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.

A discourse of Religion and Obedience.

THE XXXIX. CHAPTER.

I Would more respect a litle grace from almighty God in Religion, then much more in the world: because there is more perill and lesse helpe in the seculer estate then in Religion, and yet a sinfull man hath more feare of his good then of his euill, because he feareth more to doe penance entring into Religion, then to persist in sinne in the world.

They that enter into Religion, and performe not what is conuenient to their vow, are like a common labourer that adorneth himselfe with the armour of a braue soldier and when he must fight, knoweth not how to vse it. I doe not esteeme it much to enter into the Court of a king, and to gett fauour of him: but I much esteeme, to know how to liue in a

Court as one ought and so to perseuer: The Court of a great king, is Re∣ligion, wherin it is a small matter to enter and to receaue some gift of Almighty God: But to know how to liue there, and to perseuer in ho∣ly deuotion to the end, is a matter very laudable and estimable. Wher∣fore I had rather liue in seculer estate, with desire to enter into Religiō, then to be Religious with wearinesse and ircksomnes. The glorious Virgin Mother of IESVS CHRIST was borne of sinfull man & woman, and liued not inclosed in any Religion, neuertheles she was, & is as she is. But when a Religious hath made profession, he must be∣leeue that he neither knoweth nor can liue out of Religion. It doth vn∣doubtedly seeme vnto me that the Religion of the Frere Minors was sent of God into the world, for a great benefitt and profitt to al men: but we shal proue extremely miserable, if we be not such as we ought to be. I esteeme the Religion of the Frere Minors, to be the poorest and the ri∣chest of the world: but we haue this de••ect, that we aspire to rise to high: when a shippe is broaken by a tempest, though the affliction be great, he that can, striueth to saue himselfe. Considering all the Religions that are, and haue bin from the beginning of the world to this present, I find none so reasonable, conuenient, nor better then this of the Frere Minors. He is rich that playeth the part of a rich man, he is wise that imitateth the wise, he good that imitateth the good; and he noble that is a true follower of our most noble Lord IESVS.

Vertuous conditions open vs the way to all happines, and vicious to perdition. And therfore the more a Religious submitteth himselfe vn∣der the yoke of odedience, the more fruit doth he produce; and the more obedient a Religious is and more subiect to his Superiour, for the honour and loue of God, so much more is he poore of spiritt and purged of his sinnes.

A Religious truely obedient is as a soldier well armed, and as a horse∣man mounted on a gallant Courser••, who securely breaketh through the middest of his ennemies without detriment. The Religious that obeyeth with murmure is as a disarmed horseman on a cowardly iade, that passing through his ennemies, stumbleth, and is taken prisonner. The Religions that seeketh to liue according to his will, desireth to goe to the fire of hell. When the oxen submitt their neck to the yoke, then are the corne-loftes full with graine: but when they run wandering o∣uer the fieldes and taking their pleasure, it is a signe that the garners are empty. The more eminent and wise personnes yeld their head vnder the yoke of obedience▪ but the il-aduised and ignorant, retire themselues and contemne to obey. The mother doth often bring vp her sonne and rayse him to honour, and the vngratefull sonne disobeyeth his mother and derideth her: Many Religious doe the like to Religion their mo∣ther

ther. I more esteeme to obey a Superiour for the loue of God, then to* 1.1 obey God himselfe: for he that obeyeth the vicar of IESVS CHRIST, with greater reason would he obey God himselfe, if he command him.

He that submitteth his head vnder the yoke of obedience, and after∣ward remoueth it to follow of himselfe the way of perfection accor∣ding to his fantasie, he discouereth his interiour pride. Wherfore it see∣meth to me, if one had obtayned the grace to speake with the Angels, & were att the instant called by his superiour, he should incontinently lea∣ue his conference with the Angels, and obey a man, to whome he hath voluntarily made himselfe subiect for the loue of God.

* 1.2 Our Lord and Redeemer IESVS CHRIST hath made the verity of this doctrine appeare in Br. Andrew, my deuout companion, who being in feruent prayer in his cell, his diuine Maiesty appeared vnto him in forme of a very beautifull child, who by the splendour of his conte∣nance, and the familiarity which he shewed him, filled him with an ineffable consolation. But in the meane whiles it runge to Euen∣song: the poore Religious then not knowing what to doe, resolued to leaue his God, and went incontinently to the quier, saying, that it was the better to obey the creature for the loue of the Creatour, in this māner giuing satisfaction to both the one and the other. The sequell dis∣couered how pleasing this his opinion was vnto God: for the euensong being ended, Brother Andrew retourned to his cell and there yet found the litle child IESVS, who sayd vnto him: If thou haddest not gone to the quier, I had presently gone hence, and neuer re∣tourned.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Paradox of Bro. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  To leaue God for to goe to God.