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 the body of the glorious Father sainct Francis, was transported into his owne church.

THE LXXV. CHAPTER.

THe yeare of grace 1230. the Frere Minors, being assembled att Assisium there to hold their Generall Chapter, when the trans∣lation of this holy body was to be made, from the church of S. George into the new church builded to that purpose, there repaired an infinite multitude of people from all partes of Italy, and many fur∣ther remote to see this precious body. But brother Helias, who by the fauour and assistance of the Pope and many seculer gentlemen (though Brother Iohn Parēt were Minister Generall) caused the holy body with∣out priuity of the said Generall or other persōne to be secretly remoued, permitting none sauing only certaine of his freindes to know where it reposed; which he did for certaine humane considerations. And this exceedingly disquieted the said Religious, who came, rather to see the holy body, then to hold the Chapter. Brother Helias satisfied them with very few, yet witty wordes; so that this notwithstanding, the said translation was celebrated with a very sumptuous solemnity; the Pope hauing expresly sent thither his Apostalicall Noncioes as well to make his excuse of not comming in person, by reason of certaine lawfull impedimentes, as also to adorne that new church with a great crosse of gold enriched with many precions stones, wherin was s••tt a litle peice of the true crosse, and also with many dressinges and vessels to trimme and decke the high altare and many other rich ornamentes; and with∣all a good almose to defray the said translation, and towardes the fi∣nishing of the said building then halfe erected. His holines by Aposto∣licall authoritie exempted▪ the said church, as also his monastery from all the landes subiect to the Romane Church, and would that it should be immediately subiect to the holy Sea, himselfe hauing there laid the first stone. Now this holy treasure being translated and transported, thus sealed with the character of the omnipotent, it pleased his diuine maiesty by meane of his seruant to worck many miracles: therby to in∣duce the faithfull by feruent imitation to follow his steppes: conside∣ring that during his life he had bin so deere vnto him, as that by contē∣plation he had transported him as Enoch into Paradice, and as Elias had bin carryed away on a fiery chariott, by reason of his feruēt zeale of cha∣rity: he in like sort made him famous on earth after his death (as in the third book shall appeare) curing the deafe, the blinde, maymed and lea∣pers, by his merittes expelled deuils from the bodies of the possessed,

loosed imprisoned captiues, deliuered women in trauaile and child-bed, helped all sortes of diseases, as also trauaillers by sea, that were deliue∣red safe and sound from the depth of the Ocean, in the time of horri∣ble tempestes, which disaster by their sinnes they had deserued; fi∣nally raysing the dead, as in his life time he had reduced many to di∣uine grace: In such sort that God made him to be alwayes present with the vertue of heauen, vnto such as with an ardent faith did inuocate him, whome he freed of all their dangers, to the praise and glorie of his diuine Maiestie, and of his glorious seruant sainct Fran∣cis.

Here ensue many apparitions and miracles of the holy Father S. Frācis wrought after his death, with a catologue of his vertues, for which he merited such notable guiftes of his diuine Maiestie. This was dispersed throughout, but the translatour hath collected it & here placed it as in place proper & per∣ticuler to S. Francis.

And first of an admirable manner wherin S. Francis appeared to Brother Leo, taken out of the sixteenth chap. of the sixt booke.

SOme time after the death of the glorious Father S. Francis, Bro∣ther Leo, vnable any longer to support the absence of his deerely beloued Father, began with the most affection he could to pray almighty God that he would voutsafe to shew him his deere master: and to obtaine the same, he retired himselfe into a solitarie place where he continuallie persisted, fasting, weeping, and afflicting himselfe. Vpon this occasion, the holie Father who affected those that were his more internallie being in heauen, then he had done on earth, appeared vnto him exceeding ioyfull and resplendant, hauing a pai∣re of winges as feathers of gold, the nailes of his feet and handes were as those of an eagle, likewise of gold. Brother Leo was fil∣led with ioy and consolation, yet exceedinglie amazed att the rariety of those feathers and nailes: wherfore hauing done him reuerence and kissed his feet and handes, he prayed him to let him vnderstand what the feathers and nayles might signifie. The Sainct answeared: among manie graces which God hath giuen me, this is one, that I assist my Religious and such as are affected vnto myne Order: and that I may be instantlie present att their affections, when they haue recourse vn∣to me, and also to assist the carriage of their soules to heauen, I haue the vse of these winges and nayles not only to cause the deuils to fly, but eu••n to wound them, and to chastice the Brethren that grow negligent

and trouble mine Order, and such as persecute it, be they Religious or se∣culer.

Of an other vision that the said Brother Leo had, of the vniuersall iudgment, wherein S. Francis made intercession, taken out of the 17. chapter of the sixt booke.

BRother Leo vpon an other time in vision saw preparation to the generall and last iudgement of God, in a great feild where the Angels sounded their trumpettes to assemble all the world, and there were instantly placed two ladders, that reached euen from the earth to the throne where the sonne of God was to sitt; the one was white, the other red: Our Lord incontinentlie appeared in vehement choller, vpon the redladder, theatening as if he had bin greiuously offended. He seemed to see S. Francis come downe on the said red ladder and call his Religious, whome he animated to present themselues couragiously: att which voice many of his Religious began boldlie to ascend the said lad∣der. But how it chaunced he knew not, they all fell to the ground: wherfore S. Francis began to pray vnto God for them, and God shewing him his woundes renewed distilling out bloud abondantlie, answeared: Thy Religious haue procured me all this. S. Francis yet desisted not to pray him againe to shew them mercie: and then called them againe, saying: make an other attempt to ascend, and feare not, nor be you ter∣rified that you haue already fallen: but repose confidentlie in God, without dispaire, and ascend by the other white ladder; which doeing, they found att the toppe therof the glorious Virgin Mary, who ioy∣fully receaued them, and procured them all, entrance into Paradise.

