forth of his mouth, & did even nowe, continually attend vnto prayer, vpō the hill aboue Assisium: requiring him to seeke Gods diuine answeare concerning this doubt, and accordingly to send word, vnto him. In like māner also, he gave in charge, to the holy virgin S. Clare, that by someone of the purest and simplest virgins living vnder her discipline, she her self also praying; with the rest of her Sisters, should vpon this pointe, desire to knowe the will of our Lord. And marveilously doubtlesse, by the revelation of Gods heavenly spiritte, did this venerable Preist, [Page 133]and the consecrated virgin, agree in one: namely that it was the blessed will and pleasure of God, that the messenger of Christe should goe forthe, to preache. And so accordingly, the holy man, ha­uing, at the returne of the brethren, by them re­ceaved the will of our Lord, in suche wise as had binne related vnto them, did forth with addresse himself, and without any manner of delay, did vn­dertake his iorney. But with so great a fervour they went, to accomplishe Gods diuine comman­dement, yea and so speedily did he runne a long, as if (the hand of our Lorde beinge newly made vpon him) he had euen then put on a newe vertue from heauen.

And as he did in this sorte drawe night to Beua­nium, he came vnto a certaine place, wherein was assembled, an exceeding greate multitude of birdes. of diuers sorts. Which, when the holy man of God had espied; he ranne chearefully vnto the place, and did also salute them, as if they had binne partakers of reason. But as they stoode all expe­cting, and turning themselues vnto him, so that those which were euen in the low shrubes, bow­ing downe their heads, as he approached vnto them, did afteran vnwonted manner looke and gaze vpon him, he came euen very close, vnto them: and seriously admonished them all, to heare the worde of God. Saying, yea birdes, my bre­threne, you are much bounde to praise your crea­tor, whoe hath clothed you with feathers, & hath given you wings to flie, who hath graunted vnto you the purity of the aire, and doth governe you [Page 134]without your owne care and trouble. And when he had spoken to this and the like effect, the litle birdes, after a marveilouse manner, reioycing, be­ganne to stretch out their neckes, to spread a­broad ther wings, to open their bills, and to looke attentively vpon him. But he passing through the middest of them, with a wonderfull fervour of spi­ritte, although he touched them with his coate, yet did not one of them all stirre forth of the place vntill such time as the man of God hauing made the signe of the Crosse vpon them, and giuen them leaue to departe with his benediction also recei­ued, they all flewe away together. All these things were seene of his companions, that staied for him in the way. Vnto whom the pure and simple man returning, beganne (for that he had not before this time, preached vnto the birdes) to reproue himself, of an ouersighte, and negligence.

And afterwards at he went a long, preaching in the places, adioyning he came to a certaine towne called Aluianum: where hauing gathered the peo­ple together, and silence being also enioyned he could yet scantly be heard, by reason of a nūber of swallowes then building their nests, and making a marvoilouse chattering noyse, in the place. Vnto them therfore, the man of God spake, in the hea­ring of them all: Saying, yea swallowes my sisters, it is nowe time, that I also doe speake: for that you haue spoken enough already. Harken nowe ther­fore vnto the worde of God, and keepe silence, vntill the same be ended. But they as though they had binne capable of vnderstanding; did so deinely [Page 134]cease their noise: and moved not out of the place, vntill the whole Sermon was at an end wher vpon all that were present, and did beholde the same, being filled with wonder and admiration, did glo­rifie God therein. The fame of this miracle, being spreade abroade on every side, did kindle in many the devotion of faith; and a reverence also, to this holy Saint.

For in the Cittie of PARIS, a certaine scholer of good towardlinesse, attending diligently vnto study, among other his companiens, & being mo­lested with the tedious and vnseasonable noise of a certaine swallowe, beganne to say vnto those his companions; This swallowe, doubtlesse is one of them, which troubled holy Francis the man of God, one time, in his Sermon, vntill he had put them to silence. And turning himself to the swallowe; he confidently said, vnto her, in the name of Francis, the seruante of God, I commaunde thee, that pre­sently thou come vnto me, and hold thy peace. But shee so soone as she heard the name of Saint Fran­cis, being as it were instructed, by the precepts of the man of God, did both incontinently, cease her noyse, and did also, readily committe her selfe vnto his hande, as to a sure and safe custodie. Whereat the scholler, being muche astonished, restored her forth with to libertie, and heard no more of her chattering.

Another time also, when the seruaunte of God preached at Caieta; vpon the sea shore, and the peo­ple thronged vpon him for very deuotion to touche him; the seruant of Christe, loathing so [Page]great applause of the people, leaped himself [...] into a litle sheep, that was nigh to the shore side. But the shippe, as if it had binne some reasonable creature, and had binne with an inward director; did without the help of any guide or Marrmer in the sight of them all, and to the greate admira­tion of every one: withdraw it selfe, a prety way from the land. And being now launched out (as it were) some reasonable space, into the dept of the sea, there stoode the shippe vnmoveable amiddest the waues, meanewhile that the holy man, preached vnto the people that stood expe­cting vpon the shore. But the Sermon being en­ded, when the multitude, that had seene this Miracle, was with his benediction departed, that they might now, no further molest him, the ship of it selfe, returned back to the land. Who is there therefore, of so obstinate and impious a minde, as to contemne the preaching, of holy Saint Fran­cis: by whose wonderfull vertue, it came to passe that not only creatures vnreasonable, should frō him receaue instruction, but also, that bodies devoide of life, should serue him in his preaching as thoughe they had bin with life endewed.

