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 he was assured of the Glory of Paradise.

THE LXIII. CHAPTER.

BVt because there cannot be giuen to a seruant of God a greater consolation then the hope and certainty of the glorie to come, wherto S. Paul esteemed not the passions of this world cōdigne, howsoeuer greiuous and continuall they might be; The S. goeing one day for his consolation to visitt S. Clare, with Brother Leonard of Assi∣sium his companion, the sweetnes of their spirituall discourses was such and so great, that the night surprised thē before they perceaued it. Wher∣fore constrayned by her prayers, her Sisters and her companions, he did eat two morcels with them, and in an instant he was swallowed vp in the holy Ghost and rauished in extasie, with a deep contentment, where he heard that which sequentlie shalbe related. Being retourned to him∣selfe he cryed out with a loud voice; My God be thou praysed, and in∣continentlie went to our Lady of Angels. Arising from the table, he fell on his knees and there was againe in extasie the space of an hower, then instantly went away and left S. Clare and her sisters who were excee∣dingly greiued t••erewith. His Cōpany admiring theratt asked him the cause in their way: the S. acknowledge it vnto them, affirming that in the extasie God had reuealed vnto him his saluation by these verie wordes: Francis I promise thee eternall life and assure thee therof, in such sort as I tell thee thou canst no way loose it: for which I thancked

him, saying: Prayse be to thee my God: then he forbad them to speake thereof till after his death. Being come to our Lady of Angels, for eyght howers together he could not vtter other wordes then these: Be thou praysed my God: yea he could not say his canonicall hou∣res by reason of the ioy that had surprised his hart. After that time his infirmitie in such sort encreasing that it manifestlie appeared he could not liue long, one of his f••eindes, seeing him cloathed with his coursest and patched habitt, and hauing a peece of rugged cloth on his forehead for the infirmitie of his eyes, in spirituall mirth said vnto him: Father how will you sell this old habitt? Oh how soone will God buy it of you, and pay you deerlie for it! giuing you in exchaunge therof an infinitye of precious garmentes of silke and gold besides eternall▪ glorie afterward in the other world. The S. induced and inspired of the holy Ghost, sodenly answeared. Brother thou hast reason, for so shall it be, to the honour and glory of God.