How the glorious Father S. Francis appeared to Iohn de Brenne, king of Hieru∣salem, and Emperour of Constantinople, whome he caused to take his habitt, and to die therein. Taken out of the ele∣uenth chapter of the tenth booke.

THe Count of Vienna, called Iohn de Brenne, was a most vail∣liant knight, and worthy Catholique, he was of the race of God∣fry of Bullen, first king of Hierusalem, as himselfe was also crowned within Tyre; the yeare 1••10. he obtayned manie notable victories against the ennemies of IESEVS CHRIST: as, against the Mores in Syria, and against the Soldan of AEgipt, from whome art lenght he tooke Damietta, which afterwardes he lost againe with all his armie, through default of an Apostolicall Legatt that was in his camp. Wherevpon retourning to require helpe of the Christian Princes

of Europe, and passing Sicilia, he maryed one of his daughters to the Emperour Federick, the second, vpon condition that he should assist him in the enterprise of the holy land, and for dowry gaue him the title of king of Hierusalem, together with all the iurisdiction and authority he had there: thence is it that the kinges of Sicilia haue euer since chal∣lenged and enioyed this title; but the Emperour did not only not assist him, but proued his aduersary; so that being in miserie he entred into the seruice of Pope Gregory the ninth, and then contracted amity with the holy Father S. Francis, where God assisting him, he continued not long but was called from Greece to be gouernour of Constantinople, where marying an other of his daughters to their Emperour Baudouin, that was yet a childe, he resigned his Empire vnto him as a worthy pro∣tectour and coadiutor, principallie after the said mariage. He gouerned that contry very prudently all the time of his life, which was about sea∣uen yeares, and then dying, as hereafter we shall relate, he againe resi∣gned the Empire very peaceable to his Sonne in law. This worthy cap∣taine of IESVS CHRIST, both corporall and spirituall, hauing alwayes in memory the end of his life, did very instantly demaund of God, that he would please to inspire him to end his dayes in this seruice and in such sort as should be most acceptable vnto him, wherfore after many prayers, the holy Father S. Francis appeared one night vnto him, hauing in his hand a very poore habitt with the corde and sandales, and said: Iohn, thou must dye with this habitt, wherwith being exceedingly amazed he awakened, yet discouered it not to any person. The two nightes follow∣ing, he had againe the same vision, and the third, sauing that the third time he added that he should not be terrified to consider or feare his fall againe into misery: for, that was the habitt of a Religious, and as soone as he awaked, calling for Brother Angelus his Confessour, disciple of the holy Father S. Francis and declaring vnto him his vision, the Re∣ligious graciously eucouraged him to take the habitt, wherein he made no difficultie, but shewed himselfe most ready, especially being surpri∣sed with a tercian ague that sodenly assaulted him, wherof he dyed very piously with the vtterance of these wordes: Almighty God, I now dye contentedly and very willingly, in this poore habitt of a begger, as a punishment of so many vaine superfluities, wherein, to the great pre∣iudice of my soule, I haue exceeded in the worlde: wherfore I humbly beseech thine infinite bounty to accept this my good will, in regard that thow knowest that if I should liue longer, I would neuer forsake this abiect and holy pouerty. This great Prince did by example demonstrate to all men, that to reiect the vanities and wealth of the world, is not so great a disgrace and shame as it is reputed.

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Of certaine miracles wrought in Spaine by the merittes of the holy Father S. Francis. Taken out of the fourtenth chapter of the tenth booke.

* 1.1 IN the citty of Girone within the Country of Catalogne, the daughter of a poore woman, about ten or twelue yeares of age, was so lamed and benummed in her feet and handes, that she was not only vnable to vndertake any exercise, but euen could not feed herselfee which exceedingly perplexed and annoyed her mother, as wel in regard of her pouerty, as of the trouble she incurred therby. And being one day otherwise employed, she forgott to giue her daughter to eat, who att night complayning, her mother as disquieted answeared her: Would to God daughter thou wert in heauē, sith I am so troubled to serue thee, & that thou canst doe me no seruice againe. The girle tooke these wor∣des so greiuouslie, that she would eat nothinge that euening, and re∣mayned all night much afflicted, till she heard it ring to matines att the Church of S. Francis: which made her remember the great mira∣cles which then were wrought by the merittes of S. Francis, and then said with her selfe: S. Francis, if that be true which is said of thee, I most humbly beseech thee voutsafe to make farther proofe on me of thy sanc∣tity freeing my mother and me from such an insupportable torment and affliction. S. Francis and S. Antony incontinentlie appeared vnto her, cloathed in white, and girded with a cord, seeming as white as snow: S. Antony tooke her by the feet, and S. Francis by the han∣des, and lifted her out of the bed, and sett her on the ground, so leauing her entierly cured. When the SS. were departed, the girle said to Sainct Francis, Lord who art thou, that hast done so singuler a fauour to my mother and me? Sainct Francis answeared, that he was the same whome she had so deuoutly inuocated, and bid her to arise, because she was cured: which said, they both disappeared. The girle perceauing herselfe to be cured, full of ioy and admiration att the miracle, with a loud voice called her mother, who was abroad with her neighbours, and they hearing a cleare voice, came speedilie to see what the matter was. But exceedinglie amazed to see her cu∣red, they asked her by what meanes she gott the vse of her mem∣bers: she answeared that recommending herselfe to Sainct Francis, two Religious appeared vnto her and cured her. The bruit of this miracle was incontinently diuulged ouer all the towne. The bishop vnderstanding therof, with a great multitude of people accompa∣nyed the said girle to the Church of the Freer Minors, to giue thanc∣kes

