wyll of god Neuerthelesse though in maner she bowed our lord to hyr prayers yet she myght not enclyne hir moder wyll by hyr exortacyons ¶ Thenne our lord spake to hys spouse Katheryne and sayde Telle thy moder that she hath now no nede to passe out of this worlde but tyme shall come that she shall desyre for to deye and then̄e she shal not haue it and that was sothe ¶ Hyt befyll that she lyued in to a grete age and sawe many aduersytres in hyr dayes as well of persones as of theyr goodys in so moche that she sayde ofte tymes in heryng of many folke suche wordes Whether our lord Ihesu hath put a soule in my body that it shall neuer be delyuered thens So many chyldren and doughters grete and smale yong and olde ben dede and I may not deye ¶ Now I shall cesse of this mater and procede forthe in the fyrst mater that I began Lapa this holy maydes moder was of so harde herte that she wolde in no wyse dye ne by confessyd ne thynke in noo wyse on hyr soule he le ¶ Thenne oure lorde for to appyre more meruayllously in hys spouse Katheryne denyed in maner as it semed hys fyrste graunte And suffred Lapa to drawe fast toward the deth wythout confessyon Whan this holy mayde perceyued that she lyfte vp hyr eyen to heuen wyth wypyng terys sayd to our lord thus A a lord god ben thise thy behestys that thou hast graunted me that none of my faders houshold shold perysshe is this thy mercyable byheste that saydest my moder sholde not passe hens ageynst hyr wyll I see well now that she shall dye wythout sacramentys of holy chyrche Therfore I beseche the by alle thy mercyes that thou suffre me not to be deceyued and that I goo not hens a lyue vnto the tyme thou haste yolde to me my moder reuyued in soule and body ¶ These wordes and these meruayllous cause herde thre wimmen of Sene that were present ¶ Whan hyr moder as it semed by syghte and felyng was dede soo that they were aboute for to go home ageyne to theyr howses leuyng Lapa there for dede yf it had not ben that the holy mayde prayed as she dyd and therfore they abode the lenger Of the maners of these wymmen I shall tell you afterward ¶ Thys holy mayde contynued long in prayers at the last our lord herde hyr prayers gracyously and quyckened the soule and the body ageyne of Lapa that she lyued afterward vnto the tyme she was foure score yere of age and nyne wyth grete torment of herte for many aduersytres that she suffred as it was prophecyed to hyr afore by hyr doughter this holy mayde ¶ Of this myracle were wytnesse one Katheryne and Angelyna sustres of penaunce and also Lysa this holy maydes cosyn they were present whan Lapa was leyde forthe for dede and herden how this holy mayde prayed to oure lorde thus Lorde ben these thy behestys that thou behote me as it is sayd afore Of the remeynaunt of hyr age whan she was restoryd ageyne to lyf bare wyttenes many one Lo ye maydens here may ye knowe of what meryte this holy mayde was wyth our lord Ihesu that delyuered hyr faders soule out of purgatory and reduced hyr moders soule in to hir body ageyne meruayllously ¶ Another meruayllous thyng shall I tell you It happened that ther was a comyn pestylence of bocchys reygnyng in the Cyte of Sene soo that it oppressyd bothe men and wymmen yong and olde to the deth that comynly they dyed wythin two dayes or thre at the ferthest the whiche sekenes feryd many a man ¶ Thenne mayster Reymond wente aboute to vysyte seek folke and comforted them in god no thyng chargyng of the Infeccyon of that pestylence touchyng hys bodely deth soo that he myght wynne soules Whanne he hadde so vysyted them for werynes that he had in goyng aboute he restyd hym in a chyrche of our lady where to he hadde a grete deuocyon and namely for the persone of the same chyrche was a blessyd lyuer and well knowen wyth thys holy mayde Katheryne the whiche persone was called Syr Mathewe ¶ It befyll fewe dayes after that mayster Reymond wente out by the morowe for to vysyte seek folke as he was wonte And as he came by the chyrche of our lady for deuocyon that he hadde to our lady in that place and also for affeccyon that he hadde to the persone syr Mathewe he wente for to loke how he ferde Sodeynly whan he was entred in to the chyrche he sawe syr Mathewe bere vp in to hys chambre semynge as he hadde be dede by vyolence of that pestylence For he hadde lost bothe colour of hys face and strengthe of hys body and also hys speche ¶ Thenne mayster Reymond axed of other aboute what hym eyled They answerde and sayd that the nyght afore aboute one after mydnyght he was vppe for to vysyte a seek body And wyth Inne lytell tyme afterward he was take wyth the pestylence Here of was mayster Rymond ryght sorye folowed hym vp to his chambre as other dyd and then ne satte doun by hym Wythin a whyle after whan he was layde in hys bedde he recouered his spyrytes ageyne and callyd mayster Reymond to hym prayeng hym of confessyon and so was shryuen clene of hys synnes as he was ofte wonte to do After tyme that he was assoylled mayster Reymound axed how it stode wyth hym and he answerd and sayd ageyne that it greued hym so sore in hys grynde or in the flanke that it semed to hym his thygh wolde falle awaye and not onely the thygh but also the hede fareth as though it were departed in foure partyes by payne and ache that he suffred ther Inne Thenne mayster Reymond touchyd tastyd hys poūse and founde well that he hadde a passyng feuer Wherfore he had hys menye that they sholde bere hys water to leches and so they dyd But mayster Reymound folowed soone after to knowe verayly what the leches wolde saye To whome the leche sayde thus Thys man is take wyth the pestylence and therfore I drede me that the how 's of our lady shall wante and lacke a good persone ¶ Thenne axed mayster Reymond whether he myght be holpe by ony maner remedye of medycynes he sayd that he sholde assaye But he hadde no grete trust in noo medycynes by cause the sykenes was ryght greuous Thus mayster Reymond departed from hym wyth grete sorowe euer prayeng by the waye to our lord in hys soule that he wolde wouchesauf to saue hys bodely lyf Yet a whyle for hys example to many ¶ In the mene whyle this holy mayde herde saye that syr Mathewe was seek whome she loued tenderly for hys vertuous lyuyng Anone she wente home to hym and as soone as she sawe hym she cryed to hym and sayd ¶ Aryse vp syr Mathewe aryse vp for shame is it now tyme to lye a bedde Sodeynly thenne atte hyr callyng
