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.
         Chronicle and institution of the order of the seraphicall father S. Francis. Selections
         Marcos, de Lisboa, Bishop of Porto, 1511-1591.
      
       
         
           1622
        
      
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         ESTC S121170
         99856357
         99856357
         21895
         
           
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             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.
             Chronicle and institution of the order of the seraphicall father S. Francis. Selections
             Marcos, de Lisboa, Bishop of Porto, 1511-1591.
             Bentley, Catharine, attributed name.
             Evelinge, Elizabeth, attributed name.
          
           [8], 218+ p.
           
             English College Press],
             [Saint-Omer :
             Permissu superiorum. M.DC.XXII. [1622]
          
           
             In two parts; part 1 largely extracted from STC 11314.2: "The chronicle and institution of the order of the seraphicall father S. Francis", a translation of: Marcos da Silva, Bp. of Oporto. Chronicas da ordem dos frades menores.
             Part 2 is a reissue of STC 5350.7: "The rule .. S. Clare. Togeather with the life, of S. Catharine of Bologna", the latter translated from a French version of D. Paleotti's Vita by E. Evelinge? Or C. Bentley?--Cf. STC.
             "Of possessed persons deliuered by the merits of S. Agnes: and of certayne other miracles" has caption title.
             Part 2 formerly also STC 200.
             Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Clare, -- of Assisi, Saint, 1194-1253 -- Early works to 1800.
           Agnes, -- of Assisi, -- Saint, 1196-1253 -- Early works to 1800.
           Agnes, -- Princess of Bohemia, 1205-1282 -- Early works to 1800.
           Francis, -- of Assisi, Saint, 1182-1226 -- Early works to 1800.
           Christian saints -- Biography -- Early works to 1800.
           Christian saints -- Italy -- Biography -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           LIFE
           OF
           THE
           GLORIOVS
           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.
          
           
        
         
         
           Permissis
           Superiorum
           ,
           M.
           DC
           .
           XXII
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           MOST
           GLORIOVS
           
             Virgin
             S.
             Clare
          
           .
        
         
           
             Most
             Glorious
             Saint
             ,
          
        
         
           BEING
           to
           publish
           thy
           Blessed
           Life
           ,
           traslated
           into
           English
           for
           the
           publik
           benefit
           of
           our
           Coūtry
           ;
           I
           found
           no
           creature
           heere
           on
           Earth
           ,
           seeming
           worthy
           inough
           ,
           to
           be
           presented
           therewith
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Dedication
           :
           And
           therfore
           ,
           were
           my
           Thoughts
           presently
           ,
           transported
           hence
           to
           the
           glorious
           Cittizens
           of
           Heauen
           ;
           whither
           ariuing
           ,
           they
           forthwith
           made
           choice
           of
           thy
           Blessed
           
           Selfe
           ,
           as
           best
           (
           &
           in
           particuler
           )
           deseruing
           so
           true
           an
           Honour
           .
        
         
           Accept
           then
           (
           B.
           Saint
           )
           this
           my
           small
           labour
           which
           in
           all
           Humility
           &
           Reuerence
           I
           heere
           offer
           vnto
           thy
           Holy
           NAME
           ,
           togeather
           with
           my
           vnworthy
           Selfe
           ;
           that
           by
           thy
           Intercession
           ,
           &
           Piety
           ,
           I
           may
           be
           made
           partaker
           of
           some
           little
           glimpse
           of
           that
           spiritual
           Influence
           ,
           which
           out
           of
           the
           huge
           Masse
           of
           thy
           Glorious
           merits
           ,
           thou
           vouchsafest
           to
           impart
           vnto
           thy
           deuout
           Suppliants
           ;
           amongst
           whom
           I
           humbly
           begge
           (
           O
           Glorious
           Virgin
           )
           to
           be
           accepted
           for
           one
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             W.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           TABLE
           .
        
         
           
             
               OF
               S.
               Clare
            
             her
             Countrey
             ,
             Family
             &
             Byrth
             .
             Chap
             1.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             Education
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             mortification
             and
             Virginity
             .
             Chap.
             2.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             knowledge
             ,
             &
             acquaintance
             with
             
               S.
               Francis.
            
             Chap.
             3.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             forsaking
             the
             world
             ,
             &
             entring
             into
             Religion
             .
             Chap.
             4.
             
          
           
             How
             her
             friends
             laboured
             to
             reclayme
             her
             from
             Religion
             .
             Chap.
             5.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             cōuersion
             of
             her
             sister
             Agens
             by
             her
             prayers
             .
             Chap.
             6.
             
          
           
             
             Of
             her
             Humily
             .
             Chap.
             7.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             voluntary
             Pouerty
             Chap.
             8.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             miracles
             wrought
             by
             her
             Pouerty
             .
             Chap.
             9.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             great
             mortifications
             &
             abstinence
             .
             Chap.
             10.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             spirituall
             profit
             procured
             ouer
             the
             whole
             world
             ,
             by
             the
             fame
             of
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             .
             Chap.
             11.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             feruent
             Prayer
             .
             Chap.
             12.
             
          
           
             How
             the
             Mores
             were
             expelled
             the
             Monastery
             ,
             by
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             .
             Chap.
             13.
             
          
           
             How
             the
             Citty
             of
             Assisium
             ,
             was
             deliuered
             by
             her
             prayers
             .
             Chap.
             14.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             Reuerence
             &
             deuotion
             to
             the
             most
             B.
             Sacrament
             .
             Chap.
             15.
             
          
           
             Of
             a
             meruailous
             consolation
             she
             receyued
             vpon
             a
             Christmas
             day
             .
             Ch.
             16.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             spirituall
             doctrine
             with
             which
             she
             noursed
             her
             daughters
             .
             Chap.
             17.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             deuotion
             which
             Pope
             Gregory
             
             the
             IX
             .
             had
             to
             S.
             Clare
             .
             Chap.
             18.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             feruent
             loue
             to
             Iesus
             Christ
             :
             &
             of
             an
             extasy
             wherin
             she
             was
             .
             Ch.
             19.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             many
             Miracles
             she
             wrought
             by
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             .
             Chap.
             20.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             remayning
             vpon
             Bread
             blessed
             by
             her
             .
             Chap.
             21.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             Infirmity
             &
             sicknes
             .
             Ch.
             22.
             
          
           
             How
             she
             was
             visited
             by
             Pope
             Innocent
             the
             fourth
             .
             Chap.
             23.
             
          
           
             How
             she
             comforted
             her
             sister
             
               Saint
               Agnes
            
             .
             Chap.
             24.
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             Death
             ,
             &
             Obsequies
             .
             Chap.
             
               25.
               
               &
               26.
            
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             miracles
             wrought
             by
             her
             Intercession
             .
             Chap.
             
               27.
               28.
               29.
               30.
               31.
            
             
          
           
             Of
             her
             Canonization
             by
             Pope
             Alexander
             the
             fourth
             .
             Chap.
             32.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             The
             life
             of
             S.
             Agnes
             .
          
           
             HOVV
             
               S.
               Agnes
            
             was
             sent
             to
             Florence
             to
             build
             there
             a
             monastery
             .
             Chap.
             I.
             
          
           
             Of
             a
             Letter
             she
             wrote
             to
             her
             sister
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             ,
             &
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             monastery
             of
             
               S.
               Damian
            
             .
             Chap.
             II.
             
          
           
             Of
             an
             extasy
             of
             
               S.
               Agnes
            
             ,
             and
             of
             her
             thrice
             crowning
             by
             an
             Angell
             .
             Chap.
             III.
             
          
           
             How
             she
             sent
             
               S.
               Clares
            
             veyle
             to
             the
             Monastery
             of
             Florence
             ,
             and
             of
             her
             death
             .
             Chap.
             IIII.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             many
             Miracles
             wrought
             by
             the
             merits
             of
             
               S.
               Agnes
            
             .
             Ch.
             V.
             &
             VI.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             Life
             of
             another
             
               S.
               Agnes
            
             who
             was
             daughter
             to
             the
             King
             of
             Bohemia
             ,
             &
             Religious
             of
             the
             same
             Order
             .
             Pag.
             207.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               intention
               of
               our
               Lord
               in
               the
               vocation
               of
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               .
               Of
               her
               Countrey
               &
               Family
               :
               &
               of
               a
               Reuelation
               to
               her
               mother
               touching
               her
               birth
               ,
               &
               sanctity
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             SIx
             yeares
             after
             the
             conuersiō
             of
             the
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             &
             the
             fourth
             yeare
             ,
             after
             the
             confirmation
             of
             his
             Rule
             by
             Pope
             Innocent
             
             the
             third
             ,
             the
             yeare
             of
             grace
             1212.
             the
             omnipotent
             Father
             of
             light
             ,
             hauing
             framed
             ,
             and
             sent
             into
             the
             world
             a
             new
             man
             ,
             his
             seruant
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             by
             him
             to
             repayre
             ,
             and
             reforme
             his
             faithful
             people
             in
             that
             age
             ;
             would
             also
             ,
             that
             a
             valourous
             woman
             should
             by
             his
             worke
             appeare
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             accompany
             that
             his
             great
             ,
             &
             faythfull
             seruant
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             that
             of
             those
             two
             ,
             shold
             be
             new
             borne
             a
             perfect
             regeneration
             of
             the
             children
             of
             God.
             And
             as
             the
             first
             naturall
             generation
             came
             of
             man
             and
             woman
             ,
             as
             of
             an
             vnited
             beginning
             :
             so
             this
             spirituall
             generation
             of
             the
             imitatours
             of
             the
             life
             and
             counsailes
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             proceeded
             in
             al
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             the
             estates
             ,
             and
             qualityes
             of
             persons
             ,
             of
             the
             one
             &
             same
             
             spirit
             of
             zeale
             ,
             of
             perfection
             ,
             of
             humility
             ,
             and
             of
             pouerty
             ,
             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
             ribb
             ,
             or
             side
             of
             his
             life
             ,
             doctrine
             and
             Santy
             ,
             the
             glorious
             Virgin
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             his
             true
             ,
             and
             legitimate
             daughter
             in
             Iesus
             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
             Friars
             Minors
             ;
             for
             she
             being
             a
             ribbe
             ,
             and
             party
             of
             the
             same
             order
             ,
             it
             is
             very
             requisite
             a
             speciall
             mention
             should
             be
             made
             of
             her
             sanctity
             of
             life
             ,
             as
             we
             shall
             heere
             performe
             :
             and
             if
             it
             be
             not
             according
             to
             her
             merit
             ,
             shall
             
             at
             least
             be
             done
             ,
             with
             the
             least
             defect
             we
             can
             possible
             ;
             being
             resolued
             to
             imploy
             therein
             ,
             that
             little
             force
             of
             spirit
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             giuen
             vs
             ,
             both
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             his
             diuine
             maiesty
             ,
             &
             his
             holy
             seruant
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             edification
             of
             soules
             .
          
           
             The
             glorious
             S.
             Clare
             was
             borne
             in
             the
             Citty
             of
             Assisiū
             in
             Italy
             ,
             scituate
             in
             the
             prouince
             of
             the
             valley
             of
             Spoletum
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             territory
             apperteyning
             to
             the
             Pope
             ,
             and
             Roman
             Church
             .
             Her
             Father
             and
             Mother
             were
             noble
             ,
             of
             a
             famous
             and
             very
             welthy
             family
             :
             her
             Mother
             was
             called
             Hortulana
             ,
             which
             in
             our
             tounge
             may
             be
             tearmed
             Gardener
             ,
             and
             not
             without
             mistery
             ,
             considering
             she
             was
             to
             produce
             so
             noble
             ,
             and
             vertuous
             a
             plant
             ,
             in
             the
             garden
             of
             the
             holy
             Church
             .
             This
             woman
             
             was
             exceeding
             deuout
             ,
             and
             compleate
             in
             the
             fruites
             of
             good
             workes
             :
             and
             albeit
             she
             were
             marryed
             ,
             and
             consequently
             obliged
             to
             the
             care
             ,
             and
             gouernement
             of
             her
             house
             ,
             and
             family
             ,
             yet
             did
             she
             not
             omit
             with
             all
             her
             power
             to
             be
             exercised
             in
             the
             seruice
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             imployed
             in
             the
             works
             of
             mercy
             .
          
           
             She
             was
             so
             feruent
             in
             the
             loue
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             that
             with
             great
             deuotion
             she
             passed
             the
             sea
             with
             many
             other
             pilgrimes
             ,
             &
             visited
             those
             holy
             places
             ,
             which
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             consecrated
             with
             his
             holy
             presence
             ,
             and
             retourned
             exceedingly
             comforted
             ,
             and
             inriched
             with
             many
             meritts
             .
             She
             also
             visited
             the
             Church
             of
             the
             Archangell
             Saint
             Michael
             ,
             on
             the
             mount
             Gargan
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             pious
             ,
             
             and
             feruent
             desire
             ,
             visited
             the
             Apostles
             S.
             Peter
             &
             S.
             Paul
             in
             Rome
             :
             in
             such
             sort
             did
             that
             vertue
             and
             feruour
             shine
             in
             those
             dayes
             in
             many
             holy
             persons
             ,
             but
             now
             so
             weakned
             is
             the
             feruour
             of
             Christians
             touching
             the
             visiting
             of
             holy
             places
             ,
             &
             the
             Reliques
             of
             our
             Lord
             ,
             and
             his
             Saintes
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             almost
             lost
             by
             the
             continuall
             warrs
             of
             heretikes
             ,
             and
             punishment
             for
             our
             sinnes
             .
          
           
             Now
             our
             Lord
             began
             to
             power
             out
             the
             aboundance
             of
             his
             celestiall
             graces
             vpon
             the
             roote
             ,
             that
             afterwardes
             the
             sproutes
             of
             farre
             greater
             sanctity
             might
             follow
             ,
             and
             disperse
             into
             the
             boughes
             .
             Neyther
             would
             he
             ,
             that
             this
             deuout
             woman
             Hortulana
             ,
             should
             be
             depriued
             of
             the
             cōsolations
             ,
             &
             knowledge
             of
             this
             grace
             :
             for
             being
             neere
             
             her
             child-birth
             ,
             she
             one
             day
             with
             great
             feruour
             prayed
             in
             a
             Church
             ,
             before
             a
             Crucifix
             ,
             where
             she
             besought
             Almighty
             God
             to
             deliuer
             her
             from
             the
             danger
             of
             death
             in
             her
             child
             birth
             ,
             which
             she
             much
             apprehended
             ;
             &
             she
             heard
             a
             voice
             that
             sayd
             :
             Woman
             ,
             feare
             not
             for
             thou
             shalt
             safely
             ,
             and
             without
             danger
             ,
             bring
             forth
             a
             light
             ,
             that
             shall
             illuminate
             ,
             and
             lighten
             all
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             Being
             thus
             comforted
             ,
             and
             admonished
             by
             this
             diuine
             answere
             ;
             so
             soone
             as
             she
             was
             deliuered
             of
             a
             daughter
             ,
             she
             caused
             her
             to
             be
             called
             in
             Baptisme
             Clare
             ,
             firmely
             belieuing
             that
             in
             her
             should
             be
             accomplished
             the
             splendour
             of
             the
             light
             promised
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             prouidence
             ,
             and
             the
             ordinance
             of
             the
             diuine
             bounty
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               Education
               ,
               Charity
               ,
               Prayer
               ,
               Mortification
               ,
               and
               Virginity
               of
               S.
               Clare
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             SAINT
             Clare
             being
             borne
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             she
             began
             incontinently
             to
             appeare
             ,
             and
             shine
             as
             a
             morning
             starre
             in
             the
             obscure
             night
             of
             that
             age
             ,
             for
             in
             the
             most
             tender
             yeares
             of
             her
             first
             infancy
             ,
             she
             already
             discouered
             euidēt
             signs
             of
             notable
             and
             pious
             works
             ,
             wherin
             she
             made
             to
             appeare
             her
             naturall
             worth
             ,
             and
             the
             graces
             which
             God
             had
             communicated
             vnto
             her
             :
             for
             being
             naturally
             of
             a
             very
             delicate
             constitution
             ,
             she
             receiued
             of
             
             her
             Mother
             the
             first
             foundations
             of
             faith
             :
             afterwards
             being
             inspired
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             apply
             herselfe
             to
             vertuous
             ,
             and
             pious
             workes
             ,
             she
             shewed
             herselfe
             to
             be
             a
             vessell
             aptly
             prepared
             for
             diuine
             grace
             ;
             and
             as
             she
             abounded
             in
             interiour
             piety
             ,
             aswell
             by
             nature
             as
             by
             grace
             towardes
             poore
             beggars
             ;
             so
             according
             to
             the
             small
             meanes
             which
             then
             she
             had
             ,
             she
             supplyed
             their
             necessities
             .
             And
             to
             the
             end
             her
             Sacrifice
             might
             be
             more
             pleasing
             vnto
             God
             ,
             the
             most
             delicate
             meates
             that
             vvere
             giuen
             her
             ,
             for
             the
             nourishment
             of
             her
             little
             body
             ,
             she
             hid
             ,
             and
             gaue
             it
             secretly
             to
             the
             poore
             .
             Thus
             did
             piety
             augment
             and
             increase
             in
             her
             ,
             &
             nourished
             charity
             in
             her
             soule
             ,
             preparing
             her
             to
             receiue
             the
             grace
             &
             mercy
             of
             Almighty
             God.
             Her
             greatest
             
             contentment
             was
             in
             prayer
             ,
             wherby
             she
             was
             often
             susteyned
             ,
             made
             ioyfull
             ,
             and
             comforted
             as
             by
             an
             Angelicall
             milke
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             most
             delicious
             manner
             eleuated
             to
             the
             diuine
             pleasures
             of
             the
             conuersation
             of
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
             In
             these
             beginninges
             ,
             hauing
             no
             beades
             ,
             she
             vsed
             insteed
             thereof
             certaine
             little
             stones
             ,
             some
             to
             serue
             for
             the
             
               Pater
               nosters
            
             ,
             and
             others
             for
             the
             Aues
             ,
             and
             so
             offered
             her
             prayers
             to
             God.
             Wherupon
             beginning
             to
             feele
             the
             first
             feruours
             of
             diuine
             loue
             ,
             she
             iudged
             that
             the
             must
             contemne
             all
             transitory
             apparence
             ,
             &
             painted
             flowers
             of
             this
             world
             :
             and
             being
             by
             prayer
             well
             instructed
             of
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             she
             resolued
             ,
             as
             a
             wise
             spirituall
             Merchant
             ,
             to
             haue
             no
             more
             regard
             of
             terrestriall
             affayrs
             
             acknowledging
             them
             vnworthy
             to
             be
             esteemed
             :
             &
             with
             this
             spirit
             she
             did
             weare
             ,
             as
             another
             S.
             Cecily
             ,
             vnder
             her
             gay
             apparrell
             ,
             a
             haire-cloth
             ;
             so
             exteriourly
             satisfying
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             interiourly
             her
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             But
             hauing
             attayned
             the
             age
             of
             marriage
             ,
             she
             was
             importuned
             by
             her
             Father
             ,
             &
             other
             kindred
             ,
             to
             choose
             a
             husband
             ;
             whereto
             she
             would
             neuer
             consent
             ,
             but
             vsed
             lingrings
             ,
             and
             delayes
             ,
             putting
             off
             ,
             and
             differring
             what
             she
             could
             all
             humane
             marriage
             ,
             &
             euer
             recommended
             to
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             her
             Virginity
             ,
             with
             other
             vertues
             wherwith
             she
             was
             indued
             ;
             by
             such
             exercises
             indeauouring
             to
             please
             almighty
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             bestow
             on
             her
             his
             only
             Sonne
             for
             her
             
             spouse
             .
             Such
             were
             the
             first
             fruits
             of
             her
             spirt
             ,
             and
             such
             the
             exercises
             of
             her
             piety
             :
             so
             that
             being
             anoynted
             with
             such
             a
             sweet
             ,
             and
             pretiousoyntment
             ,
             she
             yielded
             a
             most
             pleasant
             sauour
             ,
             as
             a
             closet
             replenished
             with
             most
             delightfull
             liquors
             ,
             whose
             perfumes
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             shut
             vp
             ,
             discouer
             ,
             and
             manifest
             themselues
             ;
             and
             in
             such
             sort
             this
             holy
             virgin
             beganne
             without
             her
             knowledge
             to
             be
             commended
             by
             her
             neighbours
             ;
             the
             true
             fame
             of
             her
             secret
             pious
             workes
             so
             publishing
             themselues
             ,
             that
             in
             an
             instant
             they
             were
             exceedingly
             spread
             abroad
             ,
             &
             euery
             where
             diuulged
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               the
               virgin
               S.
               Clare
               had
               knowledge
               of
               the
               Vertues
               of
               the
               holy
               Father
               S.
               Francis.
               
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             THIS
             vertuous
             Virgin
             Clare
             ,
             hearing
             the
             great
             fame
             of
             the
             admirable
             life
             of
             Saint
             Francis
             ,
             who
             then
             renewed
             vnto
             the
             world
             the
             way
             of
             perfection
             in
             the
             same
             Citty
             ,
             with
             a
             maruelous
             example
             of
             piety
             and
             vertue
             ;
             &
             considering
             that
             many
             gentlemen
             did
             follow
             him
             ,
             and
             that
             his
             life
             was
             already
             approued
             by
             our
             holy
             mother
             the
             Church
             ,
             she
             exceedingly
             desired
             to
             see
             ,
             and
             heare
             this
             seruant
             of
             God
             ,
             most
             worthy
             ,
             and
             eminent
             
             in
             all
             vertues
             ;
             thereunto
             inspired
             by
             the
             soueraigne
             Father
             of
             spirits
             ,
             to
             whome
             had
             already
             byn
             presented
             the
             first
             fruites
             of
             their
             deuotions
             ,
             though
             differently
             .
             S.
             Francis
             hauing
             byn
             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
             pretious
             a
             prey
             ,
             to
             present
             her
             to
             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
             fayle
             ,
             to
             open
             vnto
             them
             both
             the
             meanes
             ,
             to
             attaine
             thereunto
             :
             he
             inspired
             this
             vertuous
             woman
             to
             rely
             vpon
             
             a
             very
             honorable
             &
             graue
             matron
             ,
             that
             gouerned
             her
             in
             her
             house
             ,
             as
             her
             Mother
             .
             And
             to
             the
             end
             that
             this
             holy
             purpose
             might
             not
             be
             sinisterly
             interpreted
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             hinder
             publike
             murmure
             ,
             she
             went
             out
             of
             her
             Fathers
             house
             with
             this
             good
             woman
             ,
             &
             found
             out
             the
             holy
             Father
             ;
             by
             the
             seruour
             of
             whose
             pious
             discourses
             ,
             she
             was
             presently
             inflamed
             with
             diuine
             loue
             ,
             and
             moued
             by
             his
             holy
             actions
             which
             she
             admired
             ,
             as
             seeming
             vnto
             her
             to
             be
             more
             then
             humane
             ;
             and
             therfore
             she
             began
             very
             exquisitely
             to
             dispose
             herselfe
             to
             the
             effecting
             of
             the
             wordes
             of
             the
             holy
             seruant
             of
             God
             ;
             who
             hauing
             very
             louingly
             intertained
             her
             ,
             began
             to
             preach
             vnto
             her
             the
             cōtempt
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             by
             euident
             reason
             to
             demonstrate
             
             vnto
             her
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             beauty
             of
             thinges
             present
             is
             but
             a
             vanity
             ,
             filled
             with
             false
             ,
             and
             deceitfull
             hopes
             .
             Then
             he
             persuaded
             vnto
             her
             pure
             eares
             ,
             the
             honourable
             &
             amiable
             Espousall
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             counsailed
             her
             to
             cōserue
             those
             most
             pretious
             pearles
             of
             virginall
             purity
             ,
             for
             that
             glorious
             Spouse
             ,
             who
             out
             of
             the
             loue
             he
             bare
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             being
             God
             became
             man
             ,
             &
             would
             be
             borne
             of
             a
             virgin
             .
          
           
             This
             holy
             Father
             sollicited
             this
             affayre
             ,
             and
             played
             the
             part
             of
             a
             true
             Paranymph
             ,
             &
             Embassadour
             of
             the
             heauenly
             King.
             The
             holy
             virgin
             on
             her
             side
             beginning
             already
             to
             tast
             the
             sweetnes
             of
             contemplation
             ,
             and
             the
             proofe
             of
             the
             eternallioyes
             ;
             the
             world
             beginning
             to
             seeme
             vnto
             her
             vile
             ,
             and
             contemptible
             ,
             
             as
             indeed
             it
             is
             ,
             she
             as
             it
             were
             melted
             for
             the
             loue
             of
             her
             celestiall
             spouse
             ,
             whome
             she
             already
             desired
             with
             all
             her
             hart
             .
             Thēce
             forth
             therfore
             she
             despised
             pretious
             stons
             Iewells
             ,
             gold
             ,
             sumptuous
             apparrell
             ,
             all
             other
             worldly
             trash
             as
             filth
             ,
             and
             dunge
             ,
             and
             abhorring
             the
             detestable
             delights
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
             she
             resolued
             intierly
             to
             dedicate
             herself
             a
             liuely
             temple
             to
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             &
             to
             take
             him
             for
             the
             only
             spouse
             of
             her
             body
             and
             soule
             ,
             and
             so
             submitting
             herselfe
             wholly
             ,
             and
             totally
             to
             the
             counsayles
             of
             the
             glorious
             father
             
               S.
               Francis
            
             ,
             him
             ,
             next
             after
             our
             Lord
             ,
             she
             tooke
             for
             guid
             ,
             and
             director
             of
             her
             life
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               S.
               Francis
               drew
               the
               virgin
               S.
               Clare
               out
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               made
               her
               Religious
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             IIII.
             
          
           
             AND
             to
             the
             end
             the
             most
             cleare
             mirrour
             of
             her
             soule
             might
             not
             be
             stayned
             ,
             and
             blemished
             vvith
             the
             dust
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             contagious
             seculer
             life
             did
             not
             corrupt
             her
             innocency
             ,
             the
             holy
             Father
             prudently
             indeauoured
             to
             sequester
             this
             virgin
             from
             worldly
             people
             .
             And
             the
             solemnity
             of
             palme-sonday
             approching
             ,
             the
             holy
             Espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             with
             a
             great
             feruour
             of
             spirit
             ,
             repayred
             to
             this
             man
             of
             God
             ,
             
             and
             most
             instantly
             demaunded
             of
             him
             ,
             when
             ,
             and
             how
             she
             should
             make
             her
             retyre
             from
             the
             world
             ▪
             wherupon
             the
             holy
             Father
             ordayned
             ,
             that
             on
             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
             going
             out
             of
             the
             Citty
             ,
             and
             withall
             ,
             out
             of
             al
             conuersation
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             she
             should
             change
             secular
             pleasurs
             into
             lamentations
             of
             the
             passion
             of
             our
             Lord.
             