to God and S. Francis for this gracious benefitt. The girle seeing the image of S. Francis in the Church, poynting theratt with her hand, she said a loud: behold him that hath deliuered me from the perill of death and cured me. In the citty of Cumbre, in the kingdome of Por∣tugall, the neece of one that was deuout vnto S. Francis and his Order, was playing on the riuer side of Modego, and entring into the water, was carryed away with the streame, euen to the middes of the riuer: her vncle with other of her kinred seeking her, she was found vpon a stone safe and secure in the middes of the water. Whence being fetched* 1.2 with a boat, and asked all the matter, she answeared that two Religious of S. Francis who her Father the night before had lodged in his house, had saued her from being drowned. Thus did the holy Father S. Fran∣cis requite this his affectionate freind for his deuotion in entertayning his Religious into his house.

This ensuying is taken out of the twelfth chap. of the tenth booke.

THere was a woman in Almania that by the merittes of S. Fran∣cis obtayned of God a male childe: this boy playing in the street and his mother beholding him, as she sate at the dore of her house, there came a possessed man that audaciouslie and impudentlie attēpted publikely to force this woman, but she shifting in to her house violently shutt the dore against him. The possessed partly perceauing that the mother was escaped, tooke the child and with his diuillesh for∣ce rent it in peeces and went his way. The poore mother in meane while* 1.3 went to the windoe to see if her sonne had no hurt; but perceauing him so dismembred, she filled the aire with sighes; and comming speedily downe, she assembled all the members of her child into her lap, and with a strong faith carryed them to the Church of S. Francis, who a litle before had obtayned him for her, where hauing layd him on the altare; with great courage she vttered these wordes. Glorious Sainct that hast obtained this child forme of God, restore him me againe att this present I beseech thee; for I beleeue and hope that his diuine ma∣iestie will not deny thee such a fauour. This strong faith was not fru∣strated of what it expected, for in an instant, the members of the child were miraculously revnited together, and the child restored to his life and beauty, to the exceeding admiration and encrease of de∣uotion in all persons. This miracle remayned a long time pictured in the citty of Bolonia.

How S. Francis and S. Antony deliuered a lady from dispaire. Taken out of the 12. chapter of the tenth booke.

IN the kingdome of Portugall, and citty of Liuarez, the lady of the place called Lopez, had for gouernesse a deuill, in disguise of a wo∣man, by whose counsaile she practised most horrible cruelties on her subiectes, and most enormous sinnes in her selfe: but following the cu∣stome of most women, she was very deuout vnto the SS. & particuler∣ly to S. Francis and S. Antony of Padua. Now she falling greiuously sick, and by reason of her enormous sinnes committed running into dispaire, she had no care of spirituall phisicians, nor of other Sacra∣mentes; whervpon the SS. mentioned hauing pitty on her, came to vi∣sitt her, and hauing saluted her, began to comfort her, and to persuade her to be confessed; but they litle auayled, for she alleaged that her sinnes were such & so haynous as could not be pardoned. And therfore the elder of the two SS. told her that if she would confesse & haue con∣trition of her sinnes, he would be contēted to take her sinnes on himselfe, and to satisfie God for her, yea and would make her participant of all the good deedes he had done during his life, and finally would in the name and part of God promise her eternall life. These wordes put her in good hope, whervpon of a wolfe she became a meeke lambe, with exceeding contrition doeing pennance for all her sinnes; hauing made a generall confession to one of the two: And hauing receaued the holy Sa∣cramentes by their Minister, she by their owne handes was vested in the habitt of the Frere Minors; which done, they disappeared; they who saw them, esteemed them by their comportment and gestures, to be S. Francis and S. Antony. A few dayes after their departure, this woman dyed very piously, and commaunded her body to be buryed in the Church of the Freere Minors, some league distant from the said citty of Liuarez. That very night a foot man of hers retourning from abroad, as the day began to breake, there appeared a shaddow before him, and he coniuring it in the name of the liuing God, it answeared that he was the deuill, that for fourteene yeares had serued the lady Lopez in shape of a woman: and that by right he had gotten and pourchached her; but that att the end of her life, there presented themselues vnto her two Religious wearing the Capuce whome she much affected, who so preuailed that they conuerted her to pen∣nance for her sinnes, and against all right, wrested her soule out of his power, and carried it with them vnto glory: But that thou mayest know this to be true, (said the deuill) when thou shalt come to Liuarez, where she is dead, thou shalt finde a rumour

among the people, by reason of a locke-smith that had killed his wife, who being taken vpon the fact shalbe hanged, and I that haue bin cause therof, shall gaine their soules, and carrie them with me into hell. So that for one soule which I haue lost, I shall gaine twoo. The footman endinge his iorney, found what the deuill had told him to be true, and therfore to all personnes recounted this discourse.

