a poore man that asked him almes for the loue of God he presently remembring himselfe and entring into iudgement with his owne heart did speedily runne after him bestowing his almes with much affection vpon him making furthermore euen then a promise vnto Almighty God that from thence forward so long as he should haue any thing in the worlde to giue hee would never denie to giue something to such as should begge of him for our Lords sake which he observing continually with an vnwearied zeale of devotion vnto his death was thereby made woorthie to obtaine an aboundant encrease of the favour and grace of Almighty God For he was woont to say after that he had perfectly put on Christ that even whilest he was in secular habite he felt a great motion in his heart whensoever he heard any worde expressing the loue of God Furthermore the mildnesse of his conversation together with the sweetnesse of his manners his patience and tractable behaviour more theÌ„ is ordinary in meÌ„ his liberality beyond the measure of his ability which appeared in him in his youth were tokens that God had a greater aboundance of blessing to powre vpon him It fortuned once that a very simple man of Assisium by the instruction of God as we haue good cause to thinke meeting vpon a time with Saint FRANCIS as he passed along the Citty cast off his cloake and spread the same vnder his feete affirming that he should be worthie of all manner of reverence the time beeing nowe not long vnto wherin he should performe great matters and should be of the whole worlde for that cause marveilously honored But yet altogether ignorant was S. FRANCIS at this time of Gods determination concerning him aswell beeing by the commaundement of his father distracted in externall affaires as also by naturall corruption carried away with terrestriall â—â—â—â—ters wherby he had not as yet learned to conteplate vpo the matters of Heauen nor had accustomed himselfe to taste of the sweetnesse of God And because the scourge of affliction doth oftentimes giue light to the spirituall vnderstanding the mighty hande of our Lord did come vpon him the right hand of the highest wrought a perfect change within him afflicting his body with lingring infirmities whereby the better to prepare his soule to receiue the precious inspirations and motions of the Holy Ghost But having recovered his strength and being provided of decent apparell according to his vsuall manner he chanced to meete a certaine souldiar who was in yery deede a gentleman by birth but poore and meanely apparelled whose poverty he commiserating with a syncete affection dispoiled himselfe of his own apparell and furnished the poore souldiar therewithall that so in one worke he might performe a double office of piety both in covering the shame of a gentleman souldiar in releiueing the misery of a poore distressed man In the night following when he had betaken himselfe to his naturall rest it pleased the goodnesse of God to shew vnto him a great and beautifull pallace adotned with Military weapons insigned with the Crosse of CHRIST then foreshewing vnto him that the mercy which he had extended towards the poore souldiar for the loue of the heavenly King should be recompenced with an incomparable reward Wherevpon demaunding vnto whom all those goodly things did appertaine it was aunswered to him from aboue that they should be vpon him and his souldiars freely bestowed A waking therefore in the morning and having his minde not as yet exercised in the searching of Divine mysteries neither yet knowing how by the formes of visible thinges to consider the trueth of things invisible he perswaded himselfe that this vnaccustomed vision was a fore token of some great prosperity to happen vnto him So being as yet ignorant of Gods Divine ordinance towardes him he purposed to goe into Apulia vnto a certaine Earle of great liberality hoping by service vnder him in the wars to purchase a name of honour according as the mentioned vision vnto him seemed to foretell And being shortly after entred into his iourney as he came to the next City he heard in the night time our Lord in familiar manner thus speaking vnto him FRANCIS who is able to doe better for thee the master or the servant the rich man or the poore To whom Saint FRANCIS making aunswere that the master and the rich man were better able Our Lord presently replied why therefore doest thou leaue the master for the servant and the rich God for a poore man Then Saint FRANCIS asked what wilt thou haue me O Lord to doe And our Lord said vnto him returne into thine owne country for the vision which thon hast seene doth prefigurate a spiritual effect which is to be by the disposition of God not of man accomplished in thee In the morning therefore he speedily returned backe to Assisium resting nowe full of security and ioy making himselfe a patterne of obedience did readily expect the pleasure of our Lord. From that time foreward hee with-drewe himselfe from the practise of his common trafique and devoutly besought Almighty God of his mercy that hee would voutsafe to shew vnto him what he ought to doe And when by much vse of praier the flame of Heavenly desire began aboundantly to encrease in him so that nowe for the loue of the Heavenly country hee contemned all earthely things as very nothing then did he well perceiue himselfe to haue found the hidden treasure like a well advised marchant purposed with the sale of all his marchandise to purchase this rare and pretious pearle But as yet he was ignorant how to proceed therein saving that it was to his spirit sugested that the entring into spirituall affaires is the contempt of the world and that the warfare of Christ is not otherwise to be by any man begun than by obtaining first the conquest of himselfe Riding therefore one day vpon the plaine Beholde howe his adorning the Altarâ— did please god otherwise the holy man woulde not haue done them adioyning nigh to Assisium there came in his way a certaine Leaper vpon whose sodaine aspect he coÌ„ceived in mind an especiall horror and loathing But returning to his already resolued purpose of perfection and considering that he ought of necessity first to overcome himselfe if he would become the souldiar of Christ he presently alighted downe from his horse and went to kisse him At what time the Leaper reaching fotth his hand as hoping to receiue something from him did indeed teceiue money of him and a kisse also therewithall But he being presently gotten vp vpon his horse againe and looking round about in the open field could not espie the Leaper there Being therefore replenished with admiration and ioy he began devoutly to sing praises vnto God purposing from this beginning evermore to aspire vnto greater perfections From thenceforth he began to affect solitary places Behold his pilgrimage to holy places as best fitting vnto
overpassing the night according to his vsuall manner in the praier of God albeit that he were then in bodie absent from his children Behold yet even aboute the verie pointe of midnight some of the bretheren being bent to sleepe and some other of them continuing in praier a fierie chariote of marveilous splendoure entring in at the dore of the house whirled vp and downe the place one while one way and one while another vntill it had at length gone three severall times rounde about the roome vpon the toppe whereof might be seene to rest a globe of shining beames as bright as the sunne which caused the darke some night for the time to seeme as cleere as the day Heere with all the watchfull were amased and the sleepy both waked and astonished every of them finding no lesse clearenes in their harts than outwardly vpon their bodies it being effected by the power of this marvailous light that the naked consciences of them all were discovered one to another For they did all of them agreably vnderstand every of them seing into each others harte that the holy Father being absent in body but present in spirit and in such apparence transfigured was with the beames of brightnes from aboue inlightened and inflamed and out of supernaturall power in a shining and fiery Chariot by God represented vnto them that as true Israelites they might follow after him who as an other Elias was by God ordained to be the Chariot 4 Reg. 2.11 and Chariot Driver of spirituall men And verily good cause we haue to belieue that he who opened in former time the eies of a Boie 4. Reg. 6.7 wherby to see the mountaine filled all with horses and fiery Chariots in compasse of Aeliseus did now also at the praiers of his holy Servant Saint FRANCIS in like manner open the eies of this simple company that they might see and behold the woonderfull workes of God But the holy man after this returning vnto his brethren beganne to sift the secrets of their consciences to refresh their spirits vpon occasion of this marveilous vision and to foretell many things concerning the increase of the Order At what time disclosing vnto them many and sundry points which far surpassed all humane vnderstanding the brethren well perceyued that the spirit of our Lord had in so great aboundance setled it selfe vppon this his servant Saint FRANCIS that it should be their safest and most certaine course to imitate his life and doctrine After this S. FRANCIS