and myne eares shal bee attentiue vnto your prayers before you shall call vppon mee I will say vnto you be hold I am present what thing deare Sisters can bee more pleasant to you then this voyce of God which thus doth in vite you behould how our lord of his Bounty hath Vouchsafed to shew you the way of life hauing therefore our loynes girt with fayth and the obseruance of Good VVorkes and our Feete shodd by guydance of the Ghospell lett vs goe forware in this way that wee may deserue to see him in his kingdome whoe hath bestowed vppon vs this holy Vocation In the Tabernacle of whose kingdome if wee desire to dwell lett vs laboure earnesly to doe good workes for none commeth thither but by meanes of their good deseruing lett vs demaunde of God saying vnto him with the holy Prophet lord whoe shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or whoe shall rest in thy holy hill after wee haue asked this questioÌ„ lett vs giue eare vnto God answearing and shewnig vs the way leading vnto this Tabernacle saying hee that walketh without blemish of Sinne and doth that which is most iust and righteous who speaketh truth in hishart and forgeth noe Guyle in his toung who doth noe wrong to his Neighbour and receaueth noe reproath against his Neighbour who hath cast out of his harte that wicked Tempter the deuill with all his perswasions and hath brought both him and his suggestions to naught aÌ„d hath taken his Cogitations whyle they were new and little and hath dashed them against the Rooke which is Christ who fearing god take not pride in their well doing but beleiuing that the good they haue proceedeth not of any power of theirs but rather from our lord and therefore they prayse and gloryfy him thus working in them saying with the Prophett Not vnto vs lord not vnto vs but giue Glory vnto thy holy name as S. Paul the Apostle attributed not vnto him selfe that followed of his preaching for hee sayth by the grace of God I am that I am and moreouer hee addeth hee that will glory lett him glory in our lord And therefore our lord sayth in the Ghospell euery one that heareth these my words and doth them shal bee likned to a wise man that buylt his house vppon a Rocke the Floods came the winds blew and they beate against the house and it fell not for it was founded vppon â— Rocke our lord proceeding with vs in the same manner dayly expecteth that wee should bee correspondent to his holy admonitions and therefore the dayes of this present life are afforded vnto vs in a manner of a truce that there in wee might amend our wickednesse as the Apostle sayth knowest thou not that the benignitie of God bringeth thee to Penance for our morcifull lord sayth I will not the death of a Sinner but that hee should be coÌ„uerted aÌ„d liue therefor my good sisters when wee haue Demaunded of God that person which is to dwell in his holy Tabernacle wee vnderstand the precept annexed to that habitation soe that if wee full fill the duty of Inhabitants wee shal bee Inheritours of the heuenly kingdone Come therefore aÌ„d lett vs prepare our harts and bodyes to serue in the holy obedience of his Commaundements and that which nature is not able to worke in vs lett vs beeseech Almighty God that hee will assist vs with his holy grace aÌ„d if wee desire to Fly Hell Paynes and to attayne vnto euerlasting life whyle now wee may and that wee are in this mortall life that wee may atchiue all these things by the light of grace now must wee run now must wee labour for that which may bee expedient for vs for euer hereafter wee must therefore sett vpp a Schoole to teath the Seruice of God therein wherein wee hope nothing shal bee tought by vs to â—igerous or to heauy but if wee proceede some what the more stricktly according to the Rule of Reason for the correcting of Vice and Conseruation of Charitie thou must not therefore vppon Feare fortwith abandon the way of thy Saluation which cannot bee begun but by a narrow Entrance not with standing after some tyme rymployed in this Conuersation at pleasure thou shalt run in the way of Gods Commaundements hauing they hart dilated by true Fayth and with vnspeakeable sweetenesse of Charitie in such sort as wee neuer forsaking the Schoole of God but persisting in his Doctrine perseuering there in euen vntill death in the Monastery wee may bee made pertakers of Christs paynes and Passion soe that hereafter wee may deserue to bee his Compartners in his glorious kingdome HERE BEGINNETH THE RVLEOF OVR HOLY FATHER S. BENEDICT OF FOVRE SORTS OF RELIGIOVS CHAP 1. IT is manifest that there are foure sorts of those which lead the monasticall life the first are Cenobites that is to say Conuentuall trayned vp in a Rule vnder an Abbott or Abbesse The second is of Anachorites that is to say of Hermites these are those that with noe Nouitiall feruor or heate of their new Conuersion but after long triall of the Monasticall life haue learned by the ayde and hartning of many to sight against the deuill and being well armed may securely without the Consolation of any only assisted with the Grace of God by there owne force alone proceede from their Fraternall Army to vndertake the betayle against all their vices of their Flesh and Cogitations The third sort and that very pernitions is of those which are called Sarabaites who tried by noe Rule which is the Mistresse of experience they seemâ— like vnto the gould of the fornace but yeâ— like vnto soft lead still by their workes adhering to the world are knowne by theiâ— tonsure how vnfaythfull and dissoyall they are vnto God whoe by twoes or threes oâ— alone by themselues without any Pastour oâ— Sheapherd shutt vpp in their owne Foulds and not in the Fould of our Lord they take the pleasure of their owne Wills liking for their Law in accounting for holy whatsoeuer they shall thinke to bee good or of whaâ— soeuer they shall make election and that to bee only vnlawfull which is not according to their Tast The Fourth sort is of those whoe are called Vagabonds which spend all their life in running vp and dawne indiuers Prouinces and lodge for two or three dayes in diuers Monasteryes allwayes walking and neuer setled but at all tymes and at all places subiect to their owne pleasures and Gluttony soe as thy are in all things faâ— worse then the Sarabaits whose miserable kinde of life it is better to passe ouer with Silence then to make any longer discourse of the same Omitting therefore all these lett vs by the ayde of God come to sett downe the order of the Cenobites which is the strongest and durablest sort of all VVhat a Kinde of Person the Abbesse ought to bee CHAPTER 2. THE Abbesse which is worthy to haue the care of the Monastary ought allwayes to beare
bee saued in the day of our lord lett â—er take refection alone in such quantitie and at such tyme as the Abbesse shall thinke good neither lett her bee saluted or blessed by any which passe by her neither lett the meates bee blessed that are giuen her to eate Of those that Ioyne themselues wich such as are excommunicated CHAPTER 16. IF any shall presume without the Abbesses lycence to ioyne her selfe in any sort with the Sister that is excommunicated to speake to her to send her any thing let her incurr the punishment of the like Excommunication In what manner the Abbesse ought to bee carefull of those that are Excommunicated CHAPTER 17. LETT the Abbesse beare herselfe towards the Sisters that offend with all carefulnesse because the Phisition is not needfull for those that are in health but for such as are sicke and therefore shee ought to vse all meanes of a wise Phisitian to send to them secrett Comforters that is to say some of the Ancients and some of the discreter sort of the Religious which may as it were secretly comfort the troubled Sister and incite her to humble satisfaction and might alsoe comfort her that shee bee not wholly drowned and oppressed with two much greife and discomfort but that as the Apostle sayth Charitie may bee confirmed in her and lett euery one pray for her for the Abbesse ought to bee right care full and to vse all prudence and dilligence that shee lose none of her Flocke for shee must vnderstand that shee hath taken the charge of infirme and weake Soules and not any tyrannicall or cruell authoritie ouer those that are Whole And lett her feare the threatning of the Prophett by whom our lord sayth that which you saw to bee fatt you tooke to your selues and that which was weake you cast a Way And lett her follow that Example of pitty of the good Sheepherd whoe leauing nynety nyne sheepe in the Monntaines went to seeke out one that had erred vppon whose infirmitie hee had soe great compassion that hee vouthsafed to lay her vppon his sacred Shoulders and soe to bring her backe to his fould againe Of those that haue beene often corrected and will not amend CHAPTER 18. IF any Sister hath beene often corrected for any fault and if shee will not amend though shee hath beene excommunicated lett her haue more seuere correction and then lett the Abbesse proceede euen to Chastisement by shrokes and if for all that shee will not amend or els with God forbidd puffed vpp with pride should mayn tayne and defend her owne doings lett the Abbesse doe that which the expert Phisitian vseth to doe who when hee hath applyed the fomentations and oyntments of good exhortations the Remedyes of holy Scriptures and finally the burning and seering of Excommunication togeather with the incision aÌ„d launcing of bodyly