Abbess shal not easily dispense vnlesse true necessitie require it because by such like dispensation the first spirit of many Orders hath decayed and failed 3. Neuerthelesse the Abbess or Uicaress with counsel of the Discreet may dispense with the young weake and infirme that often in the day they take refection when it shal be iudged needfull seing that Superiours are as much obliged to relieue and comfort them in point of diett as in other necessaries 4. Moreouer We appoint that diligent care be taken by the Abbess for the equall distributing of Almes vnto the Cōmunitie according to the qualitie therof least the want of sufficiēt maintenāce might giue occasion to the Sisters of interrupting their vertuous courses and pious exercises Of Confession and holy Communion UJ. CHAPT 1. TO the end that puritie of body and mind may increase and flourish in the Sisters of this Order by loue and deuotion towards the most holy Sacrament of the altar We ordaine that ouer and aboue the number of twelue times in the yeare expressed in the forme of life wherin the Sisters with leaue of the Abbess are to confesse and the seauen times specified in the said forme wherin they are to communicate they may besids vnless they be lawfully hindered confesse twice euery week and receiue as often the most pretious body of our Lord at the Conuentual Masse with the greatest deuotion and humilitie they are able 2. We grant also that the Abbess with counsel of her Discreet may permitt them more frequent vse of holy Communion when it shal seeme conducing to their progresse in vertue and increase in deuotion yet fearing least soe great a work be performed carlessly and through custome We seriously exhort them in our Lord to prepare themselues and to approach vnto it with the greatest deuotion and reuerence imaginable 3. We ordaine also that noe Sister vnder what colour or pretense soeuer presume to confesse to any Confessor whither secular or regular of what condition or qualitie he may happen to be then to the Confessor of the Conuent in whom is required maturitie vertue and prudence Jn this notwithstanding the Abbess may dispense and giue leaue vnto any Sister when the cause shal seeme iust and reasonable to haue the freedome of an other Confessor not doubting but God wil mercifully incline the hearts of superiours to the affording of such charitie compassion and true freedome of conscience as shal be expedient for them 4. Moreouer We ordaine with our holy Mother the Catholique Church for the greater comfort and freedome of such soules as are weake and pusillanimous conformable also vnto the decrees of the sacred Council of Trent commanding all Bishops and superiours of Monasteries to present them twice or oftener in the yeare with an extraordinarie Confessor who is to receiue the Confessions of the Religious Wee ordaine J say that the Sisters present themselues vnto him demanding at the least his Benediction to auoyde the note of singularitie if their difficultie in confessing vnto him can not be ouercome which by all is punctually to be obserued And great diligence is to be taken by the Abbess that noe extraordinarie be admited vnless whom the Lord Bishop and she shal groundedly esteeme wil giue satisfaction vnto all or the greatest part of the Communitie 5. Furthermore We ordaine that none shal confesse after Compline or Tierce begun vnlesse the number of Confessions or some other iust cause approued by the Abbess should require otherwise 6. And although in the forme of life it be esteemed lawfull for the Chaplain to celebrate Masse and communicate the sick within the Monasterie We neuerthelesse for the auoyding many inconueniences and dangers which from thence may arise command the Abbess Portresses and all others whom it may cōcerne that at noe time they permitt any Priest whither secular or regular to say Masse or giue the holy Communion to any Sisters within the Monasterie such only excepted who by reason of sicknesse or some contagious disease cannot be present with the rest in the Church without detriment to themselues or others For in this case We grant that seauen times in the yeare as is contained in the forme of life or oft'ner also if the Abbess with her Discreet shal iudge it conuenient for the comfort of the sick the Confessor with his Compagnion if the pouertie of the Monasterie can allowe him one may enter to performe his holy functiō Of the Obseruance of Inclosure UJJ. CHAPT 1. WE declare with Pope Jnnocent the 4. that those who bind themselues by Vow vnto this forme of life ought and are oblig'd to obserue perpetual Jnclosure soe that for the whole terme of their life they shal not exceed the limitts of the Monasterie Neither can any leaue or power to the contrarie be granted vnto them vnless it be for the founding reforming gouerning of some other Monasterie or for the auoyding of some ineuitable danger and that with expresse leaue of the Ordinarie if it may be conformable to the sacred Council of Trent And if any one or more for the afore-said causes should depart their Monasterie We ordaine that they goe vnto the Conuent or place assigned with what speed they may in companie of vertuous persons alwais recollected vigilant in their words mortified in their sight and modest in their countenance and whole composure as beseemeth the hand-maids of JESUS Christ and daughters of S. Clare 2. Wheras it is mentioned in the forme of life that the Lay-Sisters not being tyed by Uow of Jnclosure