the Pastor of that litle flock being guided and directed by the grace of God conducted this poore number of twelue brethren to the Church of Saint Mary of Portiūcula to the end that where the order of the Friers Minors had by the merits of the Mother of God taken his beginning there also by her helpe it might take increase And in this place also being made a preacher of the Gospell he went about preaching through the Citties and townes Not in the learned words of humane wisedom but in the power of the spirit denowcing the Kingdome of God He seemed vnto all that sawe him to be a man of another world for as he was allawayes intentiue to heaven both in minde and countenance so did he seeke with his whole endevour to draw all men thither with him And even now about this time Of virgins were converted by him to imbrace perpetuall chastity false it is that it is mipossible to keeps Virgiuity beganne the vineyard of Christ to bud forth the buds of the sweete smels of our Lord and having brought forth the flowers of sweetnes Honor and Honestie did yeild a plentifull and fruitfull harvest For many both men and women inflamed with the zeale of his preaching serving our Lord in the Chastitie of wedlock according to the forme receaved of the servant of God did binde themselves vnto new lawes of Pennance whose manner of living the said servant of Christ decreed to be named The Order of the brethren of Pennance For as the way of pennance is one and the very same vnto all such as desire to come vnto heaven so likewyse this order S. Clare now glorified in heauen is worthily worshiped in earth of the Church admitting both the Clergie and the lay pepple Virgins and Married folkes of both sexes of how great merit it is in the sight of God it is manifest by many miracles which some of them haue wrought as may be knowen to the world Even now also divers Virgins were by him converted vnto perpetuall chastity among which Saint Clare that notable Virgin and most deare to God was the first plant and most beautifull blossome of all the rest who as as pure springing flower gaue a sweet savour of holynesse and glimmered forth her beames as a bright shining star she being now glorified with God in heaven is worthely honored of the Church in earth who being the daughter in Christ of the holy poore Father Saint FRANCIS did also become the Mother of the poore And many not only moved with devotion but inflamed with desire of Christian perfection contemning the vanity of wordly things did follow the steeps of Holy S. Francis Who increasing daily more more were quickly spreede forth to the end of the world For that same holy poverty which was the only thing they desired to carrie with them for the defray of their charges made them evermore ready vnto all obedience strong in sustaining of labours and nimble in prosecuting their iourneis And for so much as they possessed no earthly thing nothing did they loue nothing did they feare to loose but were in every place secure never assailed with feare never distracted with care wherby living as men in every point free from all manner of trouble of minde they had patience in expectance of their morning and nightly sustenance Many and sundry reproaches they sustained in diuerse parts of the world as men contēptible and vnknowen but the loue of the Gospell of Christ had endewed them with so perfect patience that they sought in those places rather to be were they might suffer persecution in body than where vpon observation of their vnfained holinesse they might haue occasion to glory in the favour of the world And even that very penury of all things which they continually sustayned seemed vnto them a superaboūdant plenty meane while that according to the wisemans Councell In steed of a great thing the least did contente them For some of the brethren comming into the infidells countries it happened that a certaine Saracin moved with pittie offered them mony for their necessary foode which he perceiving them to refuse wondered not a litle thereat seeing them notwithstauding to be both poore and needy But at the lenght perceiuing that having voluntarily made themselues poore for the loue of God they would possesse no mony he was thereby conioyned vnto them in so great loue and affection that he offered to Minister vnto them all
bearing liuely resemblance of the KING his Father and in that respect very worthy to be nourished at the KINGES owne table this also by way of interpretation hee therevnto adioyned Wee haue no cause to feare that the Sonnes and heires of the Eternall KING shall perishe and die for hunger who beeing borne of a poore Mother by the power of the HOLIE GHOST to the image of CHRIST their KING are also to bee gotten vnto him in a poore religion by the spirite of povertie For if the KING of HEAVEN doe promise an eternall Kingdome to them that followe him howe much more will hee provide them of things of necessity which he giveth indifferently not only to the good but also to the wicked This parable and the meaning thereof when the Vicar of Christ had diligeÌ„tly heard observed he mary vailed greatly thereat knew for certain that it was vndoubtedly Christ himselfe who covertly spake in the man And moreover also he avowed by the instinct of Gods heavenly spirit that a certaine vision also which he had about this time receyued from heaven should be in this man accoÌ„plished For he had seene in his sleepe as himselfe reported the Church of Laterane to be in present danger now forthwith to fall to the grounde the which a certain poore maÌ„ of mean stature conteÌ„ptible to behold putting his own back vnder it did so preserue froÌ„ falling Whervpon he thus pronovnced verely this is he who by his worke doctrine shall vphold the Church of Christ Then this prudeÌ„t Pastor being wholy fraught with devotion inclined himself in every degree to the desires of the servant of Christ bare evermore vnto him a speciall loue affection Wherfore he graunted his request promised to graunt yet more vnto him he approued his Rule he gaue him in Charge to vndertake the preaching of pennance for all the lay brethreÌ„ to that were associate the servaÌ„t of Christ he caused them to haue litle crownes made that they might freely preach the word of God THE FOVRTH CHAPTER Of the increase of the Order vnder his hand and of the coÌ„firmation of the Rule formerly approued THE holy man Saint Francis now thus supported with Gods grace and Papall authority did with much confidence of minde take his way to the vale of Spoletum that he might as well by deed as by worde denounce the Gospel of Christ But as he debated wâ—ih his companions in the way by what meanes they might in all sincerity obserue the Rule by them newly vndertaken and how they might in all manner of holinesse and iustice walke before the face of God and further yet how they might not only arise to greater profit in themselues but might also be an example and guide vnto others by long protracting this manner of conference the time sodeinely ouerpassed vnawares And they being now much wearied with the long continewance of their travel and hungry also therwithall were inforced to stay in a certaine solitary place of the desert At which very time and place they haivng no kind of meanes to provide theÌ„selues of necessary food then did the providence of God manifest it self in their behalf For sodeinely a man appeared vnto them bringing bread in his hand which he gaue vnto the poore ones of Christ and forth disappeared being altogether vnknowene from whence he came or whether he went Here by the poore brethren perceyving that in the company of the man of God they where assisted with the help of Gods heavenly protection were better refreshed by the gift of this divine liberality then by the refection of their emptie bodies And morover they were so singularly replenished with the coÌ„solation of God that they firmely purposed and irrevocably decreed neuer for any violence either of hunger or tribulation to faile from the promise of holie pouertie After this returning with this holie purpose into the vale of Spoletum they beganne to dispute among themselues whether it were more expedient for theÌ„ to converse among men or to betake theÌ„selues vnto solitarie places But the seruant of Christ S. Francis not presuming vpon the industrie either of himselfe or of his bretheren determined by instancy of praier to seeke the good will and pleasure of God in this behalfe Being therefore inlightened by the oracle of divine revelation it was given him to vnderstand that he was for this very purpose sent of God that he might gaine such soules vnto Christ as the Divell endeavoured to leade astray For which cause he rather chose to liue for the generall good of all than for the private benefitte of himselfe alone being therevnto provoked by his example who being but one vousafed to die for all The man of God therefore together withall the rest of his companions betooke himself to a certaine forlorne Cottage nigh to Assisium Wherin they liued in much labour and needines according to the rule of holy poverty desiring rather to be sustayned with the foode of teares than with the nice of curiosities of delicate fare For there they were incessantly busied in fervent praiers proceeding rather from