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.

THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF THE CHRONICLES OF THE FRIER MINORS.

WHERIN IS DESCRIBED THE LIFE OF the glorious Virgin S. Clare, the institution of her rule, the conuersion of S. Agnes her sister, and of an other S. Agnes, daughter to the king of Behomia.

Of the intention of our Lord in the vocation of S. Clare, and of her con∣try, her father and mother. Of a reuelation vnto her mother tou∣ching her sanctity, and of her birth.

THE FIRST CHAPTER.

SIX yeares after the conuersion of the holy Father S. Francis, and the fourth yeare after the confirmation of his rule by Pope Inno∣cent the third, the yeare of grace 1212. the omnipotent Father of light, hauing framed and sent into the world a new man, his ser∣uant S. Francis, by him to reforme his faith∣full in this sixt age, would also that a vale∣rous woman should by his worck appeare in the world to accompany that his great seruant, to the end that of those two, should be new borne a perfect re∣generation of the children of God. And as the first naturall generation came of man and woman, as of an vnited beginning: so this spirituall generatiō of the imitators of the life and counsailes of IESVS CHRIST, proceeded, in all the Church, and in all the estates and qualities of per∣sonnes, of one same spiritt of zeale, of perfection, of humility, and of powerty, from one man and one woman. And to the end it might not be vnlike the creation, almighty God hauing first perfected his seruant

S. Francis, would frame of the ribbe or side of his life, doctrine and san∣ctity, the glorious Virgin S. Clare, his true and litigimate daughter in IESVS CHRIST for his companion, as zealous also of perfection and Angelicall reformation. With great reason therfore hath she her place in the Chronicles of the Frere Minors. For she being a ribbe and partye of the same Order, it is very requisite a special mention should be made of her sanctity of life, as we shall here performe. And if it be not according to her meritt, shall att least be done with the least defect we can possible, being resolued to employ therin that litle force of spiritt which God hath giuen vs, and this to the ho∣nour of his diuine maiesty, of his holy seruant, and to the edification of soules.

* 1.1 The glorious saincte Clare was borne in the citty of Assisium, sci∣tuat in the prouince of the Vally of Spoletum, which is a territo∣ry appertayning to the Romane Church. Her Father and Mother were noble, of a famous and very weathy famility: her mother was called Hortolana (which in our tongue may be termed Gardener) and not without mystery, considering she was to produce so noble and ver∣tuous a plant in the garden of the holy Church. This woman was ex∣ceeding deuout and compleate in the fruites of good worckes, and al∣beit she were maryed, and consequently obliged to the care and gouern∣ment of her house and family, yet did she not omitt, with all her power to be exercised in the seruice of God, and employed in worckes of mercy.* 1.2 She was so feruent in the loue of IESVS CHRIST, that with great de∣uotion she passed the sea with many other Pilgrimes, and visited those holy places which our Redemer IESVS CHRIST God and man had cō∣secrated with his holy presence, and retourned exceedingly cōforted and enriched with many merittes. She also visited the Church of Th'archan∣gell S. Michael on the mount Gargan, and with a pious and feruent desire visited the Apostles S. Peter & S. Paule in Rome: in such sort did that ver∣tue and feruour in those dayes shine, in many holy personnes, but now so weakened is the feruour of Christians touching visiting holy places, and the reliques of our Lord and his SS. that it is almost lost, by the conti∣nuall warres of heretikes and of our sinnes. Now our lord began to poore out the abondance of his celestiall giftes on the root, that after∣wardes the sproutes of greater sanctity might follow and dispearse into bowes. Neither would he that this deuout woman Hortolana should be depriued of the consolations and knowledge of this grace: for being neere her childbirth, she one day with great feruour prayed in a Church, and before a Crucifix, where she besought almighty God to deliuer her from the danger of death in her childbirth which she much apprehen∣ded; and she heard a voice that sayd: Woman, feare not, For thou

shalt safely and without danger bring forth a light that shall illumi∣nate and lighten all the world. Being thus comforted and admoni∣shed by this diuine answeare; so soone as she was deliuered of a daughter, she caused her to be called in Baptisme, Clare, firmly beleeuing that in her should be accomplished the splendour of the light promised, accor∣ding to the prouidence and ordonnance of the diuine bounty.

Of the education, charity, prayer, mortification and virginity of saincte Clare.

THE II. CHAPTER.

SAinte Clare being borne into the world, she began incontinently to appeare and to shine as a morning starre in the obscure night of the world, for in the most tender yeares of her first infancie she al∣redy discouered euident signes of notable and pious worckes, wherin she made appeare her naturall worth, and the graces which God had communicated vnto her: for being naturally of a very delicate consti∣tution, he receaued of her mother the first foundations of faith: after∣wardes being inspired of God, to apply her selfe to vertuous and pious worckes, she shewed her selfe to be a vessell aptly prepared for diuine grace: and as she abounded in interiour piety, as wel by nature as by gra∣ce, towardes poore beggers, so according to the small meanes which thē she had, she supplyed their necessityes. And to the end her sacrifice might be more gratefull vnto God, the most delicate meates that were giuen her, for the nourishment of her litle body, she hid, and gaue it secretly to the poore. Thus did piety augment and encrease in her, and nouri∣shed charity in her soule, preparing her to receaue the grace and mercy of almighty God. Her greatest contentment was in prayer, wherby she was often sustayned, made ioyfull, and comforted as by an Angeli∣call milke, and in a most delicious manner eleuated to the diuine pleasu∣res of the conuersation of our lord IESVS CHRIST. In these beginnin∣ges, hauing no beades, she vsed in steed therof certaine litle stones, some to serue for the Pater noster, and others for the Aues, and so she* 1.3 offred her prayers to God. Whervpon beginning to feele the first fer∣uours of diuine loue, she iudged that she must contemne all transitory apparence and painted flowers of this world: and being by prayer well enstructed of the holy Ghost, she resolued as a wise spirituall merchand to haue no more regard of terrestriall affaires, acknowledging them vnworthy to be esteemed: and with this Spiritt she did weare as an other saincte Cecilie, vnder her gay apparell, a hair-cloth, so exteriour∣ly satisfying the world, and interiourly her Lord IESVS CHRIST.

But hauing attayned the age of mariage, she was importuned by her Father and other kinred, to choose a husband. Wherto she would neuer consent, but vsed lingringes and delayes, putting off and differring what she could, all humane mariage, and euer recommen∣ded to our Lord IESVS CHRIST her virginity, with the other vertues whe•• with she was endued, by such exercises endeauouring to please almighty God, that he might bestow on her his only Sonne for her Spouse. Such were the first fruites of her spiritt, and such the exercises of her piety, so that being anoynted with such a sweet and spirituall oyntment, she yelded a most pleasing sauour, as shoppe replenished with most delightfull liquors, whose sauours though they be shutt vp, dis∣couer and manifest themselues. In such sort that this holy virgin began, without her knowledge to be commended by her neighbours, the true same of her secrett pious worckes so publishing themselues, that in an instant they were exceedingly spred abroad, and euery where diuulged.

How the virgin S. Clare had knowledge of the vertues of the holy Father S. Francis.

THE III. CHAPTER.

THis vertuous virgin Clare hearing the grat same of the admi∣rable life of S. Francis, that then renewed vnto the world the way of perfection in the same citty, with a merueillous exam∣ple of piety and vertue, and considering that many gentlemen did fol∣low him, and that his life was already approued by our holy mother the Church, she exceedingly desired to see and heare this worthy seruant of God, therunto inspired by the soueraigne Father of spirittes, to whome had already bin presented the first fruites of their deuotions, though differently. S. Francis hauing bin aduertised of this her desire, and hauing heard the bruit of her vertues and holy affections, desired also exceedingly to see her, and to conferre with her, with intention to frustrate the world of so noble and precious a pray, to present her vnto our soueraigne Redeemer, to serue him in some notable enterprise, as preordayned of God to despoyle the great prince of the world. Neither did his diuine Maiesty faile, to open vnto them the meanes: and to at taine therunto, he inspired this vertuous woman to relye on a very honorable graue woman, that gouerned her in her house as her mother. And to the end this holy purpose might be sinisterly enterpreted of men, and to hinder publicke murmure, she went out of her Fathers house with this good womau, and found out the holy Father, by the feruour

of whose pious discourses, she was presently enflamed with diuine loue, and moued by his holy actions which she admired, as seeming vnto her more then humane. And therfore she began very exquisitely to dis∣pose her selfe to the effecting of the wordes of the holy seruant of God, who hauing very louingly entertayned her, began to preach vnto her the contempt of the world, and by euident reasons to demonstrate vnto her, that all the beauty of thinges present is but a vanity, filled with false and deceipt full hopes. Then he persuaded vnto her pure eares, the ho∣nourable and amiable espousale of IESVS CHRIST, and counsayled her to conserue that most precious pearles of virginall purity, for that glorious Spouse, who out of loue he bare to the world being God be∣came man and would be borne of a virgin. This holy Father sollicited this affaire and playd the procuratour as a Paranimph and Embassadour of the heauenly king. The holy virgin on her side beginning already to tast the sweetnes of contemplation, and the proofe of the eternal ioyes, the world began to seeme vnto her vile and contemptible as indeed it is, she as it were melting for the loue of her celestiall Spouse, whome she already desired with all her hart. Thencefoorth therfore she desprised precious stones, iewels, gold, sumptuous apparell, and all other worldly trash as filth and donge, and abhorring the detestable delightes of the flesh, she resolued intierly to dedicate her selfe a liuely temple to IE∣SVS CHRIST, and to take him for the only Spouse of her body and soule: and so submitting her selfe totally to the counsailes of the glo∣rious Father S. Francis, him, next after our Lord, she tooke for guid and directour of her life.

How S. Francis drew the virgin S. Clare out of the world, and made her Religious.

THE IV. CHAPTER.

ANd to the end the most cleare Mirrour of her soule might not be stayned and blemished with the dust of this world, and that the contagious seculer life did not corrupt her innocencie, the holy Father prudētly endeauoured to sequester this virgin from worldly peo∣ple. And the solemnity of palme-sunday approching, the holy espouse of IESVS CHRIST, wit a great feruour of spiritt repayred to this man of God, and most instantly demaunded of him, when, and how she should make her retyre from the world. Whervpon the holy Father S. Francis ordayned, that one the day of the sayd feast she should goe to the procession of palmes with the people, decked and adorned the most richly and gorgiously that she could procure, and the night

following goeing out of the citty and withall out of all conuersation of the world, she should change seculer pleasures into lamentations of the passion of our Lord.

Palme-sunday being come, the glorious S. Clare went in the cōpany of her mother and other ladies to the great Church, where there happe∣ned a matter worthy to be recorded, as not done without the prouidē∣ce of the diuine goodnes. Which was, that all the other ladyes goeing, as is the custome of Italie, to take holy palme, and S. Clare, out of a vir∣ginall bashfulnes, remayning alone without mouing out of her place, the Bishop descended the steppes of his seat, and putt into her hand a branch of palme.

The night approching she began to prepare her selfe for effecting the commandement of the holy Father, and to make a glorious flight and honorable retyre frō the world, in honest company. But it seeming to to her impossible to goe foorth att the ordinary and chieffest dore of the house, she bethought her selfe to take the benefitt of a back dore, which (though it were damned vp with grosse stones and mighty blockes) she with an admirable courage, & a force rather of a strong man then a tēder yong woman, her selfe brake open. Thus then leauing her fathers house, her citty, kinred and friendes, she with extraordinary speed arriued att the Church of our lady of Angels, where the Religious that in the hou∣se of God, were employed in pious watchinges, receaued with bur∣ning wax lightes in their handes, this holy virgin, that sought her Spou∣se and Redeemer IESVS CHRIST with a lampe not extinct and empty, but filled with diuine loue. And incontinently in the selfe sa∣me hour and place, hauing left and abandonned the immondicities of Babilō, she gaue the world the ticket of defiance and repudiation before the altar of the soueraine Queene of Angels, where the glorious Fa∣ther sainct Francis, inspired of God, and neglecting all other world∣ly respect, cutt off her haire: then he cloathed her with a poore habitt of the Order, reiecting the iewels and gorgious attire which she brought, to be giuen to the poore of IESVS CHRIST. It had not bin in deed conuenient that the new Order of florishing virginity towardes the end of the world, should otherwhere begin then in the Angelicall Pallace of that most emminent lady, who be∣fore had alone bin a mother and Virgin, and consequently more worthy then all others. In the very same place had the noble che∣ualrie of the poore of IESVS CHRIST, the Frere Minors, their beginning vnder the valerous Captaine sainct Francis: to the end it might euidently appeare that the mother of God in this her habi∣tation ingendred and produced the one and the other Religion. And so, as this new espouse had raceaued the habitt and ensignes of holy penitence before the altar of the most sacred virgin Mary, the

humble seruante was accepted by IESVS CHRIST for his espouse, and the glorious Father sainct Francis conducted her to the Monastery of sainct Paul in Assisium, where were Religious women of the Order of S. Bennet, there to remayne till almighty God prouided an other Monastery.

How much the kinred of S. Clare laboured to retire her from Religion, and how she was conducted to S. Damian.

THE V. CHAPTER.

THe kinred of this holy virgin vnderstanding what she had done, and the bruit of her resolution being diuulged ouer all the cit∣ty, many of the kinred and friendes of her Father and mo∣ther assembled and consulted, to preuent this vertuous virgin of her holy resolution: and comming to the monastery of the Religious of sainct Bennet, whither she was retyred, they purposed to execute by violence what they could not compasse by humane reasons, trying their forces against that meeke lambe of IESVS CHRIST, and by their malice and peruerse counsaile, seeking to delude that simple doue: then did they make her deceitfull promises, exhorting her to retyre her selfe from such base condition and abiection, demonstrating vnto her that it was a matter vnworthy her noble discent, and that neuer the like happened in the citty. But the virgin firme and stable in IE∣SVS CHRIST, approaching to the Altar, discouered her haire∣lesse head, alleadging that she could no more be separated from the ser∣uice of IESVS CHRIST, for whose loue she had already forsa∣ken all the world and themselues also; and the more they tormented her, the more was her hart enflamed in the loue of IESVS CHRIST, he supplying her with new forces to resist. Thus for many dayes toge∣ther disturbed with many iniuryes, she endured great contradictions in the way of God: and albeit her kinred perseuered in their attemptes to withdraw her from her pious designe, her feruour yett did neuer wax cold, nor her hart feeble: but on the contrary, so many iniurious wordes and violent threates did so confirme her confidence in God, that her kinred were constrayned to forbeare any more to vexe and dis∣quiett her, retyring themselues as all ashamed and confounded. Thus did almighty God make appeare, how much the power of those that are his, though of themselues feeble, did exceed the strong and puissant of the world.

But in regard that her soule had not perfect repose in that place, she was by the holy Father sainct Francis placed in the Church of sainct

Damian, & there as in secure harbour, she cast the anchor of her soule, without euer chaunging place, neither in respect of the great restraint therof, nor for feare of solitude, this church being without the citty. This was the Church in reparation wherof the glorious Father S. Fran∣cis laboured in the beginning of his conuersion: and where also he offe∣red mony to the Chappelaine to repaire it: this holy Father being also in this church and praying with abondance of teares, merited to heare the voice of the crucifix, before which he was, that thrise reiterated vn∣to him: Goe Francis and repaire my house, which as thou seest is ready to fall. The glorious virgin Clare for the loue of her heauenly Spouse, shutt her selfe vp in that litle place, and there imprisonned her selfe, du∣ring her life sequestring her body from the turbulent tempest of the world. This siluered doue there building her nest in the concauities of that church, engendred the colledge of Virgins of our Lord IESVS CHRIST, there institued a holy Couent, and gaue a beginning to the Order of poore Religious women, and thus being setled in the way of penance, she battered the hard turfes of her members, with the coul∣ter of the crosse, and perfectly sowed the seed of sanctity and iustice, ma∣king with her very soule steppes and traces of vertuoue progresse for thē that were to follow her.

How the Virgin Agnes, sister to S. Clare, was by her feruent prayes conuer∣ted, and of the persecutions she endured by her kinred, and how she was miraculously freed of them.

THE VI. CHAPTER.

SAincte Clare had a yonger sister, who both in regard of bloud and of pouerty was really her sister, she exceedingly desiring the conuersion of this yong virgin, neuer failed in her most feruent de∣uotions, which in her first dayes she offered to almighty God, the most deuoutly she possibly could with a perfect affection, to beseech him, that as she had liued with her sister in the world, there might be also betweene them a vnion of body and will in his seruice, most instantly Importuning him to make appeare to her sister whome she had left in her mothers house, what a notorious deluder the world is, and how full of discontentment: and on the contrary how sweet and contentfull is IESVS CHRIST, and that consequently he would please to chan∣ge her desired resolution of carnall marriage, and cause her to embrace the vniō of diuine loue, and to take for Spouse the king of glory. Now in regard that our lord had already setled such an amity betweene these twoo sisters, that their separation was afflictiue and troublesome vnto

them (though then their desires and willes were farre different) he made no delay to fauour this his deuout suppliant, euen in this first petition, which she so instantly required of him, and which his diuine Maiesty so readily granted. Sixteene dayes then after her conuersion, her sister Ag∣nes inspired of God, with a strong and prompt resolution gaue a slipp and farwell to the world, and came to her sister Clare, to whome disco∣uering the secrett of her hart, she sayd, she was resolued to serue God in her company. Which the glorious Clare vnderstanding, she most amia∣bly embraced her, and with a very ioyfull and contented countenance sayd: My most deere sister, I giue infinite thanckes to our lorde IESVS CHRIST, that it hath pleased him to heare me, and deliuer me from the affliction I endured for your sake. This noble conuersion of Agnes by the prayers of her Sister Clare, was seconded by as many contradictions of her kinred: for these blessed sisters seruing our lord IESVS CHRIST and imitating his steppes, she that had most tast of God and was in high∣her progresse, instructing her sister Nouice: their kinred knowing that Agnes was with her sister Clare, twelue men of their neerest bloud, as Brothers, Vncles, and Cosen germanes, assembled to assault them and to combat the espouses IESVS CHRIST. The day following then, with an extreme rage and fury they came to these holy virgins, yett att their first comming, dissembling their lewd intension, they shewed them some fauourable countenance: then addressing them selues to the vir∣gin Agnes, dispairing of all opinion to withdraw S. Clare from her holy purpose, they demaunded of her wherfore the was retyred into that pla∣ce; then willed her to deliberate and resolue to retourne with them to her fathers house. Wherto she answeared, that she was resolued, the grace of God assisting her, to remayne with her sister: which answeare one among them disdayning, full of passion and transported with choler, tooke her by the haire, and gaue her many blowes with his feet and sistes, then vsed all his force to pull her out of the place, which att length by the helpe of the others he performed: for taking her in their armes, they forcibly trayled her out. But this litle daughter of IESVS CHRIST, seeing her selfe violently wrested by those furious lions out of the armes of her God, she began to cry to her sister, help me sister, and permitt me not to be separated from our Lord IESVS CHRIST and your louing company. Her car∣nall kinred trayned a long the vally this virgin of IESVS CHRIST against her will, and in despight of her feeble, though couragious resi∣stance, renting her cloathes from her tender body. In meane while sain∣te Clare vnable by other meanes to relieue her sister, had recourse to prayer, with abondance of teares beseeching God to voutsafe to giue a couragious confidence to her sister, that his diuine fauour defending

his faithfull seruant, humane forces might be ouercome, and our lord heard her: for att the instant of her prayer, the body of the virgin Agnes, miraculously became so weighty, that her kinred were att lenght en∣forced to leaue her one the ground. And albeit so many men and their seruantes putt all their forces to lift her vp, yet could they neuer doe it, but called labourers & worckmen of the vineyards that wrought ther∣about to assist them, yet their great nomber no more auayled then the lesser. Finally the forces failing of her kinred and those that attempted to assist them: they acknowledged the miracle, though scornefully, say∣ing: It is no meruaile that she is so weighty she hauing bin all night, as lead, whervpon Signeur Monalde her vncle in extreme passion, lifting vp his arme to strike her he presently felt an extreme paine therin, which did not only torment him for the present, but a long time after. Herev∣pon S. Clare (after her prayer) arriuing, besought her kinred to forbeare in vaine to contend with God, and to leaue vnto her the care of her sister, who lay as halfe dead. They perceauing that they would neuer stagger in their pious resolution, being exceedingly wearyed, left the two sisters together. This troup then being departed, the tormented Agnes arose from the ground full of ioy in IESVS CHRIST, for whose loue she had fought and ouercome in this her first conflict, against the world and his Prince the deuill, by fauour and assistance of diuine grace; and her sister asking her how she felt her selfe, she answeared, that notwith∣standing all the affliction they had procured her, by buffettes, beatinges, spurnes with their feet and fistes, tearing by the haire, trayning her through stony wayes, she had felt in manner nothing, especially by the vertue and force of diuine grace, and next by the merittes of her good prayers. Shortly after the holy Father sainct Francis cutt off her haire, leauing her stil hir proper name, Agnes, in memory of the innocent lambe IESVS CHRIST, who offering himselfe in sacrifice to his Father, gaue resistance to the world, fought valerously and ouer∣came. And so the holy Father instructed her with her sister, and taught her the way of God, in such sort that she so encreased and profited in Religion, in vertue and sanctity, that she was an admiration to all the world.

