Of the duety of the Portresse.
THE XI. CHAPTER.
THe Portresse must be prudent and of good conuersation ripe, of yeares and fitt to remayne and reside all the day long att the cell of the port, the dore wherof shalbe alwayes open: She must haue and keep with her a fitt companion, which shalbe appoynted her by the Abbesse or Vicaresse, to call any, or to doe what occasions and oc∣curances shall require. The port or gate shabe of two folding leaues and fastened with two lockes and padlockes which in the night shalbe shutt with two keyes, wherof the Abbesse shall haue one and the Portresse the other. The port shall neuer be without guard by day, and shalbe shutt with one key only. But it must be most dilligently guarded, very res∣pectiue care being taken that it neuer be open but vpon necessity. When any one commeth to enter, they shall not be opened vnto him, but vpon permission formerly had of the Pope or the Protectour to enter into the monastery: where it shall not be lawfull for any person to enter before the sunne rising, or after sunne sett. Nor lett the Religious permitt any to enter into their monastery but vpon reasonable, manifest and ineuita∣ble occasion. If it be permitted to a Bishop to celebrat within the mo∣nastery to blesse the Abbesse, to consecrate a Religious, or for any other important occasion, lett him be content to enter with the least traine and most decencie that may be. When it shalbe necessary for any Officer or worckman to come in for some worck of importance, lett the Ab∣besse place some fitt person att the gate to admitt only those into the