raise the dead drewe all the neighbourhoode vnto lamentation with her But a certaine brother of the order of the minorites called Raho by name comming that way to preache drewe night vnto the childe and being full of faith spake thus vnto the Father doe you beleiue that the holy man of God Saint Francis is able to raise your sonne from death for the loue which he did alwaies beare towardes Christ that was crucified for the restoring of life to mankinde againe Who answearing that he did both firmely beleiue it and did also faithfully confesse it and moreover that himselfe would for euer be a devoted servaunte of that Sainte if by his merrittes he might deserue to receaue so great a benefitte at the hands of God that brother together with an other brother that was in his cōpany did prostrate himselfe in praier exhorting the rest that were present to doe the like Which when they had donne the childe beganne to gape a litle and opening his eies and lifting vp also his armes he raised vp himselfe and presently walked before them all in perfect strength being by the marveilouse power of the Sainte at one time both vnto life and healthe restored In the Citty of Capua it chaunced that a certaine boy as he was playing with other of his companions vpon the bancke of the River Vulturnus did fall vnawares into the bottome and being by the swiftenes of the streame ouerwhelmed was covered vnder the gravel thereof But at the outcrie of the rest of the children who had binne playing with him about the Riuer a great multitude of people came to the place And as all they did both humbly and devoutely invocate the merrittes of Saint Francis that beholding the faith of the parents who were vnto him much devoted he would vouchsafe to deliuer the childe from the perrill and danger of death a cunning and expert swimmer standing a good way of hearing their clamors did come vnto them who after long searche having at the lengthe called vpon Saint Francis for his helpe found a plade wherein the dead carkase of the boy was in manner of a graue overcovered with the sandie gravel which when he had digged vp and removed away he did with griefe beholde the dead body But the people that stood by albeit that they sawe the youthe to be perfectly voied of life yet neverthelesse At the invocation of Saint Frācis a boy which was dead is restored to life weeping and lamenting did crie out and saie O Saint Francis restore the childe vnto his Father Yea and the very Iewes that were present being moved with a naturall compassion did also say O Saint Francis restore the childe vnto his Father And sodeinely the boy rising vp in perfect healthe to the ioy and wonder of them all humbly desired to be ledde vnto the Church of Saint Francis that he might devoutely render thankes vnto him by whose vertue and power he knewe himselfe to haue binne marveilously reviued In the Cittie of Suessa in the streete which is called Ad Columnas a certaine house falling sodeinly downe to the grounde a yong man was therein overtaken and imediatly slaine But the rest of the men and women that were within being stirred vp at the sounde of the fall running about some one way and some another did lifte and remoue the wood and stones on euerie side and brought vnto the miserable mother her dead sonne But shee fetching store of most bitter sighes did in such manner as shee could Heere at the vowe which a woman made in honour of S. Francis if he would raise her sonne which was slaine by the ruine of an house her sonne according to her desire is raised againe to life with wofull voice crie out vnto Saint Francis saying O Saint Francis Saint Francis restore vnto me my sonne againe And not only shee but all the rest that were present did instantly crave the helpe of the blessed Father But the dead carckase having in it neither voice nor sence they put it in a bed expecting but the next day for the buriall thereof But the mother having full hope and confidence in our Lord by the merittes of his holy Sainte did make abvow that shee would cover the Aulter of blessed Saint Francis with new linnen if he would recall her sonne to life againe And beholde ancute midnighte the youthe beganne to gape and yawne and his members resuming a natural heate he rose vp a liue and wel in health bursting forth into words of praise And furthermore he incited those of the Clergie and all the people that were come to that place with gladsomnesse ioy of minde to render due praises and thankes vnto God and blessed Saint Francis In like manner one Gerlandinus by name a yong man that was borne at Regusa goeing forth to the vineyarde aboute the time of gathering grapes and standing vnder the wine presse in the vessale that receaued the wine to fil the bottles sodeinely a sorte of exceeding great stones being driven vpō on him by the fal of certaine wood piles thereaboutes did buise batter his head to presēt death whervpon his father did presently make hast vnto him dispairing of his sonne as being vtterly overthrowen lost did not goe about to help him but vnder the burden as he fel soe vnder the same he left him The labourers also of the vineyarde came running speedily vnto the place hearing a mournefull voice of a great clamour and ioyning in greate sorrowe with the Father for the youthe did drawe him out being now perfectly dead with the fall But his Father casting himselfe at the feete of Iesus did make his humble praiers vnto him that through the merittes of Saint Francis whose solemne feast was euen then at hand he would vouchsafe to restore vnto him his some againe The sonne is raised frō death to life while the Father doth vowe to visit the body of B. Saint Francis These his praiers he redoubled and vowed offices of pietie promising himselfe with his sonne if he might be raised vp from death to visite the bodie of the holy man Now see the marveilouse effect By by the youthe who had binne miserably bruised al his body over being restored to life and perfect strength did ioyfully rise vp before them all blaming them that lamented for him and therewithall avowing himselfe to haue reobtained his life by the suffrages of Saint Francis Another dead man also he raised in Almany whereof our Lord the Pope Pope Gregory did at the time of the translation of the blessed Sainte to the great ioy of all the brethren that were assembled to the translation and generall Chapter by his letters Apostolique giue certaine knowledge vnto them The course of this miracle because I doe not knowe I haue not committed to writing beleiving the Papall testimony to be better than any other instrument of asseveration whatsoeuer THE THIRD DIVISION Of such as he deliuered