that this holy mayde lyued in the Cyte of Seene it befyll that there was a wedowe a yonge woman called alixe the whiche wyth a greate fauoure drewe to this holy mayde soo that she thought she hadde soo grete affectyon â—o her â–ª that as her semed she myght not liue without her And therfore she toke the habite of the susters of penaunce and for soke her owne hous And hyred her an how 's by syde the hooly maydes how 's that she myght the more ofte bee conuersaunt wyth her Whan she hadde do thus the hooly mayde was ofte tymes in her hous wyth her and fledde for a tyme her faders hous It happed afterward in the same yere that in the Cyte of Sene there was a grete sharsyte of breed corn soo the stynkyng whete was drawen out of the erthe and out of dyches the whiche was bought of Cytezynes of the same Cyte as that tyme for good where by cause there myght none other begoten for none pryce Of the whiche stynkyng whete Alyxe the sorsayde wedowe must nedes be ye or ellys she shold be wythout brâ—d Neuâ—rtheles in as moche as it was nyghe the tyme of herwest her olde whete was fayled and brought to the marcat Alixe wyst therof that newe whete was comen she purpose to cast awaye the olde sâ—ynkyng whete and beye newe but bycause the hole Mayde was in her hous she wolde nothyng doo wythout counseyll of her wherfore she opened her purpos to her semyng thus moder sythe our lord heth do mercy wyth vs in syndyng of newe whete I am in wyll to throwe myn olde sâ—inkyng whete â–ª To whom this holy mayde answerd thus yf ye wyll not ete of that olde corn gyue it ellys to poure folke that hauen none â–ª Alixe sayd than that she sholde haue greate conscitence for to gyue the poure folke soo stynkyng whete she hadde leuer for to gyue theim of the beste whete Thenne this holy mayde badde her ordeyne water and bryng to her that stinkyng whete that she purposed to caste awaye for she sayde that she wolde make brede therof for poure folke as she sayde soo it was Fyrst she made her dowe after she molded loues of that lytyll quaÌ„tyte of whete And it encresyd soo plentuously in the moldyng that both Alyxe and her seruaunt weren gretely astonyed that sagen suche multyplycacioÌ„ of loues For as theym thought soo many loues myght not be made of suche foure lytyll quantyte of whete as thys hooly mayde made and sette forthe for to be bake and also there was none stynche of tho loues as it was of the other that were made of the same whete afore whan thei were bake they were sette fourth on the table for to be eten in the etyng there was fouÌ„de none bitternes no stynche but as thei saide that eten therof they eten neuer betyr brede This Alexe sent foâ— her confessonr he came wyth certain of his bretheren for to see â–ª that myracle and lyke as it was sayd to hym in quantyte encresyng and in qualyte ryght well amendyd To thyse two myâ—acles the thyrde was addyd to and that was this the breed was largely gyuen to poure folke and to other that wolde ete therof and yet was it neuer the lasse in nombre but alwaye was it fouÌ„de ynow in the breed hutche were not this trewely thre fayr myracles for fyrste she put awaye the stynche of that corn and afterward encresyd the loues in the muldyng and at the laste she multyplyed the loues in etyng of the breed in soo moche that they myght vnnethe be distribued bi many wekes togyders neended soo that xx yere after or moo there were somme that kepte of that breed for a relyke ¶ Thenne mayster Reymound her confessour asked her how the myracle was done She answerd and sayde that she hadde soo grete zele or loue to pour folke lest they shold spylle for defaulte and soo tender loue to our lord lest his gyfte sholde be dyspysed that she went wyth a grete feruour for to make breed of that stynkyng whete ¶ And thenne our blessyd gloryous lady gloryous virgyn Mary wyth a multytude of angelis stood by her and helpe her to molde by vertu of her holy gloryous hondes she trowed that the loues encresed for tho loues that oure gloryous Lady gloryous vyrgyn Mary molded she delyuerd to this holy mayde And she to Alixe and to her seruaunt for to be put in to the ouen what meruayle is it maidens though tho loues were swete sythe the hooly gloryous hondes of oure blessyd gloryous lady gloryons virgin Mary molded theym consydereth therforre good maydens and taketh good heede of what meryte this holy mayde was to whom vouchesaf our blessyd glorious lady gloryous vyrgyn mary stonde by her and helpe her in that myracle for to make vs vnderstonde that ryght as bodely lyuelode encresed in that hooly maydens hondes Ryght soo ghostely liuelode sholde encrese by her blessyd exortacion ¶ Now sythe I haue begonne of breed multyplyed by myracle therfore I shall contynue forth in suche in suche in suche a lyke myracle was done in the laste ende of her lyff whan she lyued here in erthe Of the whiche myracle were wytnesses lysa her cosyn and a suster of penaunce the whiche was called Johan for bothe they were wyth her whan she was sente after by our holy fader pope vrbane the vj to the courte of Rome And whan she was come to the Cyte she râ—sted there wyth a certayn nombre of her ghoostely chyldren that she hadde noryssched in vertu the whiche folowed her fro the partyes of Tuskan in maner agaynst this hooly maydes wyll somÌ„e for prechyng of ghostely grace of our holy fader and somme for pylgrymage and visitacions of saintes the whiche desyred to go specyally in this holy Maydes companye by cause they myght be fedde wyth the swetnesse of her blessyd conuersacion ¶ Thenne this holy mayde hadde made an ordynaunce amonges them that they sholde not haue aboute them neyther golde ne syluer But oonly they sholde lyue of poure almesse And that they sholde be herbourd in an hospytall ¶ And also the wymmen eueryche off theym a weke sholde mynysâ—re lyflod suche as they hadde receyued of almesse to allâ— her felawes that other myghten bee occupyed in the mene whyle in prayers and in holy contemplacyons and aboute theyr pylgrymages wherfore they were come to the Cyte Whan this ordynaunce was made soone after it happed that this Johan the whiche is reherced afore mynystred to other as for hyr weke In whos weke it befyll casuelly that she lacked brede whan hyr felawes sholde go to mete and thenne badde this holy mayde here afore that whan she lackyd brede she shold warne hir ouer euen that she myght goo make somme ordynaunce But Johan had forgete that whan hyr felawes were come to mete Johan wolde haue sette brede afore them and she founde nomore but a cantell that wolde
