IN THE NAME OF OVR LORde beginneth the rule of the thirde Order of S. Francis called the Order of Poenance.
health, and Apostolical benediction. Among other thinges committed to our charge and gouernment, those chiefly do make vs solicitous, by vvhich, the concupiscenses of the vvorld and flesh being brideled, the quiet state of innocencie, and first peace giuē vs from heauen is knovven to be reduced to his original state and perfection.
Long since truly for this cause and respecte, Pope Nicolas the fovverth, our predecessor, confirmed and approued the third rule of S. Francis, vvhich he tearmed [Page 16]of poenance, by vvhich the holie cōfessor of Christ, ful of the spirite of God, labored to further the saluation of al faithful Christianes.
But forasmuch as by course of time, through the inspiration of the holie ghost, not only maried persons, & such as dvvel in the vvorlde, (for vvhom the foresayde third rule vvas made by S. Francis) but also quires of innumerable virgins taking vpon them the three essential vovves, and some also that of inclosure, by our authoritie, and hauing [Page 17]builded verie manie monasteries, not vvithout manifold fruict and edification of the militant church, subdevved their necks vnder the yoake of the foresayde third Order. And because in the saide thirde rule, some things to maried persons accomodated, are inserted vvhich to single, ād virginal estate, vnder this third Rule seruing our lorde, are no vvayes conuenient, for vvhich the pure affectes of chast mindes, are novv & then auerted from entring into the sayde order; vvee according to the vvil of our [Page 18]lorde, separating the pretious from the vile, doe confirme anevv, & approue, the same third rule distinguished in maner, as follovveth and deliuer the same to you, and your successores to be kept, the tenor vvherof follovveth, and is such.
Of the entrance of Nouices. CHAP. I.
THe Brothers, The condition of those that are to be receiued. or sisters to this thirde Order to be receiued ought to be faithful Catholikes, not tyed in mariage, free of debtes, sound [Page 19]in bodie, prompt in minde, not taxed vvith anie vulgar infamie, reconciled vvith theyr neighbores. And of althees things, before they be receiued, of him vvho hath facultie to receiue them, they are diligently to be examined.
Of the things which the Brothers and Sisters are to promiss in the profession of this third rule. CHAP. II.
THe Brothers, and Sisters, after thay haue [Page 20]for a vvhole yeare borne the habit of probation (vvhich ought to be of course cloath according to the iudgement of the visitor) if their conuersation shal be thought laudable in the Conuent vvherin thei haue borne the habit of probation, Of the habit of the Brothers and Sisters. by the counsail of the discreetes of the sayde Convent, let them be receiued to the profession of the sayde order. Of the forme of their profession. In vvhich profession let them promiss to keep the commandementes of God, and to make satisfaction for the transgressions, vvhich they shall commit against [Page 21]this third Rule, vvhen of theyr prelates they shal be required, liuing in obedience, vvithout proprietie, and in chastitie.
Of the Faste. CHAP. III.
THe Brothers, and Sisters, perpetually, on the secōd, fourth, sixt feries, and the sabbath must eate no flesh except on the feast of the natiuitie of our lorde. And from the feast of al saintes vnto the resurrectiō of our lorde euerie fourth [Page 22]and sixth ferie, they must be tyed to fast. and likevvse euerie sixth ferie of the vvhole yeare. Also from the feast of S. Martin vnto the natiuitie of our lorde let them fast euerie day, adioyning the lent of the vniuersal church, till the resurrection of our lorde, vvhich neuertheless from quinquagesima they must begin. But on those dayes in vvhich they fast not, let them eat only tvvice a-day. Except that from the feast of Easter vnto the moneth of October, those that labour in paineful, or hard vvork may [Page 23]eate thrice aday, Of the laborers. the dayes of fast alvvaies excepted. Not vvithstanding trauelers, infirme, and vveake persons in time, of necessitie may breake their fast.
Of the diuine office, and Prayer. CHAP. IV.