Of the humility of the Virgin saincte Clare.

THE VII. CHAPTER.

PRofound humility was the first assured stone and foundation which the holy Virgin layd in the beginning of her Religion, after she

had began to labour in the way of God, so to aduance and sett forward the building of all other vertues. She vowed obedience vnto sainct Francis, which vow in all her life she neuer transgres∣sed; and for three yeares after her conuersion she desired rather, with great humility to be subiect, then a superiour shunning the tit∣le and office of Abbesse, taking more content to serue among the seruantes of IESVS CHRIST, them to be serued. But being att lenght by the holy Father sainct Francis thervnto constray∣ned, she vndertooke the gouernement of the Religious, which bred in her hart more feare then presumption, so that she rather continued and became a seruant, then free from subiection. For the more she seemed to be raysed to the office and title of dignity, the more did she repute and esteeme her selfe vile, and the more shewed her sel∣fe ready to serue, and made her selfe more contemptible then all her Religious, both in habitt and base seruice. She disdained not to doe the office of seruantes, giuing water to the Religious to wash, who∣me she made often to sitt, her selfe standing and seruing them att ta∣ble. When she commanded any thing, it was vnwillingly, rather desiring to doe, then to command others. She performed to the sic∣ke all kind of seruices, were they neuer so loathsome, as to make cleane the immondicities and filthines, shunning with so worthy a spiritt, the loathsome actions, nor abhorring or disdaining the most offensi••e sauours. She often washed the feet of the lay sisters, when they came from abroad, made them cleane, and with great humility kissed them. It one time chaunced, that washing the feet of a seruant, and offering to kisse them, the seruant vnwilling to permitt such humility, pulled away her foot to auoyd it, but she did it so rudely, that she gaue the holy virgin a dash on the fa∣ce. Yet so farre was this Sainct from being offended therwith, that on the contrary she mildly tooke the foot of the seruant againe, and kissed the sole therof. Thus did this true espouse of God accomplish the doctrine of IESVS CHRIST, and* 1.4 the example which he left when he washed the feet of his Apo∣stles.

Of the voluntary pouerty of the Virgin saincte Clare, and of her zeale to that holy vertue.

THE VIII. CHAPTER.

THis holy virgin made a vnion and correspondence betweene her pouertye in all externall thinges and her holy pouerty of spiritt,

and first att the beginning of her conuersion she made sale of her patri∣mony and birth right, al which distributing vnto the poore of IESVS CHRIST, she reserued nothing to her selfe. Hauing so abandoned all the world exteriourly, and enriched her soule interiourly, freed of the burden of worldly affaires, she ran farre more lightly after IESVS CHRIST, and thetby contracted such an inuiolable amity with holy pouerty, that she would haue possession of no other thing then the glo∣rious IESVS CHRIST, nor would she permitt her spirituall daughters to possesse any thinge else. And with this Euangelicall trafique, she pur∣chaced* 1.5 the most precious pearle of celestiall desire, in place of all the other thinges which she had sold, acknowledging that the same could in no sort be enioyed together with the distraction and occupation of temporall thinges. Giuing instructions to her Religious, she would som∣times say vnto them, that this their company should be then gratefull to God, should become very rich in pouerty, and should by such meane conserue it selfe firme and stable, if it were alwayes fortified and enui∣roned withe the rampiers and strong bulwarckes of pouerty. She also admonished her beloued daughters in our Lord IESVS CHRIST, to conforme themselues to him lying poore in the bed of pouerty, who was no sooner borne, but was by the most sacred virgin his mother layd in the narrow cribbe.

Now desiring to entitle her rule by the title of pouerty, she demaun∣ded of Pope Innocent the fourth the priuiledge of pouerty, who as a a Magnanimous Prelat reioycing att the great feruour of this holy virgin, exceedingly commended this her deuotion, assuring himselfe that the like priuiledge had neuer bin demaunded of the Apostolike sea. And to the end a new and extraordinary fauour might answeare this new and vnaccustomed demaund, the holy Pope with an exceeding contentment wrote with his owne hand the first pattent of the priuiledge. Which Pope Gregory the ninth his predecessour, of holy memory, had also done, who with a Fatherly affection louing this espouse of IESVS CHRIST, once gaue her counsaile, in consideration of the diuerse al∣terations of matters, and the strange euents of times, yea and in regard of the perills of future ages, to be content that her Order might haue some possessions, himselfe offering to bestow it on them: but she coura∣giously withstood it, and as a true, poore, and legitimate daughter of the Patriarch poore S. Francis, would neuer accord thervnto. The Pope alleadging that if she feared the breach of her vow, he would absolue her therof. This Virgin very humbly answeared him in these tearmes: Holy Father, I shalbe very ioyfull if it please your holinesse to absolue me of all my sinnes. But to free me from performing the Counsailes of God, I will accept no absolution. This holy virgin

with an exceeding ioy receaued the morcels of bread which the Reli∣gious brought from begging, and had gotten for the loue of God: But she was much troubled when she saw whole loaues. She laboured much to conforme her selfe in all conditions of perfections of perfect pouerty with him that was poorely crucified: And in such sort that no transitory thing might separate the most poore virgin from her beloued, nor hinder her from her most ardent feruour to follow our Lord IE∣SVS CHRIST.

Of the miracles of the pouerty of the glorious S. Clare.

THE IX. CHAPTER.

* 1.6 IT happened one day that the glorious virgin S. Clare knew that there was but one only loafe of bread in her Couent, and so the houre of dinner being come, she called the despensier, and willed her to cutt the loafe she had in her custodye in two, and to send the one halfe to the Religious that were without, and to keepe the other for themselues, wherof she should make fifty portions, there being so many Religious, and then should sett it on the table of pouerty. Whereto the despesier answeared that the miracles of IESVS CHRIST were needful to make so many portions of so small quantity of bread. But S. Clare re∣plyed: Daughter doe only what I command thee: the Religious went presently to effect the commandement of her Abbesse: who in the meane while, together with all the Religious applyed themselues to prayer, presenting their deuotions and teares to their Spouse IESVS CHRIST, and instantly by his bounty the litle the morcles of bread so augmented in the handes of the despensier that cutt it, that they sufficied to feed all the Religious.

It happened an other time that the seruantes of IESVS CHRIST wanted oyle, so that they had not sufficient to dresse meat for the sick: S. Clare being aduertised of this necessity, tooke a pott, which as mistres of humility she washed with her owne handes, then sent it to the turne wheele, that a Religious man there might take it to goe de∣maund oyle for the loue of God. Hauing to this effect caused to be cal∣led a Religious mā to send him (as matters doe not succeed as men pro∣pose, but according to the pleasure of the diuine and mercifull proui∣dence) S. Clare hauing recommended this necessity to almighty God, the said Religious found the pott full of pure oyle; which per∣ceauing, he thought the Religious within had required it without need; and with a kind of murmure he said: I know not why the sisters haue called me, their pott being full of oyle: So the miracle was dis∣couered.

Almighty God did often also by extraordinary meanes sup∣ply the necessities of his poore seruantes, by the meritorious prayers of sainte Clare.

Of the austere mortifications, abstinences and fast of S. Clare.

THE X. CHAPTER.

I Doubt whither it be not more expediēt to conceale, then to diuulge the admirable affliction and rude penance of sainte Clare, because this holy virgin hath performed such extreme mortifications, that many who shall read them acknowledging themselues cowardes & ouercome in this conflict, (as al we are) and putt into admiration att these merueil∣lous actes, will perhappes call in question her prowesses, which is to op∣pugne the very truth. Is it not a great matter that vsing one only habitt all patched, and a poore cloake of the grossest cloth, she rather couered her body then defended it from the importunities of the seasons? But it is more admirable that she neuer woare stockinges, shooes, nor other thing on her feet, after she became Religious. It was also a strange mat∣ter, that she fasted dayly and neuer failed for whatsoeuer occasion that happened. She neuer lay on mattresse, though that were no singuler prayse vnto her, all her Religious doeing the like. This espouse of IE∣SVS CHRIST woare more then the rest a haircloth as great as halfe a tunicle, made of hogges haire, the haire next her flesh being halfe shorne: She also woare a haire cloth, which a Religious very importu∣nately once borrowed of her: but prouing it to be so rude and sharpe, she restored it to saincte Clare three dayes after, more readily then she had ioyfully borrowed it. Her ordinary bed was the bareground, except sometimes she slept on dry branches or twigges, vsing for a pillow a block of wood. But in regard that the rigorous life wherwith she so afflicted her body brought her to sicknesse, the holy Father saint Fran∣cis commanded her to lye on chaffe. The rigour of her abstinence in her fastes was such, that she could not maintaine her body in life, so litle did she eat, but that it is easy to iudge she was sustayned by diuine ver∣tue. When she had her health, she fasted all the Aduent and Lent; and from Alsaintes to Christmas with bread and water the sondayes excepted: and which is more admirable, three dayes of the weeke, mun∣day, wednesday and friday of the lent, she did eat nothing at all: so that the commandement of fast, and the rigour of her voluntarie mor∣tification seemed to haue a contrariety each with other, because the eue of a perfect or commanded fast, she vsed but bread and water. Neither must it be admired if such a rigour of so long continuance, bred many

infirmities in this holy virgin, which wasted her forces, and ouerthrew all her naturall strenght and health of body. The deuout Religious daughters of this holy mother, had exceeding compassion of her, and very bitterly lamented her voluntarily procuring her owne death. For remedy wherof, saint Francis and the bishop of Assisium forbad her those three dayes of fast, which euery weeke she cruelly inflicted on her selfe, and commanded her not to passe one day without taking att least an ownce and a halfe of bread to conserue her life. And albeitt such grieuous affliction of the body doe accustome to breed also some affliction to the heart, yet did the contrary succed in her; for she carryed a countenance so gracious and ioyfull in all her austerities, that she seemed, either to haue no feeling of them, or not to feare any inconuenience therof; Yea, she in a sort scoffed att corporall afflictions: which sufficiently demonstrated that the spi∣rituall ioy wherwith she was interiourly nourished, appeared exte∣riourly in her holy face, because the true loue of the hart, alwayes maketh corporall afflictions easy and light.

Of the deuotion and spirituall profitt which the fame of the glorious S. Clare procured ouer all the world.

THE XI. CHAPTER.

THe fame of sainte Clare began within litle time to spred ouer all Italy, which caused women from all partes to be∣gin to runne after the odour of the precious liquour of her fanctity. The virgins after her example approached vnto IESVS CHRIST and made him presentes of their virginity. Marryed women endeauoured to liue more chast and vertuously: Gentle∣women and Ladyes contemning their faire houses and sumptuous tables, shutt themselues into Monasteryes, esteeming it a great glory to liue in strict penance for the loue of IESVS CHRIST. This Saint was also a spurre vnto men, to excite in them a vio∣lent feruour, and principally to youth, that began to take cou∣rage in the contempt of the world, and by example of the frayler sexe, to fight against the temptations and deceiptfull pleasures of the flesh; Many marryed personnes with mutuall consent obliged them∣selues to continencie, the men entring into Couentes of men, and the women into monasteryes of Religious women. The mother induced the daughter to serue IESVS CHRIST, the daughter the mother, one sister an other, and briefly each one by

a holy enuie desired to serue IESVS CHRIST, all seeking to participate of the euangelicall life which by this espouse of IESVS CHRIST, was demonstrated vnto them. An infinite number of virgins that by her fame were induced to piety, vnable to become Re∣ligious, or to leaue their Fathers houses, endeauoured yet to liue ther∣in religiously, leading a reguler life without rule. S. Clare by her ex∣ample produced such branches of saluation, that it seemed the saying of rhe Prophett was to be accomplished in her: The fruites of the desola∣te and barren, are far greater then of the maried. Whiles these matters thus proceeded in Italy, the discent of this benediction, which destil∣led downe in the vally of Spoletum, grew, by diuine prouidence to so spacious and lardge a floud, that the violent current therof ouer flowed all the citties of the holy Church, so that the nouelty of such admira∣ble thinges, was speedily diuulged ouer all the world, and with such praise and admiration gaue such lustre, that the nature of her vertues filled with splendour the chambers of great ladyes, and penetrated euen into the great pallaces of Duchesses, yea those most pure beames of her brightnes pearced into the very cabbinettes of Queenes and Princesses, in such sort that eminencie of bloud and hight of nobility submitted & debased it selfe to follow the steppes of this glorious Virgin, many reie∣cting the beames of their honour, and the sublimity of their estates, so that some ladyes that could haue bin marryed to kinges and dukes, in∣duced by the fame of saincte Clare, tooke vpon them the practise of strict pennance: and many already marryed to men of great nobility, desired in their estate to imitate this seruant of IESVS CHRIST. An infinite number also of citties were in this example adorned with Monasteries of yong women: The fieldes, and mountaines were en∣nobled and enriched with the structures of these celestiall buildinges. The exercise and honour of chastity did multiply in the world, saincte Clare carrying the standerd of the Order of Virgins, which being al∣most extinguished, she restored to perfection reneweing it by the bles∣sed flowers of her example and conuersation. But retourning to the history, lett vs speake of the perfection of the prayer of this glorious Virgin, by meane wherof she obtayned of God so great graces for her selfe and her daughters.

Of the feruent and perfect prayer of the Virgin, S. Clare.

THE XII. CHAPTER.

AS saincte Clare was mortified in her flesh, and far remote from all corporall recreation, so did she continually busye her soule in de∣uotions

and diuine prayses. This virgin had fixed and imprinted the sub∣tility of her feruent desire in the eternal light: & as she was remote from earthly occupations and rumors, so did she the more lardgely dilate the bosome of her soule to the influence of diuine grace. She continued in long prayer together with her Religious after compline, the riuers of teares that flowed from her eyes awakening and bathing the hartes of her companions: When the sleep of others gaue her opportunity to be solitary, being often in prayer, she would lay her face against the earth bathed with teares, kissing it sweetly and with such contentmenr, that she seemed alwayes to hold in her armes her Spouse IESVS CHRIST, att whose feete her teares trickled downe, and her kisses left their im∣pressions.

It happened one time, that as this holy virgin powered out her teares in the silent of the night, the Angel of darcknes appeared vnto her in fi∣gure of a black yong man, saying: If thou continuest this extreme wee∣ping thou wilt become blind. Wherto she answeared: He that is to see God, cannot be blinde. Wherwith the deuill being confounded vanished and fled. The same night this S. being in prayer, after matines, all ba∣thed in teares, the temptor appeared againe vnto her and sayd: Weep not so much, vnlesse thou wilt haue thy braine to melt and distill, in such sort as thou shalt auoyd it att thy eyes and nostrels, and therwith shalt haue thy nose crooked. S. Clare with great feruour answeared him: He that serueth IESVS CHRIST can haue no crookednesse, and presently the wicked spiritt disappeared. Many signes did discouer & make know∣ne the great alteration she receaued in her selfe, in the feruour of her prayer, and how sweet and delectable the diuine bounty was vnto her in this ioy and holy conuersation: for when she retourned from prayer, she with admirable contentment, brought wordes enflamed with the fire of the altare of God, which kindled the hartes of her Religious, and procured in them a great admiration att this extreme sweetnes that ap∣peared and flashed out of her face. It is without doubt, that almighty God had coupled and conioyned his sweetnes with her pouerty, and did manifest exteriourly in her body, that her soule was interiourly re∣plenished with diuine light. In this manner did she ordinarily liue full of so supreme delightes, passing ouer this deceiptfull world with her noble Spouse IESVS CHRIST, and being on this wheele of motion, she was theron sustayned with an assurance and firmity of ver∣tue, very stable, and preserued with the celestiall eleuation of her soule, in the hight of heauen, keeping the treasure of glory securely shutt vp, with in a vessell of flesh, here below on earth. This holy virgin accusto∣med to call vp the yonger Religious a litle before mattines, and to awa∣ken them with the ordinary signe, to excite them very often to praise

God. All her Religious sleeping, she did watch, lighted the lampe, & rung att mattines, so that negligence found no entrance into her mona∣stery: nor sloath had there any place. She also, by the sting of sharpe repreprehension, and of her liuely and effectuall examples, expelled tepe∣dity and ircksomnes in prayer and the seruice of God.

How the Mores were expelled the Monastery, by the prayers of S. Clare.

THE XIII. CHAPTER.

