inward director did without the help of any guide or Marrmer in the sight of them all and to the greate admiration of every one withdraw it selfe a prety way from the land And being now launched out as it were some reasonable space into the dept of the sea there stoode the shippe vnmoveable amiddest the waues meanewhile that the holy man preached vnto the people that stood expecting vpon the shore But the Sermon being ended when the multitude that had seene this Miracle was with his benediction departed that they might now no further molest him the ship of it selfe returned back to the land Who is there therefore of so obstinate and impious a minde as to contemne the preaching of holy Saint Francis by whose wonderfull vertue it came to passe that not only creatures vnreasonable should froÌ„ him receaue instruction but also that bodies devoide of life should serue him in his preaching as thoughe they had bin with life endewed And evermore doubtlesse was present with this his setvant Saint Francis in all his enterprises he who had annointed and sent him the spirit of our Lord and the very power and wisedome of God Christ himselfe to the ende he might overflowe with wordes of wholesome doctrine and might illustriously shine with miracles of mighty power For his speach was as a burning penetrating the most secrette parts of the hart filling the mindes of all men with admiration in that they pretended no florish of humane in vention but sweetely savoured of the odoriferouse blasts of divine revelation For being one time to preach before the Pope and his Cardinalls by the procurement of the Lord Cardinall of Hostia and having then coÌ„mitted to memory a certaine sermon by himself studiously composed see wheÌ„ as he stoode in the presence of that assembly to propose vnto them the wordes of edification he had so cleane forgotten the whole that he was not able to vtter any word at all But having discovered the same by humble acknowledgement of the truth and so betaken himself to invocate the grace of the boly Ghost he beganne sodeinly to abounde with so effectuall words and with so poverful a force to moue the minds of those great men to compunction that it was manifestly to be discerned that not he himself but the spirit of our Lord This is the best manner of learning when a man doth not only exhorte therwith words but alsa with example did speake within him And for as much as he had in real action alredy perswaded himself vn to that whervnto in words he perswaded others he therefore without feare of any reproover did confidently preach the truth For he had no skil merly to touche the faults of any but to searche them even downe to the bottome nor yet coulde he smothe vp the liues of sinners but strike them home with a sharpe rebuke And with the same Constancy of minde he spake vnto greate personnages and others of lesse accounte as also with like alacrity and ioye of spirite he did spake vnto many and vnto few Every age and every sex made hast to heare and see this new man given from heauen vnto the world But he himselfe going through divers Countries did preach with great fervour and zeale Our Lord working withall Marke 16.20 and confirming the worde with signes that followed For in the force of his name this preacher of the truth Saint Francis did cast our Divels did heale the sicke and which is more did by the efficacy of his speache mollifie the mindes of the obstinate vnto pennance as also he restored health both to their soules and bodies as some of his workes do well approue which shall be for example sake now presently specified In the Cittty of Tuscanella being devoutly intertained of a certaine souldier and by him earnestly requested to heale his sonne who had ben contracted in his members ever from his natiuity he lifting him vp by the hande did sodeinely so restore him to health againe that in the sight of all men all the parts of his body were forthwith made sounde and the youth himselfe being now perfectly whole and strong presently rose vp walking leaping and praising God S. Franc is with the signe of the Crosse restoreth one sicke of the paulsey to his former health So also in the Citty of Narnium at the instancy of the Bishoppe making the signe of the Crosse from the heade to the foote vpon one that being sicke of the palsey was destitute of the vse of all his members he thereby restored him to perfect health In the Bishoppricke of Reate a certaine boy who had binne so marveilously swollen in his body ever since he was but fower years of age that by no meanes he could see his owne thighs being by his Mother with teares presented vnto the holy man so soone as he had touched him with his handes With the â—â—me signe 〈◊〉 doth â—ll soe help a boy was presently whole and well At the Cittie of Orta there was another boy whose body was so drawen togeather in a compasse that be bare his heade with his feete besids that sundry of his bones were also broken but being at the lamentable praier of his patents by him signed with the signe of the Crosse he was sodeinely stretched our to length and forthwith wholy delivered With the signe of the Crosse also he health a woman which had her hand withered A certaine woman of Eugubium having both her hands so shrunke together and withered that with them shee could doe no manner of worke by his making the signe of the Crosse vpon her in our Lord his name was presently brought to soe perfect vse of them that returning home by and by shee like another Saint Peters mother in law did with her owne hands prepare victualles to Minister vnto him and his poore brethren He also restored fight With the same sign he also restored sight to the blind vnto a certaine blinde girlde in the Castle of Me'vantum by annointing her eies thrice with his owne spittle in the name of the Trinity Likewise a certaine woman of the Citty of Nar nium being stricken with blindnesse receaving from him the signe of the Crosse recovered therby her desired sight Againe at Bononia therewas a boy whoe having one of his eies so blenished that he could neither see any thing therwith nor yet could be holpen by any remedy yet when the servant of our Lorde had made vpon him the signe of the Crosse from the heade to the foote did thereby recover so cleare a sight that entring afterwards into the Order of the Friers Minors he affirmed himselfe to see more clearely of the eye that had bine before blemished than of the other which was alwaies sounde In the towne of Saint Geminianus the seruant of God being entertained He expelleth away the Diuell with a praier of acertain devoute man whole wife was vexed with a Divell after praier first made
the beginning of his exhortation he was wonte in this manner to salute them saiyng Our Lord giue his peace vnto you For this manner of salutation he learned of God according as himself afterwards affirmed And there vpon it came to passe that according to the saying of the Prophet himselfe also being inspired with the spirit of prophesy he did denounce peace he did preach salvation and did with healthfull admonition associate very many vnto the true peace euen such as had binne before time disioyned much from the favour of Christe and had thereby straied farr away from the porte of Salvation Now therefore when this holy servant of God did growe to be better knowen vnto many aswell for the truth of his sincere doctrine as of his life certaine other man also moved by his example beganne to be animated and stirred vp vnto Pennance and reiected all the impediments of this world that they might be conioyned vnto him both in habite and life The first of which number was the venerable man Bernardus who be the special vocatiō of God merited to be the first borne of the blessed Father aswell in priority of time as in priviledge of holy conversation For he having had experience of the holinesse of the seruant of Christ and purposing by his example perfectly to contemne the world demaunded of him direction for the better performance of his purpose Which the servant of God vnderstanding was replenished with great consolation of the holy-Gost for the conception of this his sonne said vnto him that this councell was to be sought at the hands of God Wherefore betimes in the morning they entered into the Church of S. Nicolas and there after humble prayers exhibited the devout servant of the blessed Trinity S. Francis three severall times opened the booke