And evermore doubtlesse, was present with this his setvant Saint Francis, in all his enterprises, he who had annointed, and sent him, the spirit of our Lord, and the very power, and wisedome of God Christ himselfe: to the ende he might o­verflowe, with wordes of wholesome doctrine and might illustriously shine, with miracles of mighty power. For his speach was as a burning [Page 136]penetrating the most secrette parts of the hart, & filling the mindes of all men, with admiration: in that they pretended no florish, of humane in ven­tion, but sweetely savoured of the odoriferouse blasts, of divine revelation. For being one time to preach before the Pope, and his Cardinalls, by the procurement of the Lord Cardinall of Hostia and having then cōmitted to memory, a certaine sermon by himself studiously composed; see whē as he stoode, in the presence of that assembly, to propose vnto them the wordes of edification, he had so cleane forgotten, the whole; that he was not able to vtter, any word at all But having dis­covered the same, by humble acknowledgement of the truth: and so betaken himself to invocate the grace of the boly Ghost, he beganne sodeinly to abounde with so effectuall words, and with so poverful a force, to moue the minds of those great men, to compunction, that it was manifestly to be discerned, that not he himself, but the spirit of our Lord, This is the best man­ner of lear­ning when a man doth not only exhorte therwith words but alsa with example. did speake within him. And for as much as, he had in real action, alredy perswaded himself vn to that, whervnto in words, he perswaded others he therefore, without feare of any reproover, did confidently preach the truth. For he had no skil merly to touche the faults of any, but to searche them even downe to the bottome: nor yet coulde he smothe vp the liues of sinners, but strike them home, with a sharpe rebuke. And with the same Constancy of minde, he spake vnto greate per­sonnages, and others of lesse accounte: as also with like alacrity and ioye of spirite, he did spake [Page]vnto many, and vnto few. Every age, and eve­ry sex, made hast to heare, and see, this new man, given from heauen, vnto the world. But he him­selfe, going through divers Countries, did preach with great fervour and zeale: Our Lord working withall, Marke. 16.20.and confirming the worde with signes that fol­lowed. For in the force of his name, this preacher of the truth Saint Francis, did cast our Divels, did heale the sicke, and which is more, did by the efficacy of his speache, mollifie the mindes of the obstinate, vnto pennance, as also he restored health, both to their soules, and bodies, as some of his workes, do well approue, which shall be for example sake, now presently, specified.

In the Cittty of Tuscanella, being devoutly in­tertained of a certaine souldier, and by him ear­nestly requested to heale his sonne, who had ben contracted in his members ever from his natiui­ty, he lifting him vp by the hande, did sodeinely, so restore him to health againe, that in the sight of all men: all the parts of his body, were forth­with made sounde, and the youth himselfe being now perfectly whole and strong, presently rose. vp, walking, leaping and praising God. S. Franc is with the signe of the Crosse re­storeth one sicke of the paulsey to his for­mer health

So also in the Citty of Narnium, at the instancy of the Bishoppe, making the signe of the Crosse, from the heade to the foote, vpon one that being sicke of the palsey, was destitute of the vse of all his members, he thereby restored him to per­fect health.

In the Bishoppricke of Reate, a certaine boy, who had binne so marveilously swollen in his bo­dy, [Page 138]ever since he was but fower years of age, that by no meanes he could see his owne thighs, being by his Mother, with teares presented vnto the holy man, so soone as he had touched him with his handes, With the [...]me signe [...] doth [...]ll soe help a boy. was presently whole and well.

At the Cittie of Orta, there was another boy whose body was so drawen togeather in a com­passe, that be bare his heade with his feete, besids that sundry of his bones were also broken: but being at the lamentable praier of his patents, by him, signed with the signe of the Crosse, he was sodeinely stretched our to length, and forthwith wholy delivered. With the signe of the Crosse also he health a woman which had her hand withered.

A certaine woman of Eugubium, having both her hands so shrunke together and withered, that with them shee could doe no manner of worke, by his making the signe of the Crosse vpon her, in our Lord his name, was presently brought to soe perfect vse of them, that returning home by and by, shee like another Saint Peters, mother in law, did with her owne hands prepare victualles, to Minister vnto him, and his poore brethren.

He also restored fight, With the same sign he also restored sight to the blind. vnto a certaine blinde girlde, in the Castle of Me'vantum; by annointing her eies thrice with his owne spittle, in the name of the Trinity,

Likewise a certaine woman of the Citty of Nar nium, being stricken with blindnesse, receaving from him the signe of the Crosse, recovered ther­by her desired sight.

Againe at Bononia, therewas a boy, whoe having one of his eies so blenished, that he could [Page 139]neither see any thing therwith, nor yet could be holpen by any remedy: yet when the servant of our Lorde had made vpon him, the signe of the Crosse from the heade to the foote, did thereby recover, so cleare a sight; that entring afterwards into the Order: of the Friers Minors: he affirmed himselfe, to see more clearely of the eye, that had bine before blemished: than of the other, which was alwaies, sounde.

In the towne of Saint Geminianus the seruant of God, being entertained, He ex­pelleth a­way the Diuell with a praier. of acertain devoute man, whole wife was vexed with a Divell, af­ter praier first made; commaunded the Divell in the vertue of obedience to departe: and by the power of God did so sodeinely chace him away, that thereby it did manifestely appeare; that a­gainst the forcible power of holyobedience, the very perversenesse of the Divells, could not make resistance.

In the Cittie of Castellum, a raging and wicked spiritte, obsessing a certaine woman having, frō the holy man, receaved the commaundement of obedience: departed with great fury and indig­nation: leaving the woman, that was before, obsessed: nowe holy free, both in minde, and bodie.

One also of the bretheren, was afflicted with such an horrible infirmity, that it was by many affirmed, rather to be some vexation of the di­vel, than any naturall kinde of disease. For oftē ­times he was cast vppon the grounde, and there tumbled vp and downe, foming at the mouthe: [Page 140]having the members of his body, sometimes contracted, sometimes drawen out at length: sometimes folded together, sometimes writhed awrie, sometimes made stiffe and hardened. And sundrie tymes, being stretchred out along, vntil he weare stiffe: and having also his feete equall with his heads he was lifted vp alofte, with ine­vitable daunger in horrible manner, presently to fall downe, to the grounde againe. Vpon whom thus miserably and incureably diseased, the ser­vant of Christ, who was full of pitty, taking es­peciall commiseration sent vnto him, a morsell of the bread, whereof himselfe did eate. But the taste of that bread, was of soe effectualle strength vnto that distressed man; that from thence fore­warde, he felt no more trouble of that disease.

In the County of Aretium a certaine, woman having binne for many daies togeather, in labour of childbirthe: so that shee was even now in mā ­ner deade, and wholy dispairing of all other re­medie, saue only of God, and the servant of Christ euen then passing through those partes on horse­backe, by reason of somme infirmity, in his bo­dy, it chaunced that the horse was brought back againe, through the same village, where this mi­serable woman was in such pittiful wise tormen­ted. But the men of that place, seeing the horse whervpon the holy man had sitten, pulled of the bridle, to lay it vppon the woman. At the mar­veilouse touche whereof, the woman without all daunger broughte forthe here childe with safetie.