THis being the place where we should record the miracles of this holy virgin, it is not conuenient that we pretermitt them in silence: for as the merueillous effectes of her prayer are veritable, so also are they worthy of honour and reuerence. In the time of the Emperour Federick the second, the holy Church in diuers places endured great persecutions, but particulerly in the vally of Spoletum, which being sub∣iect to the Romane Church, dranck of the vessell of wrath of this mis∣chieuous tyrant, his capitaines and soldiers being scattered ouer the fiel∣des as grasse hoppers, with sword to murder people, and with fire to burne their houses. The impiety of this Emperour did so augment, that he had assembled all the Mores that dwelt on the mountaines and among the desertes, to make himselfe the more fearefull vnto his vas∣sels: and after he had by lardge promises gayned these Mores, and dis∣posed them into diuers places, he gaue them att length for retyre a ve∣ry ancient but ruined citty, which yet to this present is called, Moura des Mores, which they fortifyed, and then thither retyred about twen∣ty thousand fighting men, who did much mischeife ouer all Apulia, and in other Christian places. These ennemies of the faith of IESVS CHRIST came one day vnexpectedly towardes the cittye of Assisium, who being already close to the portes, a great number of them came to the Monastery of saint Damian, as a lewd and dissloyall nation that con∣tinually thirsteth after the bloud of Christians, and dareth to committ indifferently all kind of execrable actes, without either shame of men, or feare of God. These Mores then brake euen into the Monastery of sainte Clare, where she was with her Religious daughters, who had their hartes surprised with an extreme terrour: but much more when they heard the barking and crye of those dogges so neere them, so that they were euen dying with the apprehension, not knowing where to seeke reliefe, nor of whome to hope for deliuerance from so emminent perill, but by the merittes of their holy mother, Whome with infinite sighes and teares, they aduertised of what they heard and saw. This holy virgin (though sick) encouraging her Religious, caused her selfe

with incredible constancie to be carryed to the gate of her Monaste∣ry, att the entry wherof in the sight of all her ennemies, she with very great reuerence placed the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist, in the pix before which falling postrate on the earth, she with abondance of teares thus spake to her beloued Spouse IESVS CHRIST: Is it possible my God, thy will should be, that these they seruantes, who cannot vse materiall weapons to defend thēselues, and whome I haue here brought vp & nourced in thy holy loue, should now be deliuered into the power of the Infidell Mores? Oh my God! Preserue thē if thou please, and me like∣wise: for albeit thy diuine Maiesty hath cōmitted thē to my gouerne∣mēt, yet is it not in my power to defend thē from so great a perill, sith this protection cānot be but by a worck of thine omnipotencie: Therfo∣re doe I recōmend thē to thy diuine Maiesty, with all the affection that I am able. As soone as this holy virgin had sent these prayers vnto heauē, she heard a voice so delicate as if it had bin of a sucking child, that said: I will protect you for eue••: The holy mother did not yet giue ouer to pre∣sent her prayers, saying: My God, I humbly beseech thee, if so it be thy holy will, to preserue and defend this thy citty of Assisium, which doth nourish vs for the loue it beareth to thy diuine Maiesty. Wherto God answeared: This citty shall suffer much, but in the end I will by my fauour defend it. Sainte Clare hauing heard so gracious newes, lifted vp her face bathed with teares, and comforted her beloued daughters, saying. Deere Sisters, I assure you that no euill shall befall you: only be carefull to haue a firme faith and confidence in IESVS CHRIST. The diuine assistāce made no long delay: for the presumption and rage of the Mores was incontinently cooled, so that a sodaine vnknowne terrour hauing surprised them, they speedily retyred ouer the walles which they had scaled and ouer leapt, to enter: They being thus by the vertue of the prayer of sainte Clare expelled, she priuatly called the Religious that had heard the sayd voice of God, and commanded them, that howsoeuer it were▪ they should not diuulge what they had heard, during her life.

How the citty of Assisium was an other time deliuered by the prayer of this holy Virgin.

THE XIV. CHAPTER.

ON an other time, one of the principall Capitaines of the Empe∣rour Federick called Vitall d'Auerse, a man very ambitious of glory, full of courage and a notable Capitaine, conducted his troupes to besiege Assisiū, and hauing encōpassed it, he exposed to wast and spoile the plaine contry therabout, making a totall ruine euen to the

very trees which were hewed downe, and then framing his siege, he vttered menacing and vaunting oathes, that he would not stirre thence, till he had giuen the citty a victorious assault: and so this siege so long continued that the besieged began to loose courage, as wanting many thinges extreemely needfull vnto them. Wherof this holy seruant of IESVS CHRIST being aduertised, sighing in her hart, she called all her Religious, to whome she thus discoursed: My deere sisters, you know that all our necessities haue euer bin supplyed by the charity of this cit∣ty; so that we should proue very vngratefull, if we should not according to our ability assist them in this extreme necessity: then she comman∣ded to be broughte her, ashes, and all her Religious to discoife their heades, and to giue them example she began to couer her bare head with ashes, wherin all the other Religious following her, she said: Goe ye to our Lord IESVS CHRIST, and with the greatest humility and most feruent prayers that you can possible, demaund of him the deli∣uery of your citty. It cannot be expressed with what feruour and teares these deuout virgins incessantly offerred their prayers and teares vnto God, one entier day and one night, demaunding mercy in behalfe of the said citty besieged by their ennemies. These prayers and teares were of such force and vertue, that the omnipotent in bounty and mercy had compassion of them, and from the day following sent them his puissant assistance, in such sort that the ennemies camp was defeited, the Capi∣taine constrained shamefully and in despight of his forces without sound of trompett to raise his siege: for he fled without euer after troubling the Assisians, being shortly after slaine.

Of the reuerence and deuotion which S. Clare had to the most B. Sacrament, and of the vertue of her prayers against the Deuils.

THE XV. CHAPTER.

THe deuotion of S. Clare towardes the most precious Sacrament of the Altare was such, that she made it apparent in many of her actions: for though she were most grieuously sick in her bed, yet would she so dispose her selfe therin, and be so propped and stayed vp that she might conueniently spinne, an exercise which she exceedingly affe∣cted, and wherin she desirously employed her selfe, and did it delicately: and with the threed of her labour, she caused to be wouen very curious and fine cloth, which she employed in furniture for the chalice. She one time got made 50. corporals which she sent in cases of silke to many Churches of the valley of Spoletun. When she was to receaue the most sacred Sacramēt, before she presented her selfe therunto, she was alwayes

bathed in teares, and so with exceeding feare approaching, she did reue∣rence him that was hidden in the Sacrament, as acknowledging him to be the same that gouerneth heauen and earth. Therfore did the deuils so much feare the prayer of the espouse of IESVS CHRIST S. Clare, as they haue sundry times declared.

A very deuout woman of the bishoprick of Pisa came to the monastery of S. Damian to thanck God & his seruant S. Clare, for hauing bin by her merittes, deliuered of fiue deuils that possessed her, which in goeing out of her body, confessed that the prayer of S. Clare did burne them, and to their great confusion expelled them out of the humane bodies which they possessed.

Of a merueillous consolation which S. Clare receaued on the feast of the most holy Natiuity.

THE XVI. CHAPTER.

AS the glorious S. Clare was alwayes in her sicknesse with a liuely memory mindfull of her beloued IESVS, so was she correspon∣dently visited by him in her necessities. As once in the night of the Natiuity when the world and Angels did so solemnly feast for the birth of our Redeemer, all the Religious went to the quier to Matines, and left their holy Mother accompanied only with her grieuous infir∣mity: wherfore hauing begun to meditate on the great mistery of that night, and lamenting exceedingly that she could not assist att the diuine seruice, she sighing sayd. O my God, thou seest how I remayne here alone! and ending this, she began to heare the Mattins that were sung in the Church of S. Francis in Assisium, very distinctly vnderstanding the voice of the Religious and the very sound of the Organes: yet was she not so neere the said Church as she might humanly heare what was song there: but it must necessarily be concluded, that this was miraculously don in one of these two sortes: either that the singing of the said Religious was by the will of God carryed to S. Clare, or her hearing was extended ex∣traordinarily, and by speciall grace of God, euen to our Lady of Angels neere vnto Assisium. But this S. was further fauoured by a diuine re∣uelation, which exceedingly comforted and reioyced her for she was by almighty God esteemed worthy, to see in spirit his holy cribbe. The mor∣ning following, her Religious comming to see her, she sayd: Deere sisters, blessed be our Lord IESVS CHRIST, that it hath pleased him, not to leaue me alone, as you haue don: but know that by the grace of his diuine Maiesty, I haue heard all the solemnity and all the seruice that this night hath bin performed in the Church of our holy Father S. Francis.

Of the spirituall doctrine wherwith S. Clare nourced and eleuated her daughters.

THE XVII. CHAPTER.

THe virgin S. Clare acknowledged that she was committed to the Pallace of the great king, for gouernesse and Mist••esle of his deere espouses, therfore did she teach them a sublime doctrine, and did comfort and assist them with such loue and pitty, as with wordes can∣not be expressed. First she taught them to cleare their soules of all ru∣mours of the world that they might the more freely attaine to the high secrettes of God. She also taught them to haue no affection to their car∣nall kinred, and entierly to forgett their owne house, the better to please IESVS CHRIST. She admonished them also to surmount and misprise the necessities of the body, and to gett a habitt of repressing the deceip∣tes and appetites of the flesh, by the bridle of reason. She likewise taught them that the subtill ennemy, armed with malice continually addresse••h his hidden snares to surprise the pure soules, and that he tempteth the pious in other sort then worldlinges. Finally she would haue them so employed in handy labour for certaine houres, that they might after∣ward be more promptly prepared to the desire of their Creatour, by the exercise of prayer, which after their labour they should vndertake, not leauing for such paine, the fire of holy loue, but rather by it, expelling the tepedity of deuotion alredy purchaced. There was neuer seene a st••••∣cter obseruation of silence then among them, nor a greater forme and example of vertue. Neuer was there seene don in this holy house one act of vanity, neither by word, nor signes, nor was there discouered by any vaine discourse any desire of lightnes, so much were they mortified. Their holy mistresse gaue good example by wordes and by her pious & briefe documentes, she taught her duciples feruent desires, admonishing them to possesse and conserue them vnder the keyes and custody of strict silence. By meane of deuou•• Preachers she procured to her daughters, the holy word of God, wherof her owne was not the least part, she being filled with contentment and ioy when she heard the word of God preached, would with such deuotion and consolation reioyce in the memory of her sweetest Spouse IESVS CHRIST, that one time hearing the sermon of Brother Philipp de Adria, a most famous preacher, there was seene before this holy virgin a most beautifull child, which there remayned during almost all the ser∣mon, comforting her with his ioyfull delectations, of which ap∣parition she receaued such a sweetnes and delight, as she could

no way explicate.

Albeit this most prudent virgin had neuer studyed, yet did she much delight to heare a learned man preach, well knowing that vnder the wordes of science lay hidden the sweetnes of spiritt, which her selfe more subtility obtayned and tasted with more sauour. She accustomed to say, that the sermon of whosoeuer preaching the word of God was exceeding profitable to soules, considering that it is no lesse prudence to know how sometimes to gather beautifull and sweet flowers from a mong grosse and rude thornes, then to eat fruittes of a good plant.

Pope Gregory the ninth one time att the instance of diuers Prelates, commanded that no Religious should preach att the monasterie of poore Religious women without his expresse permission: wheratt the pittiful mother complayning, in regard that thenceforward her daughters should seldome be spiritually fed with holy doctrine, with teares she sayd: Lett then all my Religions be taken hence, sith they are taken away who gaue vs the food of spirituall life. And with all sent away the Religious that appertayned to her monastery to serue them in getting almose abroad, refusing to haue Religious that should prouide them bread to reliefe the body, sith they were depriued her that gaue them bread to nourish their soules. Wherof his Holinesse being aduertised he re∣uoked his prohibition, referring all to the disposition of the Generall of the Frere Minors.

S. Clare had not only care of her daughters soules, but of their bo∣dies also that were feeble and tender, for whose necessities she proui∣ded with exceeding feruour and charity. For she often in the night when it was cold went to visitt and couer them, whiles they slept. And if she found any ouer-much benummed with cold, or otherwise in ill disposition through strict obseruation of the commune rigour, she commanded them to take some recreation, till their necessities were satisfied. If any of her daughters were troubled with temptations, or were sorrowfull or melancholie, she would call her a part and louingly comfort her. Sometimes she would fall to the feet of those that were heauy and afflicted, to putt away the force of their griefe by her motherly cherishinges, for which they yelding themselues to this their holy mo∣ther, did not proue ingratefull. They reuerenced the office of Prelature in their mistresse, and followed the conduct of so diligent and secure a guide, and ayming their actions by the espouse of IESVS CHRIST, they admired the excellencie of such a sanctity and charity.

Of the deuotion which Pope Gregoire the ninth bad to the virgin sainte Clare, and of a latter which he wrote vnto her whiles he was yet Cardinall.

THE XVIII. CHAPTER.

POpe Gregory the ninth had a merueillous confidence in the prayers of saincte Clare, hauing experienced their great vertue & efficacie, and often times when he was in any difficulty, both whiles he was Cardinall and bishop of Hostia, and afterwardes when he was Pope, he would by letters recommend himselfe to this glorious virgin, demaunding helpe of her, because he knew of what importance her assistance was; this being in him not only a great humility, but also worthy to be dilligently imitated, to see the vicar of IESVS CHRIST on earth to begg helpe of a seruant of God, in recōmen∣ding himselfe to her prayers. This great Pastour knew well what di∣uine loue could doe, and how freely pure virgins doe finde the port of the consistory of the diuine Maiesty open. There is extant a very deuout letter of this Pope, written to saincte Clare whiles he was Car∣dinall, which is here inserted to make appeare that the spiritt of God made his residence in this Prelat, and what deuotion he carryed to the sanctity of the glorious saincte Clare.

To the most deere sister in IESVS CHRIST and mother of his ho∣linesse, sister Clare the seruant of IESVS CHRIST, Vgolin miserable sinner, Bishop of Hostia recommendeth himselfe, what soeuer he is and what he may be. Well beloued sister in CHRIST IESVS, since the houre that the necessity of my retourne separated me from your holy speeches, and depriued me of that pleasure to conferre with you of cele∣stiall treasures, I haue had much sorrow of hart, abondance of teares in myne eyes, and haue felt an extreme griefe. In such sort that if I had not found att the feet of our Lord IESVS CHRIST the consola∣tion of his ordinary piety, I feare I had fallen into such anguishes as my spiritt would haue forsaken me, and my soule would haue vtterly mel∣ted away, and not without reason, because that ioy failed me, with which I discoursed with your good company of the body of our Redee∣mer IESVS CHRIST and of his presence on earth, celebrating the feast of Easter with you and the other seruantes of our Lord. And as whiles our Sauiour by his dolorous passion and death was absent from the presence of his disciples, they were possessed with an extreme griefe and affliction, so doth your absence procure my desolation: and though I acknowledged my selfe a grieuous sinner, considering the prerogatiue

of your merittes and the rigour of your holy Religion, I know not out of doubt but that the number and grauity of my sinnes are such, and so much haue I offended God the vniuersall Lord, that I am not worthy to be vnited to the society of the elect, nor to be sequestred from worldly occupations, if your teares and prayers doe not obtaine me pardon of my sinnes. And therfore to you I committ my soule, to you I commēd my spiritt, as IESVS CHRIST on the crosse recommended his spiritt to his Father, to the end that in the terrible day of the vniuersall iudge∣ment you giue an account for me, if you be not diligent and carefull of my saluation. For I confidently beleeue that you may obtaine of the so∣ueraigne Iudge whatsoeuer by your deuotion and your teares you shall demaund of him. The Pope speaketh not of cōming to Assisium, as I de∣sire: but I purpose to visitt you and your sisters att my first commodity. Recommend me to Agnes your sister and mine, and to all your other si∣sters in IESVS CHRIST.

Of the confirmation of the first rule of saincte Clare, inserted with her rule.

THE XIX. CHAPTER.

THe holy Father sainct Francis by instruction of the holy Ghost, made a rule for saincte Clare, and the Religious that intended to follow her, distinguished & ordered by chapters conueniēt, and conformable to the Rule of the Frere Minors, which rule this holy Father imparted vnto Cardinall Vgolin, then Bishop of Hostia, who was Protectour of his Order, and was after Pope by the title of Grego∣ry the ninth, who was very affectionate vnto him, and confirmed the sayd rule in the rigour of a strict pouerty & austerity of life, not by bul∣le, but only of his Apostolicall authority, and viua voce. The Order of saincte Clare had not this rule confirmed by authenticall bull, till the third yeare of the Popedome of Innocent the fourth, which was the yeare 1245. when the sayd Pope att the instance of certaine Prelates and of certaine Abbesses of the Religion of saincte Clare, instituted the se∣cond rule for the virgins of this Order, vnder the title of the enclosed Religious of the Order of sainct Damian, in which rule he dispēsed with the Religious touching their vow of pouerty in commune, and the con∣firmation of this rule passed in the citty of Lions, which dispensation ex∣ceedingly afflicted saincte Clare and all her Companions, for the zeale they had to the obseruation of the holy Euangelicall pouerty. And not only the monasteries which desired the said dispensation and rule of In∣nocent the fourth, did accept the same, but euen other monasteries we∣re enforced to receaue and follow it. But the Pope being afterward bet∣ter

enformed, commanded the Generall and all the Prouincialls, that they should in no sort constraine the Abbesses and Religious of the Or∣der of S. Clare and of S. Damian to obserue the rule which he had new∣ly instituted: but willed and commanded that the first rule giuen by the holy Father sainct Francis att the beginning of his religion, and confir∣med by Pope Gregory the ninth, should be perpetually obserued, com∣manding and commending it to the Cardinall of Hostia Protector of the Order, to see it obserued, notwithstanding whatsoeuer appellations, & letters obtayned or to be obtayned.

The bull of Pope Innocent the fourth, att the instance of S. Clare, for re∣newing the graunt made by Pope Gregory the ninth

That the Religious of S. Damian may not haue goodes in propriety. Taken out of the 10. booke and put here in due place.

INnocent Bishop, seruant of the seruantes of God: to his beloued daughter in IESVS CHRIST Clare, and to the other Sisters of the Monastery of saint Damian of Assisium, as well present as to come. Health and Apostolicall benediction. Because it is manifest that desiring to be dedicated only vnto God, you haue sold all your substāce to distri∣bute it among the poore, the better to renounce cogitations and desires of temporall thinges, and that you haue a firme resolution not to posses in whatsoeuer manner, any kind of possessions, nor immoueable goo∣des, in althinges following the steppes of him that for vs became poore, the true way, verity and life: The necessitie and want of corporall thin∣ges being vnable to deterre or separate you from this firme resolution,* 1.7 because the left hand of the celestiall Spouse is vnder your head, to su∣staine the great weaknes of your body, which you haue subiected to the law of the spiritt with an exceeding feruour and charity. This Lord al∣so* 1.8 that feedeth the birdes and cloatheth the flowers of the fieldes, will reward you with himselfe in eternity, when his right hand shall embrace you in the perfect sight of him. Considering withall that with great hu∣mility you demaund of vs that of our Apostolicall fauour we confirme your sayd resolution taken to follow most strict pouerty: We by the to nour of these presentes doe graunt you, that you may not be constray∣ned by any whoseuer, to take, haue, nor to retaine temporall posses∣sions. And if any sister either will not, or cannot obserue this rule, lett her not remayne with you, but lett her incontinently be putt in some o∣ther place. We ordaine and command that no person, of whatsoeuer qua∣lity or condition he may be, presume to trouble your Monastery. And if any person ecclesiasticall or seculer knowing this our▪ constitution and

confirmation, be so rash as to attempt in whatsoeuer manner against it, and if after three seuerall times reprehended and aduertised, he do not amend, & make satisfaction answearable to his default, let him be depri∣ued of his office, dignity and honour, and lett such person be reputed as already condemned for his impieties by the iudgement of God, & ther∣fore lett him be cutt off from the most holy cōmunion of faithfull Chri∣stians, and be obliged to the diuine vengeance att the last iudgement. But they who shall loue you in IESVS CHRIST and your Order; and especially the Monastery of sainct Damian, the holy peace of God be with them, that they may receaue the fruit of their good worckes, and find the recompence of eternall beatitude in the day of the rigorous and last iudgement.

The sequel of the aforesaid ninth chapter.

AFterward the same Pope confirmed the first rule v••uae vocis ora∣culo with his owne mouth, formerly approued by the sayd Po∣pe Gregory the ninth his predecessour, and by the Cardinall of Hostia Protectour, who by commission receaued from his holinesse had approued the same, in such sort that this first rule was renewed into for∣ce. This Pope Innocent afterward confirmed it by his bull in the citty of Assisium, the eight of August, the second yeare of his Papacie. Whervnto he was enforced by the deuotion and most humble request of S. Clare.

Apostolicall confirmation of the rule which S. Francis gaue to S. Clare.

INnocent Bishop seruant of the seruantes of God, to our welbelo∣ued daughters in IESVS CHRIST, Clare Abbesse and to the other sisters of the monasterie of S. Damian att Assisium, health and A∣postolicall benediction. The Apostolicall sea accustometh to consent vn∣to iust desires, & liberally to fauour the vertuous and pious requestes of them that seeke the same. And because you haue humbly required vs, touching the rule according to which you ought to liue in common in one spiritt and vow of most high pouerty, the same rule hauing bin gi∣uen you by the holy Father S. Francis & by you receaued of him with much cōtentment, & which rule our venerable Brother the Bishop of Hostia of Veltré approued, according as is more amply cōtayned & decla∣red in the letters of the sayd Bishop, conformable to the commandement which we gaue him to approue it by Apostolicall authority to that effect cōmitted vnto him, desirous now to accord vnto your requestes, we con∣firme againe by these presētes the said rule by our Apostolicall autho∣rity, causing the tenour of this rule to be writtē word by word in these presentes, as followeth.