mentall affection thaÌ„ outwardly disclosed by vocall wordes intending wholy to the studie of devotion because they had not as yet any Ecclesiasticall bookes where in they might sing there Canonical howers but insteede of them they behelde continuallie the booke of the Crosse of Christ and turned it over day and night thereto instructed by the example and speach of the holie father who daily preached of Christ his Crosse vnto them But being requested of his brethren to teach them how to pray he said when you doe pray you shal say the Pater noster and this also we adore thee the O Christ at al thy Churches which are in the whole worlde and we blesse thee because by thy holie Crosse thou hast redeemed the worlde Moreover he taught them to praise our Lord in al thinges and out of al his creatures Heere thou maist see that faithâ— to be held and confessed whsch the holy Romane Church doth hold and teach They fell downe prostrate praying at all Churches Crosses to vse especial reverence also towardes Priests and principally this firmelie to beleue and simply to confesse the puritie of faith according vnto such manner forme as the holie Romane Church doth hold and teach All which precepts of the holy Father they on their parts in every point inviolably observed and at all Churches and before all Crosses which they could see a farr of they did humbly prostrate themselues according to the forme prescribed vnto them But it so fell out that the brethren long time abiding in the foresaid place the holy man went forth vpon a Saterday into the Citty of Assisium with purpose vpon a Sunday morning early to preach as his costome was in the Cathedrall Church And as the devout man of God had with drawen himselfe into a certaine shroud that stoode within the Channons garden there
thinges necessary so long as he should haue in the world to giue them O inestimable price of poverty by the admirable force whereof even Barbarours cruelty was chaunged into so great a sweetnes of mercy Wherefore it is a thing most horrible and a wickednes vnexcusable for a Christian man to tread vppon so pretious a pearle which an infidell Saracin held in so great a reverence About this time Moricus a Religious man of the Order called Cruciferi being miserably afflicted in an Hospital neare to Assisium with a long and greivouse disease through the violent force whereof the Phisitions were in vtter despaire of his recoverie made humble request to the man of God by a messenger sent for purpose with instant desire that he would vouchsafe to pray for him Whervnto the blessed Father with a willing minde assenting after praier devoutly made taking cartaine crummes of bread into his hand and mingling the same with oyle taken from out of the Lamp which burned before the Altar of the Blessed virgin brought it at lenght as it were to a certaine kinde of electuary which he sent vnto the sicke man by the handes of his brethren saying Beere ye this medicine vnto our brother MORICVS where by the power of Christ will not only restore him vnto perfect health againe but will make of him a strong and hardy warriour and shall further adioyne him perpetually vnto our troupe and company No sooner had this sicke man tasted of that exquisit medecine made confected by the Holy Ghost his invention but rising vp forth with now perfectly whole and well he obtained of God so much strength both of body minde that within a litle while after entring into the Religion of the holy man he was contended with one only slender coate Behold the wonderfull abstinence of the holy man who for a long space tasted neither bread nor wine and wasfed only with rawe meats vnder which also he ware for long time together a coate of maile next to his skinne vsed no other diet than raw meates as hearbes fruits and such like other things as he gathered vpon the earth not tasting for many and soundrie years either of bread or wine All which notwithstanding he still continewed in good health and strenght of body And as the merrits of the vertue of these litle ones of Christ did daily more and more increase so the sweet smell of their good opinion spreading it self ronde about drew many out of divers parts of the world to come in person to see the holy Father Among whom there was a curious inventor of secular songes who having binne for that cause crowned by the Emperour and called the king of verses determined to go see this man of God the contemner of wordly things And finding him preaching in a certaine Monastery at the Castle of Saint SEVERINVS the hand of our Lord comming then vpon him be beheld Saint FRANCIS the preacher of the Crosse of Christ ensigned with two swordes one overthwarr the other in the forme of a Crosse the one of them stretched along from his head to his feete and the other Crosse-wise along his breast from on hand to the other Wherby although he knew not the contenance of the servāt of Christ yet was he fully secured that this very man was he by the admirable apparence of so great a miracle At the sodain aspect whereof being much amased he beganne to propose vnto himselfe better things in his minde and being at the lenght compunct by the force of his words no lesse than if he had bin stricken through with the sword of the spirit issueyng out of his mouth vtterly contemning all secular pompes he conioyned himselfe in profession with the blessed Father Wherevpon the holy man seeing him to be perfectly converted frō the trouble of the world to the peace of Christ called him by the name of Frater Pacificus He afterward increasing in al holinesse before such time as he was made provinciall Minister in France for he was the first that bare that office there merrited once and againe to see the greeke letter T. in the forehaid of holy S. Francis the same being distinguished with such seemely variety of colours as did wonderfully adorne his face and countenance This signe the holy man did reverence with great affection this signe he did commend with frequent speeches and in his letters which he vsually dispatched he evermore with his owne hand subscribed the same Ezech. 9.4 as if all his study were to make the signe T according to the saieing of the Prophet vpon the foreheades of them that sighed and mourned and were vnfainedly converted to Christ Now when the number of brethren was in processe of time increased the carefull Pastor beganne to call them together vnto a general Chapter then to beholden in the place of our Lady of Portiuncula that in the measure of divine distribution he might giue vnto every one his portiō of obedience in the land of their poverty Where although there were great penurie and the brethren sometimes came together aboue fiue thowsand in number yet by the help of Gods mercie they had sufficient foode together with health of body and aboundance of spirituall ioy But for so much as he could not be in body present at the provinciall Chapiters he was therefore in spirit by the diligent care of his governement by the instancy of prayer and by the efficacy of benediction evermore present at them notwithstanding that sometimes by the marvailous power and worke of God he did visibly appeare For as Saint Anthony that worthy preacher who is now a notable Confessour of Christ was preaching in the Chapter at Arles of the title of the Crosse Iesus of Nazareth King of the Iewes a certaine brother of approued vertue called Monaldus looking as the will of God was towardes the Chapter house doore sawe with is corporall eies the blessed Father Saint FRANCIS lifted vp alofte in the aire ad blessing his brethren with his handes stretched out as it were in the forme of a Crosse At which very time all the brethren did feele thēselues to be replenished with so great vnvsual-a consolation of spirit that the inward testimony which they felt in their hartes did sufficiently secure them of the vndoubted presence of the holy Father though afterwardes it was not only by evident signes but also by the said holy Fathers owne wordes externally confirmed And well it may be believed that the same power of Almighty God which granted the devout and holy Bishop Saint Ambrose to be present at the in tombing of the glorious Bishop Saint Martin to the end that he might with devout reverence honor the devout Bishop deceased did also by an especiall favour present his servant Saint Francis at the sermon of his true preacher Saint Anthony that he might approue the words of truth those especially of the Crosse of Christ whereof himselfe was a continuall