THe Brothers and Sisters must in the church keepe silence, Of silence. specially vvhen mass is celebrated, or the vvord of God proposed. But in other places, let them keepe vvhat by their [Page 24]superiores concerning silēce shal be ordeined them, they ought also euerie day in the euening, betvven themselues, and God, to thinck vvhat they haue done, sayde, Of mass to be heard for clerckes. for laie. or thought: And everie day (if they can comodiously) they ought to heare mass. And they must procure, that they haue a religious man, vvho on certe in dayes may propose to them the vvorde of God, and induce them to poenance and virtues. And he or she or they vvho by themselues do knovve to say the Canonical hovvres, ought to fulfil the Canonical [Page 25]hovvres according to the vse of the holie Romane church. But those that do not knovve hovve to say the Canonical hovvres, let them say tvvelue Pater nosters for matines, and for everie one of the other hovvres seauē, adding Gloria Patri in the end of euerie Pater noster, adding also Credo, and Miserere mei Deus, in the beginning of Prime ād of Complet. and vvho knovve not thees fore sayde things, must say three times, the Pater noster, for poenance. And as often as they take dinner, or meate, they ought to giuet hankes [Page 26]to God. but of Sacramental confession, Of Confessiō and Cō munion. and receiuing the sacred Communion; they shal keep the ordination of Pope Nicolas the fovverth, that thrice in the yeare they confess, and Cō municate, or else the statutes of theyr superiores heer vpon ordeined.
Of the ordeyning of Prelates and Officers. CHAP. V.
EVerie house, if it shal be a Monasterie of men, shal haue a Superior of this [Page 27]fraternitie, vvho shal be called the Local minister. But if of vvomen, she shal be called the Mother: and they shal be chosen by their conuents, or instituted by theyr Prouincial superiors, or General visitor [...] so neuertheless, Of their subiectiō to the order of Freers Minores that none be perpetual, but for a certein time. Which Ministers, and Mothers shal obey in al things, vvich belong to this present rule, to the Prouincial ministers of the order of Minores of B. S. Francis and to the visitors deputed by the same ministers, as long as they shal be in [Page 28]the sayde offices. But as concerning other offices vvithin the hovvse, they shal keepe theyr ovvne statutes.
Of the maner of Conversing within and without. CHAP. VI.
WHeras the Brothers and sisters of this fraternitie are called of poenā ce, Of the qualitie of their vesture. it behoueth them to abstaine from al curiositie, asvvel in vesture, as other things vvhat soeuer. And according to the vvholsome counsel of the prince of [Page 29]the Aposteles Saint Peter, other vaine ornamēts of this vvorlde layde asyde, they ought to carie no corporal ornament, but only an humble, and necessarie tegumēt of theyr bodie. They ought also to auoyd by all meanes access to the courtes of Princes, lordes, or ladies vvhere the delicacies of this vvorlde are had; as our sauior doth vvitnes; Of the sparing of speach. Nor euer at onie time to be present at dances, playes, sportes, and other vanities of players. They must also be sparing in vvordes, and speaches vvhich seeldom vvithout [Page 30]sinne are multiplyed. And aboue al things they must abstaine from euerie lye, ād vvhatso euer oath, according to the commandemēt of our lorde, vnless it be for peace, fidelitie, calumnie, and giuing testimonie. And euerie day at evening among other things they ought examine themselues, if either lye, or anie oath they haue made, and for euerie one they must say three times Pater noster.
Of the visitation, and care of the sicke. CHAP VII.
IF anie Brother or sister of this fraternitie shal fal into infirmitie, the Minister of the hovvse, or Mother, once euerie day by themselues, or by another person shal be bound to visite thē. And of the commun goodes, they shall diligently cause al thinges necessarie, to be ministred vnto them. let them be bound also to moue the sicke person to [Page 32]accept poenance, and to make a true cōversion to God, by proposing the neerness of death, and the distriction of the diuine iustice, and vvithal the diuine mercie.
Of the visitation vvhich the Prelates ought to make of the Brothers and Sisters. CHAP. VIII.
THe Prouincial minister of the Freers Minores, or the visitor of the same order, to vvhom he shal [Page 33]commit it, shal visite euerie yeare, once only in euerie hovvse, vvith presēce of the elders, and the visitation made, he ought not to enter into the offices, or other invvard places of the Sisters. Of entrance of the enclosure. And let neuer the visitor himselfe remaine alone and separate vvith anie Sister. And the Ministers, and Mothers, ought to tel the visitor, the defects vvhich vvant correction, like vvise also the other Brothers, Of the incorrigible. and Sisters. And if anie shal be incorrigible, by the iudgement of the discreetes of the hovvse, as infectious cattel [Page 34]let them be cast out of the congregation.