Chastisement if then shee see that her labour is in vayne lett her vse which is most effectuall her owne Prayers and the prayers of all the Sisters for her that our lord which is omnipotent would worke some cure vppon this infirme Sister and if by this meanes shee shall not bee cured then lett the Abbesse vse the knife of abscision as the Apostle sayth Take the euill from amongst you and againe if the Infidell will depart lett her depart lest that one diseased sheepe should infect the whole Flocke Of young Children and how they are to bee corrected CHAPTER 19. EVERY one must bee measured according to their age and capacity and therefore soe oft as the Children or the younger sort or such as doe not sufficiently vnderstand how great a punishment Excommunication is lett these when they offend bee penanced or bee seuerely chastised with the road Of the ofice and duty of the Cellarier CHAPTER 20. THE Cellarier of your Monastery ought to bee such a one of your Congregaion as is wise gentle and sober not gluttenous proude easy to bee in passion iniurious slouggish or lauish but which hath the feare of God in her hart and may bee as it were a very Mother to the whole Congregation and shee ought to haue the Care of all things and to doe nothing without the Commaundement of the Abbisse but still to accomplish that which is commaunded her and lett her not bee ouer greuous to the Sisters and if any should make to her any vnreasonable request lett her not for all that by any contemptable vsage giue them cause of disgust but lett her in a meeke sort deny them that with they doe not well and reasonably demaunde lett her looke well vnto her owne Soule remembring that which the Apostle sayth That they which haue ministred well shall purchase vnto them selues a good degree lett her haue a most diligent care of the sicke Children of the guestes and of the poore knowing that without all doubt shee shall render an accompt for al these att the day of Iudgment lett her haue the Custody of all the Vessells necessaryes and Substance of the Monastery and lett her looke vnto them as shee would vnto those things that are consecrated vnto Gods Altar and lett her not thinke that any thing is to bee negligently regarded letâ— her neither bee too sparing or a waster of the Substance of the Monastery but lett her doe all things with moderation according to the Commandements of the Abbesse before all things lett her conserue her selfe in humilitie and when shee hath nothing to giue vnto her which requireth any thing of her at lest wise giue good wordes for good words are much better then a good gift lett her haue a care aÌ„d Custody of those things which the Abbesse shall appoynte her to haue in charge and shee shall not presume to intermeddle her selfe with any thing that shall bee forbidden her lett her giue the Portions ordayned for the Sisters without all deceipt and delay to the end that none bee scandalized being mynde full what they deserue according to the words of God whoe scandalyze any of these litle ones If the Congregation bee great lett her haue the assistance of some Sisters by whose ayde shee may ioyfully accomplish her duty and charge That which is to bee giuen or distâ—â—buted must bee done at competent and â—itt tymes and that which is to bee requested of her lett it bee requested in a due season that none may bee troubled or molested in in the house of God Of the Iron Tooles and other things belongnig to the Monastery CHAPTER 21. AS concerning the Substance of the Monastery the Iron Instruments the Apparell or what els soeuer lett the Abbesse prouide such Sisters of whose life and good behauiour shee may bee secure to whom shee may deliuer certayne things as shee shall thing good to bee by them kept or amassed aÌ„d gathered togeather of which things the Abbesse must keepe an InueÌ„tory that when the Sisters come to demaund any thing shee may know what shee receaueth and what shee giueth out If any vse those
THE RVLE OF THE MOST BLISSED FATHER SAINT BENEDICT PATRIARKE OF ALL MVNKES Tu iuxta Regulam Patrum vivere stude maxime autem Consessoris Sancti BENEDICTI ne declinas ab ea quoquam nec illi addas quidquam nec minuâ— Totum quod sufficit habet numquam minus habet Gregorius Mag. in manuscripta Indevour to live conformable to the Rule of the Fathers Butt especially of the Confessour Saint Benedict do nott swerue any way from itt neither add you any thinge to itt nor take any thinge a way for itt hath that which sufficeth and it in nothing defectiue Printed at Gant by Iâ—OS DOOKS TO THE HONORABLE RIGHT REVER ENDE AND HER MOST RESPECTED LADY THE LADY EVGENIA POVLTON ABBESSE OF THE ENGLISH MONASTERY OF THE HOLY ORDER OF S. BENEDICT IN GANT Honorable and Right Reuerende Madame NEVER doe the newe risinge sunne spreede forth his beames with out a newe comfort to the behoulders neither doth the splendours yealded to so many dayes yeares and ages any whitt deminish the accustomed solace taken by the newe Spectatours And can I doubt this glorious sunne our Rule a bright beame of diuine light newely raised to shine in this place by your lady shipps predicessour aÌ„d your indeuour bringe lesse them wonted ioy to the inioyers aÌ„d though itt hath illustrated the worlde for many dayes yeares aÌ„d ages with so cleare beames of Illustrious sanctity cannonizinge with glorious triuÌ„ph more theÌ„ 3000 sainctes brought froÌ„ the obscurity of idolitry to the light of faith 33 nations adorned the Church with 15000 Bishopps 7000 Archbishops 200â— Cardinalls and twentye foure Popes most of which shined vnto the world as brighteâ— starres hauinge taken ther lustre and light as from the sunne from this glorious Rule Not to numbeâ— the innumerable florishinge monasteryes the shininge and illustrious Doctours and writters the intyre and purest Virgines fruites which this holy rule as a most comfortable sunne hath produced fostered and brought vp to inlighteÌ„ aÌ„d illustrait both with word writinges and examples of singuler sanctitye the whole Occident all church Can I as Isay yet douht that the vigour ther of is any whitt deminished butt rather as an experienced and an eye wittnesse can I auere newe comfort ioy aÌ„d solace raysed in the mindes and hares of the newe Embracers who vnder your ladyshipps gouerment happely doe a newe inioy the splendour of that light and most comfortably do pertake the fire of charity which with herbeames she doth inkindle in our hartes Giue me therfore leaue most Respected Madame though after many ages to lett this so holy a rule spreed her rayes a broade in our English tonge vnder your ladishippes protection that as you instill the loue of it in our hartes so you would make itt obuious to our Eyes and a monge the rest to hers who desires to remaine as she this day is become Your Ladishipps Professed and vowed child ALEXIA GRAY THE BREVE OF S. GREGORY POPE FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF THE RVLE OF SAINT BENEDICT I Gregory Pralat of the holy Romane Church haue writt the life of Saint Benedict and reade the Rule which the Saint hath written with his owne hand I haue praysed itt and I haue confirmed itt in a Holy Counsell and haue comanded that through sundry partes of Italy and whersoeuer the Latine toung is vsed itt should hee exactly obserued by all whosoeuer to the end of the worlds should come to a retyred life And I also consitme the 12. Monasteryes the holy Saint erected Ex originali in Monasterio sublacensi THE BVLL OF ZACHARY POPE Successor to Saint GREGORY THE GREATE FOR THE APPROBATION OF THE RVLE OF THE MOST HOLY S. BENEDICT ZACHARY Bysshop seruant of the seruantes of God To all redeemed by the bloode of Christ wisheth health and Apostolicall Benediction VVee giue thankes to Almighty God whose mercy is more deare then life that he iâ— glorious and admirable in his Saintes and â—istowâ—â—â— with vnspeakeable bounty hiâ— vertues aÌ„d gifâ—es For he hath putt the most Blessed BENEDICT to bee the Father of all Munkes He through the meriâ—ts of this Saint hath made the monastery of Cassina placed in the grounde of Tertullus Patritius to 〈◊〉 aboue all the Monasteryes in the worlde where the Saint writt the Rule of Munkes which our predicessour of holy memory Greg. hath aboundantly approued aÌ„d praysed in his booke of Diologs aÌ„d wee approue and prayse and declare itt to bee holy and in the dedication of that holy church while wee are ther with therteen Arckbishoppes threscore and eight Bishopes doe ordaine appointing that whâ— soeuer shall dare to contradict itt bee excoÌ„municated FINIS THE RVLE OF OVR HOLY FATHER S. t BENETT THE PREFACE HARKEN daughter to the commaundmeÌ„t of God thy Master and inclyne the eare of thy hart and willingly receaue the admonition of thy pittifull Father and put it in execution to the end thou mayst retourne againe vnto him by the labour of thy obedience from whom thou deddist depart by the negligence of thy disobedience To thee therefore which dest renounce thyn owne will with intention to fight vnder Christ the true king and to take vppon thee the strong armour of obedience thes wordes are addressed first of all desire thou by most instant prayer that that good worke which thou purposest to begin in the may bee perfected that hee who hath vouch safed to accuÌ„t vs in the numbre of his Children might not bee contristated by our misdemeanour and soe wee must alwayes obey him with those good parts that are in vs that not onely hee may not at any tyme like an angry Father desinheritt vs his childreÌ„ nor like a dreadfull lord prouoked by our offences adiudge vs as naughty seruants to perpetuall punishment which would not follow him to his Glory Now therefore at lenght lett vs rise the holy Scripture exciting vs saying Now is the hower to rise out of sleep and with open eyes and attentiue eares let vs behould the deuine splendor and heare that which the voyce of God dayly crying doth admonish saying If this day you shall heare his voyce harden not your hartes and againe hee which hath eares to heare lett him heare what the spirritt sayth to the Churches aÌ„d what sayth it Come he ther Children giue eare to mee I will teach you the Feare of our lord God Runn while you haue the light of life lest the darcknesse of death ouerreach you And God seeking his labour our amongst the Comon sort of people sayth furthermore what man is hee that wisheth life and hath a desire to see gooddayes and if thou hearing this dost make answeare saying I am hee God sayth vnto thee againe it you wilt enioy a true euerlasting life refrayne thy tonge from euill and thy lipps from vttering lyes and deceipts shunn ewill and doe that which is good seeke peace and pursue it and at what tyme you shall doe this myne eyes shall watch ouer you
