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
he soe amazed that he could not finde the way to depar te but making a noyse at the gate terrified all his keepers Who making reporte vnto the Bishoppe of his deliverie from imprisonement the Bishoppe himselfe after vnderstanding had of the order and course of the matter came with devotion vnto the prison and manifestly knowing the power of God adored our Lord in that place The bondes also and fetters were brought before our Lord the Pope and the Cardinalls all that were present who seing what had binne donne and admiring the same exceedingly gaue honour and praise vnto God One Guidolotus of Saint Geminianus being falsely accused of killing a certaine man with poyson and that by the same manner of death he would also haue destroied his sonne all his familie was therefore apprehended by the Governour of the lande by whose commaundement he was loaden with irons and straightly imprisoned in a certaine Tower But he having hope in our Lord by reason of his innocencie which he knewe in his owne harte cōmended his cause to the defence of Saint Francis his patronadge But while the Governoure was thinking with himselfe by what manner of torment he might make him confesse the obiected crime further with what paines he might after such confession finally put him to death the poore man being the nexte morning to be brought to his torments was visited that very night with the presence of Saint Francis and being vntil the morning incōpassed with a great brightnesse of lighte being also filled with ioy much confidence also of minde he receaved security of his escape But in the morning the tormētours came about him they ledde him out of the prison they hung him vpon the torture and increased vpon him many and sundrie waights of iron He was oftentimes lette downe and lifted vp againe that by the succeding of one paine after another he might be the sooner inforced to confesse the crime but by the spiritte of his innocencie he retained a chearefullnesse in his countenance making no shewe of sadnesse in all those paines Yet after this a great fier was made beneathe him but not soe much as one of his heares was thereby perished though he hung with his head to the grounde And last of all being scalded all over his bodie with boiling oyle by vertue of his patrone to whose defence he had commended himselfe overcomming all these things he went away safe and free from harme THE SIXTE DIVISION Of Women deliuered from daunger in Childebirthe A certaine Countesse in Sclauonia no lesse vertuous in conversation than highe in honorable degree condition did beare towards Saint Francis an exceeding great devotion and towards the brethren an industriouse affectionof pietie But she suffering one time in her travel of childe exceeding sharpe and dolorouse paines was brought vnto that extremitie of distresse that the future birthe of the childe seemed likely in all expectation to be the present death of the Mother For it seemed impossible that the childe should be borne with life vnlesse that shee thereby should ende her life and should by such a deliverie nor bring forth but perrish But then shee bethought her selfe of Saint Francis his fame of his vertue and glory her faith was stirred vp her devotion was inflamed Shee turned her selfe vnto his efficacious helpe vnto him as vnto a true frind as vnto a solace of the devoute as vnto a refuge of the afflicted O Saint Francis quoth shee vnto thy pietie al the bones of my body make humble supplication and I vow in minde what I cannot expresse in wordes And marveilouse was the speede of his pietie A certaine woman being helped by S. Francis in the danger of child-birth doth afterwards performe her vowe and build a Church in his honor The ende of her speaking was the ende of her lamenting the bounde of her travell the beginning of her childe bearing For presently her labours being all at an end shee did with safetie bring forthe her childe And afterwardes shee was not vnmindefull of her vow nor yet refractorie from her wel intended purpose For shee caused a goodly Church to be builte and the same being builte and finished shee assigned vnto the brethren in honour of the holy Sainte In the parts aboute Rome there was a certaine woman named Beatrice who looked now shortely to be brought a bed of a childe but having borne it deade by mischaunce for fower daies space in her wombe shee miserablie sustained many and sundrie torments and was distressed with dolorouse paines even to the pointe of deathe For the dead issue constrained the mother to deathe and the abortiue being not yet brought to lighte inforced the apparant perrill and danger of the Mother Shee tried the helpe of the Phisitians Gen. 3.16 But by whatsoever humane helpe shee laboured it prooved all in vaine And soe of the first maledictions some parte did plentifully befall vpon this miserable woman that being made the graue and Sepulcher of her owne conception she was for certaine to expect a graue for her selfe immediately But shee at the length withall her devotion committing her selfe by message vnto the Friers