of the Gospells instantly beseeching Almighty God that by a triple testimony he would wouchsafe to confirme the holy purpose of Bernard In the first openning therefore of the book he lighted vpon that place which saith If thou wilt be perfect go and sell all that thou hast and giue vnto the poore In the second Take nothing in the way But in the third Mat. 19.21 Marc. 6.8 Ma. 16.24 If any man will come after me let him denie himself and take vp his Crosse and follow me This is saith the holy man our life and Rule and of all them who will conioyne thē selues to our society So therefore if thou willt be perfect and performe the thinges thou hast heard delivered Not long after it fell out that fiue other men also were called by the same spirit wherby the nūber of the spirituall children of holy S. Francis was increased to sixe among whom the third place befell vnto the Holy Father Aegidius a mā also full of Gods grace worthy to be held in famous memory For being afterwards most rarely exercised in heauenly vertus according as the seruāt of God had foretold of himself although he were a simple and vnlearned man yet was he exalted vnto the top of Celestiall contemplation For continewing long time togeather without intermission intentive vnto heavenly actions he was ravished also with so frequent excesse of contemplation in God as I my self have with mine eies observed that he was esteemed rather to haue led the life of Angels then of men though living and couersing among men Aboute the same very time vnto a certaine Priest of Assisium named Syluester a man of honest life and conversation our Lord vouchsafed to shew a vision very worthy to be remembred For finding in himself an especiall loathing and avertion from the manner life of S. Francis and his brethren least that he might haply be indangered for the rashnes of his iudgement thus was he visited by the favour of Gods heauenly grace He beheld in his sleep the whole Citty of Assisium to be environed rownde with a mōstrous Dragon by reason of the vnmeasurable hugenes whereof the whole country seemed to be in danger of vtter wast and distruction After this he might see a certaine Crosse of gold issueing forth of the mouth of S. Francis the topp where of reached vnto heauen and the armes to the vtter most bounds of the worlde at the glittering aspect wherof that ougly and horrible Dragon was vtterly put to flight This vision being three times in this manner represented vnto him he therevpon esteeming it as the very Oracle of God declared the same in order to the man of God and his brethren and it was not long after but himselfe also leaving the world did with such perfection adheare vnto the footesteeps of Christ that the life by him ledd in the order gaue good credit and authority to the vision he had seene in the world Vpon the report and publication whereof no whitt was the man of God ezalted in humaine glory but acknowledging the benefits of God and the greatnes of his goodnes he was more and more incouraged to withstād the crafte of the auncient enemye and therewithall to preach and extoll the glory of the Crosse of Christ But it befell vnto him vpon a day that walking in a certaine solitary place and there recounting with himselfe his yeares mispent as he did in the bitternes of his harte bewaile them the gladsome comfort of the Holy-Ghost comming then vpon him he was fully certified of the plenarie remission of all his offences And being afterwardes rapt as it were aboue himselfe and having his vnderstanding marveilously inlightened he evidētly perceyved what great matters were in tyme to come to be fall vnto himselfe and his whole progenie after him Whervpon returning vnto his brethren Be of good comfort quoth he my most dearely beloved and reioyce in our Lord be in no wise eyther sad or sorrowfull for that yee be but few in number neyther yet be yee desmayed eyther out of myne or your owne simplicity for so much as our Lord hath certainely revealed vnto me that he will make vs increase to a great and mighty companie and will with the sweet blessing of his heavenly grace multiply and augmente our noumber many and sundrie wayes At the same time also another devout man entred the religion among them whereby the issue of the man of God did now amounte vnto seaven Then the good Father calling all his children about him and speaking many things vnto them of the kingdome of God of the contempt of the world of the denying of their owne will and of the chasticement of the body withall declared vnto them his purpose to send them into the foure partes of the world For now the holy simplicity of the holy Father having brought forth seaven children did also desire to beget the whole company of the faithfull vnto Christ our Lord by calling them to the mournefull works of Pennance Go your waies quoth he sweet father to his welbeloved children and denouncing peace vnto men preache vnto them Pennance for the remission of sinnes
thinges necessary so long as he should haue in the world to giue them O inestimable price of poverty by the admirable force whereof even Barbarours cruelty was chaunged into so great a sweetnes of mercy Wherefore it is a thing most horrible and a wickednes vnexcusable for a Christian man to tread vppon so pretious a pearle which an infidell Saracin held in so great a reverence About this time Moricus a Religious man of the Order called Cruciferi being miserably afflicted in an Hospital neare to Assisium with a long and greivouse disease through the violent force whereof the Phisitions were in vtter despaire of his recoverie made humble request to the man of God by a messenger sent for purpose with instant desire that he would vouchsafe to pray for him Whervnto the blessed Father with a willing minde assenting after praier devoutly made taking cartaine crummes of bread into his hand and mingling the same with oyle taken from out of the Lamp which burned before the Altar of the Blessed virgin brought it at lenght as it were to a certaine kinde of electuary which he sent vnto the sicke man by the handes of his brethren saying Beere ye this medicine vnto our brother MORICVS where by the power of Christ will not only restore him vnto perfect health againe but will make of him a strong and hardy warriour and shall further adioyne him perpetually vnto our troupe and company No sooner had this sicke man tasted of that exquisit medecine made confected by the Holy Ghost his invention but rising vp forth with now perfectly whole and well he obtained of God so much strength both of body minde that within a litle while after entring into the Religion of the holy man he was contended with one only slender coate Behold the wonderfull abstinence of the holy man who for a long space tasted neither bread nor wine and wasfed only with rawe meats vnder which also he ware for long time together a coate of maile next to his skinne vsed no other diet than raw meates as hearbes fruits and such like other things as he gathered vpon the earth not tasting for many and soundrie years either of bread or wine All which notwithstanding he still continewed in good health and strenght of body And as the merrits of the vertue of these litle ones of Christ did daily more and more increase so the sweet smell of their good opinion spreading it self ronde about drew many out of divers parts of the world to come in person to see the holy Father Among whom there was a curious inventor of secular songes who having binne for that cause crowned by the Emperour and called the king of verses determined to go see this man of God the contemner of wordly things And finding him preaching in a certaine Monastery at the Castle of Saint SEVERINVS the hand of our Lord comming then vpon him be beheld Saint FRANCIS the preacher of the Crosse of Christ ensigned with two swordes one overthwarr the other in the forme of a Crosse the one of them stretched along from his head to his feete and the other Crosse-wise along his breast from on hand to the other Wherby although he knew not the contenance of the servāt of Christ yet was he fully secured that this very man was he by the admirable apparence of so great a miracle At the sodain aspect whereof being much amased he beganne to propose vnto himselfe better things in his minde and being at the lenght compunct by the force of his words no lesse than if he had bin stricken through with the sword of the spirit issueyng out of his mouth vtterly contemning all secular pompes he conioyned himselfe in profession with the blessed Father Wherevpon the holy man seeing him to be perfectly converted frō the trouble of the world to the peace of Christ called him by the name of Frater Pacificus He afterward increasing in al holinesse before such time as he was made provinciall Minister in France for he was the first that bare that office there merrited once and againe to see the greeke letter T. in the forehaid of holy S. Francis the same being distinguished with such seemely variety of colours as did wonderfully adorne his face and countenance This signe the holy man did reverence with great affection this signe he did commend with frequent speeches and in his letters which he vsually dispatched he evermore with his owne hand subscribed the same Ezech. 