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 his last sicknes, his prophesie of his future glory, his vision of God, and his death.

THE XXVII. CHAPTER.

THis lent being ended, S. Antony desiring to repose himselfe a litle, retired to S. Peters▪ fielde a place appertayning to a gentle∣man of Padua, called Tise, one that was exceedingly affected vnto him, this place was neere to the Couent of the Frere Minors, which this gentleman in manner alone mayntayned. Now it may well be imagined with what countenance he entertayned the S. doubtles as if he had bin an Angel of Paradise sent vnto him by almighty God: vn∣derstanding his intention, he caused to be made him three celles of o∣zier, one for himselfe, and the other two for Brother Lucas, and Br▪ Roger his companions and familiers. He remayned not long there till he felt himselfe assaulted with a great feeblenes that daily augmented, but thincking to ease himselfe by trauaile, he went to the next couent of Frere Minors, where his infirmitie did oppresse and vtterly ouerco∣me him. There did God reueale vnto him, that, he should soone dye, and what glory he should haue both in heauen, and on earth. Wherfo∣re beholding and considering the amenity and good aire of the plaine, and scituation of Padua, that did neighbour the place where he was, tourning towardes his companion, he vttered these wordes: this plai∣ne shall shortly be illustrated and honoured with great glory; as in deed it hath bin from after his death till this present, yea more then he fore∣told, in regard of the great confluence of people that haue and daily doe resort thither to visitt and honour his holy reliques. And doubtles, this citty may be tearmed happy and glorious, hauing in it such a treasure, that hath not enriched only it, but all the world, with singuler giftes and graces obtayned of God by the merittes of this glorious S. Now the S. foreseeing that his houre drew neere, he told Br. Roger, that if in case he should dye of that infirmity he would not be troublesome & chardgeable to the Couent where he then was: and therfore prayed him to gett him conducted to the Couent of the Virgin Mary att Padua, where the Frere Minors were; which the Religious approuing, he layd him on a wagon, to the great discontentment of all the Religious of that oratory: And as they conducted him to the Citty, they mett a deere

freind of his in the way, who knowing whither he way carryed, caused him to change his purpose and persuaded him to goe to a Monastery out of the Citty called Arcele, alleadgeing that the visitations he should haue att Padua would be very troublesome vnto him. Being then arriued att Arcele, and hauing there receaued all the sacraments, God speedily called him; for hauing with his Religious said the seauen Psalmes, and alone that worthy hymne: O gloriosa Domina, as the glorious virgin Mother had alwayes in his life bin very gracious vnto him: so for his comfort & defence he saw her att his death: then a litle after he saw her beloued sonne, whome very attentiuely beholding, and demaunding of Br. Ro∣ger whome he saw, I see, answeared he, my Lord IESVS CHRIST. Wherto he added fower other wordes, for the comfort and edification of his Religious: after that he reposed and was halfe an hower in contem∣plation, and then yelded his soule to God. He seemed to sleep, and pre∣sently his flesh, that before was vnpleasing to behold, as well in regard* 1.1 of his abstinence, as his discipline, which had made it withered and wan, became so white, cleare, and bright, that it seemed rather his glorious, then mortall body. He died the yeare 1231. the 13. day of Iune being fri∣day, the 36. yeare of his age, wherof he had spent fifteene in his Fathers house, two in the monasterie of S. Vincent att Lisbone, nine att S. Cros∣se of Conimbria, and about ten in the Order of S. Francis, where he li∣ued very famous, in his life, doctrine, and miracles.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The death of S. Anto∣ny & the chaung of his flesh.