THE FIRST RVLE OF THE GLORIOVS VIRGIN S. CLARE AUDOMARI Typis Thomae Geubels 1665. Permissu Superiorum THE PREFACE THE Rule or forme of life which the Religious woemen of the order of S. Clare promise and professe to obserue is that which Blessed S. Francis at the earnest intreatie and request of S. Clare and her companions did write and deliuer vnto them about the yeare of our Lord 1224. and the 12. after her conuersion vnto God which she at Assisium with some other few Monasteries did carefully obserue for about 30. yeares although it was not as yet confirmed by Bull vntil the yeare of our Lord 1253. the 11. of Pope Jnnocent the forth and the last of her life She at least had that comfort some few days before her departure to see that Rule confirmed by Bull which her self for diuers yeares had freely and piously obserued which her successours in their sacred Professiō now promise by Vow to keep and follow and which the seraphical Father S. Francis had with much prayer and many teares framed and written The occasion or reason of her demanding or his writing of this Rule is mentioned by the R F Lucas Wadding in the 1. Tome of his Annals on the yeare of our Lord 1224 and 9. of Honorius the Third S. Clare à deuout disciple and true follower of the seraphical spirit of soe great à Master disdayning all things of this world and emulating such as were more eminent hauing vnderstood in the yeare of our Lord 1223. and the 8. of Honorius the third that that hard Rule of the Friar-Minors was giuen and by him confirmed she the yeare following with her companions of Assisium made earnest suit to S. Francis that he would please to giue in writing vnto her also and her sisters of S. Damian some Rule or forme of life besids what he had before deliuered vnto them by word of mouth conformable vnto that which was cōfirmed to the Friar-Minors the yeare before wherby after the death of soe great à Master as wel they as those who were to succeed them might be gouerned He after serious deliberatiō communicating the matter with Cardinal Hugoline then Protector of the Order of Friar-Minors and perceiuing the sisters feruour aspired yet higher as not cōtent with the Jnstitution giuen them by the said Cardinal Hugoline some few yeares before which the other Monasteries not withstāding except this of Assisiū were contēt and satisfied withall wrote for them à proper Rule and did accommodate the same to that of the Friar-Minors soe far forth as their weake sexe would permitt thē they both ouerseeing the work whilst S. Francis stayed at some word or periode Hugoline gaue him assistance and counsel concerning the circumspection or mitigation he esteemed needfull to be vsed in a matter of soe high cōcernment and in writing they could not forbeare weeping considering the Virgins zeale and feruour did exceed the ordinarie straine and weaknesse of their sexe This is commonly called the first Rule of S. Clare not because it was giuen first for it was deliuered rather in the third place and soe receiued by S. Clare but it is called the first by reason of fiue different Rules or formes of life giuen and receiued at differēt times For three being almost antiquated it may be called the first of the two remaining for better vnderstanding wherof J shal in breef only mention these fiue afore-named Rules togeather with theire beginnings Jn the yeare of our The 1. Rule Lord 1212. and 15. of Jnnocent the third the most Holy Virgin S. Clare began the order of poore Clares the 18. yeare of her age in a Monasterie of S. Damian without the gates of the Cittie of Assisium in the way towards Rome whēce they were know'n anciently by the name of Damiates or Assisiates wher S. Francis tought them a certain manner of liuing in common and gaue them an vnpolish't Rule such an one as was thē fitting for those that were newly conuerted from the vanities of the world they liuing vnanimously and deuoutly practising the said forme of life for the space of about six yeares Vntil the vertuous The 2. Rule Cardinal Hogoline who succeeded in the sea of Rome by the name of Gregorie the 9. wrote some directions with Jnstructiōs annexed which he first sent by his owne autoritie vnto S. Clare and her deuout Companie liuing in the Monasterie of S. Damian and being with zeale by them receiued he reduced them into a better forme and by authoritie of the sea Apostolique did adioyne these his Constitutions to the Rule of S. Benedict and sent them the second time to the said S. Clare and her sisters which they vnanimously receiued in the 4. yeare of the Popedome of Honorius the third and of our Lord 1219. Jn the yeare of our The 3. Rule Lord 1223. the Glorious Virgin S. Clare with her Companions of the Monasterie of Assisium zealously emulating the heigth of perfection in most sublime Pouertie did hūbly request that great Master of spirit S. Francis that he would please to frame for them a yet more setled Rule of life