9.4 as if all his study were to make the signe T according to the saieing of the Prophet vpon the foreheades of them that sighed and mourned and were vnfainedly converted to Christ Now when the number of brethren was in processe of time increased the carefull Pastor beganne to call them together vnto a general Chapter then to beholden in the place of our Lady of Portiuncula that in the measure of divine distribution he might giue vnto every one his portiō of obedience in the land of their poverty Where although there were great penurie and the brethren sometimes came together aboue fiue thowsand in number yet by the help of Gods mercie they had sufficient foode together with health of body and aboundance of spirituall ioy But for so much as he could not be in body present at the provinciall Chapiters he was therefore in spirit by the diligent care of his governement by the instancy of prayer and by the efficacy of benediction evermore present at them notwithstanding that sometimes by the marvailous power and worke of God he did visibly appeare For as Saint Anthony that worthy preacher who is now a notable Confessour of Christ was preaching in the Chapter at Arles of the title of the Crosse Iesus of Nazareth King of the Iewes a certaine brother of approued vertue called Monaldus looking as the will of God was towardes the Chapter house doore sawe with is corporall eies the blessed Father Saint FRANCIS lifted vp alofte in the aire ad blessing his brethren with his handes stretched out as it were in the forme of a Crosse At which very time all the brethren did feele thēselues to be replenished with so great vnvsual-a consolation of spirit that the inward testimony which they felt in their hartes did sufficiently secure them of the vndoubted presence of the holy Father though afterwardes it was not only by evident signes but also by the said holy Fathers owne wordes externally confirmed And well it may be believed that the same power of Almighty God which granted the devout and holy Bishop Saint Ambrose to be present at the in tombing of the glorious Bishop Saint Martin to the end that he might with devout reverence honor the devout Bishop deceased did also by an especiall favour present his servant Saint Francis at the sermon of his true preacher Saint Anthony that he might approue the words of truth those especially of the Crosse of Christ whereof himselfe was a continuall
bearer and a most faithfull servant But the Order being now great amplified augmented he did greatly desire that the forme and rule therof by Pope Innocenciâ—s already approved might be Honorius his successor for ever be ratified and confirmed and even then he was by Almighty God admonished with this manner of revelation It seemed vnto him that he was gathering vp from the earth certaine most exceeding small and slender crummes of bread by him to be distributed among a great many hungry brethren of his that stoode in expectance rownde aboute him And fearing to distribute so smalle crummes least perhaps they should fall out of his handes he heard a voice from aboue saing vnto him Francis make one hast of all the crummes and giue vnto them that will eate Vnto which voice he shewing himselfe obedient whosoever did not receiue the distribution devoutly or did make light of the guift already receaved were presently marked with a leaprous infection All which the holy man did the next morning after relate vnto his brethren sorrowing much that he could not vnderstand the mistery of the vision But the next day following as he persisted watchfull in praier he heard a voice from heaven speke vnto him Francis the crummes which thou sawest in the night past are the wordes of the Gospell the host is the Rule and the leaprousie iniquity Being therefore desirous before he sought the confirmation of his Rule to reduce the same as being hitherto more largely compiled out of sundry parts of the Ghospell vnto a more compendious forme and methode according as the vision did purporte vnto him he went vpp with two of his companions into a certaine hill wherevnto he was by the Holy Ghost conducted He fasted with bread water and there contenting himselfe with bread water during the time of his fast he caused the same to be written according to that which the spirit of God suggested vnto him as he was yet persevering in fervent prayer Which being there by him in this manner finished and himsefe now comming downe from the montaine he gaue the same to his Vicar to keepe who within few daies confessing himselfe to haue lost it by fault of negligence the holy man went againe the second time into the solitary place of the desert presently renewed the same againe as if he had taken the wordes from out of the mouth of God And shortly after obtained according to his owne desire to haue the same confirmed by the foresaid Pope HONORIVS in the eight yeare of his Popedome Wherevpon taking occasion with great fervency to perswade his brethren a new to the observance of the rule he avowed vnto them that he had not thereinto inserted any thing out of his owne industrie but had simply and plainly written downe all every point eueÌ„ in such sorte as had binne from God revealed vnto him S Francis caused his rule to be written as he had receiued by diuine renelation Which that it might the more manifestly appeare as being confirmed and approved by the testimony of God himself within few daies after the signes Marks of our Lord Iesus were imprinted vpon him by the finger of the living God as it were the Bull of the chiefe and most supreame Bishop Christ himselfe aswell to the absolute confirmatioÌ„ of the Rule as also to the commendation of the Author thereof as shall be hereafter set downe in convenient place after we shall hane declared his excellent vertues THE FIFTH CHAPTER Of the austerity of his life and how the Creatures of God gaue sollace vnto him NOvv when the holy servant of God Saint Francis did perceive that many were by his exaÌ„ple incouraged with fervencie of spirit to carry the Crosse of Christ himselfe also like a good leader of the army of Christ was therby animated daily more and more to attaine vnto the crowne of victory by the exquisite perfection of most invincible vertue For coÌ„sidering the sayng of the Apostle that Se with what seuerity of disciplines the holy Father did mortifi the concupiscence of his flesh Se also his wonderful abstinenâ— They who are of Christ haue crucified their flesh together with their vices and concupiscenses he to the ende he might in his owne body beare the armour of the Crosse did with so great severitie of discipline restraine his sensuall appetites that scantly he allowed vnto himselfe the very things that were necessary for the sustentation of nature Vsing evermore this maÌ„ner of saying that It could not be but marueilous hard to fatisfie the necessities of the body yet not to condiscen vnto the euill inclination of sensuall desirs for which cause in time of health he would hardly be induced to eat of boiled meats or at least wise very seldome if he did at any time he vsed either to put ashes amonghst it or els by mingling of water with the saÌ„e to make the meat vnsavoury What shall I speake of his moderate drinking when as he would scarrely drink of cold water sufficient to alay the violence of his thrist He ever invented new waies of more perfect abstinence and by exercise did daily more more increase therein and although he had already attained vnto the highest degree of perfection yet some thing alwaies he did as a new beginner innovate punishing with afflictions