A certaine man of Castrum plebis, one that was very religiouse and feared God, had with him a Corde, where with the holy Father had binne girded. And when a great number both of men and women inhabiting in that place, was trou­bled, with divers infirmities, he went through the houses, of them that were sicke, and dipping the Corde into water, did giue vnto the sicke folkes therof to drinke. And so by this meanes, many persons, were recovered. As also, in like manner, many diseased persons, tasting of the loaues of bread, which the holy man, had tou­ched; did by the operation, of Gods divine pow­er, speedily obtaine the recovery of their health. Considering that with these, & many other pro­digiouse miracles, the messenger of Christ, was in his preaching, enobled: men gaue heedefull atten­tiōvnto his words, as if the very Angel of our Lord, had spoken. For whereas there excelled in him, he prerogatiue of vertues, the spiritte of prophe­cy, the efficacy of miracles, the Oracle of his prea­ching, given from heauen, the obedience of crea­tures, deyoide of reason: the vehement alteration of mens harts, at the hearing of his wordes, the instruction, which he had from the holy-Ghoste aboue humane learning, the authority of prea­ching, graunted vnto uim by the Pope, notwith­out divine revelation: and furthermore the con­firmatiō of his Rule (by the same Vicar of Christ) wherein the forme of his preaching is expressed, as also the signes of the most high King, in man­ner of a seale imprinted in his body, all these [Page 142]thinges, as tenne singular testimonies, doe vn­doubtedly manifest, vnto the whole world: that the Preacher of Christ, Saint Francis; was both venerable in office, and autenticall in doctrine, as also admirable in holinesse: and did therefore as the messenger of God indeed: preache the Go­spell of Christ.

THE THIRTENTH CHAPTER. Of his holy Stigmattes.

THIS Angelicall man Sainct Francis, Genes. 28.12. was ne­uer accoustomed to be idle, from doeing good but rather like to the heauenly spiritts, in Iacobs ladder, he did, either ascend, vnto God, or descend vnto his neighbour. For, the time which was graunted vnto him, for his meritte, he had learnte, so prudētly to devide, that some parte, he did with great labour bestowe vpon the commoditie of his neighbour: & the rest, he did dedicate, to the quiet aboundance of contemplation. And therefore, when, according to the necessitie of place and time he had condescended to procure the salvation, of other men, withdrawing himselfe, from the dis­quietnesse, of the multitudes; he betooke himself, to some secrette parte, of the wildernesse, & place of rest: that, attending there more freely, vnto the service of God; if any dust had cleaved vnto him, by meane of humane conversation, he might so shake it of againe. Two yeares, therefore, before he rendred vp his soule, to heauen; he was by di­rection [Page 143]of Gods divine, providence, after many la­bours, broughte, into a highe place aparte, which is called the Mounte of Aluerna. And whiles he did in that place, according to his wonted manner, be­ginne to fast the lent, which he obserued in honor of S. Michael the Archangell, enioieing then, the sweetnesse of divine contemplation, more aboun­dantly, than he had binne a foretime, accustomed, and being set on fire, with a more burning flame, of heauenly desires, he beganne, yet in a more a­boundant measure, to feele the good guifts of God sent downe from heauen vpon him. And he verely was indeed carried vp aloft, how be [...]t not as a cu­rious searcher, of the Maiesty of God, soe to be op­pressed with his glory: but as a faithfull and pru­dent servaunte, seeking out the good pleasure of God, where vnto, he did most earnestly desire, by all manner of meanes, to conforme himselfe. And therefore it was, by the Oracle of God inspired into his minde, that in the opening of the booke of the Ghospell, Christ would vouchsafe, to reueale, vnto him, what should be most acceptable vnto God, in him, and concerning him. Hauing therfore, formerly be taken himselfe to prayer, with much devotion, he caused, the booke of the holy Ghos­pells, to be taken of from the Aultar, and the same, in the name of the holy Trinitie, to be opened by his companion, who also was a man of great devo­tion and holinesse. And considering that notwith­standing the same booke, was three times opened, yet did he alwaies light vpon the Passion of our Lorde, he therefore being ful of Gods holy spiritte [Page 144]did well vnderstand, that as he had imitated Christ in the actions of his life, so ought he before his departure out of this world, to be conformable vnto him, in the afflictions and dolours of his Pa [...] ­sion. And albeit that by reason of the continuall austeritie, of his life formerly past, and of his conti­nuall bearing our Lorde his Crosse, he was nowe but weake of bodie, yet was he nothing terrified therewithall: but was more forcibly animated, to the sustaining of martirdome. For the insuperable burning loue of good Iesus, had encreased within him, to lampes of fire and flames: soe that many waters were notable to quenche his soe prevalent Charitie.

Being therefore with the Seraphicall fervour of desires borne vp alofte into God, and by the sweet­nesse of compassion, transformed into him, who of his surpassing charitie, would vouch safe to be cru­cified; one morning about the Feast of the Exalta­tion of the holy Crosse, while he did pray vpon the side of the hill, he sawe a Seraphin, with six wings all fierie and full of gloriouse light, descen­ding downe from the toppe of the heauens. And as he came with a swifte flighte, to that place of the aire which was neare to the man of God, there appeared betweene his wings, the forme of a man crucified, hauing his handes and feete stretcht out, in manner of a Crosse, and fastened also, vnto a Crosse. Two of his wings were lifted vp, aboue his heade, two were streeched forth, to flie; and two, did couer, his whole body. At the beholding wher­of he was exceedingly amazed: and there entred [Page 145]his hatte, a loy, mingled with sorrowe. For he re­ioyced in that gracious aspect, whereby he percea­ued himselfe to be beholden of Christ, vnder the forme of a Seraphim: but, the fastening to the Crosse, did peirce through his soule, with a sworde of compassionate greife. He marveilously wondred in the aspect of soe strange & rare a vision: know­ing well that the infirmitie of Passion, could by no meanes agree, with the immortalitie of a Seraphi­call spiritte. But in the end he herehence percea­ued, our Lord reuealing the same vnto him, that therefore this manner of vision, was by the provi­dence of God, in suche manner of wise, presented vnto his veiwe, that he the friend of Christ might thereby forknow, that he was wholy to be trans­formed, into the likenesse of Christ crucified, not by the martir dome of his flesh, but by the burning inflammation of his minde.

The vision therefore, disappearing, did leaue be­hinde, a wounderfull heate, in his harte: and a no lesse wonderfull impression of signes, in his flesh. For presently there beganne to appeare in his hāds and feete, the signes of nailes, euen in such manner as a litle before he had seene them, in the likenesse of the crucified man. For his hands and feete see­med to be in the very middest, peirced with nailes: the heades of them nailes appearing, in the inner parte of his handes, and the outer parte of his feete but the pointes of them, on the contrary sides. And the heades of the nailes, in his hands & feete, were rounde and blacke: but the pointes were some­what long and wreathed, and as it were clinched: [Page 146]which rising vppe, out of the very flesh, did sticke out higher than the rest of the flesh. His righte side also, as being pearced through with a speare, was couered ouer with a redde skarre: which of­tentimes, casting out holy bloud: did besprincle, his coate and breeches therewithall.

