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 gaue his benediction to his eldest sonne, Brother Ber∣nard Quintaualle. Taken out of the sixt chapter of the sixt booke, and put here as the due place therof.

NOw whiles S. Francis was eating the said meates, prepared by the handes of the said Lady, calling to minde that Brother Bernard was with him att Rome the first time that he did eat therof; he asked those present where he was, and caused him to be cal∣led to eat therof also. Brother Bernard being come and obeying the Sainct, hauing eaten two morcels with him perceauing that he approa∣ched neere his end, making his benefitt of the good occasion, humblie demaunded his holie benediction. To whome sainct Francis answea∣red: my deere child I graunt it most willinglie: and so commanded his benediction to be written, which thus began: The first Re∣ligious and companion that God gaue me, was Brother Bernard Quintaualle, who was the first that began, as he that euer since con∣tinued, perfectlie to obserue the rule of the gospell and the Coun∣failes therof: wherfore aswell in regard of that, as for manie other graces which God hath bestowed on him, I am much obliged to loue him, yea aboue all other Religious of our Order. And therfo∣re I will and ordaine that euerie other Minister that shall come he∣reafter, doe loue him as my selfe. Then he bad him stand att his right hand, for he had alreadie lost his sight. But Brother Bernard seeing Brother Helias that extremelie desired it, knowing right well the need he had therof, hauing compassion of him, he sent him to the right hand of the Sainct and placed himselfe att the left, con∣tenting himselfe to gaine that soule to God, by the benediction so much desired, of his beloued Father. But sainct Francis intending to lay his hand on the head of Brother Bernard, knew either by the touch or by diuine reuelation, that it was Brother Helias, wher∣fore he sodenlie called Brother Bernard, who answearing him, he perceaued by his voice that he was att his left hand, and therfore crossed his handes as did the Patriarch Iacob, and gaue them his bene∣diction, yet alwayes naming Brother Bernard he said vnto him: God giue thee his benediction, & encrease in celestiall benedictions of IESVS CHRIST, as thou hast bin first called to this holie Religion, to serue for an example of Apostolicall life, and to demonstrate how one ought to follow IESVS CHRIST, in pouerty and in his crosse: sith thou hast not only giuen all they terrestriall substance to his poore, but hast offered thy very selfe vnto him in sacrifice. Be thou therfore bles∣sed of our lord Iesus Christ and of me his poore seruant with an eternal

benediction, goeing, retourning, remayning, sleeping and waking. He that shall blesse thee, be he blessed, and lett not him that shall curse thee rest vnpunished. Thou shall be superiour of all thy Brethren and they shalbe subiect vnto thee. Lett him that thou wilt receaue into this Or∣der, be receaued, and him that thou wilt reiect, be reiected. Thou shalt haue liberty to reside where thou wilt, none hauing authority euer to forbidde, or to prescribe thee any law, in the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the blessed holy Ghost. Amen.