Vgolin by the grace of God Bishop of Hostia & of Veltré, to his most deare mother and daughter in IESVS CHRIST, Clare Abbesse of S. Damian att Assisium, and to her Religious as well present as to come, health and Fatherly benediction. For so much as you my welbeloued daughters in IESVS CHRIST, despising the pompes and delightes of the world, and following the warlike course of IESVS CHRIST and of his most sacred mother, haue chosen to dwell corporally enclo∣sed to serue God, we commending your pious resolution, are willing be∣nignely to graunt with a good will and Fatherly affection your deman∣des and holy desires. And therfore inclining to your pious petitions, we by the Popes and our owne authority doe confirme, for you and all tho∣se that shall succeed in your Monastery, the forme and rule to liue by meane of a holy vnion and of the most high and sublime pouerty, which the glorions Father sainct Francis hath giuen you to obserue, as well by word as by writing: which rule is here vnder specifyed as followeth.

The rule of the Religious of S. Clare, called Damiates.

THE FIRST CHAPTER.

WE are to begin the rule & forme of life of the sisters which the glorious Father S. Francis instituted, which is in obser∣uation of the holy Ghospel, liuing in obedience and chasti∣ty, without any propriety. Clare the vnworthy seruant of IESVS CHRIST, and the litle plant of the holy Father S. Francis, promiseth obedience and reuerence to Pope Innocent and to his succes∣sours canonically elected, and to the Romane Church. And as she in the beginning of her conuersion together with all her sisters, hath promised inuiolable obedience to his successours, lett all her other sisters be in like sort for euer obliged to obey the successours of S. Francis, and sister Cla∣re, and other Abbesses that shall succeed her canonically elected.

How the Religious must be receaued into Religion.

THE II. CHAPTER.

IF any Virgin or woman diuinely inspired present her selfe to you to be admitted to this course of life, lett the Abbesse be obliged to damaund aduise of her sisters: and if the greater part consent ther∣to, she may receaue her, after permission had of the Cardinall Pro∣tectour of the Order. Bur before the habitt be giuen her, lett her

very diligently examine her, or cause her to be examined touching the Catholique Faith, and the holy sacramentes of the Church. And if she be found sincerely faithfull in those matters, and doe loyally confesse them, and promise entierly to obserue them, and that she be not marryed, or if hauing a husband he by consent of the Bishop of the Diocese become Religious, hauing vowed continencie, and she not hauing other impediment, as ouer-aged or infirme, or want of iudgement, and discretion to obserue such course of life, lett the manner and rule of liuing be dilligently declared vnto her: then being found capable, the wordes of the gospell be denounced vnto her, that she goe and sell all she hath, and endeauour to distribute it vnto the poore: which if she cannot effect, her good will shall suffice. And lett the Abbesse and other sisters be carefull not to confound their co∣gitations with her temporall affaires: but lett them leaue that care to her, that she dispose of her substance as our Lord shall inspire her. And if she demaund counsaile of them thervpon, lett them direct her to some vertuous person that feareth God, by whose counsaile she shall dispose of her goodes among the poore. After that, hauing cutt her haire about her garment, and discloathed her of her seculer atti∣re lett be giuen her three coates, one cloake, and lett her no more be permitted to goe out of the Monastery without profitable, manifest and probable occasion. The yeare of her probation expired, lett her be recea∣ued to obedience, promising perpetually to obserue the life and rule of our pouerty. None may weare the vaile but after the yeare of pro∣bation and nouitiat: the sisters also may weare a cloake, to be mo∣re lighty, decently and commodiously prepared to labour. Lett the Abbesse discretly prouide thē cloathing according to the qualities of the personnes, places and time, and correspondent to necessity. The virgins that are receaued into the monastery before their age conuenient, lett their haire be cutt, and being disattired of their seculer garmentes, lett them be cloathed with the same cloath that the other Religious do vse, as it shall please the Abbesse, and hauing attayned age conuenient, lett them be cloathed as the other, and make their probation. And lett the Abbesse commende them, as also the other Nouices to a mistresse, whome she should choose of the most vertuous of the monastery, who shall carefully instruct them according to the order of our professiō. Lett the forme aforesaid be obserued in the examination made to receaue the sisters that are to serue without the Monastery, and they may weare hose and shooes, and lett no woman or mayden dwell in the Monastery among you, if she be not receaued according to the forme of your pro∣fession. My deere and welbeloued sisters, I admonish, pray, and require you for the loue of IESVS CHRIST, who comming into the world

was wrapped in poore cloutes, and then by his most sacred mother layd in a manger, that you alwayes cloath your selues with the poo∣rest and coursest cloath, and the meanest that you can possibly.

Of the manner of saying the diuine office, of fasting, and of the time of communicating.

THE III. CHAPTER.

THe Religious that can read, shall say the diuine office accor∣ding to the vse of the Frere Minors, when they may haue a Breuiary, and shall read it without singing, and they who so∣metimes vpon some light impediment, cannot read the office, shall say their Pater nosters as the others sisters that cannot read, who shall say for their Mattins twenty four times the Pater noster, for Laudes fi∣ue, For the Prime, Third, Sixt, and Ninth houre for each seauen ti∣mes the Pater Noster, for the Euensong twelue times, and for Com∣pline seauen times. They also shall say for the euensong of the dead, sea∣uen times the Pater Noster with Requiem aeternam, and for the Matins twelue times. And the sisters that can read shall say the office of the dead. When any Religious of the Monastery shall dye, the sisters shall say fifty Pater Nosters for her soule.

The sisters, shall fast att all times: but on the Natiuity of our Lord IESVS CHRIST, fall it on whatsoeuer day, they may eat two meales. The yong, the weake, and the seruantes that liue out of the Monastery, may be dispensed withall for their fastes by mercy and charity, according to the discretion of the Abbesse. But in time of manifest necessity, the sisters shall not be obliged to corporall fast.

Lett them with permission of the Abbesse, confesse twelue times in the yeare: lett them be exceeding wary not to entermingle any wor∣des in their confession, but what is necessary thervnto and for the salua∣tion of their soules.

Lett the sisters communicate seauen times a yeare, to witt att the Na∣tiuity of our Lord, Maundie thursday, att Easter, Ascension day, Whit∣sonday, on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and Alsaintes: since the canonization of sainct Francis, for the eight communion, is added the day of his feast. It shalbe permissable for the chappelain to communica∣te the sick within the Monastery.

How the Abbesse is to be chosen.

THE IV. CHAPTER.

THe Religious shalbe obliged to obserue the canonicall forme in e∣lection of their Abbesse, where they shall endeauour to haue the Generall of the Frere Minors, or att least the Prouinciall, who may by the word of God vnite them, and admonish them to agree, touching the election of their Abbesse, to doe what shall seeme to them most pro∣fitable aduertising them not to choose a Religious that is not professed: and if one should be elected before profefsion, and made Abbesse by any other meane, lett not such Abbesse be obeyed, till she haue made pro∣fession conformably to the ordonances and to the rule of our pouerty. And the terme of her chardge being ended, lett an other be chosen. And if sometimes after the election of the Abbesse all the sisters iudge her vn∣capable of such chardge for the good of the seruice of God and of their Monastery, lett them be bound and obliged to choose an other, as soo∣ne as they can according to the said rule.

And lett her that shalbe chosen consider well what is the burthen which she hath taken on her, and to whome she must yeld an account of the sheep wherof she hath taken chardge. Lett her endeauour to be ra∣ther Superiour to precede her Religious in vertues and pious conuersa∣tion, then in honour and dignity: to the end that the sisters induced by her example, obey her more for loue then for feare.

Lett not her carry any particuler affection, for feare that in louing one she may scandalize others, lett her comfort the afflicted, and be alwayes the first and last in assisting art diuine seruice. Lett her be the reliefe and recourse of the afflicted, that if the remedies of saluation faile them, she att least exempt and deliuer them from the disease of despai∣re. Lett her haue a very diligent care of the comunalty in all thinges, but principally in the Church, in the dormitory, in the refectory, in the infirmary, and in their cloathing: And lett her Vicaresse be in like sort obliged to all the aforesaid.

Lett the Abbesse be obliged to assemble all her Religious in the chapiter att least once a weeke, in which place as well she as the o∣thers, shall accuse themselues of all their publike sinnes and of all their defaultes and negligences. Then lett her there treat and con∣sult with her sisters of the affaires of their Monastery, because God doth oftentimes communicate and giue his spiritt to the meanest of the company.

Lett her not enter into great or important debt, but by the common consent of all the Religious and vpon a manifest necessity, and with∣all lett it be by the entermile and mediation of the Procuratour of the monastery. Lett the Abbesse, as also the sisters, be carefull not to receaue any pledge or gage into their Monastery in regard of the troubles, encombers, and scandales that often arriue therby. Lett all the officers of the monastery be also elected by the common con∣sent of the Religious, the better to entertaine peace and fraternall vnion among them; and likewise shalbe chosen and elected att least eight Religious of the most discreet, of whome the Abbesse shalbe obliged to take counsaile in such matters as our rule requireth. The Religious likewise may and ought, if they know it to be necessary, put out such officers as are indiscreet and incapable, and choose others in their places.

Of silence and of the manner of speaking in the speake house and att the grate.

THE V. CHAPTER.

THe sisters shall keep silence from Cōpline till the Third hower, those except that serue without the monastery. But let it be al∣wayes kept in the dormitory and in the Church, as also in the refectory att the houre of repast, sauing in the infirmary were the Reli∣gious may alwayes speake discreetly for the recreation and seruices of the sicke. They may also briefly and in a low voice open their necessi∣ties. It shall not be permissable for any sisters to speake att the speake∣house or grate with out permissiō of the Abbesse or of her Vicaresse. And lett not those that haue leaue to speake in the speakehouse, presume to speake there but in the presence of two sisters, that may heare what∣soeuer is there spoaken. But lett them not presume to goe to the grate, if there be not att least three sisters present, sent by the Abbesse or her Vicaresse, who shalbe of those that are chosen by the Religious to be Counsailers to the Abbesse. And lett the Abbesse and Vicaresse be obli∣ged to obserue this order of speaking as much as shalbe possible, and lett not any speake att the grate but very rarely, and att the gate neuer. Lett there be putt before the grate within to couer it, a curtaine of black cloth, which shall not be drawne but for more conuenient hearing the sermon, or when a sister would speake with any one: Lett no Reli∣gious speake att the grate with whome soeuer in the morning before the sunne arise, not att night after the sunne is sett. Lett there be al∣wayes a black cloth before the speakehouse within-side, which shall

neuer be drawne. Lett no sister speake in the lent of S. Martin, nor in the ordinary lent in the speakehouse but to a Priest, to confesse, or for some other manifest necessity, which shalbe referred to the discretion of the Abbesse, or her Vicaresse.

That the Religious may not receiue nor haue any Possessions, nor any thing proper, in their owne, or any third persons Custody.

THE VI. CHAPTER.

Here is an adiunction of S. Clare, proper to her rule, which hath bin here annexed since the death of S. Francis.

IT hauing pleased he most high celestiall Father to illuminate my hart with his diuine grace, that I might doe penance by the exam∣ple and doctrine of the holy Father S. Francis, a litle after his con∣uersion, my selfe and my Religious promised obedience vnto him. Now the holy Father seeing that we feared no kind of pouerty, labour, affli∣ction, or contempt of the world, yea that all these thinges did excee∣dingly content vs, hauing compassion of vs, he prescribed vnto vs a rule to liue in this manner. Sith you are become daughters and seruātes of the most high, by diuine inspiration of our Redeemer, and that you haue resigned and committed your selues to the conduct of the holy ghost, I will and promise for my selfe and my Religious to haue alwayes care of you as of our selues, and this with a particuler care and diligence: which I will carefully accomplish and obserue during my life, and will that my Religious very diligently accomplish and obserue the same for euer. Now to the end we might neuer leaue the most holy pouerty which we haue vndertaken, & that this might be knowen to those that shal succeed vs, a litle before his death he left vs his last will in these ter∣mes: I Br. Francis poore wretch and caitife, will follow the life and po∣uerty of my most high Lord IESVS CHRIST, and of his most holy mother, and therin perseuer to the end. And I beseech all you poore sisters, and counsaile you to liue alwayes in this most holy life of po∣uerty, and aboue althinges to keep your selues from forsaking it, vpon whose counsaile or doctrine soeuer that would persuade you the con∣trary. But now as my selfe and also all my sisters haue euer bin care∣full to obserue the holy pouerty which we haue promised to God and to our holy Father S. Francis, I desire also that the Abbesses, which shall hereafter come to succeed me in this chardge, be obliged, with all their Religious, to haue diligent and inuiolable care not to receaue possessions, inheritances, or other thinges proper whatsoeuer reserued

of their owne, or from others that may giue them, nor whatsoeuer other thing that may be called proper, but that which shalbe needefull to a requisite necessity of the Monastery. Neuertheles they may haue and possesse a litle ground to make a garden, to supply the necessities and seruices of the sisters.

How and in what sort the Religious must labour and exercise themselues.

THE VII. CHAPTER.

THe sisters to whome God hath giuen grace and ability to la∣bour, after the third houre they may employ themsel∣ues in some decent exercise and conuenient to their profes∣sion, that may be for the common profitt, sincerely and deuoutly: yet in such sort that expelling idlenes, the capitall ennemy of the soule, the spiritt of holy prayer and deuotion be not extinguished, wherto all o∣ther tēporall thinges ought to serue. And what they shall haue wrought with their handes, they shall bring to the chapter before all the other Religious, deliuering the same to the Abbesse or to her vicaresse. The same shall likewise be done touching all the almes that shalbe sent to the monastery, by whome soeuer, that some prayers be offered in common, for such benesactours: and then such thinges shalbe distributed accor∣ding to the common necessitie, by the Abbesse or her vicaresse, with the consent of the discreet or Counsailers of the Abbesse.

That the Religions may not appropriat any thing to them selues, and of the sick sisters.

THE VIII. CHAPTER.

LEtt not the Religious haue any thing in propriety: but lett them serue God in this world as pilgrimes and strangers in all pouerty and humility, seeking almose with confidence, and they must not be ashamed therof, considering that our Lord IESVS CHRIST became poore for vs in this world. It is this sublimity of the most high pouerty, that maketh and instituteth you, my beloued sisters, heires of the cestiall kingdome, making your selues poore of tem∣porall cōmodities, to be ennobled with celestiall vertues. Lett it be your part and portion, to conduct you to the land of the liuing: wherto to ar∣riue my deerest sisters, for the loue of our Lord IESVS CHRIST, des∣pise and haue no regard to gett any other thing.

Let it not be permitted to any Religious to send or receaue letters,

nor to take or conuey any thing in, or out of the Monastery without leaue of the Abbesse. Lett it neither be permissable to any Religious to keep any thing that is not giuen or permitted her by her Abbes∣se or Vicaresse. And if their kindred or others send any thing to the Religious, lett the Abbesse cause it to be deliuered: And if that Re∣ligious to whome it is sent haue need therof, she may vse it: if not an other that hath need may of charity vse it. And if mony be sent, the Abbesse by aduise of the discreetes, shall therwith prouide and sup∣ply the wants of her to whome it is sent. Lett the Abbesse be obliged to haue care of the sick sisters, as well to comfort them, as to procure by her selfe and others, that which their infirmity requireth, touching their diett and other thinges necessary, according to the possibility of the place: and lett them be prouided for with charity and compassion: Considering that all the Religious are bound to sssist, succour and serue their sick sisters, as they in the like case would expect of others. And lett one sister securely manifest and discouer her necessities to an other: in regard that if she that is a true mother, doe loue and cherish her car∣nall child, with what greater dilligence and care ought a sister to loue & cherish her spirituall sister? and therfore it shalbe permitted to lay the sicke on beddes of chaffe, and to giue them a pillow filled with downe or soft feathers, and they that haue need to be layd on Matteresses filled with wooll, and to haue coueringes, it may be graunted them. When the said sick sisters shalbe visited by them that enter into the monastery, they may briefely answeare them in discourse of edification. And lett not the others sisters that shall haue leaue to speake, yet presume to doe it to those that enter into the Monastery, if there be not two of the discree∣tes present to heare what they shall say, whome the Abbesse or her Vi∣caresse shall nominate: and lett the Abbesse her selfe and the Vicaresse be obliged also to obserue this forme of speaking.

Of the penance fitt to be giuen to the Religious vpon occasions, and of the manner of negotiation without the Monastery.

THE IX. CHAPTER.

IF any Religious be so forgetfull as to sinner mortally against the rule or institutions of your profession, by the instigation of the deuill, hauing bin once and twice reprehended and chaptered for it by the Abbesse, and euen by the other Religious, without amende∣ment: As many dayes as she remayneth obstinate lett her eat but bread and drinck water in the refectory, before all the other sisters and vpon the ground: afterwardes lett her be enioyned to a greater pēnance, att the

pleasure of the Abbesse. And lett her be prayed for, during her abstinen∣cie, demaunding of God to illuminate her hart, and to reduce her to pennance. Lett the Abbesse and the Religious be wary not to be much offended or troubled att the sinne of any of their sisters, because anger and vexation, of it selfe hindereth charity towardes ones neighbour. If it should happen, which God, if he please, forbid, that the sisters should fall into contentious wrangling against one an other, and should vtter wordes of scandall, she that shalbe cause therof, lett her, before she of∣fer any prayer to IESVS CHRIST, goe fall on her knees to the feet of the other, and not only demaund pardon of her, but lett her entreat her to pray to our Lord to pardon her. And the party offended, remem∣bring* 1.9 the wordes of our Lord, saying: If you forgiue not with a good hart, no more will your heauenly Father forgiue you, lett her most wil∣lingly and freely pardon her sister all the iniuryes she may haue receaued of her.

Lett the lay sisters that serue without the monastery, and trauell a∣broad, neuer goe forth of the monastery but vpon some manifest neces∣sity. Lett them goe modestly and speake litle, that the personnes with whome they haue affaires, be edified by them: And lett them haue a spe∣ciall care not to be in company that may be suspected, nor to entertaine any euill counsaile. Lett them not be Gossips to men or women, for feare that some occasion of murmure doe arise therof.

And lett them not be so bold as to recount vnto the Monasterie the newes of worldly matters and affaires, and lett them be most strictly o∣bliged not to report abroad any thing done or spoaken in the monastery that may occasion scandale. And if one of them doe simplie fall into one of these errours, it shall rest in the discretion of the Abbesse to giue her a pennance answearable to her offence, yet with compassion, which she shall doe by the aduise and counsaile of the greater part of the discreetes.

How the Abbesse ought to visit her Religious.

THE X. CHAPTER.

LEtt the Abbesse visitt her Religious, admonish, reprehēd and cor∣rect them with charity, not commanding them any thing against their soule and the Order of your profession. Lett the Religious be mindefull also that for the loue of God they haue renounced their proper will: and that therfore they are obliged in all thinges to obey their Abbesse, according to their promise, prouided that it be not against their saluation and your profession. Lett the Abbesse vse such familia∣rity with her Religious, that they may comport themselues as mistres∣ses

towardes their seruantes: for in such sort must they liue together, as that the Abbesse be seruant to all her Religious. I also exhort my si∣sters, and in the name of our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST, I admonish them, to beware of pride, of vaine glory, of enuy, of auarice, of cogitations and solicitude of worldly affaires: not to speake euill of any, to shunne dissention, murmure and diuision: but lett them be all carefull to preserue vnity of fraternal loue, which is the knott of per∣fection. Besides, they that cannot read, lett them not regard to learne, but lett them only consider, that they ought aboue althinges to desire to haue the spiritt of IESVS CHRIST and his holy opera∣tion, that they ought alwayes to pray vnto God with purity of hart, & to be humble and patientin afflictions and in their sicknesses, and that they ought to loue them that reprehend them, because our lord sayth: Blessed are they they that suffer persecution for iustice: for theirs is the kingdome of heauen. He that shall perseuer vnto the end shalbe saued.