Minors did with great faith humbly craue to haue somewhat of the Reliques of Saint Francis And it happened by Gods providence that there was founde a certaine peice of a corde See heere howe parte of the girdle of S. Francis being applyed to a Woman doth deliuer her frō danger of death wherewith the holy man had binne sometime girded The which so soone as it was put vpon the mournefull woman most easely forthwith removed all paine and dolour quite away the dead childe which was the cause of her danger being now brought forth shee wes perfectly restored vnto her former health A certaine noble manswife of Narnium named Iuliana passed her yeares in sorrow and heavinesse for the death of her sundrie sonnes and did continually bewaile her vnhappy misfortune concerning them in regard that all that euer she had with greate paine and labour brought into the world she did in shorte space with farre greater sorrowe commit to buriall But bearing one time in her wombe a childe of fower monethes conception and being by reason of the former events more afflicted in minde concerning the deathe than concerning the birth of the childe she faithfully praied vnto the blessed Father Saint Francis for the life of the childe that was yet vnborne And beholde one nighte as shee lay at rest a certaine woman appeared in sleepe vnto her holding a goodly boy in her handes and offering him in most chearefull manner vnto her But whereas shee refused to receaue him whom shee feared foorth with to loose againe the woman yet further in this māner of wise replied saying receaue him securely for he whom Saint Francis bearing compassion with thee in thy griefe doth send vnto thee shall be sure to liue and shal continewe in perfect healthe And presently the woman
for her salvation and best agreable with her honest reputation For what busines would he say can a religious man haue where aboute to treate with a woman saue onely in enioyning holy Pennance vnto her or els in giving her councell to refome her life when she doth in religious maner require it Out of too much securitie the enemie is lesse avoided And the divell if he can get but one haire of a mans head to be his owne he wil soone make it to growe as big as a beame Idlenes also he taught to be eschewed as the very sinke and common receptacle of al naughty thoughts shewing by his owne example that the rebelliouse and slothful flesh was to be kept vnder by cotinuall discipline and profitable labours Wherefore he called his body his brother Asse for that it was to carrie hevie burthens and to be beaten with manie and frequent strips and not otherwise to be fed then with base meane diet If he saw anie idle or loitring person to liue vpon the fruites of others mens labours this man he called brother flie for that such an one doing no good him selfe but impairing the good labours of other men maketh himselfe vile and abhominable to all sortes of people Wherefore he vsed sometimes this manner of saying I will that my bretheren occupie themselues in labour and exercise least that being inclined to idlenes either theire harte or tongue doe wander after vnlawful thinges For his will and care was to haue silence by his bretheren observed according to the prescript rule of the Gospel which admonisheth men at al tims with all dilligence to abstaine from al maner of idle words as being to render an accompte thereof at the day of iudgemente Wherefore if he did finde any of his bretheren to be accustomed vnto idle and vaine wordes he did there vpon very sharpely reprehend him affirming that modest taciturnitie was both a secure preservation of a pure hart likewise a vertue of no smalle accompt considering that Death life are said to be in the haÌ„ds of the tongue not so much in regard of the taste as of the speach But although he endevored alwaies to induce his bretheren vnto austeritie of life yet he approved not that strcikt kinde of severitie which proceeded not from the bowels of devotion neither yet was seasoned with the wholesome salte of discretion For when as one of his brethren was vpon a night through too much extremity of abstinence greatly vexed with famine could not in that respect take any naturall rest the good and carrefull Pastor preceiving that one of his sheep was then in present danger of perishing called the brother forth with vnto him and set him bread before him and to the ende all bashfullnes might be away removed he first began to eate therof himselfe and so with sweetnesse invited him to do the like Whereby the brother being well incouraged reiected shame and willingly tooke his meate very much reioicing that by the wise and provident condiscending of the prudent Pastor he had happily escaped the hazard of his body and had also received no small example of edification when the morning was come the man of God calling his brethren altogether after relation made vnto them of what had chanced in the night adioyned also this heedful admonition vnto them Let charity saith he not meat my brethren be a patterne and example vnto you Furthermore he taught them to follow iscretion as the Chariot man of al vertues how