How the mentionned Saintes hindered a woman from hanging her selfe. Taken out of the 23. chapter of the tenth booke.

AN other woman of Portugall named Sara, being verie de∣uout to the said Saintes, was cruellie tormented by her hus∣band; for besides his queanes which he entertayned in his house, the bread and wine which he gaue her were iniuries and basto∣nadoes. Now being herevpon one day run into extreme despaire, she fastened a corde about the beame of her chamber, and hauing made a bowe to put about her necke and to hang her selfe, she heard some ru∣delie knocke att the dore and calling to haue it hastely opened, wherfore hiding here corde, she found that they were two Religious, who prayed her to giue them entertaynement for that night in her house. She demaunded who they were, and how they were called; they answeared that they were two-frere Minors of a farre country, the one called Francis, and the other Antony; she presently replyed, that she would willingly entertaine them for the deuotion she had to S. Francis himselfe, and to S. Antony; and so hauing admitted them, she did accommodate them a chamber wherin to sleep, resoluing for that night to deferre to hange her selfe, for reuerence vnto those seruantes of God. But the SS. about midnight appeared to her hus∣band, and said: God hath sent vs in his behalfe to aduertise thee, that if thou doe not conuert thee from thy sinnes, shake off thy lewd retinue, and liue in peace with thy wife, who is very deuout vnto vs, thou shalt die within three dayes, and be buried in hell, sith thou art cause that this euening she would haue hanged her selfe, if we had not come to preuent her: arise therfore instantlie, and in token that this is true, goe speedilie to thy house, and aske thy wife for the corde wherwith she would strangle her selfe. This miserable husband, being by these wordes full of contrition, went to find his wife in his house, who att her rising missing the Re∣ligious, was in exceeding admiration, how they should goe foorth shee keeping the key of the dore which she opened to her husband, that

then knocked, who humbly demaunding the corde wherwith she would haue hanged her selfe that night, she knew not what to answea∣re: her husband recounted her all, how she had bin preseuered by S. Francis and S. Antony, thenceforward she liued with him in peace and piously, to the great contentment of the poore woman, who was ve∣ry thanckfull to the Sainctes.

How the glorious Father S. Francis held a chapter with his Religious in vision. Taken out of the 18. chapter of the tenth booke.

THere was a Frere Minor in Thoschane, for his owne perti∣culer of very austere life, who being raysed to gouernement, perceauing many yong gentlemen daily to enter into Religion, and many other other desirous to enter, if there were place commodi∣ous to entertaine them, determined to erect a great and sumptuous Monasterie: Which hauing done, he left the litle house wherin he for∣merly resided. Now the glorious Father sainct Francis appeared to him one night in vision, and said: Come with me: he answeared: whi∣ther? and he replyed: to our Monastery, goeing towardes the first he answeared that it was ruined. The S. then said, come only with me, I know well whither I am to goe; and so following him, he came to a Chapter, where it seemed to him that the S. called all the Religious by one and one, and that according to their manner, they confessed their faultes vnto him, yea and that he heard some to accuse themselues of carnall sinnes, others of disobedience, others to haue infringed their first vowe of pouerty; of whome the first and second it seemed that the S. with compassion pardoned, only admonishing them to be wary thē∣ceforward not to fall into the like, but did cruelly chastice those that had transgressed the vow of pouerty; which this Religious much admi∣ring, most humbly prayed the S. to tell him the cause. The S. answea∣red him, that the rule gaue a sufficient punishment to the lasciuious, and such as disobey their Superiours, who will enforce them to obedience, therfore it only needeth to admonish them in good sort. But said he, the precious stone of my holy pouerty, is now of each one trodden vnder foot, as well the great as litle, esteeme it contemptible and mis∣prise it, wherfore I must my selfe redresse it: then addressing himsel∣fe to this Religious, and thou, said he, that hast so rashlie presumed to build asumptuous Monasterie, and to destroie mine owne so pre∣cious and poore, shalt not escape the wrath of God. But the Guar∣dian in his owne excuse alleadged that he did it not of himselfe, and that by the grace of God he affected not those worldlie ho∣nours, but had onlie consented therto for the commodity of other

Religious. Therfore, said he, doest thou meritt a double punishment, considering that being austere in thine owne behalfe, and accommo∣dating they selfe vnto others; thou doest not care to damne thine owne soule: which said he vanished. And what after became of the said Guar∣dian is not knowne.

How S. Francis appeared in vision, deciding who were his Religious, and who not, in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ, sitting as Iudge. Ta∣ken out of the seauententh chapter of the tenth booke.