But the servante of Christ perceauing that those markes so plainely imprinted in his flesh could not to be hidden from his familiar companions; and fearing neverthelesse, to publishe the secrette of our Lord, was in a greate agony and doubt of minde, whether he should vtter or conceale the vi­sion which had binne shewed vnto him. Wherfore he called together some of the brethren, & speak­ing vnto them in generall tearmes, he proposed his doubt before them, and required their councel and advise therein. At what time one of the bre­thren: Illuminatus by name, a man also singularly il­luminated by grace from heauen, perceiuing that he had seene some wonderfull things, by reason that he seemed to be very greately astonished, did speake in this wise vnto the holy man: Brother, knowe it for certaine that it is not only for your selfe, but also for others, that the divine mysteries of God, are sometime shewen vnto you. Where­fore you haue iust cause to feare, least if you shall conceale the thing which you haue receaved for the profitte and behoofe of many, you be there­vpon adiudged reprehensible for the hidden Tal­lent. Mat. 25.26. Esay. 24.16. At whose wordes, the holy man, being greatly moved, albeit that at other times he was wont to say; My secrette vnto my selfe; did yet nowe at this time [Page 147]with much feare relate the historie of the foresaied vision: adding also therevnto that he who had ap­peared vnto him, had told him some things which he would neuer open vnto any man, so long as he should liue. And we may very wel beleiue that the wordes of that holy Seraphin, soe admirably appea­ring in the Crosse, were soe misticall and secrette, that haply it was not lawfull to vtter them vnto men.

And nowe after that the true loue of Christ, had transformed this his lover into the same Image with himself; having accomplished his forty daies fast in the desert according to his determination; and the solemne feast of S. Michael the Archangell being no we approached; the Angelical man S. Fran­cis came downe from the mountaine, bearing with him the forme of the crucified; howebeit not figu­red, in tables either of wood or stone, by the hand of the Craftesman; but expressed in his fleshly members, by the finger of the living God. And be­cause, It is good to hide the secrette of the Kinge: Tob. 12.7. this holy man therefore being privie of the Kings secrette Councell, did apply all his best endeauour, to hide those sacred marks. But because it is the worke of God, for his owne glories sake, to manifest the things which he doth, our Lord therefore himself, who had secrettely imprinted the marks, did open­ly shewe certaine miracles by meane of them: that the hidden and marveilouse force of those stigmats might manifestly appeare, by the evident testimony of signes and wonders.

For in the Prouince of Reate, there raigned a very [Page 148]greivous plague: which did soe cruelly consume all the sheepe and Oxen, that no manner of remedie could be applied vnto them. But behold, a certaine devout man that feared God, was by vision in the night time admonished, hastily to goe vnto the Er­mitage of the brethren: and that taking the water, wherein the servaunte of God Saint Francis (who then remained in that place) had washed his hands and feete; he should sprinckle the same vpon al the beasts. Rising therefore earely in the morning, he came to the place: & having prively obtained this water by meane of the companions of the holy man, he sprincled the sicke sheepe and Oxen, ther­withall. Nowe see the wonder. As soone as the sprinckling had in any small quantitie once tou­ched the beasts, that lay before languishing vpon the ground, they presently rose vp, as hauing nowe perfectly recouered their wonted strength: and ha­stily went, vnto their feede and pasture: as thought they had felt no harme at all. Whereby it came to passe, that by the admirable vertue of that water, which had but touched those sacred woundes, all manner of plague, did vtterly cease, & the pestilent disease, was driven quite away, from the flocks.

About the foresaid mountaine of Aluerna, be­fore such time as the holy man, did make his a­boade in that place, by reason of a cloude, that rose out of the very mountaine, it selfe: a violent tempest of haile, did customably distroy the fruits of the earth; but after that happy apparition, not without the great wonder of all the inhabitants, the haile did cease. So that by the very face of hea­nen, [Page 149]nowe marveilously cleared contrarie to com­mon custome, bot [...] the excellency, of that heauen­ly vision, and the efficacie of the stigmats, in that place imprinted, was sufficiently tessified and de­clared.

It chaunced also once, in the winter time, that being, in regard of the weakenesse of his owne bo­dy, and of the asperousnesse also of the waies, car­ried vpon a certaine poore mans Asse, he was infor­ced to lodge all night vnder the edge of a certaine out bending rocke: whereby he might in some sorte avoied the inconveniences of the snowe and night which came in such manner of wise vpon him, that he could not reache to the place appoin­ted for his lodging. But the holy man in the meane while perceaving, that the other poore man did murmure & (as it were) complaine, by his groanes, & tossing himselfe on either side, as one who having but smal & slender couering, could scarce­ly take any rest for the extreame bitternesse of the cold: and being enkindled with the fervour of divine loue, did streech out his hand and touche the man. Marveilouse doubtlesse was the effect thereof. For presently at the touche of that holy hande, which bare in it selfe the burning heate of the Seraphicall stone, all manner of cold, being quite expelled, there came such an heate vpon the poore man, both inwardly & with out, as if a flame of fire, from with in a furnace, had breathed out vpon him. For presently being comforted both in minde and in body, he slept more sweetely among the stones and the snowe, vntill the morning, than [Page 150]euer he had rested in his owne bed: as ne himselfe afterwards did affirme. Wherefore it is manifest by most certaine tokens, that those holy signes were imprinted by his vertue and power, whoe by a Se­raphicall operation, doth purge, illuminate, and in flame, seeing that these signes did both purge from the plague, and with wonderfull efficacie conferre healthe, clearenesse, and heate vpon bodies; as also after his death it was demōstrated by most evident miracles, which heareafter we will set downe in their due place.

And though he endeavoured withall his dili­gence, to hide the treasure which he had found in the feilde; yet could it not be soe concealed, but that some did perceaue and see, the holy marks of his hands and feete: notwithstanding that he did (in manner continually) carry his handes covered, and did also, from that time forwarde, weare shoes vpon his feete. For they were seene euen in his life time, by sundrie of his brethren: whoe albeit that for their singuler holinesse, they were in all res­pects very worthy to be believed; yet vtterly to re­moue all scruple and doubt, laieing their handes vpon the holy Ghospels, they did by solemne oathe avowe, that soe it was, and that they themselues had seene them. Some of the Cardinalls also, by reason of the familiaritie which they had with the holy man, did in like manner see those sacred stig­mats: the praises whereof they haue truly inserted into Proases Himnes, and Anthemes which they haue ser forth in his honor: whoe as wel by worde, as by writing; haue given testimony vnto the [Page 151]truth. The chiefe Pastor also himself. Pope Alex­ander, preaching once vnto the people before ma­ny of the brethren, my selfe also being then pre­sent; did affirme that he had with his owne eies seene those holy stigmats, while the Sainte was yet aliue. And at the time of his death, they were seene and beheld, by more than fiftie of the brethren; by the most devout Virgin S. Clare, together with the rest of her sisters; and by secular parsons not to be numbred. Amōgst whom, many (as shal be shewed in place convenient) haue both kissed them, for de­votion, and haue touched them with their handes, for confitmation of their restimony.