had libertie for the seruice of the Monasterie to goe abroad and returne as occasiō should serue We not withstanding foreseeing the euident dangers which by this occasion may happen to the Sisters and Conuent ordaine conformably to the institute and appointment of Pope Benedict the 12. that from hence-forth noe professed Sisters vnlesse for the afore-said causes presume to depart the Jnclosure Commanding all the Sisters present and future of what state or Condition soeuer alwais to obserue inuiolably the afore-said ordination soe that none hereafter shal presume vnder title of Lay-Sisters seruants or what cause soeuer the aforesaid excepted to exceed the limitts of perpetual Jnclosure 3. Neuerthelesse if it shal happen hereafter that seruāts are esteemed needfull for the occasions of the Monasterie We permitt them to make vse of some pious and aged woemen yet soe as they are neuer permitted to weare the habit of Religion or to enter into the Monasterie 4. More-ouer We ordaine that in euery Conuent ther be erected in some conspicuous place one only Wheele or Turne of a conuenient height and widenesse and soe rounded that none on either side discerne in the least through any chink's or creuises by which Turne the Sisters may receiue or send forth all necessaries for the Monasterie but if the thinges be soe considerable that they can not be conueyed by the said Turne they may then be sent forth or receiued by the Monasterie or back Gate
lasting vntil Christmasse as also in the second Lent beginning the Munday immediatly after Quinquagesima sonday shal speak with any person in the Speakhouse or at the Grate vnless for causes expressed in the forme of life except only the Abbess Uicaress and Portress concerning the affaires of the Monasterie according to custome At which times writing of letters vnto their kindred or friends is prohibited vnless it be for great and vrgent causes which shal be left to the iudgment of the Abbess 6. We also exhort them in our Lord JESUS CHRIST that when any Sister speaketh at the Grate in the Church or in the Speakhouse for at the Turne it shal not be permitted but for some necessarie and ineuitable occasiō all prolixe and vnprofitable discourses with seculars be auoyded and that their speeches sauour of vertue and pietie as becometh the handmaids of our Lord JESUS and the obseruers of the holy Ghospel 7. The better to auoide familiaritie ād vnnecessarie discourses with seculars We ordaine that noe Sister by her self or others be Godmother to the Children of any person whatsoeuer We also appoint that noe Sister although she haue licence shal speak with any person entring the Monasterie for iust occasion or to visit the sick vnless two Discreet assigned by the Abbess or Uicaress be present and hear their discourse at which time they shal speak with their face modestly couered and body inclined in few words and with a low voice as beseemeth Religious grauitie Of the obseruāce of Holy Pouertie and denyall of all Proprietie XJ. CHAPT 1. SEing that according to the forme of life the Abbess and all the Sisters are to obserue the holy pouertie promised vnto God and S. Francis wherby they dispossesse themselues of all right or interest to any thing whatsoeuer To the end this pouertie may be more entirely obserued We prohibit the Sisters from hyring any house field garden meddow vineyard or other thing whatsoeuer to be husbanded or possessed for their owne priuate vses 2. Besids they shal not haue any inheritances or rents any annuall prouisions or perpetual almes either by themselues or the mediation of any other neither shal they haue any granaryes or store-houses filled with necessaries bought begg'd or otherwise obtained for aboue a yeares prouision which they might sell to sustaine themselues without begging it being wholy repugnant vnto pouertie Nor shal they haue or possesse any heards of sheep oxen horses cupps of gould siluer or other pretious mettall but lett all curious and superfluous things as wel in their house-hold-stuff as in the ornaments of the Church be carefully auoyded that holy pouertie may euer shine amongst you according to the perfection and intention of your holy Rule 3. We also will and ordaine that the legacyes left vnto you be disposed of according to the decree of Nicolas the third in his declaration vpon the Rule of S. Francis And seeing mention is made in the forme of life that the Religious ought not to possesse house place or other thing whatsoeuer as their owne and that the said Pope Nicolas vpon the exposition of the said Rule togeather with Clement the 5. and many other Popes haue declared that the abdication and renuntiation of all things exprest therin ought to be vnderstood and obserued as wel in particular as in general We herevpō adhering to the afore-said declarations doe ordaine and command that the said abdication and renuntiation of all proprietie which they for the loue of God doe vow as meritorious profitable and worthy of an eternal reward be by all present and future as wel in particular as in general entirely obserued Notwithstanding they may with a safe conscience haue the simple vse of those things yet without proprietie which are granted them according to the forme of life and of such also which by the same Rule are not prohibited as for example necessaires requisite for the decent administration of the diuine office for their habitation maintenance and performance of their emploiments according