in mynde her calling and to expresse in her actions that which by her name is signified for shee is to beare Christs person in the Monastary seing shee hath his title as the Apostle sayth you haue receaued the Spirit of adoption of Children of God in which wee call him Abba Father wherefore the Abbesse ought not to teach ordaine or commaunde â—ny thing which as God for bid should â—ee against the Commaundements of our Lord but her doctrine and commaundeâ—ents ought to season the harts of her diciples as though it were the Leauen of Gods deuine Iustice lett the Abbesse allwayes remember that an examination must â—ee made of her doctryne and of her Scholâ—ers obedience and that both together in â—he dreadfull day of Iudgment of Almightie God And lett the Abbesse vnderstand that â—t is imputed to the Pasters fault what want of proffitt soeuer the Lord and Master may happen to finde in his sheepe yet noâ— with standing shee shal bee freed if she hath bestowed all her dilligence vppon her vnquiett and disobedient Flocke and that all her care hath beene ymployed to heale their corrupt and diseased meanners soâ— their Pastors being sett free in the Iudgment of God may say with the Prophett to our lord I concealed not thy Iustice in my hart I Declared thy Truth ad Saluation but they contemning despised mee and vppon the Sheepe which disobeyed her care and sollicitude iust punishment shal bee inflicted to witt death it selfe when there fore any taketh vppon her the name of an Abbesse she ought to gouerne her Schollers with two sorts of Doctrynes that is to say rather to shew them all goodnesse and vertue or holynesse in her life then in her words that shee propose in words alone the Commaundements of God to those that are capable of Instructions but to those that are hardeâ— harted or more simple shee must shew theÌ„ the will of God by her life and externall behauiour Therefore what soeuer shee shal teach to bee hurtfull to her Schollers lett her shew by her owne actions that they must in noe case admitt it lest she preaching well vnto others should bee found herselfe to bee a Reprobate and lest God might say vnto her offending in this manner why deâ—larest thou my Iustices and takest vppon thee by thy Mouth to talke of my law thou hast hated all disciplyne and hast cast my words behinde thy backe and thou which â—â—ddest see a Straw in thy Brothers eye â—idst not espy a Beame in thyne owne By her lett noe difference of persons bee made in the Monastery lett not one be more fauored then an other except â—â—bee such a one whoÌ„ shee shall finde to be better then the rest in her good behauiour and obedience lett not the noble bee praeferred before her which was before her Connertion of a base or seruile Condition except tâ—ere shal bee some reasonable cause besides And if foe bee that vppon iust Cousideâ—â—tion it shall seeme good to the Abbesse lett her soe behaue her selfe in the seuerall degrees of each person for otherwise lett euery one keepe her owne place for wheter bond or Free wee are all in our lord and Sâ—uiour Christ and wee beare the burthen of equall Seruitude vnder one and the selfe fame lord for there is noe exception of Persons with God herein wee bee distinguished by him of wee bee found better then others in our well doing and of more humilitie therefore lett â—er beare an equall affection to all let one manner of disciplyne bee obserued towards all according to their merits and deserts The Abbesse in heâ— manner of teaching ought allwayes to obserue that manner and Forme of the Apostle according to whith hee sayth conuince intreate sharpely reprehend that is tempering one tyâ—e with another fâ—yre words with Sharpe threatnings lett her shew the seueritie of a Mistresse and againe the louing affection of a Mother that is to say â—he ought to reprehend sharpely the vnquiett and those that will obserue noâ— discipline and by intreaty to Deale with the obedient meâ—ke and patient that they will labour to goe still forward But wee aduise her that shee reprehend sharpely and correct those that are negligent and despisers of disciplyne Neither lett her winke at the faults of those which offend but as soone as any Vice beginnes to spring lett her cut it of by the Rootes with all her forces possible bearing allwayes in mynne the perilows punishmeÌ„t of Hely the Preist in Silo lett her reprehend with onely Words the more honest and docible natures for the first and second tyme but lett her punish with bodyly punishment and blowes the stubborne hard harted and disobedient so soone as euer they hâ—â—e offended knowing that it is written the foole with words will noâ— bee amended and againe strike thy Ghild with the Rodd and thou shalt deliuer his Soule from death The Abbesse ought to Remember allwayes whoe shee is and what her name imports and to know that to whom the more charge is committed the more of them must bee exacted and lett her consider â—ow hard and important a matter shee hath taken in hand as the gouerement of Soules and to accommodate her selfe to soe diuers â—umours and that shee must conforme her selfe to euery one to this Sister with sweete in treating to another with hard threatnings to another with forcible perswasions according to the Condition and Capacitie of euery one that not onely shee suffer noe doâ—age in the Flocke committed to her charge but that shee may take Ioy in thâ— dayly increase and augmentation of her good and vertuous Troope but aboue all lett her take heed lest with dissemblyng and litle esteeming the good of Soules committed vnto her change shee haue not too much care of things that are transitory earthly and mortall but lett her aboue all beare in mynde allwayes that shee hath taken in hand the goueâ—nment of Soules for which one day shee must render an account and that â—he may not complayne of the sâ—ender Subsâ—ace of her Monastery lett her remember what is written First seeke the kingdome of God and the ustice of him and all o her things shal bee giuen you besides and againe nothing is wanting to those which feare him And lett the Abbesse consider with herselfe that as shee hath taken vppoÌ„ her the charge of other folkes Soules soe must shee prouide to giue vpp an account for them and see how many Sisters are vnder her direction soe leâ—t her most certaynly know that shee must giue a reckning to our lord in the day of Iudgment for their Soules and that without all doubt besides the Reckning shee must make for her owne Soule The Sheephard shall endure for all the Sheepe which was put to her charge whiles shee dilligetly prouideth for the giuing vpp of other Folks account shee shall also thereby bee made more carefull of her owne and while by her dilligent admonition shee procureth the amendment of others shee herselfe