          
           
             Palme-sonday
             being
             come
             ,
             the
             glorious
             S.
             Clare
             went
             in
             the
             company
             of
             her
             mother
             ,
             and
             other
             Ladyes
             to
             the
             great
             Church
             ,
             where
             there
             hapned
             a
             matter
             worthy
             to
             be
             recorded
             ,
             as
             not
             done
             without
             the
             
             prouidence
             of
             the
             diuine
             goodnes
             ,
             which
             was
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             other
             Ladyes
             going
             ,
             as
             is
             the
             custome
             of
             Italy
             ,
             to
             take
             holy
             Palme
             ,
             and
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             out
             of
             a
             virginall
             bashfulnes
             ,
             remayning
             alone
             without
             mouing
             out
             ofher
             place
             ,
             the
             Bishop
             descended
             frō
             the
             steps
             of
             his
             seate
             ,
             &
             put
             into
             her
             hand
             a
             branch
             of
             Palme
             .
          
           
             The
             night
             approaching
             she
             began
             to
             prepare
             herselfe
             for
             effecting
             the
             commaundment
             of
             the
             holy
             Father
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             a
             glorious
             flight
             ,
             and
             honorable
             retyre
             from
             the
             world
             ,
             in
             honest
             company
             .
             But
             it
             seeming
             to
             her
             impossible
             to
             goe
             forth
             at
             the
             ordinary
             ,
             and
             chiefest
             doore
             of
             the
             house
             ,
             she
             bethought
             herselfe
             to
             take
             the
             benefit
             of
             a
             backe
             doore
             ,
             which
             (
             though
             it
             were
             dammed
             ,
             and
             closed
             vp
             with
             
             grosse
             stones
             ,
             and
             mighty
             blocks
             )
             she
             with
             an
             admirable
             courage
             ,
             &
             force
             rather
             of
             a
             strong
             man
             ,
             then
             of
             a
             tender
             yong
             woman
             ,
             herselfe
             broke
             open
             .
             Thus
             then
             leauing
             her
             Fathers
             house
             ,
             her
             Citty
             ,
             kindred
             ,
             and
             friendes
             ,
             she
             with
             extraordinary
             speed
             arriued
             at
             the
             Church
             of
             our
             Lady
             of
             Angels
             ,
             where
             the
             Religious
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             house
             of
             God
             were
             imployed
             in
             pious
             watchings
             ,
             receiued
             ,
             with
             burning
             wax
             lights
             in
             their
             handes
             ,
             this
             holy
             virgin
             ,
             that
             sought
             her
             spouse
             ,
             and
             redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             with
             a
             lampe
             not
             extinct
             ,
             and
             empty
             ,
             but
             filled
             with
             diuine
             loue
             :
             and
             incontinently
             in
             the
             selfe-same
             houre
             and
             place
             ,
             hauing
             left
             ,
             and
             abandoned
             the
             impurityes
             of
             Babylon
             ,
             she
             gaue
             the
             world
             the
             ticket
             of
             defiance
             ,
             
             and
             vtter
             adieu
             before
             the
             Altar
             of
             the
             soueraigne
             Queene
             of
             Angells
             ;
             where
             the
             glorious
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             inspired
             of
             God
             ,
             &
             neglecting
             all
             other
             worldly
             respects
             ,
             cut
             off
             her
             hayre
             :
             then
             he
             cloathed
             her
             with
             a
             poore
             habit
             of
             the
             order
             ,
             cōmanding
             the
             Iewels
             ,
             &
             gorgeous
             attire
             which
             she
             brought
             ,
             to
             be
             giuen
             to
             the
             poore
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
             It
             had
             not
             beene
             indeed
             conuenient
             ,
             that
             the
             new
             Order
             of
             florishing
             virginity
             towardes
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             should
             otherwise
             begin
             ,
             then
             in
             the
             Angelical
             pallace
             of
             that
             most
             Immaculate
             Queene
             ,
             who
             before
             had
             alone
             byn
             a
             mother
             ,
             and
             a
             virgin
             ,
             and
             consequently
             more
             worthy
             then
             all
             others
             vvhatsoeuer
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             very
             same
             place
             had
             the
             
             noble
             Chiualry
             of
             the
             poore
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Friars
             Minors
             ,
             their
             beginninge
             ,
             vnder
             the
             valourous
             Captaine
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             it
             might
             euidently
             appeare
             ,
             that
             the
             Mother
             of
             God
             in
             this
             her
             habitation
             ingendred
             ,
             and
             produced
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             Religion
             .
             And
             so
             soone
             as
             this
             new
             Espouse
             had
             receiued
             the
             habit
             ,
             &
             ensignes
             of
             holy
             pēnance
             ,
             before
             the
             Aultar
             of
             the
             most
             sacred
             virgin
             Mary
             ,
             the
             hūble
             seruāt
             was
             accepted
             by
             Iesus
             Christ
             for
             his
             Espouse
             ,
             and
             the
             glorious
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             conducted
             her
             to
             the
             monastery
             of
             S.
             Paul
             in
             Assisium
             ,
             where
             were
             Religious
             womē
             of
             the
             order
             of
             S.
             Bennet
             ;
             there
             to
             remaine
             till
             almighty
             God
             had
             prouided
             another
             monastery
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               much
               the
               kindred
               of
               S.
               Clare
               laboured
               to
               rerire
               her
               from
               Religion
               :
               and
               how
               she
               was
               conducted
               to
               
                 S.
                 Damian
              
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             THE
             kindred
             of
             this
             holy
             virgin
             vnderstanding
             what
             she
             had
             done
             ,
             and
             the
             bruit
             of
             her
             resolution
             being
             diuulged
             ouer
             all
             the
             Citty
             ,
             many
             of
             the
             friendes
             of
             her
             Father
             and
             Mother
             assembled
             ,
             and
             consulted
             to
             preuent
             this
             vertuous
             virgin
             of
             her
             holy
             resolution
             ;
             and
             coming
             to
             the
             monastery
             of
             the
             Religious
             of
             Saint
             Bennet
             ,
             whither
             she
             was
             retired
             ,
             they
             purposed
             to
             execute
             
             by
             violence
             ,
             what
             they
             could
             not
             compasse
             by
             humane
             policy
             ,
             trying
             their
             forces
             against
             the
             meeke
             lambe
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             malice
             &
             peruerse
             counsell
             seeking
             to
             delude
             that
             simple
             doue
             ;
             the
             did
             they
             make
             her
             deceiptful
             promises
             ,
             exhorting
             her
             to
             retire
             herselfe
             frō
             such
             base
             condition
             ,
             and
             abiection
             ,
             demonstrating
             vnto
             her
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             a
             matter
             vnworthy
             her
             noble
             descent
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             like
             neuer
             hapned
             in
             the
             Citty
             .
             But
             the
             virgin
             firme
             and
             stable
             in
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             approaching
             to
             the
             Altar
             ,
             discouered
             her
             hairelesse
             head
             ,
             alleadging
             ,
             that
             she
             could
             no
             more
             be
             separated
             frō
             the
             seruice
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             for
             whose
             loue
             she
             had
             already
             forsaken
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             &
             themselues
             also
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             they
             tormented
             
             her
             ,
             the
             more
             was
             her
             hart
             inflamed
             in
             the
             loue
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             her
             sweet
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             who
             supplyed
             her
             with
             new
             forces
             to
             resist
             .
             Thus
             for
             many
             dayes
             togeather
             disturbed
             with
             many
             iniuries
             ,
             she
             indured
             great
             contradictions
             in
             the
             way
             of
             God
             :
             and
             albeit
             her
             kindred
             perseuered
             in
             their
             attempts
             to
             withdraw
             her
             from
             her
             pious
             designe
             ,
             her
             feruour
             yet
             did
             neuer
             wax
             cold
             ,
             nor
             her
             hart
             feble
             :
             but
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             so
             many
             iniurious
             wordes
             ,
             and
             violent
             threats
             did
             so
             much
             confirme
             her
             confidence
             in
             God
             ,
             that
             her
             kindred
             were
             constrayned
             to
             forbeare
             any
             more
             to
             vexe
             ,
             and
             disquiet
             her
             ,
             retyring
             themselues
             as
             all
             ashamed
             ,
             &
             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
             S.
             Francis
             placed
             in
             the
             church
             of
             S.
             Damian
             ,
             and
             there
             ,
             as
             in
             a
             secret
             harbour
             and
             secure
             ,
             she
             cast
             the
             anker
             of
             her
             soule
             neuer
             changing
             place
             ,
             nether
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             great
             restraint
             therof
             ,
             nor
             for
             feare
             of
             solitude
             ,
             this
             Church
             being
             without
             the
             Citty
             .
             This
             was
             the
             Church
             in
             reparatiō
             wherof
             the
             Glorious
             S.
             Francis
             laboured
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             his
             conuersion
             :
             and
             where
             he
             did
             also
             offer
             money
             to
             the
             Chaplaine
             to
             repayre
             it
             :
             this
             holy
             Father
             being
             once
             also
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             praying
             
             with
             aboundance
             of
             tears
             ,
             merited
             to
             heare
             the
             voyce
             of
             the
             crucifix
             ,
             before
             which
             he
             was
             ,
             that
             thrice
             reiterated
             vnto
             him
             :
             Goe
             Francis
             ,
             and
             repayre
             my
             house
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             thou
             seest
             ,
             is
             ready
             to
             fall
             .
             The
             glorious
             virgin
             Clare
             ,
             for
             the
             loue
             of
             her
             heauenly
             spouse
             ,
             shut
             herselfe
             vp
             in
             that
             little
             place
             ,
             and
             there
             imprisoned
             herselfe
             during
             her
             life
             ,
             sequestring
             her
             body
             〈◊〉
             the
             turbulent
             tempest
             of
             the
             world
             .
             This
             siluered
             Doue
             there
             building
             her
             nest
             in
             the
             concauities
             of
             that
             Church
             ,
             ingendred
             the
             colledge
             of
             virgins
             of
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             &
             there
             instituting
             a
             holy
             conuent
             ,
             gaue
             a
             beginning
             to
             the
             order
             of
             poore
             Religious
             women
             .
             And
             thus
             being
             setled
             in
             the
             way
             of
             pennance
             ,
             she
             bruized
             the
             hard
             
             turfes
             of
             her
             members
             ,
             with
             the
             coulter
             of
             the
             Crosse
             ,
             and
             perfectly
             sowed
             the
             seede
             of
             sanctity
             and
             iustice
             ,
             making
             with
             her
             very
             soule
             stepps
             and
             traces
             of
             vertuous
             progresse
             ,
             for
             them
             that
             were
             to
             follovv
             her
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               How
               the
               virgin
               Agnes
               ,
               sister
               to
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               ,
               was
               by
               her
               feruent
               prayers
               conuerted
               :
               and
               of
               the
               persecutions
               she
               indured
               by
               her
               kindred
               ;
               and
               how
               she
               was
               miraculously
               freed
               of
               them
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             SAINT
             Clare
             had
             a
             younger
             sister
             ,
             who
             both
             in
             regard
             of
             bloud
             &
             of
             pouerty
             ,
             was
             really
             
             her
             sister
             ;
             and
             she
             exceedingly
             desiring
             the
             conuersion
             of
             this
             young
             virgin
             ,
             neuer
             failed
             in
             her
             most
             feruent
             deuotions
             ,
             which
             in
             her
             first
             dayes
             she
             offered
             to
             almighty
             God
             ,
             as
             feruently
             &
             deuoutly
             as
             she
             possibly
             could
             ,
             with
             a
             perfect
             zeale
             ,
             to
             beseech
             him
             ,
             that
             as
             she
             had
             liued
             with
             her
             sister
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             there
             might
             be
             also
             betweene
             them
             an
             holy
             vnion
             of
             body
             ,
             &
             will
             ,
             in
             his
             feruice
             ;
             most
             instantly
             importuning
             him
             to
             make
             it
             appeare
             to
             her
             sister
             ,
             whome
             she
             had
             left
             in
             her
             mothers
             house
             ,
             what
             a
             notorious
             delunder
             the
             world
             is
             ,
             &
             how
             ful
             of
             discontenment
             ▪
             &
             on
             the
             contrary
             how
             sweet
             ,
             and
             pleasant
             is
             Iesus
             Christ
             ;
             and
             that
             consequently
             he
             would
             please
             to
             change
             her
             desired
             resolution
             of
             carnall
             marriage
             ,
             and
             
             cause
             her
             to
             imbrace
             the
             vnion
             of
             diuine
             loue
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             for
             her
             spouse
             the
             King
             of
             glory
             .
             Now
             in
             regard
             that
             our
             Lord
             had
             already
             setled
             such
             an
             amity
             betweene
             these
             two
             sisters
             ,
             that
             their
             separation
             was
             afflictiue
             &
             troublesome
             vnto
             them
             ,
             (
             though
             then
             their
             desires
             &
             willes
             were
             farre
             different
             )
             he
             made
             no
             delay
             to
             fauour
             this
             his
             poore
             suppliant
             ,
             and
             deuout
             seruant
             ,
             euen
             in
             this
             her
             first
             petition
             ,
             which
             she
             so
             instantly
             required
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             which
             his
             diuine
             maiesty
             so
             readily
             graunted
             .
          
           
             Sixteene
             dayes
             then
             after
             her
             conuersion
             ,
             her
             sister
             Agnes
             inspired
             of
             God
             ,
             with
             a
             strong
             and
             prompt
             resolution
             gaue
             a
             slip
             ,
             and
             farewell
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             &
             came
             to
             her
             sister
             Clare
             ,
             to
             whō
             discouering
             
             the
             secrets
             of
             her
             hart
             ,
             she
             said
             she
             was
             resolued
             to
             serue
             God
             in
             her
             company
             :
             which
             the
             glorious
             Clare
             vnderstanding
             ,
             she
             most
             amiably
             imbraced
             her
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             very
             ioyfull
             &
             contented
             countenance
             said
             :
             my
             most
             deare
             Sister
             ,
             I
             giue
             infinit
             thankes
             to
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             that
             it
             hath
             pleased
             him
             to
             heare
             me
             ,
             and
             deliuer
             me
             from
             the
             afflion
             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
             kindred
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             S.
             Clare
             :
             but
             these
             blessed
             sisters
             seruing
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             imitating
             his
             stepps
             ,
             she
             that
             had
             most
             tast
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             was
             in
             higher
             progresse
             ,
             instructed
             her
             sister
             Nouice
             .
             Their
             kindred
             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
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
             The
             day
             following
             then
             ,
             with
             an
             extreme
             rage
             and
             fury
             they
             came
             to
             those
             holy
             virgins
             ,
             yet
             at
             their
             first
             cōming
             dissembling
             their
             lewd
             intention
             ,
             they
             shewed
             them
             some
             fauorable
             countenance
             :
             then
             addressing
             themselues
             to
             the
             virgin
             Agnes
             ,
             despayring
             of
             all
             hope
             to
             withdraw
             S.
             Clare
             from
             her
             holy
             purpose
             ,
             they
             demaunded
             of
             her
             ,
             wherfore
             she
             was
             retyred
             into
             that
             place
             ?
             thē
             willed
             her
             to
             deliberate
             ,
             and
             resolue
             to
             retourne
             with
             them
             to
             her
             Fathers
             house
             :
             whereto
             she
             answered
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             resolued
             ,
             (
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             assisting
             her
             )
             
             to
             remayne
             with
             her
             sister
             :
             which
             answere
             one
             of
             them
             disdayning
             ,
             full
             of
             passion
             ,
             and
             transported
             with
             choler
             ,
             took
             her
             by
             the
             haire
             ,
             and
             gaue
             her
             many
             blowes
             with
             his
             feet
             and
             fistes
             ;
             then
             vsed
             all
             his
             force
             to
             pull
             her
             out
             of
             the
             place
             ,
             which
             at
             length
             by
             the
             help
             of
             others
             he
             performed
             :
             for
             taking
             her
             in
             their
             armes
             ,
             they
             forcibly
             trayled
             her
             out
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             little
             daughter
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             seing
             herselfe
             violently
             wrested
             by
             those
             furious
             lyons
             out
             the
             armes
             of
             her
             God
             ,
             she
             began
             to
             cry
             to
             her
             sister
             ,
             Help
             me
             sister
             ,
             &
             permit
             me
             not
             to
             be
             separated
             frō
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             your
             louing
             company
             .
             Her
             carnall
             kindred
             trayled
             a
             long
             the
             valley
             this
             virgin
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             agaynst
             her
             
             will
             ,
             and
             in
             despight
             of
             her
             feeble
             ,
             though
             couragious
             resistance
             ,
             renting
             her
             cloathes
             from
             her
             tender
             body
             .
             In
             the
             meane
             while
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             vnable
             by
             other
             meanes
             to
             relieue
             her
             sister
             ,
             had
             recourse
             to
             prayer
             ,
             with
             aboundance
             of
             teares
             ,
             beseeching
             God
             to
             vouchsafe
             to
             giue
             a
             couragious
             confidence
             ,
             to
             her
             sister
             ,
             that
             his
             diuine
             fauour
             defending
             his
             faythfull
             seruant
             ,
             humane
             forces
             might
             be
             ouercome
             :
             and
             our
             Lord
             heard
             her
             .
             For
             at
             the
             instant
             of
             her
             prayer
             ,
             the
             body
             of
             the
             virgin
             Agnes
             miraculously
             became
             so
             weighty
             ,
             that
             her
             kindred
             were
             at
             length
             inforced
             to
             leaue
             her
             on
             the
             ground
             :
             and
             albeit
             so
             many
             men
             ,
             and
             their
             seruantes
             ,
             put
             all
             their
             forces
             to
             lift
             her
             vp
             ,
             yet
             could
             they
             neuer
             doe
             it
             ,
             but
             called
             labourers
             ,
             
             and
             workemen
             of
             the
             vineyards
             that
             wrought
             therabouts
             to
             assist
             them
             ,
             yet
             their
             great
             number
             no
             more
             auayled
             then
             the
             lesse
             .
          
           
             Finally
             the
             forces
             fayling
             of
             her
             kindred
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             attempted
             to
             assist
             them
             ,
             they
             acknowledged
             the
             miracle
             ,
             though
             scornefully
             ,
             saying
             :
             it
             is
             no
             maruayle
             though
             she
             be
             so
             weighty
             ,
             hauing
             layne
             all
             night
             as
             lead
             .
             Whereupon
             
               Signor
               Monaldo
            
             her
             vncle
             in
             extreme
             passion
             lifting
             vp
             his
             armes
             to
             strike
             her
             ,
             he
             presently
             felt
             an
             extreme
             payne
             therein
             ,
             which
             did
             not
             only
             torment
             him
             for
             the
             present
             ,
             but
             a
             long
             tyme
             after
             .
             Then
             S.
             Clare
             after
             her
             prayer
             ,
             ariuing
             ,
             besought
             her
             kindred
             to
             forbeare
             in
             vaine
             to
             contend
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             leaue
             her
             the
             care
             of
             her
             sister
             ,
             
             who
             lay
             as
             halfe
             dead
             .
             They
             perceiuing
             their
             labour
             lost
             to
             hinder
             their
             pious
             resolution
             ,
             being
             exceedingly
             vvearyed
             ,
             left
             the
             two
             sisters
             togeather
             .
             The
             troup
             then
             being
             departed
             ,
             the
             tormented
             Agnes
             arose
             from
             the
             ground
             ,
             full
             of
             ioy
             in
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             for
             whose
             loue
             she
             had
             fought
             ,
             &
             ouercome
             in
             this
             her
             first
             conflict
             against
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             his
             prince
             the
             Diuell
             ,
             by
             fauour
             and
             assistance
             of
             diuine
             grace
             ;
             &
             her
             sister
             asking
             her
             how
             she
             felt
             herselfe
             ,
             she
             answered
             ,
             that
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             affliction
             they
             had
             procured
             her
             by
             buffets
             ,
             beatings
             ,
             spurnes
             with
             their
             feet
             &
             fistes
             ,
             tearing
             her
             by
             the
             hayre
             ,
             trayling
             her
             through
             stony
             wayes
             ,
             she
             had
             felt
             in
             a
             manner
             nothing
             ,
             especially
             by
             the
             vertue
             ,
             
             and
             force
             of
             diuine
             grace
             ,
             and
             next
             by
             the
             merits
             of
             her
             good
             prayers
             .
             Shortly
             after
             the
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             cut
             of
             her
             haire
             ,
             she
             retayning
             still
             her
             proper
             name
             of
             Agnes
             ,
             in
             memory
             of
             the
             innocent
             lambe
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             who
             offering
             himselfe
             in
             sacrifice
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             gaue
             resistance
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             fought
             valerously
             ,
             and
             ouercame
             :
             and
             so
             the
             holy
             Father
             instructed
             her
             with
             her
             sister
             ,
             and
             taught
             her
             the
             way
             of
             God
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             she
             so
             increased
             ,
             and
             profited
             in
             Religion
             ,
             &
             all
             vertue
             ,
             and
             sanctity
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             an
             admiration
             to
             al
             the
             world
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               humility
               of
               the
               Virgin
               Saint
               Clare
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             PROFOVND
             humility
             was
             the
             first
             assured
             stone
             ,
             &
             foundation
             ,
             which
             the
             holy
             virgin
             layd
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             her
             Relion
             ,
             after
             she
             had
             begun
             to
             labour
             in
             the
             way
             of
             God
             ,
             so
             to
             aduance
             ,
             and
             set
             forward
             the
             building
             of
             all
             other
             vertues
             .
             She
             vowed
             Obedience
             vnto
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             which
             vow
             in
             all
             her
             life
             ,
             she
             neuer
             transgressed
             ,
             and
             for
             three
             yeares
             after
             her
             conuersion
             ,
             she
             desired
             rather
             with
             great
             humility
             to
             be
             subiect
             ,
             then
             a
             Superior
             ,
             shūning
             the
             title
             ,
             &
             office
             
             of
             Abbesse
             ,
             taking
             more
             content
             to
             serue
             among
             the
             seruants
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             then
             to
             be
             serued
             .
             But
             being
             at
             length
             by
             the
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             thereunto
             constrained
             ,
             she
             vndertooke
             the
             gouernment
             of
             the
             Religious
             ,
             which
             bred
             in
             her
             hart
             more
             feare
             ,
             then
             presumption
             :
             so
             what
             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
             herselfe
             vile
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             shewed
             herselfe
             ready
             to
             serue
             ,
             and
             made
             herselfe
             more
             contemptible
             then
             all
             her
             religious
             ,
             both
             in
             habit
             and
             base
             seruice
             .
             She
             disdayned
             not
             to
             doe
             the
             office
             of
             seruants
             ,
             giuing
             water
             to
             the
             Religious
             to
             wash
             ,
             whom
             she
             made
             often
             to
             sit
             ,
             herself
             
             standing
             ,
             and
             seruing
             them
             at
             table
             .
          
           
             When
             she
             commaunded
             any
             thing
             ,
             it
             was
             vnwillingly
             ,
             rather
             desiring
             to
             do
             ,
             then
             to
             commaund
             others
             .
             She
             performed
             to
             the
             sicke
             all
             kind
             of
             seruices
             ,
             were
             they
             neuer
             so
             loathsome
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             cleane
             any
             thing
             that
             was
             defiled
             or
             foule
             ,
             shunning
             with
             so
             worthy
             a
             spirit
             al
             pleasant
             ,
             and
             delightfull
             actions
             ,
             neuer
             abhorring
             ,
             or
             desdayning
             the
             most
             offensiue
             smells
             .
             She
             often
             washed
             the
             feete
             of
             the
             lay
             sisters
             ,
             whē
             they
             came
             from
             abroad
             ,
             made
             them
             cleane
             ,
             and
             with
             great
             humility
             kissed
             them
             .
             It
             one
             time
             chaunced
             ,
             that
             washing
             the
             feete
             of
             a
             seruant
             ,
             and
             offering
             to
             kisse
             them
             ,
             the
             seruant
             vnwilling
             to
             permit
             such
             humility
             ,
             pulled
             away
             her
             
             foote
             to
             auoid
             it
             ,
             but
             she
             did
             it
             so
             rudely
             ,
             that
             she
             gaue
             the
             holy
             virgin
             a
             dash
             on
             the
             face
             :
             yet
             so
             farre
             was
             this
             Saint
             from
             being
             offended
             therewith
             ,
             that
             on
             the
             contrary
             she
             mildly
             tooke
             the
             foote
             of
             the
             seruant
             againe
             ,
             and
             kissed
             the
             sole
             therof
             .
             Thus
             did
             this
             true
             espouse
             of
             God
             accomplish
             the
             doctrine
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             &
             the
             example
             which
             he
             left
             ,
             when
             he
             washed
             the
             feete
             of
             his
             Apostles
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               voluntary
               pouerty
               of
               the
               Virgin
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               ,
               and
               of
               her
               zeale
               to
               that
               holy
               vertue
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             THIS
             holy
             virgin
             made
             an
             vnion
             &
             correspondence
             betweene
             her
             pouerty
             in
             all
             externall
             thinges
             ,
             and
             her
             holy
             pouerty
             of
             spirit
             ;
             and
             first
             at
             the
             beginning
             of
             her
             conuersion
             she
             made
             sale
             of
             her
             patrimony
             ,
             and
             birth-right
             ,
             all
             which
             distributing
             vnto
             the
             poore
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             she
             reserued
             nothing
             to
             herselfe
             .
             Hauing
             so
             abandoned
             all
             the
             world
             exteriourly
             ,
             and
             inriched
             her
             soule
             
             interiourly
             ,
             freed
             from
             the
             burthen
             of
             worldly
             affayres
             ,
             she
             ran
             farre
             more
             lightly
             after
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             thereby
             contracted
             such
             an
             inuiolable
             amity
             with
             holy
             pouerty
             ,
             that
             she
             would
             haue
             possession
             of
             no
             other
             thing
             then
             her
             glorious
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             nor
             would
             she
             permit
             her
             spirituall
             daughters
             to
             possesse
             any
             thing
             els
             .
             And
             with
             this
             Euāgelical
             traffique
             ,
             she
             purchased
             the
             most
             pretious
             pearle
             of
             celestiall
             desire
             ,
             in
             place
             of
             all
             the
             other
             thinges
             ,
             which
             she
             had
             sold
             ,
             acknowledging
             ,
             that
             the
             same
             could
             in
             no
             sort
             be
             inioyed
             togeather
             with
             the
             distraction
             ,
             and
             occupation
             of
             temporall
             things
             .
          
           
             Giuing
             instructions
             to
             her
             Religious
             ,
             she
             would
             sometimes
             say
             vnto
             them
             ,
             that
             this
             their
             company
             
             should
             be
             then
             grateful
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             become
             very
             rich
             in
             pouerty
             ,
             and
             should
             by
             such
             meanes
             conserue
             it selfe
             firme
             and
             stable
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             alwayes
             fortifyed
             ,
             and
             enuironed
             with
             the
             rampiers
             &
             strong
             bulwarkes
             of
             pouerty
             .
             She
             also
             admonished
             her
             beloued
             daughters
             in
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             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
             a
             straite
             Cribbe
             .
          
