of those things for which shee is repreheÌ„ded and punished bee demanded of her or that somewhat bee to bee revealed which was not knowne but let her endure all without murmuration and with as great peace of mynde as shee may much lesse it may bee lawfull for any to excuse her that is reprehended and espeâ—ially in her presence seeke to extenuate her fault although shee may after wards certify the Abbesse of all that hath passed if soe bee that it may seeme soe expedient And to the end all occasion of murmuring may bee taken away none may complayne to any of the Religious or to any other person but onely to her from whomshee may expect redresse and if any feele any disgust for any matter lett her make her recourse to the lady Abbesse or to the Superiour who shall with Compassion giue eare to her Playntes and performe that towards her which shal bee iudged to bee according to Iustice 13. If shee that is penanced or any other for her at some tyme will not confer about her with the Superiour or Abbesse for that they may thinke that they cannot deale with them in such free manner as were necessary then may they goe to the Assistants or to some one of them and make knowne to them those things whereof they would haue their Abbesse or Superior to bee informed 14. For smaller faults such penances as these following may bee enioyned by the Abbesse or Superiour vnto the offenders as the sayd Superiours shall thinke good to witt certayne prayers kneeling on the ground and eating on the same to serue in the Refectory or Kitchin to abstaine from some parte of their meate and such like And if any committ often any error or through Custome or contempt fall into greater trespasses shee may bee punisted with fasting with publick or priuate disciplynes and with other such like Chastisements yet noe Religious may giue a discipline to an other but the offendor is to inflict it vppon her selfe except the Abbesse for some great cause doe otherwise appoynteâ— 15. For most greweous faults let those things bee done which are appoynted in another place for the correction of such faults without exception or regard had to any degree or Office what â—oeuer although wee hope that throughe the grace of God this Congregation wil bee allwayes cleere and free from all such faults 16. When in the Chapter they are to conferr about the affayres of the Monastery lett euery one deliuer their opinions with all Religious simplicie and sinceritie as god shall put in their myndes and shee that hath once finished her speech may not speake agaâ—â—e except shee haue new leaue granted her neither may any presume to argueor dispute agâ—inst the saying of any other Sisters 17. The professed of the Quier haue voyces in the Chapter and their they sitt each one according to the order of their Professions except the lady Abbesse the mother Prioresse the deames and the Mistris of the Noâ—ices who take their places both here and in all places where the Conuent meeteth in that order as here they haue beene named for the most part the Iuniors or younger professed speake first that with greater liberty they may vtter their opinions concerning those affayres that are then in deliberation 18. In matters of great moment the Abbesse shall fore warne the Chapter of them some two or three dayes before if the matter will suffer soe long delay But in those maters where in the Religious may confer among them selues they may take their light and information onely from the Abbesse Prioresse Assistents or the Officers if the matters to bee deliberated vppon appertayne to their Charges and Iurisdictions 19. what by the Chapter is approued or denyed the same the Abbesse is to approue or deny except in some cases hereafter specified 20. That both the Abbesse and alsoe the whole Conuent may procede in their Consultations and determinations with more sweetenesse light and assurednesse it is expedient that they haue some one prudent and vertuoâ—s man but especialy well practised in regular life and discipline with whom they may conferr and consult in matters of greater difficulty and wight And this Manmust bee such an one as may bee according to the liking and Iudgment of the Religious and by their suffrages hee is to bee elected 21. If it soe happen that the Religious disagree in their opinions about some matter lett the sayd difficultie bee propounded either in Worde or writing to the chosen person in the presence of the Abbesse of the Assistents and of some other two of the Chapter vnto whom the saye Chapter shall committ this affayre and all shall bee bound to follow that Order and Resolution which hee hee shal iudge expedieÌ„t vntill the right ReuereÌ„d lord Bishopp or the Visitor shall other wayes ordayne But hee shall deliuer in writing to the Conuent his sayd Iudgment that afterwards to the Bishopp or Visitor it may better appeare howand in what termes the whole businesse passed 22. If the Abbesse would appoynte any thing which the Conuent doth not like of or would not doe that which the Conuent would haue done and if shee would proceede in some cases coÌ„trary to the Iugdment