bearer and a most faithfull servant But the Order being now great amplified augmented he did greatly desire that the forme and rule therof by Pope Innocenciâ—s already approved might be Honorius his successor for ever be ratified and confirmed and even then he was by Almighty God admonished with this manner of revelation It seemed vnto him that he was gathering vp from the earth certaine most exceeding small and slender crummes of bread by him to be distributed among a great many hungry brethren of his that stoode in expectance rownde aboute him And fearing to distribute so smalle crummes least perhaps they should fall out of his handes he heard a voice from aboue saing vnto him Francis make one hast of all the crummes and giue vnto them that will eate Vnto which voice he shewing himselfe obedient whosoever did not receiue the distribution devoutly or did make light of the guift already receaved were presently marked with a leaprous infection All which the holy man did the next morning after relate vnto his brethren sorrowing much that he could not vnderstand the mistery of the vision But the next day following as he persisted watchfull in praier he heard a voice from heaven speke vnto him Francis the crummes which thou sawest in the night past are the wordes of the Gospell the host is the Rule and the leaprousie iniquity Being therefore desirous before he sought the confirmation of his Rule to reduce the same as being hitherto more largely compiled out of sundry parts of the Ghospell vnto a more compendious forme and methode according as the vision did purporte vnto him he went vpp with two of his companions into a certaine hill wherevnto he was by the Holy Ghost conducted He fasted with bread water and there contenting himselfe with bread water during the time of his fast he caused the same to be written according to that which the spirit of God suggested vnto him as he was yet persevering in fervent prayer Which being there by him in this manner finished and himsefe now comming downe from the montaine he gaue the same to his Vicar to keepe who within few daies confessing himselfe to haue lost it by fault of negligence the holy man went againe the second time into the solitary place of the desert presently renewed the same againe as if he had taken the wordes from out of the mouth of God And shortly after obtained according to his owne desire to haue the same confirmed by the foresaid Pope HONORIVS in the eight yeare of his Popedome Wherevpon taking occasion with great fervency to perswade his brethren a new to the observance of the rule he avowed vnto them that he had not thereinto inserted any thing out of his owne industrie but had simply and plainly written downe all every point eueÌ„ in such sorte as had binne from God revealed vnto him S Francis caused his rule to be written as he had receiued by diuine renelation Which that it might the more manifestly appeare as being confirmed and approved by the testimony of God himself within few daies after the signes Marks of our Lord Iesus were imprinted vpon him by the finger of the living God as it were the Bull of the chiefe and most supreame Bishop Christ himselfe aswell to the absolute confirmatioÌ„ of the Rule as also to the commendation of the Author thereof as shall be hereafter set downe in convenient place after we shall hane declared his excellent vertues THE FIFTH CHAPTER Of the austerity of his life and how the Creatures of God gaue sollace vnto him NOvv when the holy servant of God Saint Francis did perceive that many were by his exaÌ„ple incouraged with fervencie of spirit to carry the Crosse of Christ himselfe also like a good leader of the army of Christ was therby animated daily more and more to attaine vnto the crowne of victory by the exquisite perfection of most invincible vertue For coÌ„sidering the sayng of the Apostle that Se with what seuerity of disciplines the holy Father did mortifi the concupiscence of his flesh Se also his wonderful abstinenâ— They who are of Christ haue crucified their flesh together with their vices and concupiscenses he to the ende he might in his owne body beare the armour of the Crosse did with so great severitie of discipline restraine his sensuall appetites that scantly he allowed vnto himselfe the very things that were necessary for the sustentation of nature Vsing evermore this maÌ„ner of saying that It could not be but marueilous hard to fatisfie the necessities of the body yet not to condiscen vnto the euill inclination of sensuall desirs for which cause in time of health he would hardly be induced to eat of boiled meats or at least wise very seldome if he did at any time he vsed either to put ashes amonghst it or els by mingling of water with the saÌ„e to make the meat vnsavoury What shall I speake of his moderate drinking when as he would scarrely drink of cold water sufficient to alay the violence of his thrist He ever invented new waies of more perfect abstinence and by exercise did daily more more increase therein and although he had already attained vnto the highest degree of perfection yet some thing alwaies he did as a new beginner innovate punishing with afflictions his fleshly concupissence Neverthelesse at such times as he weÌ„t abroade to preach the Gospell he did conforme himselfe in the quality of his meate according to the custome of the persons that did entertaine him but at his returning home againe then did he strictly obserue the rigour of most parsimonius abstineÌ„ce And so in all respects vsing austerity towards himself curtesie towards his neighbour obedience to the Gospell of Christ he was an example of edification to others not only by abstaining but even also by eating The bare ground he vsed most commonly as a bed for his weried body He slept often on the bare ground and tooke his sleep oftentimes sitting leaning his head vpon a piece of woode or a stone and resting alwaies contented with one coate he served our Lord in cold and nakednesse Whetevpon it being one time demaunded of him how he could with so thinne a garment defende himselfe from the extreame sharpenesse of the winter cold Behold his great austerity in his apparell he answered with afervour of spirit If we were inwardly toucht by fervent desire with the flame of the heavenly couÌ„try we should easily be able to indure this eternall colde He could not abide softnes of apparell but asperous clothing he much esteemed affirming that S Iohn Baptist was in that respecte commended by the mouth of God himselfe And therefore if at time he found any kinde of easefulnes in such garmens as had bene given vnto him he vsed to weare litle cords into the inner side therof alluding vnto the words of truth that softnes of apparell was not to besought for
then instructed them with holy speeches that passing through the desert of this world they should like forraniers and strangers as true Hebrewes in povertie of spirit continually celebrate the Passeover of our Lorde vnderstanding therby his passage out of this world vnto his Father And for because in the asking of Almes he was not ledde with desire of gaine but with the liberty and freedome of spirit God therefore the Father of the poore see med ouer him to beare a speciall care and protection For it happened that the servant of God being surprised with sicknesse in a certaine place called Noceria he was from thence convaied towards Assisium by certaine solemne Messengers which the people of that Citty had out of their great devotion sent for that purpose vnto him Who bringing with them the servant of Christ came to a certaine poore village called Sarthianum where as well the time of the day as hungar also requiring meate they went out to provide but finding no meate to be bought for money they returned emptie to the place againe To whom the holy man said for this cause ye haue founde nothing because you trust more in your Flies than you doe in our Lord. For he called their pieces of mony by the name of Flies But returne said he to the houses wherby you passed before and humbly desire the Almes of the inhabitants offering the loue of God for a reward vnto them Neither do ye out of a false estimation hereof conceiue as of a thing either of bashfullnesse or basenes for you to vndertake considering that the great Almes giver hath now after sinne by his aboundant goodnesse graunted disposed of all thinges in Almes both to the wotthy vnworthy Wherevpon his conductours being warfairing men setting shame a side and craving Almes with a willing minde made better market for the loue of God than for their mony For by the divine in stinct of God the poore inhabitants were so compunct in heart that they freely offered not only their goodes but themselues also therewithall And so it came to passe that the same degree of wāt which mony could not relieue euen that did the riche poverty of Sainct FRANCIS aboundantly supply At such time as the holy man lay sick in an Ermitage nigh to Reate a certaine Phisitian reforted oftentimes with timely endeavour ynto him But the servant of Christ not being able to giue a reward vnto him answereable to his paines and labours the most liberall God who would not dismisse him without a present requitall recompensed his godly industrie in his poore servants behalfe with this newe and vnvsuall benefite For this Phifition having about that very time newly built him a house wherevpon he had bestowed the whole summe of all his former gaines and labours the same by meane of a wide rifte in the wall reaching from the toppe to the bottome of the foundation was ready to fall to the grounde in so much as it seemed impossible by any art or numane industrie to be prevented But he having great confidence in the meritts of the holy man did with great zeale of faith request the brethren that some thing might be given vnto him which the man of God had toucht with his handes Having therefore at length with great instancy of intreatie obtained some litle parcell of his haire he put the same over night within the rift of the wall which he rising betimes in the