A treatise of penance, with an explication of the rule, and maner of liuing, of the brethren and sisters, of the Third Order of S. Frauncis; commonly called, of the Order of Penance, ordayned for those which desire to liue holilie. and doe penance in their owne houses. / by F. W.S. Strict Obser. ; Whereunto is added, the epistle and annotations vpon this rule, of the Reuerend Father, Fa. Peter Gonzales ... With a catalogue made by him, of the names of the chiefe persons of this order, aswell canonized saincts, as beatified, with the other honorable and worthy persons, who for their vertuous deeds, and holinesse of life, are cronacled to their perpetuall memory here in earth, and no doubt to their euerlasting glorie in heauen..

ARTICLE VI. That he promise, that he will obserue all the diuine Precepts.

S. FRANCIS, Hauing declared in the former parte of this present chap∣ter, what conditions are required to be in them, which are desirous to be of this Or∣der, and what diligent inquisition is to be made of them, before their Reception. now doeth he proceede to the forme of the vowe which they are to make at their

profession, saying: That he must promise that he vvill obserue all the diuine precepts: For as one estate doeth exceede another in perfection, so ought the liues of the Professors thereof, to be the like: where∣fore this estate, exceeding farre the ordina∣rie secular calling, more perfection is therein required. For this cause therefore, seeing that al Christians, are bound to ob∣serue the Commaundements of GOD; here is required a more speciall care to be had, in the delight and perfect obseruing of them, wherein consisteth such perfecti∣on, that thereby, easilie we shall come to heauen. Wherefore, the Brethren and Sisters, doe here renew, in this second (as it were) Baptisme, that promise which they had made at their first, which, for as much as it is the chiefest obligation of the Rule, and principal parte of this order, I did first beginne to declare it, in the Proeme, and Preface to this Rule, where∣fore, referring the Reader, to that de∣claration thereof there, I will omit to speake of it here.