The life of the glorious virgin S. Clare Togeather with the conuersion, and life of S. Agnes her sister. And of another S. Agnes, daughter to the King of Bohemia. Also the rule of S. Clare. And the life of S. Catharine of Bologna. Translated into English.

Of the deuotion which Pope Gregory the ninth had to the holy virgin S. Clare: and of a letter which he wrote vnto her whiles he was yet Cardinall.

CHAP. XVIII.

POPE Gregory the ninth had a meruailous confidence in the prayers of S. Clare, hauing ex∣perienced their great vertue & effi∣cacy: and oftentimes when he was in any difficulty, both whiles he was Cardinall & Bishop of Hostia, and afterwards when he was Pope, he would by letters recommend himselfe to this glorious virgin, demaunding help of her, know∣ing

assuredly of what importance her assistance was; this being in him not only a great humility, but also worthy to be diligently imita∣ted, to see the vicar of Iesus Christ vpon earth to begge help of a ser∣uant of God, in recommending himselfe to her prayers.

This great Pastour knew very well what diuine loue could doe, & how freely pure virgins do find the port of the consistory of the di∣uine maiesty open. There is ex∣stant a very deuout letter of this Pope written to S. Clare, whiles he was Cardinal, which is heere in∣serted, to make it appeare that the spirit of God made his residence in this Prelate, and what deuotion he carryed to the sanctity the glorious virgin Saint Clare.

To the most deare sister in Iesus Christ, and mother of his holines, Sister Clare, the seruant of Iesus Christ; Vgolin miserable sinner, & Bishop of Hostia recommendeth himselfe, whatsoeuer he is, and what he may be. Well beloued si∣ster in Christ Iesus, since the houre, that the necessity of my returne se∣parated me frō your holy speaches, and depriued me of that pleasure to conferre with you of celestiall treasures, I haue had much sorrow of hart, aboundance of teares in mine eyes, and haue felt an ex∣treme griefe; and that in such sort, that if I had not found at the feete of our Lord Iesus Christ the con∣solation of his ordinary piety, I feare I had fallen into such an∣guishes, as my spirit would haue

forsaken me, and my soule vtterly melted away; and not without rea∣son, because that ioy failed me, with which I discoursed with your good company of the sacred body of our svveet Redeemer Iesus Christ, and of his presence vpon earth, celebrating the feast of Ea∣ster with you, and the other ser∣uants of our Lord.

And as whiles our blessed Saui∣our by his dolorous passion and death was absent from the presence of his dilciples, they were possessed with an extreme griefe & afflicti∣on; so doth your absence procure my desolation. And though I ac∣knouvledge my selfe a grieuous sinner, considering the prerogatiue of your meritts, and the rigour of your most holy Religion; yet

without doubt, the multitude of my sinnes is such, and so much haue I offended God the vniuersall Lord, that I am not wor∣thy to be vnited to the glory of the elect, nor to be sequestred from vvorldly occupations, if your tears & prayers doe not obtaine me par∣don of my sinnes; and therfore to you I commit my soule, to you I commend my spirit, as Iesus Christ vpon the Crosse recommended his spirit to his heauenly Father, to the end that in the terrible day of the vniuersall iudgement you giue an account for me, if you be not di∣ligent & carefull of my saluation: for I confidently belieue, that you may obtaine of the soueraigne iudge whatsoeuer by your deuoti∣on and teares you shall at any time

aske or demaund of him. The Pope speaketh not of coming to Assi∣sium, as I desire, but I purpose to visit you and your sisters at my first commodity. Recommend me I pray you to Agnes your sister & mine, and to all your other sisters in Iesus Christ.