But the wounde of his side, he covered with so greate carefulnesse that whilst he liued, no man could come, but by stealth, to see it. For one of the brethren, whoe was woont diligently to minister vnto him, hauing out of a Godly kinde of care, vpon a time perswaded him to put of his coate, to the end it might be made cleane, watching heede­fully with his eye, did see the wounde: wherevnto also speedily applieng three of his fingers, he did aswell by sighte as by feeling, discerne the quātity thereof. And by the like manner of heedefulnesse did that brother also see it, whoe was at that time his Vicar. But the brother that was his companion a man verely of marveilouse simplicitie, meane while that he touched his shoulders, which were fainte and weake, by reason of some infirmity, put­ting his hand by his hood, and lefting it by chance to fall vpon the wounde, did put him to greate paine thereby. Wherefore after that time, he had [Page 152]his breeches so made, that they reached vp to his arme pitts, to cover the wound of his side But the brethren who, for the time being, did wash the breeches, or had his coate to make cleane, because they founde the same to be made red with blood, did vndoubtedly, by that evident signe, come to the knowledg of that sacred wounde: which after­wards when he was dead, they with many others besides, did in open viewe behold and reuerence.

Nowe therefore thou most hardy warriour of Christ, beare thou the weapons, of thy most invin­sible Captaine: where with being defended & ador­ned, thou shalt overcome all thine adverfaries. Beare thou the standard of the highest King: Galat. 6.17. at the sight whereof, all the souldiers of the Armie of God, may be encouraged Be are thou also the seale of the chiefe Bishoppe, Christ himselfe: whereby thy wordes and deedes, may worthely be of all men accepted, as irriprehensible, and full of autho­ritie. For nowe, because of the Stigmats of our Lord Iesus, which thou bearest in thy body, no man ought to be molestfull vnto thee: but rather everie servaunte of Christ, is bounde to be devout towards thee withal affection. Now by these most evident signes, approved not vnto two or three wittenesses, for sufficiēcy; but vnto very many, for superabundance; the testimonies of God, being in thee, & by thee, made to to much to be beleiued, doe take away from Infidells, all vaile and colour of excuse: meane while that by them, the beleivers are in faith established: by the confidence of hope borne vp alofte, and with the fier of Charitie, in­flamed. [Page 153]Nowe is in thee truly accomplished, the first vision which thou diddest see: namely, that being to be a Captaine generall, in the warfare of Christ; thou oughtest (as with fignes of thine of­fice) to be adorned with heavenly weapons, & with the signe of the Crosse. Nowe the vision of the Crucifixe, which thou did dest see in the begin­ning of thy conversion, striking thee through the harte, with the sworde of compassionate griefe; & the hearing also of the voice from the Crosse, pro­ceeding as it were from the high Throane, and se­crette Propitiatorie of Christ (according as thou hast affirmed by thy sacred speach) are vndoubted­ly belleued, to haue binne most true and certaine. Nowe is it verely belieued and avowed, that the Crosse which (in the progresse of thy conversion) brother Siluester did see, in marveilouse manner proceeding out of thy mouth; & that the swordes, striking through thy bowells, in the forme of a Crosse, which holy Pacificus did see: and that thy being lifted vp into the aire, in the manner also of a Crosse, when blessed Anthony did preach of the title of the Crosse, according as was shewen, to the Angelicall man Monaldus, were not things of fantasticall vision, but of heavenly revelation. And nowe towards the end, whereas at once is shewen vnto thee, both the highe and loftie similitude of a Seraphin, & the humble forme of him that was cru­cified, inwardly inflaming thee, and outwardly lea­ving his marcks vpon thee: that like as another An­gell ascending from the rising of the sunne, thou mightst haue in thy selfe the signe of the living [Page 154]God, it doth not only giue vnto the former visions firme cause of creditte and beliefe: but receaveth also from them, vndoubted testimony of the truth. Behold nowe, in seaven apparitions of the Crosse of Christ (in thēe and about thee) according to the order and courte of times marveilously exhibited and shewen, thou art as it were by sixe degrees, nowe happily come vnto this seauenth, wherein thou makest thy final rest & aboade. For the Crosse of Christ, being in the very first beginning of thy conversion, aswell proposed vnto thee, as on thy parte also assumed, and being from thence forth, in the whole progresse of thy conversation, by thee carried, throught the course of a most approved life, as remaining in thy selfe continually, & being demonstrated vnto others, for matter of example, doth by so evident a clearenesse of certaine know­ledg, discover thee to haue accomplished the very height of Evangelicall persection: that this soe rat [...] a demonstration of Christian wisedome, figured in the dust of thy fleshe, no man that is trnly devour, may set at naught, no man that is truly faithfull, may with stand, no man that is truly humble, may lightly regard, because it is verely & truly shewen, by God himselfe from heauen; and is well worthy, of all good acceptation.

THE FOVRTENTH CHAPTER. Of his Patience: and Deathe.

NOvv blessed Saint Francis, being together with Christ wholy fastened vnto the Crosse, [Page 155]aswell in flesh as in spiritte, did not only burne with a Seraphicall loue towardes: God, but did also with Christ crucified, thirst after the salvation of many. And because he was not able to goe, in re­gard of the nailes growing and increasing in his feete, he therefore caused his overworne and de­caied bodie, to be carried about through Crtties, and Townes: that soe he might incourage others, to carry the Crosse of Christ. And to his brethren, he would say: Let vs nowe brginne, my brethren, to serue our Lord God: because hitherto we haue donne but litle good. And nowe he was inflamed, with a great de­sire of minde, to returne vnto his first grounde workes, of humility; as namely to minister vnto the Leapers, according as in the beginning, he had binne wont to doe: and though his feeble bodie, were wholy spent and consumed with labour; yet neverthelesse, to recall it, vnto the former servi­tude. For he purposed, vnder the Conduct and help of Christ, to doe great matters: and bearing within his overwearied members, a spiritte of great fer­vour and fortitude; he was in hope by a new con­flict to t [...]iumphe over his enemy. For it is no waise possible, that either slouth or feeblenesse should there haue any place, where the prick of loue, doth vrge and provoke evermore vnto greater things. But he had in his fles he, [...]oe great a concorde, vnto his spiritte, and so great a pomprnesse also, of obe­dience, there vnto: that where as be did wholy bend himselfe, to aspire vnto all manner of holinesse: yet did the fleshe, not only make no resistance, but did [...]nd eavour, to out goe the spiritte.