Of the Offices for the dead. CHAP. IX.
AFter that anie Brother or Sister shalbe departed out of this vvorlde, Of making exequies the Minister, or Mother, shal take care that their exequies be solemnly celebrated: at vvhich, al the Brothers, or Sisters of anie hovvse, vvhere they shal happen to dye, ought personally to be present, nor to departe vntil the bodie be put into the graue. [Page 35]And for the soule of everie one dead, vvithin eight dayes, let euerie Priest be bound to say one mass, And they that can the psalter, fifty psalmes, but they that can not the psalter, fiftie Pater nosters, and at the end of euerie one, Requiem aeternam. And at the end of euerie yeare, or vvithin euerie yeare, euerie Priest ought to say three masses for the dead, those that can the psalter, one psalter, but those that can not the psalter, a hundred Pater nosters vvith Requiem aeternam, at the end of euerie one. And concerning [Page 36]thees offices of the dead, and other diuine offices, in this present revve annexed, the care is imposed on the Ministers, and Mothers, that they be faithfully discharged.
Of the obligation of the things conteined in the rule. CHAP. X.
AL and euerie thing in this present rule conteined, are counsels, to sau [...] more easilie the soules o [...] the vvayfaring. and none o [...] [Page 37]them are obligatorie to sinne mortal, or venial, vnless, by humane or diuine lavve anie one should be out of some other respect obliged. The Brothers and Sisters are neuertheless obliged to do the poenances imposed vpon them by theyr superiors, vvhen heer vpon they are required. they are obliged also, to the three essential vovves, pouertie, by hauing nothing in special: chastitie, because after the vovve they cannot contract matrimonie, nor vvithout transgression, mix them selues in vices of the [Page 38]flesh: and obedience, in as much as toucheth those things, vvithout vvhich this fraternitie can not commodiously be manteined. They are also bound to keep inclosure those Sisters vvhich haue expresly vovved to keep it, vvhich to al and euerie Conuent vve grant, so that the hospitalitie, and charitie, vvhich they are vvont to exercise vvith the infirme, do vvith reputation suffer no detriment.
Giuen at Rome at Saint Peters vnder the ring of the fisher, the 20. day of Ianuarie 1521. in the 8. yeare of our Papacy.
THE BVL OF POPE LEO THE TENTH, wherin is declared that the professed Sisters of the third order of saint Francis liuing together in cōmunitie and cloyster, hauing made the three vovves are true Religious, and endued vvith the priuileges giuen to the Freers Minors.
Those things vvhich by the sea Apostolic are knovvē to be providently constituted, or deined, and declared, sometimes the Roman Bishop, according as in our lorde he seeth profitably to be expedient, hath accustomed, (vvhen it is demanded of him) to approue, and of nevve to ordeine, and dispose, least the same in success of time be subiect to [Page 41]impugnatiō. It is true indeed that hertofore Sixtus IV. of happie memorie, our predecessor hath established, and ordeined the Sisters of the third Order of S. Francis living collegially by making the three essential vovves to be true Religious, and the vovve of obedience, pouertie, and chastitie, by the Sisters of the third Order of S. Francis, liuing collegially, then made in the handes of theyr Superiors, or by them for the time hereafter to be made, to haue the force, and validitie of a solemne vovve, and to induce euerie effect, [Page 42]vvhich a solēne vovve doth induce, made in vvhatsouer of the Religions approued by the Apostolick sea, and to hinder matrimonie to be cōtracted, and to take avvay that vvhich is already contracted. And although vve in the sacred Councel of Lateran last celebrated for cō seruing of peace and vnitie betvven Prelates and Religious personnes, the same sacred Councel approuing it, haue profitably ordeined, vvilled, and decreed, that the Brothers and Sisters of the foresaid third Order, bearing the habit therof, [Page 43]and leading collegially virginal, and vidual, or continent life by express vovve, ought to enioy al the priuileges of the Freers Minores, as in our and our foresaid predecessores letters respectiuely is more fully conteined. Nevertheless, as your vigilancy hath lately related vnto vs, manie Praelates and Rectors of parish, churches chiefly in France, and Germanie affirme the sayde sisters not to be religious, and that therfore they can not enioy the fore sayde priuileges, and do not permit them to haue oratories, and places [Page 44]for burial, and in their oratories