for present ād future ages which he wrote accordingly and deliuered vnto them in the yeare of our Lord 1224. they of Assisium punctualy obseruing it for aboue 30. yeares vntil it was confirmed by a Bull of Pope Jnnocent the 4. the 11. yeare of his Popedome and some few days before the happie death of the Glorious Mother S. Clare And this is the Rule which here we declare and treate of and the sisters of her Order doe promise successiuely in their Holy Profession to obserue and follow it which though third in number yet deseruedly beareth the name of the first Rule of S. Clare the two former being alreadie in a manner forgotten hauing only been in vse and practised about 12. yeares besids that as in all beginnings soe were those more rude and vnpolish't The 4. Rule or forme The 4. Rule of life deliuered vnto the Order of S. Clare is that which by sollicitation of some Friar-Minors without the cōsent or knowledge of S. Clare was vnderhand dealt for to be cōfirmed by Jnnocent the 4. the 5. yeare of his Popedome wherin diuers substantial points were changed and new on s inserted concerning the austeritie Pouertie subiection and such like J wil only touch in breife what Ludouicus Miranda a graue Author of the said Order of Friar-Minors doth mention concerning it in his first part of the exposition of the Rule of S. Clare 9. chapt This Rule 4.th in order was procured saith he by the suggestion and sollicitation of some Prelats of the Order of Friar-Minors certaine Abbesses ioyning with them without the priuitie or consent of S. Clare who hauing vnderstood the matter and that the Prelats of the Order intended to bind her and her sisters of Assisium as they had inforced other Monasteries to the acceptance and obligation of this new Rule she with
vvise that she be sent out of the Monasterie as is ordained in the Council of Trēt sess 25. cap. 16. shal be receiued to obedience promising perpetually * to obserue your māner of pouertie and forme of life 8. None shal receiue the vaile during the time of Probation 9. The sisters may haue little cloakes for modestie and commoditie of their seruise and labour 10. The Abbess shall discreetly prouide that the sisters haue cloathes according to the qualitie of the persons times places and climats as she shal iudge their necessitie to require 11. They who are receiued into the Monasterie before sufficient years hauing their haire cutt of and their secular habit taken away shal be cloathed with such cloath as the Religious according to the discretion of the Abbess and when they are come to fitt age taking the habit as others doe they shal make their probation 12. And the Abbess as wel for them as for other Nouices shal carefully prouide a Mistresse one of the discreetest of the Monasterie who is diligently to instruct them in modest manners and holy conuersation according to the forme of your Profession 13. The same manner shal be obserued in the admittāce of the sisters who serue without the Monasterie and those sisters may weare shoes 14. None may dwell within the Monasterie vnlesse they be receiued according to the forme of your Profession 15. J doe admonish pray and request my sisters that for the loue of the most Holy and sweet child JESUS who was wrapped in poor cloutes and layd in a crib and for the loue of his Holy Mother that they alwais desire to be clad in poore cloathes Of the Diuine Office fasting Confession and Cōmunion JJJ. CHAPT 1. THe sisters that can read when they may haue breuiaries shal say the diuine office according to the custome of the Friar-Minors reading it without song and they who sometimes for some reasonable impediment are hindred frō reading their office may say Pater nosters in lieu therof as other sisters doe who can not read 2. Those sisters who can not read shal say 24. Pater nosters for Matines 5. for Laudes for Prime Tierce Sexte and None for each of them 7. For euensong 12. for Compline 7. 3. For the Euensong of the dead they shal say also 7. Pater nosters with Requiem aeternam for the Matines 12. The sisters who can reade are bound to recite the office of the dead 4. When any sister of the Monasterie is departed this life the sisters shal say 50. Pater nosters for her soule 5. The sisters shal alwais fast but on the Natiuitie of our Lord they may make two refections vpon what day soeuer it hapneth With the young weake and those who serue whithout the Monasterie the Abbess may charitably dispense when she thinketh good but in time of manifest necessitie the sisters are not obliged to corporal fasting 6. They shal confesse with licence of the Abbess at the least 12. times in the yeare and then lett them take care that they mingle nor any words which appertaine not to Confession or the good of their soules 7. They shal receiue the H Sacrament of the altar seauē times in the yeare as on the Natiuitie of our Lord on Maunday thursday Easterday Whittsonday the Assumptiō of the Blessed