Cottages of the poore but in princes pallaces For he had learned by certaine experiece that the divels are terrefied by asperitie but by delicious nicenesse more forciblely animated to rentation Whervpon having on night contrary to his vsual custome a pilow of feathers at his head in regard of a special infirmity which he susteined generally in that parte and particulerly in his eies the divell entring thereinto did till the howre of Martins wonderfully molest and trouble him from the study of holy praier vntill that at length calling one of his bretheren vnto him he caused the same pillow together with the diuel in it to be carried quite a way out of his Cell But the brother going out of the Cell therewithall lost the strength and vse of al his members vntill by the voise of the holie father to whom it was reveiled in spirit his former strength both of harte and body was fully restored vnto him againe He observed great rigour and discipline and stode with great heedfullnes vpon his owne defence having an especiall care for preservation of the puritie of euerie man Wherefore at the beginning of his conversion he vsed oftentimes even in the winter season to cast himselfe into a watrie pitte frosen ouer with ice that so he might both perfectlie overcome his domesticall enemie and might also preserue the white garment of chastitie from the raging fire of voluptuouse pleasure For he thought it more tolâ—erable by much and without al comparison for a spirituall man to sustaine great colde in his body then to feele neuer so smale a kindling of carnall pleasure within his minde But it hapned vpon a certaine night that as he was praing within his Cell in the deserte of Sarthianum the ancient enemie did call him three severall times by his name saying Francis Francis Francis who demanding of him what he would haue he craftelie replied in these wordes There is no sinner in the worlde whom God will not pardon vpon his conuersion vnto him but he that shal kill him selfe with harde penance shall neuer finde mercie at his hands The servant of God hearing this had presentlie by revelation discovered vnto him the whole drifte and devise of the wicked enemie by what kinde of deceipte he went about to drawe him into a slacknes in devotion as the event following did evidently declare For immediately after this Iob. 41.12 by the blaste of his mouth Whose breath making burning coales to flame he was assailed with a great and greivous tentetion of the fleshe comming then vpon him Which so soone as this lover of chastitie did we forsee putting of his coate he beganne very feircly to beate him selfe with a corde saying goe to brother Asse thus doth it beseme thee to continue thus oughtest thou to indure the scourge Thy coate serveth for Religion it beareth the badge of holinesse for it is lawfull for anie one that is delighted in vnlawful lust to intrude vpon it if any whither thou wouldest goe then goe thy waies Moreouer also being animated with a most wonderfull feruour of spirite The whole purpos of this holy man was to purg his mind of all vices opening the doore of his Cell he went his way forth into the garden and there casting downe his poore naked bodie into the deepe snowe he caught the same in his handes and made thereof seaven heapes which being orderly placed before him thus did he then speake to his outwarde man loe here saith he the bigger of these is thy wise these other foure are thy two sonns and thy two daughters and these two that remaine are thy servantes thy man and thy maied which thou oughtest to haue to waite vpon thee Haste thee now therefore and see thou forslow not to cloth them al for they are in present danger to die for colde But if the manifolde care of these seaven be over molestful vnto thee then serue thine one and onely Lord alone with heedfull diligence The tempter forthwith perceiving himselfe by this meanes to be subdued departed straight away with shame enough and the holie man returned with victorie into his Cell againe for while he exteriourly afflicted his bodie with the extremitie of the paineful colde which he indured he did so perfectlie extinguishe the heate of his inwarde lust that never had he after that time any feeling or touch thereof againe But it chanced that a brother among them attending this meane while vnto praier did by the light of the Moone which then shined very bright moste plainely see and discerne the whole course of all that had ben done Which the man of God perceiving and knowang that he had seene what had bene done in the night related vnto him also the manner of the tentation and straightly charged him there with all that so long as him selfe lived he shoulde not disclose what he had seene vnto any man in the worlde He did moreover teach The vices of the flesh ar to be mortified and the. In tysments ther vnto ought to be bridled and the external sences with great diligence to be kepte that in no wise it was sufficient onely to mortefie the vices of the flesh by subduing the euil motions thereof but that also the outward sences by the which death entreth into the soule were to be keept with great care and vigilancie in so much that the familiaritie the conference and sight of women which vnto manie are oftentimes occasion of ruine he commanded carefully to be avoided affirming that by such occasions as well the weake spirit is broken as the strong also most coÌ„monly not a litle weakened And as harde would he say it was for him that conversed among them vnlesse he were a man of most singuler and and approved honesty to avoide the coÌ„tagion of them as it is according to the wordes of the Scripture to walke in the fire and not to burne his feete For he himselfe had continually so averted his eies from beholding of such maner of vanity that as he said sometime to one of his companions there was hardlie that woman in the world whom he did knowe by the face For he did not thinke it safe vvhat wil our heretickes hers say which neuer depart from the company of womeÌ„ none of the holy fathers euer behaued them selues in such sort This maketh against our new EuaÌ„gelists who will suffer no tribulations or labours to obtain the Kingdome of heauen but only presuming of their vain faitl led their life in pleasure and idlenesse to drawe inwardlie the images of those formes into his minde which might either reviue the sparkles of the subdued flesh or might els defile the vnspotted clearenes of chast and honest mindes Wherevpon he also affirmed that al maner of speach with a woman was vtterlie vaine and frivolouse except only in confession or els for cause of instruction yet euen in these occasions the same to be done withal brevitie such as shoulde be most expedient
with any corporall grief or molestation if he saw any penurie or defect in any man he did with a notable sweetnesse of a most zealous affection induce him to relie vpon Christe He had out of doubt an ingrafted clemencie within him which neverthelesse the superinfused pietie of Christ doubled yet more and more vppon him His minde therefore was even melted towardes the poore and feeble and vnto them whome he could not helpe with his hand he reached fotth his most harty affection It happened once that a certaine poore man asking Almes with some importunity at the handes of one of the brethren the same brother returned an ouer hard and vngentle answeare vnto him Which being heard by this devout lover of the poore he forth with commaunded the brother to cast himself downe naked before the poore beggars feete in such wise acknowledging himself to be faulty craving also the help of his praier pardon for hisoffece Vpon the humble performance whereof the loving father sweetely spake thus vnto him When thou seest any poore creature Omy brother thou hast a liuely resemblance presented vnto thee of our Lord and of his poore Mother And like wise in the weake and feeble thou hast to consider the infirmities which he vouchsafed to take vpō him And when as in all poore people himselfe also the most Christian poore man did hehold the image figure of Christe vnto such of that sorte as he chanced to meete he did not only with free liberality imparte of the necessary sustenances of life which had binne given vnto himselfe but as though they were properly theire very owne did adiudg that they ought of dutie to be rendred vnto them Whervppon it fell out that he returning once from Sienna did meete a poore man in the way at what time himselfe vpon occasion of spetiall infirmitie had a certaine kind of short cloake which he did weare aboue his habite But beholding with a tender eye the misery of that poore man he spake vnto his companion saieng we ought verily brother to restore this cloake vnto this poore man it being of right his owne