the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and holie oyles, and to sing masses, and make holie vvater, but as mere seculars do endeuor to compel them to hear masses, and receiue the Sacraments of the church, in their parish churches, to the great troble of the sisters, and scā dal of verie manie: vvherfore you vvho execute the office of General minister of the sayde order of Freers Minors by Apostolical grāt, haue made humble supplication to vs that vve vvould out of our Apostolikall Clemencie [Page 45]vouchsafe to approue, renevv and furthermore intirely to establish the declaration of Sixtus 4. and the brief therupon geuen; hence it is that vvee yeelding our consent to such your desires, do by our Apostolick outhoritie, by the tenor of thees presents approue, and renevve, and decree that the sayde declaration of the forenamed Sixtus our praedecessor vvith al, and everie clause therin conteyned ought to obteine the force of perpetual stabilitie. And moreover to al and everie Praelate asvvel regular, as saecular and [Page 46]Rectores of parish churches and al other Ecclesiastical persons, vnder paine of excommunication lata sententia, vve forbidd that the sayde Sisters (vvhom according to the ordinance of our foresaid predecessor, vve declare for true Religious) they do not heare after presume to hinder in vvhat sort so euer, but that they according to the priuileges of the saide Brothers, may haue freely, and lavvefully, oratories vvith a lovve steeple and bel, and in th [...] same oratorie the Sacrament of the Eucharist, in a comely, and [Page 47]decent place, and also holie oyles for theyr ovvne vse only, and halovved burial in vvhich the bodies of the Sisters decessed by theyr cō fessor may be buried, and in the same oratories holie vvater to be solemnly made, ād masses according to theyr deuotiō solemnly to be song and celebrated. And that to hear masses and other diuine offices in anie other place then in the sayde oratories, or to receiue the Ecclesiastical Sacraments of an other, then the confessor secular, or regular by their superiors to them assigned, [Page 48]by no meanes, by the sayde Prelates and Rectors or anie others to be compelled or any vvay for such respect to be molested: and the confessor him selfe, if he be secular, as long as he shal continevve in the office of confessor imposed vpon him by his superiors, cannot at al be hindred in the premisses by the ordinaries of the places. And notvvithstanding to al and euerie the Archbishops, Bishops, and persons constitute in Ecclesiastical dignitie, Metropolitanes also, or Canons of Cathedral churches, vvho heervpon [Page 49]on the behalfe of the saide Sisters shal be required, by thees presents vve do commande, that they, or tvvo, or one of them by himself, or another, or others assisting the sayde sisters, or theyr hovvses in the premisses, vvith safeguard of efficacious defense, do make them to enioy thees like privileges in peacible possessiō, not permitting them heervpon by the ordinaries and Prelates and foresaide Rectors, or vvhosoeuer els vvrongfully to be molested, repressing the gayne-sayers, & disobedient ād rebellious, [Page 50](al Appellation layd asyde;) calling herunto also, if need shal be, the ayde of secular povver: vvhatsoeuer constitutions, Apostolical ordinances or other of any sort, to these contrarie notvvithstanding. And because it vvold be hard for thees present letters to be sent originally to al prouinces, vve vvil, that to the copies of them subscribed by the hand of a public Notarie, and firmed vvith the seale of anie person constitute in Ecclesiastical dignitie, the same credit be fully giuen in iudgement, and out of it, as if the originals [Page 51]present vvere shevved or exhibited.
Giuen at Rome at Saint Peters vnder the fishers ring, the last day of August 1517. in the fifth year of our Papacie.
THE PERFECTIONS OF THE RVLE CONsist in six Seraphicall VVinges, to vvit, in totall Obedience, in Euangelicall Pouerty, in immaculate Chastity, in profound Humility, in Pacificall Simplicity, in Seraphicall Charity.
OBedience is a Vertue vvhich hath three degrees: the first is Obedience by profession, [Page 53]vvhich is vvhen one doth accomplish the commandment of God, or the Prelate, touching the exteriour. The second is Obedience by conformity, vvchich is vvhen the commandment is performed not alone in the exterior, but also vvithout murmuration, according to the intention and vvil of him that commandeth. The third is Obedience by vnion, by vvhich he that is truly Obedient, hath no other respect but the pleasure and vvill of God.