Virgin Marie S. Francis his day and vpon the feast of all saints 8. The Chaplaine may celebrate within the Monasterie for communicating of the sick Of the Election of the Abbess JU CHAPT 1. IN the Election of the Abbess the sisters are bound to obserue the * The Constitution of Gregorie the 15. vvill haue the Bishop or his Vicar to be present at the Election of the Abbess And if the Sisters be vnder the gouernment of the sayd Bishop they are in time to acquaint him or his Vicar to knovv his vvill and leasure concerning the future election Canonical forme 2. Lett them procure to haue the General Minister or the Prouincial of the Friar-Minors who with the word of God shal exhort thē to concord and vnion and to seek the common good in the election 3. None shal be chosen who is not Professed or if such an one were chosen or otherwise giuen for Abbess they shal not obey her vnlesse she first vow to obserue the forme of their Pouertie 4. When the Abbess dyeth the election of an other shal be made 5. Jf at any time it shal seeme to the communitie that the Abbess elected be not sufficient for the seruise of the sisters and the cōmon good the sayd sisters are obliged to chose an other as speedely as they can according to the forme afore-sayd 6. Lett her who is elected weigh and consider what a burden she hath taken vpon her and to whom she must render an account of the flock committed vnto her Lett her striue to be superiour in vertues and to exceed others in holy manners rather then in office to the end the sisters moued by her example may obey her more for loue then feare 7. Lett her banish all particular affections least particularitie breed scandall to the communitie 8. Lett her be the comfort and last refuge to the afflicted least the weak wanting relief by her meanes may chāce to be ouercome by the sadness of despaire 9. She shal follow the Communitie in all things especially in the Church dormitorie refectorie and infirmarie as also in her attire the which her Uicaress is also obliged to obserue 10. The Abbess shal assemble the sisters to Chapter at the least once a weeke wher she and the other sisters are humbly to acknowledge all their publique offences and negligences 11. Lett her ther conferr with all her sisters of those things which are to be treated of for the good and decencie of the Monasterie for it often happeneth that God reuealeth vnto the least what is best to be done 12. Noe great debts shal be contracted or made without manifest necessitie and common cōsent of the sisters and that by meanes of their Procuratour 13. Lett the Abbess with her sisters take care that they receiue nor keep any thing for others within the Monasterie for oftentimes by these meanes ariseth trouble and scandall 14. For the better conseruing of mutual peace and vniō all the officers of the Monasterie shal be chosen by common consent of all the sisters 15. They shal chuse in like manner at the least eight sisters of the discreeter whose counsel the Abbess is bound to vse in what concernes their forme of life 16. The sisters may and ought sometimes to change the officers and discreets and chuse others in their places when they shal iudge it expedient and profitable Of silence and of the manner of speaking at the Grate and speakehouse U. CHAPT 1. THE sisters shal keep silēce from the howre of Compline vntil Tierce those excepted who serue without the Monasterie 2. They shal euer keep silence in the Church and dormitorie but in the refectorie
in time of refection only And it is always lawfull for the sisters to speake discreetly in the infirmarie for the attendance and recreation of the sicke 3. The sisters may neuerthelesse at all times and places speake breifly and with a low voice of things requisite and necessarie 4. Jt is not lawfull for the sisters to speake at the grate or speak-house without licēce of the Abbess or Uicaress and they who with leaue shal speake at the speake-house shal not doe it but in presence and hearing of two sisters 5. None shal presume to come to the grate vnless three at least appointed by the Abbess or Vicaress be present of the number of those Discreet who are chosen by all the sisters for the Counsell of the Abbess 6. The Abbess and Vicaress as neer as they can are bound to obserue this manner of speaking which at the grate shal be very seldome but at the gate shal neuer be permitted 7. They shal hang a cloath within the grate which shal not be drawn but in time of a sermon or whilst they speak vnto others 8. Ther shal be within the grate a dore of wood strēgthned with two locks and bolts of iron which shal be locked principally in the night time with two keys one of which the Abbess shal keep and the sacristan the other 9. The sayd dore is alwais to remaine shutt except in time of reading the diuine office or for the causes aboue mentioned 10. None may speake at the grate in what sort soeuer before the resing or after the