morning founde to be shut and conioined againe with so strong firme a solidity that neither could he pul out the Reliques which he had inclosed therein nor yet could he finde any marke of the former division Whereby it was through the goodnesse of God provided that he who diligently ministred vnto the decaied body of the holy servant of God did prevent the danger of his own dwelling house which was ready to fall to the ground Another time also the man of God desiring to go vnto a certaine desert where he might more freely attend vnto contemplation for so much as he was weake and feeble he was carried vppon a certaine poore mans Asse And when as the same poore man by reason of following the servant of Christ and passing with him over the mountanouse places in the extreamest heats of the yeare was then so wearried with the painfullnes and length of his iourney that he seemed to fainte through the excesliue heat of his thirst he instantly beganne to crie after the holy man Beholde I die for thirst vnlesse I may be presently refreshed by the benefit of some draught of drinke Wherevppon the man of God incontinently alighting downe from the Asse fixed his knees vppon the grounde Praying vpon his knees and lifting his handes tovvardes heauen he obtained his petition and streetching forth his armes to heaven ceased not to pray vntill he perceived himself to be heard But his praier being ended at lēgth make haste saith he vnto the man and goe to yonder rocke for there thou shalt finde a spring of liuely water which Christ hath mercifully provided out of the stone for thee to drinke Woonderfull without doubt is the favourable goodnes of Almighty God which doeth so easely incline it selfe vnto his servants desires The Thirstie man drank from out of the rock of that comfortable and refreshing water which was by the efficacie of praier produced and filled his cuppe out of the most hard and flintie stone In this place never had there binne water seene before neyther could there any since be founde as hath well appeared by diligent enquirie and experience But in what wonderfull manner Christ did by the merites of his poore servant multiplie the meate in the Sea considering that we are hereafter to set it downe in place conveniēt thus much only it shall be sufficient in this place to haue rehearsed Exod. 17.6.4 Reg. 4.43 that out of a small proportion of Almes bestowed vpon him he delivered the Marriners for many daies togeather from the perill of famine of death that thereby it may be well observed that the servant of Almighty God even as he was like vnto Moyses in bringing water out of the Rock so was he also like vnto Elizeus in the multiplication of victualls Good cause therfore it is that all diffidence should farre away departe from the servants and followers of Christ For if the poverty of Saint Francis were of so plentifull sufficiency that by a wonderfull vertue it did so farre forth supply the wants of them by whome he was holpen in his neede that they wanted neither meate drink nor house when mony arte and nature did faile them much more shall it deserue to obtaine those thinges which are by the accustomed order of Gods divine prouidence cōmonly vouchsafed and granted vnto all men If I say the drienesse of the rocke haue at the voice of a poore man yeelded drinke aboundantly to the thirstie then shall nothing in the world denye service vnto them who haue forsaken
harmony and other tokens of mirth seeme to in vite and allure the devoute father to stay and abide with theÌ„ Which when he well perceaued he said to his companion I see plainely brother it is the verie will of God that we should now stay heere for a while because our Sisters the birdes doe seeme to be so much comforted at our presence And whiles he thereforefore remained in that place a faulcon there building her nest was ioined vnto him in a singular manner of frendshippe For with her singing and noise she did continually in the night time prevent the hower whereat the holy man was accustomed to rise to his divine service which was a thing most acceptable vnto the servant of God for that the so great watchfullnesse of this faulcon ouer him did cause him to shake of all sloth and slugishenes But when the servant of Christ was more than vsually afflicted with any kind of infirmitie then did the faulcon in some sorte abstaine neither did shee at those times awake him so earely but as it were instructed thervnto of God about the breake of day she gaue a gentle knocke with the bell of her voice surely it seemeth that this reioicing of birdes of many kindes and that the singing also of the faulcoÌ„ should be a divine foresignification that this notable praiser and most excelleÌ„t worshipper of God being carried aloft by the wings of contemplation should then be there exalted by a Seraphicall apparition During the time he once aboad in the Ermitage of Grecium the inhabitans in that place were grievously afflicted with many and sundry evills For not only a multitude of ravening wolues did thereaboutes consume both men and beasts but a yearely and violent Tempest also of haile did continually destroy the corne and vineyardes At what time therefore as this denouncer of Gods holy Gospell preached vnto them in the middest of this their distresse and affliction he saied vnto them to the honor and praise of Almighty God I require you to be of good hope that all this pestilence shall soone forsake you and that our Lord with his mercifull eies regarding you will multiplie you in temporall goodes if crediting my wordes you will nowe first of all beginne to take compassion vppon your selues whereby making a true confession of your sinnes you may bring forth the workes worthy of pennance But this againe I denounce vnto you that if as vngreatefull men for such benefits you shall returne to your vomite againe then shall your plague be renewed your punnishment shal be redoubled and a greater indignation shall iustly fall vpon you From that very hower the people doeing pennaÌ„ce according as he exhorted them their miseries ceased their daungers were all at an end neither the wolues nor the haile did any more mischief among them Nay which is more to be admired if the neighbours fieldes were at any tyme endaungered with haile so soone as it approached vnto theire confines either there it rested or els diverted to some other parte Thus not only the haile did cease but the wolues also kept the convenante of the servant of God neither did they offer any more contrary to the law of piety to inrage against men converted vnto God so longe as they according to their promise did not wickedly transgresse against the lawes of God Wherfore we haue good cause devoutly to thinke of the piety of this blessed man which was of so marveilouse sweetenesse and efficacy that it tamed wilde creatures in so much that those of the woodes it made liue in howses made double thrice those which were of more gentle nature it did incline the nature of brute beastes which hath binne fince the fall of man rebellious against him to become now obedient vnto him This verely is that vertue which confederating all creatures with it selfe Is profitable to all thinges having promise of the life that now is and of that to come THE NINTH CHAPTER Of the fervour of his Charity and of his desire of Martirdome BVT that fervent Charitie Wherewith this frend of the spouse Saint Francis was altogether inflamed what man may be able sufficieÌ„tly to expresse For as a certaine fierie coale he seemed to be wholy absorbted in the flame of Gods loue For soddainely vpon the very hearing of the loue God he was forthwith stirred vp he was in marveilouse manner affected and wholy set on fire as though with the outward stroake of the voice the inwarde string of the harte were touched And therefore to offer such manner of tributs insteede of Allmes he saied it was a noble kinde of prodigality and those that esteemed thereof lesse than of mony he held to be most foolishe confidering that the vnprisable valewe of the only loue of God is aboundantly sufficient to gaine the Kingdome of heaven and that the loue of him who loued vs much is much to be loued and esteemed But to the end he might be out of all things provoked vnto the loue of God he marveilously reioiced in all the workes of our Lord his handes and by the mirrours of delightsomnesse he raised vp himself into the liuely orriginall and cause of them For he did beholde in the things that were beautifull him that was most beautifull of all and by the perfections imprinted in all things the euery where prosecuted the thing beloued making as it were vnto himselfe a ladder of all things whereby he might ascend and take hold of him who is altogeather wholy to be desired For with an affection of devotion more than had binne heard of he tasted in every of the creatures as it were in litle Rivers that excellent goodnesse of the fountaine it self and as if he had conceaved a heauenly harmony in the consonantes of the vertues and actions giuen by God vnto them he sweetely exhorted them according to the manner of the prophet DAVID vnto the honour and praise of Almighty God Christ Iesus crucified evermore remained as a handefull of Mirrhe within the bosome of his minde into whome he desired to be through the fervour of most excessiue loue in euery parte transformed And for a prerogariue of a peculier devotion vnto him from the feaste of the Holie Epiphanie during the space of full forty daies together that is to say during all that time whearin Christe remained solitary in the desert he also be taking himselfe to solitary places and being in his Cell retired did with wonderfull strictnesse aswell of meate as of drinck in fastings and praiers continually attend to the praises of God So feruent was that affection wherewith he was carried vnto Christ But Christ his well beloved did requite him againe with so familiar a kinde of loue that it seemed vnto him the servant of God as if he had the continuall presence of his Saviour before his eies Let the heretickes heâ—re consider the deuotion of this Saint to our B. Lady the Mother of God in her especially
