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 first preaching, and how he was afterward made preacher by sainct Francis.

THE IV. CHAPTER.

THe time of taking Orders being come, the F. Guardian of sainct Antony being to send certaine of his Religious to re∣ceaue them, himselfe would associat them, and took sainct Antony for his companion, so they were, with certaine Domini∣cans, together att Torlie, where the houre of collation being co∣me, and they all att table, the Guardian began to entreat the said Dominicans to make some exhortation for the consolation of the companie: but they out of humilitie excusing them selues, the Guardian, inspired of God, commaunded sainct Antony in vertue of obedience to speake some thing for their edification, according as the holy Ghost should dictate vnto him. The glorious Sainct as much as he possiblie could excused himselfe, alleaging that he had neuer bin accustomed to any other thing in Religion but to wash the shooe-clowtes, to lay the bucke, and dresse the kitchin, and

being ignorant he was lesse fitt for such an office then for any other: herein he spake nothing but what his Brethren there present knew to be true; so that he was easilie beleeued: for none had yet per∣ceaued his learning, he hauing no bookes, but he had a notable and assured memorie, and in his mentall Prayers was of a verie high contemplation, two particuler giftes, wherwith God and na∣ture had endued him, and withall he had well studyed in former ti∣mes; yet in speaking latin he was verie sober and sparing. Being then vnable by his preceptes to resist his obedience to his Guardian, who not admitting his excuses as forcible, constrayned him to sa∣tisfie his commandement, he began to speake simply: But the ho∣ly* 1.1 Ghost inspiring and worcking where he pleaseth, would not ha∣ue this his cleare burning light any longer hidden, but that he should giue light and illuminate his holy Church, he I say, made him so to shine and appeare, that his audience perceauing his eloquence and his learning, both pourchased by practise and infused by God, they were all astonished and amazed: but much more were they edified by his humility, in that he had so long time concealed this talent. The holy Frather sainct Francis being hereof by the Guardian incon∣tinently aduertised, giuing thanckes to God, he aucthorised him to be a preacher, and commaunded him to make vse of the notable benefitt which his diuine Maiesty had bestowed on him, and so he was chosen of God, and deputed to the holy Ministery of his word miraculously, and not by his owne industry; he also confirmed his doctrine by an entier and meere voluntary contempt of the world, and a most simple innocencie, by a perfect resignation of his will into God, by mortification of his flesh, and by a very deep humi∣lity, together with his charity towardes God and his neighbour, ha∣uing a most feruent will to die in their cause, though God, for his greater croune, and the edification of the faithfull, disposed other∣wise of the effect: When he began to preach, as before he feared not to goe among the barbarous Pagans, much lesse did he then feare being among Christians, the power of Princes and Potentates of the world. So that without acception of personnes, indifferently he tou∣ched and stroake all sortes of qualities with the sword of God, yet alwayes vsing the meaner sort more mildlie, to auoyde to scanda∣lize them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  S. Anto∣ny prea∣ching vnproui∣ded by obedien∣ce was knowne to be a notable preacher.