halfe the night and then rise hauing well digested that which they haue eaten but that tyme which remayneth after Mattins must bee employed in holy Meditations excepting those Sisters which haue neede to learne any thing in their Psalters and reading But from Easter vnto the affore sayd Kalends of Nouember lett soe the tyme of the watcking bee tempered that there may bee left some litle space wherein the Sisters may depart to doe that which is needfull and necessary vnto nature that they may incontinently beginn the laudes which must bee sayd as soone as the day appeareth In what manner the deuyne Seruice is each day to bee accomplished CHAPTER 9 AS the Prophett sayth seuen tymes a day I shewed forth thy prayses which holy number of seuen shall thus bee fullfilled if wee pay the duty of our Seruice vnto him which the howers of mattins Prime Terce Sixt Nynth Euensong and Complyne for of these howers the Prophet meaneth when hee sayth seauen tymes each day I shewed forth thy prayse for of the Nocturne and Seruice in the night the same Prophett sayth at Midnight I arose to giue prayse to thee therefore at those tymes lett vs giue prayse vnto our Creatour vppoÌ„ the Iudgments of his Iustice to witt at the howers of Mattins Prime Terce Ninth Euensong and Complyne and lett vs rise in the highest to doe honour and homage vnto him Of the Disciplyne of singing the deuine Seruice CHAPTER 10. VVEE beleiue that God is present in euery place and that the eyes of our lord behouldeth both the good and the badd yet notwithstanding lett vs beleiue this with out all doubt especially when wee assist at the deuyne Seruice beare therefore in mynde that which the Prophett sayth serue our lord with feare and againe sing sauorously that is with spirituall tast and feeling And in the sight and presence of the Angells I will sing vnto thee Therefore lett vs Consider how wee ought to behaue our selfes in his deuyne presence and before his holy Angells and lett vs soe attend to our Song that our thoughts may accord with our voyces Of the Reuerence which is to bee vsed in Prayer CHAPTER 11. IF when wee deliuer any Supplication to men of account wee dare not present our selfes before them but with lowly â—esse and Reuerence therefore With much humilitie Reuerence and purity of Deuotion ought one to offer her prayers â—nto God the lord of all things and lett vs beleiue that our prayers are not herd for our babling but for puritie of hart and Compunction Ioyned with teares and therefore your prayers ought to bee breife and pure except it bee prolonged by the inspiration of the grace of almightie God not with standing lett the tyme of Prayer bee short in the Couent and after the Superiour hath giuen a Signe lett them all rise vpp Of the Deanes of the Monastery CHAPTER 12. IF the Congregation shal bee great lett some Sisters of good Name and holy Conuersation bee chosen from the rest and aâ—poynted deanes whoe are to haue careâ— ten other Sisters in all things according â— the Commaundemens of god and of the Abbesse the which deanes ought to bee elâ—cted in such sort as the Abbesse may securely part amongst them her burtheÌ„ aÌ„d chargâ— and lett them not bee elected according â— their order but according to their life aâ— deserts and experience of their discretioâ— for if any of them by chance being puffed vpp with pride should bee found worthâ— of reprehension being admonished for thâ— first second and third tyme if shee amenâ— not lett her bee throwne out of office anâ— lett another succeede that shal bee founâ— more worthy of that place and the like weâ— doe appoynte to bee done as concerning the Prioresse The manner how the Religious ought to Sleepe CHAPTER 13. LETT euery one sleepe alone in a beed by her selfe lett them receaue their bedding after the manner of their conuertion â—t the disposition and appoyntment of the Abbesse lett them sleepe all in one place if â— may bee conueniently but if the greatâ—esse of their Company will not permitt it â—ett them take their repose by tens and â—wentyes togeather with those ancients which haue charge ouer them let allways a Candle burne in the dorture vntill it bee morning lett them sleepe in their Cloathes girt with ropes or other girdles and whyle â—hey take their rest lett them haue noe â—niues hanging by their sides for feare of â—urting themselues in their sleepe and that â—he Religious may allwayes bee in a readiâ—esse to rise forth with as they shall heare the Signe lett theÌ„ make hast each one to bee before the other at the worke of God which thing see that they doe which great modesty and grauitie lett not the younger â—ort haue their places one neere another but lett them allwayes haue some of their ancients betwixt them when they rise vnto the worke of god lett each exhort the other with modesty to make speede for the excuses of those that are drowsy and giuen to sleepe Of the Excommunication of faults CHAPTER 14. IF any Sister should bee selfe willed â— disobedient or proude or a murmureâ— or in anything Repugnante to the holy Ruâ— and Precepts if shee bee bee founde a Contemner of the ancîents lett this Sister bee admonished secretly for the first and seconâ— tyme by her Ancients if shee amend noâ— lett her bee reproued publickely beforâ— others but if shee will not amend for alâ— this lett her bee excommunicated if shee vnderstand what kinde of punishment Excommunication is but if shee bee shamelesse aÌ„d past amendment lett her bee Put tâ— bodyly punisment †lett the Excommunication and punisment bee measured according to the qualitie of the fault the which qualitie shall bee iudged by the â—udgment of the Abbesse But if the Sister bee found in some lesser faults lett her bee depriued from the participation of the Comon Table with others This is the order which must bee obserued towards those that are depriued of the Company of the rest at Table that they beginn noe Psalme or Antyme â— the Church nor reade any lesson vntill â—ch tyme as they haue made satisfaction â—ett her take her meate a lone after all the â—ther Sisters haue ended their refection as â—or Example if the Sisters eate at the sixt â—ower shee shall attend till the Nynth and â— the Sisters eate at the Nynth shee shall â—ttend till the tyme of Euensong vntill by â—ew satisfaction shee hath obtayned her â—ardon Of the more greuious kinds of faults CHAPTER 15. LET that Sister that is guylty of the more greiueous fault bee depriued from â—e Church and refectory lett her haue noe â—onuersation or Conference with any of the â—isters lett her liâ—e all alone attending to â—at worke which is enioyned her persiâ—ing in the bitternesse of Pennance consiâ—ering that terrible Sentence of the Apostle â—hat such a one is deliuered to Sathan for â—e destruction of the Flesh that the Spirit â—ay
Signe then by theiâ— voyces neither may any of them presume to speake either of that wich is reade or of any thing els that noe occasion may bee giuen to your ghostly enemy except peraduenture the Superiour will say some what breifely for their edification lett the Reader take some litle pittance in bread and drinke before shee beginn to reade lest peraduenture her fasting night bee ouer greuious to her and afterwards lett her take Refection with those of the kitchin and the other Seruants The Sisters must not read according to their order but onely those that can best edify others by their reading Of the quantitie of their meate CHAPTER 28. VVEE beleiue that two boyled pittances may serue for their dayly Refection in euery Month of the yeare both one the day when the Fast and when there is noe Fast and in respect of the infirmities which may bee incident to diuers of their Complexions that those which cannot eate of the one may make their repast of the other therfore lett two boyled pulmentaryes or pittances suffice for all the Sisters and if there bee any Apples or new Fruytes then make them a third dish of the same one pound of bread must bee their dayly allowance whether they make onely dinner or both dinner and Supper and if they are to receaue their Supper lett the third parte of their pound bee reserued by the Cellarier for their Supper if their labour happen to bee greater then shall it bee in the Abbesses will and power to augment it as shee shall thinke good hauing especially care that all excesse and surfeting bee eschewed that the Religious might neuer bee troubled with indigesture For nothing is more contrary to a Christian then gluttony As our lord himselfe sayeth see that your harts bee not ouer charged with surfeiting and dronkennesse lett not the same quantity bee obserued to the younger sort but rather lesse then those that are greater obseruing frugalitie in all things lett all abstaine precisely from eating flesh of foure footed beasts except those that are sicke and Feeble Of the measure of their drincke CHAPTER 29. EVERY one hath a proper gift from God one after this manner and another after that aÌ„d therefore the measure of other Folks dyett is appoynted by vs with a certayne kinde of scruple and perplexitie not with standing considering the weaknesse of those that are sicke wee beleiue that a pynte of wine may suffice for euery one a day lett them vnderstand that they shall haue a peculier reward vppon whom our lord shall bestow the gift of abstinence But if either the necessitie of the place or their trauyll or the heates of the Summer shall require more lett that bee remitted to the arbitrement of the Superiour who must alwayes duely consider that it bee done without saciety and dronckennesse Althoughe wee reade that wine is noe drincke for those that lead a Monasticall life yet because wee cannot soe perswade these of our tyme at lest wise in this sort lett vs yeald there vnto that wee neuer drinke our sill but moderately for wine maketh euen the wise to become Apostataes where the necessitie of the place soe requireth that the afore sayd measure may not bee had but either much lesse or none at all lett theÌ„ which dwell in those places blesse our lord and beware of Murmuration all wayes warning you in the speciallest sort wee cann that the Sisters euer liue free from all Murmuration At what howers the Sisters must take their refection CHAPTER 30. FROM Easter to whitsontide the Sisters must take their dinner at the sixt hower and their Supper at night But froÌ„ whitsontide forward through the whole Summer let them fast wednesday vntill the Nynth hower except they labour much or that the excessiue heates doe much molest them but vppon other dayes they dyne at the sixt hower the which tyme of dynning at sixt may bee contynued either when they labour oâ— when the heats of the Sommer are excessiue great and lett all these things remayne in the prouidence and discretion of the Abbesse who must soe wisely temper and dispose all things that the Soules of her