for we tooke the same but as lent vnto vt vntill we might chance to finde another in greater neede thereof than our selues But the brother considering the necessity of the good father did very seriously and stiffly therein withst and him in noe wise assenting that meanewhile he provided for others himselfe should remaine disappointed Where vnto he thus replied I hold it said he for a matter of theft to be by the great Almes giver imputed vnto me if this cloake which I beare about me I shall not giue vnto a more needy persone And therefore whensoever any thing was given him to releiue the necessity of his body he vsed to aske leaue of the giuers that he might lawfully bestowe the same vpon some poorer body than himselfe as he might happe to meete He spared no manner of thing neither cloakes nor habbitts nor bookes nor ornaments also of the Aultar but gaus them all to the poore as occasion required to performe the office of pietie And oftentimes when as he mette with poore men laden vpon the way he vndertooke theire burdens vpon his owne weake and feeble shoulders And considering with aboundanr piety the beginnings of all things created he called even the least creatures by the name of Brother and Sister because he knewe them to haue one and the same beginning with himselfe But yet vnto those creatures aboue all others he did beare a most sweete and entire affection which the Scriptures do testefie by a naturall likenesse to represent the meekenes of Christ He oftentimes redeemed lambes which were ledde to be killed resting mindefull of that mosl milde Lambe who would be ledde to the slaughter for redemption of sinners It chaunced one time that the servant of God being lodged in the Monastery of Saint Verecundus Isa 53.7 within the Bishopricke of Eugubium a certaine Ewe brought forth a yong lambe that very night But a feirce and ravening Sowe that came by not sparing the life of the poore innocent Lamb did bite it to death with her cruell tuskes Vpon the hearing whereof the good father being moved with a marveillous compassion and remembring therewithall the vnspotted Lambe lamented before thē all for the death of the Lambe saieing O woe is me my brother Lambe innocent creature representing Christ to the mindes of men cursed be that wicked Sowe which hath killed thee and let her not be meare for any either man or beast A marveilouse thing it is to tell Forthwith that brutefull Sowe beganne to be sicke and being punnished with three daies continuall paine in her body sustained at length the vengeance of death But being afterwardes throwen into the vale of the monasterie and lieng there long time together she grewe so hard and drie as a board that she was no meate for any hungar starven creature Let the impiety of man therefore well weigh and consider with how great punnishment it is finally to be rewarded if the crueltie of a beast doe appeare to haue binne smeeten with so terrible a kinde of death And let the devout and faith full man not lesse ponder and weigh with himselfe of what wonderfull vertue and sweetnesse was the piety of the sevant of God considering that the nature of brute beasts did in their kinde applaude cōforme themselves vnto him For making his iorney once neare to the Cittie of Sienna he founde in the pastures a great heard of sheepe Which when he had curteously saluted according to his wonted manner the sheepe leaving their pasture ranne all vnto him and lifting vp their heads did fixe their eies directly vpon him So great an applause they verely made vnto him that both the sheppheards the brethren marveiled not a litle therat beholding not only the lambes of the sheep but also the Rammes themselues leaping and reioycing in such marveilous manner about him Another time also at our Ladies of Portiuncula a certaine sheepe was presented vnto the man of God who gratefully received the same for loue of that innocencie and simplicitie which the nature thereof pretendeth This shepe the devoute man admonished both to be attentiue vnto the praises of God and also to be warie from all maner of offence to the bretheren Wherevpon the sheepe marking as it were and observing the pietie of the servant of God did very carefully obserue his rule and instruction For hearing the bretheren to sing in the Quire shee also entred into the Church without any direction bowing her knees and bleating before the Altar of the Virgin mother of the most vnsported and innocente lambe and that in such maner of wise as if she did delight and reioyce to salute her And yet moreover when the most sacred body of Christ VVhen the most sacred body of Christ vvas eliuated in time of Masse a sheepe did bowe her knees thereat See how brut beasts do
citty of Damiata the seruaÌ„t of God chaÌ„ced to be there not armed with weapons but with firmenesse of faith Vpon the very day therfore when the Christians were readie prepared to make the assault the servaunt of Christe vnderstanding so much did fetch a most deepe hartie sight and therewithall said vnto his coÌ„panion Our Lord hath shewen vnto me that if the battell be vndertaken it shall not prosperously succeede vnto the Christians But if I shall discover the same I shal be reputed a foole and if I shall conceale it I shall not escape the grudge of myne owne conscience What doe you therfore aduise to be donne in this case Vnto whom his companion answeared saying Brother let it be of no moment vnto you to be censured by the mouths of men for you doe not nowe beginne to be reputed a foole Discharge therefore your coÌ„science feare God more than meÌ„ Vpon the hearing of which wordes out stepped the prophette applying to the Christians his behouefull admonitions he did forbidde them the conflict and denounced the euent But the truth was taken for a fable they hardened their harts would not returne See therefore They did indeed encounter together and ioyne in battell but all the Christian forces were put to flight and the army was beaten back with much dishonor and without triumphe And in such degree was the number of the Christians diminished which the greatnesse of the slaughter that about sixe thowsand personnes were slaine and taken Wherein it did euidently appeare that the wisedome of the poore man was not to be despised considering that The soule of the iust man shall sometimes discouer the truth more than seauen sentinells Eccl. 37.18 sitting on high to keepe the watche Another time also after his returne from beyond the Seas he came to preache at Celanum and euen then a certaine souldier did with great devotion and much instancy invite him to dinner Whervnto the holy man assenting did accordingly come vnto the souldiers house all the whole familie Behold the custome of Christians to pray before then eate not a litle reioycinge the entrance of those poore guests But before the company beganne to eate the devoute holy man Saint Francis according to his wonted manner stoode offering his prayers and praises vnto God with his eies lifted vp to heauen And when his prayer was donne he familiarely called aside his curteous Hoste and spake in this wise vnto him Loe nowe brother Hoste at the instancie of your earnest requests I haue entred into your house to eate with you Wherefore agree nowe I pray you vnto my councell and advise for heare you shall not eate but in another place Confesse forthwith your sinnes with the perfect contrition of true repentaunce If Sacramentall confession had not beene necessarie according to the precept of God and in vse amongst the ancieÌ„t Fathers S. Francis had not commaunded it to be performed of a man now ready to day and let nothing remaine within you so secret but that you discover it with true and sincere Confession