in suche a vessell by kynde seke bryttell But by grace meruaylously made strong and precyous And thus I make an ende of this chapytre All thoo thynges the whiche mayster Reymond was taught enfourmed of this holy mayde he hath declared them openly in this chapytre Outake one thyng that he was charged by hyr to kepe it pryuely of a certeyn reuelacion as it is rehersed a fore ¶ Of a noble doctryne whyche our lord gaf to hyr in her begynnyng and of other doctrynes in the whyche he founded hyr maner of lyuyng Capitulum x SYth it so is that the grounde the foundament of trust and byleue touche the reuelacyons of this holy mayde by the helpe of god is declared in the chapytre that goth afore Therfore now I shall procede forth shewe you the spyrytuall edyfycacyon of this same mayde And by cause that trewe sowles feythfull ben fedde and edyfyed by the wordes of our lord Therefor I shall telle you shewe you a notable doctryne of the whiche this holy mayde was taught of our lord him self Thys holy mayde tolde to hyr confessours amonges whom mayster Reymond was one that in the begynnyng of hyr vysyons our lord appyred to hyr whan she prayed sayde to hyr in this wyse Knowest thou not doughter who thou arte and who I am yf thou knowe well these two wordes thou art and shalt be blessyd Thou art she that art not and I am he that am Yf thou haue the veray knoweleche of these two thynges in thy soule thy ghostly enemye shall neuer dysceyue the. But thou shalt escape gracyously all his snares ne thou shalte neuer consente to ony thyng that is ayenst my commaundementes and preceptes But alle grace alle treuthe alle charyte thou wylte wynne wythout ony hardenesse And now is this a bryef worde and a grete in maner Infynyte and endeles Oo this is a grete wysdome expressyd vnder fewe syllables Whether this be not that leng the that brede that heythe and that depthe the whiche saynt Poule desyred for to haue wyth all sayntes I trowe yes Oo dere maydens consydereth beholdeth meruayllously this Incomparable tresoure the whiche is founde in this holy maydes breste For our lord Jhesu that vndeceyuable trouth seyth to this holy mayde thus Yf thou knowe thyse two thynges in thy sowle the fende shall neuer deceyue the Me semeth it is full good for you to make here thre tabernacles or dwellyng places vnto the worshyp of god that excellent doctouâ— the whiche tâ—ched the vnderstondyng of thyse fruytfull wordes Another to the loue and deuocyon of this holy mayde Katheryne The whiche receyued the holsom doctryne of this fewe fruytfull wordes And the thyrde to the ghostly tresoure of valour of all tho the whiche fynden lyf in this fewe fruytfull wordes In the vnderstondyng of thoo fruytfull wordes now be founden had ghostly rychesse so plenteuously that it shall no nede be to alle tho that haue soo founde this ghostly rychesse for to begge of other A whether this bryef fruytfull sentence be not trewe where it is sayde Art not thou she that is not I troweyes Euery creature is made of our maker Jhesu cryst of nought So ferforth that yf our lord Jhesu cryst oure maker wolde cesse for a tyme be it neuer so lytell fro conseruacyon of hys creature that he hath made Anone that creature shold torne in to nought whan soo euer a creature doth synne the whyche synne in hym self is nought Ne of hym self he may noo thynge do or thynke that is ought As Saynt Poule seyth And that is meruaylle for he may not be ne haue beyng of him self ne yet be conserued of him self in his beyng And therfore the aposâ—le sayd Qui se existimat aliâ—uid esse cuÌ„ nichil fit ipse se seduciâ— That is he that wenyth he be ought he is nought he decey ueth hym selfe Seâ—st thou not mayde how noughty a creature is A creature made of nought euer of him self â—owyng to nought by synne maketh him self noughte as Saynt Austyn sayd for he may noo thyng do that is ought by hym self but rather that is nought as oure lorde sayd Sine me nichil poâ—â—stis sacere That is wythout me ye may do ryght nought the whyche nought is synne Therfore ye may wel clerely know by this that a creature of hym self is nought And that knewe well Sayntâ—s afore thys tyme the whiche by knoweleche of this veray wysdom excluded veraâ—ly out of theyr sowles alle manere of synne What manere of Inflacyon of synne may entree in to suche a sowle the whiche knoweth hir self nought How may she be ioyfull in vayne glorye of ony good werke that euer she dyd the whiche knoweth wel I nough that suche good dedys come neuer from hir but fro god How may suche a sowle enhaunce hir selfe by pryde aboue other that holdeth hyr self nought How may a sowle that thus settâ—th hir self at nought Inwardely despyse other other haue enuye to other How may ony creature haue vaynioye in outwarde rychesse that now hath dyspysed all his owne ioye of hym self I trowe suche a creature is taught by the wordes of our lord endeles wysdom where he sayd Siego quero gloriam meam gloria mea nichil est That is yf I seek myn owne ioye my ioye is nought Also how may suche a creature that knowed hym self in no wyse his owne but onely his that made hym see of alle outwarde thynges this is myne syth he hym self is not his How myght make suche a creature to haue delectacyon in flesshely synnes that euery day restreyneth hym self by suche manere consyderacion of nought Loo maydens by this bryef fruytfull wordes thou art nought ye may consydere that all maner of synne is and may be excludeth That other bryef fruytful worde that oure lorde sayde to this holy mayde is this I am he that am whether this bryef fruytful worde be a newe worde ye forsothe bothe newe olde This is that olde worde that our lorde sayde to Moyses in the sussh the whiche semyd brennyng whan he sayde Qui est misit me That is say to the chyldren of Israel He that is sente me to you Hit is also now a newe worde by cause it is newe reherfed to this holy mayden in lyke wordes that she the whiche by the fyrst bryef fruytfull sentence was I taught to knowe hir self nough sholde lerne by the nexte fruytfull sentenâ—e to aske our lorde ought the whiche is the endeles welle of all essencyall beyng By thyse bryef fruytfull sentencys may ye knowe that a creature is nought of hym self For all that he hath of vertue and of beynge cometh of god maker of all creatures Almyghty god maker of al creatures hath onely of hym self and of none other endeles perfeccyon of essencyall beynge For he myght neuer forme and make all thyng of nought but yf he had an Infynyte vertue of essencyall beyng in hym self