weake of bodie yet was he nothing terrified therewithall but was more forcibly animated to the sustaining of martirdome For the insuperable burning loue of good Iesus had encreased within him to lampes of fire and flames soe that many waters were notable to quenche his soe prevalent Charitie Being therefore with the Seraphicall fervour of desires borne vp alofte into God and by the sweetnesse of compassion transformed into him who of his surpassing charitie would vouch safe to be crucified one morning about the Feast of the Exaltation of the holy Crosse while he did pray vpon the side of the hill he sawe a Seraphin with six wings all fierie and full of gloriouse light descending downe from the toppe of the heauens And as he came with a swifte flighte to that place of the aire which was neare to the man of God there appeared betweene his wings the forme of a man crucified hauing his handes and feete stretcht out in manner of a Crosse and fastened also vnto a Crosse Two of his wings were lifted vp aboue his heade two were streeched forth to flie and two did couer his whole body At the beholding wherof he was exceedingly amazed and there entred his hatte a loy mingled with sorrowe For he reioyced in that gracious aspect whereby he perceaued himselfe to be beholden of Christ vnder the forme of a Seraphim but the fastening to the Crosse did peirce through his soule with a sworde of compassionate greife He marveilously wondred in the aspect of soe strange rare a vision knowing well that the infirmitie of Passion could by no meanes agree with the immortalitie of a Seraphicall spiritte But in the end he herehence perceaued our Lord reuealing the same vnto him that therefore this manner of vision was by the providence of God in suche manner of wise presented vnto his veiwe that he the friend of Christ might thereby forknow that he was wholy to be transformed into the likenesse of Christ crucified not by the martir dome of his flesh but by the burning inflammation of his minde The vision therefore disappearing did leaue behinde a wounderfull heate in his harte and a no lesse wonderfull impression of signes in his flesh For presently there beganne to appeare in his hāds and feete the signes of nailes euen in such manner as a litle before he had seene them in the likenesse of the crucified man For his hands and feete seemed to be in the very middest peirced with nailes the heades of them nailes appearing in the inner parte of his handes and the outer parte of his feete but the pointes of them on the contrary sides And the heades of the nailes in his hands feete were rounde and blacke but the pointes were somewhat long and wreathed and as it were clinched which rising vppe out of the very flesh did sticke out higher than the rest of the flesh His righte side also as being pearced through with a speare was couered ouer with a redde skarre which oftentimes casting out holy bloud did besprincle his coate and breeches therewithall But the servante of Christ perceauing that those markes so plainely imprinted in his flesh could not to be hidden from his familiar companions and fearing neverthelesse to publishe the secrette of our Lord was in a greate agony and doubt of minde whether he should vtter or conceale the vision which had binne shewed vnto him Wherfore he called together some of the brethren speaking vnto them in generall tearmes he proposed his doubt before them and required their councel and advise therein At what time one of the brethren Illuminatus by name a man also singularly illuminated by grace from heauen perceiuing that he had seene some wonderfull things by reason that he seemed to be very greately astonished did speake in this wise vnto the holy man Brother knowe it for certaine that it is not only for your selfe but also for others that the divine mysteries of God are sometime shewen vnto you Wherefore you haue iust cause to feare least if you shall conceale the thing which you haue receaved for the profitte and behoofe of many you be therevpon adiudged reprehensible for the hidden Tallent Mat. 25.26 Esay 24.16 At whose wordes the holy man being greatly moved albeit that at other times he was wont to say My secrette vnto my selfe did yet nowe at this time with much feare relate the historie of the foresaied vision adding also therevnto that he who had appeared vnto him had told him some things which he would neuer open vnto any man so long as he should liue And we may very wel beleiue that the wordes of that holy Seraphin soe admirably appearing in the Crosse were soe misticall and secrette that haply it was not lawfull to vtter them vnto men And nowe after that the true loue of Christ had transformed this his lover into the same Image with himself having accomplished his forty daies fast in the desert according to his determination and the solemne feast of S. Michael the Archangell being no we approached the Angelical man S. Francis came downe from the mountaine bearing with him the forme of the crucified howebeit not figured in tables either of wood or stone by the hand of the Craftesman but expressed in his fleshly members by the finger of the living God And because It is good to hide the secrette of the Kinge Tob. 12.7 this holy man therefore being privie of the Kings secrette Councell did apply all his best endeauour to hide those sacred marks But because it is the worke of God for his owne glories sake to manifest the things which he doth our Lord therefore himself who had secrettely imprinted the marks did openly shewe certaine miracles by meane of them that the hidden and marveilouse force of those stigmats might manifestly appeare by the evident testimony of signes and wonders For in the Prouince of Reate there raigned a very greivous plague which did soe cruelly consume all the sheepe and Oxen that no manner of remedie could be applied vnto them But behold a certaine devout man that feared God was by vision in the night time admonished hastily to goe vnto the Ermitage of the brethren and that taking the water wherein the servaunte of God Saint Francis who then remained in that place had washed his hands and feete he should sprinckle the same vpon al the beasts Rising therefore earely in the morning he came to the place having prively obtained this water by meane of the companions of the holy man he sprincled the sicke sheepe and Oxen therwithall Nowe see the wonder As soone as the sprinckling had in any small quantitie once touched the beasts that lay before languishing vpon the ground they presently rose vp as hauing nowe perfectly recouered their wonted strength and hastily went vnto their feede and pasture as thought they had felt no harme at all Whereby it came to passe that by the admirable vertue of that water which had but touched
as with fignes of thine office to be adorned with heavenly weapons with the signe of the Crosse Nowe the vision of the Crucifixe which thou did dest see in the beginning of thy conversion striking thee through the harte with the sworde of compassionate griefe the hearing also of the voice from the Crosse proceeding as it were from the high Throane and secrette Propitiatorie of Christ according as thou hast affirmed by thy sacred speach are vndoubtedly belleued to haue binne most true and certaine Nowe is it verely belieued and avowed that the Crosse which in the progresse of thy conversion brother Siluester did see in marveilouse manner proceeding out of thy mouth that the swordes striking through thy bowells in the forme of a Crosse which holy Pacificus did see and that thy being lifted vp into the aire in the manner also of a Crosse when blessed Anthony did preach of the title of the Crosse according as was shewen to the Angelicall man Monaldus were not things of fantasticall vision but of heavenly revelation And nowe towards the end whereas at once is shewen vnto thee both the highe and loftie similitude of a Seraphin the humble forme of him that was crucified inwardly inflaming thee and outwardly leaving his marcks vpon thee that like as another Angell ascending from the rising of the sunne thou mightst haue in thy selfe the signe of the living God it doth not only giue vnto the former visions firme cause of creditte and beliefe but receaveth also from them vndoubted testimony of the truth Behold nowe in seaven apparitions of the Crosse of Christ in theÌ„e and about thee according to the order and courte of times marveilously