The chronicle and institution of the Order of the seraphicall father S. Francis conteyning his life, his death, and his miracles, and of all his holie disciples and companions / set foorth first in the Portugall, next in the Spanish, then in the Italian, lastlie in the French, and now in the English tongue.

How S. Francis saw the secrets of mennes consciences.

THE CXII. CHAPTER.

OVr lord IESVS CHRIST hauing chosen the glorious Father S. Francis for Pastour of his flock, he also so illuminated him inte∣riourlie by his diuine vertue, that he discouered vnto him the secrettes of the consciences of those that were his, and likewise their pri∣uate and hidden necessities: so that by the same meane he knew both the grace which they had receaued of God, and euē that which they thē receaued. By this knowledge he foretold the fall of manie, who seemed to haue attayned the state of perfection, and on the contrarie the saluatiō of manie wicked, prophesying their conuersion. He saw what should succeed them for manie yeares after, as if it had bin present, onlie behol∣ding the vnspotted and cleare mirour of diuine light, and his admirable splendour, by a diuine prerogatiue and especially the successes and mu∣tatiōs of Religion, which he would sometimes with abōdance of teares cōmunicate to his cōpanions. Touching that which concerned the con∣sciences* 1.1 of his Religious, he both with al possible speed and effect re∣dressed the same: and if they were far distant, he appeared vnto them in their sleepe, and instructed them what they ought to doe, and frō what to abstaine, as by the sequell shall appeare.

The holie Father comming from beyond the sea, with his compa∣nion Brother Leonard, a Religious of very worthie familie, and being by reason of his infirmities verie wearie and feeble, he had for ceraine

dayes the vse of an asse. But the poore Brother Leonard that followed him a foote, being also very weary, began to murmure, saying to him∣selfe:* 1.2 what doe I poore follow that I am, to follow this man a foot? Is there not great difference betweene his discent and mine? why then contrary to that which should be, doe I goe on foot and he on horse∣back? and euen I follow him as a lackye driuing this asse, with speed, and so wearying my selfe as I can no longer endure. The good Brother Leonard went on thus still discoursing with himselfe in his first moti∣ons, when as the holy Father S. Francis seeing in spiritt the secret mur∣mure of his companion called him, and alighting from his asse, he said: Brother and Freind, I confesse I haue litle discretion, to see you so wea∣rily to goe a foot, and my selfe to ride att mine ease: Gett vp therfore on this asse, now att least whiles I remember me, considering that being in the world, you were farre more noble and more honnorable then my selfe. Brother Leonard hearing this was vtterly confounded and a∣mazed, that the S. so soone knew his euill cogitation: Falling ther∣fore at his feet, and confessing his vaine ridiculous discourse, with a very deep contrition, he asked and obtayned pardon.

Two very spirituall Religious came expresly from Rieta to the Ora∣tory of Grecio, to visitt S Francis and to haue his benediction. But being there ariued, it was told them that there was no hope of speaking with the holy Father, by reason that hauing taken his refection he was retourned to his cell, where he prayed and slept, and came forth but once a day to eat, it being lent and that being then so solitary, he would not haue his companiō, much lesse any other Religious to disturbe him, vnles he so commaunded. These two poore Religious exceedingly af∣flicted, esteeming themselues by reason of their sinnes vnworthy of such grace, not hauing oportunity any longer to expect, because their su∣periour had commaunded them to retourne the same night to their Co∣uent, they hastened homeward. S. Francis who in spiritt had seen all* 1.3 this, contrary to his custome came hastely out of his c••lle, and went af∣ter the said Religious, who by that time were farre gone, and so in an instant giuing them consolation together with his benediction which they demaunded, he dismissed them doubly satisfied, knowing that the holy Father came by diuine inspiration to giue them his benedi∣ction.

* 1.4 Two Religious comming from Naples to visitt him, the elder of them on the way committed some fault, att which the yonger was ex∣tremely scandalized: now comming to the presence of S. Francis, he gi∣uing them his benediction, demaunded of the yonger, how his compa∣nion had behaued himselfe: he esteeming it indecent to discouer the faultes of his Brother, answeared, well. The holy Father replyed, My

sonne, beware that vnder colour of humility, you doe not lye; for I know what hath passed in your iorney: and I would haue you know that you shall shortly see this man to proue worse: Which so suc∣ceeded, for this old man not long after went out of the Order, accor∣ding to that which S. Francis had foretold for the sinne, for the scan∣dall, and for his neglect of doeing pennance, which is the ladder to di∣uine mercie.

In the first beginning when none was admitted and receaued into the Order, but by S. Francis himselfe, a gentleman of Luca, came ex∣pressy to demaund the habitt of him, he had with him some of his cō∣panions, it being when he lay sicke in the Bishoppes lodgeing of Assi∣sium. The said gentleman being conducted to the S. he fell on his knees before him, most instantlie beseeching him to admitt him into his Re∣ligion, but the holy Father beholding him attentiuely, answeared: O miserable man, this request is not graunted to men entierly addicted to sensuality and to the world, as you are, for you doe lye to the holy Ghost: these teares are seigned and not true; your interiour is not with God: neither is it he that calleth you to this Religion. Depart you ther∣fore in good time, for you are not fitt for it. The holy Father had scarce* 1.5 ended these wordes, but the Religious vnderstood that the kinred of this gentleman were come for him: but not beleeuing them, he put his head out att the windoe, whence hauing seene them, he was very ioyfull, and taking leaue of the said Religious he retourned with them to his house. Those present exceedingly admired the spiritt of S. Francis, that knew the feined intentions of this man who exteriour∣lie appeared so contrite.

The rest of this chapter is transfered to the end of this first book, with the 31. and 32. chapter of the second booke, there placed together as their proper place.

Notes

• * 1.1

  S. Franc. knew the thoughts of men.
• * 1.2

  Of a Re∣ligious that mur∣mured because goeing a foot S. Francis had an asse.
• * 1.3

  Of two Religious that came to visit him.
• * 1.4

  Of a Re∣ligious that by humility would conceale the fault which his companiō had com∣mitted.
• * 1.5

  Of a gen∣tleman that fei∣ned to desire the habitt of F. Minor.