2. Euangelicall Pouerty is a vertue that hath three degrees: [Page 54]the first is Pouerty by Profession, that is, to haue no right nor propriety in any thing vvhat soeuer: the second, to retaine only the simple vse of things necessary, & rest contented vvith the most vile: the third, not to haue any affection, euen in thinges necessary, but by vvay of constraint to take the bare vse of them.
3. Chastity is a vertue that hath three degrees: the first, Chastity of body, by vvhich all the exteriour members are restrained from any impure or suspicious act: the second, chastity of hart, by [Page 55]vvhich the hart is preserued from any dishonest or vncleane thought: the third, Chastity of the spirit by vvhich vve not ōly refraine from any dishonest loue, but also from al excessiue delectation or spirituall consolation.
4. Humility is a vertue that hath three degrees: the first is, Humility of knovvlege, by the vvhich man doth acknovvledge to be vile and abiect in himselfe: the second is Humility of exhibition, by vvhich the interiour humility is expressed in the exteriour, as by the [Page 56]attire, by vvordes, and by vvil, and abiect vvorkes: the third is Humility of affectiō, through vvhich a soule doth not only humble herselfe in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men, desiring to be esteemed poore & abiect.
5. Simplicity is a vertue vvhich hath three degrees: the first is simplicity of thoughts, that is, not to enter into higher cogitation then the vnderstanding is capable of, neyther of honours and vvordly dignities, but to esteeme himselfe the most vnvvorthy to serue God of all others: the second is, Simplicity [Page 57]in vvords, auoiding all affected curiosity in speach, speking plainly vvithout superfluity, vvhich stil comes of an ill roote, to vvit vanity: the third is Simplicity of vvorks, imploying our selues in no other but such as are simple and profitable. And a generall rule of this Vertue is to haue a pure; right, and simple intention: but Simplicity vvithout Prudence is not of value: for God loueth those that vvalke in Prudence.
6. Charity is a vertue of three degrees: the first is to lone God not only for his [Page 58]benefits, but also for that he is most vvorthy of it: the second, is to loue our neighbour, not only for the loue of our neighbour but simply for the loue of God: the third to loue our selues in labouring for vertue, our happines, and glory; not for our ovvne respect but for the loue of God, and to be pleasing vnto him.
Prayse of the Rule.
THe holy Father S. Francis, encouraging his Religious to the obseruance of the Rule, said It vvas the [Page 59]booke of life: the fruit of vvisdom: the marrovv of the Ghospell: the hope of health: the path of saluation, the ladder by vvhich one ascendeth to heauen: the key of Paradise: and the pledge of Eternall Peace.
Three Priuiledges, vvhich our holy Father Saint Frā cis obtayned of Almighty God.
POpe Gregorie the Ninth said he had vnderstood of the holy Father S. Francis, that Almighty God had [Page 60]graunted him three Priuiledges: the first that the more the Religious of his order did increase, the more he vvould prouide for them: the second that none should euer vnhappily dye in the habit; the third that vvhosoeuer should persecute his Order should be grieuously punished by Almighty God.
Three other Priuiledges which he sayd to haue receaued by the Seraphim, when as he appeared vnto him, in the mountayne of Aluerne.
THe first, that his order should last to the day of Iudgment: the second that vvhosoeuer vvould liue vvickedly in the Order should not indure long: the third that vvhosoeuer did loue his Order although a great sinner, he should receaue and obtaine mercy of Almighty God.
Seauen other Priuiledges vvhich by an Angel vvere reuealed vnto the holy F. S. Francis in the Couēt of S. Vrbane, to all that obserued his Rule and dyed in the Order.
THe first, that if their intention be good, they shal euer be gouerned by the holy Ghost: the second, that in this their perigrination they shall stil be particularly defended, & in all their temptations also, from mortall sinne: the third, that [Page 63]the fire of Purgatory shall not detaine them after their death from the immediate inioying of euerlasting glory: the fourth, that they shall receaue in themselues that promise of our Sauiour made vnto his Apostles, of sitting on the tvvelue seates to iudge the tribes of Israel: the fifth that such as loue the Order Almighty God vvill increase his graces, and blessinges tovvardes them in this vvorld and the next: the sixth, that those vvho are enemies to his order, & do persecute it vvithout repenting, either their life shal be [Page 64]shortned, or if it be long it shalbe replenished vvith misery, and after their death be eternally lost: the seauēth that there shall euer be Religious of good and holy life, louers of the honor of God, & their Religion, in this Order.