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

Monastery that shall haue employment: and lett the Religious then vse all endeauour to keep themselues out of the sight of those that come in.

How the Monastery is to be visited.

THE XII. CHAPTER.

YOur Visitor ought alwayes to be of the O••der of the Frere Mi∣nors, such as shalbe constituted and commanded by the Cardi∣nall your Protectour: and yet he must be of a life generally knowne for pious and exemplar. His office shalbe to correct the ex∣cesses committed against the order of your profession as well in the head as in the members. The said visitor must speake vnto you in pu∣blike place, that he may be seene of all. It is permitted him to speake with many Religious or with one alone, of matters concerning the visitation, as he shall thinck most to the purpose. You shall haue or∣dinarily without, yet neere to your Monastery, foure Religious, wher∣of one shalbe your Chaplen, who shall haue also a companion that shalbe a Preist of good report and discretion, and two lay brothers of vertuous and pious life, for the helpe and ayd of your pouerty, as we haue alwayes compassionatly found the said Order of the Frere Mi∣nors: which we still demaund as a singuler fauour of the said Order for the loue of God and of the glorious Father S. Francis. And lett it neuer be permitted to the Chaplen to enter into the sayd Monastery without the other Priest his companion. And lett those that shall enter alwayes remaine in some publike place, in such sort as they may see one an other. And to heare the confessions of the sick that cannot come to the speakhouse, to administer vnto them the communion and extreme vnction, and to assist them in the agonies of death, it shalbe permissa∣ble for the sayd priestes to enter in; and also for the solemne Masses and obsequies for the dead, or for the buriall, the Abbesse may admitt into the Monastery personnes of vnderstāding and fitt for that purpose. And withall this, lett the Religious be alwayes obliged to haue for their Protectour, Gouernour and Correctour, a Cardinall of the Romane Church, who shalbe by his Holinesse appointed vnto the Frere Minors: to the end they may be alwayes in submission and subiection to the feet of the same Church, firme and stable in the Catholique faith, per∣petually obseruing the pouerty and humility of our Lord IESVS CHRIST, any his most holy mother.

Thus endeth the rule of the poore Religious women, giuen att Perusia the 16. of September the 10. yeare of the Papedome of Innocent the fourth.

The sequel is the remainder of the 19. chapter.

LEtt not any perseon be permitted to breake or rent this our let∣ter and bull of confirmation, and lett none be so bold or rash as to contradict it. And if any presume to doe it, lett him know that he shall incurre the disgrace and malediction of God & his holy A∣postles sainct Peter and sainct Paul. Giuen att Assisium the 9. of August, the 11. yeare of our raigne.

The end of the confirmation of the rule of saincte Clare, which sainct Francis instituted for her.

Of the the most feruent loue of Iesus Christ which enflamed the hart of S. Clare, and how the deuill tormented her: of an extasie wherin she continued a night and two dayes together.

THE XX. CHAPTER.

WHen S. Clare heard speake of the passion our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST, she oftē accustomēd to weepe in cōpas∣sion, in such sort that out of the sacred woundes she would sometimes draw dolorous feelinges & affectiōs, and att o∣ther times ioyes and consolations of admirable sweetnes. And the crosse of IESVS CHRIST, which with her Spouse she carryed in her soule, and the weight therof gaue her so much more tast of contētment as she felt more griefe. The great abondance of teares which she powred out for the passion of IESVS CHRIST, kept her sometimes out of her selfe, and the internall loue which she had imprinted in her hart, in manner continually represented vnto her IESVS CHRIST crucified.

She ordinarily gaue exāple by worckes, of what she taught her Reli∣gious by wordes. For admonishing them often and instructing them se∣cretly touching some exercise, before she had ended her discourse, she was seene to power out of her eyes abondance of teares. Among the houres of the diuine office that are sung in the Church, she was present with greatest deuotion att the Sixt and ninth, by reason that att such houres she was crucified with her Redeemer IESVS CHRIST.

The holy Virgin retyring one time to her priuate deuotion after the ninth houre, the deuill came to her, and did beat her outragiously,

and euen did so hurt her in the face, that her eye was all bloud-shott and the signe remayned on her cheeke: but S. Clare omitted nor for that to perseuer in her prayer. And to the end she might with the more deuo∣tion apply herselfe to the cōtentmentes which she conceaued in media∣ting of IESVS CHRIST crucified, she ordinarily contemplated the mi∣stery of the fiue woundes: and therfore she learned by hart the office of the crosse, as the true louer of the crosse S. Fancis had taught her. She accustomed to weare against her naked flesh a girdle of thirteene knot∣tes, wherto also were litle stones fastened in forme of knottes: which she did for a secrett memory of the woundes and doulours of our Redee∣mer IESVS CHRIST. One lent vpon Maundy thursday, wher∣on our Lord IESVS CHRIST shewed a particuler loue to his disciples, att the houre of the agony that our Redeemer did sweat bloud and wa∣ter in the garden, this holy virgin retyred into her oratory full of deep sorrow, and ioyned herselfe with almighty God in prayer as if she had seen him praying, and as if, by contemplation of the soule of IESVS CHRIST sorrowfull euen to death, she her selfe had felt and suffe∣red his prison, his derisions, his iniuries, reproches, affrontes, beatinges, sentence, crosse and most ignominious death, carrying in her memory a like sorrow, wherfore as vtterly transported, she sate on a straw-bed, and all that night and the day following, she was so absorpt and rapt out of her selfe, that her eyes being open and without motion, she seemed to hold them fixed in one place, and remayned so insensible being conioynt∣ly crucified with IESVS CHRIST, that a Religious familier vnto her, comming often to see if she wanted any thing, she found her alwayes in one same manner. But on the night of holy saterday, this deuout Reli∣gious came to her deere mother with a candle, and partly by signes and partly by wordes, she made her, the best she could, to vnderstand the commandement that the holy Father sainct Francis gaue her, that she should not passe one day without taking and eating something. So in the presence of this Religious, sainte Clare, as if she came out of ano∣ther place, sayd vnto her: what need haue you to light this candle? is it not day? Wherto the Religious answeared: Mother, the night of holy thursday is past, as also goodfriday, and we are now in the night of Ea∣ster eue. The Sainct replyed: my daughter, blessed be this sleep which almighty God att length after my long desire hath granted me. But I ad∣monish and command you, not to speake herof to any creature liuing, whiles I shall liue in the world.

Of many miracles wrought by saincte Clare by the signe and vertue of the crosse.

THE XXI. CHAPTER.

OVr Redeemer IESVS CHRIST recompenced well the pious de∣sires and good worckes of his beloued Virgin saincte Clare: for as she was enflamed with an infinite loue of the misteries of the holy crosse, so by the vertue and power of the same crosse, she became noble in the signes & miracles of IESVS CHRIST. Oftentimes in ma∣king the signe of the crosse on the sicke, they were miraculously cured, and indifferently of all sortes of diseases.

A Religious man called Stephen, hauing a hote feuer that exceedingly afflicted him, the holy Father sainct Francis sent him to saincte Clare, to make the signe of the crosse vpon him, as one that well knew her per∣fection and vertue, which he exceedingly honoured. Now the Lady Hortulana mother of saincte Clare was then in the Couent of saint Da∣mian: for a litle before, considering that her daughters had espoused IESVS CHRIST, she came to them to Religion, where this happy lady serued as a true Gardener in that Garden enclosed with those virgins, our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST, and with the glorious Agnes sister to sainte Clare, and the other Religious all replenished with the holy Ghost, to whome the holy Father saint Francis sent many diseased whome they cured, after hauing made on them the signe of the crosse, which they most hartely honoured. The sayd Religious then being sent to sainte Clare, she, as the daughter of obedience being therto com∣manded by the holy Father Saint Francis, presently made on him the signe of the crosse, then left him a litle to sleep in the Church, in the place where she was accustomed to pray, and the Religious hauing a lit∣le reposed, arose sound, secure, and freed of his infirmity: then he re∣tourned to saint Francis, by whome he had bene sent to saint Damian, and consequently was cured.

A child of three yeares old of the citty of Spoletum called Matthew, had by chaunce a stone thrust into his nose, whence it could not be got∣ten out, so that the child was in extreme perill: whervpon he was brought to saincte Clare, who hauing made the signe of the crosse on him, the stone incontinently fell out of his nose, and he was perfectly well.

An other child of Perusia hauing a filme on his eye was brought to sainte Clare, who touching the eye of the child, and making the signe of the crosse theron, willed them that had presented the child vnto her,

to carry it vnto her mother that she might also make the signe of the crosse vpon it, which hauing done the eye became cleare, and being purged of the filme that obscured it, he was presently cured, whervpon sainte Clare affirmed that this miracle was wrought by the merittes of her mother, who finding such glory to be attributed vnto her, reputed her selfe vnworthy therof.

One of her Religious called Beneuanta, hauing had for twelue yeares together an impostume vnder her arme, which did purge by fiue seue∣rall issues, saincte Clare had compassion therof and made on her the ver∣tuous signe of the crosse: then with her owne handes taking away the playster, she was cured of her long continued sores. An other of her Re∣ligious called Aimia, being for more then a yeares space afflicted with the dropsy, together with an extreme paine in her sides and a burning feeuer, sainte Clare conceaued a very strong compassion of her, & ther∣fore hauing recourse to her noble and infallible medicine, she made on her body the signe of the crosse in the name of her beloued IESVS CHRIST, & the Religious was perfectly cured. An other seruāt of God borne att Perusia, had for two yeares so lost her voice that one could scar∣cely heare her speake: but hauing vnderstood by a visiō which she had the night of the Assuption of our Lady, that sainte Clare should cure her: the poore afflicted creature hauing very impatiently expected the breake of day, repayred with a strōg confidēce vnto that holy virgin, and by signes craued her benedictiō: which fauour hauing obtayned, her voice which so lōg time she had wāted, became as cleare and shrillas euer it had bin. An other Religious called Christina that had bin lōg time deafe in one of her eares, & had in vaine tried many remedies, S. Clare hauing made the signe of the crosse on her head, & with her hād touched her eare, she reco∣uered her hearing as perfectly and clearly as before. An other Religious called Andrea had a disease in her throat, the griefe wherof procured her much impatiēce: it was admirable, that among so many prayers enflamed with diuine loue, there should be a soule so cold, & among such prudent virgins, one so indiscreet & vncōsiderate. This Religious feeling her selfe one night more tormēted with her infirmity then ordinarily, afflicted & impatiēt that her paine did rather encrease thē diminish, she so crushed & pressed her throat, that she made appeare her intentiō to choake her selfe, thincking by violēce to expell that swelling, so to auoyd longer torment & by ignorāce attempting to doe more then was the will of God. But whiles that poore Religious busied her selfe in this folly, saincte Clare by diuine inspiration had knoledge therof, wherfore calling one of her Religious she willed her to hasten downe and boyle an egge in the shell and cause sister Andrea to swallow it, which done to bring her to her presence. The Religious instātly dressed the egge, and forthwith brought

it to the sicke party, whome she found litle better then dead, hauing so crushed her throat that her speech was vtterly gone, yet she made her swallow the egge as wel as she could: then raising her frō her strawbed, shewith much labour led her to S. Clare, who thus spake vnto her: Wret∣ched sister confesse thee to God, and haue contrition for what thou in∣tendedst to doe, and acknoledge that IESVS CHRIST will giue thee health far better then thou with thy owne handes haddest pur∣posed to doe: change thy euill life into a better, for thou shalt ne∣uer recouer an other sicknesse that shall succed this, but shalt dye therof. These wordes procured in this Religious a spiritt of com∣punction and contrition, so that she, being entierly cured of this grieuous infirmity, amended her life; and a litle after she fell into an other sicknes which saincte Clare had foretold, wherof she ended her life piously.

It doth manifestly appeare by these examples and by many other mer∣ueillous thinges, which this holy virgin wrought by this healthfull sig∣ne, that the tree of the crosse of our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST was deeply planted in her hart, and that in a merueillous manner the fruites did interiourly recreat her soule: sith the leaues therof did ex∣teriourly worck such remedies, by the handes and merittes of this glo∣rious sainct.

How saincte Clare blessed bread, wheron the signe of the crosse mira∣culously remayned.

THE XXII. CHAPTER.

S. Clare was a disciple of the crosse, of such notable fame and sancti∣ty, that not only great prelats and Cardinals much desired to see her, to heare and discourse with her, for which cause they often vi∣sited her: but the Pope himselfe boare her also this affection, in so much that Pope Innocēt the fourth repayred to her Monastery, to heare of her, as a secretary of the holy Ghost, celestiall and diuine discourses. And ha∣uing a long time conferred with her of matters of saluatiō & of the pray∣ses of God, whiles they entertayned thēselues in so pious a discourse, S. Clare caused the dinner to be prepared, & the tables for the Religious to be couered, causing bread to be brought thither, with intentiō to procure the Vicar of IESVS CHRIST to blesse it, to be afterwardes kept of deuotion. Their discourse thē being ended, sainte Clare fell on her knees before the Pope and besought him to blesse the bread; wherto his holi∣nesse answeared: daughter Clare, I will that you blesse it your selfe, making theron the signe of the crosse. The sainct therto answeared, most

holy Father, pardon me if you please: for if I should doe it, I should de∣serue sharpe reprehensiō in presuming to giue my benedictiō in presence of your holinesse. The Pope againe replyed: well, that no presumption be imputed vnto you, and that you meritt therby, I command you by holy obedience to blesse these loaues, making on them the signe of the crosse. This daughter of obedience presently lifted vp her hand and ma∣de the signe of the crosse on the bread, whence ensued an admirable ac∣cident, for the crosse remayned on the bread, wherof part was eaten of deuotion, and the rest reserued as a holy relique, which euent filled the Pope with admiration, for which he gaue thanckes to God, then gaue his benediction to sainte Clare, who receaued it with great humility, and was much comforted withall.

Of many infirmities of the glorious Virgin S. Clare, of her weaknesse, and how she was visited by the Protectour.

THE XXIII. CHAPTER.

THe Virgin sainte Clare had now forty yeares run the race of the most eminent vertue and practise of pouerty, and broken the alleblaster of her body in the most strict prison by fasting and rigours of disciplines, and by this meane filled the house of the holy Church with the most precious oyntment of her vertues, wherwith she drew after her an infinite number of soules to the seruice of IESVS CHRIST: and as she already approached to the recompence of eter∣nall glory, hauing supported diuers infirmities and consumed the forces of her body in her first yeares by the rigour of penance, she was also in her latter dayes oppressed and afflicted with diuers grieuous sicknesses. But because in the time of her health, she was in such sort enriched with the meritt of good worckes, that being sicke she gained the true richesse of the merittes of patience, she yet enioyed the fruites of her vertues that were ripened in afflictions and molestations occasioned by diuersity of diseases. But the vertue of her patiēce doth euidently appeare in that ha∣uing bin twenty eight yeares together afflicted with diuers diseases, she was neuer heard to vtter the least murmure or complaint: but continual∣ly were heard to proceed out of her mouth, pious wordes and thanckes∣giuing to almighty God. Now being exceedingly weakened with infir∣mity and euery moment seeming to her the drawing on of the end of her life, it pleased our Lord IESVS CHRIST to prolong it till she might be visited by the eminent Officers of the Romane Church, wherof she was a seruant and special child. For the Pope being yett att Lions, & this S. beginning to be more tormented by her infirmities then she accusto∣med

to be, a sword of sorrow through-pearced the soule of her beloued daughters. But a virgin, seruante of IESVS CHRIST and a very de∣uout Religious of the Monastery of saint Paul, and Order of saint Bene∣dict, had att that time this vision following: It semed to her that she did visitt sainte Clare withall her sisters att saint Damian, whom she saw in a sorrowfull, yet precious bed, about which they all lamēted expecting her death: and withall she saw come to the bolster of the sayd bed, a ve∣ry beautifull woman, who sayd to them that wept: My daughters, weep not for her that is yet to liue, for she cannot dye til our Lord and all his disciples doe come. A litle after the Romane Court was att Perusia, where the encrease of sainte Clares sicknesse being diuulged, the Cardi∣nall of Hostia hastened with great dilligence to visite the espouse of IE∣SVS CHRIST, whose Father he was by office, Gouernour by speciall sollicitude, and Fosterer and friend in most pure and chast amitie; and her he comforted, applying and with his owne handes administring vnto her the most sacred sacrament of the Eucharist, and then made a very de∣uout sermon vnto the Religious: sainte Clare with great humility and in the name of our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST, besought him to accept in recommēdation that her family, and all her other poore sisters of other Monasteries: but aboue all she most instātly besought him, to obtaine of the Pope and the Colledge of Cardinalls, a priuiledge and confirmation of holy pouerty. Wherto the Cardinall gaue his word, and as a faithfull Protectour of her Religion, & one most deuout and affectionat to saincte Clare, did afterwardes effect it: For Pope Innocēt the fourth att her most instāt request, confirmed the rule which the holy Father saint Francis had instituted for her, as is formerly recorded: of which rule S. Clare had ne∣uer till then other cōfirmation written then that of the said Cardinall, because the Pope supposing to induce sainte Clare, not to bind her Reli∣gious to such an extreme pouerty, did still deferre to confirme her rule by writing. But Innocent the fourth seeing the perseuerāce and last will of sainte Clare, graunted the same vnto her by a bull, the eleuenth and last yeare of his raigne, as we haue before recorded. And the yeare being almost expired, the Pope came, with his Cardinals from Perusia to As∣sisium, wherin the first vision touching the death of the holy virgin was accomplished: for the Pope being in his office more then a man, by the aucthority which he hath of IESVS CHRIST on earth, whose person he representeth in the temple of the Church militant, the Cardinals ac∣companying his holinesse, represented the disciples of our Lord IESVS CHRIST.

How Pope Innocent the fourth visited S. Clare in her last sicknes, and gaue her absolution.

THE XXIV. CHAPTER.

THe diuine prouidence would no longer deferre the accomplish∣ment of the will of S. Clare, but her Spouse IESVS CHRIST came to eleuate into his celestiall Pallace, his poore espouse and pilgrime on earth, who desired nothing more, that being deliuered of this mortall body, she might haue the sight and fruition of her most glo∣rious IESVS CHRIST in his kingdome. Now then the members of this virgin being by continuance of her sicknes as vtterly decayed, the∣re befell her a new weakenes, which being a token that she should in short time be called of God, she also vsed it as a ladder to mount to e∣ternall saluation. Whervpon the Pope, Innocent the fourth, came to the Monastery of saint Damian, accompanied with many Cardinals, to visitt the seruant of God, not doubting but she whose life he had already ap∣proued, was the most perfect in sanctity of all women of his time, and therfore worthy to haue her death honoured by his presence. His holi∣nesse then being entred, he went directly to the glorious Virgin, and comming neere to her bed, he tendered her his hand to kisse, which fa∣uour saincte Clare with exceeding ioy receaued. But besides that, she with great humility besought him to aford her his feet to kisse. The Po∣pe to content her sate downe vpon a litle bench, and deuoutly presented vnto her his Apostolicall feet, on which this sainct reuerently laid her fa∣ce and mouth, most affectionatly kissing them, then with the serenity of an Angelicall countenance, she demaunded of him remission of all her sinnes. Wherto the Pope answeared: would to God my deere sister, I had need of such a pardon: but finally he gaue her the benefitt of absolutiō, and the gift of his benediction, then left her in peace. She hauing that morning receaued the most sacred communion att the hand of the Pro∣uinciall of the Frere Minors of that prouince, with her handes ioyned and her eyes eleuated towardes heauen, she weeping sayd to her Reli∣gious: My daughters, prayse almighty God for the benefitt it hath plea∣sed him to bestow on me this day, which is such that the earth and the heauens are not of sufficiencie to recompence it, sith this day I haue both receaued the same Lord, and am esteemed worthy to see his vicar on earth.