Because our Lorde will this day rewarde you for the great devotion wherwith you haue receaved his poore servants The soldier forthwith conformed himselfe vnto the holy mans adviseâ— and vnto one of his companions discovering all his sinnes in humble Confession he disposed of his house and withall his best endevours prepared himselfe to die But at the length they sate them downe at the Table and when the rest beganne to eate sodeinely the hoste himselfe gaue vp the Gost being taken away with sode in death according to the worde of the man of God And so it came to passe by the meritte of Hospitality that the devoute souldier Receauing a Prophette did according to the word of truth receaue the reward of a Prophette while he giving creditt vnto the propheticall forewarning of the holy man did provide himselfe against the sodeine assault of death that being armed with the weapons of pennance he might escape endlesse damnation and might enter into the eternall tabernacles One time when the holy men lay sicke at Reate a certaine Prebend named Gedeon a loose wordly man keeping his bedde vpon occasion of a sore and grievouse infirmity being brought neverthelesse vnto him did with teares aswell by himselfe as by the standers by instantly requeste him with the signe of the holy Crosse Vnto whom blested Saint Francis in this wise replied considering that your life hath hither to binne according to the desires of the flesh without feare of Gods iustice and judgments how may I make the signe of the Crosse vpon you But yet for the devout desires of your frends I do signe you with the signe of the Crosse in the name of our Lord. But know this for certaine that if being delivered from this infirmity you shall afterwardes returne vnto your wonted evil life againe you shal beâ—ure to suffer farre more grievous punnishments for in regarde of the sinne of ingratitude S. Francis making the signe of the Crosse vpon a sick man he forthwith becometh whole the latter penalties are alwaies worse than the former Thus therefore the signe of the Crosse being made vpoÌ„ him he who lay but even now contracted before them did forth with rise vp perfectly well recovered and bursting forth into the praise of God I am saith he even now delivered And the very Chine bones of his back did giue a great found in the hearing of all that were present euen as though a sorte of drie sticks had binne broken by hand But within very small time after this man forgetfull of Gods benefits vnto him gaue ouer his body vnto vnchaste delights And when he was one evening at supper in a certaine Cannons house and did there lodge for all that night sodeinely the roofe of the house fell downe vpon them al. But yet so that all the rest finding meane of escape from death only this vnfortunate and wretched man was in that fall intercepted and slaine Thus therefore by the iust iudgement of God the last things of this man became worse than the former because of the vice of ingratitude and for his contempt of God whereas he ought to haue binne thankefull for the pardon he had already receaved considering that a crime renewed is a double offence Another time also a certaine noble and very devout woman came vnto this holy Saint aswel to explicate vnto him her sorrowe and griefe as also for the same to require a remedy For she had a very cruel husband who also was adverse vnto her in the service of Christ And therefore shee requested the holy man to pray for him that God of his clemency would vouchsafe to mollifie his hart But he vnderstanding her case gaue answere vnto her saying Go your wais home in peace without doubt or dreade expect forthwith to finde comfort at your husbands hands Heere we may see that euer Married people may by the grace
those sacred woundes all manner of plague did vtterly cease the pestilent disease was driven quite away from the flocks About the foresaid mountaine of Aluerna before such time as the holy man did make his aboade in that place by reason of a cloude that rose out of the very mountaine it selfe a violent tempest of haile did customably distroy the fruits of the earth but after that happy apparition not without the great wonder of all the inhabitants the haile did cease So that by the very face of heanen nowe marveilously cleared contrarie to common custome bot◠the excellency of that heauenly vision and the efficacie of the stigmats in that place imprinted was sufficiently tessified and declared It chaunced also once in the winter time that being in regard of the weakenesse of his owne body and of the asperousnesse also of the waies carried vpon a certaine poore mans Asse he was inforced to lodge all night vnder the edge of a certaine out bending rocke whereby he might in some sorte avoied the inconveniences of the snowe and night which came in such manner of wise vpon him that he could not reache to the place appointed for his lodging But the holy man in the meane while perceaving that the other poore man did murmure as it were complaine by his groanes tossing himselfe on either side as one who having but smal slender couering could scarcely take any rest for the extreame bitternesse of the cold and being enkindled with the fervour of divine loue did streech out his hand and touche the man Marveilouse doubtlesse was the effect thereof For presently at the touche of that holy hande which bare in it selfe the burning heate of the Seraphicall stone all manner of cold being quite expelled there came such an heate vpon the poore man both inwardly with out as if a flame of fire from with in a furnace had breathed out vpon him For presently being comforted both in minde and in body he slept more sweetely among the stones and the snowe vntill the morning than euer he had rested in his owne bed as ne himselfe afterwards did affirme Wherefore it is manifest by most certaine tokens that those holy signes were imprinted by his vertue and power whoe by a Seraphicall operation doth purge illuminate and in flame seeing that these signes did both purge from the plague and with wonderfull efficacie conferre healthe clearenesse and heate vpon bodies as also after his death it was demōstrated by most evident miracles which heareafter we will set downe in their due place And though he endeavoured withall his diligence to hide the treasure which he had found in the feilde yet could it not be soe concealed but that some did perceaue and see the holy marks of his hands and feete notwithstanding that he did in manner continually carry his handes covered and did also from that time forwarde weare shoes vpon his feete For they were seene euen in his life time by sundrie of his brethren whoe albeit that for their singuler holinesse they were in all respects very worthy to be believed yet vtterly to remoue all scruple and doubt laieing their handes vpon the holy Ghospels they did by solemne oathe avowe that soe it was and that they themselues had seene them Some of the Cardinalls also by reason of the familiaritie which they had with the holy man did in like manner see those sacred stigmats the praises whereof they haue truly inserted into Proases Himnes and Anthemes which they haue ser forth in his honor whoe as wel by worde as by writing haue given testimony vnto the truth The chiefe Pastor also himself Pope Alexander preaching once vnto the people before many of the brethren my selfe also being then present did affirme that he had with his owne eies seene those holy stigmats while the Sainte was yet aliue And at the time of his death they were seene and beheld by more than fiftie of the brethren by the most devout Virgin S. Clare together with the rest of her sisters and by secular parsons not to be numbred Amōgst whom many as shal