Certayne Indulgēces graunted amongst many others, by the souerayne Bishops of Rome, vnto all the Religious of the Order of Saint Francis.
THe Religious both men and vvomen shal gaine a plenary both à paena & culpa, from paine & fault, on the daies of their Cloathing, Profession, and article of death: also at the article of death, the Fathers & Mothers of the said Brothers & Sisters may haue the same giuen them, by any lavvful Confessor.
2. All the Religious that shall receaue the most holy Sacrament vpon all Sundayes throughout the yeare, all the feastes of our Blessed Sauiour, & of our Blessed Lady, of the Saints of the Order, shall gaine a plenary Indulgence, [Page 66]And if it happen that any could not confesse & communicate these dayes, their hindrance being lavvfull, they may gaine the same Indulgence if after being freed of that impediment, they confesse and communicate for that intention, notvvithstanding the day of the feast be past.
3. The Religious vvho shall recite the Corone of our Lord, that is 33. Pater nosters, and Aue Maria, in honour of the 33 years he liued in the vvorld, or the Coronne or Rosary of the Glorious Virgin Mary, contayning [Page 67]72. Aues vvith 7. Pater nosters and one Pater noster and Aue for the Soueraigne Bishop, do gaine plenary Indulgence, Like vvise the same is graunted as often as they say the seauen Psalms and Letanies, the Gradual Psalms, the office of the dead, or assist at the Letanies of euery second Sunday in the moneth.
4. As often as the Religious eyther by day or night, in vvhat place soeuer they be, shall recite six Pater nosters and Aues, and Gloria Patri, fiue for the necessities of the Church, and the sixt for [Page 68]the Popes Holines, shall gaine the Indulgences of the Stations of Hierusalem, of Rome, of S. Iames, and of Portiuncula.
5. Item reciting the Psalme Exaudiat te Dominus in die tribulationis &c. three Pater nosters and Aues, for the Popes intention, they shallgaine all the Indulgences graunted by the Soueraigne Bishops, to the Confraternity of the Rosary, to the Churches of our Blessed Lady of Loreto, of Mont-serat, and of saint Iames de Compostella.
6. Euery time they say the Angelus Domini at the accustomed [Page 69]time vvhē it ringeth, a plenary Indulgence; and the like euery time they cō municate. As often as they heare the Masse of the Conception of our Blessed Lady, praying for his Holinesād the vniuersall Church, is graunted a Plenary indulgēce, Saying the diuine office, or the office of our Blessed Lady, besides all other Indulgence, they gaine 100. yeares of pardon.
7. Saying once euery day one Pater noster and Aue Maria, calling deuoutly three times vpon the Holy Name of Iesus, they gaine 3000. yeares [Page 60]of pardon.
8. It is graunted vnto the Sisters that foure times a yeare they may haue a generall absolution in ful remission of their sinnes vvhatsoeuer, and be restored to the estate of innocency, as fully as they could receaue it from his Holines: & the like is graunted them on euery feast of our Blessed Sauiour, our Blessed Lady, on the feast of S. Peter and S. Paul, S. Francis, Saint Clare, S. Catharine Queene and Martyr, the feast of All Saints, and euery day of the holy vveeke; yet notvvithstāding these graces vvil profit [Page 71]nothing, vnto those vvho should vpon presumption to gaine them, sin more freely. They may apply all priuiledges and Indulgences graunted to themselues, vnto the faithfull departed. Note that for the gayning of these or any indulgences is requisite the applying of the intention for the same.
An examen of Conscience for a Religious Person.
WHat are his euill inclinations and bad customes, vvhence they proceed, & vvhat vvarre & exercise [Page 72]he vseth against them.
2. What Passions most raigne in him, ād by vvhat meanes he hath hitherto indeauoured to mortify them.
3. What are his principall, most frequent, and most troublesome temptations, and hovv he hath hitherto behaued himself in them.
4. If he be indifferent in accepting any imployment of the holy Religion, vvillingly accepting vvhatsoeuer is appointed him.
5. Whether God be the only intētion of all his actiōs, or if he seeke proper commodity or praise in his vvorkes.
6. Whether he doe not prefer exteriour matters, as good qualities and naturall gifts and graces, before the study of vertue and perfection.
7. If he desire, and be most contēted his Superiours should haue knovvledge of all his faultes.
8. If he be confident and open harted to his Superiours & confer vvith them in any necessary occasion of things touching the good of his soule.
