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 authenticall institution of the first rule and forme of life of the Bre∣thren Penitents of the third Order of S. Francis, ordayned by Pope Nicolas the 4. inserted with the said rule.

THE VI. CHAPTER.

NIcolas Bishop, seruant of the seruantes of God, to our welbelo∣ued children in our Redeemer IESVS CHRIST, the Brethren & sisters of the Order of Penitents, present and to come, health and Apostolicall benediction. The firme foūdation of Christian Religiō, being already grounded & built on the Mount of the Catholick Faith, the pure deuotion of the disciples of IESVS CHRIST, boyling with the fire of charity, and by the word preached to them that liue in darcknesse: this faith is that which the Romane Church holdeth and professeth, the foundation wherof cannot shake for whatsoeuer tribulation that may assault it, nor fall, whatsoeuer violent tempest beat against it: because it is the true, and right faith, without which none can be gratefull to God, nor find grace with his diuine Maiesty. It is the the same also that she∣weth the way of saluation, and that promiseth the recompenses and cō∣tentments of eternall beatitude. And therfore the Confessour of IESVS CHRIST S. Francis, institutor of this Order, teaching by word and ex∣ample the meane to mount vnto heauen, denounced and preached the sincerity of this faith to his children, and instituted this Order, willing them accordingly to make profession of the Catholike Faith, to the end that they who faithfully obserue the same walking securely in the way of vertue, may meritt to be made possessors of the eternall glory, after the prison of this present life.