beit not that discretion which the flesh doth advise but that very same which Christ hath taught whose most holy life is vndâ—ubredly knowen to be the most exact paterne of all perfection And for so much as it is not possible for a man invironed with the infirmity of his fleshely body so perfectly to followe the vnspoted lambe of Christ crucified for vs vpon the Crosse but that he shall daily gather some filthy Dreggs of sinne vpon this cause he avowed by vnfallible document that they who do with vigilancy aspire to the perfection of life ought daily to cleance theÌ„selues with streames of teares For though himselfe had already attained vnto a wonderfull purity both of heart and body yet ceased he not with showers of teares continually to cleance the eies of his minde not much regarding the losse of his corporall eies For having gotten through continuall weeping amost daungerons imperfection in his eies being for that cause by the Phisitian advised in any wise to abstaine from teares vnlesse he would vtterly loose his sight the holy man made answeare vnto him Brother Phisitian we must not in any sorte for the love of that light which is common aswell to flies as to vs men in any small degree refuse the visitatioÌ„ of that light which is of everlasting continewance considering that it is not the spirit which hath for vse of the flesh receiued the benefit of light but contrary wise it is the flesh which for the vse and service of the spirit hath receyued the same at the bountifull hand of God And therefore he did rather chuse to loose his corporall eiesight than by repressing the devotion of his spirit to hinder those comfortable streames of teares wherby the inwarde eie is cleared that it may by able to see God But being ypon a time councelled by the Phisitians and therewithall instantly perswaded by his brethren to suffer himselfe to be cured by a certaine kinde of Cawtery the maÌ„ of God humbly assented therevnto the rather in that he perceyued it would aswell be healthfull as otherwise painefull vnto him The Surgion therefore being sent for came and put his iron instrument into the fire to worke the cure But the servant of Christ chearing vp his body which was now sommewhat daunted with feare beganne in this manner as to a frind to speake vnto the fire saying My brother fire whom Almighty God hath created of a most exquisite seemelinesse full of fotce notably beautifull and profitable be favourable at this houre be curteous now vnto me I beseech the great omnipotent Lord who hath created thee so to temper the violence of thy burning heat that burning with sweetenesse I may be able to endure thee This praier indeed he made the signe of the Crosse right over against the red hotte iron instrument and so remained afterwards without all kind of feare or quailing Then was the sparckling iron entred vp to the top within the tender flesh and the Cautery was drawen from the very eare to the eie brow In the doeing whereof what paine the holy man sustayned he himselfe expressed vnto his brethren saying Giue praise vnto God my brethren for I verely say vnto you that I haue neither felt the heat of the fire nor yet any payne in my flesh And turning to the Phisitian he said vnto him If the flesh be not already well concocted put in your iron againe The Phisitian then perceaving in so weake
in the night of his passadge saied Behold I leaue the world and goe to Heaven The Bishop therefore rising betimes in the morning declared to them that were in his company what he had seene and returning to Assisium he founde for certaine truthe after diligent enquirie made that at that very hower wherein he had by vision so much made knowen vnto him the blessed Father departed out of this world And at the howre also of the departure of this holy man which was about the twilight of the night following the Larkes which are birds that loue the light and do abhorre the darksomnesse of the twilight did neverthelesse come in a great multitude vpon the toppe of the house plaieng themselues a good while with an vnvsual kinde of reioycing gaue thereby a no lesse ioyful than evident testimony of the glory of the Saint who was wont to enuite them vnto the praises of Almighty God THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER Of his Canonisation and of the translation of his sacred bodie SAINT Francis therefore the servant frind of the Highest the institutour and guider of the Friars Minors the professour of Poverty the forme of Pennance the Preacher of Verity the Mirrour of Holinesse and the sampler of all Evangelicall perfection being prevented from aboue by heavenly grace did come by a well ordered and due proceeding from the lowest estate to the highest pitche of vertue This admirable man as being passingly ritche in Poverty and highly advaunced in Humility prompt also and actiue in mortification and prudent in simplicity and briefly of singular note and observance for al manner of honest conversation whome our Lord had made to be in his life time wonderfully esteemed him did he make to be in his death incomparably more renowned For when this blessed man