of all her AssisteÌ„ts or will not assemble theÌ„ togeather for some secrett Cause which shee thinketh good not to communicate with them if the matter bee of great momente shee must coÌ„sult with the afore sayde hosen person and shee may proceede according to his Counsayle deliuered her in writing 23. Out of Chapter none may seeke to disproue the saying of any vttered in Chapter neither may any manifest vnto any that was abseÌ„t from the Chapter that which was sayd or done by her selfe or any other which may any wayes touch her or any other whoe soeuer They are to bee absent from the Chapter about whom there is any question to bee propounded in Chapter or any thing to bee handled about them as all those if the Chapter thinke it meete whoe are neere in bloode or kindred to them and the Superiours are to warne and commaunde such persons as are to bee soe absent that curiousty they doe not enquire what was any way handled concerning them selues CHAPTER 11. Of the sicke and infirme Sisters 1. When any feeleth her selfe more greiued in her bodely health then accustomed lett her warne the Superiour and Gouernour of the the Infirmary thereof and when shee hath fully informed her of her State with due humilitie and quietnesse of mynde lett her suffer hir selfe to bee disposed of by them as they shall thinke goode 2. Lett none refuse any thing ordayned them by the Phisitions but hauing made knowne her difficulty to the Abbesse shee must leaue it to her what shee will determyne of her case and soe shee must bee obedient to her with all patience and shew of religious resignation 3. See that shee bee not greivous to the Infirmere and others that haue care of her neither may shee
to bee more feruent in her good Exercises shee must endeauour to aduance and helpe her in her good desires yet soe that all bee done with in the limitts of prudence and discretion And all the Religious of this Congregation are to vnderstand that there is nothing appoynted in any other Religious Order which may helpe for the increase of Gods holy Spiritt which shall not alsoe bee most willingly permitted to them of this holy Congregation if soe bee it shall bee thought expedient for them 16. They that are permitted to vâ—e vppon themsâ—lues any bodyly affliction or mortification must soe endeauour to conceale the same that as farr as lyeth in them it may not bee knowne to the rest except the Abbesse for some other good respects shall otherwise appoynte 17 Once euery weeke each one shall make a disciplyne for soe long a tyme as the Abbesse shall thinke good and it is to beâ— done on Friday at night except the Abbesse some tyme sâ—all appoynte some other day 18. Although the Abbesse may apply the prayers and deuotions of her Religious for the obtayning of gods assistance and grace or for some other benefitt from his deuine goodnesse yet shall shee bring in noe new obligations but with great moderation or with very great Consideration 19. They shall say or sing their howers and the deuyne office according to the Romane vse they shall say the litle Office of our blessed lady the Office of the deade the Graduall Psalmes the seuen penetentiall Psalmes and Litanies in such sort as is appoynted in the breuiary of Rome 20. They shall sing the Mattines laudes aÌ„d the rest of the howers vppoÌ„ the principallest Feasts of the yeare kept either by the precept of the Church or vppon Custome vppon the Feasts of their Patrones and Patronesses both of their Order and of their perticuler Churches and of the Feast of the dedication of the same alsoe they aâ—e to sing euery day their conuentuall Masse except the Abbesse for iust causes for a tyme ordayne otherwayes both in these latter as alsoe in the former Solemnities Once euery weeke a Masse of the holy Ghost is to bee sung or sayd and as often as the Office of â—he blessed Virgin is sayd on the Saturdayes soe often a Masse is to bee celebrated of our blessed Lady for this end that the Conuent may obtayne of our lord spirituall progresse and aduancement 22. Whyle they sing or say the deuyne Office lett them obserue due grauitie and Modesty and decent composition of their cariage neither may they post oure their seruice but they must pronounce each worde with moderate leisure distinctly and truly and with soe loude a voyce that they may bee well herd and vnderstoode by those that are out of the Quire 23. None may intreate or labour to haue leaue to intone or reade any thing but as it shall bee appoynted her neither may shee any wise refuse any thing that shee is willed to sing or reade except shee first make know her impediment to the Superiour to whose Commaundement shee is wholly to submitt her selfe 24. They may some tymes vse Musicke in the deuyne office yet it must bee with great Moderaâ—ion togeather with the good edification of the hearers and only such Songs they are to sing as are truly graue and modest 25. If vppon iust hindrance any shal bee absent from the other Canonicall howers yett all must bee present at Complyne except some vrgent Cause shall excuse them or that the Abbesse shall iudge some