           
             Now
             desiring
             to
             call
             her
             Rule
             by
             the
             tytle
             of
             Pouerty
             ,
             she
             demaunded
             of
             Pope
             Innocent
             the
             fourth
             the
             priuiledge
             of
             Pouerty
             ,
             who
             as
             a
             magnanimous
             Prelate
             reioycing
             at
             the
             great
             feruour
             of
             this
             holy
             virgin
             ,
             exceedingly
             commended
             
             this
             her
             deuotion
             ,
             assuring
             himselfe
             that
             the
             like
             priuiledge
             had
             neuer
             byn
             demaunded
             of
             the
             Apostolike
             sea
             .
             And
             to
             the
             end
             a
             new
             &
             extraordinary
             fauor
             might
             answere
             this
             new
             and
             vnacustomed
             demaund
             ,
             the
             holy
             Pope
             with
             an
             exceeding
             contentment
             vvrote
             with
             his
             owne
             hand
             the
             first
             Pa●tent
             of
             the
             priuiledge
             ;
             which
             Pope
             Gregory
             the
             ninth
             his
             predecessor
             of
             holy
             memory
             had
             also
             done
             ,
             who
             with
             a
             Fatherly
             affection
             louing
             this
             Espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             once
             gaue
             her
             counsayle
             ,
             in
             consideration
             of
             diuers
             alterations
             of
             matters
             ,
             and
             the
             strange
             euents
             of
             rymes
             ,
             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
             vpon
             them
             :
             but
             she
             couragiously
             withstood
             it
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             true
             ,
             poore
             ,
             and
             legitimate
             daughter
             of
             the
             holy
             Patriarch
             poore
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             would
             neuer
             accord
             therevnto
             .
          
           
             The
             Pope
             alleadging
             ,
             that
             if
             she
             feared
             the
             breach
             of
             her
             vow
             ,
             he
             would
             absolue
             her
             theerof
             :
             but
             this
             virgin
             answered
             very
             humbly
             in
             this
             manner
             .
             Holy
             Father
             I
             shall
             be
             very
             ioyfull
             ,
             if
             it
             please
             your
             Holynes
             to
             absolue
             me
             of
             all
             my
             sinnes
             ,
             but
             to
             free
             me
             from
             performing
             the
             Counsayles
             of
             God
             ,
             I
             will
             accept
             no
             absolution
             .
             This
             holy
             virgin
             with
             an
             exceeding
             ioy
             receiued
             the
             morsels
             of
             bread
             which
             the
             Religious
             brought
             from
             begging
             ,
             and
             had
             gotten
             for
             the
             loue
             of
             God
             :
             but
             she
             was
             much
             troubled
             ,
             
             when
             she
             saw
             whole
             loaues
             ;
             labouring
             much
             to
             conforme
             herselfe
             in
             all
             things
             to
             perfect
             pouerty
             with
             him
             ,
             who
             was
             poorly
             and
             nakedly
             Crucified
             :
             &
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             no
             transitory
             thing
             might
             at
             any
             tyme
             separate
             the
             most
             poore
             virgin
             from
             her
             beloued
             ,
             nor
             hinder
             her
             from
             her
             most
             ardent
             feruour
             to
             follow
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Of
               the
               miracles
               of
               the
               pouerty
               of
               the
               glorious
               S.
               Clare
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             IT
             hapned
             one
             day
             that
             the
             glorious
             virgin
             S.
             Clare
             knew
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             but
             one
             loafe
             of
             bread
             in
             her
             Couent
             ,
             and
             so
             the
             houre
             
             of
             dinner
             being
             come
             ,
             she
             called
             the
             sister
             that
             was
             the
             Despensier
             ,
             and
             willed
             her
             to
             cut
             the
             loafe
             she
             had
             in
             her
             custody
             in
             two
             ,
             and
             to
             send
             the
             one
             halfe
             to
             the
             Religious
             that
             were
             without
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             the
             other
             for
             themselues
             ,
             vvhereof
             she
             should
             make
             fifty
             portions
             ,
             there
             being
             so
             many
             Religious
             ,
             &
             then
             should
             set
             it
             vpon
             the
             table
             of
             pouerty
             :
             whereunto
             the
             Despensier
             answered
             ,
             that
             the
             miracles
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             were
             needfull
             to
             make
             so
             many
             portions
             of
             so
             small
             quantity
             of
             bread
             :
             but
             S.
             Clare
             replyed
             ▪
             saying
             ,
             Daughter
             doe
             only
             what
             I
             doe
             comaund
             thee
             .
          
           
             The
             sister
             went
             presently
             to
             effect
             the
             commaundmēt
             of
             her
             Abbesse
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             meane
             while
             togeather
             with
             all
             the
             other
             Religious
             
             applyed
             themselues
             to
             prayer
             ,
             presenting
             their
             deuotions
             ,
             &
             tears
             to
             their
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             instantly
             by
             his
             infinit
             bounty
             the
             little
             morsells
             of
             bread
             so
             augmented
             in
             the
             handes
             of
             the
             Despensier
             that
             they
             sufficed
             to
             feed
             al
             the
             Religious
             .
          
           
             It
             hapned
             another
             tyme
             that
             the
             seruantes
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             wanted
             oyle
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             had
             not
             sufficient
             to
             dresse
             meate
             for
             the
             sicke
             .
             S.
             Clare
             being
             aduertised
             of
             this
             necessity
             tooke
             a
             pot
             ,
             which
             (
             as
             mistris
             of
             humility
             )
             she
             washed
             with
             her
             owne
             handes
             ,
             then
             sent
             it
             to
             the
             turne
             wheele
             ,
             that
             a
             Religious
             man
             there
             might
             take
             it
             ,
             to
             go
             ,
             and
             demaūd
             oyle
             for
             the
             loue
             of
             God.
             Hauing
             to
             this
             effect
             caused
             a
             Religious
             mā
             to
             be
             called
             to
             send
             him
             ,
             (
             as
             
             matters
             doe
             not
             succeed
             as
             men
             propose
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             the
             pleasure
             of
             the
             diuine
             ,
             and
             mercifull
             prouidence
             )
             S.
             Clare
             hauing
             recommended
             this
             necessity
             to
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             the
             sayd
             Religious
             found
             the
             pot
             full
             of
             pure
             oyle
             ;
             which
             perceiuing
             he
             thought
             the
             Religious
             within
             had
             required
             it
             without
             need
             ;
             &
             with
             a
             kind
             of
             murmure
             he
             sayd
             :
             I
             know
             not
             why
             the
             sisters
             haue
             called
             me
             ,
             their
             pot
             being
             ful
             of
             oyle
             ▪
             so
             that
             the
             miracle
             was
             discouered
             .
             Almighty
             God
             did
             often
             also
             by
             extraordinary
             means
             supply
             the
             necessityes
             of
             his
             poore
             seruants
             by
             the
             meritorious
             prayers
             of
             S.
             Clare
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               austere
               mortifications
               ,
               abstinences
               ,
               and
               fasts
               of
               S.
               Clare
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             
          
           
             I
             Doubt
             whether
             it
             be
             not
             more
             expedient
             to
             conceale
             ,
             then
             to
             diuulge
             the
             admirable
             affliction
             ,
             and
             rude
             pennance
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             because
             this
             holy
             virgin
             hath
             performed
             such
             extreme
             mortifications
             ,
             that
             many
             ,
             who
             shall
             reade
             them
             ,
             acknowledging
             themselues
             cowardes
             ,
             and
             ouercome
             in
             this
             conflict
             ,
             (
             as
             we
             are
             all
             )
             and
             put
             into
             admiration
             of
             these
             marueylous
             actes
             ,
             will
             perhapps
             call
             in
             question
             her
             prowesse
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             oppugne
             the
             very
             truth
             .
             Is
             it
             not
             a
             great
             matter
             ,
             that
             vsing
             one
             only
             
             habit
             ,
             all
             patched
             ,
             and
             a
             poore
             cloake
             of
             the
             grossest
             cloath
             ,
             she
             rather
             couered
             her
             body
             ,
             then
             defended
             it
             from
             the
             importunityes
             of
             the
             seasons
             ?
             But
             it
             is
             more
             admirable
             ,
             that
             she
             neuer
             wore
             stockings
             ,
             shooes
             ,
             nor
             any
             other
             things
             on
             her
             feete
             after
             she
             became
             Religious
             .
             It
             was
             also
             a
             strange
             matter
             that
             she
             fasted
             daily
             ,
             and
             neuer
             fayled
             for
             whatsoeuer
             occasion
             that
             hapned
             .
             She
             neuer
             lay
             vpon
             mattresse
             ,
             though
             that
             were
             no
             singuler
             prayse
             vnto
             her
             ,
             all
             her
             Religious
             doing
             the
             like
             .
          
           
             This
             espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             wore
             more
             then
             the
             rest
             ,
             a
             hayre-cloath
             as
             great
             as
             halfe
             a
             tunicke
             ,
             made
             of
             hogges
             haire
             ,
             the
             haire
             being
             halfe
             shorne
             ,
             next
             her
             flesh
             .
             She
             also
             wore
             a
             hayre-cloath
             ,
             which
             a
             Religious
             
             very
             importunatly
             once
             borrowed
             of
             her
             ,
             but
             prouing
             it
             to
             be
             so
             rude
             ,
             and
             sharpe
             ,
             she
             restored
             it
             three
             dayes
             after
             to
             S.
             Clare
             more
             readily
             ,
             then
             she
             had
             ioyfully
             borrowed
             it
             .
             Her
             ordinary
             bed
             was
             the
             bare
             ground
             ,
             except
             somtymes
             she
             slept
             vpon
             dry
             branches
             or
             twigges
             ,
             vsing
             for
             a
             pillow
             a
             blocke
             of
             wood
             .
             But
             in
             regard
             that
             the
             rigorous
             life
             ,
             wherwith
             she
             afflicted
             her
             body
             ,
             brought
             her
             to
             sicknes
             ,
             the
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Prancis
             commanded
             her
             to
             lye
             vpon
             chaffe
             .
             The
             rigour
             of
             her
             abstinence
             in
             her
             fastes
             was
             such
             ,
             that
             she
             could
             not
             maintaine
             her
             body
             in
             life
             ,
             so
             little
             did
             she
             eate
             ;
             wherby
             it
             is
             easy
             to
             iudge
             that
             she
             was
             susteyned
             by
             diuine
             vertue
             .
          
           
             When
             she
             had
             her
             health
             ,
             she
             
             fasted
             all
             the
             Aduent
             ,
             and
             Lent
             ,
             &
             from
             all
             Saints
             to
             Christmas
             with
             bread
             and
             water
             ,
             the
             sondayes
             excepted
             :
             and
             which
             is
             more
             admirable
             ,
             three
             dayes
             of
             the
             weeke
             ,
             monday
             ,
             wednesday
             ,
             and
             friday
             in
             the
             Lent
             ,
             she
             did
             eate
             nothing
             at
             all
             :
             so
             that
             the
             commaundment
             of
             fast
             ,
             and
             the
             rigour
             of
             her
             voluntary
             mortification
             ,
             seemed
             to
             haue
             a
             contrariety
             ech
             with
             other
             ,
             because
             vpon
             the
             eue
             of
             a
             commaunded
             feast
             ,
             she
             vsed
             but
             bread
             &
             water
             :
             neyther
             must
             it
             be
             admired
             ,
             if
             such
             a
             rigour
             of
             so
             long
             continuance
             bred
             many
             infirmityes
             in
             this
             holy
             virgin
             ,
             vvhich
             vvasted
             her
             forces
             ,
             and
             ouerthrew
             all
             the
             naturall
             strength
             and
             health
             of
             her
             body
             .
          
           
             The
             deuout
             Religious
             daughters
             
             of
             this
             holy
             mother
             had
             exceeding
             compassion
             of
             her
             ,
             and
             they
             bitterly
             lamented
             the
             voluntary
             procuring
             of
             her
             owne
             death
             :
             for
             remedy
             wherof
             ,
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             &
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Assisiū
             forbad
             her
             those
             three
             dayes
             of
             fast
             ,
             which
             euery
             weeke
             she
             vsually
             inflicted
             vpon
             herselfe
             ,
             and
             commaunded
             her
             not
             to
             passe
             one
             day
             without
             taking
             at
             least
             an
             once
             and
             a
             halfe
             of
             bread
             ,
             to
             conserue
             her
             life
             .
             And
             albeit
             such
             grieuous
             afflictions
             of
             the
             body
             doe
             accustome
             to
             breed
             also
             some
             affliction
             to
             the
             hart
             ,
             yet
             did
             the
             contrary
             succeed
             in
             her
             ;
             for
             she
             carryed
             a
             countenance
             so
             gratious
             and
             ioyfull
             in
             all
             her
             austerities
             ,
             that
             she
             seemed
             eyther
             to
             haue
             no
             feeling
             of
             them
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             feare
             any
             inconuenience
             thereof
             :
             yea
             she
             
             in
             a
             sort
             made
             light
             of
             corporall
             afflictiōs
             :
             which
             sufficiētly
             demōstrated
             ,
             that
             the
             spirituall
             ioy
             ,
             wherwith
             she
             was
             interiouly
             nourished
             ,
             appeared
             exteriourly
             in
             her
             holy
             face
             ,
             because
             the
             true
             loue
             of
             the
             hart
             maketh
             always
             corporall
             afflictions
             easy
             and
             light
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Of
               the
               deuotion
               ,
               and
               spirituall
               prosit
               ,
               which
               the
               fame
               of
               the
               Glorious
               S.
               Clare
               procured
               ouer
               all
               the
               world
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             THE
             fame
             of
             S.
             Clare
             began
             within
             little
             tyme
             to
             spread
             ouer
             all
             Italy
             ,
             which
             caused
             women
             from
             all
             partes
             to
             begin
             to
             
             run
             after
             the
             odour
             of
             the
             pretious
             liquour
             of
             her
             Sanctity
             .
             The
             Virgins
             after
             her
             example
             approached
             vnto
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             made
             him
             presents
             of
             their
             virginity
             :
             marryed
             vvomen
             endeauoured
             to
             liue
             more
             chast
             and
             vertuously
             :
             gentlewomen
             and
             Ladyes
             ,
             contemning
             their
             fayre
             houses
             ,
             and
             sumptuous
             tables
             ,
             shut
             themselues
             into
             monasteries
             ,
             esteeming
             it
             a
             great
             glory
             to
             liue
             in
             strict
             pennance
             for
             the
             loue
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
             This
             Saint
             was
             also
             a
             spur
             vnto
             men
             to
             excite
             in
             them
             a
             violent
             feruent
             ,
             and
             principally
             to
             youth
             ,
             that
             began
             to
             take
             courage
             in
             the
             contempt
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             &
             by
             exāple
             of
             the
             frayler
             sexe
             ,
             to
             fight
             agaynst
             the
             temptations
             ,
             and
             deceiptfull
             pleasures
             of
             the
             flesh
             .
             Many
             marryed
             persons
             
             with
             mutuall
             consent
             obliged
             theselues
             to
             continency
             ,
             the
             men
             entering
             into
             couents
             of
             men
             ,
             &
             the
             women
             into
             monasteries
             of
             Religious
             women
             .
             The
             mother
             induced
             the
             daughter
             to
             serue
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             the
             daughter
             the
             mother
             ,
             one
             sister
             another
             ,
             &
             briefly
             ech
             one
             by
             a
             holy
             enuy
             desired
             to
             serue
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             all
             of
             them
             seeking
             to
             participate
             of
             the
             euangelicall
             life
             ,
             which
             by
             this
             Espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             vvas
             demonstrated
             vnto
             them
             .
          
           
             An
             infinite
             nūber
             of
             virgins
             ,
             that
             by
             her
             fame
             were
             induced
             to
             piety
             ,
             vnable
             to
             become
             Religious
             ,
             or
             to
             leaue
             their
             fathers
             houses
             ,
             indeauored
             yet
             to
             liue
             there
             more
             religiously
             ,
             leading
             a
             regular
             life
             without
             rule
             .
             S.
             Clare
             by
             her
             exāple
             produced
             
             such
             &
             so
             many
             brāches
             of
             saluation
             ,
             that
             it
             seemed
             the
             saying
             of
             the
             Prophet
             was
             to
             be
             accomplished
             in
             her
             :
             The
             fruits
             of
             the
             desolate
             ,
             and
             barren
             are
             farre
             greater
             ,
             then
             of
             the
             marryed
             .
             Whiles
             these
             matters
             thus
             proceeded
             in
             Italy
             ,
             the
             descent
             of
             this
             benediction
             ,
             which
             distilled
             downe
             in
             the
             valley
             of
             Spoletum
             ,
             grew
             by
             diuine
             prouidence
             to
             so
             spatious
             and
             large
             a
             flood
             ,
             that
             the
             violent
             current
             therof
             ouer
             flowed
             al
             the
             Cittyes
             of
             the
             holy
             Church
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             nouelty
             of
             such
             admirable
             things
             ,
             was
             speedily
             diulged
             ouer
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             &
             with
             such
             prayse
             ,
             and
             admiration
             gaue
             such
             splendour
             ,
             that
             the
             nature
             of
             her
             vertues
             filled
             the
             chambers
             of
             great
             Ladies
             with
             beames
             of
             vnspeakable
             charity
             ,
             and
             penetrated
             
             euen
             into
             the
             chambers
             of
             great
             Dutchesses
             ;
             yea
             those
             most
             pure
             beames
             of
             her
             brightnes
             pierced
             into
             the
             very
             cabinetts
             of
             Queenes
             ,
             and
             Princesses
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             eminency
             of
             bloud
             ,
             and
             height
             of
             nobility
             submitted
             ,
             and
             debased
             it selfe
             to
             follow
             the
             stepps
             of
             this
             glorious
             virgin
             ,
             many
             reiecting
             the
             greatnes
             of
             their
             honour
             ,
             and
             the
             sublimity
             of
             their
             estates
             ;
             so
             that
             some
             Ladyes
             ,
             who
             could
             haue
             byn
             marryed
             to
             Kings
             and
             Dukes
             ,
             induced
             by
             the
             fame
             of
             S.
             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
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             An
             infinit
             number
             also
             of
             Citties
             
             were
             by
             this
             exāple
             adorned
             with
             monasteries
             of
             young
             women
             :
             the
             fieldes
             ,
             and
             mountaynes
             were
             enriched
             and
             inobled
             with
             the
             structures
             of
             these
             celestiall
             buildings
             :
             The
             exercise
             and
             honour
             of
             chastity
             did
             multiply
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             S.
             Clare
             carrying
             the
             stādard
             of
             the
             order
             of
             virgins
             ,
             which
             being
             then
             almost
             extinguished
             ,
             she
             restored
             to
             perfection
             ,
             renewing
             it
             by
             the
             blessed
             flowres
             of
             her
             example
             &
             conuersation
             .
             But
             returning
             to
             the
             history
             ,
             let
             vs
             speake
             of
             the
             perfection
             of
             the
             prayer
             of
             this
             glorious
             virgin
             ,
             by
             meanes
             wherof
             she
             obteyned
             of
             God
             so
             great
             graces
             for
             her selfe
             ,
             and
             her
             daughters
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               feruent
               and
               perfect
               prayer
               of
               the
               virgin
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             AS
             Saint
             Clare
             was
             mortifyed
             in
             her
             flesh
             ,
             and
             farre
             more
             from
             all
             corporall
             recreations
             ,
             so
             did
             she
             cōtinually
             busy
             herselfe
             in
             deuotions
             ,
             and
             diuine
             prayses
             .
             This
             virgin
             had
             fixed
             ,
             &
             imprinted
             the
             subtility
             of
             her
             feruent
             desire
             in
             the
             eternall
             light
             ,
             and
             as
             she
             was
             remote
             from
             earthly
             occupations
             ,
             and
             rumors
             ,
             so
             did
             she
             the
             more
             largely
             dilate
             the
             bosome
             of
             her
             soule
             to
             the
             influence
             of
             diuine
             grace
             .
             She
             continued
             in
             long
             prayer
             together
             with
             her
             religious
             after
             Complin
             ,
             the
             riuers
             of
             teares
             
             that
             flowed
             from
             her
             eyes
             awaking
             and
             bathing
             the
             harts
             of
             her
             companions
             :
             when
             the
             sleep
             of
             others
             gaue
             her
             opportunity
             to
             be
             solitary
             ,
             being
             often
             in
             prayer
             ,
             she
             wold
             lay
             her
             face
             agaynst
             the
             earth
             bathed
             with
             teares
             ,
             kissing
             it
             sweetly
             ,
             and
             with
             such
             contentment
             ,
             that
             she
             seemed
             alwayes
             to
             hold
             in
             her
             armes
             her
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             at
             vvhose
             feete
             her
             teares
             trickled
             downe
             ,
             and
             her
             kisses
             left
             their
             impressions
             .
          
           
             It
             hapned
             one
             time
             ,
             that
             as
             this
             holy
             virgin
             powred
             out
             her
             teares
             in
             the
             silence
             of
             the
             night
             ,
             the
             Angel
             of
             darknes
             appeared
             vnto
             her
             in
             figure
             of
             a
             blacke
             young
             man
             ,
             saying
             ,
             If
             thou
             continuest
             this
             extreme
             weeping
             thou
             wilt
             become
             blynd
             ,
             wherto
             she
             answered
             ,
             he
             that
             is
             to
             
             see
             God
             ,
             cannot
             be
             blynd
             :
             wherwith
             the
             diuell
             being
             confounded
             vanished
             &
             fled
             .
             The
             same
             night
             this
             Saint
             being
             in
             prayer
             after
             Mattines
             ,
             all
             bathed
             in
             teares
             ,
             the
             Tēpter
             appeared
             againe
             vnto
             her
             ,
             and
             sayd
             ,
             Weepe
             not
             so
             much
             ,
             vnles
             thou
             wilt
             haue
             thy
             braynes
             to
             melt
             ,
             and
             distill
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             thou
             shalt
             auoyd
             them
             at
             thy
             eyes
             and
             nostrels
             ,
             &
             therwith
             shall
             thy
             nose
             be
             croked
             .
             S.
             Clare
             with
             great
             feruour
             answered
             him
             ,
             saying
             ,
             He
             that
             serueth
             Iesus
             Christ
             can
             haue
             no
             crookednes
             ,
             and
             presently
             the
             wicked
             spirit
             disappeared
             .
          
           
             Many
             signes
             did
             discouer
             ,
             and
             make
             knowne
             the
             great
             alteration
             she
             receiued
             in
             herselfe
             ,
             in
             feruour
             of
             her
             prayer
             ,
             &
             how
             sweet
             &
             delectable
             the
             diuine
             bounty
             was
             vnto
             
             her
             in
             this
             ioy
             &
             holy
             conuersation
             :
             for
             when
             she
             returned
             from
             prayer
             ,
             she
             with
             admirable
             contentmēt
             brought
             words
             inflamed
             with
             she
             fire
             of
             the
             altar
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             kindled
             the
             harts
             of
             her
             Religious
             ,
             and
             procured
             in
             them
             a
             great
             admiration
             at
             this
             extreme
             sweetnes
             that
             appeared
             from
             of
             her
             face
             .
             It
             is
             without
             doubt
             ,
             that
             Almighty
             God
             had
             coupled
             ,
             &
             conioyned
             his
             sweetnes
             with
             her
             pouerty
             ,
             and
             did
             manifest
             exteriorly
             in
             her
             soule
             what
             was
             interiourly
             replenished
             with
             diuine
             light
             .
             In
             this
             manner
             did
             she
             ordinarily
             liue
             full
             of
             supreme
             delights
             ,
             passing
             ouer
             this
             deceiptfull
             world
             with
             her
             noble
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             being
             placed
             vpon
             this
             wheele
             of
             motion
             ,
             she
             was
             theron
             susteyned
             with
             an
             
             assurance
             ,
             and
             firmity
             of
             vertue
             ,
             very
             stable
             ;
             and
             preserued
             with
             the
             celestiall
             eleuation
             of
             her
             soule
             in
             the
             height
             of
             heauē
             ,
             keeping
             the
             treasure
             of
             glory
             securely
             shut
             vp
             within
             a
             vessel
             of
             flesh
             heere
             below
             vpon
             earth
             .
          
           
             This
             holy
             virgin
             accustomed
             to
             call
             vp
             the
             yonger
             Religious
             a
             little
             before
             Mattines
             ,
             &
             to
             awaken
             them
             with
             the
             ordinary
             signe
             ,
             to
             excite
             them
             very
             often
             to
             prayse
             God.
             All
             her
             Religious
             sleeping
             ,
             she
             did
             watch
             ,
             lighted
             the
             lampe
             ,
             and
             rung
             at
             mattins
             ,
             so
             that
             negligence
             found
             no
             entrance
             into
             her
             monastery
             :
             nor
             sloath
             had
             there
             any
             place
             .
             She
             also
             by
             the
             sting
             of
             sharpe
             reprehension
             ,
             and
             of
             her
             liuely
             and
             effectuall
             examples
             ,
             expelled
             tepidity
             ,
             and
             irkesomnes
             
             in
             prayer
             ,
             and
             the
             seruice
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           
             
               How
               the
               Mores
               were
               expelled
               the
               Monastery
               by
               the
               prayers
               of
               Saint
               Clare
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XIII
             .
          
           
             THIS
             being
             the
             place
             ,
             where
             we
             should
             record
             the
             miracles
             of
             this
             holy
             virgin
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             conueuient
             that
             we
             pretermit
             them
             in
             silence
             ;
             for
             as
             the
             marueilous
             effects
             of
             her
             prayers
             were
             veritable
             ,
             so
             also
             are
             they
             worthy
             of
             honour
             and
             reuerence
             .
             In
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Emperour
             Federike
             the
             second
             ,
             the
             holy
             Church
             in
             diuers
             places
             indured
             great
             persecutions
             ,
             but
             particulerly
             in
             the
             valley
             of
             Spoletū
             ,
             which
             being
             subiect
             to
             the
             
             Roman
             Church
             ,
             dranke
             of
             the
             vessel
             of
             wrath
             by
             this
             mischeuous
             tyrant
             ,
             his
             Captaynes
             and
             souldiers
             being
             scattered
             ouer
             the
             feildes
             as
             grasse
             hoppers
             with
             sword
             to
             murther
             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
             vpon
             the
             mountaines
             ,
             and
             amongst
             the
             deserts
             ,
             to
             make
             himselfe
             the
             more
             fearefull
             to
             his
             vassells
             :
             &
             after
             he
             had
             by
             large
             promises
             gayned
             these
             Mores
             ,
             and
             disposed
             of
             them
             in
             diuers
             places
             ,
             he
             gaue
             them
             at
             length
             for
             retire
             a
             very
             auncient
             ,
             but
             ruinated
             Citty
             ,
             which
             yet
             to
             this
             present
             is
             called
             
               Mourades
               Mores
            
             ,
             which
             they
             fortified
             ,
             and
             then
             thither
             retyred
             about
             twenty
             thousand
             fighting
             mē
             ,
             
             who
             did
             much
             mischiefe
             ouer
             all
             Apulia
             ,
             and
             in
             other
             Christian
             places
             .
          