be shewed in place convenient haue both kissed them for devotion and haue touched them with their handes for confitmation of their restimony But the wounde of his side he covered with so greate carefulnesse that whilst he liued no man could come but by stealth to see it For one of the brethren whoe was woont diligently to minister vnto him hauing out of a Godly kinde of care vpon a time perswaded him to put of his coate to the end it might be made cleane watching heedefully with his eye did see the wounde wherevnto also speedily applieng three of his fingers he did aswell by sighte as by feeling discerne the quātity thereof And by the like manner of heedefulnesse did that brother also see it whoe was at that time his Vicar But the brother that was his companion a man verely of marveilouse simplicitie meane while that he touched his shoulders which were fainte and weake by reason of some infirmity putting his hand by his hood and lefting it by chance to fall vpon the wounde did put him to greate paine thereby Wherefore after that time he had his breeches so made that they reached vp to his arme pitts to cover the wound of his side But the brethren who for the time being did wash the breeches or had his coate to make cleane because they founde the same to be made red with blood did vndoubtedly by that evident signe come to the knowledg of that sacred wounde which afterwards when he was dead they with many others besides did in open viewe behold and reuerence Nowe therefore thou most hardy warriour of Christ beare thou the weapons of thy most invinsible Captaine where with being defended adorned thou shalt overcome all thine adverfaries Beare thou the standard of the highest King Galat. 6.17 at the sight whereof all the souldiers of the Armie of God may be encouraged Be are thou also the seale of the chiefe Bishoppe Christ himselfe whereby thy wordes and deedes may worthely be of all men accepted as irriprehensible and full of authoritie For nowe because of the Stigmats of our Lord Iesus which thou bearest in thy body no man ought to be molestfull vnto thee but rather everie servaunte of Christ is bounde to be devout towards thee withal affection Now by these most evident signes approved not vnto two or three wittenesses for sufficiēcy but vnto very many for superabundance the testimonies of God being in thee by thee made to to much to be beleiued doe take away from Infidells all vaile and colour of excuse meane while that by them the beleivers are in faith established by the confidence of hope borne vp alofte and with the fier of Charitie inflamed Nowe is in thee truly accomplished the first vision which thou diddest see namely that being to be a Captaine generall in the warfare of Christ thou oughtest
for a while they offered that sacred body ennobled and adorned with those heavenly pearles to be seene and kissed by those holy Virgins And comming afterwards to the Citty with exceeding great icy they did withall reverence place the precious treasure which they brought in the Church of Saint George For in that place being but a litle child he learnt his letters and there afterwards he preached and there last of all be receaved his first place of rest The venerable Father passed out of the shippewracke of this worlde in the yeare of our Lords incarnation on thousand two hundred twentie sixe the fourth day of October being Saterday in the evening and was buried vpon the Sunday And by the influence doubtlesse of Gods divine aspect this blessed man did forthwith beginne to shine with many and woundrous miracles that the highe degree of his holinesse which duringe his life heare one earth had binne throughly notified vnto the world touching the mannadgement direction of manners by the exāples of perfect iustice might nowe be by miracles of devine power ratified made good from Heaven wheare he raigneth with Christe for ever to the absolute confirmation of all faith and true belief And whereas in divers parts of the world his gloriouse miracles and the large benefitts by him obtained had inflamed very many vnto the devotion of Christe and had also recited very many vnto the reverence of this his Saint by generall reports both of wordes and workes it came to the chred of the supreame Bishoppe Pope Gregory the ninth what goeat and admirable thinges God did worke and effect by his servaunt Saint Francis Wherevpon that worthy Pastor of the Church knowing his marveilouse holinesse by testimony of most credible authority and being thereof centified not only out of such miracles as he had heard to haue binne donne by him after his death but out of such also as he himselfe had seene with his eies and felt with his handes to be tried by experience in his life time wherby he had no manner of doubt but that he was now glorified by Christ in Heaven to the intent he might conformably worke with Christ whose Vicar he was did purpose vpon a good Godly Consideration to make him famous vppon the earth as being most worthy of all honour reverence And for to giue more absolute and vndoubted assurance vnto al the whole world of the glorified estate of this most holy man he caused the miracles by him donne having bin formerlie founde out drawen together in writing and approved by conveniēt witnesses to be examined by such of the Cardinals as seemed to be lesse favourable vnto that matter and businesse After diligēt enquirie whereof the Miracles being by them al fully ratified and allowed he did by the vniforme Councel and assent of his brethren and of all the Prelats that were then resident in his Courte resolue and decree to accomplish his Canonization And comming personally vnto the Citty of Assisium in the yeare of our Lords incarnation one thowsand two hundred rewentie eight he did on Sunday the sixteenth of Iuly with great solemnities to long to be rehearsed enrolle the blessed-Father in the Catalogue of Saints But in the yeare of our Lorde one thowfand two hundred and thirtie the brethren beinge assembled to a generall Chapter then celebrated and kept at Assisium the body dedicated vnto our Lord was on the siue and twentith of May translated vnto a goodly Church that was built erected in honor of him And whils that sacred treasure signed with the seale of the most supreame and Soveraigne king was to that place transported he whose Image and likenesse he bare did vouchsafe to worke many and sundry miracles that by his health working odoure the affections of the faithfull might be drawen to runne after Christ For it was in very deed Cant. 1.4 befitting and well beseeming that whom God having made to be in his life time pleasing welbeloved vnto himselfe had by the grace of contemplation translated into Paradice like vnto Enoch Gen. 5.24 4. Reg. 2.11 and had by the zeale of charitie taken vp into heaven in a fierie Chariot like vnto Elias nowe might those happy bones of him flourishing among the heavenly flowers of eternall planting by meane of a strange and admirable kinde of blosseming yeild forth a sweete and pleasant favour from the place wherein they were enshrined And therefore as this blessed man had binne in his life time famous for many signes of vertues soe from the day of his passadge vntill this very present he doth in divers of the world by power divine glorifieing it selfe in him most beautifully and clearely shine with many prodigious and notable miracles For the blinde and deafe the dumbe and lame the diseased of the Dropsie and sicke of the Palsey possessed persons Leapars they that haue binne in shippewracke and Captivity haue by his merrittes found help and remedie as also all diseases necessities and perrills haue thereby binne relieved Yea and by the miraculouse restoring of life