his fleshly concupissence Neverthelesse at such times as he weÌ„t abroade to preach the Gospell he did conforme himselfe in the quality of his meate according to the custome of the persons that did entertaine him but at his returning home againe then did he strictly obserue the rigour of most parsimonius abstineÌ„ce And so in all respects vsing austerity towards himself curtesie towards his neighbour obedience to the Gospell of Christ he was an example of edification to others not only by abstaining but even also by eating The bare ground he vsed most commonly as a bed for his weried body He slept often on the bare ground and tooke his sleep oftentimes sitting leaning his head vpon a piece of woode or a stone and resting alwaies contented with one coate he served our Lord in cold and nakednesse Whetevpon it being one time demaunded of him how he could with so thinne a garment defende himselfe from the extreame sharpenesse of the winter cold Behold his great austerity in his apparell he answered with afervour of spirit If we were inwardly toucht by fervent desire with the flame of the heavenly couÌ„try we should easily be able to indure this eternall colde He could not abide softnes of apparell but asperous clothing he much esteemed affirming that S Iohn Baptist was in that respecte commended by the mouth of God himselfe And therefore if at time he found any kinde of easefulnes in such garmens as had bene given vnto him he vsed to weare litle cords into the inner side therof alluding vnto the words of truth that softnes of apparell was not to besought for
all thinges fot love of the Author of all things THE EIGHT CHAPTER Os his affection of Piety and how creatures devoied of reason seemed to be affected towards him VNFAINED pietie which according vnto the Apostles saieng is Profitable to all things had so far forth penetrated and replenished the harte of S. Francis that the man of God seemed wholy to be subiected therevnto Tim. 4.8 This is that vertue which did by force of deuotiō eleuate him aloft vp vnto God which did by cōpassion transforme him into Christ which by way of condiscending declined him to his neighbour which by an vniuersal reconcilement and accord of all thinges did refigurate and againe restore him vnto the state of innocency And allbeit that our of this pietie he were devoutly affected vnto all thinges yet at such time especially as he perceaued that the soules which were redemed with the precious bloud of Christe Iesus were defiled with any filth of sinne he then bewailed them with such a tendernesse of commiseration that as a mother in Christe he dailie laboured to bring them forth againe And this was the special cause that moved him so much to reuerence the ministers of the word of God for that they doe both raise vpp seede to theire brother deceased namely vnto Christ who vouchsafed to be crucified for sinners by working the conversion of them and being converted doe also governe them with an industriouse careful pietie This excellent office of commiseration he affirmed to be vnto the Father of mercie more acceptable than any sacrifice especially when it proceedeth from the industrie of perfect charitie whereby more diligent labour is emploied therein by force of example than by course of words by mourneful praiers rather than by babling discourses Wherevpon he would say that that Preacher was much to be lamented as a man wholy destitute of true and perfect pietie who either in preaching seeketh not the health of soules but his owne priuate praise and glory or who by the naughtinesse of his life destroieth what euer he buildeth vp by the truth of doctrine Before such an one therefore he saied that a simple and ignorant brother was far away to be preferred who by his owne good example 1. Reg. 2 5. prouoketh others also vnto the like And to his effect he expounded that place of holy scripture Vntil the barren haue brought forth many children For the barren saied he is vnderstand to be that poore brother whose proper office is not to ingender children in the holy Church But he neverthelesse shal yet in the iudgment bring forth many children because that such as by his private praiers he doth convert vnto Christe shal then be by the Iudge vnto his glory ascribed And She that hath many children shal be enfeebled because the vaine and talking preacher who now glorieth of many children as by meane of his owne labour and industrie begotten shal the plainely knowe and discerne himselfe not to haue any right or interest in them at all He therefore with all the hartie affection and desires of pietie and with a burning and zealous emulation of minde thirsting after the salvation and good of soules was euer more accustomed to say that he was as it were replenished with sweete odours and was in a maner annointed with a most preciouse and delightfull ointmente so often as he hearde that many weare induced vnto the way of truth by the sweete smelling fame of his holy bretheren dispersed through sundrie partes of the world Vpon the hearing of these reports his spirit not a litle reioyced heaping most acceptable and aboundant blessings vp on all those bretheren who either by worde or deede did induce sinners vnto the lout of Christ But he contrariwise whosoever did by theire euel demeanoure violate the holy stare of Religion did thereby incurre the most greivouse sentence of his malediction Of thee O my most holy Lord said he and of all thy blessed courte of heauen and of me thy poore and humble servant be the al aceursed who by theire euill example doe confoundeand destroy that which by the holy bretheren of this order thou hast already builded and doest not cease yet to build And oftentimes he conceived so exceeding great sorrowe and greife vpon occasion of the scandall of weakelings that he thought himself to haue beene almost dead therewithall had he not beene vpholden by the consolation of Gods divine clemencie But onetime especially being marveilouse much distressed with the evill examples which he sawe to begiven and praing with a perplexed spirite vnto the father of mercie for his children this maner of answeare from our Lord he therevnto received Why arte thou thus thou poore and sillie man afflicted haue I in such maner of wise ordained thee to be Pastor over this my religious order that thou doest not knowe me to be the principall patrone and director thereof For this cause haue I thervnto designed thee being but a simple man that what thinges I shall worke in thee be to no humane industerie but vnto the mightie power of God ascribed It is I who haue called them I also will keepe them and feede them and if some of them doe at any time falle away I will subrogate other into theire roomes againe so farre forth that if they be not yet borne I wil make them to be borne vpon purpose And with how many assaultes soever this my poore religion shal be distressed yet shal it ever abide in saftie by mine especiall giftand protection The vice of detraction also he abhorred as the professed enemie to the pure fountaine of grace and pietie as the venemovse sting of a ferpent and as a most desperate and deadly poyson avowing the same to be most abhominable in the sight of Gods most mercifull and sweete dispotion considering that the man of detraction is fed with the bloud of soules which he doth murder with the fowrde of his tongue And hearing once one of the bretheren to disgrace the good name and fame of another he turned therewithall vnto his Vicar saying arise arise discusse the matter diligently and if you shal finde the brother accused to be innocent faile not with sharpe correction to chastice the accuser wherby to make him an example in that behalfe vnto others And sundrie times also he would aiudge that brother who had dispoiled another of his good name and fame to be himselfe deprived of his habite and that he might not presume to lifte vp his cies vnto our Lord before he had done his best indevour to restore that which he had vncharitably taken away For so much greater said he is the impiety of detractors than of open theiues and robbers as the law of Christ which is fulfilled in the observanc of piety doth more precisely oblige vs to desire the well fare of our neighbours soules than of their bodies And with a wonderfull tendernesse of compassion commiserating the cause of all that were afflicted