9. Whether he be truly vnited by affection vnto his Superiours, or if he haue any [Page 74]auersion, & from vvhence it proceedes.
10. Whether he be not too familiar vvith some, and if that familiarity be not hurtfull to him self and the other party, and if by that occasion he loose not time, & disedify others.
11. If he loue and imbrace the interiour and exteriour mortifications, and rather those matters that be humble & abiect, then of esteeme and credit.
12. If he obserue al his Rules & Constitutions, of vvhich he maketh lesse esteeme, & for vvhat reason.
13. If he desire truly to be penitent for all his faultes, truly confessing them vvith strong purpose of amendement.
14. If he make a particular examen euery day vpon one imperfectiō and vvith vvhat preparation he receaueth the holy Sacrament: and hovv he frequenteth the holy exercise of prayer.
15 If his vvordes & discourses in Recreatiō or other vvise, as also vvith secular be of edification: hovv he obserueth silence, and spendeth his time.
Tvvelue great Euills vvhich come by Veniall sinnes.
FIrst, they doe so darken and obscure the eyes of our vnderstanding, that they cannot see almighty God. 2. They kill the feruour of dilection and diuine Charity. 3. They hinder our prayers and petitions from being heard by God. 4. They defile and spotte the soule. 5. They contristate the holy Ghost, and reioice the enemy. 6. They depriue vs of the svveet and amiable familiarity of our Blessed Sauiour. 7. They [Page 77]are a great cause and meanes of our fall into more grieuous sinnes. 8. They cause a soule to fall into great slouth and tepidity in all goodnes. 9. They vveaken exceedingly the forces of the soule, from resisting her bad inclinatiōs. 10. They incline our affectiōs and desires to temporall matters. 11. They prolong and augment the paines in purgatory. 12. They exceedingly hinder vs from seeing & enioying the presence of God.
Nyne wayes by which we participate of the sinnes of others.
BY Counsell. 2. By commandment. 3. By consent. 4. By procuration or persuasion. 5. By flattery 6. By holding our peace of his fault of vvhome vve ought to haue care. 7. To dissemble or not to reprehend, and hinder if vve be thereunto obliged. 8. In participating of the matter, vvhereof such a sinne doth proceed. 9. In defending the fault of another.
Twelue fruits of the B. Sacrament.
IT not only maketh possible but also most easy the forsaking and leauing of all earthly & fading thinges.
2. It causeth great profit & aduancement in heauenly thinges.
3. It rayseth the soule aboue all things created.
4. It inforceth the spirit vnto al good.
5. It illuminateth and giueth light to the vnderstanding, in the knovvledge of God.
6. It causeth an inflamed feruerous possession of the pure loue of God alone.
7. It is the consummation of al vertue & perfection.
8. It giueth the soule possession of the treasury of all goods & riches.
9. It causeth a continuall interiour ioy.
10. It indevveth her vvith a happy security & assurāce, in seeing him in vvhom she belieueth.
11. A perfect peace beginning in this life & cōtinuing for eternity.
12. A parfaict vnion vvith Almighty God, vvherby the [Page 81]soule is made participant of all diuine perfection.
Twelue Euangelicall Counsayles.
POuerty, vvherby a Religious person is estranged from all terrestriall things.
2. Obedience vvithout vvhich no vertue is perfect.
3. Chastity vvhich beantifieth and adorneth all other vertues.
4. Charity tovvardes our enemies, vvherby all spirituall infection of any sinne is expelled.
5. Mansuetude, vvhich (as [Page 82]sayth S. Ambrose) is the medicine of the hart, vvherby the soule is illuminated by God Almighty, to knovv his secrets.
6. Mercy, vvhich extendeth it selfe to the help of euery one vvithout limite, entreth svveetly into the hart vvith pitty, & cleanseth it from all sinne.
7. The simple vvord alvvaies fructifying in God, in purity of intention, in charity &c.
8. Shunning occasiō of sinne, cōducting the soule vvith prudency, and security to the purchase of vertue.
9. Right intention, vvhich maketh all vvorkes to proceed of humility, to the edification of our neighbour.
10. Cōformity of the vvorke vnto the vvord, vvherby all special instruction is seriously, & vvith all profit accepted.
11. Auoiding of vn profitable solicitude, therby better to attend vnto spiritual illuminations, vvhich are obscured by earthly cares.