by him to many that haue binne dead in this blessed Sainte hath binne sufficiently notified to all faithfull people the marveilouse magnificence of the Power of the Highest to whom to be all honor and glory world without end Amen THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER Containing certaine miracles donne by Saint Francis after his death Which because it is long and considering that the miracles be of diuers kindes is therefore parted into tenne diuisions according to the seuerall Titles of the miracles The first diuision Of the vertue and force of the holy Stigmatter BEING to the honor of Almighty God and to the glory of the blessed Father Saint Francis to write those approved miracles which were by him donne after his glorification in heaven from that pointe I thought it most especially meete to take my beginning wheare in the efficacie of the Crosse of Iesus is shewen vnto vs and wherein the glory thereof is vnto vs renewed This newe man therefore Saint Francis flourished nowe by meane of a newe and admirable miracles in that he appeared to be ennobled with a singuler priuiledge in al◠former ages not graunted vnto any namely to be graced and adorned with the Sacred Stigmattes of our Lord and in the body of this death to be configurated vnto the bodie of him that was Crucified Of whom what soeuer may be saied by tonge of man shal be inferiour vnto his due and worthy praise For the whole indeavour doubtlesse of the man of God aswell that which was publique as that which was private was altogether emploied about the Crosse of our Lord. And to the ende he might outwardly signe his body with the signe of the Crosse which was from the beginning of his conversion imprinted in his harte incompassing himselfe with in a very Crosse he tooke vpon him the habite of pennance which did plainely represent the Image and forme of a Crosse that even
it were therevnder that no part of him could outwardly be seene They therefore that were present did al of them runne togeather calling for the mightie help of Saint Francis Behold more miseracles donne by in vocating the holy Father S. Francis And his Father also who for the numnesse of his members by reason of sorrowe was not able to moue himselfe out of the place did yet by inwarde vowes and outewarde voice offer his sonne to Saint Francis Well they at the length remooued that deadely waighte from ouer the boy And behoulde he whom they thought to haue bin deade did as one awaked out of a steepe in cheareful manner appeare before them hauing no manner of shewe of any hurte aboute him He therefore as soone as he was fowerteene yeares olde became a Frier minor growing afterwardes to be a learned man and a famouse preacher in the order The men of Lentinum had hewen an exceeding greate stone out of the mountaine the which was to be put vnder an alter of a Churche of S. Francis that was shortely to be consectated But where as wel nighe forty men indeauoured often times to put it into a carte it fel at the length vpon a certaine man and couered him in manner of a graue Where vppon the men being confused in minde and not knowing what to doe the greater parte of them departed away without hope of helpe But tenne of the men that remained behinde invocating S. Francis with mourneful voice and desiring him not to suffer a man soe horriblie to dye in his seruice taking at length good harte vnto them did with so great a facillitie remoue the stone that no man might doubte but that the power of Saint Francis was present amongst them The man finally rose vp strong and sounde in all his members and more ouer he obtained the cleare and perfect sighte of his eies which had bin before duskish and obcured that so all men might be geuen to vnderstand of howe efficacious preualent power the merittes of S. Francis be even in desperate hopelesse accidēts The very like happened at Saint Severines in the Marquisate of Ancona For as a greate stone being brought from Constantnople vnto a Church of S. Francis was drawen along by the strength of many men it fell most terribly vpon one of them that drewe it And whereas it was generally believed that he was not only dead but was also broken and crushed to pieces by the helpe of Saint Francis who lifted vppe the stone he casting of the waight thereof did leape vppe safe and sounde without any hurte at all One Bartholomewe also a Cittizen of Caieta labouring not a litle in the building of a certaine Church of Saint Francis by meane of a certaine beame that having binne but slightly set did fall and light vppon his neck was therewithal grievously bruised Wherevpon being even now readie to die he as he was a faithfull and Godly person craved of one of the brethren his voyage provision The which for soe much as it was not in the brothers power so sodeinely to bring vnto him he therefore considering that he was thought to be in very present danger of deathe vsed vnto him the worde of Saint Augustine saying belieue and thou hast eaten But in the night following Saint Francis with eleven brothers in his company appeared vnto him and bearing a little Lambe vpon his brest did come vnto his bed side calling him by his name and saying vnto him Bartholomewe doe not feare because the enemy who would haue hindred thee in my service shall not prevaile against thee Loe heere is the Lambe which thou diddest craue to haue ben given vnto thee whom also in regarde of thy good desire thou hast receaved by whose power thou shalt obtaine the perfect welfare both of thy soule and body And so drawing his hād along over the woundes he willed him to returne vnto the worke he had taken in hand Who rising vp therefore very timely in the morning and presenting himselfe sounde and well before them that had left him even at deathes doore did bring vppon them both wonder and amazement And furthermore he stirred vppe their mindes vnto the reverence and loue of the blessed Father as wel by his owne example as by the miracle of the Saint A certaine man also of the towne of Ceperanum named Nicholas did fall one day into the handes of his mercilesse enemies who in the fencenesse of their savadge cruelty heaping wounds after woundes in great store vpon him did in so excessiue a degree exercise their fury vpon the miserable man that they tooke him either to be dead outright Here one whichdoth in vocate the Saint is delivered from danger of death or at the least to be vpō the very point of death But the same Nicholas when he receaved the first blowes did with a loude voice cal vpon Saint Francis sayeng O Saint Francis defend me O S. Francis helpe me And this voice divers heard a great way of although they were not able to relieue him But heing carried home at length al begoared in his owne bloode he cousidentllie avouched that he should not see death by meane of those woundes nor yet that he did even then feele any paine of them for that Saint Francis had succoured him and had obtained of God for him time to doe pennance in Which the evente ensuing confirmed For being washed from the bloud he was forthwith beiond al humane hope clarely delivered Also a certain noble mans sonne in the towne of Saint Geminianus being taken with a grievouse sicknesse and past hope of any better recoverie was finally brought vnto the very exigent and point of deathe For a streame of bloud yssued forth of his eies as it is commōly seene to do out of a vaine in the arme And by other vndoubted tokens also of death approaching as appeared in the other partes of his body he was of al men iudged reputed for a dead mā As also being in regard of the weakenesse of his spirit and strength deprived of the vse of his sence motion he seemed to be already departed His parents therfore and frinds being gathered togeather as the custome is in way of lamentation and thinking of noe other thing but of his buriall his Father yet conceaving hope in our Lord ranne speedily vnto the Church of Saint Francis which was built in the same towne and hanging a girdle about his necke did withall humility prostrate himselfe vpon the earth and soe making his vowes and multiplying his praiers Heere we may see the Saints to assiste as patrons before our Lord Iesus Christ those which are devout vnto them did with sightes and groanes obtaine of Christ to haue Saint Francis to be his Patrone He therefore returning straight waies vnto his sonne and finding him to be restored to health againe chaunged his former Mourning into ioye and exultation The very like also our Lord