departed out of the world his sacred spiritte entring the house of eternity and being made gloriouse with the full draught of the fontaine of life left behind him in his body ecrtaine expresse signes of the future glory That his most holy flesh which having binne crucified with the vices thereof had now passed over into a new creature might both by a singularity of priviledge sette forth the shewe of our Saviours Passion and might also by the novelty of the Miracle foreshew the resemblance of his resurrection For in those his most happy members there were certaine nailes to be seene which had bine wounderfully made of his very flesh by power devine and were so marveilously growen therin that being pressed or strained on either side they would as it were certaine naturall and hard sinwes presently rebounde to the contrary parte There was also more apparantly founde in his body howbeit not inflicted nor made by hand of man the hole of a wounde in his side like vnto the wounded side of our Saviour which did in him our Redeemer bring forth the sacrament of humane redemption and generation And the similitude of the nailes were black like vnto irō but the wounde of the side was of a red colour being by the shriking of the flesh brought into a certaine kinde of roundenesse it seemed to be as it were a most beautifull rose As for the rest of his flesh notwithstanding that of former time it had aswell out of infirmity as 〈◊〉 out of nature declined to blacknesse yet now brightly shining with an excessiue Luster of pure whitenesse it did well resemble the exquisite beautifullnesse of the second Stole Apoc. 7.13 Moreover the limmes and members of his body appeared to be so softe and tractable to such as felt them that they seemed to be changed into the tendernesse of a litle childe and did make shewe to be graced with certaine evident signes of innocency Seeing therefore that the nailes seemed to be blacke in his most pure and white flesh and the wounde of his side to be red like vnto a most faire and slourishing rose it is in no sorte to be wondred at if soe delightefull and miraculous a varietie gaue cause both of ioy and admiration vnto all the beholders And true it is that the devout children did indeed shed teares and lament for the taking away of soe loving a Father but yet were they replenished with no small measure of ioy and gladesomnesse meane while that in him they did most sweetely kisse the sacred signes of the inghest king And the novelty of the miracle turned their mournefull complainte into surpassing ioy and the true vnderstanding thereof ravished the deepe searcher of the matter with amazement For a spectacle soe vnvsuall and so notable also therewithall was vnto all the beholders both an establishement of faith and a provocation of loue and affection and to the hearers thereof a matter of admiration and a stirring vp of desire to see and behold it For the death of this good Father was no sooner heard of and the fame of the miracles spreede abroad but the people came withall expedition flocking together to the place that with the eies of their flesh they might see viewe the things which might repel al doubt frō reason and might heape vp aboundance of ioyes to their affections Very many therfore of the Cittizens of Assisium were admitted with their eies to behold and with their lipps to kisse those most holy Stigmats But one of thē being a knight wel learned doubtlesse and wise whose name was Hierome a man also of much fame and accounte being doubtful of these holy signes in credulous like vnto Thomas did in the presence of the brethten and other the Cittisens more freely and boldly moue the nailes and did with his owne handes touche the hands feete and side of the Sainte that whilest by feeling and touching he handled those true signes of the woundes of Christ he might cut of all manner of wounde of doubtfullnesse from the harte both of himselfe and others For which cause even he himselfe among others being afterwards made a constant witnesse of this truth so certainly knowen did by oathe vpon the holy Gospells testifie the same But the brethren and Children that had binne called to the passadge of the blessed Father did withall the multitude of the pecple assembled so religioufly employ themselves in dedicating vnto the eivine praises of God that night wherein the worthy Confessour of Christe was departed that thereseemed to be held noe exequies for the dead but rather a blessed watch and warde of Angels And when morning came the trouppes of people Heere we may see the custome of the Catholieke Church in burryng her dead with wax candels lighted with hemnes spirituall Psalmes that were gathered together taking the boughes of trees and a number of waxe lights in their hands did with Himnes Canticles bring the holy body to the Cittie of Assisium But passing by the Church of Saint Damian wherin that noble Virgin Sainct Clare now gloriouse in Heaven did then remaine inclosed with the rest of the Virgines and making there some stay
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
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