The chronicle and institution of the Order of the seraphicall father S. Francis conteyning his life, his death, and his miracles, and of all his holie disciples and companions / set foorth first in the Portugall, next in the Spanish, then in the Italian, lastlie in the French, and now in the English tongue.

Of the abstinence, charity, prayer, and the manner of saying the di∣uine office, of S. Yues.

THE XXIII. CHAPTER.

THis holy man did neuer feed on delicate meates, but such as were very grosse: which he did to reserue of his reuenue wher∣with to reliue many poore people. On fasting dayes comman∣ded by the Church he vsed only bread and water, & ordinarily did with great abstinence fast the wednesday and saterday. He had customarily strangers and pilgrimes in his house: he was very dilligent in the practise of the worckes of mercy: he entertayned poore people, and particuler∣ly the sick and lame, with exceeding pitty and compassion and conuer∣sed with them so mildly and familiarly as if they had bin his brethren, he serued them and made their beddes, washed their feet, and did them all other seruices that they could need. Being no lesse carefull to admini∣ster vnto them the spirituall food of the word of God, then the corpo∣rall, he made them notable exhortations, wherin he multiplyed the ta∣lent of the Euangelicall doctrine to those that were vnder his chardge.* 1.1 He was very prompt in according dissentions and procuring of peace with all persons. He had the grace to conuert sinners to pennance. He was so addicted to prayer and contemplation, that he would sometimes neglect to take his ordinary repast and dyett. And one time he continued fiue whole dayes in prayer in his chamber, without asking or being of∣fered

him any thing to eat. And yet when he came forth his countenā∣ce was so pleasing, ioyful, and vermilliō as if he had bin pampered with most exquisite meates.

As he celebrated masse with great feruour, so did he therin receaue of God notable feelinges and graces, as one day did appeare: for as he eleua∣ted the most sacred sacrament, there discended from heauen an admirable splendour and brightnes, which enuironned the sacred host together with the chalice. He red the canonicall houres with admirable attention & deuotion, and did alwayes rise att midnight to say his Matins. He di∣uided the office into all the houres of the dayes, in imitation of the Pro∣phett* 1.2 Dauid, who praysed God seauen times in the day.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The gif∣tes of. S. Yues.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 18.