And that the man of God, might gaine a more a­bundant treasure, and heape, of merittes, al which are verely and truly consummated, in the vertue of Patience, he beganne to be soe heavily laden, with many sortes of infirmities, that hardly did there re­maine any parte of his bodie, that was free from the violence of some disease. In so much that, through sundrie, long and continuall sicknesses, he was finally brought to that passe, that his flesh being nowe quite consumed. he was as it were no­thing but skinne and bones. And being pressed in body with hard and greiuous afflictions, yet would he never reckon of them by the name of paines, but would call them by the name of Sisters. But being at one time, assailed with the extreame sharp­nesse, of his sundrie infirmities, in more extraordi­narie manner, than he had binne at any time be­fore, one of the brethren, being but a simple man, said thus vnto him: Brother, make your praier vn­to our Lord, to deale more mildely with you: for he seemeth to hold, to heavie a hand, vpon you. Wherevpon, the holy man, criyng out with a cer­taine mourneful kinde of complainte, did say vnto him. Vnlesse I did knowe thee to be of a very sim­ple puritie, I would from henceforth abhorre thy companie: seeing that thou hast presumed, to re­prehend, the divine iudgements of God, con­cerning me, and although he were wholy worne and wasted, with the long continuance of his greivouse sickenesse, yet casting himself downe vpon the earth, he hurte his feeble bones, with a hard fall. And kissing the grounde, I giue thanks [Page 157]vnto thee (saied he) O Lord God, for all these my gtiefes, and I beseeche thee my Lord, to encrease them, if it soe please thee, even a hundred folde: for this shall be vnto me most acceptable, that thou spare not to afflict me with paines, considering that the fullfilling of thy holy will, is vnto me a comforte, more than most plentiful and abundant. Whereby it seemed vnto the brethren, that they did behold as it were another Iob: whoe, as the af­flictions of his fleshe did increase, did himselfe also so much the more increase in courage & strength of minde.

But he knewe the time of his deathe long before and the day of his departure being euen now at hand, he saied vnto his brethren, that he was very presently to put of the tabernacle of his body, ac­cording as had binne by Christ revealed vnto him. Having therefore bin for two yeates space, from the impression of his sacred Stigmats as namely from the twentith yeare after his conversion, by many hard triyng stroakes of distresfull infiemities he wed and squared out, as a well polished stone, fitte to be placed in the building of the heavenly Hierusalem, and having also as a peice of forge worke, vnder the hāmer of manifold tribulations, binne finally brought to perfection, he required himselfe to be carried to the place of our Ladie of Portiuncula, that where he had receaued, the spi­ritte of grace, there might herender vp, his spiritte of life. And being conveied to that place, to the end he might shewe, by the example of truth him­selfe, that he held nothing in common with the [Page 158]world: in that his infirmitie which was soe grei­voufe, that it contained in it selfe, wellnighe all manner of diseases: making himselfe all naked, he did in the fervour of spiritre, cast himfe [...] downe prostrate, vpon the naked ground: that in that very last hower, wherein the enemy had yet, power to be angry, he might wrastle naked, with the naked, hand to hand. Thus having nowe disapparelled himselfe, even of his poore sackcloth garment, and lieing in this wise vpon the earth, he lifted vp his face to heaven, according to his wonted manner: and intending wholy to the glory thereof, he did with his seft hand, cover the wounde of his right side, that it might not be perceaved. And he saied vnto his brethren, That which is my part I haue done vnto you: and that which is yours, Christ vouchsafe to shewe you.

Whervpon, the companions of this holy Sainte, betaking themselves to teares: as being striken, with a marveilouse darte, of compassion, one of them, whom the man of God, would say to be his guardian, knowing his inward desire, by divine revelation, rose sodeinly out of his place: and taking a coate, with a Corde and a paire of bree­ches, gaue them vnto the poore servant of Christ, saieing: These things I doe lend vnto thee, as vnto a poore man, receaue them therefore, as at the commaundement, of holy obedience. Here­at the holy man greatly reioyced, and by voice of exultation, discouered the gladsomnesse of his harte: for that he sawe himselfe, to haue preserved his faith, vnto Lady Poverty, nowe firme and in­violate, [Page 159]euen to the end. And lifting vp his handes to heaven, he magnified his Christ, for that being disburdened, of all things, he was nowe to goe free to him. For all these things, he had donne, out of the zeale he bare to poverty, so farre forth that he would not haue so much as an habitte, but such as had binne lent vnto him by another man. And cer­tainely it was his desire, to be in all thinges con­formable, vnto Christ crucified, who did in po­verty and distresse, hang naked on the Crosse. Wherefore he did both in the beginning of his conversion. make himselfe naked, before the Bi­shoppe, and would now also, in the very consum­mation and end of his life, goe naked out of the world. And to the brethren that were assisting a­bout him, he enioyned in the obedience of Cha­rity, that when they should see him to be deade, they should suffer him for so long space after­wardes, to lie naked vppon the grounde, as one might easely goe, the length of a mile. O most Christian man indeed, who by a perfect immita­tion, endeavoured himselfe to be comfortable, in his life time, to Christe, living; in his deathe, to Christe, dieing; and after his deathe, to Christ also, being dead: and was made worthy, to be, with the expresse similitude thereof adorned.

But; the very howre of his passage, even now approaching, he caused all the brethren that were in that place, to be called vnto him: and endea­vouring himselfe, with comfortable wordes to mittigate the griefe, they conceaued for his death he did with a fatherly affection exhorte them, vn­to [Page 160]to the loue of God. And of the preservation of Patience and Povertie, and of the faith also of the Holy Romane Church, he enlarged his speache; preferring the holy Gospel, before all other in­structions. And as his brethren satte runde about him, he reached out his handes vpon them, and casting his atmes overthwart, in manner of the Crosle (because he evermore loved that signe ex­ceedingly) he blessed all the Brethren, aswel them that were present, as them that were absent, in the power and name, of him that was crucified. And furthermore also, he said vnto them; Fare yee well my Children all, in the feare of our Lord, and be permanent therein continually. And be­cause the tentation and tribulation, that shal her­after be, is even now at hand: blessed are they, who shall persever in these things, which they haue already vndertaken. But I make haste, to go to God, vnto whose grace; I commend you all. This sweete admonition, thus concluded and en­ded; the Blessed man, most deare vnto God, caused the book of the holy Gospels, to be brought vnto him: and required that parte of Saint Iohns Ghos­pell, Iohn. 13. Psal. 141. which beginneth at these wordes: Before the festivall day of Pasche, to be reade vnto him. But he himself, as well as he could, bracke forth, into the rehearefall of this Psalme, with my voice, I haue cried out vnto our Lord: with my voice, I haue made my praier vnto our Lord. and bringing the Psalme to the ende, the iust (saith he) de expect me, vntill thou geue reward vnto me. Thus all the misteries, being nowe at length, in him accomplished; that most holy [Page 161]soule, being loosed from the flesh, and swallow­ed vppe, in the vnsearcheable depth, of Godes heavenly brightnesse; the blessed man, fel a sleep in our Lord.