other businesse to bee more necessary and important CHAPTER 2. Of Pouertie 1. ALL such as make their profession of Religion in this Congregation must vnderstand that they can haue nothing in propriety euen as the Rule hath enacted what soeuer therefore is giuen them by ther frends and kinsfolkes is to bee applyed to the vse of the Conuent and Communitie But if the Abbesse will permitt any to haue any thing of smale price as a memory of their Frends it may not bee any thing that is made of gould or Siluer and much lesse of pretious stones sett either in gould or Siluer 2. Goulden or Siluer Vessells may not bee vsed in this Congregation except for the Church or Infirmary and for this latter in meane and smale quantitie and number Neither may the Abbesse vse such Vessell in her Cell or in the Refectory but this may bee permitted for the intertaynment of Guestes when it shal bee thought expedient to vse any such entertaynment yet with this moderation that in them all vanitie and secular pompe is to bee eschewed 3. They must auoyde all notable singularitie and curiositie in their apparell Images and all other Furniture of their Cells and they are to haue only those things which befitt religious decency and are for their health and they must willingly imbrace what soeuer appertayneth to their diett and Apparell according to true Religious pouertie 4. There woolen or linnen apparell may not bee made of any fine Costly Cloath yea though itt bee giuen them or bee by their parents bestowed vppon them but they are to weare those things that are of a moderate price and are lasting 5. They shall not giue or receaue one of another any thing without the lady Abbesse oâ— the Superiours licence yeâ— the Prioresse Mistresse of the Nouices and Celarier may some tyme giue leaue to those that are vnder their charge to giue or take one of another some matter of litle moment or value 6. Let none begg any thing of her freÌ„ds or Parents for her proper vse but if her freÌ„ds or Parents will giue any thing lett it bee soe done that it may bee applyed to the Communitie or left to the will and disposition of the Abbesse that shee may bestow it vppon them as shee shall thinke good 7. It may not bee lawfull to lend or graÌ„t any thing appertayning to the Monastery to any abroade without leaue from the Abbesse 8. Each Religious shall once euery yeare to witt before the first Sunday in lent goe to the lady Abbesse and with due humilitie and reuerence declare vnto her that what soeuer they haue they willingly offer it vnto her leauing it to her Will whether shee will suffer them to retayne restore or otherwise dispose ther of in the best sort as in our lord shee shâ—ll thinke most meete and if the Abbesse will take a vew of each thing in perticuler they shall bring them all vnto her in all Fidelitie neither may they haue any thing locked vpp in Chestes or Coffers without the leaue and knowledge of the Abbesse 9. And to the end euery one may stricktly and carefully keepe their vow of pouerty it is enacted that if any after her death which God forbidd should bee found a Proprietary and to haue any thing of notable value for her vse or in the Custody of any other without the Abbesses knowledge shâ—e shal bee infallably depriued of Christian Buriall CHAPTER 3. Of
Chastitie IT is very fitt the Spouses of Christ imitate all Angelicall puritie which may conserue in them the integritie of their bodyes and myndes therefore they must fly all such things which may any wayes cause any impression in their myndes contrary to puritie 2. They shall conceale noe greiueous temptation which they shall not manifest to their ghostly Father yea and to their immediate Superiour or to the Abbesse if they thinke they may receaue from them any comfort or helpe lett them shew all modesty and humilitie in their wordes Countenances gestures and Actions and lett them behaue them selues each to others wiâ—h due respect and Religious grauitie and euery one is to behould as it were Christ himselfe in â—er Sister CHAPTER 4. Of Obedieâ—ce 1. AS the Religious haue vowed to God and to their Superiours them selues and wâ—at soeuer els they haue soe must they suffer themselues to bee guyded and gouerned by their Abbesse and Superiour as the Interpretours of Gods holy will therefore let them wholy giue themselues to perfect holy obedience and let them labour to bee excellent in the same not onely willingly and promptly performing those things that are enioyned them but fullfilling them in such sorte and fashion as they thinke to bee most conformable to the Superiours Will 2. Euery one must bee ready to vndergoe all base Offices and exercises what soeuer the Abbesse shall thinke good to impose vppon them neither may they thinke themselues exempt from this by any office degree or Qualitie nor may they expect any priuiledge but in case of Necessitie onely but euery one is to know that all are to liue equally vnder one and the selfe same Rule of Obedience without exception of any persons or person 3. When the Superiour commaundeth any thing that may bee hurtfull to their health or an