IN the primitiue time of the Order, there happened a very horrible ac∣cident on this subiect in England; which was thus, there being a Religious of sainct Francis very contemplatiue, who for the merit∣tes of his deuotions was often rapt into extasie: his Guardian seeing him so to remayne a whole day and weeping, said vnto him, I com∣mand you brother, vpon holy obedience to retourne to your selfe from the extasie you are in. Hauing heard the word of obedience, he incontinently came to himselfe, and tooke refection according to his necessity: hauing resumed his spirittes, the Superiour commanded him againe vpon obedience to tell him what he had seene that caused him so bitterly to weepe, which seemed vnto him meerly extraordina∣ry: for the property of mentall extasie is to cause ioy, and not sorrow and lamentation. The Religious thus constrayned, began to recount vnto him saying: O Father, I saw our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST sitting on a very high throne with an incredible Maiesty attended with all his celestiall guard to execute his iudgement. Then in an instant I saw to appeare all degrees of men and women, and saw, which I would neuer haue beleeued, many Religious, and many Preistes also con∣demned as worldlinges among whome I saw a Religious of our Or∣der that had a delicate and sensuall habitt, who being demaunded of what Religion he was, he answeared that he was a Religious of the Or∣der of sainct Francis. Wherfore the mighty Iudge tourning to S. Fran∣cis asked him if it were true that this Religious were one of his. He ans∣weared that he was none of his Religious, because his woare no habit∣tes so fine and sensuall, but poore and patched, and so the wretch was sodenly throwne into hell: after him came an other, accompayned with many seculer Gentlemen, the S. denyed him also to be any of his, affir∣ming that his Religious applyed themselues to prayer and other spiritu∣all excises, and not to vaine seculer conuersations, and so he was con∣dēned as the other, as also the third, because he came with a great quan∣tity of curious bookes: after these there came one very expert in contri∣uing lofty and sumptuous buildinges, who was sent for an architect

into hell. Finallie there came one miserably cloathed and ragged, who fell on his knees, affirming himselfe to be a wretched sinner vnwor∣thy of life: but demaunded mercie of God. S. Francis, ioyfullie recea∣ued him into his armes, and conducted him with him into Paradise, saying to our Lord, this is one of my Frere Minors; and then the vi∣sion disappeared: now this is the cause of mine extraordinary teares.

Here ensueth an order of the nine principall vertues of this glorious S. wherby he merited to obtaine such worthy graces of God: Taken out of the second chapter of the third booke.

AFter the miracles and apparitions which the holy Father S. Francis made to those that were deuout vnto him, it shall not be amisse to recount also the vertues wherby he merited to ob∣tayne of God such graces and so notable giftes, which also he daily ob∣tayneth, according to what the blessed Brother Iuniperus his disciple writeth therof. The first vertue then was his great contrition, confes∣sion, and satisfaction for his sinnes, and his care to auoyd them after∣ward. The second, was the admirable affection he had towardes his neighbour, and the compassion he had of him in effect and in word, and especially in his interiour; in that he esteemed euery one farre aboue himselfe, taking for his ground this argument, that hauing offended the soueraigne Creatour, who so much loued vs, as that for our loue alone he would take on him humane flesh, he therfore participated him∣selfe with euery creature, and so did voluntarily obey all, not only his Superiours, equals and inferiours, but, as faire foorth as was lawful and possible, all creatures. The third, was a separation of heart, from all terrestriall and transitory thinges; for he was vnited to IESVS CHRIST alone, who had created him, and whome alone he desired: Wherfore he in such sort exercised himselfe herein, that it was so easy for him to sequester himselfe from terrestriall thinges, and to haue his spiritt alwayes addressed vnto God, that it seemed his flesh had the sa∣me will with his spiritt. The fourth, was the incredible pacience wher∣with he endured all his afflictions and al the iniuryes that were laid vpō him, endeauouring to loue them that iniuryed him, mortifying his pro∣per sences, and receauing all as from the hand of God: for as he beleeued that all good proceeded from the diuine liberality, so did he beleeue that the affliction which he endured was for his sinnes, and that God meant to chastice him in this lif & not in the other. The fift was his loue vnto the good and the great compassion he had of the wicked, reputing himselfe much lesse then they; for he would say, that the end was not yet seene when the good might become wicked & the wicked good. When he heard any one detracted, either he would excuse him, or would shew

that he disliked it, so that he would putt the detractour to silence, or chaunge the discourse. The sixt, was that he loued to be reprehen∣ded, for which he was verie thanckfull; Neuertheles he was verie vn∣willing to reprehend, though he were verie zealous of the honour of God, of the good of his neighbour, and of the obseruance of the ru∣le; yet to auoide obligation to reprehend, he renounced the office of Generall. The seauenth, was that he serued each one, with a pure will and very great affection; though he would neuer permitt himselfe to be serued, but in extreme necessity; reputing himselfe vnworthy to be serued: alleadging that IESVS CHRIST said, that he came not to be serued, but to serue, And if any one in any necessity serued him, he would in his heart giue thanckes to God for giuing will and power to that Religious to serue him. The eight was, that he endeauoured to conserue in his memorie, the graces which he had receaued of his diui∣ne maiestie, as also the vniuersall benefitts exhibited to al other creatu∣res, for which he was alwayes thanckfull for himselfe and all others. Att the end of this thanckesgiuing, he ordinarily accused himselfe, discen∣ding to the knowledge of himselfe and ascending to that of God, repu∣ting himselfe vnworthy to giue him thanckes, as by these wordes he often signified: But who am I, that presume to giues thanckes for others, I, I say, that am not able to thanck him for the least grace he hath done me, and am also such an abhominable sinner? The ninth and last vertue, was the guard of his tongue, which is the hight of all good, as being the verie gate of life and death, according as it is employed: without the guard wherof all good also is lost. In respect wherof he was alwayes ve∣ry carefull that his wordes should sauour of truth, humility, pouerty cha∣stity, goodnes, benedictiō, prayse of God and his neighbour: & so he me∣rited to be in like sort blessed of God & mē, world without end. Amen.