so frely so charytable that it voyded awaye fro me the peyne of colde Therfore I shall now gyue the a cote the whiche shall be Inuysyble to men but to the it shall be sensyble Out of myn holy body I shall take it and hyue it the by the whiche bothe thy body and thy sowle may be keuered and kepte from noyous colde vnto the tyme that they shall be arayed in ioye wythout an ende a fore my sayntes and angels Anone forth wyth he toke out a clothe of a sangueyne colour wyth hys holy hondes out of the wounde of his syde shynyng alle aboute to the quantyte mesure of the maydens bodye Where wyth he arayed hyr wyth hys owne holy hondes and sayd Thys clothe I gyue the all the whyle thou dwellest in erthe in token of thy clothe of ioye that thou shalt be arayed wythin heuen Thus this vysyon cessyd After that the holy mayde hadde soo grete grace in receyuyng of that ghostly gyfte not onely in hir sowle but also in hir body that fro that houre in to hyr endyng daye she neded neuer to were moo clothes in wynter thanne in somer For were the wedder neuer so colde she vsed no mo clothes than a cote and a kertell For euer afterward as she semed she felte that ghostly cote vpon hyr the whiche our lord gaf hir and that was the cause that she felte no colde See ye not maydens of what worthynes this holy mayde was that folowed Saynt Nycholas in gyuyng of atmespryuely and folowed saynt martyn in gyuyng of hyr owne clothes the whiche our lord allowed by hys holy apperyng to thys blessyd mayde And there to gaf hyr a sensyble and an euerlastyng token for to fele in erthe how plesauÌ„t almes dedes ben to hym Me semeth that whan our lorde sayd to thys holy mayde that he wolde she we hyr that lytell crosse at the daye of dome the whiche she gaue in almes And also that he wolde araye hyr wyth a clothe of ioye in heuen is no thyng ellys but a sikernes of endeles helthe And therto an excellent ioye in blysse for hir mede Therfore maydens sett not lytell by suche reuelacyons and suche tokenes for sykernesse of endeles helthe onely causeth so grete ioye and so grete comforte in a sowle that it were impossyble a tongue to tell it or a penne to wryte it What foloweth after suche a sykernesse of ioye trowe ye to a sowle Trewely encrece of all vertue of pacyence of strengthe of temperaunce of besynesse and delygence in kepyng of hyr self in holy werkes of feyth of hope of charytr and of suche other vertues And all that were harde to suche a soule a fore ben made by suche comfort ryght esye Loo what grace suche predestynacyon notefyed to a clene sowle wercheth Another tyme also it befyll that thys holy mayde fulfylled wyth compassyon perceyued that ther was a man the whiche made him pore wylfully for goddes loue and lacked mete wherfore she toke preuely a lynnen bagge and fylled it wyth egges and bare it wyth hyr preuely vnder hyr â—oote to refresshe wyth that poure man whan she mette wyth him She came to the place there that the poure maâ— dwellyd and entred fyrst in to the chyrche there besyde for to praye And whan she was entred she bethought on our lord so Inwardly and anoue her spiryte was rauysshed soo that she was fully for that tyme wythdrawe from hyr outwarde wyttys as it is rehersed afore Whanne she was thus rauysshed it happed sodeynly that the body bowed to a pyler casuelly on that syde that the egges were on so that she lened fully vpon the bagge wyth egges thanne was ther in the same bagge for goten a fore a thymbyll as tayllours sowen wyth the whiche thymbyll was broken in thre partyes by burthon of hir body but the eyren that charyte hyd there were hole in noo partye broken Now was thys a meruayllous thyng that the eyren were hole and the thymbyll of coper was to broke so our lorde shewed there hys myracle in the charytable eyren For our lord shewed his helpe not only by this holy mayde to nedy folke but also he shewed hys myracle in hyr by werkes of his godhede And for to declare the more openly I shall tell you a meruaylles thyng of whiche meruayll were wytnes bothe men and woÌ„man aboute the nombre of xx of this maydens faders housholde Her moder Lapa tolde mayster Reymond hir doughters confessour that after tyme hir doughter thys holy mayde had leue of hyr fad to gyue almes It befylle that the meyne of the housholde had dronke amonges them a certeyn vessell of wyne so that the remenauÌ„t the whiche was lefte was not fresshe for to gyue to poure men in asmoche she had in custome to gyue them of the beste for goddes loue She went hyr than to the next vessell of wyne there besyde in hyr faders seller and tamed that for poure folke And gaf them largely ther of euery day as they neded many dayes to gyder and it was not aspyed of the meyne At the last whan the fyrst vessell was done the boteler mynystred drynke to the meyne of the vessell the whyche the holy mayde had tamed Yet the holy mayde left not therfore but alwaye she gaue ther of to the poure folke and the more the meyne dronke the more largely she gaue to poure folke and it was not aspyed ne the wyne was neuer the vnfressher ne neuer the lasse in the vessell but allewaye kepte his estate bothe in fulnesse in fresshenesse Alle the meyne of the housholde gretely meruaylled ther of that the vessell contynued so long and the wyne was so good and so fresshe for it was well knowe a fore that suche a vessell of wyne myght not laste ouer xv dayes or xx dayes at the ferthest Neuerthelesse it contynued not onely xx dayes but a full moneth complete And yet it semyd that the vessell was noo wyse lessened All the meyne had meruayll ther of that the wyne was so good so fresshe lastyd so long For better wyne them semed they tastyd neuer It was vnknowe to them all how that myght be but the holy mayde knewe well I nogh that it was by myracle of our lord by cause of the almes that she gaue ther of the more largely to the poure folke And therfore she gaue ther of the more largely to pour folke openly that all the meyne myght see it and yet it semed neuer the lesse in the vessell O moneth was passyd an other began to entre yet the wyne contynued euer lyke fresshe lyke full as it dyd fyrste in to the tyme the grapes were rype for to make newe wyne Whenne the gâ—apes were rype vessellys were ordeyned for to be fylled wyth newe wyne the mayster of the wyne bad commauÌ„ded that the vessell whiche coÌ„tynued so long wyth olde wyne sholde be emptyed and fyllyd with newe wyne