           
             These
             enemyes
             of
             the
             faith
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             came
             one
             day
             vnexpectedly
             towards
             the
             Citty
             of
             Assisium
             ,
             who
             being
             already
             close
             at
             the
             gates
             ▪
             a
             great
             number
             of
             them
             came
             to
             the
             monastery
             of
             S.
             Damian
             ,
             as
             a
             lewd
             and
             disloy
             all
             nation
             ,
             that
             continually
             thirsteth
             after
             the
             bloud
             of
             Christians
             ,
             and
             dareth
             to
             commit
             villanously
             all
             kind
             of
             execrable
             actes
             ,
             without
             eyther
             shame
             of
             men
             ,
             or
             feare
             of
             God.
             These
             Mores
             then
             brake
             euen
             into
             the
             monastery
             of
             S
             ▪
             Clare
             ,
             where
             she
             was
             with
             her
             Religious
             daughters
             ,
             who
             had
             their
             harts
             surprised
             with
             an
             extreme
             terror
             ;
             but
             much
             more
             ,
             whē
             they
             heard
             the
             barking
             
             and
             cry
             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
             frō
             so
             eminent
             peril
             ,
             but
             only
             by
             the
             merits
             of
             their
             holy
             Mother
             ,
             whome
             with
             infinit
             sighes
             &
             teares
             they
             aduertised
             of
             what
             they
             heard
             and
             saw
             .
          
           
             This
             holy
             virgin
             (
             though
             sicke
             )
             incouraged
             her
             Religious
             ,
             &
             caused
             herselfe
             with
             incredible
             constancy
             to
             be
             carryed
             to
             the
             gate
             of
             her
             monastery
             ,
             at
             the
             entry
             wherof
             ,
             in
             sight
             of
             all
             her
             enemies
             ,
             she
             with
             great
             reuerence
             placed
             the
             most
             blessed
             Sacrament
             of
             the
             Eucharist
             in
             the
             Pix
             ,
             before
             which
             falling
             prostrate
             vpon
             the
             earth
             ,
             she
             with
             aboundance
             of
             teares
             thus
             
             spake
             to
             her
             beloued
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             ▪
             Is
             it
             possible
             (
             my
             God
             ,
             )
             thy
             will
             should
             be
             ,
             that
             these
             thy
             seruants
             ,
             who
             cannot
             vse
             materiall
             weapons
             to
             defend
             themselues
             ,
             &
             whome
             I
             haue
             heere
             brought
             vp
             ,
             and
             noursed
             in
             thy
             holy
             loue
             ,
             should
             now
             be
             deliuered
             into
             the
             power
             of
             the
             infidell
             Mores
             ?
             O
             my
             God
             preserue
             them
             if
             thou
             please
             ,
             and
             me
             likewise
             ;
             for
             albeit
             thy
             diuine
             maiesty
             hath
             committed
             them
             to
             my
             gouernement
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             in
             my
             power
             to
             defend
             them
             from
             so
             great
             a
             perill
             ,
             sith
             this
             protection
             cannot
             be
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             worke
             of
             thine
             omnipotency
             :
             therfore
             doe
             I
             recommend
             them
             to
             thy
             diuine
             maiesty
             with
             al
             the
             affection
             that
             I
             am
             able
             .
          
           
             As
             soone
             as
             this
             holy
             virgin
             had
             
             sent
             these
             prayers
             vnto
             heauen
             ,
             she
             heard
             a
             voice
             so
             delicate
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             had
             bin
             of
             a
             sucking
             child
             that
             said
             ,
             I
             wil
             protect
             you
             for
             euer
             .
             The
             holy
             mother
             did
             not
             yet
             giue
             ouer
             to
             preset
             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
             answered
             ,
             this
             Citty
             shall
             suffer
             much
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             end
             I
             will
             by
             my
             fauour
             defend
             it
             .
             Saint
             Clare
             hauing
             heard
             so
             gratious
             newes
             ,
             lifted
             vp
             her
             face
             bathed
             with
             teares
             and
             comforted
             her
             beloued
             daughters
             ,
             saying
             :
             Deare
             sisters
             ,
             I
             assure
             you
             that
             no
             euill
             shall
             befall
             you
             ,
             only
             be
             carefull
             to
             haue
             a
             firme
             faith
             ,
             and
             confidence
             
             in
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
             The
             diuine
             assistāce
             making
             no
             long
             delay
             ,
             for
             the
             presumption
             and
             rage
             of
             the
             Mores
             was
             in
             continently
             cooled
             ,
             so
             that
             a
             suddaine
             vnknowne
             terrour
             hauing
             surprised
             them
             ,
             they
             speedily
             retyred
             ouer
             the
             walles
             ,
             which
             they
             had
             scaled
             ,
             to
             enter
             .
             They
             being
             thus
             by
             the
             vertue
             of
             the
             prayers
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             expelled
             ,
             she
             priuately
             called
             the
             Religious
             ,
             that
             had
             heard
             the
             said
             voice
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             commaunded
             them
             ,
             that
             howsoeuer
             it
             were
             ,
             they
             should
             not
             diuulge
             what
             they
             had
             heard
             during
             her
             life
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               the
               Citty
               of
               Assisiū
               was
               at
               another
               tyme
               deliuered
               by
               the
               prayers
               of
               this
               holy
               virgin
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XIIII
             .
          
           
             VPON
             another
             time
             ,
             one
             of
             the
             principall
             Captaynes
             of
             the
             Emperour
             Frederike
             called
             
               Vitalis
               Auersa
            
             ,
             a
             man
             very
             ambitious
             of
             glory
             ,
             full
             of
             courage
             ,
             and
             a
             notable
             Captaine
             ,
             conducted
             his
             troupes
             to
             besiege
             Assisium
             ,
             &
             hauing
             inuironed
             it
             ,
             he
             proposed
             to
             wast
             ,
             &
             spoile
             the
             plaine
             Countrey
             thereabout
             ,
             making
             a
             totall
             ruine
             to
             the
             very
             trees
             which
             were
             hewed
             downe
             ;
             and
             then
             laying
             his
             seige
             ,
             he
             vttered
             menacing
             
             and
             vaunting
             oathes
             ,
             that
             he
             wold
             not
             stirre
             thence
             ,
             till
             he
             had
             giuen
             the
             Citty
             a
             victorious
             assault
             :
             and
             this
             siege
             so
             long
             continued
             ,
             that
             the
             beseiged
             began
             to
             loose
             courage
             ,
             as
             wanting
             many
             thinges
             extremely
             needfull
             vnto
             thē
             ?
             wheros
             the
             seruāt
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             being
             aduertised
             ,
             sighing
             in
             her
             hart
             ,
             she
             called
             all
             her
             Religious
             ,
             to
             whom
             she
             thus
             discoursed
             :
             My
             deare
             sisters
             ,
             know
             that
             all
             our
             necessities
             haue
             euer
             bin
             supplied
             by
             the
             charity
             of
             this
             Citty
             ,
             so
             that
             we
             should
             be
             very
             vngratefull
             ,
             if
             we
             should
             not
             according
             to
             our
             ability
             assist
             them
             in
             this
             extreme
             necessity
             :
             then
             she
             commanded
             to
             be
             brought
             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
             yee
             to
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             greatest
             humility
             ,
             and
             most
             feruent
             prayers
             that
             you
             can
             possible
             ,
             demaund
             of
             him
             the
             deliuerance
             of
             your
             Citty
             .
          
           
             It
             cānot
             be
             expressed
             ,
             with
             what
             feruour
             and
             teares
             these
             deuout
             Virgins
             incessantly
             offered
             their
             prayers
             ,
             vnto
             God
             the
             space
             of
             one
             entiere
             day
             and
             night
             ,
             demaunding
             mercy
             in
             behalfe
             of
             the
             said
             Citty
             beseiged
             by
             their
             enemies
             .
             These
             prayers
             and
             teares
             were
             of
             such
             force
             and
             vertue
             ,
             that
             the
             omnipotent
             bounty
             and
             mercy
             had
             compassion
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             day
             following
             sent
             them
             his
             puissant
             hand
             ,
             and
             assistance
             in
             such
             
             sort
             ,
             that
             the
             enemies
             campe
             was
             defeated
             ,
             &
             the
             Captaine
             constrained
             shamfully
             ,
             &
             in
             despight
             of
             his
             forces
             ,
             without
             sound
             trompet
             to
             raise
             his
             seige
             :
             for
             he
             fled
             without
             euer
             troubling
             the
             Assisians
             ,
             being
             shortly
             after
             slaine
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Of
               the
               Reuerence
               &
               deuotion
               which
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               had
               to
               the
               most
               blessed
               Sacrament
               :
               and
               of
               the
               vertue
               of
               her
               prayers
               agaynst
               the
               Diuells
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XV.
             
          
           
             THE
             deuotion
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             towardes
             the
             most
             Holy
             Sacrament
             of
             the
             Altar
             was
             such
             ,
             that
             she
             made
             it
             apparent
             in
             
             many
             of
             her
             actions
             :
             for
             though
             she
             were
             most
             grieuously
             sicke
             in
             her
             bed
             ,
             yet
             would
             she
             so
             dispose
             herselfe
             therin
             ,
             &
             be
             so
             propped
             ,
             and
             stayed
             vp
             ,
             that
             she
             might
             conueniently
             spinne
             ,
             an
             exercise
             which
             she
             exceedingly
             affected
             ,
             &
             wherin
             she
             wholy
             imployed
             herselfe
             ;
             doing
             it
             so
             delicately
             ,
             that
             with
             the
             threed
             of
             her
             labour
             she
             caused
             to
             be
             wouen
             very
             curious
             ,
             and
             fine
             cloath
             ,
             which
             she
             imployed
             in
             furniture
             for
             the
             Altar
             .
             She
             one
             time
             got
             made
             50.
             
             Corporalls
             ,
             which
             she
             sent
             in
             cases
             of
             silke
             to
             many
             Churches
             of
             the
             valley
             of
             Spoletum
             .
             When
             she
             was
             to
             receiue
             the
             most
             Blessed
             Sacrament
             ,
             before
             she
             presented
             herselfe
             therunto
             ,
             she
             was
             alwayes
             bathed
             in
             teares
             ,
             and
             so
             with
             exceeding
             feare
             
             approaching
             ,
             she
             did
             reuerence
             him
             that
             was
             present
             in
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             as
             acknowledging
             him
             to
             be
             the
             same
             that
             gouerneth
             heauen
             &
             earth
             ;
             therfore
             did
             the
             Diuells
             so
             much
             feare
             the
             prayers
             of
             the
             Espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             as
             they
             haue
             suudry
             times
             declared
             .
          
           
             A
             very
             deuout
             womā
             of
             the
             Bishopricke
             of
             Pisa
             came
             to
             the
             monastery
             of
             S.
             Damian
             ,
             to
             thanke
             God
             and
             his
             seruant
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             for
             hauing
             bin
             by
             her
             merits
             deliuered
             of
             fiue
             diuells
             that
             possessed
             her
             ,
             which
             in
             going
             out
             of
             her
             body
             ,
             confessed
             that
             the
             prayers
             of
             S.
             Clare
             did
             burne
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             their
             great
             confusion
             expelled
             them
             out
             of
             the
             humane
             bodies
             which
             they
             possessed
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               a
               meruaylous
               consolation
               which
               S.
               Clare
               receiued
               vpon
               the
               feast
               of
               the
               most
               holy
               Natiuity
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XVI
             .
          
           
             AS
             the
             glorious
             S.
             Clare
             was
             alwayes
             in
             her
             sicknes
             with
             a
             liuely
             memory
             myndfull
             of
             her
             beloued
             Iesus
             ;
             so
             was
             she
             correspondently
             visited
             by
             him
             in
             all
             her
             necessities
             .
             Once
             in
             the
             night
             of
             the
             Natiuity
             ,
             when
             all
             the
             world
             and
             Angells
             did
             so
             solemnely
             feast
             for
             the
             birth
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             ,
             all
             the
             Religious
             went
             to
             the
             quier
             to
             Mattines
             ,
             and
             left
             their
             mother
             accompanyed
             only
             with
             her
             grieuous
             infirmity
             :
             wherfore
             
             hauing
             begun
             to
             meditate
             vpon
             the
             great
             mistery
             of
             that
             night
             ,
             and
             lamenting
             exceedingly
             ,
             that
             she
             could
             not
             assist
             at
             the
             diuine
             seruice
             ,
             she
             sighing
             sayd
             :
             O
             my
             God
             ,
             thou
             seest
             how
             I
             remaine
             here
             alone
             ;
             and
             ending
             this
             ,
             she
             began
             to
             heare
             the
             Mattines
             that
             were
             sung
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Saint
             Francis
             in
             Assisium
             ,
             very
             distinctly
             vnderstanding
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             Religious
             ;
             and
             the
             very
             sound
             of
             the
             Organs
             :
             yet
             was
             she
             not
             so
             neare
             the
             said
             Church
             ,
             as
             she
             might
             humanly
             heare
             what
             was
             sung
             there
             ;
             but
             it
             must
             necessarily
             be
             concluded
             ,
             that
             this
             was
             miraculously
             done
             in
             one
             of
             these
             two
             sortes
             ,
             eyther
             that
             the
             singing
             of
             the
             said
             Religious
             was
             by
             the
             will
             of
             God
             carried
             to
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             or
             her
             hearing
             was
             
             extended
             extraordinarily
             ,
             &
             by
             the
             speciall
             grace
             of
             God
             ,
             euen
             to
             our
             Lady
             of
             Angells
             neere
             vnto
             Assisium
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             Saint
             was
             further
             fauored
             by
             a
             diuine
             reuelation
             which
             exceedingly
             comforted
             and
             reioyced
             her
             ,
             for
             she
             was
             by
             almighty
             God
             esteemed
             worthy
             to
             see
             in
             spirit
             his
             holy
             Cribbe
             .
             The
             morning
             following
             ,
             her
             Religious
             coming
             to
             see
             her
             ,
             she
             sayd
             ;
             Deare
             sisters
             ,
             blessed
             for
             euer
             be
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             that
             it
             hath
             pleased
             him
             not
             to
             leaue
             me
             alone
             ,
             as
             you
             haue
             done
             ;
             but
             know
             that
             by
             the
             grace
             of
             his
             diuine
             maiesty
             ,
             I
             haue
             heard
             all
             the
             seruice
             that
             this
             night
             hath
             byn
             performed
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             our
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Francis.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               spirituall
               doctrine
               ,
               wherwith
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               noursed
               her
               daughters
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XVII
             .
          
           
             THE
             virgin
             S.
             Clare
             acknowledged
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             committed
             to
             the
             pallace
             of
             the
             great
             King
             ,
             for
             gouernesse
             and
             mistres
             of
             his
             deare
             espouses
             ,
             therfore
             did
             she
             teach
             them
             a
             sublime
             doctrine
             ,
             comforting
             ,
             &
             assisting
             them
             with
             such
             loue
             and
             pitty
             ,
             as
             with
             words
             cānot
             be
             expressed
             .
             First
             she
             taught
             them
             to
             cleare
             their
             soules
             of
             all
             rumors
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             the
             more
             freely
             attaine
             to
             the
             high
             secrets
             of
             God.
             She
             also
             taught
             
             them
             to
             haue
             no
             affection
             to
             their
             carnall
             kindred
             ,
             and
             intierely
             to
             forget
             their
             ownehouse
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             please
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
             She
             admonished
             them
             also
             to
             surmount
             and
             misprise
             the
             necessities
             of
             their
             bodies
             ,
             &
             to
             get
             a
             habit
             of
             repressing
             the
             deceiptes
             ,
             and
             appetites
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
             by
             the
             bridle
             of
             reason
             .
             She
             likewise
             taught
             them
             that
             the
             subtill
             enemy
             armed
             vvith
             malice
             ,
             continually
             addresseth
             his
             hidden
             snares
             to
             surprise
             the
             pure
             soules
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             tempteth
             the
             pious
             in
             another
             sort
             then
             worldlings
             .
          
           
             Finally
             she
             would
             haue
             them
             so
             imployed
             in
             handy
             labour
             for
             certaine
             houres
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             afterwards
             be
             more
             prompt
             ,
             and
             better
             prepared
             to
             the
             desire
             of
             their
             Creatour
             by
             the
             exercise
             of
             prayer
             ,
             
             which
             after
             their
             labour
             they
             shold
             vndertake
             ,
             not
             leauing
             for
             such
             payne
             the
             fire
             of
             holy
             loue
             ,
             but
             rather
             expelling
             by
             it
             the
             tepidity
             of
             deuotion
             already
             purchased
             .
             There
             was
             neuer
             seene
             a
             stricter
             obseruation
             of
             silence
             then
             amongst
             them
             ,
             nor
             a
             greater
             forme
             ,
             and
             example
             of
             vertue
             .
             There
             was
             neuer
             seene
             done
             in
             this
             holy
             house
             one
             act
             of
             vanity
             ,
             neyther
             by
             wordes
             ,
             nor
             signes
             ;
             nor
             was
             there
             discouered
             by
             any
             vaine
             discourse
             any
             desire
             of
             lightnes
             ,
             so
             much
             were
             they
             mortifyed
             ,
             their
             holy
             Mistres
             giuing
             good
             example
             by
             wordes
             ,
             and
             pious
             ,
             and
             briefe
             documents
             ;
             likewise
             teaching
             her
             disciples
             feruent
             desires
             ,
             and
             admonishing
             them
             to
             possesse
             ,
             and
             conserue
             them
             vnder
             the
             key
             &
             custody
             of
             strict
             silence
             .
             
             By
             meanes
             of
             deuout
             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
             ,
             and
             would
             with
             such
             deuotion
             ,
             and
             consolation
             ,
             reioice
             in
             the
             memory
             of
             her
             sweetest
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             ;
             that
             one
             time
             hearing
             the
             sermon
             of
             brother
             
               Philip
               de
               Adria
            
             ,
             a
             most
             famous
             preacher
             ,
             there
             was
             seene
             before
             this
             holy
             virgin
             a
             most
             beautifull
             child
             ,
             which
             there
             remained
             during
             almost
             all
             the
             sermon
             ,
             comforting
             her
             with
             his
             ioifull
             delectations
             ,
             of
             which
             apparition
             she
             receiued
             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
             ,
             vnderstanding
             very
             well
             that
             vnder
             the
             wordes
             of
             science
             lay
             hidden
             the
             sweetnes
             of
             spirit
             ,
             which
             herselfe
             subtily
             obteined
             ,
             &
             tasted
             vvith
             much
             more
             gust
             .
             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
             amongst
             grosse
             ,
             and
             rude
             thornes
             ,
             then
             to
             eate
             the
             wholsome
             fruits
             of
             a
             good
             plant
             .
          
           
             Pope
             Gregory
             the
             ninth
             one
             time
             at
             the
             instance
             of
             diuers
             Prelates
             cōmaunded
             ,
             that
             no
             Religious
             man
             
             should
             preach
             at
             the
             monastery
             of
             poore
             Religious
             women
             ,
             without
             his
             expresse
             permission
             :
             wherat
             the
             pittifull
             mother
             complayning
             ,
             in
             regard
             that
             thence
             forward
             her
             deuout
             &
             Religious
             daughters
             shold
             seldome
             be
             spiritually
             fed
             vvith
             holy
             doctrine
             ,
             with
             teares
             she
             said
             :
             let
             then
             all
             my
             Religious
             be
             taken
             hence
             ,
             since
             they
             are
             taken
             away
             ,
             who
             gaue
             vs
             the
             food
             of
             spirituall
             life
             ;
             withall
             sending
             away
             the
             Religious
             ,
             that
             appertained
             to
             her
             monastery
             to
             serue
             them
             in
             getting
             almes
             abroad
             ,
             refusing
             to
             haue
             Religious
             ,
             that
             should
             prouide
             them
             bread
             to
             relieue
             the
             body
             ,
             sith
             they
             were
             depriued
             by
             this
             meanes
             of
             all
             spirituall
             teachers
             that
             gaue
             thē
             bread
             to
             nourish
             their
             soules
             ;
             wherof
             his
             Holines
             being
             aduertised
             ,
             
             he
             presently
             reuoked
             his
             former
             prohibition
             ,
             referring
             all
             to
             the
             disposition
             of
             the
             generall
             of
             the
             Friars
             Minors
             .
          
           
             S.
             Clare
             had
             not
             only
             a
             prouident
             care
             of
             her
             Religious
             daughters
             soules
             ,
             but
             of
             their
             bodies
             also
             that
             were
             feeble
             and
             tender
             ,
             for
             whose
             necessary
             wantes
             she
             daly
             prouided
             with
             exceeding
             feruour
             and
             charity
             ;
             she
             oftentimes
             in
             the
             night
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             cold
             ,
             going
             to
             visit
             and
             couer
             them
             whiles
             they
             slept
             ;
             and
             if
             she
             found
             any
             one
             ouer
             much
             benummed
             with
             cold
             ,
             or
             otherwise
             in
             il
             disposition
             through
             strict
             obseruation
             of
             the
             common
             rigour
             ,
             she
             instantly
             commaunded
             her
             to
             take
             some
             recreation
             ,
             till
             her
             necessities
             were
             satisfied
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             of
             her
             Religious
             daughters
             
             were
             any
             time
             afflicted
             ,
             or
             much
             grieued
             in
             mind
             through
             temptations
             ,
             or
             were
             sorrowfull
             and
             melancholy
             ,
             she
             would
             call
             her
             apart
             ,
             and
             most
             louingly
             comfort
             her
             .
             She
             would
             sometimes
             fall
             prostrate
             herselfe
             at
             the
             feete
             of
             those
             that
             were
             heauy
             and
             afflicted
             ,
             therby
             to
             put
             away
             the
             force
             of
             their
             griefe
             by
             her
             motherly
             cherishings
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             in
             all
             submission
             yealding
             themselues
             to
             this
             their
             holy
             Mother
             ,
             did
             not
             proue
             vngratefull
             .
             They
             likewise
             reuerenced
             the
             office
             of
             Prelature
             in
             their
             Mistres
             ,
             following
             all
             their
             life
             time
             the
             conduct
             of
             so
             diligent
             and
             secure
             a
             guide
             ,
             directing
             their
             actions
             by
             the
             espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             admiring
             with
             all
             the
             excellency
             of
             such
             sanctity
             &
             charity
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               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
             experienced
             their
             great
             vertue
             &
             efficacy
             :
             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
             ,
             knowing
             
             assuredly
             of
             what
             importance
             her
             assistance
             was
             ;
             this
             being
             in
             him
             not
             only
             a
             great
             humility
             ,
             but
             also
             worthy
             to
             be
             diligently
             imitated
             ,
             to
             see
             the
             vicar
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             vpon
             earth
             to
             begge
             help
             of
             a
             seruant
             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
             diuine
             maiesty
             open
             .
             There
             is
             exstant
             a
             very
             deuout
             letter
             of
             this
             Pope
             written
             to
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             whiles
             he
             was
             Cardinal
             ,
             which
             is
             heere
             inserted
             ,
             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
             sister
             in
             Christ
             Iesus
             ,
             since
             the
             houre
             ,
             that
             the
             necessity
             of
             my
             returne
             separated
             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
             extreme
             griefe
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             if
             I
             had
             not
             found
             at
             the
             feete
             of
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             the
             consolation
             of
             his
             ordinary
             piety
             ,
             I
             feare
             I
             had
             fallen
             into
             such
             anguishes
             ,
             as
             my
             spirit
             would
             haue
             
             forsaken
             me
             ,
             and
             my
             soule
             vtterly
             melted
             away
             ;
             and
             not
             without
             reason
             ,
             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
             Easter
             with
             you
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             seruants
             of
             our
             Lord.
             
          
           
             And
             as
             whiles
             our
             blessed
             Sauiour
             by
             his
             dolorous
             passion
             and
             death
             was
             absent
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             his
             dilciples
             ,
             they
             were
             possessed
             with
             an
             extreme
             griefe
             &
             affliction
             ;
             so
             doth
             your
             absence
             procure
             my
             desolation
             .
             And
             though
             I
             acknouvledge
             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
             worthy
             to
             be
             vnited
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             elect
             ,
             nor
             to
             be
             sequestred
             from
             vvorldly
             occupations
             ,
             if
             your
             tears
             &
             prayers
             doe
             not
             obtaine
             me
             pardon
             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
             diligent
             &
             carefull
             of
             my
             saluation
             :
             for
             I
             confidently
             belieue
             ,
             that
             you
             may
             obtaine
             of
             the
             soueraigne
             iudge
             whatsoeuer
             by
             your
             deuotion
             and
             teares
             you
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             
             aske
             or
             demaund
             of
             him
             .
             The
             Pope
             speaketh
             not
             of
             coming
             to
             Assisium
             ,
             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
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Of
               the
               most
               feruent
               loue
               of
               Iesus
               Christ
               which
               inflamed
               the
               hard
               of
               Saint
               Clare
               :
               and
               how
               the
               Diuell
               tormented
               her
               :
               of
               an
               extasy
               wherin
               she
               continued
               a
               night
               and
               two
               dayes
               togeather
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XIX
             .
          
           
             VVHEN
             S.
             Clare
             heard
             any
             speake
             of
             the
             passion
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             
             Christ
             ,
             she
             oftentimes
             was
             accustomed
             to
             weepe
             in
             compassion
             ,
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             out
             of
             the
             sacred
             wounds
             she
             would
             somtimes
             draw
             dolorous
             feelings
             and
             affections
             ,
             and
             at
             other
             times
             vnspeakable
             ioyes
             &
             consolations
             of
             admirable
             sweetnes
             ;
             and
             the
             crosse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             which
             with
             her
             dearest
             spouse
             she
             carryed
             in
             her
             soule
             ,
             the
             weight
             thereof
             gaue
             her
             so
             much
             more
             tast
             of
             contentment
             as
             she
             felt
             more
             griefe
             .
             The
             great
             aboundance
             of
             teares
             ,
             which
             she
             powred
             out
             for
             the
             most
             bitter
             passion
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             kept
             her
             somtimes
             out
             of
             herselfe
             ;
             and
             the
             internall
             loue
             ,
             which
             she
             had
             imprinted
             in
             her
             hart
             ,
             in
             manner
             continually
             represented
             vnto
             her
             Iesus
             Christ
             crucified
             .
          