Sisters may bee saued and that they may doe their dutyes without murmuring But from the â—es of September vntill the beginning of â—nt the Sisters must dine at the Nynth In â—nt vntill Easter they must take their Refeâ—oÌ„ at Euening which Euening must bee soe â—nsidered that those wich eate may not â—ely neede Candle light but moreouer â—at all thinges may bee finished within the â—y light and at all Seasons of the yeare the â—ower of Supper and of their refection â—ust bee soe contynued that by the light of â—e day all things may bee wel dispatched Of Silence in the night CHAPTER 31. AL wayes the Sisters must haue care to keepe silence but especially in the â—asen of the night and therefore at all tyâ—es whether fasting or dining if it bee a â—me to dyne in ymmediately after they â—aue risen from Supper lett them sitt dowâ—e togeather all in one place and lett one â—eade the Colations or liues of the holy Faâ—ers or some what els that may edefy the â—earers but lett them not reade at that tyme â—e siue bookes of Moyses or the bookes of â—e kings for it wil bee litle proâ—itable for â—ose that are of smale Capacitie at that tyme to heare that parte of Scripture but rather lett them reade it at other tymes But if it bee fasting day a litle after Euen song lett them goe to the lecture of the sayde collatioÌ„â— as wee haue said and after foure or fiue leaues haue beene read or as the hower will permit all meeting togeather by the space of the sayâ— lecture if any bee occupyed about any busâ—nee enioyned her by the Superiour lett her then come alsoe and when all are asseÌ„bled lett them make an end and goe to complyne and after none may speake vnto any about any thing for if any bee found to breake this Rule of silence let her bee seuerely punished except it bee vppon the arriuall of some guesse or that the Abbesse should commaund any thing to bee done which notwith standing must bee done with all decency and moderation Of those that come late to the Seruice of God and to the Table CHAPTER 32. LETT euery one runn with all speede leauing what soeuer worke is in her hads soe soone as shee shall heare the Signe to bee giuen vnto the deuine Seruice yet with grauity that scurrilitie may finde â—oe entertaynment among you Therefore â—eware that nothing bee preferred before â—he Seruice of God for if any come not to Mattines before the Gloria of the 94 Psalme â—ee sayd with Psalme for this cause wee will haue sayd in a long aÌ„d leisurely maÌ„ner â—ett her nott stand in her owne order but â—ither the last of all or in some other place â—hich the Abbesse shall appoynte for such â—egligent Sluggerds that soe shee may bee â—eene of
rust she breake the Vessell in peeces and lett her allwayes stand in suspition of her owne Fraylty and lett her Remember that the broken Reede is not vtterly to bee crushed in peeces and herein wee say not that shee suffer vice to bee nourished but that shee seeke with prudence and Charitie to Roote it out as shee shall finde it most expedient for euery one as already wee â—aue sayd and lett her endeauour to bee rather loued then feared lett her not bee troublesome sadd superfluous and obstinate in her owne opinion not to iealous or ouer superstitious for then shee will neuer bee quiett lett her bee prouident and carefull in her commaundements whether they concerne god or the World lett her discretely weigh and moderate all those workes which shee shall enioyne vnto others with considering the discretion of holy Iacob saying if I shall make my Flocke to ouer labor themselues in walking they will all dye in one day hauing this and such like examples of discretion the mother of all vertue lett her soe moderate all things that those that haue a good desire may bee still strong and able to accomplis it and those that are infirme and weake may not seeke to shunn and auoyde it and especially that they intyrely obserue this present Rule that wheÌ„ shee hath administred all things shee may heare of our lord that which the good Seruant herd that distributed his Corne to his fellow Seruants in dew season Amen I say vnto you sayth our lord I promote him ouer all my goods Of the Prioresse of the Monastery CHAPTER 49. IT hath often tymes fallen out that by the Ordination of the Prioresse many great scandalles haue risen in Monasteryes whyle there are some that being puffed vpp with the accursed Spirrit of Pride thinking them selues to bee second Abbesses take vppon them to tyranise ouer others foster schaÌ„dalls and rayse dissentions in the congregation and especially in those places where the Prioresse is ordayned of the same Bishop or of the same Abbotts that ordayned the Abbesse which thing how absurd it is may easely bee perceaued for that eueÌ„ from the beginning of her ordination shee hath matter of Pride offred vnto her whilst it resorteth vnto her thoughts and Cogitations how she is freed from all power of her Abbesse because shee is ordayned of those by whom the Abbesse herselte is ordayned â—erevppon Enuye Anger braules detractions dissentions and discords are raysed for whilst the Abbesse and the Prioresse are of contrary opinions it is necessary that their owne Soules stand in much danger by this dissention and those that are vnder their charge and gouernment whyle they flatter each party perish vtterly The fault of which danger falleth vppon their heads who were the cause of such an Ordination Therefore wee foresee it to bee expedient for the Conseruation of peace and Charitie that the ordering of the Monastery depend onely vppon the Abbesses Iudgment and auctoritie And if it may bee done lett all the Commoditie of the Monastery be ordered as wee haue sayd at the Abbesses disposition by the deanes that whyle the charge is committed to many noe one may become insolent and proude But if the place soe require it or the Congregation shall request it vppon reasonable Causes with humilitie and the Abbesse shall iudge it expedient whomsoeuer shee shall choose with the aduise of her Sisters that hath the feare of God lett her ordayne her for Prioresse which Prioresse notwithstanding must execute those things with Reuerence which shal bee inioyned her by her Abbesse doing nothing against the Abbesses Will or Order for by how much shee is preferred before the rest by soe much the more carefully ought shee to keepe the commaundements of the Rule And if the Prioresse shal bee found vitious or deceaued by the haughtinesse of Pride or shal bee proued to bee a Contemner of the Rule lett her bee admonished with words for some foure or fiue tymes and if soe bee that shee will not amend her selfe then lett her bee cast from her degree of Prioresse and another put in her place that shall bee fouÌ„d wortly there of But if afterwards shee behaue not her selfe quietly and obediently in the Congregation lett her bee expelled out of the Monastery yet lett the Abbesse Consider that shee must render an account of all her Iudgments to god lest shee with the Flame of enuy and Rancour of mynde should sett on fyre her owne Soule Of the Portresse of the Monastery CHAPTER 50. LETT some ancient and wise Religious bee appoynted to keepe the Porte of the Monastery which knoweth well both to receaue and render an answeare whose grauitie will not permitt her to bee ranging and wandring vpp and downe The which Portresse ought to haue her Cell neere vnto the Gate that those which come may allwayes finde her present from whom they may receaue their answeare and fortwith soe soone as they shall knoâ—ke or any poore person shall call vnto her lett her answeare Deogratias or blesse me and with all meeknesse in the feare of God lett her retourne them an answeare with all speede possible and with all feruour of Charitie which Portresse if shee need any other for Comfort lett her haue some younger Sister The Monastery ought soe to bee buylt if it bee possible that it may contayne with in it all things that are necessary for it as Water a Mill a garden a Bakehouse or soe that diuers arts may well bee exercised within the Monastery that there might bee noe necessitie for the Religious to runn abroade because it is not in any wise expedient for their Soules Our Will is that this Rule bee often reade in the congregation that none of the Sisters for their excuse may pretend Ignorance Of the Sisters that are sent abroade CHAPTER 51. VVHEN any of the Sisters are sent abroade let them commend themselues to the prayers of all their Sisters and of the Abbesse and allwayes at the last Prayer of the deuyne Seruice lett a Commemoration bee made for all those that are absent But when the Sisters are retourned the very day of their Retourne let them ly prostrate vppon the ground in the Church through out all the Canonicall howers whyle the Seruice of God is a doing and lett them request the Prayers of all the rest for their excesses lest peraduenture some euill thing either in sight hearing or Idle words might haue happened to them in the way neither may any presume to relate vnto others the things that they haue seene or heard out of the Monastery because it is an exceeding disedification which thing if any shall presume to doe lett her bee put to the â—euere Chastisement of the Rule as in like manner those that shall presume to goe out of the Inclosure to any place what soeuer or â—o doe any thing thoughe neuer soe litle without the CommauÌ„demeÌ„t of the Abbesse Of those that haue any thing enioyned them that is impossible CHAPTER 52.
