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 conuerted a very obstinate heretike by a miracle of the blessed sacramēt.

THE XIX. CHAPTER.

SAinct Antony preaching one time att Tholousse (though some af∣firme it to be att Riminy) against a very obstinate heretike, of the reall Presence of IESVS C. in the B. Sacrament, he many times cō∣uinced him euen by reasons, in which the heretike not knowing what to answeare, told the S. that in deed he was forced to yeld in dispute: but the reason was, because he was more subtill, a greater philosopher, and better learned then himselfe, which he acknowledged: but could not yet confesse and acknowledge that his affirmations were to be beleeued: and therfore challenged him to proue by effectes and shew him by some miracle of the B. Sacrament, wherby he might know that God was present there: which if he could performe, he did pro∣mise and sweare, to adhere to his opinion and beliefe. The sainct ans∣weared him that he should consider and bethinck himselfe what miracle

he desired, & by the grace of God he should see it effected. The heretike replyed that he would shutt vp a mule, and keep her three dayes without meat, then they both would be present together, himselfe with ores & the S. with the B. Sacrament, and if the mule did leaue the otes and a∣dore the B. Sacrament, he would be content also to adore the same. S. Antony accepted this condition: And the third day being come, & they both present att a publike place, the holy Father hauing celebrated mas∣se before he communicated, he shewed the sacred Host vnto the people that held burning torches in their handes, there being pre∣sente the greatest personnes of the cittie, who attended him to the place where the proofe was to be made. The heretike was there ready with the hungry Mule, which alreadie smelled the oates which her master had brought and brayed after them. Sainct Antonie then* 1.1 commaunded her, by the vertue of the liuing God, who was present in the Host which there he held to adore it. Her master also cast before her all the oates he had, yet leauing the oates, she came with her head decli∣ned very humbly to adore the B. Sacrament, before which she kneeled downe, to the exceeding contentment of the Catholikes there present, and the confusion of many heritikes, especially of the aforesaid, who was conuerted together with them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A hun∣gry mule left oases to adore the B. Sacra∣ment.