At what time, one of his brethren and Disci­ples, saw that blessed foule, in the forme of a most glittering starre, to be borne aloft, vppon a pure white litle cloud; & so to be caried over many wa­ters, by a straight passage vp to Heaven: as being by the whitenesse of a high degree of holinesse, most brightly shining; and being also replenished with the great plenty and aboundance, of heaven ly wisedome and grace, whereby the holy man deserved, to enter into a place of light and peace, where he remayneth at rest with Christ, worlde without ende. The Minister also of the brethren in the land of labour, was at that time, brother Augustine, a man doubtlesse very holy and iuste: who being even then in his last hower, and having a good while before, quite loest his speache, did yet in the hearing of all that were present, so­deinely cry out and say, Expect me O Father, expect me a while, for behold I come even now with you. The Brethren in the meane while muche marveiling and enquiring, to whome he spake in suche wise: he confidently saied vnto them, Doe you not see our Father Francis, whoe goeth nowe to Heaven? And presently his holy soule, partinge from his fleshe, did followe the most Holy Father.

At that very time was the Bishoppe of Assisium gone vppon Pilgrimage to the Oratorie of Saint [Page 162] Michael in the Mountaine Garganus, Note the words of this holy saint at his death. Behold I learne this world & goe to heaven. to whome blessed Saint Francis appearing, in the night of his passadge, saied: Behold I leaue the world, and goe to Heaven. The Bishop therefore rising betimes in the morning declared, to them that were in his company, what he had seene: and returning to Assisium, he founde for certaine truthe, after diligent enquirie made, that at that very hower, wherein he had by vision, so much made knowen vnto him, the blessed Father, departed out of this world. And at the howre also of the departure, of this holy man, which was about the twilight of the night following: the Larkes, which are birds that loue the light, and do abhorre the darksom­nesse of the twilight, did neverthelesse come in a great multitude, vpon the toppe of the house: & plaieng themselues a good while, with an vnvsual kinde of reioycing, gaue thereby a no lesse ioyful than evident testimony, of the glory, of the Saint who was wont to enuite them, vnto the praises, of Almighty God.

THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER. Of his Canonisation and of the translation of his sacred bodie.

SAINT Francis therefore, the servant & frind, of the Highest; the institutour and guider, of the Friars Minors; the professour of Poverty, the forme of Pennance, the Preacher of Verity; the Mirrour of Holinesse, and the sampler of all E­vangelicall [Page 163]perfection; being prevented from a­boue, by heavenly grace; did come by a well or­dered and due proceeding, from the lowest estate to the highest pitche of vertue. This admirable man, as being passingly ritche in Poverty; and highly advaunced, in Humility; prompt also and actiue, in mortification, and prudent, in simpli­city, and briefly of singular note and observance, for al manner of honest conversation, whome our Lord had made to be in his life time, wonderfully esteemed, him did he make to be in his death in­comparably more renowned. For when this bles­sed man departed out of the world: his sacred spi­ritte, entring the house of eternity, and being made gloriouse, with the full draught of the fon­taine of life: left behind him, in his body, ecr­taine expresse signes, of the future glory. That his most holy flesh, which having binne crucifi­ed with the vices thereof, had now passed over in­to a new creature, might both by a singularity of priviledge, sette forth the shewe of our Saviours Passion; and might also by the novelty of the Mi­racle, foreshew the resemblance, of his resurre­ction.

For in those his most happy members, there were certaine nailes to be seene, which had bine wounderfully made, of his very flesh, by power devine: and were so marveilously growen therin, that being pressed or strained on either side, they would, as it were certaine naturall and hard sin­wes, presently rebounde, to the contrary parte. There was also more apparantly founde in his [Page 164]body, howbeit not inflicted nor made by hand of man, the hole of a wounde in his side, like vnto the wounded side of our Saviour: which did in him our Redeemer, bring forth, the sacrament of humane redemption, and generation. And the similitude of the nailes, were black like vnto irō, but the wounde of the side, was of a red colour: & being by the shriking of the flesh, brought into a certaine kinde of roundenesse: it seemed to be as it were a most beautifull rose. As for the rest of his flesh, notwithstanding that of former time it had, aswell out of infirmity as [...] out of nature declined to blacknesse: yet now brightly shining with an excessiue Luster of pure whitenesse, it did well resemble the exquisite beautifullnesse of the second Stole. Apoc. 7.13 Moreover the limmes and mem­bers of his body, appeared to be so softe and tra­ctable, to such as felt them, that they seemed to be changed, into the tendernesse of a litle childe: and did make shewe; to be graced, with certaine evident signes, of innocency. Seeing therefore, that the nailes seemed to be blacke, in his most pure and white flesh, and the wounde of his side, to be red, like vnto a most faire and slourishing rose, it is in no sorte to be wondred at, if soe de­lightefull and miraculous a varietie, gaue cause both of ioy and admiration, vnto all the beholders

And true it is that the devout children, did in­deed shed teares and lament, for the taking away of soe loving a Father: but yet were they reple­nished with no small measure, of ioy and glade­somnesse, meane while that in him, they did most [Page]sweetely kisse, the sacred signes, of the inghest king. And the novelty of the miracle, turned their mournefull complainte into surpassing ioy: and the true vnderstanding thereof, ravished the deepe searcher of the matter, with amazement. For a spectacle soe vnvsuall, and so notable also therewithall, was vnto all the beholders, both an establishement of faith, and a provocation of loue and affection: and to the hearers thereof, a matter of admiration, and a stirring vp of desire, to see and behold it. For the death of this good Father, was no sooner heard of, and the fame of the miracles spreede abroad: but the people came withall expedition flocking together to the place that with the eies of their flesh: they might see & viewe the things, which might repel al doubt frō reason, and might heape vp aboundance of ioyes, to their affections.