hindrance of a greater good or that it cannot bee performed within the tyme allotted them then let them soe manifest the difficultie to her that yet withall they leaue all to her Iudgment and discretion and soe obey if it may bee done without manifest Sinne 4. If any should request any thing of her Superiour which shee thinketh needefull for the health of her body or Soule or for the performance of any duty and charge enioyned her lett her first commend the matter to God and with a resigned mynde lett her open the case to the Superiour and after it hath beene some two or three tymes denyed her lett her neuer mention the matter more except shee verely thinke her Superiour hath for gott it and that shee will take it well that shee bee put in mynde there of 5. They shall not onely obey the lady Abbesse but alsoe all others of the Conuent whether they bee of the Quire or Conuerse whoe from her receaue power and Authoriâ—ie otherwise none may commaund or reprehend another without expresse leaue from the Abbesse and of her â—hee is to vnderstand how farr shâ—e may proceede in commaunding or in her reprehension 6. If any bee commaunded any thing by the subordinate Superiour which is different from that which the cheife Superiour or Abbesse did commaunde or apoynte let the Inferiour manifest to the Subordinate her Superiours Will and Order and lett her without further Contradiction reuerently obey if shee see her persist and conâ—inew in her commaunde but let the subordinate afterwards informe her Superiour of the Case if any error or fault happen thereby 7. If at any tyme happyly the subordinate Superiours commaunde diuersly any one in things appertayning to their charges lett them represent their difficulties each one to the other without all contention and if the case soe require it with externall and mutuall shew of Reuerence lett â—hâ—m remitt it to the arbitrement of the Abbâ—sse or Superiour laying barely open the Case without further dispute and soe lett them thinke that to bee best whicâ— the Abbesse or Superiour sufficiently informed shall iudge to bee soe 8. What soeuer is denyed by any subordinate Sâ—periour shee may not aske the same of the Abbesse except alsoe shee declarâ— vnto her that the Subordinate Superiour did deny it togeather â—ith the reason of her sayd deniall soe far as shee knoweth or can guesse 9. They are to obey her that commaundeth anything in the lady Abbesses name although in very deede shee haue noe such authoritie soe to commaunde and ordinaryly in thâ—ir Commaundements they are rather to vse the Abbesses name then their owne except onely the mother Prioresse Mistresse of the Nouices and Cellarier towards those of their charge CHAPTER 5. Of the Inclosure 1. THey must haue a speciall care of keeping their Inclosure soe much commended and with vehement â—words expressing the necessitie thereof commaunded by the sacred Counsell of Trent moreouer seing they haue bound themselues by vow to the obseruation thereof they must hold it necessary to bee kept 2. Their Inclosure must bee enuyroned with high Walls which may contayne that parte of the Church to witt the Quyre allotted to their proper vse togeather with the Cloyster dormitory Refectory and all the Offices and buyldings which are appertayning to the proper vse of the professed Religious togeather with the Gardens Orchards and such like soe that none from abroade may enter into this Inclosure by any Stayres or Gates but onely by one dore or Gate if it may bee any wise so contriued commodiously 3. Noe professed Religious may goe out of this Inclosure but vppon constraynâ—e of Fyre extreme famyne Warr ruyne of the buyldings and such like greueous dangerous cases and for other Cases approued vppon vrgent necessitie or commaunded by the lord Bishopp or the Visitor yet when the Schollers of Religion are to receaue their Religious habitt or the Nouices are to make their Profession the Abbesse with some few of her Religious may goe out of the Quier and enter into the outward parte of the Church that they may assist them in that solemne Action which is alsoe permittted to the Abbesse newly chosen that with a decent Company of her Religious shee may alsoe enter the same to receaue the Bishopps Benediction for which and for some other necessary Causes and vses there may bee a Conuenient passage betwixt the Quier and the outward Church 4. All that are not Religious or not of the Conuenâ— of what sex age or Condition soeuer they bee may not enter into the Inclosure but vppon necessary Causes approued and licenced by the Bishopp in writing without which licence according to the decree of the Counsayle of Trent both the person that entreath and the person that admitteth him incurreth the payne of Excommunication 5. Other Religious weomen of the same Orderliuing vnder these Statutes being sent by their Superiours to some other place may in their passage be receaued in to any Monastery of this Congregation and therein they may stay for two or three dayes or longer as according to prudence and Charitie it shal bee thought conuenient 6. The Visitours