hath obeyed mee and hee sayth vnto Prelates wâ—oe soe heareth you heareth mee Therefore all such persons forsaking forth with that which â—iketh their owne Fancy and will and leaning the workes of their hands about which they were occupyed vnfinished and vnpeâ— fited lett them presently with the Foote â— obedience follow the voyce of the Commâ— under and in one and the selfe some momâ— lett the Action of the Scholler bee vnitâ— with the Commaundement of the Mistris iâ— all dilligence and in the Feare of God whicâ— twoe thinges are most comoÌ„ly accoÌ„plishâ— by those that haue a desire to goe to the eueâ— during life and therefore they take the naâ—row may which leadeth vnto life to the enâ— they way not liue at their owne will aÌ„d pleâ—sure but to liue and walke after the Iudgmâ— and coÌ„maundement of another liuing in Monastery and desiring to haue an Abbess and Prelate ouer them without all doub such persons as these follow that sentencâ— of our lord where in hee sayâ—h I came no to doe my owne will but the will of hiâ— that sent mee Then shall this obedience bee agreable vnto God and delightfull vnâ—â— men if that which is commaunded bee accomplished not timorously slowly or witâ— murmuration or wîth an answeare as it were of one who had noe mynde or will to obey for the obedience which is done to Superiours is done to God For heesa yâ— whoe soe heareth you heareth mee and it is necessary that the Schollers obey with agood and a merry Cheeâ—e for God loueth the merry giuer For if shee obey with a repining hart al though shee murmur not whith her mouth but onely in her hart and yet fullfilleth that which is commaunded not with standing it will not bee gratefull to God which behouldeth the hart of the Murmurer and by such an Action shee obtayneth noe Grace af all but deserueth the scourge of such as are Murmurers except shee Repent her and make due satisfaction by her amendment Of Silence CHAPTER 6 LETT vs fullfill that which the Prophett sayth I haue sayd I will keepe my wayes that I offend not with my Tong I haue put a watch be fore my Mouth I became speeth lesse and humbled my selfe and held my peace in those things that where good here the Prophett sheweth that some tymes wee must not speake of good maters and that in regard of silence how much more ought wee to keepe our Mouths from naughty and vayne talke for feare of committing Sinne thereby therefore the perfect Sister may rarely haue licence to talke though otherwise of good and holy matters in regard of the great decency of silence for it is writte in many words thou shalt not eschew sinnâ— and in another place life and death is in thâ— power of a Toung for it belongeth to thâ— Mistris to speake and to instruct and â— apportayneth to the Scholler to giue earâ— and keepe silence And therefore if you hauâ— neede to demaunde anything of the Abbess doe it with all humilitie submission anâ— Reuerence VVee vtterly condemne by thâ— perpetuall prohibition in all places to vsâ— any scurrell speech or idle words giuinâ— cause to laughter and wee doe not permit that the Sisters euer open their Mouth to anâ— such manner of talke Of the sundry and manifold Commendations of Humilitie CHAPTER 7 SIsters the holy Scripture cryeth out vnto vs and sayth hee whichexalteth himselfe shal bee numbled and hee which humbleih himselfe shal bee exalted and in soe saying it declareth vnto vs that all exaltation is a kinde of Pride from which how dilligently the Prophett kept himselfe hee sheweth when hee sayth olord my â—art was not exalted and my eyes were not borne aloft neither haue I walked in marueylous things aboue my selfe but what if I haue not â—â—ought humbly of my selfe and if I haue exâ—â—ted my Soule then lett mee bee rewarded 〈◊〉 such sort as the Child that is seperated froÌ„â—â—s mothers breast and therefore Sisters if wee will reach to the topp of this soueraigne humilitie lett vs by our Actions tending to â—eauen wards reare vpp the ladder which â—â—peared to Iacob in his sleepe on which the â—ngells were seene to ascend and descend this ascent and descent giueth vs to vnderstand nothing els but the exaltation which proceedeth of humblyng our selfes and the descent which is by exalting our selfes And this ladder thus erected may bee sayd to bee our life in this world the which by humiliâ—le of hart god lifteth vpp to heauen and wee say our Soule and body are the sides of this ladder where in his deuine Vocation hath â—ett diuers digrees of humilitie or discipline where by to ascend vpward Of the first degree of humilitie THE first degree is if shee haue the feare of God before her hyes and that shee take heed that shee neuer for gett herselfe and that shee continually beare in memory all which God hath commaunded and how those which contemne god shall endure the paynes of Hell for their Sinnes and offences and that shee haue allwayes her hart setled on the euerlasting life which is ordayned for those that feare our lord and that shee keepe herselfe at all howers and moments from Sinne and Vice either of the thought of the Toung of the eyes of the hande of the Feete of her owne will and that shee endeauouâ— to roote out all fleshly desires lett each one consider that shee is continually in the sight of God which is in heauen and to bee seene with his deuyne eyes and at all moments to bee presented before him by holy Angells The Prophet sheweth this when hee declareth that god is priuy to our very cogitations saying God searcheth the harts and Raynes And againe hee sayth God knoweth the Cogitations of me and more ouer thou vnderstandest my Cogitations a farr of and an other tyme the thought of man shall bewray it selfe to thee therefore to the end shee may bee carefull of her ill Cogitations lett the humble Sister allwayes say in her hart I shall then bee pure and fayre in the sight of God when I shall keepe my selfe from all â—niquitie Wee are forbidd to doe our owne Wills when the Scripture sayth vnto vs leaue your Wills and wee say to god in our prayers that his Will bee done in vs Therefore wee are taught not to doe our owne Willes when wee looke to that which the Scripture sayth there are some wayes which seeme vnto men to bee right good the end where of leadeth to the botto melesse pitt of hell and alsoe wee shall auoyde that which is sayd of the negligent that they become Corrupt liuers and abominable in their delights lett vs sted fastly beleiue that God is still present to all our carnall desires according to the Words of the Prophett spoken to god before thee are all my desires Therefore wee must esch ew all euill desires for death standeth neere to the entry of delectation And therefore the Scripture sayth follow not thy
things which belong to the Monastery negligently or sluttishly lett her bee punished and if shee doe not amend lett her bee put to regular discipline VVether the Religious should haue any thing proper to themselues or noe CHAPTER 22. THIS Vice of propriety much bee wholly plucked vpp by the Rootes out of the Monastery that none presume to giue or Receaue any thing what soeuer proper to themselues not soe much as a booke or writting Tables or any Instrument to write withall yea nothing at all for they ought to haue neither bodyes nor wills at their owne disposing They must receaue all their necessaryes from their Abbesse neither shall it bee lawfull for them to haue any thing but that which the Abbesse shall giue them or appoynte them to haue lett euery thing bee common to euery one as it is written neither lett any presume to say that any thing is her owne If soe bee that any shal bee found to take delight in this pernitions Vice lett her bee once or twice admonished and if shee amend not lett her bee punished VVhe ther euery one ought to rcceaue all necessaryes equally CHAPTER 23. IT is written that to euery one was distributed according to their necessity Wee say not that their should bee any distinction of Persons god for bidd but rather that Consideration bee had of euery ones infirmity soe that shee which hath lesse neede bee thankefull to god therefore and noe way greiued in her mynde but shee that hath more neede must bee more humble in respect of her Infirmitie and not puffed vpp with pride for the mercy which is vsed towards her and thus euery member shal bee in peace and quietnesse Wee giue you this speciall Caueat to bee ware that the Sinne of Murmuration may not for any occasion appeare either in Worde or in any externall signe what soeuer and if any bee taken in this fault lett her bee putt vnto seuere punisment Of the