chylde other whyle an hote brennyng ouen of fyre And whan the preste receyued that blyssed sacrament it semed to hyr that the fyre entred in to hym But whan she shold be houseled ofte tymes she tastyd so grete an odour of that blyssed sacrament that almost hyr body defaylled Euermore also whether she sawe or receyued the blyssed sacrament She receyued with all a newe ioye in hir soule so that many tymes she sholde daunce in hir body for ioye makyng a noyse that hyr felawes myght here hyr the whiche tolde it afterward to hyr confessour and he enquyred the trouthe whether it were so and founde it trewe and soo wrote it for a perpetuell recorde That sowne and that noyse was not lyke other maner comyn sownes of men but as it hadde be a noyse aboue comyn cours of kynde what meruayll was that though she made a ioyfull noyse aboue kynde Syth it so was that she hadde receyued an herte aboue kynde For after tyme that she hadde receyued that newe herte as it is rehersed afore she semed that she was not the same that she was afore ofte tymes she sayd to hyr confessour See ye not fader that I am not the same that I was afore but rather chauÌ„ged in to another persone O wolde god fader ye knewe that I fele for I trewe veryly yf a creatour knewe that I fele in my sowle he sholde be resolued made ryght esye were he neuer so harde For my sowle is full of melodye and ioye And it is meruayll to me how it may abyde in the body There is also grete hote brennyng of dyuyne loue therin that thys outward materyall fyre semeth me in coÌ„paryson of that fyre rather colde than hote Also of that ghoostly hote is kynde led in my sowle as me semeth soo grete a loue of my neghbours that my thynketh I myght gladdely suffre for them bodely deth wyth grete ioye And ouermore out of that ghoostly hote is come to my soule a renewyng of purytee and mekenes in so moche that me semeth I am brought to the same purytee and mekenes that a chylde of foure or a fyue yere age is Inne All this she tolde to hir confessour preuely and to none other After tyme that thys holy mayde was thus fulfylled in hyr sowle of suche plente of newe gracys that were many notable vysyons shewed to hyr of whom somme I shall reherce by the grace of god ¶ Fyrste our lord Jhesu hys blessyd Moder and Marye magdalene appyred to gydres to hir and comforted hyr in hir holy purpose whome our lord axed and sayd Doughter what desyrest thou She wyth wepyng chere answerd sayd Lorde thou knowest what me nedeth better than I for I haue no wyll but thyne ne none herte but thyn hert Thenne came to hyr mynde how Marye magdalene commytted hyr self fully to our lorde whan she satte wepte at his fete Wyth that she felte the same swetenesse of loue that Marye magdalene felte that tyme whan she wepte Wherfore she behelde Marye magdalene Our lord ê‘ceyued that and for to fulfyll hyr desyre he sayd Loo dere doughter for thy more solace and coÌ„forte I gyue the Marye magdalene to be thy moder To whome thou mayst trustely go to and be comforted for to hir specyally I commytte thy gouernaunce For this grete gyfte this holy mayde thanked our lord wyth gpete mekenes reuerently deuoutly she comended hyr ghoostly gouernaunce to Marye magdalene prayng hyr that she wolde wouchesauf to take hyr vnder gouernaunce Syth our lord had specyally commytted hyr to her Fro that houre euer afterward the holy mayde called Marye magdalene hyr moder the whiche was not doo wythout grete mysterye as me semeth for as Marye magdalene lyued xxxiij yere in a â—oche wythout bodely mete and all that tyme was I occupyed in comtemplacyon Ryght so this holy mayde fro that tyme that she was endowed wyth these newe graces vnto the age of xxxiij yere afterward whiche yere she passyd out of thys worlde She was so occupyed in dyuyne contemplacyon that she hadde neuer nede all the tyme of bodely mete And yet as Marye magdalene was take vp in to the ayre by aungels seuen tymes in the day where she herde the pryuetees of god Ryght so this holy mayde for the more partye all hir yeres she was rauysshed fro hyr bodely wyttes by strengthe of the sowle that was occupyed in contemplacyon of heuenly thynges and so praysed our lord wyth aungels in so moche that often tymes hyr body was lyfte vp in to the ayre of the whiche many men wommen that sawe hyr for that tyme bare recorde Ouermore in that rauyssheng she sawe many meruayllous thynges spake preuely in tyme of hyr rauysshyng many hygh wordes of contemplacion of the whiche som I shall tell you afterward Hyr confessour saw hyr ones in a tyme rauysshed fro hyr bodely wyttes in the same wyse as it is rehersed afore and he herde hyr speke preuely thenne he came nere for to lysten clerely what she sayd and he herde that she sayd formably thyse wordes in latyn Vidi archana dei And that was sayd often tymes other wordes sayde she none but thoo Whanne she was restoryd ageyne to hyr bodely wyttes she cessyd not to reherse these same wordes coÌ„tynuelly and it is nomore for to say but I haue seen the pryuetres of god Thenne hyr confessour desyryng for to knowe why she rehersed tho wordes so ofte axyd hyr in thys maner of wyse Good moder why rehersed ye soo ofte the wordes wyll not tell me what ye mene as ye were wonte to do She answerde I may not say none other wyse Hyr confessour axed hyr why and what is the cause ye were wont to declare me many thinges that our lord hadde shewed to you why wyll ye not do so now theÌ„ne she sayde I sholde haue as grete conscyence therof yf I sholde declare to you that I haue seen wyth my langage that is soo vnperfyte as I sholde haue yf I blasfemed our lord or Inhonoured hym for there is a grete dyffrence bytwene the vnderstondyng or intellecte of the sowle Illumyned of god the expressyng of wordes they seme contrary eche to other therfore as for this tyme I can not tell you what I haue saye for they ben vnspekable For this skylle me thynke that she was well commytted by the dyuyne prouydence of our lord to Marye magdalene that a faster shold be knytte to a faster and a louer to a louer And she that had so hygh contemplacyon to hyr that was soo hyghe in contemplacyon Also hir confessour rehersed of hir that after tyme she saw that vysyon of our lord hys blessyd moâ— and Saynt mary magdalene that for that tymeit semed hyr that hyr herte went Inne by the syde of our lorde in to his herte and was made bothe one so that she felte hyr soule all for melte relented by the strengthe of