Very many therfore of the Cittizens of Assisium were admitted, with their eies to behold and with their lipps to kisse, those most holy Stigmats. But one of thē being a knight, wel learned doubtlesse and wise whose name was Hierome, a man also of much fame and accounte, being doubtful of these holy signes, & in credulous, like vnto Thomas, did in the presence of the brethten, and other the Cit­tisens, more freely and boldly, moue the nailes, and did with his owne handes, touche, the hands feete, and side, of the Sainte: that whilest by fee­ling and touching he handled those true signes of the woundes of Christ, he might cut of, all man­ner of wounde of doubtfullnesse, from the harte, [Page 166]both of himselfe and others. For which cause, e­ven he himselfe among others, being afterwards made a constant witnesse, of this truth so certain­ly knowen, did by oathe vpon the holy Gospells, testifie the same. But the brethren and Children that had binne called to the passadge, of the bles­sed Father, did withall the multitude, of the pec­ple assembled so religioufly employ themselves, in dedicating vnto the eivine praises of God, that night wherein the worthy Confessour of Christe, was departed, that thereseemed to be held, noe exequies for the dead, but rather, a blessed watch and warde of Angels,

And when morning came, the trouppes of people, Heere we may see the custome of the Ca­tholieke Church in burryng her dead with wax candels lighted with hem­nes & spi­rituall Psalmes. that were gathered together, taking the boughes of trees, and a number of waxe lights, in their hands, did with Himnes & Canticles, bring the holy body, to the Cittie of Assisium. But pas­sing by the Church of Saint Damian, wherin that noble Virgin Sainct Clare, now gloriouse in Hea­ven, did then remaine inclosed with the rest of the Virgines, and making there some stay for a while, they offered that sacred body, ennobled and adorned, with those heavenly pearles, to be seene and kissed: by those holy. Virgins. And comming afterwards to the Citty with exceeding great icy, they did withall reverence, place the precious treasure which they brought, in the Church of Saint George. For in that place, being but a litle child, he learnt his letters: and there af­terwards he preached, and there last of all be re­ceaved, his first place, of rest. The venerable [Page 167]Father passed out of the shippewracke of this worlde, in the yeare of our Lords incarnation, on thousand, two hundred, twentie sixe, the fourth day of October, being Saterday, in the evening; and was buried vpon the Sunday.

And by the influence doubtlesse of Gods divine aspect; this blessed man did forthwith beginne, to shine with many and woundrous miracles: that the highe degree of his holinesse, which duringe his life heare one earth, had binne throughly no­tified vnto the world, touching the mannadge­ment & direction of manners, by the exāples of perfect iustice, might nowe be by miracles of de­vine power, ratified & made good from Heaven, wheare he raigneth with Christe for ever, to the absolute confirmation, of all faith and true belief. And whereas in divers parts of the world, his glo­riouse miracles, and the large benefitts, by him obtained, had inflamed very many, vnto the de­votion of Christe: and had also recited very many vnto the reverence of this his Saint, by generall reports, both of wordes and workes, it came to the chred of the supreame Bishoppe, Pope Grego­ry, the ninth; what goeat and admirable thinges, God did worke and effect by his servaunt Saint Francis. Wherevpon, that worthy Pastor of the Church, knowing his marveilouse holinesse, by testimony of most credible authority, and being thereof centified, not only out of such miracles, as he had heard to haue binne donne by him af­ter his death, but out of such also, as he himselfe had seene with his eies, and felt with his handes, [Page 168]to be tried by experience, in his life time: wherby he had no manner of doubt, but that he was now glorified, by Christ, in Heaven; to the intent he might conformably worke with Christ, whose Vicar he was; did purpose, vpon a good & Godly Consideration, to make him famous, vppon the earth: as being most worthy, of all honour & re­verence. And for to giue more absolute and vn­doubted assurance, vnto al the whole world; of the glorified estate, of this most holy man: he caused the miracles by him donne, having bin formerlie founde out, drawen together in writing, and ap­proved by conveniēt witnesses, to be examined by such of the Cardinals, as seemed to be lesse favourable vnto that matter and businesse. After diligēt enquirie whereof, the Miracles being by them al fully ratified and allowed, he did, by the vniforme Councel and assent of his brethren, and of all the Prelats, that were then resident in his Courte, re­solue and decree, to accomplish his Canonization And comming personally vnto the Citty of Assi­sium, in the yeare of our Lords incarnation, one thowsand, two hundred: rewentie & eight, he did on Sunday, the sixteenth of Iuly, with great so­lemnities, to long to be rehearsed, enrolle the blessed-Father, in the Catalogue of Saints.

But in the yeare of our Lorde, one thowfand, two hundred, and thirtie, the brethren, beinge assembled to a generall Chapter, then celebrated and kept, at Assisium, the body dedicated vnto our Lord, was on the siue and twentith of May, translated vnto a goodly Church, that was built [Page 169]& erected, in honor of him. And whils that sacred treasure (signed with the seale, of the most su­preame and Soveraigne king) was to that place, transported, he whose Image and likenesse, he bare, did vouchsafe to worke, many and sundry miracles: that by his health working odoure, the affections of the faithfull, might be drawen to runne after Christ. For it was, in very deed, Cant. 1.4. befit­ting and well beseeming, that whom God having made to be in his life time pleasing & welbeloved vnto himselfe, had by the grace of contemplation, translated into Paradice, like vnto Enoch, Gen. 5.24. 4. Reg. 2.11. and had by the zeale of charitie, taken vp into heaven in a fierie Chariot, like vnto Elias; nowe might those happy bones of him, flourishing among the hea­venly flowers of eternall planting; by meane of a strange and admirable kinde of blosseming, yeild forth a sweete and pleasant favour, from the place, wherein they were enshrined. And therefore as this blessed man, had binne in his life time famous for many signes of vertues; soe from the day of his passadge, vntill this very present, he doth in divers of the world, by power divine, glorifieing it selfe in him, most beautifully and clearely shine, with many prodigious and notable miracles. For the blinde and deafe, the dumbe and lame, the diseased of the Dropsie, and sicke of the Palsey, possessed persons & Leapars, they that haue binne in shippe­wracke and Captivity, haue by his merrittes, found help and remedie, as also all diseases necessities and perrills, haue thereby binne relieved. Yea, and by the miraculouse restoring of life by him, to many [Page 170]that haue binne dead, in this blessed Sainte, hath binne sufficiently notified to all faithfull people, the marveilouse magnificence of the Power of the Highest, to whom to be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER. Containing certaine miracles donne by Saint Francis, after his death. Which because it is long, and considering that the miracles be of diuers kindes, is therefore parted into tenne diuisions, according to the seuerall Titles of the miracles.