hebdomadaries or weekely Offices in the kitching CHAPTER 24. LETT the Sisters serue each othersand none must bee excused from seruing in the kitching except shee bee hindred by sicknesse or in respect of some greater Commoditie for here by the more Charitie and merritt is gayned lett the weaker sort haue some solace that they may not doe it male content but lett them haue some assistance according to the State of the Congregation and situation of the place If the Conhregation bee great the Cellarier shal bee excused from the kitchin or whosoeuer is hindred with businesse of greater importance as wee haue sayd but lett all the rest serue each other with all Charitie being at the weekes end to goe out of office lett her on Saterday make all things cleane lett her wash the clothes where with the Sisters wipe their hands and Feete Both shee that is to enter and shee that is to depart must wash the Feete of all the rest Lett her resigne all the Vessell belonging to her office neate and whole vnto the Cellarier the which Cellarier must deliuer thē againe vnto her that entreth into that Office that shee may know what shee deliuereth and what shee receaueth The Hebdomadaryes must take some peece of bread ād a draught of drincke ouer and aboue their ordinary Portion one hower before the rest of the Couent take their Refection soe that at the hower of Refection they may serue their Sisters without murmuring for their ouer much labour vppon Solemne Feasts they must abstayne till Masse bee ended Euery Sunday the hebdomadaryes wich enter and goe out of office shall kneele them Downe before euery one requesting their Prayers They that goe out of office must say this verse Benedictus es Domine Deus qui adiuuisti me consolatus es me blessed bee thou o lord god wich hast holpen mee and comforted mee which Verse being three tymes repeated lett her that entreth into the Officē follow and say Deus in adiutoriū meum intende Domine ad adiuuandū me festina and this being in like manner thrice repeated of all hauing receaued the Benediction lett her enter into her office Of the infirme and sscke Sisters CHAPTER 25. BEFORE and aboue all things care must bee had of the sicke soe that Seruice bee done vnto them as to Christ himselfe for hee hath sayed I was infirme and sicke and you visited mee ād that which you haue done to one of my litle ones you haue done it to my selfe yea lett the infirme Consider with themselues that all this Seruice is done them for the honour of God and lett them not bee trouble some to the Sisters which serue them by ouer much superfluity Not withstanding they are much to bee borne withall for by such as they are the greater merritt is obtayned therefore lett the Abbesse bee carefull that they endure nothing vppon the negligence of others Vnto the sicke a place must bee appoynted and some to serue them that haue the feare of God and are carefull and dilligent lett the infirme haue the vse of the Bath soe oftē as it shal bee expedient but lett it bee rarely granted to those that are whole especially to the younger sort yelett t hose that are all togeather weake eate flesh for their Recouery but when they are recouered lett them abstaine from flesh as they were wont to doe lett the Abbesse haue especiall care that the sicke bee not neglected either by the Cellarier or by those that serue them for it is imputed vnto her fault how soeuer her Scollers err and offend Of those that are old and very younge CHAPTER 26. ALthough that man of his owne nature is easely drawne to pitty the ould and young yet notwithstanding lett them bee prouided for by the authoritie of your Rule lett allwayes consideration bee had of their Weaknesse and vse not in any wise the stricknesse of the Rule as concerning their dyett but allwayes lett them bee confidered with pitty◠and lett them preuent the ordinary tymes of eating Of the hebdomary Reader CHAPTER 27 THE Sisters must neuer bee without reading at meales yet lett not euery one presume to reade as by chance shee shall take the booke in hand but lett her beginn vppon Sunday that is to read all the weake following whoe entring into the office must request the Prayers of the rest ymmediately after Masse and Communion that God would deliuer her from the Spirritt of Pride and lett this Verse bee recited thrice of all them in the Church Domine labia mea aperies os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam and soe lett her beginn to reade hauing first receaued her benediction let soueraigne silence bee obserued at meate neither whispering or other noyse be there herd but onely of the Reader and lett all that is necessary both for meate and drinke bee soe deliuered to the Sisters that none may haue neede to demaunde any thing Notwith standing if any thing shal bee wanting lett it rather bee demaunded by the sound of some
hose a muffe a knife penn and Inck horne needles handchatchers aÌ„d some litle Tables that all excuse of necessity may bee remoued Notwithstanding the senteÌ„ce in the Acts of the Apostles is duly to bee considered of the Abbesse that to euery one was giuen as they had neede euen soe lett the Abbesse consider the Infirmity of those that are in want and not the euill disposed mynds of the enuious yet in all her Iudgments lett her thinke vppon the Retribution of Almighty God Of those Sisters that are shillfull in any art CHAPTER 42. IF there bee any sisters in the Monastery that are cunnig in any Art lett them exercise them selues in those Arts soe that the Abbesse shall commaund them there vnto but if any should wax proude of her cunning because shee esteemes herselfe profitable to the Monastery â—ett her bee put from her Art and lett her not vse it againe vntill the Abbesse after her humiliation shall commaund her thereunto if any of the workes of those skilfull religious are to bee sould lett them looke vnto it through whose hands they are to passe that they presume not to committ any fraude and lett them bee allwayes myndefull of Ananias and Saphyra lest peraduenture all those that haue committed any fraude in thes affayres of the Monastery incurre that death in their Soules which these incurred in their bodyes as touching the prices of those workes take heedâ— that noe auarice creepe in but lett them bee giuen better cheape of you then they would bee of other secular people that in all your Actions Gods glory may bee exalted Of the manner of receauing of Nouices CHAPTER 43. VVHEN any cometh newly to conuert herselfe to god from the World permitt her not to haue easy entrance amongh you But as the Apostle sayth proue the Spirritts whether they bee of god if therefore shee that commeth shall perseuer in knocking and shal bee seene to beare patiently for foure or fiue dayes iniuryes that are offered her and the difficulty that is made her of her admitting then graunt her entrance and letâ— her remayne for some fewdâ—yes in the guesse lodging afterwards lett her liue in the Cell of the Nouices and there let her meditate eate and sleepe and lett some ancient bee appoynted ouer her as it is fitt to gayne Soules who must bee very curious and carefull in considering whether shee seeke god in very deede and is dilligent in his seruice in obedience in reading and in enduring of iniuryes let her haue declared vnto her the hardnesse and asperity by which shee must labour to come to God and if shee shall promise perseuerance of her continuance then after two Monethes are expired lett the rule all in order bee reade to her and lett it bee sayd vnto her behould here is the law vnder which thou desirest to fight if thou art able to obserue enter but if thou canst not depart with all liberty and Freedome If shee still continew then lett her bee brought to the affore sayd Cell of the Nouices and there lett her paâ—ience bee throughly proued and after the space of six monethes lett the rule by reade againe vnto her that shee may know what shee taketh in hand and if shee as yet perseuereâ—h after foure Monethes lett the same rule bee reade againe and if after shee hath throughly deliberated with her selfe that shee will promise to obserue all and to fullfill al things that shal bee commaunded her then lett her bee admitted and receaued vnto your Congregation knowing that by the vigor of the Rule it is decreed that from that day afterward shee may neuer depart from the Monastery nor may with draw her neeke from the yoake of the Rule that which shee might haue refused hauing soe long and mature deliberation Of the manner of their Profession CHAPTER 44. SHEE that is to bee admitted