whose sacrifice it hath impeached He vsed to recite his psalmes with soe great attention of minde and spiritte as if he had God ever present before him and when he chanced in them to finde the name of our Lord he seemed euen to licke his lipps for the very aboūdant delight of the sweetnesse he tasted therein And being also desirous with a most especiall reverence to honour the very name of our Lorde and that not only thought but also named and written he did sometimes perswade his brethren togather vp al the litle scrapps of paper that might any where be founde containing the same them to put in some cleane and decent place least it might haply chance that the sacred name written therein should be trodden vnder foote But the name of Iesus when he did either speake it or heare it did inwardly so fill him with such a singuler kinde of exvltation that he thereby seemed to be altogether chaunged euen exteriourly as if some mellifluous swetenes had altered his tast or some harmoniacall sounde his hearing But in the third yeare before his death it came to passe that for the stirring vp of greater devotion he purposed to celebrate the festivall memorie of the birth of the childe Iesus at the village of Graecium withal the greatest solemnity that possibly he could And to the end the same might not be imputed to levitie he craved licence of the Pope and having obtained the same he caused a manger to be prepared as also hay to be gotten and an oxe and an Asse to be brought to the place The brethren were called togither the people assembled themselues the woode adioyning was ful of voyces and that venerable night was by meane of many cleare shining lights of lowde soundinge and harmoniacall praises made to be both very light some and full of solemnity There stood the man of God before the manger full of devotion besprinkled with teares and overcome with ioy The holy sacrifice of the Masse was solemnely celebrated vpon the manger the Leuite of Christe S. FRANCIS did sing the Ghospell And afterwardes vnto the people that stood about him he preached of the nativity of the poore King and ever as he named him he did for the very tendernesse of loue call him the child of Bethlem But in this meane while a certaine souldier of great vertue and creditte called Maister Iohn of Graecium who hauing for the loue of Christe forsaken the secular warfare was now in great familiarity conioined vnto this seruant of God did testifie himselfe to haue seene a litle child of great comlinesse lieing a sleepe in that manger whom the Blessed Father S. Francis embracing in both his armes did seem to wake out of his sleepe And this vision of the devout souldier not only the holinesse of him that beheld the same did make to be credible but the very evident truth thereof did vndoubtedly approue it and the miracles succeding did also confirme it For the example of holy S. Francis being considered of the world is of great force to stirre vp the harts of such as are heauie and dull in the faith of Christe and the hay of that manger being by the people reserued was in marveilouse manner effectuall for the recouerie of sicke Cattell and a singuler preservatiue against divers other pestilences God Almighty in all things glorifieing his servaunt demonstrating the efficacy of holy prayer by manifest wonders and miracles THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER Of his vnderstanding the scriptures and of his spiritte of prophecy BVT vnto so great a perspicacity of minde had the vnwearied custome of prayer together with the continuall exercise of vertues brought this holy man of God that albeit he had no skill in the holy sacred scriptures by the ordinarie course of learning yet neverthelesse being enlightened with the beames of eternall light he did searche the depth of them with a wonderfull sharpenesse of vnderslanding For his conceite being pure from all manner of blemish did penetrate into the most hidden misteries and where the science of the Doctour did stand without doores even there was the affection of the lover admitted to enter in Sometimes he did reade in the holy bookes and what soeuer he did once take in his minde he did most firmely imprint in his memory not hearing any thing in vaine with the bare present attention of his minde but ruminating therevppon with an affection of continuall devotion And being once demanded by his brethren if he did like that the men of learning who were alreadie admitted vnto the order should still attend vnto the study of the holy scriptures he answeared It liketh me truly very well but yet soe that following the example of Christe of whom we may obserue that he did more frequently pray than reade they do in no waies omit the exercise of prayer nor yet doe so giue themselues to study as only to knowe howe they ought to speake but to practise the things they haue learnd when they haue donne those things themselves then afterwardes to propose them vnto others to doe the like For I would said he that my brethren should be disciples of the Gospell that soe they should profitte in the knowledge of the truth as that therewith all they doe also increase in the purenesse of simplicity whereby they doe not separate from the prudence of the serpent the simplicity of the done which our chiefe maister hath with his owne blessed mouth conioyned therevnto Being demaunded at Sienna by a certaine religiouse man whoe was Doctor of divinity concerning certaine questions which were very difficult hard to be vnderstood he did with such a clearnesse of doctrine discouer the secretts of Gods divine wisedome that the same learned man was thereat greatly amazed and with much admiration thereof did say Vndoubtedly the divinity of this holy Father is like as it were an Eagle borne vp a lofte with the wings of purity and contemplation but our knowledg creepeth belowe vpon the ground For though he were but euen vnskilfull in the manner of speaking yet was he so full of heauenly knowledg that he explicated most doubtfull questions and produced to light many hidden and secret things Neither is it to be held for strange that the holy man had from Almighty God receaued the vnderstanding of the scriptures seeing that by the perfect imitation of Christe he did beare the truth of them liuely expressed in his workes and that by the plentifull vnction of the Holy Ghoste he had the teacher of them abiding with him in his harte And so singulerly also did the spirite of prophecy appeare in him that he did not only foresee future things but did also see into the hidden secrets of mens harts did moreouer behold the things that were absent as though they were present in marveilouse manner exhibiting himself present vnto those that were absent For at that time whē that the army of the Christians did beseige the
citty of Damiata the seruaÌ„t of God chaÌ„ced to be there not armed with weapons but with firmenesse of faith Vpon the very day therfore when the Christians were readie prepared to make the assault the servaunt of Christe vnderstanding so much did fetch a most deepe hartie sight and therewithall said vnto his coÌ„panion Our Lord hath shewen vnto me that if the battell be vndertaken it shall not prosperously succeede vnto the Christians But if I shall discover the same I shal be reputed a foole and if I shall conceale it I shall not escape the grudge of myne owne conscience What doe you therfore aduise to be donne in this case Vnto whom his companion answeared saying Brother let it be of no moment vnto you to be censured by the mouths of men for you doe not nowe beginne to be reputed a foole Discharge therefore your coÌ„science feare God more than meÌ„ Vpon the hearing of which wordes out stepped the prophette applying to the Christians his behouefull admonitions he did forbidde them the conflict and denounced the euent But the truth was taken for a fable they hardened their harts would not returne See therefore They did indeed encounter together and ioyne in battell but all the Christian forces were put to flight and the army was beaten back with much dishonor and without triumphe And in such degree was the number of the Christians diminished which the greatnesse of the slaughter that about sixe thowsand personnes were slaine and taken Wherein it did euidently appeare that the wisedome of the poore man was not to be despised considering that The soule of the iust man shall sometimes discouer the truth more than seauen sentinells Eccl. 37.18 sitting on