12. Fraternal Correction, vvhich is a light that illuminateth the vnderstanding, according to that of the Apostle, saying, That vvhich is corrected [Page 84]is made apparent by the light that follovveth.
The Malediction of S. Francis.
BY thee O Eternall, and Heauenly Father, and all the celestial Court, and by me most Vnvvorthy, be accursed all those Brethren, vvho by their euill example doe ruine and destroy the thinges vvhich thou hast built, and ceasest not build, by so many holy Brethren of this Order.
WHen thovv hast vovved a vovve to our lorde thy God, thovv shalt not slacke to pay it: because our lorde thy God vvill require it. And if thovv delay, it shal be reputed to thee for sinne. If thovv vvilt not promiss, thovv shalt be vvithout sinne. But that vvhich is once gone out of thy lippes, thovv shalt obserue, and shalt do as thovv hast promised to our lorde thy God, and hast spoken vvith thy proper vvil, and thyne ovvne mouth.
I. WHO vvhatsomever thing, or of vvhomsoeuer giuen, do hide in fraude from their Prelate, or do not forthvvith restore it, vvhen he cōmandeth, either that it be restored, or lent, or [Page 88]giuen to another.
2. Who change the vse of things of the communitie into their proper vse, or giue them to others, vvithout licence of the Prelate.
3. Who hide the key least the Prelate take onie thing avvay, or othervvise dispose: and if onie thing be taken avvay, are trobled, and do murmur.
4. Who deliberately are of that minde, that if onie thing vvere taken avvay, or called back, they vvold not forthvvith yelde.
5. Who vvill not spend Almes deposed or giuen for [Page 89]their necessitie, but by a kind of prouidence for the time to come, or treasuring, do reserue it: seeking in the mean time more.
LITANIAE B. P. N. S. FRANCISCI.
- KYrie eleison.
- Christe eleison.
- Kyrie eleison.
- Christe audi nos.
- Christe exaudi nos.
- Pater de c [...]is Deus, Miserere nobis.
- Fili Redemptor mundi Deus Miserere nobis.
- [Page 90]Spiritus sancte Deus, Miserere nobis.
- Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus, Miserere nobis.
- Sancte Francisce, Pater amabilis, ora pro nobis.
- Pater admirabilis. ora.
- Pater benigne, ora.
- Pater venerabilis, ora.
- Vexillifer Iesu Christi, ora.
- Eques Crucifixi, ora.
- Imitator filij Dei, ora.
- Seraphim ardens, ora.
- Fornax Charitatis, ora.
- Arca Sanctitatis ora.
- Cultor pacis, ora.
- Vas Puritatis, ora.
- Norma Iustitiae, ora.
- Speculum prudentiae, ora.
- [Page 91]Regula Poenitentiae, ora.
- Magister Obedientiae, ora.
- Exemplar Virtutum, ora.
- Patriarcha Pauperum, ora.
- Profligator Criminum, ora.
- Lumen tuae Patriae, ora.
- Decus Morum, ora.
- Viuificator Mortuorum, ora.
- Saluator Famelicorum, ora.
- Obsequium Leprosorum, or.
- praeco magni Regis, ora.
- Forma Humilitatis, ora.
- Consors Sublimitatis. ora.
- Victor Vitiorum, ora.
- Dux Minorum, ora.
- Praedicator Siluestrium, ora.
- Portans dona Gloriae, ora.
- Auriga militiae nostrae, ora.
- Nouis vtens Prodigijs, ora.
- [Page 92]Caelum caecis aperiens, ora.
- Gratum gerens obsequium, ora pro nobis.
- Templum Christo consecrās, ora pro nobis.
- Hostes malignos proterens, ora pro nobis.
- Tenens vitae brauium, ora.
- Spargens virtutum munera, ora pro nobis.
- Amplians iter ad gloriā, ora.
- Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi, Parce nobis Domine.
- Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi, Exaudi nos Domine.
- Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi, Miserere nobis.
Vers. Ora pro nobis Beate Pater Francisce.
Resp. Vt digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus.
DEus qui Ecclesiam tuam Beati Francisci meritis foetu nouae prolis amplificas: tribue nobis ex eius imitatione terrena despicere, & caelestium donorum semper participatione gaudere. Per Dominum nostrum, &c. Amen.