How the glorious body of the Seraphicall Father S. Francis, was buryed in the citty of Assisium. This is taken out of the first chapter of the tenth booke, and here placed for conclusion of the second booke.

THere is no man but knoweth that the glorious body of the Sera∣phicall Father S. Francis, is buryed in his owne monasterie in the citty of Assisium, but yet after an ordinarie manner: for it is not otherwise knowne in what place it is in the said church: bnt that it is in a great chappell vnder the earth vnder the high altare, and that lampes are putt in att a windoe to lighten that place where the sa∣cred body reposeth, as is also reported of sainct Iames of Galicia, that he is buryed so farre vnder ground, that none can come att him. We must beleeue that God hath so disposed, to the end such pre∣cious

treasures by whose merittes it pleaseth his diuine maiesty daily to work such and so great miracles might not be robbed or ruinated by any alteration or disastrous euent of warre or other euill accident. Now we desiring to content the readers, and not to omitt any matter in this worck that may be desired and is possible to be performed, we haue so dilligentlie searched and enformed our selues, that we haue gotten knowledge that the true relation of what may be desired concerning this subiect, fell into the handes of the great Capitaine Gonzales, Her∣uandez de Cordoua, in his conquest made of Calabria and the kingdo∣me of Naples for his Catholique maiesty, and therfore we haue so much Laboured with importunities and industrie, that att length we obtayned the same, it being this that ensueth, read it with contentment.

A true and faithfull discourse wherby appeareth how the glorious Father S. Francis is buryed. translāted out of the latin originall, which fell into the handes of the great Capitaine Gonzales Heruādez de Cordoue, in his conquest made of the kingdome of Naples.

To the right reuerenced Antony Bishop of Andria, Francis Bancie Duke of Audria, Health.

THe charge which it hath pleaseth you to lay on me, to com∣mitt to writing the visitation which the sanctity of Pope Nico∣las the first personally made of the glorious body of the Seraphicall Father S. Francis, being on the one side ouerburdensome vnto me in regard of the great feeblenes of my spiritt, hath neuerthelesse for other considerations bin very easie and contentfull, as well in that this labour is pious and deuout, as because I am to present it vnto you; to you I say, who were present when it was related vnto vs, so that you are able to correct it and supply that wherin mi∣ne endeauour may faile. So I beseech my sweet lord IESVS CHRIST, for whose prayse and glorie I haue attempted to di∣ctate this discourse, to afford me the grace worthily to dischardge my duety herein: I beseech him I say, by the merittes of this glo∣rious S. of whose body I am to treat, considering that it is not con∣uenient to burry in silence so great a miracle, wherin God doth manifest so great bounty and omnipotencie. Your reuerence and my Lord Iames Bishop of Laquidonia being with me the eighth day of march, as you conferred together walking and often resting your selues, as the manner is in discoursing of some admirable accident; I came neere you, and prayed you to make me participant of your

discourse if I were worthy and my request lawfull: the said Lord Ia∣mes then said vnto me: My Lord Duke, if you knew wherof we did talke you would also admire and wonder. Then did I very instantlie entreat him to tell me the occasion of such admiration. Whereto the said Lord answeared that he would willinglie doe it: but that he ra∣ther desired to weepe when such thinges are recounted and to heare thē of an other, then to relate them himselfe. Neuertheles he neither could nor would omitt to content me and leet me know that their admira∣tion was not without subiect: considering withall that it was a matter worthy to be knowne, but not of all persons, therfore making me par∣taker therof, he thus began his discourse. My Lord Duke, you must vnderstand that I was one of the seruantes of the deceased Eustergio of worthy and blessed memorie, Cardinal of the title of S. Eusebius Archbishop of Beneuentum: who approaching to the pangs and agony of death, yea arriuing to that priuation of naturall heat and vigour, that we much feared he could not liue a day: about midnight I heard him with a loud voice to cry: O S. Francis! then staying a while, with groanes and sighes he redoubled, O Francis! O Francis: wherwith he much amazed vs all: but none of vs durst approach to aske him to demaund the reason for feare to trouble him, but were attentiue to see the successe of this frequent inuocation. I, that exceedinglie loued him, wept bitterly with him, and for him mentally inuocated the Sainct to whome I haue euer had a particuler deuotion: but this had no other successe sauing that the next morning, when we sup∣posed to prepare his obsequies, he began to amend: and the phisitians likewise conceaued better hope of him, he hauing alwayes esteemed me for one of his most affectionate seruantes, hauing bin then a very small time absent from the Court, to yeld due residence to an Abbey which he had bestowed on me: knowing well that he had bin with his Holines to visitt the body of the glorious S. Francis, and desiring to heare the discourse, as also knowing that att other times he had much desired that I should vnderstand the same, but no occasion was euer presented to demaunde it of him: Now taking this occasion of his frequent inuocation of the Sainct, I began first readily to aske him the cause, then att lenghth I freelie discoursed, and humblie reque∣sted him breifely to relate vnto me, how he had seene that glo∣rious body in his Church. Wherevpon he graciouslie answeared me in these wordes: know Abbot, if thou wert not deere vnto me as I hold thee to be. I would not impart it vnto thee, much lesse to any man in the world: we that were there present hauing expresse commaundement of his holines to the contrary: and therfore by reason of that prohibition I will not tell thee the place where it is, but am