high to keepe the watche Another time also after his returne from beyond the Seas he came to preache at Celanum and euen then a certaine souldier did with great devotion and much instancy invite him to dinner Whervnto the holy man assenting did accordingly come vnto the souldiers house all the whole familie Behold the custome of Christians to pray before then eate not a litle reioycinge the entrance of those poore guests But before the company beganne to eate the devoute holy man Saint Francis according to his wonted manner stoode offering his prayers and praises vnto God with his eies lifted vp to heauen And when his prayer was donne he familiarely called aside his curteous Hoste and spake in this wise vnto him Loe nowe brother Hoste at the instancie of your earnest requests I haue entred into your house to eate with you Wherefore agree nowe I pray you vnto my councell and advise for heare you shall not eate but in another place Confesse forthwith your sinnes with the perfect contrition of true repentaunce If Sacramentall confession had not beene necessarie according to the precept of God and in vse amongst the ancieÌ„t Fathers S. Francis had not commaunded it to be performed of a man now ready to day and let nothing remaine within you so secret but that you discover it with true and sincere Confession Because our Lorde will this day rewarde you for the great devotion wherwith you haue receaved his poore servants The soldier forthwith conformed himselfe vnto the holy mans adviseâ— and vnto one of his companions discovering all his sinnes in humble Confession he disposed of his house and withall his best endevours prepared himselfe to die But at the length they sate them downe at the Table and when the rest beganne to eate sodeinely the hoste himselfe gaue vp the Gost being taken away with sode in death according to the worde of the man of God And so it came to passe by the meritte of Hospitality that the devoute souldier Receauing a Prophette did according to the word of truth receaue the reward of a Prophette while he giving creditt vnto the propheticall forewarning of the holy man did provide himselfe against the sodeine assault of death that being armed with the weapons of pennance he might escape endlesse damnation and might enter into the eternall tabernacles One time when the holy men lay sicke at Reate a certaine Prebend named Gedeon a loose wordly man keeping his bedde vpon occasion of a sore and grievouse infirmity being brought neverthelesse vnto him did with teares aswell by himselfe as by the standers by instantly requeste him with the signe of the holy Crosse Vnto whom blested Saint Francis in this wise replied considering that your life hath hither to binne according to the desires of the flesh without feare of Gods iustice and judgments how may I make the signe of the Crosse vpon you But yet for the devout desires of your frends I do signe you with the signe of the Crosse in the name of our Lord. But know this for certaine that if being delivered from this infirmity you shall afterwardes returne vnto your wonted evil life againe you shal beâ—ure to suffer farre more grievous punnishments for in regarde of the sinne of ingratitude S. Francis making the signe of the Crosse vpon a sick man he forthwith becometh whole the latter penalties are alwaies worse than the former Thus therefore the signe of the Crosse being made vpoÌ„ him he who lay but even now contracted before them did forth with rise vp perfectly well recovered and bursting forth into the praise of God I am saith he even now delivered And the very Chine bones of his back did giue a great found in the hearing of all that were present euen as though a sorte of drie sticks had binne broken by hand But within very small time after this man forgetfull of Gods benefits vnto him gaue ouer his body vnto vnchaste delights And when he was one evening at supper in a certaine Cannons house and did there lodge for all that night sodeinely the roofe of the house fell downe vpon them al. But yet so that all the rest finding meane of escape from death only this vnfortunate and wretched man was in that fall intercepted and slaine Thus therefore by the iust iudgement of God the last things of this man became worse than the former because of the vice of ingratitude and for his contempt of God whereas he ought to haue binne thankefull for the pardon he had already receaved considering that a crime renewed is a double offence Another time also a certaine noble and very devout woman came vnto this holy Saint aswel to explicate vnto him her sorrowe and griefe as also for the same to require a remedy For she had a very cruel husband who also was adverse vnto her in the service of Christ And therefore shee requested the holy man to pray for him that God of his clemency would vouchsafe to mollifie his hart But he vnderstanding her case gaue answere vnto her saying Go your wais home in peace without doubt or dreade expect forthwith to finde comfort at your husbands hands Heere we may see that euer Married people may by the grace
those sacred woundes all manner of plague did vtterly cease the pestilent disease was driven quite away from the flocks About the foresaid mountaine of Aluerna before such time as the holy man did make his aboade in that place by reason of a cloude that rose out of the very mountaine it selfe a violent tempest of haile did customably distroy the fruits of the earth but after that happy apparition not without the great wonder of all the inhabitants the haile did cease So that by the very face of heanen nowe marveilously cleared contrarie to common custome bot◠the excellency of that heauenly vision and the efficacie of the stigmats in that place imprinted was sufficiently tessified and declared It chaunced also once in the winter time that being in regard of the weakenesse of his owne body and of the asperousnesse also of the waies carried vpon a certaine poore mans Asse he was inforced to lodge all night vnder the edge of a certaine out bending rocke whereby he might in some sorte avoied the inconveniences of the snowe and night which came in such manner of wise vpon him that he could not reache to the place appointed for his lodging But the holy man in the meane while perceaving that the other poore man did murmure as it were complaine by his groanes tossing himselfe on either side as one who having but smal slender couering could scarcely take any rest for the extreame bitternesse of the cold and being enkindled with the fervour of divine loue did streech out his hand and touche the man Marveilouse doubtlesse was the effect thereof For presently at the touche of that holy hande which bare in it selfe the burning heate of the Seraphicall stone all manner of cold being quite expelled there came such an heate vpon the poore man both inwardly with out as if a flame of fire from with in a furnace had breathed out vpon him For presently being comforted both in minde and in body he slept more sweetely among the stones and the snowe vntill the morning than euer he had rested in his owne bed as ne himselfe afterwards did affirme Wherefore it is manifest by most certaine tokens that those holy signes were imprinted by his vertue and power whoe by a Seraphicall operation doth purge illuminate and in flame seeing that these signes did both purge from the plague and with wonderfull efficacie conferre healthe clearenesse and heate vpon bodies as also after his death it was demōstrated by most evident miracles which heareafter we will set downe in their due place And though he endeavoured withall his diligence to hide the treasure which he had found in the feilde yet could it not be soe concealed but that some did perceaue and see the holy marks of his hands and feete notwithstanding that he did in manner continually carry his handes covered and did also from that time forwarde weare shoes vpon his feete For they were seene euen in his life time by sundrie of his brethren whoe albeit that for their singuler holinesse they were in all respects very worthy to be believed yet vtterly to remoue all scruple and doubt laieing their handes vpon the holy Ghospels they did by solemne oathe avowe that soe it was and that they themselues had seene them Some of the Cardinalls also by reason of the familiaritie which they had with the holy man did in like manner see those sacred stigmats the praises whereof they haue truly