to the said forme of life and holy Religiō They may likewise make vse of those things which they shal haue gained by their labour and industrie as also what others for the loue of God shal giue or procure to be bestowed on them For the things giuen begg'd or earn'd doe not repugne with the state of pouertie and Religion which they professe 4. We ordaine likewise that the almes bestowed on the Sisters as wel in particular as in general be distributed to the needy according to the iudgment of the Abbess And We prohibite any Sister from presuming to giue or bestow any thing sent by her parents or friends of the Conuent whither to her self or others without leaue of the Abbess 5. We wil also that the manner of contracting debts be alwais and euery-wher obserued by the Sisters in such sort as it is contained in the forme of life and that especial regard be had that noe sumptuous or magnificēt building be erected but that they remaine contented with poore and humble houses in imitation of the sacred pouertie of our Lord JESUS CHRIST 6. This point of sublime pouertie hath by enforcing necessitie been dispēced whithal by the Lords Bishops their superiours in some Conuents of the English nation in order to the enioying of lands and rents and receiuing portions during the time of their banishment out of their natiue soyle vntil it shal please God to restore Catholique Religion and rayse vp Conuents in their now afflicted Countrie not hauing other subsistance at present and being only admitted and permitted to liue in town 's of the Low-Countries vpon cōdition and promise of not begging or being chargeable vnto them Of the Infirme Sisters XJJ. CHAPT 1. WE ordaine that the infirme and weak Sisters be carefully prouided for by the Abbess or Vicaress The Sisters deputed to the care of the sick shal haue regard not to be found remisse in their office but shal serue them with all humilitie pietie and feruent charitie as themselues would desire in the same condition 2. Jn like manner the Abbess vnless lawfully hindred shall of charitie visit at the least once a day the infirme who for some time haue been confined vnto their beds and in her absence the Uicaress shal performe the same dutie least through their negligēce the infirme Sisters be depriued of necessaries conuenient for their comfort 3. The Abbess or Vicaress shal not consult any Phisitian or Surgeon vpon the recouerie of any infirme Sister that is not pious and Catholique Such as for iust occasion are call'd into the Monasterie during their aboad ther shall be accompanied by the Abbess or Uicaress or by two or three of the Discreet And when ther shal be present dāger of death lett the soule first by the Holy Sacraments of the Church and then the body be diligently prouided for 4. Moreouer if it should happen to any of the Sisters to be visited with some grieuous or contagious disease
as leaprosie weaknesse of the head frensie or such like infirmitie soe as they can not cōmodiously remaine amōgst the rest of the Sisters a conuenient place must be assigned them with-in the Monasterie separate from the rest and due attendance be giuen thē as the necessitie of the disease requireth without being forced at any time to depart the Monasterie 5. We exhort all the Sisters present and to come that for the loue of God and the bitter death and passion of our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST they doe not esteeme it hard and tedious to serue those whom God shal visit with infirmitie but that humbly and piously they extend their charitie vnto all according to their necessitie And if any deputed to the seruice of the sick are found defectiue and that superiours doe not prouide for them according to their condition qualitie and place with aduise diet and other necessaries lett them be accused to the Uisitor in time of the visit and by him seuerely punished as inhumane if J say they haue been found notably defectiue in this their dutie to the sick 6. The infirme Sisters shal repose vpon beds of chafe hauing a feather bolster vnder their head as is prescribed in the forme of life But if any be detained by a tedious and long disease or if some other iust and legitimate cause doe occurre the Abbess or Vicaress with aduise of the Discreet ought to prouide them of feather-beds linnen and other necessaries for their better repose as they inspired by God in their conscience shal iudge expedient and the infirmitie of the sick require 7. Lett especial care be had by those whom it may concerne that at the departure of any Sister out of this life she haue on the habit of the Order Corde and Vaile and be buried according to the accustomed manner 8. Wheras by way of dispensation it is permitted in the forme of life that the vse of socks may be granted vnto those who need them We ordaine that noe Sisters of what office or condition soeuer in time of health vse socks vnless presēt necessitie should require it Which necessitie shal not be determined by the opinion of each Sister but by the Abbess only when she shal obserue them to stand in need or they desire a dispensation which she with aduise of the Discreet may grant thē as long as their necessitie shal continue Of the Sisters manuall exercises XJJJ. CHAPT 1. IT being specified in the forme of life that the Sisters vnto whom God hath giuen grace and strength to work ought to begin after Tierce that this may the better be obserued by all We will that for the loue of God none decline work 