setting of the sunne 11. At the speak-house ther shal alwais be a cloath within which shal neuer be taken of 12. Noe sisters may speak at the speak-house within S. Martin's Lent nor within the great Lent but only to the Priest for cause of Confessiō or for other manifest necessitie which shal be reserued to the discretion of the Abbess or Vicaress That the sisters may not receiue possessions by them selues or by any person interposed UJ. CHAPT 1. AFter that the heauenly Father had vouchsafed through his diuine grace to illuminate my heart in such sort * VVhat follovveth hath been added since the death of S. Francis that by the example and doctrine of our Holy Father S. Francis J began to doe pennance a little after his conuersion J with my sisters did willingly promise obedience vnto him 2. The Holy Father perceiuing that we feared noe pouertie labour tribulation vilitie or contempt of this world but that we esteemed these as great delights he moued with pietie wrote vnto vs a forme of life in this manner 3. Considering * An extract of a letter vvhich S. Francis vvrote to S. Clare and her compagnions that through the inspiratiō of God you haue made your selues Daughters and Hand-maids to the most high and souereigne King the heauenly Father and haue espoused your selues to the Holy Ghospel J wil and promise by my self and my Brothers to haue alwais a special and diligent care ouer you as ouer them 4. The which whilst he liued he diligently performed and willed it should be allways obserued by his Brothers 5. And to the end that we should in noe time decline from the most holy pouertie which we had embraced nor those who should succeed vs he wrote vnto vs his last will a little before his death saying 6. J Brother Francis being poore * This is an extract of an other letter vvhich S. Frācis vvrote a little before his death wil follow the life and pouertie of our most souereigne Lord Jesus Christ and of his most holy Mother and wil perseauer in the same vnto the end And J beseech and counsel you all my deare sisters that you liue perpetually in this most holy life and pouertie and be carefull that you neuer depart from the same pouertie through the teaching or counsel of any 7. And as J haue always been solicitous togeather with my sisters to obserue the S. Clare expresseth her ardent zeale and desire of most sublime and rigorous ouertie holy pouertie which we haue promised to God and Holy S. Frācis in like manner all the Abbesses that shal succeed me in the office and all the sisters are bound inuiolably to obserue it vnto the end To witt not to receiue possessions or haue proprietie either by thēselues or any person interposed nor any thing that may wrightly be called proprietie except a little ground which necessitie doth require for decencie and repairing of the Monasterie and this ground may not be cultiuated otherwise then as a garden for the vse of the sisters The manner to be obserued by the sisters in their manual work 's UJJ. CHAPT 1. THE sisters on whom God hath bestowed the guift of working shal employ them selues faithfully and deuoutly after Tierce in all such work 's as appertaine to the decencie and common good of the Monasterie Jn such sort that both idleness the enemie to the soule be expelled and the spirit of holy prayer and deuotion whervnto all temporal things are referred be not extinguished 2. The sisters shal be bound in presence of all to declare in Chapter to the Abbess or Uicaress that which they haue wrought with their hands 3. The like shal be obserued if any send almes for the necessitie of the sisters to the end that in common they may recōmend them to God And they shal be all distributed by the Abbess or Vicaress with the counsel of the Discreet for the good of the Communitie That the sisters shal not appropriate any thing to them selues and of the sick sisters UJJJ. CHAPT 1. THE sisters shal not appropriate any thing to them selues neither house place or other thing but as pilgrims and strangers in this world serue our Lord in pouertie and humilitie 2. Lett them send for almes with cōfidence neither ought they to be ashamed therof seeing our Lord made himself poore in this world for loue of vs. 3. This is the height of most sublime pouertie which hath placed you my most dearly beloued sisters heires and queen's of the Kingdome of heauen making you poore in temporal commodities and exalting you high in vertue Lett this be your portion which doth lead you into the land of the liuing vnto which dearly beloued sisters wholy adhering for the name of our Lord JESUS Christ doe you neuer at any time possess other thing vnder heauen 4. Jt shal not be lawfull for any sisters to send letters or to receiue or giue any thing out of the Monasterie without licence of the Abbess nor to haue any thing which is not giuen or permitted her by the Abbess 5. And if any thing be sent to any sister from her Parents or from any other person the Abbess may grant it her and if need she may make vse of it if not the Abbess in charitie may dispose of it to relieue the wantes of an other that needs Jf mony be sent vnto any one lett the