How S. Clare comforted her sister S. Agnes.

THE XXV CHAPTER.

THe daughters were all about their mother, without whom they were in short time to remayne orphanes, the cōsideration wher∣of through-pearced their soules with a most bitter griefe. The heauines of sleep, nor hungar could not draw them from the presence of their mother: the contentment which they receaued in her presence ma∣de them forgett to eat and to sleep, because all their exercise was to wee∣pe and particulerly her most deuout sister Agnes, who was expresly co∣me from the Monastery which she had newly erected att Florence, to be present att her death. Being then in this anguish, she tourned towardes her sister, and most instantly prayed her, not to depriue her of her pre∣sence. Wherto sainte Clare answeared: Deere sister, whome I cordially loue, sith it hath pleased God that I depart, be you ioyfull, and weepe no more: for I assure you, our Lord will shortly come to you, to visitt you with an exceeding consolation before your death.

Here followeth the testament of the holy S. Clare. In nomine Domini Amen.

AMongest all other benefittes, which we haue receaued of our bo∣untifull benefactour the king of mercies, and doe daily receiue of him: & for which we are most boud to praise him, one is for our vocatiō: which by how much greater it is, by so much more are we bound vnto him: the Apostle saith: acknowledge your vocatiō. God hath made him∣selfe a way, which he hath shewed by word and example, & our holy Fa∣ther S. Francis, a most perfect zelatour, and follower of the same way hath thaught vs: wherfor my beloued Sisters we ought to marcke the vnmea∣surable benefitt which God hath done vnto vs: amongest the rest that which he hath vouchsafed to worcke in vs through his seruāt our Father S. Frācis, not only after our cōuersion, but alsowhen we were in the cap∣tiuity & vanity of the world: for after his conuersion (not hauing as yet any Brethren or companions) being ro repaire the Church of saint Da∣mian, where he was visited with diuinecōsolation, and cōstrained whol∣ly to abandon the world, filled with ioy and illumination of the holy Ghost, he prophesied of vs that which our lord hath afterwardes fulfil∣led; standing then on the walles of the said Church he called with a loud voice in the french tongue, vnto some poore people dwelling therby say∣ing. Come helpe me in this Church of sainct Damian: for there shall

came women of whose good life and holy conuersation, our heauenly Father shalbe reioyced in his whole Church. In this may we obserue the infinite bounty of God towardes vs: who of his aboundāt mercy and charity hath vouchsafed to prophesie those thinges by his seruant of our vocatiō and election: & not only of vs hath our holy Father prophesied these thinges, but also of those who hereafter shalbe called vnto that vo∣cation, wherto our Lord hath called vs. With what care of soule and body are we then bound to keep the commādements of God, & of our holy Father saint Francis, to the end that with the grace of God we may pay the multiplied talent. And our lord hath not only placed vs as an example vnto the seculer, but also vnto all our Sisters whome he shall call vnto our vocation, that we may be vnto those who conuerse in the world a mirrour and example. For our Lord God hath called vs vnto so great thinges, that they may take example of vs, who are giuen vnto others for an example, for which we are bound greatly to blesse & the more ought we for this to be strēgthened in our lord to doe well: wher∣fore if we liue according to the forme aboue mentioned, we shall leaue good example vnto those which follow vs, & with short paine we shall receiue the reward of euerlasting life. After that our heauenly Father vouchsafed through his great mercy and grace to illuminate my hart in such sort that by the example and touching of our holy Father S. Francis, I began to doe penance: a litle after my conuersion, I, with a few Sisters whome our Lord gaue me▪ haue willingly promised vnto him obedien∣ce, like as our lord through the light of his grace inspired vnto vs by meanes of his merueillous life and holy doctrine. Saint Francis then marcking that we were tender and fraile according to the body, yet ne∣uerthelesse nothing dismayed with any necessity, pouerty, paine, tribu∣lation, or contempt of the world, but that we esteemed all those thin∣gees as great pleasure, euen as he had experienced by the example of his Brethren: he reioyced in our lord, and with great charity inclining to∣wardes vs, he obliged himselfe & his Brethren to haue alwayes ouer vs a speciall and diligent care. We also by the will of God & of our holy Father saint Frācis, repaired to the Church of saint Damiā there to dwell, a litle after which time, our lord through his great mercy & grace mul∣tiplyed vs: and then was fulfilled that which our lord had foretold by his seruant: for we had dwelt before in an other place: litle after that, he wrote vnto vs this forme of life, and principally that we should per∣seuer in this pouerty; and it was not sufficient vnto him to haue admo∣nished vs therunto in his life, by many sermons & aduertisemētes, to the end he might moue vs to the loue and obseruance of this most holy po∣uerty: but he hath also giuen vs many writinges, that after his death we should not fall from the same holy pouertye, according to the example

of the Sonne of God, who liuing in this world did neuer leaue the sa∣me: which holy pouerty, our holy Father saint Francis, and his Brethrē did honour and obserue during his life; Wherfore, I Clare, seruant and handmayd of Christ, and of the poore Sisters of saint Damian, although vnworthy, and the litle plant of our holy Father saint Francis, conside∣ring this with my other Sisters, as also the highnes of our profession, made vnto such a worthy Father, and the frailty of vs and others, which we feare after the death of our holy Father, who next vnto God was our only piller, and comfort: againe and againe we binde our selues vnto the holy lady pouerty: to the end that the Sisters who are, or shall come after my death, may by no meanes decline from the same.

This Pouerty I haue alwayes bin carefull (with the grace of God) to obserue, and to cause it to be obserued: and for more surety of the same, I haue made my Profession therof vnto our holy Father Pope Innocent the fourth in whose time we began, and haue confirmed it by his succes∣sours: that by no meanes in no time, we should decline from this holy Pouerty, which we haue vowed vnto God and vnto saint Francis. Wher∣fore I bending the knee both of myne inward and outward man: in all humility doe commend vnto the church of Rome, to our holy Father the Pope, and especially vnto the Cardinall, to whose protection, together wit the Franciscans we are committed, that for the loue of God, who was layd in the cribbe, liued poorly in this world, and dyed poorly on the crosse, they will keepe the litle flock which God the Fa∣ther hath gayned in his church, through the wordes and examples of our holy Father saint Francis: causing it to follow the humility and pouerty of his deerly beloued Sonne, the Father of wisdome, and of his holy mother, and that they will cause the holy pouerty to be obserued which we haue promised vnto God and to sainct Francis; as also strengthen thē for to obserue the same. And like as God gaue vnto vs our Father saint Francis, for our founder and helper in the seruice of God and of those thinges which we haue vowed vnto God and vnto him to obserue; and as he was carefull whiles he liued to exercise vs his plantes, by word & examples: so I commend and leaue my Sisters, who already are, as also those who hereafter shall be vnto the successours of saint Francis, and to the whole religion: that they wilbe alwayes an assistance vnto vs to profitt from better to better, to serue God, and to accomplish and obser∣ue this holy pouerty. If it should happen att any time that the said sisters should leaue their country or citty to goe vnto an other, they are firmely bound after my death in what place soeuer they are, to obserue the holy pouerty, which they haue vowed vnto God and to saint Francis.

Those which shall be in office as also the other sisters, shalbe carefull not to receiue more land then extreme necessity doth require, as a gar∣den

for hearbes vnto their necessity. And if for the defence or vse of the cloyster, it weere needfull to haue more land, they shall take but on∣ly to supply the necessity, and in this lād they may neither plough nor sowe. I admonish you all my Sisters, who are & shall be, that you labour to follow the way of simplicity, humility, pouerty, and also the mode∣sty of holy conuersation, as we in the beginning of our conuersion, haue bin taught of Christ, and of our holy Father saint Francis through which (not through our meritt) but through the mercy of the liberall giuer; the Father of mercies hath spread abroad the sauour of our good name, as well vnto those who are far off, as to such as are neere.

And for the charity of our Lord IESVS lett thē keepe the vniō of loue. The charity which you haue interiourly, shew it exteriourly by worc∣kes, to the end that through your exāple, the sisters who are called vnto your profession, may encrease in the loue of God, & mutuall charity. Al∣so I pray all those who shalbe chosen in the offices of the sisters that they study to excell the others, rather in vertue and modest conuersation, then in their office: to the end that by their example, the Sisters that were cal∣led vnto the religion before them, be moued to obey them, not only in respect of their office, but for loue. The Abbesse must be carefull & dis∣creet towardes her Sisters, as a good mother towardes her children. She must also haue a prouident care of euery one according to their necessity, of the almose which it shall please God to send her. She must withall be so sweet and indifferent vnto all, that the sisters may with out feare or doubt, declare vnto her their necessity, and that they confidently haue recourse vnto her, when the Abbesse and the Sisters shall thincke it to be necessary. The Sisters that are subiect, lett them remember that for the loue of God they haue renounced their owne willes, wherfore I will that they obey their mother, as they of their one accord promised vnto God to doe: to the end that their mother seeing the humility, charity, & vnion which they haue vnto each other, may easily beare the chardge, with the office shesustaineth: and because it is heauy & bitter they must through their holy conuersatiō, turne it into sweetnes. And because the way is narrow & the gate streight, which leadeth vnto life, & few there are that walke in it, and few that perseuer therin: blessed are they that ha∣ue receiued the grace to walke in it, and to perseuer vnto the end: lett vs therfore be carefull, if we be entred in the way of our lord, that by out fault and negligence we doe not fall from the same: to the end that we committ not that iniury vnto our lord, to this blessed mother the glori∣ous Virgin Mary, to our holy Father sainct Francis, and to the trium∣phant and militant church: for it is written, accursed are they who decline from your commandement. For to obtaine this grace, I bend my knee vnto the heauenly Father through the merittes of lord IESVS,

and of his blessed mother; of our holy Father saint Francis, and of all the Sainctes: that it well please him of his diuine Maiestie, who hath gi∣uen a good beginning, to graunt grace also, that it may augment and perseuer euen vntill death. Deerly beloued Sisters, present and to co∣me, to the end that you may the better perseuer in your vocation; I leaue vnto you this writing, and in token of our Lordes benediction and of the benedictiction of our holy Father saint Francis, and of me your mo¦ther and seruant.

The end of the testament of the glorious Virgin saincte Clare.

Here ensueth S. Clares Benediction vnto her Sisters, present and to come.

IN the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost. Amen. My deerly beloued Sisters, our lord giue you his holy benedi∣ctiō, and behold you with his holy eye of mercy, giuing you his pea∣ce: as also to all those that shall enter and perseuer in this our Colledge and monastery, and vnto all other of the Order, who shall perseuer vnto the end in this holy pouerty: I Clare seruant of IESVS CHRIST, and lit∣le plante of our holy Father S. Francis: your mother & Sister, though vn∣worthy, doe beseech our lord IESVS CHRIST, that by the intercession of his most holy mother, of the holy Archangell S. Michaell, and of all the holy Angels, of our holy Father S. Francis, and of al the holy Saintes, that it wil please him to giue and confirme vnto you this benediction in heauen, and in earth by multiplying in you his holy grace: and in heauen by eleuating you into the eternall glory with his saintes. And I giue you my benediction in my life, and after my death, in all that I am able, and more then I am able: Withall the blessinges, wherwith the Fa∣ther of mercies hath or shall blesse his spirituall children, both in heauē and earth: or that the spirituall mother doth, or shalbe able to blesse her spirituall chirldren. Amen. Be alwayes louers of God, of your soule and of your Sisters, and be alwayes carefull to keepe that, which you haue vowed to God. Our lord be alwayes with you, and you with him. Amē.

Of the death of the blessed Virgin S. Clare, and of a vision which one of her Religious saw.

THE XXVI. CHAPTER.

THe holy virgin, and seruant of IES. CH. was many dayes towardes the end of her life afflicted with diuers diseases. The faith & deuotiō which att that time each one boare her, exceedingly encreased, yea so

far foorth as she was honoured as a S. being ordinarily visited by Car∣dinals, Bishoppes, and other Prelates. But, which is more admirable to heare, hauing bin seauenteen dayes without force to receaue any suste∣nāce that was presented vnto her, she was neuertheles so fortified of God and encouraged of his diuine Maiesty, that she exhorted all those that would comfort her to be prompt in the seruice of God. A Religious mā intending to comfort her and to persuade her to haue patience in so grie∣uous a sicknesse that procured her so much torment, she with a smiling countenance & cleare voyce answeared him: Brother, since the time that I knew the grace of my God, by meanes of his seruant saint Francis, no paine hath bin troublesome vnto me, no penance hath seemed difficult, nor no sicknesse ircksome.

And as almighty God approached neere vnto her, & her soule being as it were att the dore to goe forth, the blessed virgin would haue the most pious and spirituall Frere Minors to be present, to discourse vnto her of the passiō of our Lord IESVS CHRIST, and by their pious wor∣des to enflame her more in the loue of God. Wherfore some of them who were vnto her true Brethren, in our Redeemer CHRIST IESVS were present, and amōg others Br. Iuniperus, the familier of our Lord IESVS CHRIST, who often vttered vnto her, such fiery and enflamed wordes of the omnipotēt God, that she by his presēce being filled with an extreme ioy, one day demaunded of him, if he then knew nothing new of almighty God: whervpon Br. Iuniperus opening his mouth to answeare her, there issued out of the fournise of his enflamed hart, infi∣nite sparckes of such sublime wordes, that this holy virgin receaued therof much consolation. Finally turning her Angelicall face towards her deere and beloued daughters and sisters there present, bitterly wee∣ping, she recommended vnto them the pouerty of our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST in this her last passadge, praysing and thancking God, for the infinite benefittes which they had receaued of his diuine Maiesty, which she particulerly recounted vnto them; then she gaue them all her benedi∣ction, & also to all the Religious of her Monastery present & absent, and to all those that should enter into her Order. There were present two companions of saint Frācis, Br. Angelus, who though much afflicted did yet comfort the others, and the right simple Br. Leo, who ceased not to kisse the bed of the holy virgin, that was leuing the world, who was la∣mēted of her daughters because they wer left orphanes & were no more in this life to see their most holy mother, and therfore they accōpanyed her soule vnto heauen with abōdance of teares, without power to admit any other consolation then to desire to goe with her: wherwith being so afflicted, they could not without difficulty forbeare with their nailes to rent their faces; but it not being permitted them to dischardge thēsel∣ues

of such greife exteriourly, it did enflame in them a more burning fire within: For those espouses of IESVS CHRIST were sufficiently mori∣fied by the rigour of Religion, albeit the force of greife did constraine thē to cast forth loud cryes and sighes, and to power out riuers of teares. The holy virgin att lenght being turned towardes thē, begā very sweet∣ly to say vnto her soule, goe my soule, goe sorth securely; thou hast an as∣sured guide to performe this voyage: for he that is they Creatour, hath sanctified thee, & hath alwayes conserued thee, affecting thee with a ten∣der loue, equall with that of a mother towardes her child. And thou my God, be praysed for hauing created me. A Religious sister asking her what she meant therby: she answeared: I speake to my blessed soule. Her most glorious Spouse IESVS CHRIST was not far from her, & atten∣ded for her. Thē tourning to one of her Religious, she sayd: Doe you not see my daughter, the king of glory whome I see? Almighty God also layd his hand on an other Religious, who saw with her corporall eyes thorough the teares that distilled from them, a glorious vision; she being pearced thorough with the dart of sorrow, cast her eyes towardes the gate of the house, and saw enter a great procession of virgins richly cloa∣thed in white, hauing each one a croune of gold on their head: but one of them appeared more beautifull, sumptuous and glittering thē the rest: For she had on her head an imperiall crowne, garnished with precious stones, out of whose countenāce proceeded a light so shining that it cō∣uerted the obscurity of the night into cleare and bright day: It was with out doubt the glorious Virgin Mary, Queen of virgins, who came to the bed of the espouse of her sonne, to whome enclining she graciously em∣braced her, and incontinently she was couered and the bed also by the o∣ther virgins with an extreme sumptuous mantell. So the day following, which was the eleuenth of August, this holy soule ascended to heauen, there to be crowned with perpetuall glory. Happy was her departure out of this miserable life, sith it was her entry into that of eternall feli∣citie. For the fastes which this S. performed in this exile, she is now ioyfull and had her fill att the magnificall table of the cittizens of heauē: and for the humility and basenesse of her habite, she is now gloriously attired with the glory of Paradise. The continuall sighes and desires which she had for the presence and loue of her deerly beloued Spouse, are accomplished by the blessed vision of God face to face, and by the assured fruition of the soueraigne good: leauing the way open to the example of sanctity, that we blinded, and miserable mortall creatures, reiecting these short, false and deceiptfull pleasures of this world, may purchase the permanent, true and assured that indure eternally.

Of the honorable obsequies that were performed for S. Clare.

THE XXVII. CHAPTER.

WHiles the soule of S. Clare departed this life, the report of her deceasse was incontinently diuulged through Assisium: whence both men and women in such abondance speedi∣ly flocked to the Monastery, that none seemed to be left in the citty. Each one presently esteemed her a sainct, and called her the espouse of IESVS CHRIST, accompayning their discourses with great abondance of teares of deuotion. The officers of iustice re∣payred thither accompanyed with many warlike Champions and a great nomber of armed men, which that night guarded the monastery, for feare that precious treasure might be bereaued them. The night follo∣wing, the Pope with all his Court came thither, accompayned by all the neighbour people.

The Religious men of S. Damiā being ready to begin the office of the dead, the Pope would haue to be sayd the office of the holy virgins, wherin he would haue canonized her before her buryall: But the Cardinall of Hostia hauing demonstrated vnto him that it was fitt in this affaire to proceed with more humane prudence, the Pope permit∣ted the sayd Religious solemnly to proceed in the office of the dead ac∣cording to the custome.

The said Cardinall hauing taken for his text, Vanitas vanitatum & omnia vanitas, made a very worthy and deuout sermon to manifest the vanity of thinges appertayning only to this world, where he ex∣ceedingly exalted that most eminent Contemptrice of vanityes: which ended, all the Cardinals and other Prelates accompanied this holy bo∣dy with an exemplar deuotion. All the funeralles being very solemn∣ly accomplished, the cittizens of Assisium thincking it not secure that this precious treasure should remayne so farre out of their citty, they caused this holy body with exceeding great pomp to be transported, singing psalmes and hymnes with the sound & melody of diuers mu∣sicall instrumentes, and in a very solemne procession they carryed it in∣to the Church of sainct George within their citty, where the body of sainct Francis had formerly bin reposed. And it was very reasonnable that he who in his life, had giuen a patterne of the way of life vnto this holy virgin, should as is were prophetically prepare her a place of sepulture▪ There was then a great repaire and confluence of people frō diuers citties, townes, and villages vnto Assisium, to thanck IESVS CHRIST, and to pray, vnto this blessed creature, proclayming,

this virgin to be really a sainct, and glorious, who now liueth in Paradise with the Angels, hauing bin already so much honoured of men on earth. O blessed virgin, pray now to God for vs, and gaine our soules to IE∣SVS CHRIST in heauen, as thou hast conuerted and gayned so many, liuing on earth. The holy virgin passed this transitory life to the other of rest, the yeare of grace, 1253. the twelfth of August, forty yea∣res after her perfect vocation to God, and the 60. yeare of her age. She was enterred the 12. of August, on which day her feast is solemnised att Assisium, and ouer all the holy Romane Church.