speke wyth this hooly mayde katheryne Thenne of charyte he lefte his owne nede and wyth his speciall frende to thys holy mayde katheryns hous wenyng that he sholde haue fouÌ„de her there but her felawes answerd hym that longe a go she went to chirche and come not home yet ¶ Whan mayster Reymond herde thys he was admerueylyd and came agayn to chyrche wyth his frende and fouÌ„de her there in a corner of the chirche knelyng rauysshed as she was wount to be and somme of her felawes wyth her Off whom he asked how longe that holi mayde katheryne hadde be there they saide alle this masse tyme and more that he prayed theym for to excite her assone as they myght for hys frendes is come for to speke wyth her And he myght not tarye Whan she was cesyd of her rauysshyng mayster Reymound toke her asyde and tolde her of his dysese vnder fewe wordes by cause the other man his frende sholde not be lette Anone she smylyd vppon mayster Reymound and askyng hym thus gladly Fader sought ye not all aboute he sayde yes Thenne she sayde why haue ye soo grete sow we therfore And wyth that she smiled â—ft â—â—is went soo forth for to speke wyth the pryour off the charterhous In the mene tyme mayster Reymound abode somwhat I comforted but not fully vnto the tyme he wyst how it myght be soo awaye Whan she hadde full doo wyth the Pryour of the Charterhous and delyuerd hi of an answer that he came for She tourned her to mayster ReymouÌ„de agayne Thenne Mayster Reymound sayd to her thus Moder I too we it be ye that hath awaye that partycule of the holy hoste she wyth smyling saide nay but it was another that toke it awaye from you therfore be ye nomore sory therfore ne for it ne seke nomore for it for I telle you ye shall neuer fynde it Thenne Mayster Reymond prayed her that she wolde tell hym al hole how it myght be To whom she sayde thus Fader take nomore sorowe for that partycle for yf I shall sholde saye the soth to you as to myn confessour myn ghostely fader that partycule was brought to me I receyued it by the reuerend hondes of our reuerend lord almyhty god swete gloryous Jhesu cryst And I shal tell you the cause why This daye I was in purpos wyth a grete desyre for to be houseled but myn felawes gaue me counseyll for to cese that I shold not be hoseled in as moche as somÌ„e grutched wyth all After whos counseyll I wrought was purpos for to cese but myn desyre was so grete therto that I prayed our lord almighty god of helpe he in his own reuereÌ„d ê‘sone aperit to me gaue me that partycle wyth his â–ª owne reuerend hondes And therfore fader bee not sory there is none necligence in you as for that pertycule After this reuelacion Mayster Reymound was ryght ioyefull by cause the thaghte of his concience was put awaye from hym Suche myrâ—câ—e our reuerend lord almyghty god shewed in the reuerend holy sacrament of the auâ—ter by the merytes of his honde mayde holy katheryne of Sene Also there were many other feythfull folke and trewe that sayde â–ª thei â—awe ofte tymes whaÌ„ Mayster Reymoâ—de houselyd this hooly mayde katheryâ—e of Sene the swete holi ghooste flede out of his hondes in to her mouth the whiche Mayster Reymound perceyued neuer saue this he perceyued that The swete reuerende hoste made anoyse in her mouth whan she had receyued it aâ— though a stone hadde bee caste in her mouth from a ferre contree ¶ Now thus shall I make an ende off the grete merneylousnes of that reuerende swete holy sacramente of the aulter telle you of dyuerse myracles that befylle to this holy mayde saynt katheryne of sene aboute certayn relykes of sayntes ¶ This holy mayde katheryne of Sene hadde onys a reuelacion as she tolde pryuely to Mayster Reymound her confessour that she sholde be sette in the same degre of ioye in the blysse of heuen And be felawe wyth saint Agnes the whiche was a suster of the mount of Pollycita Wherfore this holy mayde katteryn of sene desyred ofte tymes wyth alle her herte for to bysyte the relykes of saint Agnes ¶ But now ye maydens by cause ye shall knowe how bertuous a lyuer that saint Agnes was whan she was here in erthe I shall tell you shortely vnder fewe wordes This holy mayde Saynt Agnes suster of the mount of pollyâ—yta the same tyme that she sholde be borne off her moder there was in the chambre there her moder chylded a greate merneylous lyght that all th o the whiche were in the same chambre myght clerly see it And whan she was born it cesyd By this ye may knowe of what merite she shold be in the syght of our reuerende lord almighty god afterward that soo soone in the begynnyng receyued the merueylous light of our reuerend lord almyghty god After tyme she was born she encresyd vertuously more and more in al tyme of the yeres and at the laste she made two monasteryes of maydens and lyeth beryeâ—… in the toun in the whiche is shewed by our reuerend lorde almyghty god in her coÌ„tinuelly many wouÌ„derful miracles And amonge all other myracles whaÌ„ she was passid out of this worlde her body was not buryed but lefte vpon erthe all hooll wythout ony corrupâ—ion Wherfore other deuout folke that knewe her by her lyâ—â—e consyderyng how many merneylous thynges oure reuerend lorde almyghty god shewed in her wold haue bawmed her swete body that it myght so be kâ—pte vpon the erthe wyth miracles whan thei cam to bawme it they sawe how there came out of the toes of the feet and of the fyngers of the hondes droppes of bawme the whiche bawme is kepte yet in to this daye for a relyke amonges the susters of the same place This myracle was shewed for this cause that alle folke sholde knowe that she hadde none nede for to be bawmed outward whan oure reuerend lorde almyghty god hadde bawmed her wythin forth Ferthermore the same hour that she passed out of this worlde in the tyme of the nyghte infantes both mayde chyldren and other as they laye in her moders beddes cryeden and sayeden that now suster agnes is passeth out of this world and is a saint inâ—heuen On the morowe thyse in fantes drewe theym togyder in a companye and wolde suffer none corrupte child come amonges theym and wente eche of theym as in proâ—â—ssyon wyth candeles in her handes to this monastery wher suâ—ter Agnes passed out of this world ofofferyng to that mayde maydenes oblacion Many moo myracles our reuerend lord almyghty god shewed by that holy Mayde saint Agnes in the syght of alle peple wherfore she is had euery yere in grete reuerence wyth deuoute oblacion of many brennyng tapres for to see that holy maydes body this holy mayde katheryne