           
           
             She
             ordinarily
             gaue
             example
             by
             workes
             ,
             of
             what
             she
             taught
             her
             Religious
             by
             wordes
             :
             for
             admonishing
             them
             often
             ,
             and
             instructing
             them
             likewise
             secretly
             touching
             some
             exercise
             ,
             before
             she
             had
             ended
             her
             discourse
             ,
             she
             was
             seene
             to
             power
             out
             of
             her
             eyes
             aboundance
             of
             teares
             .
             Among
             the
             houres
             of
             the
             diuine
             office
             that
             are
             sung
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             she
             was
             present
             with
             greatest
             deuotion
             at
             the
             sixt
             and
             ninth
             ,
             by
             reason
             that
             at
             such
             houres
             she
             vvas
             crucifyed
             with
             her
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             The
             holy
             virgin
             retyring
             one
             tyme
             to
             her
             priuate
             deuotion
             after
             the
             ninth
             houre
             ,
             the
             diuell
             came
             to
             her
             ,
             &
             did
             beate
             her
             outragiously
             ,
             hurting
             her
             withall
             so
             much
             in
             the
             face
             ,
             that
             her
             eye
             was
             all
             bloudshoot
             ,
             
             the
             signe
             remayning
             vpon
             her
             cheeke
             :
             but
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             omitted
             not
             for
             that
             to
             perseuer
             in
             her
             prayer
             .
             And
             to
             the
             end
             she
             might
             with
             the
             more
             deuotion
             apply
             herselfe
             to
             the
             sweet
             contentments
             which
             she
             conceiued
             in
             the
             often
             meditating
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             crucifyed
             ,
             she
             ordinarily
             contemplated
             the
             sacred
             mystery
             of
             the
             fiue
             woundes
             :
             and
             therfore
             she
             learned
             by
             hart
             the
             office
             of
             the
             holy
             Crosse
             ,
             as
             the
             true
             louer
             of
             the
             holy
             Crosse
             of
             Saint
             Francis
             had
             taught
             her
             .
             She
             accustomed
             to
             vveare
             next
             her
             naked
             flesh
             a
             girdle
             of
             thirteene
             knottes
             ,
             vvhereunto
             also
             were
             little
             stones
             fastned
             in
             forme
             of
             knottes
             :
             vvhich
             she
             did
             in
             memory
             of
             the
             sacred
             vvoundes
             and
             dolours
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
           
             One
             Lent
             vpon
             Maunday
             Thursday
             ,
             wherupon
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             shewed
             a
             particuler
             loue
             to
             his
             disciples
             ,
             at
             the
             houre
             of
             the
             agony
             ,
             that
             our
             Redeemer
             did
             sweet
             bloud
             and
             water
             in
             the
             garden
             ,
             this
             holy
             Virgin
             retyred
             into
             her
             Oratory
             full
             of
             deep
             sorrow
             ,
             ioyning
             herselfe
             with
             Almighty
             God
             in
             prayer
             ,
             as
             if
             she
             had
             seene
             him
             praying
             ,
             and
             as
             if
             by
             contemplation
             of
             the
             soule
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             sorrowfull
             euen
             to
             death
             ,
             she
             herselfe
             had
             felt
             and
             suffered
             his
             prison
             ,
             his
             derisions
             ,
             his
             iniuries
             ,
             reproaches
             ,
             affrontes
             ,
             beatings
             ,
             sentence
             ,
             Crosse
             ,
             and
             most
             ignominious
             death
             ,
             carrying
             in
             her
             memory
             a
             like
             sorrow
             :
             wherfore
             as
             wholly
             transported
             she
             sate
             vpon
             a
             straw
             bedd
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             night
             ,
             and
             the
             
             day
             following
             ,
             she
             was
             so
             absorpt
             and
             rapt
             out
             of
             herselfe
             ,
             that
             her
             eyes
             being
             open
             and
             without
             motion
             ,
             she
             seemed
             to
             hold
             them
             fixed
             in
             one
             place
             ,
             and
             remayned
             so
             insensible
             ,
             being
             conioyntly
             crucifyed
             with
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             that
             a
             Religious
             ,
             familiar
             vnto
             her
             ,
             coming
             often
             to
             see
             if
             the
             wanted
             any
             thing
             ,
             she
             found
             her
             alwayes
             in
             one
             manner
             .
          
           
             But
             vpon
             the
             night
             of
             holy
             Saturday
             ,
             this
             deuout
             Religious
             came
             to
             her
             deare
             mother
             with
             a
             candle
             ,
             partly
             by
             signes
             ,
             and
             partly
             by
             wordes
             ,
             making
             her
             the
             best
             she
             could
             to
             vnderstand
             the
             commaundment
             that
             the
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             gaue
             her
             ,
             that
             she
             should
             not
             let
             passe
             one
             day
             without
             taking
             &
             eating
             somthing
             ,
             so
             that
             in
             
             the
             presence
             of
             this
             Religious
             ,
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             as
             if
             she
             came
             out
             of
             another
             place
             sayd
             vnto
             her
             ,
             what
             need
             haue
             you
             to
             light
             this
             candle
             ,
             is
             it
             not
             day
             ?
             wherto
             the
             Religious
             answered
             :
             Mother
             the
             night
             of
             holy
             Thursday
             is
             past
             ,
             as
             also
             good
             Friday
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             now
             in
             the
             night
             of
             Easter
             eue
             ;
             the
             Saint
             replyed
             ,
             my
             daughter
             blessed
             be
             this
             sleep
             ,
             which
             Almighty
             God
             at
             length
             after
             my
             long
             desire
             hath
             graunted
             me
             ,
             but
             I
             admonish
             and
             commaūd
             you
             ,
             not
             to
             speake
             hereof
             to
             any
             creature
             liuing
             ,
             whiles
             I
             shall
             liue
             in
             this
             world
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               many
               miracles
               wrought
               by
               S.
               Clare
               ,
               by
               the
               signe
               and
               vertue
               of
               the
               holy
               Crosse
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XX.
             
          
           
             OVR
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             recompenced
             well
             the
             pious
             desires
             ,
             and
             good
             workes
             of
             his
             beloued
             virgin
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             :
             for
             as
             she
             was
             inflamed
             with
             an
             infinite
             loue
             of
             the
             mistery
             of
             the
             holy
             Crosse
             ,
             so
             by
             the
             vertue
             and
             power
             of
             the
             same
             Crosse
             ,
             she
             became
             noble
             in
             the
             signes
             and
             miracles
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             that
             oftentimes
             in
             making
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             holy
             Crosse
             vpon
             the
             sicke
             ,
             they
             were
             miraculuosly
             cured
             ,
             and
             instantly
             healed
             of
             
             sortes
             of
             diseases
             .
          
           
             A
             Religious
             man
             called
             Stephen
             ,
             hauing
             a
             hoat
             feuer
             that
             exceedingly
             vexed
             him
             ,
             the
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             sent
             hin
             to
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             to
             make
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             vpon
             him
             ,
             as
             one
             that
             well
             knew
             her
             perfection
             and
             verue
             ,
             which
             he
             exceedingly
             honored
             .
             Now
             the
             vertuous
             Lady
             Hortulana
             Mother
             to
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             was
             then
             in
             the
             couent
             of
             S.
             Damian
             ,
             for
             a
             little
             before
             ,
             considering
             that
             her
             daughters
             had
             espoused
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             she
             came
             to
             them
             to
             Religion
             ,
             where
             this
             happy
             Lady
             serued
             as
             a
             true
             gardiner
             in
             the
             garden
             inclosed
             with
             those
             Virgins
             ,
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             with
             the
             glorious
             virgin
             Agnes
             sister
             to
             Saint
             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
             vpon
             them
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             holy
             Crosse
             ,
             which
             they
             most
             hartily
             honored
             .
             The
             sayd
             Religious
             then
             being
             sent
             to
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             she
             as
             the
             daughter
             of
             obedience
             thereto
             commaunded
             by
             the
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             presently
             made
             vpon
             him
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             ;
             then
             left
             him
             a
             little
             to
             sleep
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             in
             the
             place
             where
             she
             was
             accustomed
             to
             pray
             ,
             and
             the
             Religious
             hauing
             a
             little
             reposed
             arose
             sound
             ,
             secure
             ,
             and
             freed
             of
             his
             infirmity
             :
             then
             he
             returned
             to
             Saint
             Francis
             ,
             by
             whome
             he
             had
             byn
             sent
             to
             S.
             Damian
             ,
             &
             consequently
             was
             cured
             .
          
           
             A
             child
             of
             three
             years
             old
             of
             the
             
             Citty
             of
             Spoletum
             called
             Matthew
             ,
             had
             by
             chaunce
             a
             stone
             thurst
             into
             his
             nose
             ,
             whence
             it
             could
             not
             be
             gotten
             out
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             child
             was
             in
             extreme
             perill
             ,
             wherupon
             he
             was
             brought
             to
             Saint
             Clare
             who
             hauing
             made
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             vpon
             him
             ,
             the
             stone
             incontinently
             fell
             out
             of
             his
             nose
             ,
             and
             he
             was
             perfectly
             well
             .
          
           
             Another
             child
             likewise
             of
             Perusia
             hauing
             a
             filme
             vpon
             his
             eyes
             was
             brought
             to
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             who
             touching
             the
             eye
             of
             the
             child
             ,
             and
             making
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             thereupon
             ,
             willed
             thē
             that
             had
             presented
             the
             child
             vnto
             her
             to
             carry
             it
             vnto
             her
             Mother
             Hortulana
             ,
             that
             she
             might
             also
             make
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             vpon
             it
             ,
             which
             hauing
             done
             the
             eye
             became
             cleere
             ,
             and
             being
             
             purged
             of
             the
             filme
             that
             obscured
             it
             ,
             he
             was
             presently
             cured
             :
             wherupon
             S.
             Clare
             affirmed
             ,
             that
             this
             miracle
             was
             wrought
             by
             the
             merits
             of
             her
             mother
             ,
             who
             finding
             such
             glory
             to
             be
             attributed
             vnto
             her
             ,
             reputed
             herselfe
             vnworthy
             thereof
             .
          
           
             One
             of
             her
             Religious
             called
             Beneuenta
             ,
             hauing
             had
             for
             12.
             yeares
             togeather
             an
             impostume
             vnder
             her
             arme
             ,
             which
             did
             purge
             by
             fiue
             seuerall
             issues
             ,
             S.
             Clare
             had
             compassion
             therof
             ,
             and
             made
             vpon
             her
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             holy
             Crosse
             ,
             then
             with
             her
             owne
             hands
             taking
             away
             the
             playster
             ,
             she
             was
             cured
             of
             her
             long
             continued
             soares
             .
             Another
             of
             her
             Religious
             called
             Amia
             ,
             being
             for
             more
             then
             a
             yeares
             space
             afflicted
             with
             the
             dropsy
             ,
             togeather
             
             with
             an
             extreme
             paine
             in
             her
             sides
             ,
             and
             a
             burning
             feuer
             ,
             S.
             Clare
             conceiued
             a
             very
             strong
             compassion
             of
             her
             ,
             and
             therefore
             hauing
             recourse
             to
             her
             noble
             and
             infallible
             medicine
             ,
             she
             made
             vpon
             her
             body
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             holy
             Crosse
             in
             the
             name
             of
             her
             beloued
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Religious
             was
             perfectly
             cured
             .
             Another
             seruant
             of
             God
             borne
             at
             Perusia
             had
             for
             two
             years
             togeather
             so
             lost
             her
             voice
             ,
             that
             one
             could
             scarsely
             heare
             her
             speak
             ;
             but
             hauing
             vnderstood
             by
             a
             vision
             which
             she
             had
             the
             night
             of
             the
             assumption
             of
             our
             blessed
             Lady
             ,
             that
             S.
             Clare
             should
             cure
             her
             ,
             the
             poore
             afflicted
             creature
             hauing
             very
             patiently
             expected
             the
             breake
             of
             day
             ,
             repayred
             with
             a
             strong
             confidence
             vnto
             that
             holy
             virgin
             ,
             and
             
             by
             signes
             craued
             her
             benediction
             ,
             which
             fauour
             hauing
             obtained
             ,
             her
             voice
             ,
             which
             so
             long
             time
             she
             had
             wanted
             ,
             became
             as
             cleere
             and
             shrill
             as
             euer
             it
             had
             byn
             .
          
           
             Another
             Religious
             called
             Christina
             ,
             that
             had
             bin
             long
             time
             deafe
             in
             one
             of
             her
             eares
             ,
             and
             hauing
             in
             vaine
             tryed
             many
             remedies
             ,
             Saint
             Clare
             making
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             crosse
             vpon
             her
             head
             ,
             and
             with
             her
             hand
             touching
             her
             care
             ,
             she
             recouered
             her
             hearing
             as
             perfectly
             and
             clearly
             as
             before
             .
             Another
             Religious
             call
             Andrea
             had
             a
             disease
             in
             her
             throat
             ,
             the
             griefe
             wherof
             procured
             her
             much
             impatience
             :
             it
             being
             admirable
             ,
             that
             among
             so
             many
             prayers
             inflamed
             with
             diuine
             loue
             ,
             their
             should
             be
             a
             soule
             so
             could
             ,
             &
             among
             such
             prudent
             virgins
             one
             so
             
             indiscret
             and
             moderate
             .
          
           
             This
             Religious
             feeling
             herselfe
             one
             night
             more
             tormented
             with
             her
             infirmity
             then
             ordinarily
             ,
             afflicted
             &
             impatient
             ,
             that
             her
             paine
             did
             rather
             increase
             then
             diminish
             ,
             she
             so
             crushed
             and
             pressed
             her
             throat
             ,
             making
             thereby
             appeare
             her
             intention
             to
             choake
             herselfe
             ,
             thinking
             by
             violence
             to
             expell
             that
             swelling
             ,
             so
             to
             auoid
             longer
             torment
             ,
             &
             through
             ignorance
             attempting
             to
             do
             more
             then
             was
             the
             will
             of
             God.
             But
             whiles
             that
             poore
             Religious
             busied
             herselfe
             in
             this
             folly
             ,
             Saint
             Clare
             by
             diuine
             inspiration
             had
             knowledge
             thereof
             ,
             wherfore
             calling
             one
             of
             her
             Religious
             ,
             she
             vvilled
             her
             to
             hasten
             downe
             ,
             boyle
             an
             egge
             in
             the
             shell
             ,
             &
             cause
             sister
             Andrea
             to
             swallow
             it
             ,
             which
             
             done
             to
             bring
             her
             to
             her
             presence
             .
             The
             Religious
             instantly
             dressed
             the
             egge
             ,
             and
             forth
             with
             brought
             it
             to
             the
             sicke
             party
             ,
             whome
             she
             found
             little
             better
             then
             dead
             ,
             hauing
             so
             crushed
             her
             throat
             ,
             that
             her
             speach
             was
             vtterly
             gone
             ,
             yet
             she
             made
             her
             swallow
             the
             egge
             so
             well
             as
             she
             could
             ,
             then
             raysing
             her
             from
             her
             straw
             bed
             ,
             she
             with
             much
             labour
             led
             her
             to
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             who
             thus
             spake
             vnto
             her
             ;
             Wretched
             sister
             confesse
             thee
             to
             God
             ,
             &
             haue
             contrition
             ,
             for
             what
             thou
             intendest
             to
             doe
             ,
             &
             acknovvledge
             that
             Iesus
             Christ
             wil
             giue
             thee
             health
             far
             better
             ,
             then
             thou
             with
             thine
             owne
             handes
             hadst
             purposed
             to
             doe
             :
             change
             this
             euill
             life
             into
             a
             better
             ,
             for
             thou
             shalt
             neuer
             recouer
             another
             sicknes
             that
             shal
             succeed
             this
             ,
             
             but
             shalt
             dye
             therof
             .
             These
             words
             procured
             in
             this
             Religious
             a
             spirit
             of
             compunction
             and
             contrition
             ,
             so
             that
             she
             being
             intierly
             cured
             of
             this
             grieuous
             infirmity
             ,
             amended
             her
             life
             ,
             falling
             a
             little
             after
             into
             another
             sicknes
             ,
             which
             Saint
             Clare
             had
             foretold
             ,
             wherof
             she
             ended
             her
             life
             piously
             .
          
           
             It
             doth
             manifestly
             appeare
             by
             these
             examples
             ,
             and
             by
             many
             other
             marueylous
             thinges
             ,
             that
             the
             tree
             of
             the
             Crosse
             of
             our
             blessed
             Sauiour
             Iesus
             Christ
             was
             deeply
             planted
             in
             her
             hart
             ,
             &
             that
             in
             a
             meruailous
             māner
             the
             fruits
             therof
             did
             interiourly
             recreate
             her
             soule
             ,
             sith
             the
             leaues
             did
             worke
             exteriourly
             such
             remedies
             by
             the
             hands
             &
             merits
             of
             his
             glorious
             Saint
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               Saint
               Clare
               blessed
               bread
               ,
               vpon
               which
               the
               signe
               of
               the
               Crosse
               miraculously
               remayned
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXI
             .
          
           
             SAINT
             Clare
             was
             a
             disciple
             of
             the
             Crosse
             ,
             and
             of
             so
             notable
             same
             &
             sanctity
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             great
             Prelates
             &
             Cardinalls
             much
             desired
             to
             see
             her
             ,
             to
             heare
             and
             discourse
             with
             her
             ,
             for
             which
             cause
             they
             often
             visited
             her
             ;
             but
             the
             Pope
             himselfe
             bare
             her
             also
             this
             affection
             ,
             in
             so
             much
             that
             Pope
             Innocent
             the
             fourth
             repayred
             to
             her
             monastery
             ,
             to
             heare
             of
             her
             ,
             as
             a
             secretary
             of
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             celestiall
             and
             diuine
             discourses
             .
             And
             hauing
             a
             
             long
             time
             conferred
             with
             her
             of
             matters
             of
             saluation
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             prayses
             of
             God
             ,
             whiles
             they
             intertayned
             themselues
             in
             so
             pious
             a
             discourse
             ,
             S.
             Clare
             caused
             dinner
             to
             be
             prepared
             ,
             and
             the
             tables
             for
             the
             Religious
             to
             be
             couered
             ,
             causing
             bread
             to
             be
             brought
             thither
             ,
             with
             intention
             to
             procure
             the
             vicar
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             to
             blesse
             it
             ,
             to
             be
             afterwards
             kept
             of
             deuotion
             .
             Their
             discourse
             then
             being
             ended
             ,
             S.
             Clare
             fell
             vpō
             her
             knees
             before
             the
             Pope
             ,
             beseeching
             him
             to
             blesse
             the
             bread
             .
             vvhereto
             his
             holines
             ansvvered
             :
             daughter
             Clare
             ,
             I
             will
             that
             you
             blesse
             it
             your selfe
             making
             therupon
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             :
             the
             Saint
             therto
             answered
             ,
             most
             holy
             Father
             ,
             pardon
             me
             if
             you
             please
             ,
             for
             if
             I
             should
             doe
             it
             ,
             I
             should
             deserue
             sharpe
             reprehension
             ,
             
             in
             presuming
             to
             giue
             my
             benedictiō
             in
             presence
             of
             your
             holines
             .
             The
             Pope
             againe
             replyed
             :
             well
             ,
             that
             no
             presumption
             be
             imputed
             vnto
             you
             ,
             and
             that
             you
             may
             merit
             thereby
             ,
             I
             command
             you
             by
             holy
             Obedience
             to
             blesse
             these
             loues
             ,
             making
             vpon
             them
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             .
             This
             daughter
             of
             obedience
             lifted
             vp
             her
             hand
             ,
             making
             the
             signe
             of
             the
             Crosse
             vpon
             the
             bread
             ;
             whence
             insued
             an
             admirable
             accident
             ,
             for
             the
             Crosse
             remayned
             vpon
             the
             bread
             ,
             whereof
             part
             was
             eaten
             of
             deuotion
             ,
             &
             the
             rest
             reserued
             as
             a
             holy
             Relique
             ,
             which
             euent
             filled
             the
             Pope
             with
             admiration
             ,
             for
             which
             he
             gaue
             thankes
             to
             God
             ;
             then
             gaue
             his
             benediction
             to
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             who
             receiued
             it
             with
             great
             humility
             ,
             and
             was
             
             much
             comforted
             withall
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Of
               many
               infirmityes
               of
               the
               glorious
               virgin
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               :
               of
               her
               weakenes
               ;
               and
               how
               she
               was
               visited
               by
               the
               Protectour
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXII
             .
          
           
             THE
             Glorious
             virgin
             S.
             Clare
             had
             now
             forty
             yeares
             run
             the
             race
             of
             the
             most
             eminent
             vertue
             and
             practise
             of
             pouerty
             ,
             hauing
             broken
             the
             alabaster
             of
             her
             body
             in
             the
             most
             strict
             prison
             by
             fasting
             and
             rigorous
             disciplines
             ,
             and
             by
             this
             meanes
             filled
             the
             house
             of
             the
             holy
             Church
             with
             the
             most
             pretious
             oyntment
             of
             her
             vertues
             ,
             wherwith
             she
             drew
             after
             her
             an
             infinit
             
             number
             of
             soules
             to
             the
             seruice
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
             And
             as
             she
             already
             approached
             to
             the
             recompence
             of
             eternall
             glory
             ,
             hauing
             supported
             diuers
             infirmities
             ,
             and
             consumed
             the
             forces
             of
             her
             body
             in
             her
             first
             yeares
             by
             the
             rigour
             of
             pennance
             ,
             she
             was
             also
             in
             her
             latter
             dayes
             oppressed
             ,
             and
             afflicted
             with
             diuers
             grieuous
             sicknesses
             .
             And
             because
             in
             the
             time
             of
             her
             health
             she
             was
             also
             enriched
             in
             such
             sort
             with
             the
             merit
             of
             good
             workes
             ,
             that
             being
             sicke
             she
             gayned
             the
             true
             riches
             of
             the
             merits
             of
             patience
             ,
             she
             yet
             inioyed
             the
             fruits
             of
             her
             vertues
             ,
             that
             were
             ripened
             in
             afflictions
             and
             molestations
             ,
             occasioned
             by
             diuersity
             of
             diseases
             .
             But
             the
             vertue
             of
             her
             patience
             doth
             euidently
             appeare
             ,
             in
             that
             hauing
             
             byn
             twenty
             eight
             yeares
             togeather
             afflicted
             with
             diuers
             diseases
             ,
             she
             was
             neuer
             heard
             to
             vtter
             the
             least
             murmure
             or
             complaint
             :
             but
             continually
             were
             heard
             to
             proceed
             out
             of
             her
             mouth
             pious
             wordes
             ,
             and
             thankes-giuing
             to
             Almighty
             God.
             
          
           
             Now
             being
             exceedingly
             weakened
             with
             infirmity
             ,
             and
             euery
             moment
             seeming
             to
             her
             the
             drawing
             on
             of
             her
             life
             towardes
             an
             end
             ,
             it
             pleased
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             to
             prolonge
             it
             ,
             till
             she
             might
             be
             visited
             by
             the
             eminent
             Prelates
             of
             the
             Roman
             Church
             ,
             wherof
             she
             was
             a
             seruant
             ,
             and
             a
             speciall
             child
             ;
             for
             the
             Pope
             being
             yet
             at
             Lyons
             ,
             and
             this
             Saint
             beginning
             to
             be
             more
             tormented
             with
             her
             infirmities
             ,
             then
             she
             was
             accustomed
             to
             be
             ,
             a
             sword
             of
             sorrow
             pierced
             through
             
             the
             soule
             of
             her
             beloued
             daughters
             .
             But
             a
             virgin
             ,
             seruant
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             a
             very
             deuout
             Religious
             of
             the
             monastery
             of
             S.
             Paul
             ,
             and
             order
             of
             S.
             Benedict
             ,
             had
             at
             that
             time
             this
             vision
             following
             .
             It
             seemed
             to
             her
             that
             she
             did
             visit
             S.
             Clare
             with
             all
             her
             sisters
             at
             Saint
             Damian
             ,
             whome
             she
             saw
             in
             a
             sorrowfull
             ,
             yet
             pretious
             bed
             ,
             about
             which
             they
             all
             lamented
             expecting
             her
             death
             ,
             and
             withall
             she
             saw
             come
             to
             the
             bolster
             of
             the
             sayd
             bed
             a
             very
             beautifull
             woman
             ,
             who
             sayd
             to
             them
             that
             wept
             ▪
             my
             daughters
             weep
             not
             for
             her
             that
             is
             yet
             to
             liue
             ,
             for
             she
             cannot
             dye
             ,
             till
             our
             Lord
             and
             all
             his
             disciples
             doe
             come
             .
             A
             little
             after
             the
             Roman
             Court
             came
             to
             Perusia
             ,
             where
             the
             increase
             of
             
               S.
               Clares
            
             sicknes
             being
             diuulged
             ,
             the
             Cardinall
             
             of
             Hostia
             hastened
             with
             great
             diligence
             to
             visit
             the
             Espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             whose
             Father
             he
             was
             by
             office
             ,
             gouernour
             by
             speciall
             sollicitude
             ,
             fosterer
             and
             friend
             in
             most
             pure
             and
             chast
             amity
             ;
             &
             he
             comforted
             her
             ,
             and
             vvith
             his
             ovvne
             handes
             administring
             vnto
             her
             the
             most
             blessed
             Sacrament
             of
             the
             Eucharist
             ;
             and
             then
             made
             a
             very
             deuout
             sermon
             to
             the
             Religious
             ,
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             with
             great
             humility
             ,
             &
             in
             the
             name
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             beseeching
             him
             to
             accept
             into
             his
             Protection
             that
             her
             family
             ,
             &
             all
             her
             other
             poore
             sisters
             of
             other
             monasteries
             ;
             but
             aboue
             all
             she
             most
             instantly
             besought
             him
             ,
             obtaine
             of
             the
             Pope
             ,
             &
             the
             Colledge
             of
             Cardinalls
             ,
             a
             priuiledge
             &
             confirmation
             of
             holy
             pouerty
             ,
             
             Whereto
             the
             Cardinall
             gaue
             his
             word
             ,
             &
             as
             a
             faithfull
             Father
             of
             her
             Religiō
             ,
             &
             one
             most
             deuout
             &
             affectionate
             to
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             ,
             did
             afterwardes
             effect
             it
             :
             for
             Pope
             Innocent
             the
             fourth
             at
             her
             most
             instant
             request
             ,
             confirmed
             the
             Rule
             ,
             which
             the
             holy
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             had
             instituted
             for
             her
             ,
             as
             is
             formerly
             recorded
             ,
             wherof
             S.
             Clare
             had
             neuer
             vntill
             then
             other
             confirmation
             written
             but
             that
             of
             the
             said
             Cardinall
             ,
             because
             the
             Popes
             supposing
             to
             induce
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             not
             to
             bynd
             her
             Religious
             to
             such
             an
             extreme
             pouerty
             ,
             did
             still
             deferre
             to
             confirme
             her
             Rule
             by
             writing
             .
             But
             Innocent
             the
             fourth
             seing
             the
             perseuerance
             ,
             &
             last
             will
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             graunted
             the
             same
             vnto
             her
             by
             a
             Bull
             ,
             the
             eleuenth
             ,
             and
             last
             yeare
             of
             his
             
             reigne
             ,
             as
             we
             haue
             before
             recorded
             .
             And
             the
             yeare
             being
             almost
             expired
             ,
             the
             Pope
             came
             with
             his
             Cardinalls
             from
             Perusia
             to
             Assisium
             ;
             whereby
             the
             first
             vision
             touching
             the
             death
             of
             the
             holy
             virgin
             was
             accomplished
             .
             For
             the
             Pope
             being
             in
             his
             office
             more
             then
             a
             mā
             ,
             by
             the
             authority
             which
             he
             hath
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             vpō
             earth
             ,
             whose
             person
             he
             representeth
             in
             the
             temple
             of
             the
             Church
             militant
             ,
             the
             Cardinalls
             accompanying
             his
             Holines
             ,
             represented
             the
             disciples
             of
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               Pope
               Innocent
               the
               fourth
               visited
               Saint
               Clare
               in
               her
               last
               sicknes
               ,
               and
               gaue
               her
               absolution
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXIII
             .
          