must make promise publikely before all in the Church before God and his Saints of her stability change of manners and obedience that if peraduenture shee should doe otherwise afterwards shee may know that shee shall receaue the sentence of damnation of Allmighty God whoÌ„ shee hath mocked of the which promise by her made lett her make a petitioÌ„ in the name of those Saints whose Reliques are in that place and of the Abbesse there present The which petition must bee subscribed with her owne hand if shee cannot write let another write iâ— at her request and then lett her make a Signe there vppon and afterward lay it vppon the Altar with her owne hand which after shee hath there layed lett her presently beginn this verse Suscipe me domine secundum eloquium tuum viuam non conâ—undas me ab expectatione mea that is to sâ—y receaue mee a lord according to thy holy word and I shall liue and confound mee not in my expection the which verse the whole Congregation answeareth three tymes adding Gloria Patri c. to the last Then lett the new Sister prostrate herselfe before the Feete of euery one that they will pray for her and soe from that day lett her bee accounted one of the Congregation if shee hath any thing lett her either distribute it to the poore or lett her make a solemne donation there of to the Monastery retayning nothing at all vnto herself for shee is to vnderstand that from that tyme forwarde shee hath noe authoritie or challenge not soe much as to he owne body Therefore lett her fortwith in the Church bee spoyld of all her owne where with shee was cloathed and lett her put on the habitt of the Monastery but lett those Cloathes which shee hath put of bee layed a side and bee kept in the guardroabe that if at any time shee should coÌ„seÌ„t to the deuill to leaue the Monastery which God forbidd that then being spoyled of her Monasticall habitt shee may bee cast and expelled thence But lett her not receaue the writting which the Abbesse tooke from the Altar but lett it bee reserued and kept in the Monastery Of the manner of receauing the daughters of Noblemen gentlemen Ritchmen or pooremen CHAPTER 45. IF any Nobleman or gentleman offereth his daughter to God in your Monastery iâ— the child shal bee very young lett er parents make the foresayd petition for her and with their oblation lett them wrapp the fore sayd petition and the hâ—nd of the child in the Towell of the Altar aÌ„d soe they may offer her but as concerning her goods lett them promise vnder their oath in the present petition that they will neuer by themselues oâ— by any other person or any way besides giue her any thing or at any tyme offer her occasion to haue any thing or if they will not doe this but that they will giue any thing in Almes to the Monastery for their Merritt lett them make a donation of those things which they will giue to the Monastery retayning to themselues if soe they please the vse and proffitt of the same
IF peraduenture some Sister should haue any thing enioyned her that is impossible to bee done lett her receaue the Commaundement of her that commaunded her with all sweetenesse and obedience and if shee see that the weight of the burthen doth altogeather exceede the compasse of her force then lett her at some fitt tyme and with all patience declare vnto the Superior the cause of the Impossibilitie thereof without all pride Resistance or Contradiction And if after her suggestion the Commaundement of the Superiour continew in the former Rigour let the Inferiour then vnderstand that it is expedient for her that it should bee soe and soe lett her obey with all loue and Charitie reposing her trust in the helpe of God How one may not defend another in the Monastery CHAPTER 53. YOV must take good heede that one Sister presume not to defend or beare out another in the Monastery for what cause soeuer though they bee neuer soe familiar and neere in bloode and in noe sort lett this bee presumed by the Sisters for thereby great occasion of schādall may arise And if any transgresse this Rule let her bee seuerely punished That one may not presume to stricke another CHAPTER 54 TO the end that all manner of presumption may bee excluded out of the Monastery wee ordayne and appoynte that it bee not lawfull for any to excommunicate or stricke the Sissers excepting her onely to whom this authoritie is giuen by the Abbesse Butt lett those that offēd bee reprehended before the rest that others thereby may bee kept in more awe But lett Chastisement or sharpe correction bee giuen vnto Childrē by the Sisters vntill they come to sixteene yeares of age and lett good watch bee held ouer them yet with that regard and discretion that it passe not the bounds and measure of reason for whoe shall presume to stricke them when they shall come to riper yeares without the commaundement of the Abbesse or to worke her passion indescretely vppon soe much as the very Children lett her bee submitted to the punishment of the Rule for it is written that which thou wouldest not haue done to thy selfe see thou doe it not to another That the Sisters must obey one another CHAPTER 55. THE Vertue of obedience ought to bee performed of euery one not onely to the Abbesse but alsoe the Sisters must obey one another knowing that by this way of obedience they shall goe to our lord Therefore after the Commaundement of the Abbesse and of the ancients put in office by her before whose cōmaūdemēts wee permitt that noe perticuler persons commaundements should take place lett those that are younger obey those that are their Ancients with all loue and dilligence ād if any should bee found to bee a Comtemner of her Ancients lett her bee punished likewise if any Sister bee in any sort reprehended by her Abbesse or any of her Ancients for any cause how litle soeuer or if shee perceaue that the Countenance of her Ancient bee neuer soe litle changed with anger against her I say how litle soeuer it bee lett her forth with cast herselfe vppon the ground and there ly prostrate before her feete doing her satisfaction soe long vntill that motion bee cured with some benediction and if any should contemne to doe it let her bee put to some corporall punishment and if shee continew still hardned in her opinion then let her bee thrust out of the Monastery Of the good Zeale and Charitie the Sisters ought to haue one towards another CHAPTER 56. AS there is an euill and bitter Zeale and hatred that seperateth from God and leadeth vnto hell euen soe there is a good Zeale that seperateth from Vice and leadeth vnto God and vnto his euerlasting life Therefore lett the Sisters exercise one towards another this good Zeale with a most feruent loue and affection that is to say lett them preuent one another with honour bearing patiently each others infirmities whether they bee of body or of their behauiour and let them striue to obey one another with all their power and abilitie let none follow that which to her owne Iudgment seemeth good and profitable but rather that which shall seeme good to another shewing all sisterly Charitie in a most pure and chast loue see they feare God loue their Abbesse with a sincere and humble affection and preferr nothing before our Sauiour Iesus Christ who of his goodnesse bring vs all to that life that neuer shall haue end Amen How that the obseruation of all Iustice is not contayned in this Rule CHAPTER 57. VVEE haue sett downe this Rule that by the obseruing it in the Monastery wee may shew vnto others that we haue in some honest kinde good behauour and the beginning of a holy Conuersation But for those that speede forward in the perfection of holy Conuersation there are the good lessons of holy Fathers the obseruation where of bringeth a man to the topp of perfection what Page or what Word of the diuine Authoritie is not a most right Rule of mans life or what booke of the holy Catholike Fathers doth not sound out this that by a direct Course wee may come to our Creator Alsoe the Collations of holy Fathers and the Rule of our holy Father S. Basill what other thing are they but the Examples of good life and of obedient and good people and the very Instruments of Vertues but to vs sluggish ill ād negligent people they are a shame and confusion therefore whosoeuer thou art that makest hast to that heauenly Country fullfill by the ayde of our Sauiour Christ this litle Rule written for young beginners and then afterwards by the protection of God thou shalt come to those more greater perfectiōs of doctrine and vertuous life where of wee haue already made mention Soe bee it FINIS