thus to hym ¶ Fader vnderstondeth his for treuthe This pope Urbanis veray Crystys vycarye in erâ—he and for dâ—â—ence of this treuth preceth putteth you â—orth as ye wolde for the feyth of holy chyrche ¶ All be it that mayster Reymond vnderstode this well afore yet she made hym the strenger and more stedfast in his laboure for whan he was moost in dysâ—ase he had hyr wordes in mynde and so he tooke the holy obedyence vpon hym But a latell a fore that he went this holy mayde coÌ„myned wyth hym tolde hym foure houres or fyue to gâ—ds of the reuelacyons comfortes that oure lorde shewed to hyr but a lytell afore and whan she had do â–ª she sayde this wordes ¶ Fader now goth our lord spede you for I trowe we shal neuer in this lyf speke so moche to gyder as we haue do nowe And lyke as she sayd so it was For or thenne mayster Reymonde came ageyne she was passed out of this world furthermore by cause that she wolde fully take hyr leue of hym she went ê‘sonally to the same place there he shold take hys Galey ¶ And whan they began to rowe she kneiyd doune prayed and afterward blyssed the Galey wyth wepyng chere and sayd pryuely that other herde to mayster Reymond ¶ Thou lone shalt go saue for the crosse shall kepe the but thou shalt neuer see thy moder in this lyf ¶ And as she ê“phecyed soo it was for ther were many enemyes in the â—ee yet they went saue awaye from them and also in the mene tyme that he was oute this holy mayde passyd out of this worlde ¶ But fyrst or that I tell of hyr blyssed passyng out of this world I shall reherce to you the wytnes whiche were att hyr passyng and knewe of the myracles that our lord shewed here in hyr passyng ¶ The names of the wymmen that were most contynuell wyth hyr beÌ„thyâ—e ¶ Allexe of Sene syster of penauÌ„ce of Sâ—yÌ„t Domynyk the whiche was a ê‘fyte dyscyple of this holy maydes folowed hyr in all asâ—yte of penauÌ„ce as nygh as she coude so that this holy mayde or thennâ— he sholde passe tolde hyr alle hyr preuytees ordeyned hyr for to be a moder to other after hyr dyssece ¶ Thys same Allexe enfourmed mayster Reymonde whan he was come home and other of thys holy maydes passyng for she lyued not longe after ¶ The seconde wytnes was Francysca of Sene this Francysca had a deuoute soule to god to this holy mayde with an hertely loue wherfore whan hyr husbounde was dede she toke the abyte of penaunce was made syster of Saynte Domynyk ¶ Thys Francysca enfourmed mayster Raymonde whan he came home and many other folke of this maydes passyng and thenne she deyed soone after Allexe ¶ The thyrde wytnes was Lysa hyr cosyn the whiche I wyll notte commende all be it she was ryght trewe by cause she was this holy maydes brothers wyf where by shold beholde suspect in her wytnes amonge men ¶ further more there were many men in hir passyng the whiche beren trewe recorde othyr bussed ende ¶ But foure in specyall I thyÌ„ke to reherse here the whiche were ryght vertuous men ¶ The fyrst was called frere Sanctus the whiche was bothe holy indede in name This holy man forsoke all hys kynne and came to Cyte of ene Where he lyued vertuously xxx yere and more an ancheres lyfe ¶ And when he herde speke of this holy mayde he was styred to speke wyth hyr and so he dyd for to be enfourmed of hyr ¶ And at last he thout that it was better to walke oute of his cell for to wynne soules thenne for to be so enclosed And so he dyd by counseyll he went oute and folowed thys holy mayde and wan soules to Cryste but specyally he was presente wyth hyr at hyr passyng ¶ Thys holy man enfourmed mayster Raymonde also whan he came home of the passing of this holy mayd and soone after he dyed ¶ The seconde witnes of men was a yong man in age but he was olde in vertu the whiche was called Barductyne ¶ Thys yong man forsoke all hys kynne and folowed this holy mayde and was with hyr tyll that she passyd whome she loued yettenderly by cause he was a mayde that was no meruaylle for it is semely that oo mayde sholde loue another ¶ To whome this holy mayde sayd chargyd hym that he shold be gouerned by mayster Raymondis couÌ„seyll ¶ For this cause I trowe she did it in as moche as she knewe well of god that he sholde not long lyue after hyr soo that he dyde of tesyk but fyrste he contynued longe therynne and was amended by medycines but at the last he dyde theron And by cause that mayster Raymonde drede hym that the ayre of Rome sholâ—e enfecte hym he sente hym to Sene where he passyd out of this worlde and they bere wytnes that were at hys passynge that whan he sholde passe he loked vp into heuen and began to smyle soo wyth that smylyng he passyd So that after tyme he was passyd the tokens of gladnes appyred in hys face I trowe it was therfore by cause he sawe hyr whome he loued soo charytably come after hym ¶ This Barductyne also enfourmed mayster Raymonde whan he came home of thâ—s holy mayde passage ¶ The thryde wytnes of men was also a yong man the whiche was called Stephen that was one of this holy maydes wryters the why she wrote bothe hyr letters that she sente and also hyrbook that the holy ghost endyted by hyr The whiche yong man this holy mayde called to hyr whan she sholde passe and sayd thus Sone it is the wyll of god that thou be a monke of the Charterhous and therfore I charge the that thou so doo As she bad hym so he dyd and lyued euer afterward a ê‘fyt lyf for he had-no felawe of ê‘feccyon in that Relygyon and assone as he was professyd he was made Pryor of the same hous that he was shorne Inne ¶ And afterward he was made Pryour in another place of the same ordre at melayne visitour of the ordre This yong man Stephen wrote certeyn thynges that happed in the passyng of this holy mayde eÌ„tfourmed afterwarde mayster Raymonde of the same whan he came home The fourthe last wytnesse of men that were at the passyng of this holy mayde was one the whyche was called Raynerus the sone of a worthy man Landocte of Sene. Thys man after tyme that this holy mayde was paste was a deuoute recluse that euer afterward lyued a blyssed lyf he was also one of the wryters of hyr lettres of hyr book that the holy ghoost endyted by hyr He was the fyrst of men that forsoke hys kynne folowed this holy mayde by cause he knewe hyr vertuous lyuyng of longe tyme therfore mayster Reymond called hym to hym and made hym a specyall wytnes