lasting vntil Christmasse as also in the second Lent beginning the Munday immediatly after Quinquagesima sonday shal speak with any person in the Speakhouse or at the Grate vnless for causes expressed in the forme of life except only the Abbess Uicaress and Portress concerning the affaires of the Monasterie according to custome At which times writing of letters vnto their kindred or friends is prohibited vnless it be for great and vrgent causes which shal be left to the iudgment of the Abbess 6. We also exhort them in our Lord JESUS CHRIST that when any Sister speaketh at the Grate in the Church or in the Speakhouse for at the Turne it shal not be permitted but for some necessarie and ineuitable occasiō all prolixe and vnprofitable discourses with seculars be auoyded and that their speeches sauour of vertue and pietie as becometh the handmaids of our Lord JESUS and the obseruers of the holy Ghospel 7. The better to auoide familiaritie ād vnnecessarie discourses with seculars We ordaine that noe Sister by her self or others be Godmother to the Children of any person whatsoeuer We also appoint that noe Sister although she haue licence shal speak with any person entring the Monasterie for iust occasion or to visit the sick vnless two Discreet assigned by the Abbess or Uicaress be present and hear their discourse at which time they shal speak with their face modestly couered and body inclined in few words and with a low voice as beseemeth Religious grauitie Of the obseruāce of Holy Pouertie and denyall of all Proprietie XJ. CHAPT 1. SEing that according to the forme of life the Abbess and all the Sisters are to obserue the holy pouertie promised vnto God and S. Francis wherby they dispossesse themselues of all right or interest to any thing whatsoeuer To the end this pouertie may be more entirely obserued We prohibit the Sisters from hyring any house field garden meddow vineyard or other thing whatsoeuer to be husbanded or possessed for their owne priuate vses 2. Besids they shal not haue any inheritances or rents any annuall prouisions or perpetual almes either by themselues or the mediation of any other neither shal they haue any granaryes or store-houses filled with necessaries bought begg'd or otherwise obtained for aboue a yeares prouision which they might sell to sustaine themselues without begging it being wholy repugnant vnto pouertie Nor shal they haue or possesse any heards of sheep oxen horses cupps of gould siluer or other pretious mettall but lett all curious and superfluous things as wel in their house-hold-stuff as in the ornaments of the Church be carefully auoyded that holy pouertie may euer shine amongst you according to the perfection and intention of your holy Rule 3. We also will and ordaine that the legacyes left vnto you be disposed of according to the decree of Nicolas the third in his declaration vpon the Rule of S. Francis And seeing mention is made in the forme of life that the Religious ought not to possesse house place or other thing whatsoeuer as their owne and that the said Pope Nicolas vpon the exposition of the said Rule togeather with Clement the 5. and many other Popes haue declared that the abdication and renuntiation of all things exprest therin ought to be vnderstood and obserued as wel in particular as in general We herevpō adhering to the afore-said declarations doe ordaine and command that the said abdication and renuntiation of all proprietie which they for the loue of God doe vow as meritorious profitable and worthy of an eternal reward be by all present and future as wel in particular as in general entirely obserued Notwithstanding they may with a safe conscience haue the simple vse of those things yet without proprietie which are granted them according to the forme of life and of such also which by the same Rule are not prohibited as for example necessaires requisite for the decent administration of the diuine office for their habitation maintenance and performance of their emploiments according to the said forme of life and holy Religiō They may likewise make vse of those things which they shal haue gained by their labour and industrie as also what others for the loue of God shal giue or procure to be bestowed on them For the things giuen begg'd or earn'd doe not repugne with the state of pouertie and Religion which they professe 4. We ordaine likewise that the almes bestowed on the Sisters as wel in particular as in general be distributed to the needy according to the iudgment of the Abbess And We prohibite any Sister from presuming to giue or bestow any thing sent by her parents or friends of the Conuent whither to her self or others without leaue of the Abbess 5. We wil also that the manner of contracting