's of labour charitie and humilitie and when the Abbess or Vicaress shal impose any work to be done either for the common or particular profit of the Cōuent that it be willingly accepted without murmuratiō and contradiction and faithfully and piously performed 2. Noe one enioying perfect heath shal giue way to sloth or negligence vpon pretence grounded in pride of not hauing the tallent of performing this or that work but they must with all obedience and humilitie comply with the wil of their superiour according vnto their Vow Lett care be had by the Abbess and Vicaress that nothing be enioyned the Religious which can not well be performed 3. Although the time mentioned in the forme of life for the Sisters to begin their work be after Tierce We neuertheless considering the strickt pouertie and want to which the said Sisters may be reduced doe grant vnto the Abbess or Uicaress free power to dispense with the said Sisters as they shal iudge fitt to begin or finish any work before the said houre 4. We command likewise that noe Sister for any cause whatsoeuer presume to begin or finish any work mixed with curiositie and vanitie but when any thing in this nature shal be requisite to be vndertaken the Sisters shal consult the Abbess or Uicaress whither or noe they iudge it expedient to be done nothing being to be vndertaken without their approbation and cōsent The Sisters transgressing shal be punished as the Abbess or Uicaress shal think expedient 5. Masse being finished the signe shal be giuen to work at a conuenient houre at which all the Sisters not lawfully hindred shal betake themselues to their works imposed vpon them We ordaine also that the Sisters as wel present as to come alwais and in all places abstaine from secular and vaine recreations worldly and fruitless playes of what kind soeuer and howsoeuer performed 6. When two or three with licence are mett togeather to talke and recreate for otherwise silence is to be obserued their discourse is to be of God liues of Saints or some other decent indifferent and profitable subiect cōducing to the progresse in vertue and good of their soules hauing especial regard to auoyde all idle dangerous and detractiue words as beseemeth the handmaids of Christ obseruers of the holy Ghospel and professors of sacred Religion 7. We prohibit the sisters to write cause to be written or possesse any booke or book 's sauouring of vanitie or secular historie the vse notwithstanding of pious book 's is permitted them for the good and comfort of their soules which they may read either in particular or common at table or in other places according to the wil and order of the Abbess Of the Correction of the Sisters offending XJU. CHAPT 1. WE ordaine that in euery Conuent the Abbess or in her absence the Vicaress humbly and with charitie admonish and correct the Sisters offending least for want of admonition they fall headlong into faults and trāsgressions Yet superiours as is aboue sayd must in their reprehensions be mindfull of humilitie and due ordered charitie 2. Lett care be taken least vnder pretext of humilitie and sweetness they giue occasion to the Sisters of libertie and relaxation and vnder the cloake of charitie they cherish sensualitie which in time would proue the ruine of soules Wherfore without distinction of persons they ought to correct all according to the qualitie of the offence 3. Yet if it should happen which God forbid that any Sister should cōmitt soe great a crime as to endanger therby her eternal saluation and blast the order with infamie and cōfusion or if any should remaine soe refractorie incorrigible and obstinate in her malice that she would in noe wise amēd herself ther must be for such as these in euery Conuent a strong yet humane place of correctiō wherin the guiltie shall be confin'd to bread and water for a week month yeare and euen for euer if the offence require it and the Abbess with her Discreet shal iudge it necessarie 4. Jf it happen also that any Sister rebells against the Abbess or Uicaress or casts forth vndecent and iniurious words against them she shal in the presense of the Sisters sitting on the ground in time of table fast with bread ād water Of the Portress
and of entring into the Monasterie XU. CHAPT 1. ALthough it be contained in the forme of life that the Portress should in the day time reside in an open cell yet We for seueral and iust causes doe wholy abrogate and disannulle it For that which in S. Clar's time was lawfull and decent would now proue obnoxious to many inconueniences and dangers 2. We therfore desiring to prouide for future securitie and decencie ordaine the following methode to be hēce forth euer obserued That a Sister fearing God discreet and vertuous be assigned vnto the custodie of the gate of the Monasterie and Speakhouse who as Wee may confide wil by word and example edifie those that shal conuerse and deale with her She is to haue by common consent as in other elections a fitt companiō assigned her who in case the chief Portress be hindred by infirmitie may laudably supply the office 3. Unto these two Portresses an other Sister shal be assign'd out of the number of the eight Discreet who shal be present and heare those that speake vnto the Sisters and may weekly be changed or continued according to the good lyking of the Abbess soe that none shal speak vnto any externe but in presēce and hearing of two of the Discreet as hath been sayd These Sisters at the call of their