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.

Of a notable miracle wrought by the fiue Martyrs in the army of the kinge.

THE X. CHAPTER.

THe king Miramolin att that time was aduertised that the Arabians were entred into his kingdome, where they made hauock and destroyed the whole country: Vpon which occasion he gathered his for∣ces to encounter them: and by the helpe of the said Prince, and of manie gallant Portugall gentlemen, which he had with him, he defeited the Arabians, whom he chaced far away, and so poursuing them, they came into a valley where they could finde no water either for themselues or their horses: so that for three dayes they knew not what to doe, being neere death with thirst. And because the earth seemed to be somewhat moist, they licked it with their tongues: comming to the hight of a mountaine, they burned and became outragious with thirst without any redresse, and yet greater was their dispaire when they found the wi∣denes of the Country to be of greater extent then that which they had passed in drinesse: but considering that when they should retourne, they should all dye with thirst before they should finde water, they knew not way to take. Now the said fiue Religious, hauing by the prouidence of God againe deceaued their keepers, came to the Camp which they found in despaire, where perceauing the cruell thirst that afflicted the army, they publikely with a verie strong confidence which they had in the diuine maiesty, offered to procure vnto the Mores as much water as they should need, on condition they would be conuerted vnto the faith of IESVS CHRIST, assuring them that if they would be Baptised with the water of baptisms, they should not want water to drinck. This proposition comming to the eares of the king; he said this drinesse be∣fell them vpon no other occasion, but for neglecting the punishment of the great blasphemies of the said Religious, against his great Prophett Mahomett. These good Religious seeing the obdurate hartes of the king

and his people, to make knowne the omnipotencie of IESVS CHRIST, and the truth of the Catholike faith which they preached, resoluing not to loose the occasion presented to manifest the glory of God, for the sal∣uation of the soules of those people, applying themselues to prayer, Bro∣ther* 1.1 Berard tooke a staffe, and therwith made a litle hole in the earth, whence issued out water most abondantlie and sufficiently to alay the thirst, not only of the men but of all the horses and camels of the ar∣my of Miramolin, yea they receaued therof and made prouision for the dayes following: which done, the said fountaine incontinentlie dryed vp. This gaue so generall an applause, and the Christians and very Mores were so edified therby, that they desirouslie sought to kisse their habittes, and to honour them as sainctes of God, only the king persisted obdurate, as an other Pharao, and a Preist of the Mores, that a mong them was reputed for a S. who often disputed with the said Religious, and particulerly against Brother Berard, and because he was ordinarily vanquished, but especially by reason of this said miracle, he ful of greife and affliction fled, and was neuer after seene amongst the Mo∣res in that country. The prince sent the said Religious againe into his Pallace vnder strict guard, for feare least if they should preach, they might more scandalize the king▪

Notes

• * 1.1

  The fiue Religious obtained of God water in an ex∣treme necessity.