awaking did wel vnderstaÌ„d by this vision froÌ„ heaven vouchesafed vnto her Heere two Women prayinge vnto Saint Francis for helpe are both of theÌ„ hearde that the suffrage of S. FraÌ„cis was readie to helpe her From thenceforthe therfore shee being more abundantly filled with ioy did for obtaining the issue which was promised vnto her offer vp many praiers and did also make sundry vowes But the time of her childebirth being come at length the woman brought forthe a male Childe who flourishing in the lustinesse of his youthfull yeares as having by the merittes of Saint Francis receaued the sustinance of his life did giue vnto his parents a provocation and further encouragement of more devoute affection to wardes Christ and to his blessed Sainte The like also vnto this the holy father effected in the Citty of Tibur For a certaine woman having brought forth many daughters and being now wearied with desire of male issue did make vnto S Francis many praiers and vowes Shee therefore by his meritts conceived of Childe and he who had ben praied vnto but for one grauÌ„ted vnto her to bring forthe two sonnes at once At Viterbium a woman greate with childe and nigh her time was by the iudgemeÌ„t of al thought to be much more nighe vnto deathe by reason of the extreame torments shee felt in her bodie and other such like lamentable distresses incideÌ„t vnto womens misfortunes And when the strength and force of nature had soe failed Behold heere howe an vngratfull womaÌ„ is punished for not honouringe the Saint yet afterwards being peniteÌ„t and vowinge againe vnto the Saint by his merits is deliuered that all industrie of humane arte failed also therewithall by invocating the name of Saint Francis the woman was presently delivered from her paines and safely brought for the her childe But shee having obtained what her selfe desired and being vnmindefull of the benefitte shee had receaved did not giue due honour vnto the Sainte but did on the day of his solemnitie put forth her handes to servile workes And behold her right arme being stretched out vnto labour became sodeinely drie and stiffe and not to be bended The which when she with the other arme endeavoured to pull backe vnto her it also did with like revenge wither forthwith The woman therefore being striken with the feare of Gods punishement did make her vow anew and whereas in regard of her ingratitude contempt shee had lost the vse of her meÌ„bers shee obtained by the merittes of the mercifull and humble Sainte vnto whom shee had now secondly vowed herselfe to recover the same againe A certaine woman dwelling in the partes about Aretium having for seaven daies space together sustained most greivouse and daungerouse paines in her travell of Childe in so much that her fleshe was at length discouloured and turned to blacke being now dispaired of at all hands did make a vow A woman which was readie to dye prayinge vnto S. Francis for helpe and makinge a vowe is miraculously freed froÌ„ death to Saint Francis and beganne at the very instant and pointe of death to invocate his aide and helpe But as soone as her vow was made shee speedily fell a sleepe therein sawe blessed Saint Francis sweetely speaking vnto her and demaunding of her if shee knewe his face and could to the honour of the gloriouse Virgin say by harte that Antheme of hers which beginneth with these wordes All haile Queene of mercie Whervnto shee making answeare that shee had knowledg of bothe Beginne then saied the Sainte that sacred Antheme and before it shall be fully ended thou shalt with safetie bring forth thy childe At this voice the woman awaked and beganne with feare to say that Antheme All haile Queene of mercie And when she therein called after those mercifull cies and mentioned the fruite of the Virgins wombe being presently delivered from all her dolours and paines she ioyfully brought forth a goodly boy rendring thankes vnto the Queene of mercie who by the merittes of Saint Francis had vouchesafed to haue mercie on her THE SEAVENTM DIVISION Of giuing sighte vnto the blinde IN the Covent of the Friars Minors at Naples a certaine brother named Robert having binne blinde for many yeares togither there grewe at length vpon his cies a superfluous peice of fles he which hindered the motion and vse of his eye liddes At one time therefore when the brethren of foraine places being to goe into divers partes of the world did in great numbers assemble â—ither the blessed Father Saint Francis the lively patterne and mirrour of holy Obedience that by the novelty of a miracle he might the rather exhorte theÌ„ vnto their iorney did cure the foresaied brother Robert during the time of their abode there in manner heareafter following One night the same brother Robert lay sicke in soe great daunger of death that they had alreadie saied for him the coÌ„mendations of his soule and even then stoode by him the holy father Thou which saiest that Saints can doe nothing after their death see what heere doth happen Heere we may note how the euen of Saint FraÌ„cis is fasted in bread and water only howe the body of our Sauiour Christ is eleuated in the Masse As also that the holy Eucharist is to be adored as a wonderful Sacrament and as the true liuinge light of our soules We may note also a miracle which doth happen in the eleuation and a doration of the B. SacrameÌ„t accompanied with three brethren of greate perfection in all manner of holinesse namely Saint Anthony brother Augustine and brother lames of Asisium who as they had perfectly immitated him in the time of their life so did they chearefully also follow him after their death but Saint Francis taking a kinfe did cut of the superfluous peice of fleshe did restore vnto him his former sight and reduced him euen from the very iawes of deathe and therewithall he saied vnto him my sonne Robert the grace which I haue wrought with thee is a signe vnto the brethren who travell into farre Countries that I will goe before them and will direct their waies Let them therefore ioyfully goe on saied he and let them with a chearefull minde accomplish the obedience enioyned vnto them At a place called Thebas in Ramanâ—â— a oertaine blinde woman hauing fasted the vigil of Saint Francis with bread and water was brought by her husband the next morning early being the day of his solemnitie vnto the Church of the Friars Minors Who while the sacrifice of the Masse was offered did even at the elevation of the bodie of Christ open her eies did clearely see and most devoutely did adore And in the time of that her adoration crieing out with a loude voice Thankes be to God saied shee and to his Sainte for that I see the bodie of Christ Wherevpon all that were present bursting forth into a voice of ioy and exultation the woman her selfe after the ende of the