Of the miracles wrought by the merittes of S. Clare, and first of posses∣sed personnes that haue bin deliuered.

THE XXVIII. CHAPTER.

THe cheefest marckes that sainctes can haue, and the worthiest testimonies of faith and reuerence, are sanctity of life, and the perfection of good worckes: for sainct Iohn Baptist, wrought no miracles during his life, and yet they that haue wrought many, shall not be esteemed more holy then he. And therfore the notable renowne of the religious life of saincte Clare, might suffice to make her appeare such as she is, if the tepedity, coldnes, and remissnesse of the world, and partly also deuotion did not otherwise require. But sith this holy virgin was not only in her life time by her merittes swallowed vp in the depth of diuine illumination, but was also after her death of mer∣ueilous splendour ouer all the world by the light of her miracles; and as the most pure verity hath caused the recording of many of her miracles, that they remayne as testimony, memory and denunciation of her san∣ctity: therfore also the multitude of them enforce the rehearsall of some, that they may be generally diuulged and knowne.

A child called Iames, seeming not so sick as possessed, in regard that sometimes he cast himselfe into the fire, or into the riuer, fell rudely on the ground, and with such fury did bite the stones that he brake his teeth withall, forced bloud out of his head, and wrested his mouth most strangely, yea sometimes would seeme a mōstrer, so dub∣ling and folding his members, as his feet would be on his necke. He was ordinarily twice in the day afflicted with the like tormentes, in such sort that two personnes sufficed not to restraine him from tearing of his cloathes, yea there was great difficulty to keep him from murde∣ring himselfe. Many Phisitians hauing in vaine laboured to cure him, att length his Father named Guidalot had recourse to the merittes of S. Clare, affectionatly saying: O holy virgin honoured of the world, to

thee I adresse my self, to beseech thee to obtaine of God my sōnes health. Then ful of cōfidence he conducted him to the sepulchre of this sainct, and layd him therevpon, and he presently miraculously obtayned the fauour he desired, his sonne being perfectly cured of all his infirmities, and was neuer troubled after.

Alexandrina of the towne of Frata, neere to Perusia, was possessed & tormented with an abhominable deuill, to whose power she was so left that he made her fly as a byrd to the topp of a rock neere to the riuer of Tiber, then made her descend to a branch of a tree that did hang over the sayd riuer, then to hang on that branch, there playing her idle pranc∣kes. This woman had halfe her body vtterly benummed, for which the Phisitians could find no remedy: Att lenght she came with great deuotion to the shrine of saincte Clare, and inuocating her merit∣tes she was cured of all her afflictions: for she had also the gout in her left hand, and her body halfe paraliticall was cured, and withall she was entierly freed of the oppression and seruitude of the deuill

An other woman of the same place was cured before the sayd sepul∣cher, who was in like sort possessed with the deuill, and had withall many other diseases.

Of many that were miraculously cured of diuers diseases.

THE XXIX. CHAPTER.

A French youth, goeing to Rome in company of others his co∣untry men, fell sick and lay by the way, and by the force of his infirmity lost his sence and speech, and his body became defor∣med as it were a monster, then became he so furious that he could not be held, so that he seemed ready to dye; which spectacle did not only moue his companions to compassion, but did also exceedingly terrifie them: and therfore they bound him to a biere and carryed him to the Church of saincte Clare, where hauing placed him before her sepulcher, they applyed them all to prayers, inuocating the helpe of God and of the S. who made such intercession for the yong man, that he was in an instant entierly cured.

A man of the citty of Spoletum, called Valentin, was exceedingly af∣flicted with the falling sicknesse, in which he fell six times a day in what∣soeuer place he was, and besides he had one foot so wrested awry that he was vtterly lamed: he was brought on an asse to the sepulcher of S. Clare, where hauing remayned two dayes and three nightes, the third day attempting to moue his lame foot, and none being neere him, he made such a noyse, that being heard by some a farre off, they seemed to

heare the kreaking of a peice of dry wood, and the man was instantly cu∣red of both the one and the other his sayd diseases.

The sonne of a woman of Spoletum, called Iames of twelue yeares old, beingblind, could not goe without a guid: being once forsaken by him that conducted him, he fell into a pitt, brake one of his armes, and hurt his head. The night following sleeping by the bridge of Varue, a woman appeared vnto him, and sayd: Iames, if thou come to me to Assisium I will cure thee. Arising early in the morning, he much admi∣red att the vision, which he recounted vnto two other blind men, who answeared him: Brother, we haue lately heard of a Lady that is dead in the citty of Assisium, att whose sepulcher God worcketh by her me∣rittes great miracles: which the blinde youth hauing heard, he left the two other blind men, and wiht a strong confidence hastened to Assi∣sium: in the way he lodged att Spoletum, where in the night he had the same vision, which encreased his hope of recouering his sight, and made him hasten in time to arriue to the church of saincte Clare. But he found it so filled with worldly people, that he could not enter: which exceedingly troubled him. But seeing no remedy, he rested att the do∣re, and there remayned till the euening, where this poore blind youth being weary by his iorney, and afflicted for that he could not enter in∣to the church, setled himsesfe the best he could, to rest vpon the ground, leaning his head against a great stone, and so slept: and presently the third time heard the sayd voice, speaking: Iames, God will doe thee good, if thou canst enter: and incontinently awaking out of that sleep, he began to cry and begge of the people with abondance of teares, to permitt him to enter, which hauing a long time continued, they gaue him place: and hauing discloathed himselfe, putting his girdle about his neck, he went to the sepulcher of the sainct, before which with great reuerence and humility he fell on his 'knees, and hauing persisted sometime in prayer, beseeching saincte Clare to intercede for him, he fell into a gentle slumber, wherin saincte Clare appeared vnto him and sayd: Arise Iames, for thou art already cured: and being awaked and raysed on his feet, the defect of his sight left him, and by the ver∣tues and merittes of this Sainct he clearly saw, for which he glorifyed God, and gaue him thanckes for so admirable a worcke, exhorting all present to doe the like, and to prayse our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST, in his holy seruant.

Of the lame and paralitiques cured by saincte Clare.

THE XXX. CHAPTER.

A Cittisen of Perusia called Iohn Martin de Buony, wēt one time with many other Cittisens out of the citty to fight against their ennemies of Tullinium: the skirmish being ended, Iohn found his hand exceedingly hurt with the blow of a flint stone, and the bone being broken, he was therby maymed: hauing bin att extreme coste for the cure therof, yet without any remedy, but still enforced to carry his arme in a scarfe, he alwayes complayned therof as of a desperat may me, and asked counsel about cutting off his hand, but hauing one day heard speech of merueillous matters wrought by almighty God att the inter∣cession of sainte Clare, he with a strong faith vowed to goe to her sepul∣cher, whither arriuing he very deuoutly and reuerently presented her a hand of wax, then fell on his knees and made his feruent prayers to God, that it would please his diuine Maiesty, by the merittes of that ho∣ly virgin to cure him. The successe was admirable, for before this gent∣leman arose, he felt his hand entierly cured, for which he gaue thanckes to God and to the Saint.

A yong man of Castrouitoly, called Petronius, was so consumed with a disease which had for three yeares continually afflicted him, that he seemed to be already withered and corrupted, yea he was therby brought to such weakenesse, that in goeing he stooped with his face as it were on the ground, and found great difficulty to walke, though with a staffe in his hand to support him. His Father hauing already bin exceedingly chardged about his cure, continued yet in resolution to employ the residue of his substance, out of his vehement desire to see his sonne cured. But the Phisitions hauing assured him that there was no hope of cure by humane art, he had recourse to the new Sainct: of whose vertue hauing heard much report, he caused his sonne to be carryed where the Reliques of saincte Clare reposed. And ha∣uing made his prayers by her sepulcher, he recouered his former health, and miraculously arose sound and straight as if he had ne∣uer endured infirmity, yea he ran, leapt, and praysed God and saincte Clare, inducing all present to haue greater faith and deuotion towar∣des* 1.10 her.

In the towne of sainct Quiric, within the diocesse of Assisium, a child of ten yeares old, hauing bin borne lame, went so pittifully and painfully, that if he chanced to fal to the groūd, he could not rise againe but with extreme difficulty. His Mother had many times recommended

him to S. Francis, yet found he no redresse: but vnderstanding afterward that the virgin sainte Clare was very famous for infinite miracles which by her merittes were wrought att her sepulcher, she caused her sonne to be carryed thither, and incontinently after he had bin there, his bones were setled in their places, and his members were cured: that which sainct Francis, entreated by deuout prayers would not graunt, he re∣ferred to be obtayned and impetrated by the merittes of his disciple sain∣cte Clare.

A Cittisen of Augubia, called Iames le Franch, had a sonne of fiue yea∣res old so lame that he could not goe, which he very impatiently sup∣ported, it seeming to him that the torment of his child was a reproch vn∣to his honour and family. When this child was on the ground, he would wallow and creep in the dust in that sort to goe: and if he would stay himselfe against any thing to arise, he could not: for nature had giuen him only a desire, but no force and ability thervnto. But his Father and mother consulted to make a vow for him, and to offer him to the merittes of sainte Clare, to whome they promised, that being cured, he should be called hers. The vow being made, the espouse of IESVS CHRIST cured this child, who began so well to goe, that without any helpe he went to the sepulcher of the sayd sainct.

A woman of Castel Menany, called Plenaria, had bin long time be∣nummed, in such sort as she could not goe without a staffe: but causing herselfe to be carryed to the sepulcher of S. Clare, and hauing there de∣uoutly offered her prayers, she the day following obtayned what she there with faith demaunded. So she retourned home on her owne feet, who came thither supported by the feet of others.

A woman of Perusia had a swelling on her cheeke which tormented her a long time, and besides had al ouer her body many ring wormes & tettars, she had also her neck greater then her head. And often thinck∣ing of S. Clare, she one day went to her church, where withgreat deuo∣tion and a true faith she made her prayers: and continuing by her sepul∣cher till euen within night, she fell into a great sweat, wherby the swel∣ling began to wax dry and to shrinck, and so by litle and litle she was so perfectly cured, that there remayned no shew of scarre.

How two children were by saincle Clare rescued and preserued from the rage of wolues.

THE XXXI. CHAPTER.

THe vally of Spole••ū was accustomed to be much afflicted with wol¦ues, who did of••ē proy there on humā flesh. There dwelt a woman

called Bonna, on the Mount Galien, within the diocesse of Assisium, who hauing two children, had scarce ended her lamentations for the one which the wolues had deuoured, but, whiles she was busy in her house they carryed away the other. The wolfe carryed her child to the top of the mountayne, & grapled it by the throat when a labourer in the vineyardes hearing the pittifull cry of the child, called the mother, and admonished her to haue care of her sonne, in regard he heard a crying voice like to his. The woman not finding her sonne, presently be∣leeued that the wolfe had seased on him, and therfore began to rayse her lamentation towardes heauen, deuoutly inuocating the helpe of S. Clare in these tearmes: O blessed saincte Clare, haue compassion on me miserable woman, and restore me my child. Alas heare if thou please the prayers of an infortunate mother! permitt me not to conti∣nue in this so rigorous desolation. Whiles this poore woman so recommended her distresse to saincte Clare, her neighbours fourni∣shed with weapons hastened after the rauening wolfe, and comming to the top of the sayd mountaine, they found that he had left the child wounded in the throat, whose woundes a dogge was licking. And so the child was safely recouered by the merittes of saincte Clare, who was inuocated by his mother, to whome he was brought, and was inconti∣nently restored to perfect health.

A litle girle of the towne of Canary, being about noone abroad in the ayre where she did some seruice to an other woman, there came a wol∣fe, which being taken by the girle but for a dogge, he lept on her neck & tooke hold of her head. The other woman and the mother of the girle there present, ran after, and cryed for helpe, inuocating sainte Clare: and it was admirable to heare, that the child being in the teeth of the wolfe reprehended him, saying: Thou theefe, how canst thou carry me farther I being recommended to that holy virgin? The wolfe as daunted with those wordes, gently sett the girle on the ground, and as a theefe found and taken in the fact, he fled: and the girle retourned without any hurt vnto her mother.

How diuers were deliuered from drowning and danger of sea, hauing i••uocated S. Clare.

THE XXXII. CHAPTER.

AShippe fraught with many personnes departing out of the port of Perusia, for the ile of Sardinie, the first night there arose such a terrible tempest, that the force therof leaked the bottome of the vessell: which made apparent to all therein, that they were in

most euident perill of shipwrack: wherfore they began to inuocate the Queene of heauen, and many other sainctes to assist them. Att length perceiuing no apparence of their liues safety, they addressed themselues to saincte Clare, and vowed to her, that if by her intercession they were deliuered, they would goe all naked to their very shirtes, with their girdle about their necks, to visitt her sacred reliques att As∣sisium, carrying each a wax light of two poundes in their handes. This vow being made, they saw three great lightes discend from heauen, the one wherof setled on the forepart of the shipp, an other on the pou∣pe, and the third on the pumpe, by the vertue wherof the leakes where the water entred did close, and the sea became so quiet and calme, that with a gracious wind the vessell was accompanied and conducted by the said lightes to the part of Arestan, whither being arriued and landed, & the marchandise all safely putt on shoare, the sayd lightes vanished, and (which was admirable) the shippe presently sunk and was cast away. They that had gone out of her acknowledging the miracle, att their re∣tourne to Pisa deuoutly accomplished their vow, yelding infinite thanc∣kes to almighty God, and to the virgin sainte Clare, for the great benefitt receaued by her intercession.

How S. Clare was canonized by Pope Alexander the fourth.

THE XXXIII. CHAPTER.

POpe Innocent the fourth liued so litle time after the death of sainte Clare that he cold not canonize her. The holy siege hauing bin two yeares vacant, Alexander the fourth was chosen Pope, who being exceedingly deuoted and a friend to piety, protectour of Religious, ha∣uing heard true relation both of the miracles which our Lord IESVS CHRIST wrought, for the glory of his holy seruant, and of the renow∣me of her vertue, which daily more and more diuulged it selfe in the Church: knowing also that her canonization was generally desired, his holinesse being also induced by the assurance of so many miracles, ther∣fore begā to treat in the Consistory of her canonizatiō. Wherin to proceed more maturely, there were elected prudent and vertuous men to exami∣ne the sayd miracles and the irreprehensible life of the sainct. Which being done, and this holy virgin being found and proued to haue bin in her life an vnspotted mirrour of all vertues, and to haue bin en∣nobled of almighty God after her death by true and approued mira∣cles, the day of her Canonization was appointed, when were present with his Holinesse many Cardinals, Archbishoppes, Bishoppes, o∣ther Prelates, and a great number of Priestes and Religious, with in∣finite

noblemen, gentlemen and others each in their degree and qua∣lity, before whome the Pope proposed this sacred affaire, demaunding the opinion of the Prelates: who with one accord gaue consent, and af∣fectionatly besought the said sainct might be canonized in the Church, as IESVS CHRIST had glorified her in heauen. In this sort then, three yeares after her happy decease, Pope Alexander caused her solemnely to be enrollod in the Catalogue of Sainctes, ordayning her feast to be celebrated with solemnity in the Church, the 12. of August. This Canonization was performed the yeare of grace 1255. and the first of the raigne of the Pope, to the praise and glory of our Redeemer IE∣SVS CHRIST.

The life of saincte Agnes sister to saincte Clare.

The conuersion of this Sainct is described before in the fift chapter of this present booke, and therfore to auoyd reiteration it is here pretermitted.

How saincte Agnes was by the holy Father sainct Francis sent to Flo∣rence, there to build a Monastery.

THE XXXIIII. CHAPTER.

THe virgin and espouse of our Redeemer IES. CH. Agnes true si∣ster & companion of S. Clare, as well in bloud as in vertue and Religion, perseuered and persisted in notable sanctity of life in the Monastery of sainct Damian, and from the time of her entrance into Re∣ligion euen to her death, she alwayes woare a very rough haircloth next her tender flesh. Her ordinary refection was almost alwayes bread and water; she was naturally very pittifull to euery one. Sainct Francis finding this virgin to haue obtayned of God, by meane and assistan∣ce of her sister, a worthy perfection, he sent her to Florence there to found a new Monastery of poore sisters called Mount Celi, wherof sainct Francis made her Abbesse. This holy virgin induced many sou∣les to abandon the world to serue IESVS CHRIST, which she did by meane of her pious conuersation and sanctity of life, by holy discourses and wordes of God, that sweetly flowed out of her mouth: and as a perfect Contemptrice of transitory thinges and follower of IESVS CHRIST, she planted in this Monastery (conformably to the de∣sire of the holy Father sainct Francis and of saincte Cla••e) the obseruance and profession of Euangelicall pouerty: but being exceedingly grie∣••••d with the absence of her sister, she wrote this letter following

vnto her, and to all the Religious of the Monastery of sainct Da∣mian, wherin she had receaued her education and spirituall nourri∣ture.

A Copte of the letter which saincte Agnes wrote to her Sister saincte Clare, and to all the others sisters of her Monastery.

THE XXXV. CHAPTER.

TO the venerable and beloued Mother in our Lord CHRST IESVS Clare, and to all her Couent, humble sister Ag∣nes, the least of the disciples of IESVS CHRIST and of yours recommendeth herselfe vnto you all, and prostrate att your feet doth yeld you all submission and deuotion, wishing vnto you what is most precious from the most high king of kinges. To the end that all nature which hath bin created of God, doe acknowledge it sel∣fe to be such, as none can persist of it selfe in its owne essence, the diuine prouidence most prudently permitteth that when any one esteemeth himselfe to be in prosperity, then is he drowned and plun∣ged in aduersities. This I tell you (my most deere Mother) that you may know what affliction and extreme heauines possesseth my spiritt, being so tormented that hardly can I speake: and this be∣cause I am corporally separated from you and my holy sisters, with whome I hoped to haue happely liued and dyed in this world. So farre is this my griefe from slacking, that it continually encreaseth: which as it had a beginning, so doe I beleeue it will finde no end in this world. For it is so continuall and familier vnto me, that it will neuer forsake me. I was persuaded that life and death should be a like, without power of any separation on earth, amon∣gest them who haue one same conuersation and life in heauen, and must haue one same sepulture, them I say, who one same and e∣quall naturall profession, and one same loue hath made sisters. But as far as I can see, being abandoned and afflicted on eache side, I am much mistaken. O my holy sisters! I beseech you to be reciprocally grieued with me, and lett vs weepe together, I being assured that you shall neuer experience any doulour compa∣rable to that which I now feele, in being separated from them with whome IESVS CHRIST had conioyned me. This griefe tormenteth me incessantly, this fire burneth my hart continu∣ally, so that being on each side afflicted, I know what to thincke, neither doth any hope remayne but to be assisted by your prayers, that Al∣mighty God easing this affliction, may make it tollerable vnto me.