           
             THE
             diuine
             prouidence
             wold
             no
             longer
             deferre
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             the
             will
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             but
             her
             Spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             came
             to
             eleuate
             into
             his
             celestiall
             pallace
             his
             poore
             Espouse
             &
             Pilgrime
             vpon
             earth
             ,
             who
             desired
             nothing
             more
             ▪
             that
             being
             deliuered
             of
             this
             mortall
             body
             ,
             she
             might
             haue
             the
             sight
             ,
             &
             full
             fruition
             of
             her
             most
             glorious
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             in
             his
             celestiall
             Kingdome
             .
             
             Now
             then
             the
             members
             of
             this
             sacred
             virgin
             being
             by
             continuance
             of
             her
             sicknes
             wholy
             decayed
             ,
             there
             befell
             her
             a
             new
             weakenes
             ,
             which
             being
             an
             euident
             token
             that
             she
             should
             in
             short
             time
             be
             called
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             she
             vsed
             as
             a
             ladder
             to
             mount
             vp
             to
             eternall
             saluation
             :
             wherupon
             Pope
             Innocent
             the
             forth
             came
             to
             the
             monastery
             of
             
               S.
               Damian
            
             ,
             accompanyed
             with
             many
             Cardinalls
             ,
             to
             visit
             the
             seruant
             of
             God
             ,
             not
             doubting
             but
             she
             ,
             whose
             life
             he
             had
             already
             approued
             ,
             was
             the
             most
             perfect
             in
             sanctity
             of
             all
             vvomen
             of
             his
             tyme
             ;
             and
             therefore
             worthy
             to
             haue
             her
             death
             honored
             by
             his
             presence
             .
             His
             holines
             then
             being
             entred
             ,
             he
             went
             directly
             to
             the
             glorious
             Virgin
             ,
             &
             comming
             neere
             to
             her
             bed
             ,
             he
             gaue
             her
             his
             
             hand
             to
             kisse
             ,
             which
             fauour
             Saint
             Clare
             vvith
             exceeding
             ioy
             receiued
             .
          
           
             But
             besides
             that
             ,
             she
             with
             great
             humility
             besought
             him
             to
             affoard
             her
             his
             feete
             to
             kisse
             :
             the
             Pope
             to
             content
             her
             sat
             downe
             vpon
             a
             little
             bench
             ,
             and
             deuoutly
             presented
             vnto
             her
             his
             Apostolicall
             feete
             ,
             vpon
             which
             this
             glorious
             Saint
             reuerently
             layd
             her
             face
             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
             answered
             :
             would
             to
             God
             my
             deare
             sister
             ,
             I
             had
             no
             more
             need
             of
             such
             a
             pardon
             :
             but
             finally
             he
             gaue
             her
             the
             benefit
             of
             absolution
             ,
             &
             the
             gift
             of
             his
             benediction
             ,
             &
             then
             left
             her
             in
             peace
             .
          
           
           
             She
             hauing
             that
             morning
             receiued
             the
             most
             sacred
             communion
             at
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             Prouinciall
             of
             the
             Friars
             Minors
             of
             that
             Prouince
             ,
             with
             her
             hands
             ioyned
             togeather
             ,
             &
             her
             eyes
             eleuated
             towards
             heauen
             ,
             she
             weeping
             said
             to
             her
             Religious
             :
             My
             daughters
             ,
             prayse
             Almighty
             God
             for
             the
             benefit
             it
             hath
             pleased
             him
             to
             bestow
             vpon
             me
             this
             day
             ,
             which
             is
             such
             ,
             that
             the
             heauens
             &
             the
             earth
             are
             not
             sufficient
             to
             recompence
             it
             ,
             sith
             this
             day
             I
             haue
             both
             receiued
             my
             Lord
             God
             ,
             &
             am
             made
             worthy
             to
             see
             his
             Vicar
             vpon
             earth
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               comforted
               her
               sister
               S.
               Agnes
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXIIII
             .
          
           
             THE
             daughters
             were
             all
             about
             their
             mother
             ,
             without
             whom
             they
             were
             in
             a
             short
             tyme
             to
             remaine
             as
             orphans
             ;
             the
             consideration
             whereof
             deeply
             pierced
             their
             soules
             with
             a
             most
             bitter
             griefe
             ,
             that
             neyther
             heauines
             of
             sleep
             ,
             nor
             hunger
             could
             withdraw
             thē
             frō
             the
             presence
             of
             their
             mother
             ;
             the
             present
             contentment
             ,
             which
             they
             receiued
             in
             beholding
             her
             ,
             making
             them
             forget
             to
             eate
             and
             sleep
             ,
             because
             al
             their
             exercise
             was
             to
             weep
             ,
             and
             particulerly
             her
             most
             deuout
             sister
             Agnes
             ,
             who
             was
             expresly
             
             come
             from
             the
             monasterv
             ,
             which
             she
             had
             newly
             erected
             at
             Florence
             to
             be
             present
             at
             her
             death
             .
          
           
             Being
             then
             in
             this
             anguish
             ,
             she
             turned
             to
             wardes
             her
             sister
             ,
             &
             most
             instantly
             prayed
             her
             ,
             not
             to
             depriue
             her
             of
             her
             presence
             :
             wherto
             Saint
             Clare
             answered
             ,
             Deare
             sister
             ,
             whome
             I
             cordially
             loue
             ,
             sith
             it
             hath
             pleased
             God
             that
             I
             depart
             ,
             be
             you
             ioyfull
             ,
             &
             weep
             no
             more
             ,
             for
             I
             answere
             you
             ,
             our
             Lord
             will
             shortly
             come
             to
             you
             ,
             to
             visit
             you
             with
             an
             exceeding
             consolation
             before
             your
             death
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               death
               of
               the
               blessed
               Virgin
               S.
               Clare
               :
               and
               of
               a
               vision
               ,
               which
               one
               of
               her
               Religious
               saw
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXV
             .
          
           
             THE
             holy
             virgin
             ,
             and
             seruant
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             was
             many
             dayes
             to
             wards
             the
             end
             of
             her
             life
             afflicted
             with
             diuers
             diseases
             ,
             the
             fayth
             and
             deuotion
             ,
             which
             at
             that
             time
             ech
             one
             bare
             her
             ,
             exceedingly
             increasing
             ,
             yea
             so
             farre
             forth
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             honored
             as
             a
             Saint
             ,
             being
             ordinarily
             visited
             by
             Cardinalls
             ,
             and
             other
             Prelates
             :
             but
             which
             is
             more
             admirable
             to
             heare
             ,
             hauing
             byn
             seauēteene
             dayes
             without
             force
             to
             receiue
             any
             sustenance
             
             that
             was
             presented
             vnto
             her
             ,
             she
             vvas
             neuertheles
             so
             fortified
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             incouraged
             of
             his
             diuine
             maiesty
             ,
             that
             she
             exhorted
             all
             those
             that
             would
             comfort
             her
             ,
             to
             be
             prompt
             in
             the
             seruice
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             A
             Religious
             man
             intending
             to
             comfort
             her
             ,
             and
             to
             perswade
             her
             to
             haue
             patience
             in
             so
             grieuous
             a
             sicknes
             ,
             that
             procured
             her
             so
             much
             torment
             ,
             she
             with
             a
             smiling
             countenance
             ,
             and
             cleare
             voice
             answered
             him
             :
             brother
             ,
             since
             the
             time
             that
             I
             knew
             the
             grace
             of
             my
             God
             ,
             by
             the
             meanes
             of
             his
             most
             humble
             seruant
             Saint
             Francis
             ,
             no
             payne
             hath
             byn
             troublesome
             vnto
             me
             ,
             no
             pēnance
             hath
             seemed
             difficult
             ,
             nor
             any
             sicknes
             irksome
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             almighty
             God
             approached
             neere
             vnto
             her
             ,
             and
             her
             soule
             
             being
             as
             it
             were
             at
             the
             doore
             to
             goe
             forth
             ,
             the
             blessed
             virgin
             wold
             haue
             the
             most
             pious
             and
             spirituall
             Friars
             Minors
             to
             be
             present
             ,
             to
             discourse
             vnto
             her
             of
             the
             dolorous
             and
             bitter
             passion
             of
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             &
             by
             their
             pious
             words
             to
             inflame
             her
             hart
             more
             in
             the
             loue
             of
             God
             :
             wherfore
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             who
             were
             vnto
             her
             true
             brethren
             in
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             were
             present
             ,
             and
             among
             other
             brother
             Iuniperus
             ,
             the
             familiar
             of
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             who
             often
             vttered
             vnto
             her
             such
             fiery
             and
             inflamed
             words
             of
             the
             omnipotent
             God
             ,
             that
             she
             by
             his
             presence
             being
             filled
             with
             an
             extreme
             ioy
             ,
             one
             day
             demaunded
             of
             him
             ,
             if
             he
             then
             ,
             knevv
             nothing
             new
             from
             almighty
             God
             :
             wherupon
             brother
             Iuniperus
             opening
             
             his
             mouth
             to
             answere
             her
             ,
             there
             issued
             out
             of
             the
             fornace
             of
             his
             inflamed
             hart
             ,
             infinite
             sparkes
             of
             such
             sublime
             wordes
             ,
             that
             this
             holy
             virgin
             receiued
             therof
             much
             consolation
             .
             Finally
             turning
             her
             Angelicall
             face
             towardes
             her
             deare
             and
             beloued
             daughters
             &
             sisters
             there
             present
             ,
             all
             of
             them
             bitterly
             weeping
             ,
             she
             recommended
             vnto
             them
             the
             pouerty
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             in
             this
             her
             last
             passage
             ,
             praysing
             and
             thanking
             God
             for
             the
             infinit
             benefitts
             ,
             which
             they
             had
             receiued
             of
             his
             diuine
             maiesty
             ,
             which
             she
             particulerly
             recounted
             vnto
             them
             ;
             then
             she
             gaue
             them
             all
             her
             benediction
             ,
             and
             also
             to
             all
             the
             Religious
             of
             her
             monastery
             present
             and
             absent
             ,
             &
             likewise
             to
             all
             those
             ,
             who
             should
             hereafter
             enter
             into
             her
             order
             .
          
           
           
             There
             were
             present
             two
             companions
             of
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             to
             wit
             brother
             Angelus
             ,
             who
             though
             much
             afflicted
             ,
             did
             yet
             comfort
             the
             others
             ,
             &
             the
             right
             simple
             brother
             Leo
             ,
             who
             ceased
             not
             to
             kisse
             the
             bed
             of
             the
             holy
             virgin
             who
             was
             leauing
             the
             world
             ,
             &
             was
             much
             lamēted
             of
             her
             daughters
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             left
             orphanes
             ,
             and
             were
             no
             more
             in
             this
             life
             to
             see
             their
             most
             holy
             mother
             ,
             and
             therfore
             they
             accompanyed
             her
             soule
             to
             heauen
             with
             aboundance
             of
             teares
             ,
             without
             power
             to
             admit
             any
             other
             consolation
             ,
             then
             to
             desire
             to
             goe
             with
             her
             :
             wher
             with
             being
             so
             afflicted
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             without
             difficulty
             forbeare
             with
             their
             nailes
             to
             rent
             their
             faces
             ,
             but
             not
             being
             permitted
             them
             to
             discharge
             themselues
             of
             such
             griefe
             
             exteriourly
             ,
             it
             did
             inflame
             in
             them
             a
             more
             burning
             fire
             within
             :
             for
             those
             Espouses
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             were
             sufficiently
             mortifyed
             by
             rigour
             of
             Religion
             ,
             albeit
             the
             force
             of
             griefe
             did
             constreine
             them
             to
             cast
             forth
             lowd
             cryes
             and
             sighes
             ,
             and
             to
             powre
             out
             riuers
             of
             teares
             .
             The
             holy
             virgin
             at
             length
             being
             turned
             towardes
             them
             ,
             began
             very
             sweetly
             to
             say
             vnto
             her
             soule
             ,
             Go
             my
             soule
             ,
             go
             out
             securely
             ,
             thou
             hast
             an
             assured
             guide
             to
             performe
             this
             voiage
             ▪
             for
             he
             who
             is
             thy
             Creatour
             hath
             sanctifyed
             thee
             ,
             and
             hath
             alwayes
             cōserued
             thee
             ,
             affecting
             thee
             with
             a
             tender
             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
             ment
             thereby
             ,
             she
             answered
             ;
             I
             speake
             to
             my
             blessed
             soule
             ;
             her
             most
             glorious
             spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             not
             being
             far
             from
             her
             ,
             attending
             for
             her
             :
             then
             turning
             to
             one
             of
             her
             Religious
             she
             sayd
             :
             doe
             you
             not
             see
             my
             daughter
             the
             King
             of
             glory
             whome
             I
             see
             ?
             Almighty
             God
             also
             laid
             his
             hand
             vpō
             another
             Religious
             ,
             who
             saw
             with
             her
             corporall
             eyes
             through
             the
             teares
             that
             distilled
             from
             them
             a
             glorious
             vision
             ;
             she
             being
             pierced
             through
             with
             the
             dart
             of
             sorrow
             ,
             cast
             her
             eyes
             towards
             the
             gate
             of
             the
             house
             ,
             &
             saw
             to
             enter
             a
             great
             processiō
             of
             sacred
             virgins
             richly
             cloathed
             in
             white
             ,
             hauing
             ech
             one
             a
             crowne
             of
             gold
             vpon
             their
             head
             :
             but
             one
             of
             them
             appeared
             more
             beautifull
             ,
             sumptuous
             ,
             and
             glittering
             then
             the
             rest
             ,
             
             hauing
             vpon
             her
             head
             an
             imperiall
             Crowne
             garnished
             with
             pretious
             stones
             ,
             from
             whose
             countenance
             proceeded
             a
             light
             so
             shining
             ,
             that
             it
             conuerted
             the
             obscurity
             of
             the
             night
             into
             cleare
             and
             bright
             day
             ,
             it
             being
             without
             doubt
             the
             most
             glorious
             virgin
             Mary
             ,
             Queene
             of
             virgins
             ,
             who
             came
             to
             the
             bed
             of
             the
             Espouse
             of
             her
             Sonne
             ,
             to
             whome
             inclyning
             she
             most
             gratiously
             imbraced
             her
             ,
             and
             incontinently
             she
             was
             couered
             &
             the
             bed
             also
             by
             the
             other
             virgins
             vvith
             an
             extreme
             sumptuous
             mantle
             :
             so
             the
             day
             following
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             eleuenth
             of
             August
             ,
             her
             holy
             soule
             ascēded
             to
             heauen
             ,
             there
             to
             be
             crowned
             with
             perpetuall
             glory
             .
          
           
             Happy
             was
             her
             departure
             out
             of
             this
             miserable
             life
             ,
             sith
             it
             was
             the
             entry
             
             into
             that
             of
             eternall
             felicity
             :
             for
             the
             fastes
             ,
             which
             this
             Saint
             performed
             in
             this
             exile
             ,
             she
             is
             now
             ioiful
             ,
             hauing
             her
             fill
             at
             the
             magnificall
             table
             of
             the
             Cittizens
             of
             heauen
             ;
             &
             for
             the
             humility
             and
             basenes
             of
             her
             habit
             ,
             she
             is
             now
             gloriously
             attired
             with
             the
             glory
             of
             paradise
             .
             The
             continuall
             sighes
             &
             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
             blind
             and
             miserable
             mortall
             Creatures
             ,
             reiecting
             these
             short
             ,
             false
             ,
             and
             deceiptfull
             pleasures
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             may
             purchase
             the
             permanent
             ,
             true
             ,
             &
             assured
             delightes
             that
             indure
             eternally
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               honorable
               obsequies
               that
               were
               performed
               for
               Saint
               Clare
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXVI
             .
          
           
             VVHILES
             the
             soule
             of
             S.
             Clare
             departed
             this
             life
             ,
             the
             report
             of
             her
             decease
             was
             incontinently
             diuulged
             through
             Assisium
             ,
             frō
             whence
             both
             men
             and
             women
             in
             such
             aboundance
             speedily
             flocked
             to
             the
             monastery
             ,
             that
             none
             seemed
             to
             be
             left
             in
             the
             Citty
             ,
             each
             one
             presently
             esteeming
             her
             a
             Saint
             ,
             calling
             her
             the
             Espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             accōpanying
             their
             discourses
             with
             great
             a
             boundance
             of
             teares
             of
             deuotion
             .
             The
             officers
             of
             iustice
             repayred
             
             thither
             accompanyed
             with
             many
             warlike
             Champions
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             number
             of
             armed
             men
             ,
             which
             that
             night
             guarded
             the
             monastery
             ,
             for
             feare
             that
             pretious
             treasure
             might
             be
             bereaued
             thē
             .
             The
             night
             following
             ,
             the
             Pope
             with
             all
             his
             court
             came
             thither
             ,
             accompanyed
             withall
             the
             neighbour
             people
             .
          
           
             The
             Religious
             men
             of
             S.
             Damian
             being
             ready
             to
             begin
             the
             office
             of
             the
             dead
             ,
             the
             Pope
             would
             haue
             had
             said
             the
             office
             of
             the
             holy
             virgins
             ,
             wherin
             he
             would
             haue
             canonized
             her
             before
             her
             buriall
             :
             but
             the
             Cardinall
             of
             Hostia
             hauing
             demonstrated
             vnto
             him
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             fitting
             in
             this
             affayre
             to
             proceed
             with
             more
             humane
             prudence
             ,
             the
             Pope
             permitted
             the
             said
             Religious
             solemnely
             to
             proceed
             in
             the
             office
             
             of
             the
             dead
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             ordinary
             &
             accustomed
             manner
             .
          
           
             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
             exceedingly
             exalted
             that
             most
             eminent
             contemner
             of
             vanities
             which
             ended
             ,
             all
             the
             Cardinalls
             and
             other
             Prelates
             accompanyed
             her
             holy
             body
             with
             an
             exemplar
             deuotion
             .
             All
             the
             funeralls
             being
             very
             solemnely
             ended
             ,
             then
             Cittizens
             of
             Assisiū
             thinking
             it
             not
             secure
             ,
             that
             this
             pretious
             treasure
             should
             remaine
             so
             far
             out
             of
             their
             Citty
             ,
             they
             caused
             her
             holy
             body
             with
             exceeding
             great
             pompe
             to
             be
             transported
             ,
             singing
             psalmes
             and
             Hymnes
             
             with
             the
             sound
             &
             melody
             of
             diuers
             musicall
             instruments
             ,
             in
             a
             very
             solemne
             procession
             ,
             carrying
             it
             into
             the
             Chuch
             of
             Saint
             George
             within
             their
             Citty
             ,
             where
             the
             body
             of
             S.
             Francis
             had
             formerly
             byn
             reposed
             .
             And
             it
             was
             very
             reasonable
             ,
             that
             he
             ,
             who
             in
             his
             life
             had
             giuen
             a
             patterne
             of
             the
             way
             of
             life
             vnto
             this
             holy
             virgin
             ,
             should
             as
             it
             were
             prophetically
             preparre
             her
             a
             place
             of
             sepulture
             .
          
           
             There
             was
             then
             a
             great
             repaire
             and
             confidence
             of
             people
             from
             diuers
             Cittyes
             ,
             townes
             ,
             and
             villages
             vnto
             Assisium
             ,
             to
             thanke
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             pray
             vnto
             this
             blessed
             creature
             ,
             proclayming
             this
             holy
             virgin
             to
             be
             really
             a
             Saint
             &
             glorious
             ,
             who
             now
             liueth
             in
             paradise
             with
             the
             Angells
             ,
             hauing
             bin
             already
             
             so
             much
             honored
             of
             men
             vpon
             earth
             .
             O
             blessed
             virgin
             pray
             now
             to
             God
             for
             vs
             ,
             &
             gayne
             our
             soules
             to
             Iesus
             Christ
             in
             heauen
             ,
             as
             thou
             hast
             conuerted
             and
             gayned
             so
             ma-many
             liuing
             vpon
             earth
             .
             The
             holy
             virgin
             passed
             this
             transitory
             life
             to
             the
             other
             of
             rest
             ,
             the
             yeare
             of
             grace
             1253.
             the
             tweluth
             of
             August
             ,
             forty
             yeares
             after
             her
             perfect
             vocation
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             60.
             yeare
             of
             her
             age
             .
             She
             was
             interred
             the
             12.
             of
             August
             ,
             vpon
             which
             day
             her
             feast
             is
             solemnized
             at
             Assisium
             ,
             and
             ouer
             all
             the
             holy
             Roman
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               miracles
               wrought
               by
               the
               merits
               of
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               :
               and
               first
               of
               possessed
               persons
               that
               haue
               byn
               deliuered
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXVII
             .
          
           
             THE
             chiefest
             marks
             that
             saints
             can
             haue
             ,
             and
             the
             worthyest
             testimonies
             of
             fayth
             and
             reuerence
             ,
             are
             sanctity
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             the
             perfection
             of
             good
             workes
             :
             for
             S.
             
               Iohn
               Baptist
            
             wrought
             no
             miracles
             during
             his
             life
             ,
             and
             yet
             they
             who
             haue
             wrought
             many
             ,
             shall
             not
             be
             esteemed
             more
             holy
             then
             he
             :
             and
             therfore
             the
             notable
             renowne
             of
             the
             Religious
             life
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             might
             suffice
             to
             make
             her
             appeare
             
             such
             as
             she
             is
             ,
             if
             the
             tepidity
             ,
             coldnes
             ,
             and
             remissnes
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             &c
             partly
             also
             deuotion
             did
             not
             otherwise
             require
             .
             But
             since
             this
             holy
             virgin
             was
             not
             only
             in
             her
             lifetime
             by
             her
             merits
             swallowed
             vp
             in
             the
             depth
             of
             diuine
             illuminations
             ,
             but
             was
             also
             after
             her
             death
             a
             meruaylous
             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
             testimonies
             ,
             memory
             ,
             &
             denuntiation
             of
             her
             Sanctity
             :
             therfore
             also
             the
             multitude
             of
             them
             inforce
             me
             to
             recount
             some
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             generally
             diuulged
             &
             knowne
             .
          
           
             A
             Child
             called
             Iames
             ,
             seeming
             not
             so
             sicke
             as
             possessed
             ,
             in
             regard
             that
             somtimes
             he
             cast
             himselfe
             into
             
             the
             fire
             ,
             or
             into
             the
             riuer
             ,
             fell
             rudely
             vpon
             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
             somtimes
             would
             seeme
             a
             monster
             ,
             so
             doubling
             &
             foulding
             his
             members
             ,
             that
             his
             feete
             would
             be
             vpon
             his
             necke
             .
             He
             was
             ordinarily
             twice
             in
             the
             day
             afflicted
             with
             the
             like
             torments
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             two
             persons
             sufficed
             not
             to
             restraine
             him
             from
             tearing
             of
             his
             cloathes
             ,
             yea
             there
             was
             great
             difficulty
             to
             keep
             him
             from
             murdering
             of
             himselfe
             ▪
             Phisitians
             hauing
             in
             vaine
             laboured
             to
             cure
             him
             ,
             at
             length
             his
             Father
             named
             Guidalote
             had
             recourse
             to
             the
             merits
             of
             S
             ▪
             Clare
             ,
             affectionatly
             saying
             :
             O
             holy
             Virgin
             honored
             
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             thee
             I
             addresse
             my selfe
             ,
             beseeching
             thee
             to
             obtaine
             of
             God
             my
             Sonnes
             health
             :
             then
             full
             of
             confidence
             he
             conducted
             him
             to
             the
             sepulcher
             of
             this
             Saint
             ,
             &
             laid
             him
             thereupon
             ,
             and
             he
             presently
             miraculously
             obtained
             the
             fauour
             he
             desired
             ,
             his
             Sonne
             being
             perfectly
             cured
             of
             all
             his
             infirmities
             ,
             &
             was
             neuer
             troubled
             after
             .
          
           
             Alexandrina
             a
             womā
             of
             the
             town
             of
             Frata
             ,
             neere
             to
             Perusia
             ,
             was
             possessed
             and
             tormented
             with
             an
             abhominable
             diuell
             ,
             to
             whose
             power
             she
             was
             so
             left
             ,
             that
             he
             made
             her
             to
             fly
             as
             a
             bird
             to
             the
             top
             of
             a
             rocke
             neere
             to
             the
             riuer
             of
             Tibur
             ,
             then
             made
             her
             descend
             to
             a
             branch
             of
             a
             tree
             that
             did
             hang
             ouer
             the
             said
             riuer
             ,
             thē
             to
             hang
             vpon
             that
             branch
             ,
             there
             playing
             her
             idle
             prankes
             .
             
             This
             woman
             had
             halfe
             her
             body
             vtterly
             benummed
             ,
             for
             which
             the
             Phisitians
             could
             find
             no
             remedy
             :
             at
             length
             she
             came
             with
             great
             deuotion
             to
             the
             shrine
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             and
             inuocating
             her
             merits
             she
             was
             cured
             of
             all
             her
             afflictions
             ;
             hauing
             also
             the
             gout
             in
             her
             left
             hand
             ,
             her
             body
             halfe
             paraliticall
             was
             cured
             ,
             and
             withall
             she
             was
             intierly
             freed
             from
             the
             oppression
             and
             seruitude
             of
             the
             diuell
             .
          
           
             Another
             woman
             of
             the
             same
             place
             was
             cured
             before
             the
             said
             sepulcher
             ,
             who
             was
             in
             like
             sort
             possessed
             with
             the
             diuell
             ,
             &
             had
             withall
             many
             other
             grieuous
             infirmityes
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               many
               that
               were
               miraculously
               cured
               of
               diuers
               diseases
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXVIII
             .
          