bell shal immediatly and with speed repaire all three togeather vnto the Speakhouse soe that she that speaketh must haue her two companions euer present vnless one of thē should chance to goe to deliuer some message or for some necessarie occasion with intention to return speedily for if her absence should be considerable long and frequent she shal aduertise the Abbess or Vicaress to appoint an other in her place 4. The chief Portress shal answer and speak her two companions are only to be present and hear Jf any extern would speak with either of her companions she and her other assistent leaue beeing obtained before hand of the Abbess or Vicaress shal be present and hear what is sayd soe that noe discourse with externs must be euer permitted at the Grate or Speakhouse without the attendance of two of the Discreet and the chief Portress shal be always one of them vnless she be hindred by some necessarie occasion 5. We ordaine also that ther be a wodden dore made to the said Speakhouse with a lock and two keyes and that day and night it be carefully kept lock't vnless the Portresses be actually ther which neither of them shal presume to enter without all three be ioyntly mett The one key shal be alwais kept by the chief Portress and the other by the Abbess in the night time and in the day time by the third Sister who is weekly deputed to assist 6. We declare that noe man of what condition or state soeuer he might happen to be whither Secular or Regular be euer permitted to enter the Monasterie Moreouer We stricktly command both Abbess and Sisters neuer to giue way vnto it without leaue first obtained by such as can giue it From this law are excepted Phisitians and Surgeons permitted to enter for the relief and attendance of the sick those also whose entrance shal be necessarie for fire ruines reparations and such work 's as can not otherwise be done without the Monasterie 7. Jf any Cardinal should please to enter the Conuent he must be receiued with due respect and deuotion but with humble intreatie that he be pleased to select ād admitt with him only two or three or very few of his train Noe Sister shal conuerse or speak with them otherwise then according as is specified in the forme of life Lett great care be taken that those who with leaue shal enter the Monasterie be such persons only whose exemplar life words and behauiour may breed edification to all 8. When any prouisions of corn wood or other necessaries are brought to the Monasterie of soe considerable a bigness that they can not cōmodiously pass the Turne We wil that the Abbess or Portress or her Assistents take care least the gate be left open longer then necessitie requireth neither shal they permitt the Porters or such like work-men to enter more in number to pass further into the Monasterie or make longer stay then shal be precisely necessarie for the present occasions Those Sisters only who are deputed by the Abbess or Uicaress may speak vnto them with their faces decētly couer'd and lett their words be brief and of things only necessarie 9. And to the end none of the other Sisters may be seen by those who for carriages or other work 's are to enter into the Monasterie lett this following practice be obserued The Portress hauing opēed the inward gate shal vnbarr and vnlock with two keys but not vnlatch the outward or chief gate which is called the gate of the Monasterie then withdrawing her self and hauing shutt the inward gate with the two keys the Work-men drawing the latch of the other may enter and lay down their burdens between these two gates and depart Then the Portresses returning shal barr and double-lock the outward or principal gate and dispose of things brought in according to order 10. Jt being also contained in the forme of life that the Abbess is to appoint two Sisters at the gate to lett in those who for necessarie occasions are to enter into the Monasterie We declare that the said Portress supposed in the forme of life to be modest and prudent shal with one of her companions suffice to open the gate leaue being obtained of the Abbess and to lett in those persons aforementioned and conduct thē with modestie grauitie and silence to the place or work intended 11. Noe Sister of what condition soeuer shal out of curiositie goe to see the workmen at work but if any be deputed by the Abbess for iust reasons to ouersee or be with them she shal alwais haue a companiō assigned her and they shal both remaine in a publique and open place till the work be ended after which they shall retire themselues 12. Lett the Abbess and Sisters take care that noe thing be done with-in by externs which might without inconuenience be performed by thēselues nor permitt workmen or any other person whatsoeuer to eate within the Monasterie without iust and necessarie cause 13. We ordaine moreouer that the Confessor entring the Monasterie with his companion if he haue one be vested with the sacred garments of an Albe or Surplice and Stole 14. Moreouer We exhort all the Sisters in IESVS CHRIST that they be not importune and ouer solicitous for the Benediction of the Abbess and Cōsecration of the Religious but that they remaine satisfied in the holy simplicitie and innocencie of their Professiō for the which if duly complied with all they may expect from the hād of the high Priest our Lord and Sauiour JESUS CHRIST a plentifull reward and benediction 15. By reason of the differēce of tymes and circumstances since your forme