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 the diuine consolations which he receaued in prayer and att Masse.

THE XLIX. CHAPTER.

THis holy Religious neuer spent his time idly, but euer em∣ployed himselfe either in prayer, or reading, or in manuall ex∣ercise in the garden, or in some other seruice necessary to rel∣ligion. He was wery dilligent in prayer, and had the grace of shedding many teares. And that he might the more commodiously apply him∣selfe to prayer, he made choice of a very litle cell, made of earth and boughes of trees separate frome the others, wherin he spent most of his time (which was a thing in manner generall to the first Fathers of that time) and there was he often visited diuinely: as also the glorious Virgin Mary appeared vnto him one time with her mother S. Anne, & comforted him that was particulerly deuout vnto them. He euery day said masse with great deuotion and abondance of teares: which was very gratefull to IEVS CHRIST, as by the sequell appeareth. This venerable Brother saying masse one morning, one of the candels on the altare was casually putt out, and there was seene a light instantly to discend from heauen that lightened it againe. There was often seene a white pigeon houering ouer his head whiles he said masse: the Religious that serued and assisted him did often see it, he was a yong man very neat, and an innocent disciple of his, called Bro∣ther Peter, who hauing forsaken his kinred, his friendes, his patrimony and all the world besides (on whose fallacious and deceiptfull appa∣rences he would not relye) entred into the Religion of Frere Minors,

where he ascended to such sanctity, that in regard of his pure simplicity he merited often times to see and speake with his good Angell Gardien. The first time that he saw the pigeon discend vpon the head of the glo∣rious Br. Christopher, not knowing what it signified, he sought to driue it away, wherin he exceedingly troubled his master, who was enfor∣ced to will him to lett it alone, and therby it was knowne what it was. This venerable Father one time calling to minde his sinnes committed in the world, extremely feared the punishment they deserued, confor∣mably to that which the scripture sayth: Happy is he that alwayes feareth, and therfore he prayed this Angelicall yong man Br. Peter whose cons∣cience he knew very well, to demaund of his familier Angell, his estate touching his former sinnes: who made him this answeare: Tell Brother Christopher he need not feare his sinnes past, because God hath pardo∣ned them entierly. But lett him striue to perseuer in his good worckes begun, that he may meritt eternall life.

The rest of this Chapter is inserted in the end of the 71. chapter of the se∣cond booke, being a vision that this holy Father had of the death of Sainct Francis.