goddis chirche in heuen And in this chapytre is a recapytulacion of all the holy fyll of this gloryous saint and virgyn afore sayde for werynesse of reders Also yf eche maÌ„ may not haue all the hole holy lyf of this gloryous saint and virgyne afore sayde Thenne maye he haue the substauÌ„ce of it here compendyously rehersyd Capitulum vltimum THe holy doctour saynt Gregorye seyth in hys dyalogus that the vertue of pacyence is more commendable thenne shewyng of myracles This is the cause why our moder holy chyrche whaÌ„ she wodel Canonyze ony saynte fyrste she enquyreth of the vertue of pacyence Thenne of the shewyng of myracles that is for two skylles One is for many euyll lyuers haue do wond thynges shall do that semeth myracles all though they be none as Symon magus dyd Antecryst shall do in hys tyme. Another is by cause som ther hath ben that haue done shewed myracle by â—tue of our lord Ihesu the whiche haue be dampned afterward as Judas all tho thou our lord speketh of in the gospell where he sayth that som shall stande on the lyfte syde on the day of the generall dome saye to hym in excusyng of them self Lord haue we not in thy name shewed do wonderfull myracles To whome our lord shall answere ageyne say Go ye from me werkers of wickydnes by thyse two skylles ye may vnderstonde the holy chyrche in erthe may not only be certyfyed by myracles whether the ê‘sone be holy or not by whom they be shewed all be it that they shewe presumpcyon of holynesse And namely tho myracles that ben shewed after the deth of a ê‘sone for they were no sayntes at whos graues myracles ben shewed Yet were possyble that our mercyable lord sholde haue them excused yelde them after theyr meke beleue the whiche beleuen that they be sayntes Not for them that ben there beryed but for the glorye the ioye of hys owne name lest they the whiche beleue in hym be defrawded from theyr desyre wherfore our mod holy chyrche in erthe that is gouerned by the holy ghost desyryng for to be certefyed of tho merites of holy sayntes as moche as it is possyble in this lyf enquyreth specyally of theyr vertuous lyuyng of tho thynges that they wrought whyles they lyued in erthe Soo our lord Ihesu hyr spouse taught hyr to do whan he sayd Ex fructibus eorum cognoscetis eos That is of hyr werkys ye shall knowe them for it folowed aftward in the same place where that clause is wryten afore that a good tree may not bryng forthe euyll fruyte What ben thyse fruytes Trewely no thyng ellys but werkys of loue charyte bothe of god and of our neyghbours But by cause of these werkys of charyte ryght as they be plesaunt to our lord ryght so they ben dysplesaunt to the fende So that he is about in all that he can may for to lette the dedes of charyte bothe by hym self also by the worlde that is by worldly lyuers Wherfore it is full necessarye to holy lyuers to haue pacyence ê‘ceuerauÌ„ce yf they wyll be rewarded for theyr mede in blysse by the whiche pacyence they may conserue them kepe them in good loue of god and of theyr good neyghbours notwythstoÌ„dyng all maner ê‘secucyons Therfore it was that Saynt Powle assygned the fyrst condycyon of charyte pacyence whan he sayd Caritas paciens est That is charyte is pacyence Loo maydens this is the cause why oure moder holy chyrche in erthe requyreth more after the pacyence of a saynte yf he sholde be Canonyzed thenne after the myracles for among all â—tuous werkys yet pacyens is the grettest wytnesse of holynesse And this is sayd maydens be cause that ye shold not be in doubte of this holy maydens holynes for she had that vertue of pacyence full blyssedly As I shall tell you by the helpe of god of your good prayers rehersyng all hir dedes of pacyence by recapytulacyon of this hole legende namely for wery reders that thynken an houre in deuoute redyng is lenger than a daye and yf they were occupyed in tales tryfles thenne them semeth the long day â—hort thenne an houre Vnderstonde well maydens that this holy mayde Katherin ê‘ceyued that the vertue of pacyence myÈt not haue his gracious werkyng in a soule but fyrst vnlefull thynges were remeuyd awaye from it namely suche vnlefull thyngys that ben eâ—â—ytable to the lustes of the flesshe wherfore or thenne she came to the age of exê‘yence of flesshly lustes She â—emeuyd awaye myghtly all suche as suche thynges that sholde styre hyr whâ—n she came to age And yet she dyd not this wythout Inspyracion notable vision of our lord by the whiche InspiracoÌ„n whan she was â—j yere of age she saw our lord arayde as a bisshop sytting in a ryâ—t fayre chambre ouer the chirche of the fâ—ere pâ—echours Wyth whome she sawe aâ—so saynt Johan Euangelyst whyles she behelde our lord he lokyd vpon hyr full benyngly mekely and blyssed hir After this holy vysyon hyr soule was fulfylled wyth ê‘â—yâ—e loue that she putte awaye all chyldren condycyons gaue hyr selfe anone to prayer to penaunce and therin she encrecyd ê‘fytly that in the nexte yere after whan she was of vij yere of age she made a vowe of madenhode afore an ymage of our lady not sodeâ—â—ly but wyth grete delyberacyon afore as it is openly declared in the seconde the thrydde chapytre of the fyrst ê‘tye Furthermore by cause that this holy mayde wyst well that abstynence was necessary for to kepe the purpose of maydenhode Therfore she gaue hir to grete abstynence in hyr yong age ê‘fourmed it meruayllously For as it is reherâ—â—d in the thrydde chapytre of the fyrst ê‘â—ye in the vj chapytre of the same partye more largely the began preuely to leue flesshe And thenne as she encrecyd in age lytel lytell she lefte all maner etynge of flesshe therto she dranke no wyne but whan it was medled wyth watâ—r so that it had all most lost hys â—ast hys colour of wyne And whan she was xv yere of age she lefte bothe wyne flesshe all maner of metes out take brede rawe herbes Also whan she was xx yere of age she lefte brede took hir onely to dyetyng of rawe herbys soo contynued in that maner of lyuyng vnto the tyme our lord gaue hir a newe maner of gracious lyuyng whan she lyued without ony maner of mete that was whan she was xxv or xxvj yere of age as it is openly declared in the vj chapytre of the fyrst partye where is rehersed the cause the maner why wherfore she came to suche estate And where also is answered suffycyentely to them that grutched to that maner of lyuyng Whan this holy mayde hadde thus fully oâ—come the styryng of synnes that she came to the ê‘fyte vertue of