inserted into Proases Himnes and Anthemes which they haue ser forth in his honor whoe as wel by worde as by writing haue given testimony vnto the truth The chiefe Pastor also himself Pope Alexander preaching once vnto the people before many of the brethren my selfe also being then present did affirme that he had with his owne eies seene those holy stigmats while the Sainte was yet aliue And at the time of his death they were seene and beheld by more than fiftie of the brethren by the most devout Virgin S. Clare together with the rest of her sisters and by secular parsons not to be numbred Amōgst whom many as shal be shewed in place convenient haue both kissed them for devotion and haue touched them with their handes for confitmation of their restimony But the wounde of his side he covered with so greate carefulnesse that whilst he liued no man could come but by stealth to see it For one of the brethren whoe was woont diligently to minister vnto him hauing out of a Godly kinde of care vpon a time perswaded him to put of his coate to the end it might be made cleane watching heedefully with his eye did see the wounde wherevnto also speedily applieng three of his fingers he did aswell by sighte as by feeling discerne the quātity thereof And by the like manner of heedefulnesse did that brother also see it whoe was at that time his Vicar But the brother that was his companion a man verely of marveilouse simplicitie meane while that he touched his shoulders which were fainte and weake by reason of some infirmity putting his hand by his hood and lefting it by chance to fall vpon the wounde did put him to greate paine thereby Wherefore after that time he had his breeches so made that they reached vp to his arme pitts to cover the wound of his side But the brethren who for the time being did wash the breeches or had his coate to make cleane because they founde the same to be made red with blood did vndoubtedly by that evident signe come to the knowledg of that sacred wounde which afterwards when he was dead they with many others besides did in open viewe behold and reuerence Nowe therefore thou most hardy warriour of Christ beare thou the weapons of thy most invinsible Captaine where with being defended adorned thou shalt overcome all thine adverfaries Beare thou the standard of the highest King Galat. 6.17 at the sight whereof all the souldiers of the Armie of God may be encouraged Be are thou also the seale of the chiefe Bishoppe Christ himselfe whereby thy wordes and deedes may worthely be of all men accepted as irriprehensible and full of authoritie For nowe because of the Stigmats of our Lord Iesus which thou bearest in thy body no man ought to be molestfull vnto thee but rather everie servaunte of Christ is bounde to be devout towards thee withal affection Now by these most evident signes approved not vnto two or three wittenesses for sufficiēcy but vnto very many for superabundance the testimonies of God being in thee by thee made to to much to be beleiued doe take away from Infidells all vaile and colour of excuse meane while that by them the beleivers are in faith established by the confidence of hope borne vp alofte and with the fier of Charitie inflamed Nowe is in thee truly accomplished the first vision which thou diddest see namely that being to be a Captaine generall in the warfare of Christ thou oughtest
hard triyng stroakes of distresfull infiemities he wed and squared out as a well polished stone fitte to be placed in the building of the heavenly Hierusalem and having also as a peice of forge worke vnder the hāmer of manifold tribulations binne finally brought to perfection he required himselfe to be carried to the place of our Ladie of Portiuncula that where he had receaued the spiritte of grace there might herender vp his spiritte of life And being conveied to that place to the end he might shewe by the example of truth himselfe that he held nothing in common with the world in that his infirmitie which was soe greivoufe that it contained in it selfe wellnighe all manner of diseases making himselfe all naked he did in the fervour of spiritre cast himfe 〈◊〉 downe prostrate vpon the naked ground that in that very last hower wherein the enemy had yet power to be angry he might wrastle naked with the naked hand to hand Thus having nowe disapparelled himselfe even of his poore sackcloth garment and lieing in this wise vpon the earth he lifted vp his face to heaven according to his wonted manner and intending wholy to the glory thereof he did with his seft hand cover the wounde of his right side that it might not be perceaved And he saied vnto his brethren That which is my part I haue done vnto you and that which is yours Christ vouchsafe to shewe you Whervpon the companions of this holy Sainte betaking themselves to teares as being striken with a marveilouse darte of compassion one of them whom the man of God would say to be his guardian knowing his inward desire by divine revelation rose sodeinly out of his place and taking a coate with a Corde and a paire of breeches gaue them vnto the poore servant of Christ saieing These things I doe lend vnto thee as vnto a poore man receaue them therefore as at the commaundement of holy obedience Hereat the holy man greatly reioyced and by voice of exultation discouered the gladsomnesse of his harte for that he sawe himselfe to haue preserved his faith vnto Lady Poverty nowe firme and inviolate euen to the end And lifting vp his handes to heaven he magnified his Christ for that being disburdened of all things he was nowe to goe free to him For all these things he had donne out of the zeale he bare to poverty so farre forth that he would not haue so much as an habitte but such as had binne lent vnto him by another man And certainely it was his desire to be in all thinges conformable vnto Christ crucified who did in poverty and distresse hang naked on the Crosse Wherefore he did both in the beginning of his conversion make himselfe naked before the Bishoppe and would now also in the very consummation and end of his life goe naked out of the world And to the brethren that were assisting about him he enioyned in the obedience of Charity that when they should see him to be deade they should suffer him for so long space afterwardes to lie naked vppon the grounde as one might easely goe the length of a mile O most Christian man indeed who by a perfect immitation endeavoured himselfe to be comfortable in his life time to Christe living in his deathe to Christe dieing and after his deathe to Christ also being dead and was made worthy to be with the expresse similitude thereof adorned But the very howre of his passage even now approaching he caused all the brethren that were in that place to be called vnto him and endeavouring himselfe with comfortable wordes to mittigate the griefe they conceaued for his death he did with a fatherly affection exhorte them vnto to the loue of God And of the preservation of Patience and Povertie and of the faith also of the Holy Romane Church he enlarged his speache preferring the holy Gospel before all other instructions And as his brethren satte runde about him he reached out his handes vpon them and casting his atmes overthwart in manner of the Crosle because he evermore loved that signe exceedingly he blessed all the Brethren aswel them that were present as them that were absent in the power and name of him that was crucified And furthermore also he said vnto them Fare yee well my Children all in the feare of our Lord and be permanent therein continually And because the tentation and tribulation that shal herafter be is even now at hand blessed are they who shall persever in these things which they haue already vndertaken But I make haste to go to God vnto whose grace I commend you all This sweete admonition thus concluded and ended the Blessed man most deare vnto God caused the book of the holy Gospels to be brought vnto him and required that parte of Saint Iohns Ghospell Iohn 13. Psal 141. which beginneth at these wordes Before the festivall day of Pasche to be reade vnto him But he himself as well as he could bracke forth into the rehearefall of this Psalme with my voice I haue cried out vnto our Lord with my voice I haue made my praier vnto our Lord. and bringing the Psalme to the ende the iust saith he de expect me vntill thou geue reward vnto me Thus all the misteries being nowe at length in