debts be alwais and euery-wher obserued by the Sisters in such sort as it is contained in the forme of life and that especial regard be had that noe sumptuous or magnificēt building be erected but that they remaine contented with poore and humble houses in imitation of the sacred pouertie of our Lord JESUS CHRIST 6. This point of sublime pouertie hath by enforcing necessitie been dispēced whithal by the Lords Bishops their superiours in some Conuents of the English nation in order to the enioying of lands and rents and receiuing portions during the time of their banishment out of their natiue soyle vntil it shal please God to restore Catholique Religion and rayse vp Conuents in their now afflicted Countrie not hauing other subsistance at present and being only admitted and permitted to liue in town 's of the Low-Countries vpon cōdition and promise of not begging or being chargeable vnto them Of the Infirme Sisters XJJ. CHAPT 1. WE ordaine that the infirme and weak Sisters be carefully prouided for by the Abbess or Vicaress The Sisters deputed to the care of the sick shal haue regard not to be found remisse in their office but shal serue them with all humilitie pietie and feruent charitie as themselues would desire in the same condition 2. Jn like manner the Abbess vnless lawfully hindred shall of charitie visit at the least once a day the infirme who for some time haue been confined vnto their beds and in her absence the Uicaress shal performe the same dutie least through their negligēce the infirme Sisters be depriued of necessaries conuenient for their comfort 3. The Abbess or Vicaress shal not consult any Phisitian or Surgeon vpon the recouerie of any infirme Sister that is not pious and Catholique Such as for iust occasion are call'd into the Monasterie during their aboad ther shall be accompanied by the Abbess or Uicaress or by two or three of the Discreet And when ther shal be present dāger of death lett the soule first by the Holy Sacraments of the Church and then the body be diligently prouided for 4. Moreouer if it should happen to any of the Sisters to be visited with some grieuous or contagious disease
anything necessarie lett the Sisters which are subiect remember that for the loue of God they haue renounced their owne wills wherefore J wil that they obey their Mother as they haue of their owne accord vowed vnto God to doe to the end that their Mother seeing the humilitie charitie and vnion which they haue vnto each other may easily beare the charge which she hath by her office Which because it is heauy and bitter they must through their holy cōuersation seek to turn into sweetness And seeing the way is narrow and the gate strait which leadeth vnto life and few their are which walk in it and few that perseuer therin blessed are those which haue receiued the grace to walk in it and to perseuer therin vnto the end Wherfore lett vs be carefull seing we be entred in to the way of our Lord that by our fault and negligence we doe not fall from the same commit or doe iniurie vnto our Lord vnto his Blessed Mother the Glorious Uirgin Marie vnto our holy Father S. Francis vnto the triumphant and militant Church for it is written cursed are those who decline from thy commandment To obtaine this grace J bow my knees vnto the heauenly Father through the merits of our Lord JESUS and of his B. Mother of our H. Father S. Francis and of all the Saints that it wil please his diuine Maiestie who hath giuen a good beginning to grant grace also that it may augment and without end perseuer euen vntil death Dearly beloued Sisters presēt and to come that you may the better perseuer in our vocation J leaue vnto you this writing in token of our Lords Benediction and of the Benediction of our H. Father S. Francis and of me your Mother and seruant A Prayer vnto the Glorious Virgin Marie Mother of God WHosoeuer shal say deuoutly this ensuing prayer in honour of the most sacred Passion of our Lord and Sauiour JESUS Christ and in honour of his most B. Mother the Uirgin Marie and continue the sayd deuotion for the space of 30. days shal mercifully obtaine his lawfull request as hath been often experienced A most deuout and efficacious Prayer to the euer glorious Virgin Marie EUer glorious and blessed Uirgin Marie Queene of virgins Mother of mercie hope and comfort of all desolate and desperate soules through that sword of grief which perc'd your heart whilst your only son Christ JESUS our Lord suffered death and ignominie on the crosse through his filial tenderness of purest loue in your behalf grieuing in your grief whils't from his Cross he bequeath'd you to the protectiō and care of his Vicar S. Iohn take pittie J beseech you on my pouerties and wants haue compassion on my anxietie and cares help and comfort me in all my infirmities and miseries whatsoeuer You are the Mother of mercies the sweet comfort of the afflicted and desolate the only refuge of all needy