Francis appeared vnto her comforting her with sweete and compassionate speeches and moreover perswading her to carrie her childe vnto a place nighe hand which was dedicated to his name that being in the name of our Lorde washed with the water of a certaine well in that place he might receaue full and perfect remedie But whereas shee neglected to accomplishe the commaundement of the Sainte he the second time repeated those wordes vnto her Yea and the third time also appearing he walking before the woman conducted her with her childe vnto the gate of the foresaied place At what time certaine noble Matrones comming thither for devotions sake and being by the foresaied woman diligently informed of the vision they together with the mother did present the childe to the brethren and drawing water out of the well the more noble of them did with her owne handes washe the infant Whoe having all his members presently brought to their proper places appeared sounde and well and the greatenesse of this miracle brought admiration vppon all men In the towne of Chore Loe with what devotion the Saint is inuocated and how miraculously he doth helpe his deuoted within the Diocesse of Ostea a certaine man had soe absolutely lost his thigne that he coulde by no meanes either goe or moue himselfe Beinge therefore in this vehemeÌ„t distresse and desperate of all humane helpe he beganne one nighte as thoughe he had seene S. Frances present to take this occasioÌ„ of complaining before him Helpe me saied he O Sainte Frances remembring my service and the devotion I haue exhibited vnto thee For I haue carried thee vppon mine Asse I haue kissed thy holy feete and thy holie handes I haue alwaies binne devoute vnto thee I haue binne evermore readie to serue thee and behold now I die with the most greivouse torment of this disease With these his complaintes he that is never vnmindefull of the benefitts bestowed vpon him but is continually gratefull for the devotion which is vsed towards him beinge moved and incited did presently stand before him and did with one brother appeare vnto him He tolde him that he was comme at his call and had brought with him helpes for his recoverie With a litle staffe therefore that had in it the figure of the letter Thau he toucht the place where the paine did lie and therewithall breaking an impostume he presently restored him to perfect healthe And whiche is more marveilous imprinting the sacred signe of Thau vppon the place of the healed vlcer he left it there to remaine in memorie of the miracle With this marke S. Frances vsed to signe his letters as often as for charities sake he directed any But beholde now gentle reader meane while that our minde being distracted with varietie of narrations hathe passed along thrugh divers miracles of the gloriouse father S. Frances by meritte of that gloriouse standard bearer of the Crosse it hathe now not without divine direction lighted vppon the signe Thau which is the signe of salvation to the intent that out of it wee may obserue that like as the Crosse was in his warfare after Christe a highe advauncement of meritte vnto salvation soe is it also vnto him now with Christe triumphing made a firme matter of testimony to his honor For this greate and marveilouse misterie of the Crosse wherein the peculiar guiftes of graces the merittes of vertues and the treasures of wisedome and knowledge are in soe profounde a degree covered and concealed that it is kept secrette from the wise and prudent of this worlde was yet soe plentifully and fully revealed vnto this litle one of Christe that all his life dothe follow noe other thing than the very footestepps of the Crosse he dothe savour of noe other thing than of the sweetenesse of the Crosse nor yet dothe preache or denounce any other thing than the glory of the Crosse Well therefore and truly might he say with the Apostle in the beginning of his conversion God forbid that I should glorie saving in the Crosse of our lord IESVS Christe And no lesse truly mighte he say in the progresse of his conversation whoesoeuer shall followe this rule peace vppon them and mercie But most truly mighte he in the consummation of his life thereto adioyne the wordes ensueing I beare the markes of our lorde IESVS in my bodie And these wordes also we dailie desire from him to heare The grace of our Lord IESVS Christe be with your spiritte brethren Amen Glorie now therefore securely in the Crosses glorie thou gloriouse standard bearer of Christe for that having taken thy beginning from the Crosse according to the rule of the Crosse thou haste made thy proceeding and finally making thine ende in the Crosse of howe greate glory thou arte in heaven it dothe by the testimony of the Crosse evidently appeare to all faithefull people Securely now may they followe thee whoe doe departe out of Aegipte for that having devided the redde Sea by the staffe of the Crosse of Christe they shall passe thoroughe the deserts into the promised land of the living and having also passed over the Iordane of this mortalitie they shall by the marveilouse power of the Crosse enter thereinto Whither wee beseerhe him whoe is the true conductor and Saviour of his people Iesus Christe crucified mercifully to bring vs by the merittes of his servaunte S. Francis to the praise and glorie of God whoe being three in personne and one in substance liveth and raigneth everlastingly Amen Deo gratias A Table of all the Chapters contayned in this booke THe first Chapter of Saint Francis his conuersation in secular habite The second Chapter of his perfect conuersion vnto God and hovv he repayered thre Churches The third Chapter of the institution of his order of religion and of the aprobation of his rule The fourth Chapter of the increase of the order vnder his hand and of the confirmation of the rule formerly approued The fifth Chapter of the austerity of his life and hovv the creatures of God gaue sollace vnto him The sixth Chapter of his humility and obedyence and of Gods fauourable condiscending vnto all his desires The seauenth Chapter of his loue of pouerty and of the marueilous supply of his vvants The eight Chapter of his affection of pyety and hovv creatures devoied of reason seemed to be affected to vvards him The ninth Chapter of the fervour of his charity and of his desire of martyrdome The tenth Chapter of his diligence and feruency in prayer The eleuenth Chapter of his vnderstanding the scriptures and of his spiritt of Prophecy The tvvelfeth Chapter of the efficacy of his preaching and of his gifte in curing The thirtenth Chapter of his holy stigmattes The fourtenth Chapter of his patience and death The fifteenth Chapter of his canonisation and of the translation of his sacred bodye The sixteenth Chapter contayning certaine miracles doÌ„ne by Saint Francis after his death vvhich because it is loÌ„g and considering the miracles be of dyuers kindes is therefore parâ—ed inâ—o tenne diuisions according to the seuerall titles of the miracles The first diuision of the vertue and force of the holy stigmattes The second diuision of dead persons raisde to life againe The third diuision of such as he delivered from the perrill of death The fourth diuision of persons that vvere saued from shippevvracke The fifth diuision of persons delivered out of bonds and imprisonment The sixth diuision of vvomen delivered from danger in Childebirthe The seauenth diuision of giuing sighte vnto the blind The Eight division of persons delivered from divers kindes of infirmities The Ninth diuision of such as observed not the feaste and of those that honored not the Sainte The Tenth and last Division of certaine other mirecles of divers kindes For such faultes as are here escaped in printing I beseech the curteous reader out of his charity to pardon and with mature iudgment vouchsafe to amend them