           
             A
             French
             Youth
             ,
             going
             to
             Rome
             in
             company
             of
             other
             his
             Countreymen
             ,
             fell
             sicke
             &
             lay
             by
             the
             way
             ,
             loosing
             through
             the
             force
             of
             his
             infirmity
             his
             sense
             and
             speach
             ,
             and
             his
             body
             became
             deformed
             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
             terrify
             them
             :
             and
             therfore
             they
             boūd
             him
             to
             a
             beere
             ,
             &
             carryed
             
             him
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ;
             where
             hauing
             placed
             him
             before
             her
             sepulcher
             ,
             they
             applyed
             themselues
             all
             to
             prayer
             ,
             inuocating
             the
             help
             of
             God
             and
             of
             the
             Saint
             ,
             vvho
             made
             such
             intercessiō
             for
             the
             yong
             man
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             in
             an
             instant
             intierly
             cured
             .
          
           
             A
             man
             of
             the
             Citty
             of
             Spoletuns
             called
             Valentine
             ,
             was
             exceedingly
             afflicted
             with
             the
             falling
             sicknes
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             fell
             six
             times
             a
             day
             in
             whatsoeuer
             place
             he
             was
             ,
             and
             besides
             he
             had
             one
             foote
             so
             wrested
             awry
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             vtterly
             latned
             :
             he
             was
             brought
             vpon
             an
             asse
             to
             the
             sepulcher
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             where
             hauing
             remained
             two
             dayes
             &
             three
             nights
             ,
             the
             third
             day
             attempting
             to
             moue
             his
             lame
             foote
             ,
             and
             none
             being
             neere
             him
             ,
             he
             made
             such
             a
             
             noyse
             ,
             that
             being
             heard
             by
             some
             a
             farre
             off
             ,
             they
             seemed
             to
             heare
             the
             breaking
             of
             a
             piece
             of
             dry
             wood
             ;
             and
             the
             man
             was
             instantly
             cured
             of
             both
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             his
             said
             diseases
             .
          
           
             The
             Sonne
             of
             a
             woman
             of
             Spoletum
             called
             lames
             of
             twelue
             yeares
             old
             being
             blind
             ,
             could
             not
             goe
             without
             a
             guide
             :
             and
             being
             once
             forsaken
             of
             him
             who
             conducted
             him
             ,
             he
             fell
             into
             a
             pit
             ,
             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
             wilt
             come
             to
             me
             to
             Assisium
             I
             will
             cure
             thee
             .
             Arising
             early
             in
             the
             morning
             ,
             he
             much
             admired
             at
             the
             vision
             ,
             which
             he
             recounted
             to
             two
             other
             blind
             men
             ,
             who
             answered
             
             him
             :
             Brother
             we
             haue
             heard
             of
             a
             Lady
             lately
             dead
             in
             the
             Citty
             of
             Assisium
             ,
             at
             whose
             sepulcher
             God
             worketh
             by
             her
             merits
             many
             miracles
             :
             which
             the
             blind
             youth
             hauing
             heard
             ,
             he
             left
             the
             two
             other
             blind
             men
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             strong
             confidence
             hastned
             to
             Assisium
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             way
             he
             lodged
             at
             Spoletum
             ,
             where
             in
             the
             night
             he
             had
             the
             same
             vision
             ,
             which
             increased
             the
             hope
             of
             the
             recouering
             his
             sight
             ,
             and
             made
             him
             hasten
             in
             time
             to
             arriue
             at
             the
             Church
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             where
             finding
             it
             so
             filled
             vvith
             people
             that
             he
             could
             not
             enter
             ,
             was
             greatly
             troubled
             .
          
           
             But
             seing
             no
             remedy
             ,
             he
             rested
             at
             the
             dore
             ,
             and
             there
             remayned
             till
             the
             euening
             ,
             where
             this
             poore
             blind
             youth
             being
             weary
             with
             his
             
             iorney
             ,
             and
             afflicted
             that
             he
             could
             not
             enter
             into
             the
             Church
             ,
             setled
             himselfe
             the
             best
             he
             could
             to
             rest
             vpon
             the
             ground
             ,
             laying
             his
             head
             against
             a
             great
             stone
             ,
             and
             so
             slept
             ,
             and
             presently
             the
             third
             time
             he
             heard
             the
             sayd
             voice
             ,
             speaking
             :
             lames
             ,
             God
             wil
             do
             thee
             good
             ,
             if
             thou
             canst
             enter
             ,
             and
             incontinently
             a
             waking
             out
             of
             that
             sleep
             ,
             he
             began
             to
             cry
             ,
             and
             begge
             of
             the
             people
             with
             aboundance
             of
             teares
             to
             permit
             him
             to
             enter
             ,
             which
             hauing
             a
             long
             time
             continued
             ,
             they
             gaue
             him
             place
             ,
             &
             hauing
             discloathed
             himselfe
             ,
             putting
             his
             girdle
             about
             his
             necke
             ,
             he
             went
             to
             the
             sepulcher
             of
             the
             Saint
             ,
             before
             which
             with
             great
             reuerence
             and
             humility
             her
             fell
             vpon
             his
             knees
             ,
             and
             hauing
             persisted
             somtime
             in
             prayer
             ,
             beseeching
             
             S.
             Clare
             to
             intercede
             for
             him
             ,
             he
             fell
             into
             a
             gentle
             slumber
             ,
             wherin
             S.
             Clare
             appeared
             vnto
             him
             ,
             and
             sayd
             ,
             Arise
             lames
             ,
             for
             thou
             art
             already
             cured
             ,
             and
             being
             awaked
             ,
             and
             raysed
             vpon
             his
             feete
             ,
             the
             defect
             of
             his
             sight
             left
             him
             ,
             &
             by
             the
             vertues
             and
             meritts
             of
             this
             Saint
             he
             clearly
             saw
             ;
             for
             which
             he
             glorifyed
             God
             ,
             and
             gaue
             him
             thankes
             for
             so
             admirable
             a
             work
             ,
             exhorting
             all
             people
             present
             to
             do
             the
             like
             ,
             &
             to
             praise
             our
             Redemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             in
             this
             his
             holy
             seruant
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               the
               lame
               and
               paralitiqes
               cured
               by
               Saint
               Clare
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXIX
             .
          
           
             A
             Cittizen
             of
             Perusia
             called
             
               Iohn-Martin
               de
               Buoni
            
             ,
             went
             one
             time
             with
             many
             other
             Cittizens
             out
             of
             the
             Citty
             to
             fight
             against
             their
             enemies
             of
             Fullinium
             :
             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
             :
             and
             hauing
             byn
             at
             extreme
             cost
             for
             the
             cure
             therof
             ,
             yet
             without
             any
             remedy
             ,
             but
             still
             inforced
             to
             carry
             his
             arme
             in
             a
             skarfe
             ,
             he
             alwayes
             complayned
             therof
             as
             of
             a
             desperate
             may
             me
             ,
             &
             
             asked
             Coūsell
             about
             cutting
             off
             his
             hand
             ;
             but
             hauing
             one
             day
             heard
             speach
             of
             marueylous
             thinges
             wrought
             by
             almighty
             God
             at
             the
             intercession
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             he
             with
             a
             strong
             fayth
             vowed
             to
             goe
             to
             her
             sepulcher
             ,
             whither
             arriuing
             he
             very
             deuoutly
             presented
             her
             a
             hand
             of
             wax
             ,
             then
             fell
             vpon
             his
             knees
             ,
             &
             made
             his
             feruent
             prayor
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             it
             would
             please
             his
             diuine
             maiesty
             ,
             by
             the
             merits
             &
             intercession
             of
             that
             most
             holy
             virgin
             to
             cure
             him
             ;
             the
             successe
             was
             admirable
             ,
             for
             before
             this
             gentleman
             arose
             ,
             he
             felt
             his
             hand
             intierly
             cured
             ,
             for
             which
             he
             gaue
             thankes
             to
             God
             &
             to
             the
             Saint
             .
          
           
             A
             young
             man
             likewise
             of
             Castrouitoli
             called
             Petronius
             ,
             was
             so
             cōsumed
             with
             a
             disease
             which
             had
             
             for
             three
             years
             continually
             afflicted
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             seemed
             to
             be
             already
             withered
             ,
             &
             corrupted
             ,
             yea
             he
             was
             therby
             brought
             to
             such
             weaknes
             ,
             that
             in
             going
             he
             stouped
             with
             his
             face
             as
             it
             were
             vpon
             the
             ground
             ,
             &
             found
             great
             difficulty
             to
             walke
             ,
             though
             with
             a
             staffe
             in
             his
             hand
             to
             support
             him
             .
          
           
             His
             Father
             hauing
             alredy
             bin
             exceedingly
             charged
             about
             his
             cure
             ,
             continued
             yet
             in
             resolution
             to
             imploy
             the
             residue
             of
             his
             substāce
             out
             of
             his
             vehemēt
             desire
             to
             see
             his
             son
             cured
             .
             But
             the
             Phisitians
             hauing
             assured
             him
             that
             there
             was
             no
             hope
             of
             cure
             by
             humane
             art
             ,
             he
             had
             recourse
             to
             the
             new
             Saint
             ,
             of
             whose
             vertue
             hauing
             heard
             much
             report
             ,
             he
             caused
             his
             sonne
             to
             be
             carryed
             thither
             where
             the
             Reliques
             of
             Saint
             
             Clare
             reposed
             .
             And
             hauing
             made
             his
             prayers
             by
             her
             sepulcher
             ,
             he
             recouered
             his
             former
             health
             ,
             and
             miraculously
             arose
             sound
             &
             streight
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             neuer
             indured
             infirmity
             ,
             yea
             he
             ran
             ,
             leapt
             ,
             and
             praysed
             God
             ,
             &
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             inducing
             all
             present
             to
             haue
             greater
             faith
             and
             deuotion
             towards
             her
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             towne
             of
             Saint
             Quirice
             ,
             within
             the
             Diocesse
             of
             Assisium
             ,
             a
             child
             of
             ten
             yeares
             old
             ,
             hauing
             byn
             borne
             lame
             ,
             went
             so
             pittifully
             and
             painfully
             ,
             that
             if
             he
             chaunced
             to
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             ,
             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
             afterwardes
             ,
             that
             the
             virgin
             
             Saint
             Clare
             was
             very
             famous
             for
             infinit
             miracles
             ,
             which
             by
             her
             meritts
             were
             wrought
             at
             her
             sepulcher
             ,
             she
             caused
             her
             Sonne
             to
             be
             carryed
             thither
             ;
             &
             incontinently
             after
             that
             he
             had
             bin
             there
             ,
             his
             bones
             were
             setled
             in
             their
             places
             ,
             &
             his
             mēbers
             were
             cured
             :
             that
             which
             Saint
             Francis
             intreated
             by
             deuout
             prayers
             would
             not
             graunt
             ,
             he
             referred
             to
             be
             obtayned
             &
             impetrated
             by
             the
             meritts
             of
             his
             disciple
             S.
             Clare
             .
          
           
             A
             Cittizen
             of
             Eugubium
             called
             
               Iames
               le
               France
            
             ,
             had
             a
             Sonne
             of
             fiue
             yeares
             old
             so
             lame
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             not
             goe
             ,
             which
             he
             very
             impatiently
             supported
             ,
             seeming
             to
             him
             that
             the
             torment
             of
             his
             child
             was
             a
             reproach
             vnto
             his
             honour
             and
             family
             .
          
           
           
             When
             this
             child
             was
             vpon
             the
             ground
             ,
             he
             would
             wallow
             &
             creep
             in
             the
             dust
             in
             that
             sort
             to
             goe
             ,
             and
             if
             he
             would
             stay
             himselfe
             against
             any
             thing
             to
             arise
             ,
             he
             could
             not
             ,
             for
             uature
             had
             giuen
             him
             only
             a
             desire
             ,
             but
             no
             force
             or
             ability
             therunto
             .
             But
             his
             Father
             and
             Mother
             consulted
             to
             make
             a
             vow
             for
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             offer
             him
             to
             the
             merits
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             to
             whome
             they
             promised
             ,
             that
             being
             cured
             he
             should
             be
             called
             hers
             .
             The
             vow
             being
             made
             ,
             the
             espouse
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             cured
             this
             child
             ,
             who
             began
             so
             well
             to
             go
             ,
             that
             without
             any
             help
             he
             went
             to
             the
             sepulcher
             of
             the
             sayd
             Saint
             .
          
           
             A
             woman
             of
             Castell
             -
             Menarie
             ,
             called
             Plenaria
             ,
             had
             bin
             long
             time
             benummed
             ,
             in
             such
             sort
             as
             she
             could
             not
             goe
             without
             a
             staffe
             ,
             but
             causing
             
             herselfe
             to
             be
             carryed
             to
             the
             sepulcher
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             and
             hauing
             there
             deuoutly
             offered
             her
             prayers
             ,
             the
             day
             following
             obtayned
             ,
             vvhat
             she
             vvith
             fayth
             demaunded
             ,
             so
             that
             he
             returned
             home
             vpon
             her
             owne
             feete
             ,
             who
             came
             thither
             supported
             by
             the
             feet
             of
             others
             .
          
           
             A
             woman
             of
             Perusia
             had
             a
             swelling
             vpon
             her
             cheeke
             ,
             which
             tormented
             her
             a
             long
             tyme
             ,
             and
             besides
             had
             all
             ouer
             her
             body
             many
             ring-wormes
             and
             tettars
             ;
             she
             had
             also
             her
             necke
             greater
             〈◊〉
             her
             head
             &
             often
             thinking
             on
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             she
             one
             day
             went
             to
             her
             Church
             ,
             where
             with
             great
             deuotion
             and
             a
             true
             fayth
             she
             made
             her
             prayers
             :
             &
             continuing
             by
             her
             sepulcher
             till
             euen
             within
             night
             ,
             she
             fell
             into
             a
             
             great
             sweet
             ,
             wherby
             the
             swelling
             began
             to
             wax
             dry
             and
             to
             shrinke
             ,
             and
             so
             by
             little
             and
             little
             she
             was
             so
             perfectly
             cured
             ,
             that
             there
             remayned
             no
             shew
             of
             any
             skarre
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               How
               two
               children
               were
               by
               Saint
               Clare
               rescued
               ,
               and
               preserued
               from
               the
               rage
               of
               wolues
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXX
             .
          
           
             THE
             valley
             of
             Spoletum
             was
             accustomed
             to
             be
             much
             afflicted
             with
             wolues
             ,
             which
             did
             often
             prey
             there
             vpon
             mans
             flesh
             .
             There
             dwelt
             a
             woman
             called
             Bonna
             ,
             vpon
             the
             mount
             Galion
             ,
             within
             the
             diocesse
             of
             Assisiū
             ,
             who
             hauing
             two
             children
             ,
             had
             scarse
             
             ended
             her
             lamētations
             for
             the
             one
             which
             the
             wolues
             had
             deuoured
             ,
             but
             whiles
             she
             was
             busied
             in
             her
             house
             they
             carried
             away
             the
             other
             .
          
           
             The
             wolfe
             carryed
             the
             child
             to
             the
             top
             of
             a
             mountaine
             &
             grapled
             it
             by
             the
             throat
             ,
             whilest
             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
             voyce
             like
             to
             his
             :
             the
             woman
             not
             finding
             her
             Sonne
             ,
             presently
             belieued
             that
             the
             wolues
             had
             seysed
             vpon
             him
             ,
             and
             therfore
             began
             to
             raise
             her
             lamentations
             towardes
             heauen
             ,
             deuoutly
             inuocating
             the
             help
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             in
             these
             tearmes
             :
             O
             blessed
             S.
             Clare
             haue
             compassion
             vpon
             me
             miserable
             woman
             ,
             and
             restore
             me
             my
             child
             .
             
             Heare
             if
             thou
             please
             the
             prayers
             of
             an
             infortunate
             mother
             ,
             and
             permit
             me
             not
             to
             continue
             in
             this
             rigorous
             desolation
             .
             Whiles
             this
             poore
             woman
             so
             recommended
             her
             distresse
             to
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             ,
             her
             neighbors
             furnished
             with
             vveapons
             ,
             hastened
             after
             the
             rauening
             wolfe
             ,
             and
             coming
             to
             the
             top
             of
             the
             said
             mountaine
             ,
             they
             found
             that
             he
             had
             left
             the
             child
             wounded
             in
             the
             throate
             ,
             whose
             woundes
             a
             dogge
             was
             licking
             ,
             &
             so
             the
             child
             was
             safely
             recouered
             by
             the
             merits
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             who
             was
             inuocated
             by
             his
             mother
             ,
             to
             whom
             he
             was
             brought
             ,
             and
             was
             incontinently
             restored
             to
             perfect
             health
             .
          
           
             A
             little
             girle
             of
             the
             towne
             of
             Canary
             ,
             being
             about
             noone
             abroad
             in
             the
             field
             ,
             where
             she
             did
             some
             seruice
             to
             another
             woman
             ,
             there
             
             came
             a
             wolfe
             ,
             which
             being
             taken
             by
             the
             girle
             but
             for
             a
             dogge
             ,
             he
             leapt
             vpon
             her
             necke
             ,
             and
             tooke
             hold
             off
             her
             head
             .
             The
             other
             woman
             ,
             and
             the
             mother
             of
             the
             girle
             there
             present
             ran
             after
             ,
             and
             cried
             for
             help
             ,
             inuocating
             Saint
             Clare
             :
             &
             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
             further
             I
             being
             recommended
             to
             that
             holy
             virgin
             ?
             The
             wolfe
             as
             daūted
             with
             those
             words
             ,
             gently
             set
             the
             girle
             vpō
             the
             ground
             ,
             &
             as
             a
             theefe
             found
             &
             taken
             in
             the
             fact
             ,
             he
             fled
             :
             &
             the
             girle
             returned
             without
             any
             hurt
             vnto
             her
             mother
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               diuers
               were
               deliuered
               from
               drowning
               and
               danger
               of
               sea
               ,
               hauing
               inuocated
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXXI
             .
          
           
             A
             Shippe
             fraught
             vvith
             many
             persons
             departing
             out
             of
             the
             port
             of
             Pisa
             ,
             for
             the
             I
             le
             of
             Sardinta
             ,
             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
             euidēt
             danger
             of
             shipwrake
             :
             wherfore
             they
             began
             to
             inuocate
             the
             Queene
             of
             heauen
             ,
             and
             many
             other
             Saintes
             to
             assist
             them
             .
             At
             length
             perceiuing
             no
             appearance
             of
             
             their
             liues
             safety
             ,
             they
             addressed
             themselues
             to
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             and
             vowed
             to
             her
             ,
             that
             if
             by
             her
             intercession
             they
             were
             deliuered
             ,
             they
             would
             goe
             all
             naked
             to
             their
             very
             shirtes
             ,
             with
             their
             girdles
             about
             their
             neck
             ,
             to
             visit
             her
             sacred
             Reliques
             at
             Assisium
             ,
             ech
             of
             them
             carrying
             a
             wax
             light
             of
             two
             pound
             in
             their
             hands
             .
             This
             vow
             being
             made
             ,
             they
             savv
             three
             great
             lights
             descend
             frō
             heauen
             ,
             the
             one
             whereof
             setled
             vpon
             the
             forepart
             of
             the
             ship
             ,
             another
             vpon
             the
             poupe
             ,
             and
             the
             third
             vpon
             the
             pumpe
             ,
             by
             the
             vertue
             whereof
             the
             leakes
             where
             the
             water
             did
             enter
             was
             closed
             vp
             ,
             and
             the
             sea
             became
             so
             quiet
             and
             calme
             ,
             that
             with
             a
             gratious
             wind
             the
             vessell
             was
             accompanied
             and
             safely
             conducted
             by
             the
             said
             lights
             to
             the
             
             port
             of
             Arestan
             ,
             where
             being
             arriued
             and
             landed
             ,
             and
             the
             marchandize
             all
             safely
             put
             vpon
             shore
             ,
             the
             said
             lights
             vanished
             ,
             and
             (
             vvhich
             was
             admirable
             )
             the
             ship
             presently
             sunke
             ,
             and
             vvas
             cast
             away
             :
             they
             which
             went
             out
             of
             her
             ,
             acknowledging
             the
             miracle
             ,
             and
             at
             their
             returne
             to
             Pisa
             deuoutly
             accomshed
             their
             vow
             ,
             yielding
             infinit
             shankes
             to
             almighty
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             virgin
             S.
             Clare
             for
             the
             great
             benefit
             receiued
             by
             her
             intercession
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               Saint
               Clare
               was
               canonized
               by
               the
               Pope
               Alexander
               the
               fourth
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             XXXII
             .
          
           
             POPE
             Innocent
             the
             fourth
             liued
             so
             little
             time
             after
             the
             death
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             not
             Canonize
             her
             .
             The
             holy
             Sea
             hauing
             bin
             two
             yeares
             vacant
             ,
             Alexander
             the
             fourth
             was
             chosen
             Pope
             ,
             who
             being
             exceedingly
             deuoted
             ,
             &
             a
             friend
             to
             piety
             ,
             protectour
             of
             Religious
             ,
             hauing
             heard
             true
             relation
             both
             of
             the
             miracles
             ,
             vvhich
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             wrought
             for
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             holy
             seruant
             ,
             &
             of
             the
             renowne
             of
             her
             
             vertues
             ,
             which
             daily
             more
             and
             more
             diuulged
             themselues
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             knovving
             also
             that
             her
             Canonization
             was
             generally
             desired
             ,
             his
             Holines
             being
             also
             induced
             by
             the
             assurance
             of
             so
             many
             miracles
             ,
             began
             therfore
             to
             treat
             in
             the
             Consistory
             of
             her
             Canonization
             .
          
           
             Wherin
             to
             proceed
             more
             maturely
             ,
             there
             were
             elected
             prudent
             and
             vertuous
             men
             to
             examine
             the
             said
             miracles
             ,
             &
             the
             irreprehensible
             life
             of
             the
             Saint
             :
             vvhich
             being
             done
             ,
             and
             this
             holy
             virgin
             being
             found
             ,
             &
             proued
             to
             haue
             bin
             in
             her
             life
             an
             vnspotted
             mirrour
             of
             all
             vertues
             ,
             and
             to
             haue
             byn
             ennobled
             of
             Almighty
             God
             after
             her
             death
             by
             true
             and
             approued
             miracles
             ,
             the
             day
             of
             her
             Canonization
             
             was
             appointed
             ,
             when
             were
             present
             with
             his
             Holines
             many
             Cardinalls
             ,
             Archbishops
             ,
             Bishops
             ,
             other
             Prelates
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             number
             of
             Priests
             and
             Religious
             with
             infinit
             noble
             men
             ,
             Gentlemen
             and
             others
             ,
             ech
             in
             their
             degree
             &
             quality
             ,
             before
             whome
             the
             Pope
             proposed
             this
             sacred
             affayre
             ,
             demaunding
             the
             opiniō
             of
             the
             Prelats
             ▪
             who
             with
             one
             accord
             gaue
             consent
             ,
             and
             affectionatly
             besought
             that
             the
             said
             Saint
             might
             be
             canonized
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             Iesus
             Christ
             had
             glorifyed
             her
             in
             heauen
             .
             In
             this
             sort
             then
             ,
             three
             yeares
             after
             her
             happy
             decease
             ,
             Pope
             Alexander
             caused
             her
             solemnely
             to
             be
             enrolled
             in
             the
             Catalogue
             of
             Saintes
             ,
             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
             prayse
             and
             glory
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             Heere
             endeth
             the
             life
             ,
             and
             miracles
             of
             the
             glorious
             virgin
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           LIFE
           OF
           S.
           AGNES
           SISTER
           TO
           
             S.
             CLARE
          
        
         
           
             
               How
               S.
               Agnes
               was
               by
               the
               holy
               F.
               S.
               Francis
               sent
               to
               Florence
               ,
               there
               to
               build
               a
               monastery
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             THE
             virgin
             &
             espouse
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             Agnes
             ,
             &
             true
             companion
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             aswell
             in
             
             bloud
             ,
             as
             in
             vertue
             &
             Religion
             ,
             perseuered
             &
             persisted
             in
             notable
             sanctity
             of
             life
             in
             the
             monastery
             of
             
               S.
               Damian
            
             :
             &
             from
             the
             tyme
             of
             her
             entrance
             into
             Religion
             ,
             euen
             to
             her
             death
             ,
             she
             alwayes
             wore
             a
             very
             rough
             hairecloath
             next
             her
             tender
             skin
             .
             Her
             ordinary
             refection
             was
             almost
             alwayes
             bread
             and
             water
             ,
             being
             naturally
             very
             pittifull
             to
             euery
             one
             .
             S.
             Francis
             finding
             this
             virgin
             to
             haue
             obteyned
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             meanes
             &
             assistance
             of
             her
             sister
             ,
             a
             worthy
             perfection
             ,
             he
             sent
             her
             to
             Florence
             ,
             there
             to
             found
             a
             nevv
             Monastery
             of
             poore
             Sisters
             called
             mount
             Caeli
             ,
             wherof
             Saint
             Francis
             made
             her
             Abbesse
             .
          
           
             This
             holy
             virgin
             induced
             many
             soules
             to
             abandon
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             to
             serue
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             which
             she
             
             did
             by
             meanes
             of
             her
             pious
             conuersation
             ,
             &
             sanctity
             of
             life
             ,
             by
             holy
             discourses
             ,
             and
             wordes
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             sweeetly
             flowed
             out
             of
             her
             mouth
             :
             and
             as
             a
             perfect
             contemner
             of
             transitory
             thinges
             ,
             &
             follower
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             she
             planted
             in
             this
             monastery
             (
             conformably
             to
             the
             desire
             of
             the
             holy
             Father
             Saint
             Francis
             ,
             &
             of
             
               S
               ▪
               Clare
            
             )
             the
             obseruance
             ,
             &
             profession
             of
             Euangelicall
             pouerty
             :
             but
             being
             exceedingly
             grieued
             with
             the
             absence
             of
             her
             sister
             ,
             she
             wrote
             this
             letter
             following
             vnto
             her
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             the
             Religious
             of
             the
             monastery
             of
             S.
             Damian
             ,
             wherin
             she
             had
             receiued
             her
             education
             ,
             and
             spirituall
             nourture
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               A
               copy
               of
               the
               Letter
               ,
               which
               
                 S.
                 Agnes
              
               wrote
               to
               her
               sister
               S.
               Clare
               ,
               and
               to
               all
               the
               other
               sisters
               of
               the
               monastery
               of
               
                 S.
                 Damian
              
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             TO
             the
             venerable
             &
             beloued
             Mother
             in
             our
             Lord
             Christ
             Iesus
             ,
             Clare
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             her
             Couent
             ,
             humble
             sister
             Agnes
             ,
             the
             least
             of
             the
             disciples
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             &
             of
             yours
             ,
             commendeth
             herselfe
             vnto
             you
             all
             ,
             and
             prostrate
             at
             your
             feete
             ,
             doth
             yield
             you
             al
             submission
             and
             deuotion
             ,
             wishing
             vnto
             you
             what
             is
             most
             pretious
             from
             the
             most
             high
             King
             of
             Kinges
             .
             To
             the
             end
             that
             all
             nature
             ,
             which
             hath
             bin
             
             created
             of
             God
             ,
             doe
             acknowledge
             it selfe
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             as
             it
             cannot
             persist
             of
             it selfe
             in
             it
             owne
             essence
             ,
             the
             diuine
             prouidence
             most
             prudently
             permitteth
             ,
             that
             when
             any
             one
             esteemeth
             himselfe
             to
             be
             in
             prosperity
             ,
             then
             is
             he
             drowned
             &
             plunged
             in
             aduersities
             .
             This
             I
             tell
             you
             my
             most
             deare
             mother
             ,
             that
             you
             may
             know
             ,
             what
             affliction
             and
             extreame
             heauines
             possesseth
             my
             spirit
             ,
             being
             so
             tormented
             ,
             that
             hardly
             can
             I
             speake
             :
             and
             this
             because
             I
             am
             corporally
             separated
             from
             you
             and
             my
             holy
             sisters
             ,
             with
             whome
             I
             hoped
             to
             haue
             happily
             liued
             ,
             and
             dyed
             in
             this
             world
             .
             So
             far
             is
             this
             my
             griefe
             from
             slacking
             ,
             that
             it
             cōtinually
             increaseth
             ,
             which
             as
             it
             had
             a
             beginning
             ,
             so
             do
             I
             belieue
             it
             will
             find
             no
             end
             in
             this
             
             world
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             so
             continuall
             ,
             and
             familiar
             vnto
             me
             ,
             that
             I
             greatly
             feare
             it
             will
             neuer
             forsake
             me
             .
          