well content to tell thee what I saw. Thou shalt then vnderstand that* 1.4 in the yeare 1449. Pope Nicolas the fift, who with an inestimable pro∣uidence gouerned the holy Church, goeing for certaine affaires of great importance to Asssisium, or according to the opinions of some meerly and expresly to visitt this glorious body, sent Sir Peter of Noceson his Secretary, to giue the Guardian of the place vnderstanding therof, who assembling his Religious communicated vnto him the intention of his holinesse. Vpon consultation wherof they were exceedingly busied, for fearing on the one side that his holinesse would take and transport it to Rome: and on the other, not daring to contradict him, they knew not well how to resolue to answeare his holines: but that the said Se∣cretary being very prudent and discreet, considering the anguish wher∣in the Religious were, made answeare of himselfe, and retourning to the Pope told him in their behalfe, that none of his predecessours not the holy Apostolick Sea hauing attempted the same, they knew not well how to resolue, much fearing that he would depriue them of that precious treasure of their Father: which the Pope vnderstanding, he retourned his Secretary to secure them and putt them out of that doubt. The Religious then accorded that he should freely come about mid∣night: but most humbly beseeching him to come attended only with two or three personnes. A bishop of Fraunce that was then neere his Sanctity hearing this, was much scandalized, saying that this was as it were to contradict and to limitte the Apostolicall authority: and that if his holinesse did what those Religious required, it were to giue ill example to the world, and aduised him not to endure it. The Po∣pe answeared him, that hauing good intention, he would not haue it esteemed euill without subiect: and so much the rather because they had very great reason for it, being also requisite to goe into holy places with great humility, wherby he hoped to obtaine of this S. that, for which he expresly went att that time. And therfore he chose only the said Bishop, my selfe, and his said Secretary, and commaunded the Guardian to take the like nomber of his Religious to be present with him att the said visitation. Now as we expected the hower, the Guar∣dian preuenting it came about three of the clock att night vnto his holi∣nes, and hauing kissed his feet conducted him by diuers turninges to a grosse wall but lowe, whither being come the three Religious which he had brought, began to breake the wall, so that thy made a hole fitt for vs to passe commodiously through: we then began there to con∣sider, that vnto the place where the body of S. Francis was, there was a long rew of steppes of marble, by which goeing we came co a tombe made in forme of a vault vnder earth, where the Guardian kneeling downe gaue a burning torch into the hand of his holines, that he might

the more securely enter. Att the higher part of the vault we found a dore some what lowe, that was of brasse very strong, hauing three gros∣se barres of iron, with their lockes that shutt very curiously, and three great chaines of iron that crossed the dore: which being opened, there issued an odour so precious and rare, that none of vs either felt or shall feele a sweeter on earth. The Guardian then with his knee on the gro∣und said to his holines, that he might enter att his pleasure, he entred alone (we remayning without where we discoursed of diuers spirituall thinges) and falling incontinently to the ground before the feet of the S. he began to sigh, groane and weep so bitterly and so sorely, that so persisting a good space, we began to feare, that some accident had be∣fallen him: We then determined to enter to withdraw him, but that hauing of himselfe chaunged his lamentation into ioy, which was an euident signe that he had obtayned of this glorious S. some grace of im∣portance; he called vs all in, desiring to see the said place and to con∣ferre with vs therof, and so entring we fell on our knees, and abbre∣uiating our deuotious to be lesse troublesome to his holines, arising vp, and lifting our eyes on high we remayned all amazed. O how in∣scrutable, freind Abbott, (said the Cardinall) are the wayes, of God! and how distant and different are his iudgementes from all humane pru∣dence! who in his life hath euer seene or heard of a body so many yea∣res dead, to remayne and stand vpright on his feet without any rest or stay? It is no baulme, nor any drith of naturall coldnes, but an only supernaturall and euidently diuine vertue, that thus supporteth this holy body as if it were liuing, in such sort as we haue seene it. We may well acknowledge that the hand of God is no more abbridged in his be∣halfe then if he were liuing, seeing that he is truely liuing, aliue I say in God, aliue in vertues, aliue in miracles, and aliue in image, gesture and and flesh: so that only breath, yea breath alone is wanting. But to tell your particulerly and by order: Know Abbott, that this place is made* 1.5 in forme of a litle chappell with three arched vaultes, that in the mid∣dest seemed to be miraculously made, were it in respect of the walles or pauement, hauing in the middest a stone wheron the glorious bo∣dy of the S. stood vpright on his feet as I haue said, with his face to∣wardes the west, & his eyes eleuated towardes heauē, which they very attentiuely beheld as he accustomed in his life. His handes were ioyned one in an other within the sleeues of his habitt, after the māner of the Freer Minors, & rested on his brest. This body was in all partes as en∣tier and exempt from corruption as the first day of his death. On the o∣ther side of this vault, stood an other body likewise vpright, and cloa∣thed in the habitt of S. Dominick, who seemed to pray with his handes ioyned on high, and his eyes fixed towardes the feet of S. Francis, and