him accomplished that most holy soule being loosed from the flesh and swallowed vppe in the vnsearcheable depth of Godes heavenly brightnesse the blessed man fel a sleep in our Lord. At what time one of his brethren and Disciples saw that blessed foule in the forme of a most glittering starre to be borne aloft vppon a pure white litle cloud so to be caried over many waters by a straight passage vp to Heaven as being by the whitenesse of a high degree of holinesse most brightly shining and being also replenished with the great plenty and aboundance of heaven ly wisedome and grace whereby the holy man deserved to enter into a place of light and peace where he remayneth at rest with Christ worlde without ende The Minister also of the brethren in the land of labour was at that time brother Augustine a man doubtlesse very holy and iuste who being even then in his last hower and having a good while before quite loest his speache did yet in the hearing of all that were present sodeinely cry out and say Expect me O Father expect me a while for behold I come even now with you The Brethren in the meane while muche marveiling and enquiring to whome he spake in suche wise he confidently saied vnto them Doe you not see our Father Francis whoe goeth nowe to Heaven And presently his holy soule partinge from his fleshe did followe the most Holy Father At that very time was the Bishoppe of Assisium gone vppon Pilgrimage to the Oratorie of Saint Michael in the Mountaine Garganus Note the words of this holy saint at his death Behold I learne this world goe to heaven to whome blessed Saint Francis appearing
in the night of his passadge saied Behold I leaue the world and goe to Heaven The Bishop therefore rising betimes in the morning declared to them that were in his company what he had seene and returning to Assisium he founde for certaine truthe after diligent enquirie made that at that very hower wherein he had by vision so much made knowen vnto him the blessed Father departed out of this world And at the howre also of the departure of this holy man which was about the twilight of the night following the Larkes which are birds that loue the light and do abhorre the darksomnesse of the twilight did neverthelesse come in a great multitude vpon the toppe of the house plaieng themselues a good while with an vnvsual kinde of reioycing gaue thereby a no lesse ioyful than evident testimony of the glory of the Saint who was wont to enuite them vnto the praises of Almighty God THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER Of his Canonisation and of the translation of his sacred bodie SAINT Francis therefore the servant frind of the Highest the institutour and guider of the Friars Minors the professour of Poverty the forme of Pennance the Preacher of Verity the Mirrour of Holinesse and the sampler of all Evangelicall perfection being prevented from aboue by heavenly grace did come by a well ordered and due proceeding from the lowest estate to the highest pitche of vertue This admirable man as being passingly ritche in Poverty and highly advaunced in Humility prompt also and actiue in mortification and prudent in simplicity and briefly of singular note and observance for al manner of honest conversation whome our Lord had made to be in his life time wonderfully esteemed him did he make to be in his death incomparably more renowned For when this blessed man departed out of the world his sacred spiritte entring the house of eternity and being made gloriouse with the full draught of the fontaine of life left behind him in his body ecrtaine expresse signes of the future glory That his most holy flesh which having binne crucified with the vices thereof had now passed over into a new creature might both by a singularity of priviledge sette forth the shewe of our Saviours Passion and might also by the novelty of the Miracle foreshew the resemblance of his resurrection For in those his most happy members there were certaine nailes to be seene which had bine wounderfully made of his very flesh by power devine and were so marveilously growen therin that being pressed or strained on either side they would as it were certaine naturall and hard sinwes presently rebounde to the contrary parte There was also more apparantly founde in his body howbeit not inflicted nor made by hand of man the hole of a wounde in his side like vnto the wounded side of our Saviour which did in him our Redeemer bring forth the sacrament of humane redemption and generation And the similitude of the nailes were black like vnto irō but the wounde of the side was of a red colour being by the shriking of the flesh brought into a certaine kinde of roundenesse it seemed to be as it were a most beautifull rose As for the rest of his flesh notwithstanding that of former time it had aswell out of infirmity as 〈◊〉 out of nature declined to blacknesse yet now brightly shining with an excessiue Luster of pure whitenesse it did well resemble the exquisite beautifullnesse of the second Stole Apoc. 7.13 Moreover the limmes and members of his body appeared to be so softe and tractable to such as felt them that they seemed to be changed into the tendernesse of a litle childe and did make shewe to be graced with certaine evident signes of innocency Seeing therefore that the nailes seemed to be blacke in his most pure and white flesh and the wounde of his side to be red like vnto a most faire and slourishing rose it is in no sorte to be wondred at if soe delightefull and miraculous a varietie gaue cause both of ioy and admiration vnto all the beholders And true it is that the devout children did indeed shed teares and lament for the taking away of soe loving a Father but yet were they replenished with no small measure of ioy and gladesomnesse meane while that in him they did most sweetely kisse the sacred signes of the inghest king And the novelty of the miracle turned their mournefull complainte into surpassing ioy and the true vnderstanding thereof ravished the deepe searcher of the matter with amazement For a spectacle soe vnvsuall and so notable also therewithall was vnto all the beholders both an establishement of faith and a provocation of loue and affection and to the hearers thereof a matter of admiration and a stirring vp of desire to see and behold it For the death of this good Father was no sooner heard of and the fame of the miracles spreede abroad but the people came withall expedition flocking together to the place that with the eies of their flesh they might see viewe the things which might repel al doubt frō reason and might heape vp aboundance of ioyes to their affections Very many therfore of the Cittizens of Assisium were admitted with their eies to behold and with their lipps to kisse those most holy Stigmats But one of thē being a knight wel learned doubtlesse and wise whose name was Hierome a man also of much fame and accounte being doubtful of these holy signes in credulous like vnto Thomas did in the presence of the brethten and other the Cittisens more freely and boldly moue the nailes and did with his owne handes touche the hands feete and side of the Sainte that whilest by feeling and touching he handled those true signes of the woundes of Christ he might cut of all manner of wounde of doubtfullnesse from the harte both of himselfe and others For which cause even he himselfe among others being afterwards made a constant witnesse of this truth so certainly knowen did by oathe vpon the holy Gospells testifie the same But the brethren and Children that had binne called to the passadge of the blessed Father did withall the multitude of the pecple assembled so religioufly employ themselves in dedicating vnto the eivine praises of God that night wherein the worthy Confessour of Christe was departed that thereseemed to be held noe exequies for the dead but rather a blessed watch and warde of Angels And when morning came the trouppes of people Heere we may see the custome of the Catholieke Church in burryng her dead with wax candels lighted with hemnes spirituall Psalmes that were gathered together taking the boughes of trees and a number of waxe lights in their hands did with Himnes Canticles bring the holy body to the Cittie of Assisium But passing by the Church of Saint Damian wherin that noble Virgin Sainct Clare now gloriouse in Heaven did then remaine inclosed with the rest of the Virgines and making there some stay