and Orphans Cast then an eye of pittie on the teares of a miserable forlorn wretch and heare my prayers and seing for iust punishment of my sins J am surrounded with many euills and much anguish vnto whom shal J haue recourse or where can J be more securely sheltred then vnder the mantle or your Motherly protection o Virgin Marie my sweetest Lady Mother of my Lord and Sauiour JESUS CHRIST comfort and redress of our lost nature Lend therfore J beseech you an eare of compassion and pittie to my hūble requests and prayers J beg it by those bowells of mercie of your dearest son by that sweetness wherwith he embraced our human nature when deliberating with the two other Diuine Persōs and with secreet power of the H. Ghost your consent first being by the Angel demāded and obtained GOD BECAME MAN and 9. months expired vouchsafing mercifully to visit the world with his gracious presence came forth from the chast inclosure of your virginal wombe J beg it by that anguish of mind which your afore-sayd deare son our Lord JESUS Christ indured at mount Oliuet beseeching his heauenly Father to take away if possible that bitter chalice of his future passion by his three tims repeated prayer in the garden and your mournfull stepps when with teares you accompaned him to that dolefull spectacle of his death and sufferings by his whipps scoffs cords ignominies fals accusatiōs and vniust condemnation by that garment gayn'd at a cast at dyce by his teares ād dropps of bloudy sweat by his silence and patience by his feare sadness and grief of heart by his confusion and bashfullness hanging naked on a Cross in your presence and in sight of the whole world by his royal head perc'd with thorn's and struck with a reed by his thirst and pain-full potion of vineger and gall by that lance that perc'd his sacred side and by that bloud and water which flowing thence did showre on vs plentie of mercie and grace by those nailes stuch into his hands and feet by that pretious soule and sweet spirit which he crying with a loud voice my God my God why hast thou forsaken me recommended to his heauenly father and with an inclyned head gaue vp the Ghost saying all is consummated by the rending of rocks and tearing of the vaile of the temple by the earthquake and darck'ning of the sun and moone by his mercie shew'd to the good theef by his adorable Cross and bitter Passiō by his descent to Hell and all those soules which he comforted with his glorious sight by the ioy glorie and victorie of his H. Resurrection appearing vnto you his elect Uirgin Mother and to the rest of his disciples for 40. days by his admirable Ascension when you all behoulding him he was eleuated into heauen by the grace of the H. Paraclet which he in fyerie tongues infused into the hearts of his Disciples and by their zeale inflamed the rest of the vniuerse by that last and dreadfull day when he shal come to iudge the liuing and dead and the world in fire by all the compassion he bore you in this life by the rauishing sweetness of his eyes and by the ineffable ioy you felt being in his sight assumed into Heauen wher world without end you liue and reioyce in him comfort my heart and heare this my prayer for which J am your humble suppliant ASKE HERE DEVOVTLY WHAT-SOEVER YOU PLEASE And as J am confident he can refuse nothing vnto you and doth honour you soe lett me speedily fully and efficaciously experience your help and comfort according to the sweetness of your Motherly and his Filial louing heart who granteth mercifully the request of all that loue him and doth the will that feare him Wherfore sweet Lady according to my present need in this and in all other things whatsoeuer for the which J humbly inuoque your sacred name and assistāce obtaine for me of your dearest Son our Lord God firme hope in the Catholique faith perfect Charitie true contrition of heart a fountaine af teares sincere confession and refrayning from sin condigne satisfaction loue of God and my neighbour contempt of the world and true patience to suffer affronts ignominies and if need be an opprobrious death for loue of your Son our Redeemour JESUS CHRIST Obtaine for me perseuerance in good works execution of my good purposes and Vow 's mortification of self-will conuersation pleasing vnto you and in the last houre of my life a strong and true repentance and presence to my self in word and mind and a happy death Lastly for the soules of my parents brothers Sisters benefactours aliue and dead obtaine for vs all J beseech you life euerlasting Amen An other Prayer to the same HAile blessed Virgin Marie Mother of God Queene of heauen gate of paradise and Lady of the world Thou art a singular pure Uirgin Thou wert conceiued without sin conceiuedst also and brought forth without blemish your Son JESUS the Creator and Redeemour of the world All this doe J beleeue vndoubtedly Pray for me to JESUS your beloued Son and free me from all euill AMEN FINIS