O my most gracious mother! what shall I doe and what shall I say? sith I know not that euer I shall see you more, or likewise my sisters. O that it were lawfull for me to vtter vnto you the conceiptes of my soule, as I would desire, or that I could open my hart vnto you on this paper, then should you see the liuely and continuall dolour that tor∣menteth me! My soule b••rneth inter••ourly, being afflicted with an incessant fire of loue, and my hart groneth, sigheth and lamenteth, with desire of your presence. Myne eyes cannot haue their fill of weeping, and albeit I seeke some consolation against this bitternes, yet can I find none: but euery thing turneth into griefe: and much more when I cōsider the meanes to see you. I am entierly steeped in these anguishes, hauing none that can comfort me in this life, but that I receaue a litle consolation from the liberal hand of our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST. Which causeth me to beseech you all to giue thanckes vnto his diuine maiesty for this fauour and mercy extended towardes me, and for that through his grace I finde in this Couent such concord, peace and charity as by wordes cannot be expressed; these sisters hauing receaued me with exceeding loue & deuotion, yelding me obedience with extraordinary promptitude and reuerence. They all with one accord recommend them∣selues to our Lord IESVS CHRIST & to you, my sister, and to all the sisters of the monastery; and I recommend both my selfe and them to your prayers, beseeching you as our Mother, to be mindfull of them and of me, as of your daughters: and know you that they and I, will all the dayes of our life, obserue and keep your holy preceptes and aduertise∣mentes. Besides. I desire you should know that the Pope hath accor∣ded to whatsoeuer I demaunded him, conformably to your intention and mine, and particulerly in the matter you know; viz. that we may not possesse any thing proper. I beseech you my most deere Mother, to procure of the R. Father Generall that he often visitt vs, to comfort vs in God, whose grace be with your spiritt, Amen.

Of an extasie of S. Agnes, and how S. Clare saw her thrice crowned by an Angell.

THE XXXVI. CHAPTER.

SAinte Clare in her last sicknes obtained that her sister S. Agnes might come to see her in the monastery of S. Damian, to keep her company during the few dayes she had to liue. And so S. Agnes hauing left her Couent well grounded in Religion and sanctity, she came to Assisium, where sainte Clare being one night in prayer a part from her sister, she neuertheles saw her, being also in prayer, lifted from

the earth, and an Angell to crowne her head three seuerall times with so many crownes. The day following she demanded of her sister, what player or contemplation she had made the night past: But she of hu∣mility vnwilling to manifest her prayer, being att length enforced by obedience, made her this relation: I considered the great goodnes and patience of almighty God, wherby he supporteth such enormous of∣fences of sinners; which I considered with a deep sorrow and compas∣sion. Then I thought and yet doe thinck on the loue which almighty God beareth to sinners, and how he endured death to saue them: Thirdly I considered and doe consider, and am with cōpassion exceedingly affli∣cted, for the soules in purgatory and their great tormentes: and because they cannot helpe them selues, I asked mercy for them of the most sa∣cred woundes of our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST.

How S. Agnes sent S. Clares vaile to the monasterie of Florence, and of her death and translation to S. George of Assisium, with all her Religious, into a new Couent.

THE XXXVII. CHAPTER.

AFter the death of sainte Clare, sainte Agnes sent her black vaile which she did ordinairily weare, to the poore Religious of Moūt Celi, which she had founded att Florence: which she did in re∣gard of her great amity towardes them, & that they might inherite some reliques of sainte Clare for their comfort and deuotion. That vaile is yet in the sayd monastery, where it is so carefully preserued, that in sub∣stance and colour it seemeth still new. There is likewise to be seene in the same monastery a cloake of sainct Francis, by which reliques our lord worcketh many miracles. A litle after the death of sainte Clare, sainte Agnes, also desired to be present att the mariage of the lambe, whither she was inuited: but she first receaued the consolatiō which sainte Clare had promised her, that before she departed out of this life, she should see her Spouse IESVS CHRIST, as a tast of the eternall felici∣ties wherto she was to be eleuated and conducted by her sweet Spouse CHRIST IESVS. She dyed the 56. yeare of her age, replenished with perfect sanctity; and being deliuered out of this prison, she went to possesse the kingdome with Angels and the holy virgins that had bin consecrated to IESVS CHRIST, in which glory these two sisters and daughters of Sion, companions in heauen by nature and grace, doe prayse God without end. There assembled a great multi∣tude of people vpon the death of sainte Agnes, and they with great deuotion ascended the ladder of the monastery of sainct Damian,

hoping there to receaue some spirituall consolation of sanctity, but it happened that the chaine which held the ladder did slip, so that al those that were on it, fell downe one vpon an other: which made a great bruit and clamour by those that were hurt, who hauing with a strong faith inuocated S. Agnes, were all cured. The sayd holy virgin was en∣terred att S. Damian, but afterward was transported into the Church of S. George, wher she still remayneth together with her sister in Assisium; by the which Church the Cittizens haue builded a faire monastery enti∣tuled S. Clare, whither were afterward remoued the Religious sisters of S. Damian: which was don to preuent many inconueniences that might arriue vnto them, being without the Citty. The said Religious brought from S. Damian many Reliques, and particulerly the Crucifix which spake to S. Francis, att the beginning of his conue••sion, which is ex∣tant in the sayd monastery of S. Clare: and the F••ere Minors are att S. Damian.

Of many miracles that almighty God wrought by the merittes of S. Agnes.

THE XXXVIII. CHAPTER.

AGirle of Perusia had a cancred fistula in her throat, who hauing deuotion to S. Agnes, visited her sepulcher. The Religious there hauing vnbound her soare, att the entry of the Couent, and then hauing with a strong faith offered her prayers, she arose sound, and retourned to her house exceedingly comforted, yelding thanckes to God and to his seruant.

There was a Religious sister att our Lady of Angels, of Perusia, who had a mo••tall soare in her brest, which the Phisitions had iudged to be incurable; in it there were three holes, so that the Religious women ex∣horted her to beare this affliction with patience as proceeding from the hand of God, and to conforme her selfe to his will. This diseased sister being alwayes of minde to recommend her selfe to S. Agnes, kneeling one day before the Altare, she with much deuotion commended her to the holy seruant of God, demanding of her redresse of her infirmity. Wher withall falling into a gentle and sweet slumber, S. Agnes appeared vnto her, and with her hand touched her mortall wound, with which visitatiō she was sweetly comforted and cured: & at her awaking finding her selfe sound, she gaue infinite thankes to God and to her aduocate S. Agnes.

An other Religious womā of the monastery of Venise, had an impo∣stume in her breast, which was opened by the Phisitions & found so dan∣gerous, that they allotted her a very litle time to liue. This poore wretch therfore in this distresse, recōmended, her selfe to the two sisters S. Clare

and S. Agnes, and about mindnight these to SS. as most skilfull Phisi∣tions brought boxes of most precious oyntmentes, and accompayned with many virgins entred into the infirmary, where this sick sister was, which was seene by many Religious, and drawing neere to her bed, S. Clare sayd vnto her: Sister I am assured that you shalbe cured by the power and goodnes of God, and by the merittes of S. Agnes. The sick Religious not knowing who spake vnto her, douhted of this reuelatiō: and the sainctes replyed that they were P••isitions of Assisium. Then S. Agnes annoynted the soare with the oyntment she had brought, and so the vision disappeared, and the diseased sister was in such sort cured of her mortall wound, that no apparence remayned therof.

An other Religious of the monastery of S. Clare in Assisium had bin for sixteene yeares afflicted with such an infirmity, that the other Reli∣gious alwayes held her for a leapre; this diseased creature besought S. Agnes to pray to the virgin of heauen for her recouery: And this prayer being performed with a vow, the Religious was incontinently cured, and freed from all remainder of her infirmity. A Burgesse of Assisium had bin long time lame by a blow of a stone receaued on his foot, and being hopelesse of humane remedy, on the feast day of S. Agnes, he wēt as wel as he could to her Church, and with a strong faith and deuotion fell on his knees before her Altare. His prayer being ended, he arose sound and Iusty, which he recounted to many and thancked almighty God for it.

A Painter called Palmere being in a dangerous sicknesse, & by the Phi∣sitiōs giuen ouer as dead: one night after his speech was lost, his brother expecting in his opinion, his last breathing, was exceedingly disquie∣ted, and comming to his bed side and lamenting him as already dead, he fell on his knees, addressed his prayers to sainte Agnes, and with abon∣dance of teares and great confidence made a vow, that if his brother by her merittes and intercession might be cured, as often as he painted her image, he would sett a crowne of gold on her head. This prayer & vow being ended, the sick party incontinently began to speake: as if he had awakened out of a profound sleep, and called for meat, and did hungerly eat, then arose from his bead, saying that two Religious wo∣men came to visit him being in his agony and reputed for dead, and that the same visitation had such force, as it left him perfectly cured as he appeared.

A woman of Assisium had a sonne of 12. yeares age, that had an impo∣stume in his breast, where the cancre was so encreased, that it had made it in such sort venimous as it exceeded the Phisitions skill to cure it: This woman hauing vnderstood that by the merits of sainte Agnes almighty God had cured such diseases, she commanded her sonne often to visit her sepulchre, and deuoutly to recommend himselfe vnto her: which he did,

in such sort that approching one euening so neere her sepulcher that his mortall soare touched the same, and there falling a sleepe, he so remay∣ned till the next morning, when awaking he found himselfe entierly cu∣red: for which hauing thancked God and his Sainct, he retourned to aduertise his mother, affirming that sainte Clare and sainte Agnes appea∣red vnto him in the night, and that sainte Clare brought an oyntment, wherwith sainte Agnes hauing annoynted him, he was presently cured.

Of possessed personnes deliuered by the merittes of saincte Agnes, and of certaine other miracles.

THE XXXIX. CHAPTER.

THere was in Assisium a child of 12. yeares age, who being amōg other children, an vnknowne mā gaue him a greene beane-cod, which the boy opening, three of the beanes fell to the ground, and the fourth only he did eat, yet as soone as he came home, he vomi∣ted extremely, then began to tumble and furiously to behaue himselfe, tourning and rolling his eyes in his head, in such sort as it well appea∣red that he endured extreme torment: and his gesture so terrifyed them that beheld him, that they iudged him possessed: and therfore his Father & many other his kinred brought him the next morning to the Church of sainte Clare, where hauing offered their prayers for him, and inuo∣cated the intercession of sainte Agnes, the child a litle after begā to crye and barck as a dogge, then cryed out, take heed, there are two deulls al∣ready gone out: Say an Aue Maria, & the third wilbe gone. Which being presently done, the deuill withall left the child.

A woman of Tullinium, being tormented with many wicked spirits, her Father and grand mother vowed to goe with her to Assisium, to vi∣sit the sepulcher of S. Agnes, with faith and hope that by her merittes she should be deliuered, and so this possessed woman remayning before the sepulchre of the S. from the ninth houre till euensong, she felt her selfe freed from the deuils that possessed her: this was done on the feast of S. Francis. The kinred of this deliuered woman offered an image of waxe weighing two poundes to the sepulchre of the sainct, in acknowledge∣ment of the grace and fauoure receaued.

A man of Perusia with a continuall feiuer, had in his body an impo∣stume, wherof the Phisitions gaue their iudgement he would in short time end his dayes. Wherfore a woman called Celiola, admonished him to recommend himselfe to sainte Agnes, and to vow the visiting of her sepulchre. Which hauing done and his prayers ended, his infirmity en∣ded withall, being cured both of the one and the other disease; for which

not being vngratefull, he visited the said sepulchre, and euery where prea∣ched the pray••es of the holy virgin, giuing thanckes to almighty God for such a fauour.

A Religious of the Monostery of saincte Clare in Assisium, had lost the sight of one eye, and was in danger to loose the other. But finding that no humane application did auayle her, she recommended her selfe to saincte Agnes, and the other Religious of her Monastery also prayed for her, who as she one time prayed in the Church, saw a woman that came to her and said: Sister open your eye, for your sight is recoue∣red: and so opening her eyes she clearly saw, but she could no more see the woman that spake vnto her; only she was assured that it was sainte Agnes, to whome she had hartely recommended her selfe.

Vitula, the wife of Matthew du Loup, att sainct Francis gate in As∣sisium, had a sonne called Martin, that had a deep soare in his throat, and an other in his shoulder, both mortall, whence issued such an of∣fensiue sauour, that it was not possible to come neere him. Att length after many remedyes had in vaine bin tryed, his mother recommended him to sainte Agnes, to whome hauing with a deuout hart offered her prayers, the S. one night appeared vnto her richly attyred with a diade∣me of gold on her head, and a branch of lilly in her right hand, and sayd vnto her: My daughter disquiett not thy selfe for they sōne, for he shal∣be cured and deliuered from perill. Which this woman hauing heard, she arose full of comfort, and went to the Monastery of S. Clare, and reco∣unted this apparition to the Abbesse and the Religious: then she heard masse, which being ended, the Religious shewed to the mother and the sonne the sacred Reliques of the saint, and at the instant the sonne was cured of the impostume in his throat only. After that, S. Agnes appeared to him in vision together with an other womā that brought a viol full of oyntment. S. Agnes then sayd to the child: My sonne, how doe you? wherto he answeared: I am by the merittes of S. Agnes cured of the im∣postume in my throat, but that which is on my shoulder procureth me extreme affliction. The S. replyed: I will cure this, as I did the other in thy throat: then she vnbound the sayd impostume, tooke of the plaister, and cast it on the ground, then applyed therto the oyntment which her companion had brought, and instantly the child was perfectly cu∣red. When his mother came to see him, she found the playsters on the ground, and her sonne sound and lusty, who particulerly recounted vnto her the sayd vision, which afterward was generally diuulged: This hap∣pened in the yeare 1350.

The life of an other saincte Agnes, who was daughter to the king of Bohemia, and Religious of S. Clares Order.

THE XL. CHAPTER.

IN the beginning of this Religiious Order there was an other virgin besides the precedent called Agnes, as illustrious in sanctity as in bloud, for she was daughter to a king of Bohemia, who promised her in mariage to the Emperour Federick▪ and this holy virgin hauing heard the worthy reputation of S. Clare, who then liued, by such as ••ame from Rome and Assisium, being inspired of God, she besought the king her Father, to giue her leaue to ••erue rather the celestiall, then a ter∣rest••iall Spouse. But the king knowing that he could not recall his word and that whatsoeuer excuse he should alleadge to breake this mariage, the Emperour would sinisterly interpret it, he vtterly denyed her. Now the virgin hauing found the drift and cause of this denyall, assured her Father that if he would accord to what she demaunded, she would vn∣dertake that the Emperour should condiscend thervnto, presuming con∣fidently on the fauour of IESVS CHRIST. She knew well to deliuer many other allegations with so good a grace and with such persuasiue tearmes, that she purchaced her Fathers cōsent to what she des••ed, with∣out further seeking the approbation of the Emperour. Whervpon this Princesse presently sent for certaine Frere Minors of Magnes, where they had a Couent, who comming to her did shortly after consecrate vnto God this royall plan••, with many other gentlewomen of a great families of Bohemia, to whome they gaue the habitt of Religion, instructing thē in the life and rule of S. Clare. The king desiring to assigne a good pensiō, and to bestow on the Monastery where his daughter was a good reue∣nue, to supply the necessities therof, she formally withstood him, purpo∣sing to liue and dye poore, and to be maintayned by almose, cōformably to her rule, rigourously obseruing the intention of the holy Father saint Frācis & S. Clare, in the vow of pouerty, which is yet to this day in the same māner obserued in the sayd monastery, which is in Prague, the chie∣fe citty of the kingdome of Bohemia, with frō this first foundation, layd by this holy Princesse, hath alwayes bin furnished with gentlewomen. Now the Emperour hauing vnderstood that his promised loue had aban∣dōned the world, he was att the first apprehēsion exceedingly troubled: But considering with more maturity that she had not forsaken him to take an other man, but for IESVS CHRIST himselfe, he was att lenght satisfyed, contented and comforted.

S. Clare being aduertised of all that this Princesse had done, and of her

life and perfection, who also had written and expresly sent a messenger to acknowledge obediēce vnto her as to her Mother and mistresse, auou∣ching her selfe her humble disciple, S. Clare answeared her by a letter fil∣led with much feruour and consolation, and sent her in token of amitye and good will, a girdle, a vayle, a cupp of wood, and a dish wherin the S. her selfe accustomed to eat, and many like small thinges, which the holy Princesse with great deuotion accepted. Our Lord wrought many miracles by the ••aid Reliques, which euer afterward were kept in the sayd Monastery in very great deuotion and reuerence.

The renowne of this Princesse being diuulged ouer al Almania, there were founded many monasteries of poore Religious in her imitation, which were filled with many daughters of Princes, Dukes, Earles and other great Lordes and gentlemen of that contry, who in imitation of saincte Clare and the sayd Princesse Agnes abandonning the world and the follyes therof, espoused for eternity IESVS CHRIST, ser∣uing him alone in pouerty and humility. This sainte Agnes of Bohe∣mia being illustrated by many vertues and miracles, hauing assembled an infinite number of Religious in diuers Couents, and hauing with them perseuered in all perfection of vertues, she left this transitory world to take eternall possession of her glorious celestiall Spouse CHRIST IESVS, who honoured her and made her blessed, as he hath manise∣sted by many miracles which he hath wrought by her great merittes & intercessions: The Emperour Charles the fourth who was also king of Bohemia, was two seuerall times deliuered from death by the interces∣sion of this celestiall Princesse, and therfore att his death he enioyned his sonne Wenceslaus and successour in the Empire, to procure her cano∣nization: But he was hindered by important and continuall troubles and affaires, that disabled him to execute the pious and iust desires of his Father.

Of many other Religious that florished primitiuely in the Order of S. Clare.

THE XLI. CHAPTER.

THere was an other holy Religious of the royal bloud of Polonia called Salome, whose sanctity was manyfested by diuers mira∣cles, which God wrought after her death, she by her merittes deliuered many women from perill of death in trauell of child, many lame were restored to the vse of their limmes, blind recouered sight, and wounded personnes were cured.

A holy Religious of Padua, called Helena, florished in great perfection of life in the monastery which was builded by the Seraphicall Father S.

Francis, and in which the blessed Father S. Antony of Padua yelded his spirit vnto almighty God. This holy Religious liuing in that place, after she had there obtayned of God many vertues, she was tryed by IESVS CHRIST, and refined as gold in the furnise of afflictions. For she kept her bed depriued of all corporall force, yea and of her speech for 15. yea∣res, during all which time she ordinarily demonstrated by signes and ge∣stures an exceeding great alacrity and ioy in her hart. Our Lord reuealed many thinges to this sainct, which she manifested to the Religious who curiously recorded the same to be kowne to posterity. The sayd religi∣ous sisters being demaunded how the infirme Religious could make the vnderstand those wordes, sith she could not speake, they answeared that themselues then obserued so strict a silence that they scarcely spake att all, but demaunded and opened their necessities by signes, which were well vnderstood among them, for expressing whatsoeuer they desired to haue knowen. And in that sort had they vnderstood the sayd S. whose body for many yeares after, the sayd Religious sisters did shew to such as in deuotion repayred to see it, remayning entire and incorrup∣tible, yea her nayles and haire, did grow as if she had bin liuing. By her merittes God wrought many miracles, and particulerly on the Marques∣se of Parma, who was of the family of Lupi called Boniface, who being in the anguish of death, the Marquesse his Lady making a vow to this sainte Helene for his health, it was perfectly restored vnto him.

In the beginning of the Order of saincte Clare, there was also of it the daughter of a king of Hungary called Cuiga, sister vnto blessed sainte Elizabeth the widowe, who hauing taken the habitt and made profes∣sion of the rule of saincte Clare, became so famous, after the death of sainte Elizabeth, in sanctity and miracles, both during her life and att her death, that question is att Rome touching her canonization.

The end of the 8. booke and second volume of the first part of the cro••i∣cles of the Frere Minors.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The coū∣try of S. Clare.
• * 1.2

  The mo∣ther of S. Clare visited the holy land.
• * 1.3

  The first beades of S. Clare.
• * 1.4

  Ioa.
• * 1.5

  He is too couetous whome God doth not suf∣fice.
• * 1.6

  With a litle loafe she fed two fa∣milies.
• * 1.7

  Cant. 1.
• * 1.8

  Matt. 6.
• * 1.9

  Iuc. 6.
• * 1.10

  The gif∣tes of graces are di∣stinct.