exhibited and shewen thou art as it were by sixe degrees nowe happily come vnto this seauenth wherein thou makest thy final rest aboade For the Crosse of Christ being in the very first beginning of thy conversion aswell proposed vnto thee as on thy parte also assumed and being from thence forth in the whole progresse of thy conversation by thee carried throught the course of a most approved life as remaining in thy selfe continually being demonstrated vnto others for matter of example doth by so evident a clearenesse of certaine knowledg discover thee to haue accomplished the very height of Evangelicall persection that this soe ratâ— a demonstration of Christian wisedome figured in the dust of thy fleshe no man that is trnly devour may set at naught no man that is truly faithfull may with stand no man that is truly humble may lightly regard because it is verely truly shewen by God himselfe from heauen and is well worthy of all good acceptation THE FOVRTENTH CHAPTER Of his Patience and Deathe NOvv blessed Saint Francis being together with Christ wholy fastened vnto the Crosse aswell in flesh as in spiritte did not only burne with a Seraphicall loue towardes God but did also with Christ crucified thirst after the salvation of many And because he was not able to goe in regard of the nailes growing and increasing in his feete he therefore caused his overworne and decaied bodie to be carried about through Crtties and Townes that soe he might incourage others to carry the Crosse of Christ And to his brethren he would say Let vs nowe brginne my brethren to serue our Lord God because hitherto we haue donne but litle good And nowe he was inflamed with a great desire of minde to returne vnto his first grounde workes of humility as namely to minister vnto the Leapers according as in the beginning he had binne wont to doe and though his feeble bodie were wholy spent and consumed with labour yet neverthelesse to recall it vnto the former servitude For he purposed vnder the Conduct and help of Christ to doe great matters and bearing within his overwearied members a spiritte of great fervour and fortitude he was in hope by a new conflict to tâ—iumphe over his enemy For it is no waise possible that either slouth or feeblenesse should there haue any place where the prick of loue doth vrge and provoke evermore vnto greater things But he had in his fles he â—oe great a concorde vnto his spiritte and so great a pomprnesse also of obedience there vnto that where as be did wholy bend himselfe to aspire vnto all manner of holinesse yet did the fleshe not only make no resistance but did â—nd eavour to out goe the spiritte And that the man of God might gaine a more abundant treasure and heape of merittes al which are verely and truly consummated in the vertue of Patience he beganne to be soe heavily laden with many sortes of infirmities that hardly did there remaine any parte of his bodie that was free from the violence of some disease In so much that through sundrie long and continuall sicknesses he was finally brought to that passe that his flesh being nowe quite consumed he was as it were nothing but skinne and bones And being pressed in body with hard and greiuous afflictions yet would he never reckon of them by the name of paines but would call them by the name of Sisters But being at one time assailed with the extreame sharpnesse of his sundrie infirmities in more extraordinarie manner than he had binne at any time before one of the brethren being but a simple man said thus vnto him Brother make your praier vnto our Lord to deale more mildely with you for he seemeth to hold to heavie a hand vpon you Wherevpon the holy man criyng out with a certaine mourneful kinde of complainte did say vnto him Vnlesse I did knowe thee to be of a very simple puritie I would from henceforth abhorre thy companie seeing that thou hast presumed to reprehend the divine iudgements of God concerning me and although he were wholy worne and wasted with the long continuance of his greivouse sickenesse yet casting himself downe vpon the earth he hurte his feeble bones with a hard fall And kissing the grounde I giue thanks vnto thee saied he O Lord God for all these my gtiefes and I beseeche thee my Lord to encrease them if it soe please thee even a hundred folde for this shall be vnto me most acceptable that thou spare not to afflict me with paines considering that the fullfilling of thy holy will is vnto me a comforte more than most plentiful and abundant Whereby it seemed vnto the brethren that they did behold as it were another Iob whoe as the afflictions of his fleshe did increase did himselfe also so much the more increase in courage strength of minde But he knewe the time of his deathe long before and the day of his departure being euen now at hand he saied vnto his brethren that he was very presently to put of the tabernacle of his body according as had binne by Christ revealed vnto him Having therefore bin for two yeates space from the impression of his sacred Stigmats as namely from the twentith yeare after his conversion by many
in at the brest somewhat vnder the nipple he made such an open gap rifture into the bodie that the winde comming out frō thēce wouldat one time putout some sixe light Candells being ioyned alltogether Finding therefore by the iudgement of the Phisitions that his cure was impossible in regard of the putrifaction of his woundes which yelded forth such an intollerable stēche that even his owne wife did exceedingly loth it perceaving also that he could not haue help by any humane remedies he wholely turned himselfe with all his best devotion to crave the patronadge of the blessed Father Saint Francis whom with the blessed Virgin he had most faithfully invocated in the very middest of his stroakes And behold as he lay miserably waking in his bed Loe where Saints are inuocated and being innocated doe helpe those which pray vnto thē all solitarie and full of distresse and did with mourneful lamentation oftentimes reiterate the name of Francis there stoode one by him in the habite of affriar Minor having entred as to him it seemed in at the windowe whoe calling him by his name did say vnto him Because that in me thou hast had hope confidence be holde our Lord will deliuer thee And being by the distressed creature demaunded who he was he made answeare that he was Francis Wherevpon drawing nighe forthwith vnto him he presently vnloosed the clothes that bounde vp his woundes and did as he conceaved annoynt all those woundes with a certaine kinde of oyntement But so soone as ever he felt the sweete touche of those sacred handes which by the force and vertue of the Stigmattes of our Saviour were able to giue helpe and remedie the corruption being driven quite away the flesh fully repaired and the woundes throughly healed he was perfectly restored vnto his former healthe and strength Which being donne the blessed Father departed And he finding himself to be healed and bursting forth into a gladsome voice of the praise of God and of blessed Saint Francis did presently call his wife vnto him Who running speedily and beholding him now to stand vpon his feete whom shee made accounte shee should haue buried in the day following being striken with a great terrour and amazement thereat did sill with her clamor and outcrie al the nighbourhood ther about But his neighbours and frinds comming in straite waies vpon him and goeing aboute to haue him backe againe to his bed as one that were frantique and out of his wittes he vtterly refused soe to doe shewing himselfe to be now healed throughly recovered Wherevpon they were all soe exceedingly astonished that being as it were without their since or vnderstanding they held it to be a fantasticall thing which they did behold considering that whom they had but a litle before seene to be with most cruell woundes butchered and worne quite away him did they now obserue to be ful of ioy vpon the perfect recoverie of his former strength And therefore the saied vnto them doe ye in no wise feare neither yet doe ye thinke it to be a vaine thing which you see because Saint Francis is but lately departed from the place who hath by the touche of those his holy handes perfectly cured me of all my woundes Now as the fame of this miracle was at lētgh generally spread abroade all the people repaired with speede vnto him and beholding in soe manifest a wonder the force of the Stigmattes of blessed Saint Francis they were filled therevpon both with admiration and ioy and did also extoll the standard-bearer of Christ with many great and excellent praises And with good cause doubtlesse it was that the blessed Father If the Saints being now dead in flesh doe liue in soule with Christ and in the future iudgment are to rise againe with him howe commeth it to passe that the ignorant of our dayes doe rather with heretickes call thē dead Luc. 10.30 Then sleeping with S. Paul being now dead according to the flesh but yet living with Christ in heaven did both by the marveilouse apparition of his presence and by the sweete touche also of his holy handes giue present healthe and recoverie to this poore man thus pittifully and deadly wounded considering that he himselfe also had taken vpon him the very Stigmattes and markes of him whoe