they were so liuelie & cleare, that to neither of both there wanted but speech. They yelded such and so gracious a sauour that it could hardlie be supported: for it was so admirablie subtile and penetrant, that it ra∣uished our spirittes into extaise. Now the Pope hauing well seene and duely considered all this, fell againe on his knees before the said body of S. Francis, then very reuerently lifted vp one side of his habitt, for the other side was fast vnder his foot which he would not pull vp, because it could not conueniētlie be done without stirring the whole body: wher∣fore he contented himselfe to discouer only the other foot, which was all bare without sandale. O happy were our eyes, that then deserued to be∣hold* 1.6 the sacred stigmates which God himselfe with his owne handes imprinted in his deerly beloued! Happy doubtles are the vnderstandin∣ges that can att their pleasure contemplate them: for the wound was as fresh on the middest of ther foot, as if it had bin made att that verie hower, with the hard nayle vpon the bare flesh: and the bloud appeared exceeding full of life. O happy were the soules that were held worthy to see in his seruant, what they could not see in their Lord IESVS CHRIST! and more when afterwardes they saw his sacred handes, which his Holines discouered and saw pearced as the feet, and hauing also the like nailes: we also kissed them laying our impure lippes onthe sacred bloud that was yet very fresh: which made vs to poore out teares, that so abondantly fell from our eyes, as that they hindered our cōtent∣ment; for we could not tast nor enioy the same according to our wish: our eyes were so troubled that we often saw not that precious treasure. But who cā euer explicate the motiō of our vnderstāding, the abstractiō of our spiritt, the melting of our sences, and the faintnes of our corpo∣rall forces, procured by this precious sight? O thrice happy the mouthes of vs so greiuous sinners, wherwith we were permitted to kisse that sa∣cred wound of his foot, with such interiour cōsolation as none could be more! But seauen fold more hapy the Pope who alone kissed the wound of his side, flowered as a fresh rose, & consequētly his very mouth; wher∣vpon he graciously vttered these wordes: O most worthy & excellēt me∣moriall of our redemption, wherwith the eternall God would that con∣formably to our Lord I. C. the glorious Father S. Fr. should be deputed aliue & dead to represent to the world, euen till the last day of iudgmēt, the signe of his dolorous passion! O holy woundes first endured by the Sonne of God for the sinnes of men! and after for our benefitt renewed in his holy seruant Francis O most gracious God! to whome hast thou euer shewē such loue but to this thy most faithful seruant? Blessed sainct, thou hast really carryed the triumphant stander of the crosse, together with the liuely marckes of his passion. Finally thou alone hast ben elec∣ted and found worthy to be pearced in true imitation of our Lord I. C.

differing from him only in this, that he receaued his woundes of the wi∣cked Iewes, and thou of our Redeemer I. C. O extreme benefite! O sin∣guler gift! O ineffable prerogatiue! Fr. who taught thee to serue God? in what new scoole was it performed? and by what merueillous doctri∣ne? Of what master hast thou learned to moūt to so high a degree of per∣fection, that neuer S. of either sex could equall thee in the giftes of God? The Pope vttered these and many other wordes, being rauished out of himselfe in the presence of this S. of God, himselfe together with vs ba∣thinge the pauement of that holy place with abondance of our teares. Now we so persisted in these sweet cōceiptes, that whē we least thought theron, one aduertised vs that it was neere day, and that it was necessary for vs to depart, to shutt vp the hole of the sacred sepulcher dexteriously which touched our hart as a deadly wound, the space of six or seauen ho∣wers that we were there, seeming to haue flowen and not passed away. Making therfore some litle prayer more, and recommending our selues to the S. the Pope first goeing out we all followed, but not till we had opened the two vaultes in the two other arches, where we saw the two other glorious bodies of his disciples, entier also and very odoriferous, but much lesse then that of their master; hauing their habittes of sack∣cloth. Att the entry we saw the body of the blessed Brother Giles, then* 1.7 we came foorth, and the Guardian shutt the dores, praying his Holines to keepe the same in great secresie: which he promised him, and commā∣ded vs also the same. This, my freind Iames, was the cause of my inuoca∣tion that night, when I cryed, O Francis! Francis! hauing yet hope, yea very confident, that he wilbe protectour of my soule before God att my departure. But it seemeth indeed very admirable that this glorious S. had not procured his recouery, but that he might haue declared this his glory to many his deuoted freindes that much desired to vnderstand it: for this discourse ended he began so to decay that he dyed the night following, leauing assured testimony of this truth, considering that it is not to be beleeued nor thought, nor is it probable, that aman especially such as this being in the conflictes of death, would for his pleasure and without oc∣casiō faine a false matter, the time so neere when he should most stricktly render an account vnto God, who seuerely condemneth the culpable and ill-deseruers, as he crowneth the sainctes, his elected here on earth, but much more in heauen, there glorifiyng their bodies & their soules with his glorious vision eternally; whither I beseech him by his grace to con∣duct vs, where he is three and one, and liueth and raigneth world with∣out end. Amen.

The end of the second booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  S. Franc. cured a tame girle.
• * 1.2

  And sa∣ued a girle fro drow∣ning.
• * 1.3

  S. Franc. by his merittes reuiueth a dis∣membred child.
• * 1.4

  Pope Ni∣colas the 5. went expresly to Assi∣sium to see the body of S. Franc. the yeare. 1449.
• * 1.5

  The ad∣mirable standing of the body of S. Franc.
• * 1.6

  The stig∣mates of S. Franc. appeared fresh on his body.
• * 1.7

  Brother Giles also.