mercifully dying and marveilously againe a rising hath by the vertue of his owne woundes healed all mankinde which had bin sorely wounded and left for almost dead At Potentia a Cittie in Apulia there was a certaine man named Roger a man of honorabse place and a Cannon of the great Church Whoe being one time not well at ease and comming even then into the Church to pray where the picture of blessed Saint Frantis was sette out with his gloriouse Stigmattes did beginne to doubt of the high degree and nature of that miracle as of a thing altogether vnusuall and impossible And sodeinely therefore while being inwardly wounded in his minde he thought with himselfe such vaine and frivolouse things behold in the palme of his left hand vnder his gloue he felt himselfe to be grievously wonded hearing the sounde of a stroake as if it had ben of an arrowe shot out of a crosbowe And being presently thervpon no lesse pained with the wounde thē astonished with the sound he pulled of his gloue frō his hād that by sight of the eye he might fully know what he had already perceaved both by his feeling hearing And whereas in the palme of his hand there had formerly ben no signe of any stroake at al yet now he perceaved therin a wonde newly made as it were with the stroak of an arrowe out of which proceeded so great a violence of burning heate that he seemed ready almost to die for paine thereof It is a marveilouse thing to be spokē There appeared not in the gloue any signe thereof at all that vnto the secrette and hidden wounde of his hart the paine of his bodily wounde secretely receaved might duly be conformed From that time forward therfore for two daies space together he cried and roared pittifully out of the most grievouse violence of his torment and the lurking thought of his incredulous harte he discovered vnto al men He furthermore confessed and did also sweare that he verely and truly believed the holy Stigmattes to haue binne in blessed Saint Francis avow ing and protesting Behold where this holy Saint beinge inuocated doth forthwith heare the prayer of him which doth pray vnto him that all fantasies of doubt were now gone quite away and departed He finally in humble manner besought the Saint of God by those his holy Stigmattes to help him and the manifold praiers of his hart he watered and enriched with a plentifull streame of teares Now see another wonder The incredulity being thus vtterly cast away after the health of the minde health also of the body forthwith ensued For now all paine and griefe was at an ende the
this wies to speake vnto her Rise vppe saied he my blessed daughter rise vp and doe not feare And taking her by the hand he lifted her vp and disappeared But shee bestirring her selfe on everie side in her litle Cell imagined that shee had seene a vision vntil such time that at her clamour and noise a lighte was brought whereby she perceaving her selfe to be by the servaunte of Christ Saint Francis perfectly in healthe and strength restored did orderly declare all the matter as it had befallen vnto her THE NINTH DIVISION Of such as obserued not the feaste and of those that honored not the Sainte IN the parts of Pictauia in the village Note a straÌ„ge miracle about keeping holy the feast of S. Francis which is called Simo a certaine Priest named Reginald being devoute vnto Saint Francis did bid his feaste to be solemnely celebrated of all his parishioners But one of the people not knowing the vertue of the blessed Sainte made lighte accounte of his Pastors commaundement And goeing forth into the feilde to out some wood as he was preparing himselfe to worke he heard a voyce speaking there times in this manner vnto him It is affestivall day you may not worke But whereas this his fervile temeritie was neither by the commaundement of the Priest nor yet by the Oracle of the heavenly voice restrained the power of God to the glory of his Sainte vouchesafed forthwith a miracle and a scourge also therewithall For as soone as he nowe alreadie holding in one hand a prong did with his other hand lifte vp an iron instrument to worke either hand was vnto either instrument by devine power soe fastened conioyned that he could not open his fingers to let goe any one of them bothe Wherevpon being marveilously astonished and not knowing what to doe he being followed with many people that ranne after him to see the wonder did make hast to goe to the Church Where with compunction of minde he by advise of one of the Priests that assisted for there were many Priestes invited to come to the Feaste did before the Altar humbly devote himselfe to Saint Francis making three vowes according to the voice he had hearde three severall times namely to Celebrate his Feaste to repaire also on that day vnto the Church of that place where in he should then be and personally to vifite the bodie of the Sainte It is a wonderful thing to be reported As soone as he had made his first vowe one of his fingers was loosened at the making of his second vow another of his fingers was enlarged and when he had made his third vow yet another of his singers therewithal his whole hand as also his other hand was in like manner immediately sette at libertie meane while that the people which had now by this time in greate numbers assembled to that place did most devoutely implore the aide and clemencie of the blessed Sainte And soe the man being perfectly restored to his former freedome and libertie did without the help of any other lay a side those instruments whereby all men praised Almightie God and the admirable power of his Sainte who could soe marveilously both strike heale againe But those instruments themselves doe vntill this day in memorie of that fact hang vp before an Altar which is erected to the honour of Saint Francis Many other miracles also donne there and in the places nighe adioyning doe evideÌ„tly shewe and declare both that the Sainte is of excellent degree in heaven and that his feaste ought to be reverently celebrated heere in earthe In the Cittie also of Cenomanum a certaine woman as she did vpon the solemnitie of Saint Franâ—is reacht out her hand to her distaffe Heere we haue a sufficient testimony that the feasts of Saints are not to be coÌ„temned did with her fingers begin to take holde of her spindle her hands presently becomming stiffe and drie shee felt in her fingers exceeding torments of burning heate Being thus therefore taught by the paine to knowe the vertue of the Sainte with compunction of harte shee haftily ranne to the brethren And when the devoute Children had for her health craved the Clemencie of the holy Father shee was presently made well againe neither did any thing of the hurte remaine in her hand saving that for memorie of the fact some only signe of the burning was yet to be seene In like manner also in the greater Campania a certaine woman in the village of Olletum another woman and in the towne of Pylleum a third woman contemning to celebrate the Feaste of the blessed Father were at the first marveilously punished but being afterwardes penitent were by the merittes of Saint Francis more marveilously delivered A certaine souldier of Burgum Heere by examples we are admonished not to detract from the honour of the Saâ—nts within the province of Massa one who had binne sometime appertaining vnto the warres did most impudently detract from the marveilouse workes and prodigiouse miracles of blessed Saint Francis He vsed many reproaches to pilgrimes that came to his memorie and against the brethren he railed with open and vnrestrained madnesse But as he one time endeavoured to deface the glory of Gods Sainte he heaped vpon the rest of his sinnes an horrible blasphemie of all men to be detested If it be true saied he that this same Francis is a Sainte let me this day be slaine with a sworde but if he be no Sainte then let me scape vntoucht And the wrathe of God made now no delay to inflict due punishement vpon him considering that his prayer was now turned into sinne For within a litle while vpon occafion of some eniurie which this blasphemouse personne offered to a nephewe of his he tooke vp a sworde and thrust it into his Vncles bowells And that very day died this wicked bond slaue of Hell and childe of darkenesse That other men might leatne not with blasphemouse wordes to disgrace but with devoute praises to honor the marveilouse workes of S. Francis A certaine Iudge named Alexander with his venimous tongue with drawinge as many as he coulde from the honor of Saint Francis was by Gods devine iudgement deprived of the vse of his tongue that he was not able to speake for the space of six yeares together Who finding himselfe to be punished in the thing wherein he had offended being recalled vnto himselfe did with deepe and vnfained repeÌ„tance sorrow in his harte that he had barked despitefully spoken against the miracles of the Sainte For which cause the indignation of the mercifull Sainte was now of no longer contineuance but he vpon his repentance humble calling vpon him restoring vnto him his speache did vouchsafe to receaue him to favour And from that time he consecrated his blasphemouse tongue to the praises of the Sainte receaving out of that scourge both devotion and good instruction THE TENTH AND LAST DIVISION Of certaine other