           
             I
             was
             perswaded
             that
             life
             and
             death
             should
             be
             a
             like
             ,
             without
             power
             of
             any
             separation
             vpon
             earth
             ,
             amongst
             them
             ,
             who
             haue
             one
             same
             conuersation
             and
             life
             in
             heauen
             ,
             &
             must
             haue
             one
             same
             sepulture
             :
             them
             I
             say
             ,
             whom
             one
             same
             ,
             equall
             naturall
             profession
             ,
             and
             one
             same
             loue
             hath
             made
             sisters
             .
             But
             so
             far
             as
             I
             can
             see
             ,
             being
             abandoned
             and
             afflicted
             on
             ech
             side
             ,
             I
             am
             much
             mistaken
             .
             O
             my
             holy
             sisters
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             to
             be
             reciprocally
             grieued
             with
             me
             ,
             &
             let
             vs
             weep
             togeather
             ,
             being
             assured
             ,
             that
             you
             shall
             neuer
             experience
             any
             dolour
             comparable
             to
             that
             which
             I
             now
             feele
             ,
             in
             being
             separated
             from
             them
             ,
             with
             
             whome
             Iesus
             Christ
             had
             conioined
             me
             .
             This
             griefe
             tormenteth
             me
             incessantly
             ,
             this
             fire
             burneth
             my
             hart
             continually
             ,
             so
             that
             being
             on
             ech
             side
             afflicted
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             what
             to
             thinke
             ,
             neither
             doth
             any
             hope
             remaine
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             assisted
             by
             your
             prayers
             ,
             that
             Almighty
             God
             easing
             this
             affliction
             ,
             may
             make
             it
             tollerable
             vnto
             me
             .
          
           
             O
             my
             most
             gratious
             Mother
             ,
             vvhat
             shall
             I
             doe
             ,
             and
             vvhat
             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
             conceipts
             of
             my
             soule
             ,
             as
             I
             would
             desire
             ,
             or
             that
             I
             could
             open
             my
             hart
             vnto
             you
             vpon
             this
             paper
             :
             then
             should
             you
             see
             the
             liuely
             and
             continuall
             dolours
             that
             torment
             me
             :
             
             my
             soule
             burneth
             interiourly
             ,
             being
             afflicted
             with
             an
             incessant
             fire
             of
             loue
             ;
             and
             my
             hart
             groaneth
             ,
             sigheth
             ,
             and
             lamenteth
             with
             desire
             of
             your
             presence
             :
             myne
             eies
             cannot
             haue
             their
             fill
             of
             weeping
             ;
             and
             albeit
             I
             seeke
             for
             some
             consolation
             against
             this
             bitternes
             ,
             yet
             can
             I
             find
             none
             ▪
             but
             euery
             thing
             turneth
             into
             griefe
             ,
             &
             much
             more
             ,
             when
             I
             consider
             the
             meanes
             to
             see
             you
             .
             I
             am
             intierly
             steeped
             in
             these
             anguishes
             ,
             hauing
             none
             that
             can
             comfort
             me
             in
             this
             life
             ,
             but
             that
             I
             receiue
             a
             little
             consolation
             from
             the
             liberall
             hand
             of
             our
             Sauiour
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             which
             causeth
             me
             to
             beseech
             you
             all
             to
             giue
             thankes
             vnto
             his
             diuine
             maiesty
             ,
             for
             this
             fauour
             and
             mercy
             extended
             ,
             towardes
             me
             ,
             &
             for
             that
             through
             his
             grace
             ,
             I
             find
             such
             concord
             
             peace
             ,
             and
             charity
             in
             this
             Couent
             ,
             as
             by
             wordes
             cannot
             be
             expressed
             ;
             these
             sisters
             hauing
             receiued
             me
             with
             exceeding
             loue
             &
             deuotion
             ,
             yielding
             me
             Obedience
             ,
             vvith
             extraordinary
             promptitude
             &
             reuerence
             .
          
           
             They
             all
             with
             one
             accord
             recommend
             themselues
             to
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             &
             to
             you
             my
             Sister
             ,
             &
             to
             all
             the
             sisters
             of
             the
             monastery
             :
             &
             I
             recommend
             my selfe
             &
             them
             to
             your
             holy
             prayers
             ,
             beseeching
             you
             as
             a
             mother
             to
             be
             mindfull
             of
             them
             ,
             &
             of
             me
             ,
             as
             of
             your
             daughters
             :
             &
             know
             you
             that
             they
             &
             I
             ,
             will
             all
             the
             daies
             of
             our
             life
             ,
             obserue
             &
             keepe
             your
             holy
             precepts
             and
             aduertisements
             .
             Besides
             I
             desire
             you
             should
             know
             ,
             that
             the
             Pope
             hath
             accorded
             to
             whatsoeuer
             
             I
             demaunded
             of
             him
             ,
             conformably
             to
             your
             intention
             &
             myne
             ,
             &
             particulerly
             in
             the
             matter
             you
             know
             ;
             to
             wit
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             possesse
             any
             thing
             proper
             .
             I
             beseech
             you
             my
             most
             deare
             mother
             ,
             to
             procure
             of
             the
             Reuerent
             Father
             Generall
             ,
             that
             he
             often
             visit
             vs
             ,
             to
             comfort
             vs
             in
             God
             ,
             whose
             grace
             be
             with
             your
             spirit
             .
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Of
               an
               extasy
               of
               
                 S.
                 Agnes
              
               ;
               and
               how
               
                 S.
                 Clare
              
               saw
               her
               thrice
               crowned
               by
               an
               Angell
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             SAINT
             Clare
             in
             her
             last
             sicknes
             obteyned
             ,
             that
             her
             sister
             Saint
             Agnes
             might
             come
             to
             see
             her
             
             in
             the
             monastery
             of
             S.
             Damian
             ,
             to
             keep
             her
             company
             during
             the
             few
             daies
             she
             had
             to
             liue
             :
             &
             so
             S.
             Agnes
             bauing
             left
             her
             Couent
             ,
             well
             grounded
             in
             Religion
             &
             sanctity
             ,
             she
             came
             to
             Assisium
             ,
             where
             Saint
             Clare
             being
             one
             night
             in
             prayer
             apart
             from
             her
             sister
             ,
             she
             neuertheles
             saw
             her
             ,
             being
             also
             in
             prayer
             ,
             lifted
             from
             the
             earth
             ,
             &
             an
             Angell
             to
             crowne
             her
             thrice
             with
             so
             many
             seuerall
             crownes
             .
             The
             day
             following
             she
             demaunded
             of
             her
             sister
             ,
             what
             prayer
             or
             contēplatiō
             she
             had
             made
             the
             night
             past
             :
             but
             she
             of
             humility
             vnvvilling
             to
             manifest
             her
             prayer
             ,
             being
             at
             length
             inforced
             by
             Obedience
             ,
             made
             her
             this
             relation
             :
             I
             considered
             the
             great
             goodnes
             ,
             and
             patience
             of
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             wherby
             he
             supporteth
             such
             
             enormous
             offēces
             of
             sinners
             ;
             which
             I
             considered
             with
             a
             deep
             sorrow
             and
             compassion
             :
             then
             I
             thought
             ,
             and
             yet
             doe
             thinke
             of
             the
             loue
             ,
             which
             almighty
             God
             beareth
             to
             sinners
             ,
             &
             how
             he
             indured
             death
             to
             saue
             them
             thirdly
             I
             considered
             ,
             &
             doe
             consider
             ,
             &
             am
             with
             compassiō
             exceedingly
             afflicted
             for
             the
             soules
             in
             purgatory
             ,
             &
             their
             great
             torments
             ,
             &
             because
             they
             cannot
             help
             themselues
             ,
             I
             asked
             mercy
             for
             them
             of
             the
             most
             sacred
             wounds
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               How
               S.
               Agnes
               sent
               
                 S.
                 Clares
              
               veyle
               to
               the
               monastery
               of
               Florence
               ,
               and
               of
               her
               death
               and
               translation
               to
               Saint
               George
               in
               Assisium
               ,
               with
               all
               her
               Religious
               into
               a
               new
               Couent
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             IIII.
             
          
           
             AFTER
             the
             death
             of
             
               S
               Clare
            
             ,
             Saint
             Agnes
             sent
             her
             blacke
             veyle
             ,
             which
             she
             did
             ordinarilv
             weare
             ,
             to
             the
             poore
             Religious
             of
             Mount
             Cae●i
             ,
             which
             she
             had
             founded
             at
             Florence
             ,
             which
             she
             did
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             her
             great
             amity
             towardes
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             might
             inherit
             some
             Reliques
             of
             S.
             Clare
             for
             their
             comfort
             and
             deuotion
             ,
             
             That
             veyle
             is
             yet
             in
             the
             said
             monastery
             ,
             where
             it
             is
             so
             carefully
             preserued
             ,
             that
             in
             substance
             and
             colour
             it
             seemeth
             still
             new
             .
             There
             is
             likewise
             to
             be
             seene
             in
             the
             same
             monastery
             a
             cloak
             of
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             by
             which
             Reliques
             our
             Lord
             worketh
             many
             miracles
             .
             A
             little
             after
             the
             death
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             S.
             Agnes
             also
             desired
             to
             be
             present
             at
             the
             marriage
             of
             the
             lambe
             ,
             whither
             she
             was
             inuited
             :
             but
             she
             first
             receiued
             the
             consolation
             ,
             which
             S.
             Clare
             had
             promised
             her
             ,
             that
             before
             she
             departed
             out
             of
             this
             life
             ,
             she
             should
             see
             her
             Spouse
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             as
             a
             tast
             of
             the
             eternall
             felicityes
             ,
             wherto
             she
             was
             to
             be
             eleuated
             ,
             &
             conducted
             by
             her
             sweet
             spouse
             Christ
             Iesus
             .
             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
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             in
             which
             glory
             these
             two
             sisters
             ,
             &
             daughters
             of
             Sion
             ,
             companions
             in
             heauen
             by
             nature
             &
             grace
             ,
             doe
             prayse
             God
             without
             end
             .
          
           
             There
             assembled
             a
             great
             multitude
             of
             people
             vpon
             the
             death
             of
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             and
             they
             with
             great
             deuotion
             ascended
             with
             a
             ladder
             the
             monastery
             of
             Saint
             Damian
             ,
             hoping
             thereby
             to
             receiue
             some
             spirituall
             consolation
             of
             sanctity
             ,
             but
             it
             hapned
             that
             the
             chaine
             which
             held
             the
             ladder
             did
             slip
             ,
             so
             that
             all
             those
             ,
             who
             were
             vpon
             it
             ,
             fell
             downe
             one
             vpon
             another
             ,
             which
             made
             a
             great
             noyse
             and
             clamour
             by
             those
             who
             
             were
             hurt
             ;
             &
             hauing
             with
             a
             strong
             faith
             inuocated
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             were
             all
             cured
             .
             The
             said
             holy
             virgin
             was
             interred
             at
             S.
             Damian
             ,
             but
             afterwardes
             was
             transported
             into
             the
             Church
             of
             S
             George
             ,
             where
             she
             still
             remayneth
             togeather
             with
             her
             sister
             in
             Assisium
             ,
             by
             the
             which
             Church
             the
             Cittizens
             haue
             builta
             faire
             monastery
             intituled
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             whither
             were
             afterward
             remoued
             the
             Religious
             sisters
             of
             S.
             Damian
             :
             which
             was
             done
             to
             preuent
             many
             inconueniences
             ,
             that
             might
             arriue
             vnto
             the
             being
             without
             the
             Citty
             .
             The
             said
             Religious
             brought
             from
             S
             Damian
             many
             Reliques
             ,
             and
             perticularly
             the
             Crucifix
             ,
             which
             spake
             to
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             at
             the
             beginning
             of
             his
             conuersion
             ,
             which
             is
             extant
             in
             the
             said
             monastery
             
             of
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             :
             and
             the
             Friars
             Minors
             are
             at
             S.
             Damian
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Of
               many
               miracles
               wrought
               by
               Almighty
               God
               ,
               through
               the
               merits
               of
               
                 S.
                 Agnes
              
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             A
             Girle
             of
             Perusia
             had
             a
             cancred
             fistula
             in
             her
             throate
             ,
             who
             hauing
             deuotion
             to
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             visited
             her
             sepulcher
             .
             The
             Religious
             there
             hauing
             vnbound
             her
             soare
             ,
             at
             the
             entry
             of
             the
             Couent
             &
             then
             hauing
             with
             a
             strong
             faith
             '
             offered
             her
             prayers
             ,
             she
             arose
             sound
             ,
             and
             returned
             to
             her
             house
             exceedingly
             comforted
             ,
             yielding
             thankes
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             seruant
             .
          
           
           
             There
             was
             a
             Religious
             sister
             at
             our
             Lady
             of
             Angells
             of
             Perusia
             ,
             vvho
             had
             a
             mortall
             soare
             in
             her
             breast
             ,
             which
             the
             Phisitians
             had
             iudged
             to
             be
             incurable
             ;
             in
             it
             there
             were
             three
             holes
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             Religious
             womē
             exhorted
             her
             to
             beare
             this
             affliction
             vvith
             patience
             ,
             as
             proceeding
             from
             the
             hand
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             conforme
             herselfe
             to
             his
             diuine
             will.
             This
             diseased
             sister
             being
             alwaies
             of
             mind
             to
             recommend
             herselfe
             to
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             kneeling
             one
             day
             before
             the
             Altar
             ,
             she
             vvith
             much
             deuotion
             commended
             herselfe
             to
             the
             holy
             seruant
             of
             God
             ,
             demaunding
             of
             her
             redresse
             of
             her
             infirmity
             ,
             vvherewithall
             falling
             falling
             into
             a
             gentle
             and
             sweet
             slumber
             ,
             Saint
             Agnes
             appeared
             vnto
             her
             ,
             and
             with
             her
             
             hand
             touched
             her
             mortall
             wound
             ,
             with
             which
             visitatiō
             she
             was
             sweetly
             comforted
             ,
             and
             cured
             ;
             and
             at
             her
             awaking
             finding
             herselfe
             soūd
             ,
             she
             gaue
             infinit
             thankes
             to
             God
             ,
             &
             to
             her
             aduocate
             S.
             Agnes
             .
          
           
             Another
             Religious
             womā
             of
             the
             monastery
             of
             Venice
             ,
             had
             an
             impostume
             in
             her
             breast
             ,
             which
             was
             opened
             by
             the
             Phisitians
             ,
             &
             found
             so
             dangerous
             ,
             that
             they
             allotted
             her
             a
             very
             little
             time
             to
             liue
             .
             This
             poore
             sister
             therefore
             in
             this
             diftresse
             ,
             recommended
             herselfe
             to
             the
             two
             sisters
             ,
             S.
             Clare
             and
             Saint
             Agnes
             ,
             and
             about
             midnight
             these
             two
             Saints
             ,
             as
             most
             skilfull
             phisitians
             ,
             brought
             boxes
             of
             most
             pretious
             oyntments
             ,
             and
             accompanyed
             with
             many
             virgins
             entred
             into
             the
             Infirmary
             ,
             where
             this
             sicke
             sister
             
             was
             ,
             who
             were
             seene
             by
             many
             Religious
             ,
             &
             drawing
             neere
             to
             her
             bed
             ,
             Saint
             Clare
             said
             vnto
             her
             :
             Sister
             ,
             Be
             you
             assured
             that
             you
             shal
             be
             cured
             by
             the
             power
             &
             goodnes
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             meritts
             of
             Saint
             Agnes
             .
             The
             sicke
             Religious
             not
             knovving
             vvho
             spake
             vnto
             her
             ,
             doubted
             of
             this
             reuelation
             :
             &
             the
             Saintes
             replyed
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             Phisitians
             of
             Assisium
             :
             then
             Saint
             Agnes
             annointed
             the
             soares
             with
             the
             oyntment
             she
             had
             brought
             ,
             &
             so
             the
             vision
             disappeared
             ,
             &
             the
             diseased
             sister
             was
             in
             such
             sort
             cured
             of
             her
             mortall
             wound
             ,
             that
             no
             appearance
             remayned
             therof
             .
          
           
             Another
             Religious
             of
             the
             monastery
             of
             Saint
             Clave
             in
             Assisium
             ,
             had
             byn
             for
             sixteene
             yeare
             togeather
             afflicted
             with
             such
             an
             infirmity
             ,
             
             that
             the
             other
             Religious
             held
             her
             for
             a
             lepar
             .
             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
             ,
             &
             freed
             from
             all
             remainder
             of
             her
             infirmity
             .
          
           
             A
             Burgesse
             of
             Assisium
             had
             byn
             long
             time
             lame
             by
             the
             blow
             of
             a
             stone
             receiued
             vpon
             his
             foote
             ,
             and
             being
             hopelesle
             of
             humane
             remedy
             ,
             vpon
             the
             feast
             of
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             he
             went
             so
             well
             as
             he
             could
             to
             her
             Church
             ,
             and
             with
             strong
             fayth
             and
             deuotion
             fell
             vpon
             his
             knees
             before
             her
             Altar
             .
             His
             prayer
             being
             ended
             ,
             he
             arose
             sound
             ,
             and
             lusty
             ,
             which
             he
             recounted
             to
             many
             ,
             and
             thanked
             almighty
             God
             for
             it
             .
          
           
           
             A
             Painter
             called
             Palmero
             being
             in
             a
             dangerous
             sicknes
             ,
             &
             by
             the
             phisitians
             giuen
             ouer
             as
             dead
             ,
             one
             night
             after
             his
             speach
             was
             lost
             ,
             his
             brother
             expecting
             in
             his
             opinion
             his
             last
             breathing
             ,
             was
             exceedingly
             disquieted
             ,
             and
             coming
             to
             his
             bed
             side
             ,
             and
             lamenting
             him
             as
             already
             dead
             ,
             he
             fell
             vpon
             his
             knees
             ,
             addressed
             his
             prayers
             to
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             &
             vvith
             aboundance
             of
             teares
             and
             great
             confidence
             made
             a
             vow
             ,
             that
             if
             his
             Brother
             by
             her
             meritts
             and
             intercession
             might
             be
             cured
             ,
             so
             oftē
             as
             he
             painted
             her
             image
             ,
             he
             would
             set
             a
             Crowne
             of
             gold
             vpon
             her
             head
             .
             This
             prayer
             and
             vow
             being
             ended
             ,
             the
             sicke
             party
             incontinently
             began
             to
             speake
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             awakened
             out
             of
             a
             profound
             sleep
             ,
             and
             called
             for
             meate
             ,
             and
             did
             hungerly
             
             eate
             ,
             then
             arose
             from
             his
             bed
             ,
             saying
             ,
             that
             two
             Religious
             women
             came
             to
             visit
             him
             being
             in
             his
             agony
             ,
             &
             reputed
             for
             dead
             ,
             &
             that
             the
             same
             visitation
             had
             such
             force
             ,
             as
             it
             left
             him
             perfectly
             cured
             ,
             as
             he
             appeared
             .
          
           
             A
             vvoman
             of
             Assisium
             had
             a
             sonne
             of
             12.
             yeares
             old
             that
             had
             an
             impostume
             in
             his
             breast
             ,
             where
             the
             canker
             was
             so
             increased
             ,
             that
             it
             made
             it
             in
             such
             sort
             venemous
             ,
             as
             it
             exceeded
             the
             Phisitians
             skill
             to
             cure
             it
             :
             this
             woman
             hauing
             vnderstood
             ,
             that
             by
             the
             meritts
             of
             Saint
             Agnes
             ,
             Almighty
             God
             had
             cured
             such
             diseases
             ,
             she
             commaunded
             her
             sonne
             often
             to
             visit
             her
             sepulcher
             ,
             and
             deuoutly
             to
             recommend
             himselfe
             vnto
             her
             :
             which
             he
             did
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             approaching
             one
             
             euening
             so
             neere
             her
             selpulcher
             ,
             that
             his
             mortall
             soare
             touched
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             there
             falling
             a
             sleepe
             ,
             he
             so
             remained
             till
             the
             next
             morning
             ,
             when
             awaking
             he
             found
             himselfe
             intierly
             cured
             :
             for
             which
             hauing
             thanked
             God
             &
             his
             Saint
             ,
             he
             returned
             to
             aduertise
             his
             mother
             ,
             affirming
             that
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             and
             Saint
             Agnes
             appeared
             vnto
             him
             in
             the
             night
             ,
             and
             that
             S.
             Clare
             brought
             an
             oyntment
             ,
             where
             with
             Saint
             Agnes
             hauing
             annointed
             him
             ,
             he
             was
             presently
             cured
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               Of
               possessed
               persons
               deliuered
               by
               the
               merits
               of
               S.
               Agnes
               :
               and
               of
               certayne
               other
               miracles
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             THERE
             was
             a
             child
             of
             12.
             yeares
             old
             in
             Assisium
             ,
             who
             playing
             amōg
             other
             childrē
             ,
             an
             vnknovvne
             man
             gaue
             him
             a
             greene
             beane
             codde
             ,
             which
             the
             boy
             opening
             ,
             three
             of
             the
             beanes
             fell
             to
             the
             ground
             ,
             and
             the
             fourth
             only
             he
             did
             eate
             ,
             yet
             so
             soone
             as
             he
             came
             home
             ,
             he
             vomited
             extremely
             ,
             then
             beganne
             to
             tumble
             ,
             and
             furiously
             so
             behaue
             himselfe
             ,
             turning
             and
             rouling
             his
             eyes
             in
             his
             head
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             as
             it
             well
             appeared
             ,
             that
             he
             indured
             extreme
             torment
             :
             and
             his
             
             gesture
             so
             terrifyed
             them
             who
             beheld
             him
             ,
             that
             they
             iudged
             him
             possessed
             :
             and
             therfore
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             many
             other
             of
             his
             kindred
             brought
             him
             the
             next
             morning
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             where
             hauing
             offered
             their
             prayers
             for
             him
             ,
             and
             inuocated
             the
             intercession
             of
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             the
             child
             a
             little
             after
             began
             to
             cry
             ,
             and
             barke
             as
             a
             dogge
             ,
             then
             cryed
             out
             ,
             Take
             heed
             ,
             there
             are
             two
             Diuells
             already
             gone
             out
             ,
             say
             one
             
               Aue
               Maria
            
             ,
             and
             the
             third
             wil
             be
             gone
             ,
             which
             being
             presently
             done
             ,
             the
             Diuell
             withall
             left
             the
             child
             .
          
           
             A
             woman
             of
             Fullinium
             ,
             being
             tormented
             with
             many
             wicked
             spirits
             ,
             her
             Father
             and
             grand-mother
             vowed
             to
             go
             with
             her
             to
             Assisium
             ,
             to
             visit
             the
             sepulcher
             of
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             
             with
             faith
             and
             hope
             ,
             that
             by
             her
             merits
             she
             should
             be
             deliuered
             ,
             &
             so
             this
             possessed
             woman
             remaining
             before
             the
             sepulcher
             of
             the
             Saint
             ,
             from
             the
             ninth
             houre
             til
             euensong
             ,
             she
             felt
             herselfe
             freed
             from
             the
             Diuells
             that
             possessed
             her
             .
             This
             was
             done
             vpon
             the
             feast
             of
             S.
             Francis
             ▪
             the
             kindred
             of
             this
             deliuered
             woman
             offered
             an
             image
             of
             wax
             weighing
             two
             poundes
             ,
             to
             the
             sepulcher
             of
             the
             Saint
             ,
             in
             acknowledgement
             of
             the
             grace
             and
             fauour
             receiued
             .
          
           
             A
             man
             of
             Perusia
             with
             a
             continuall
             feuer
             had
             in
             his
             body
             an
             impostume
             ,
             whereof
             the
             phisitians
             gaue
             their
             iudgement
             ,
             he
             would
             in
             short
             time
             end
             his
             dayes
             ;
             wherfore
             a
             woman
             called
             Celiola
             ,
             admonished
             him
             to
             recommend
             himselfe
             
             to
             Saint
             Agnes
             ,
             and
             to
             vow
             the
             visiting
             of
             her
             sepulcher
             ;
             which
             hauing
             done
             ,
             and
             his
             prayers
             ended
             ,
             his
             infirmity
             ended
             withall
             ,
             being
             cured
             both
             of
             the
             one
             ,
             &
             the
             other
             disease
             ;
             for
             which
             not
             being
             vngratefull
             ,
             he
             visited
             the
             sayd
             sepulcher
             ,
             &
             euery
             where
             preached
             the
             prayses
             of
             the
             holy
             virgin
             ,
             giuing
             thankes
             to
             Almighty
             God
             for
             such
             a
             fauour
             .
          
           
             A
             Religious
             womā
             of
             the
             monastery
             of
             S.
             Clare
             in
             Assisiū
             ,
             had
             lost
             the
             sight
             of
             one
             eye
             ,
             &
             was
             in
             danger
             to
             loose
             the
             other
             ,
             but
             finding
             that
             no
             humane
             application
             did
             auaile
             her
             ,
             she
             recommended
             herselfe
             to
             Saint
             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
             recouered
             :
             and
             so
             opening
             her
             eye
             she
             clearly
             saw
             ,
             but
             she
             could
             no
             more
             see
             the
             woman
             that
             spake
             vnto
             her
             ▪
             only
             she
             was
             assured
             that
             it
             was
             
               S.
               Agnes
            
             ,
             to
             whome
             she
             had
             hartily
             recommended
             herselfe
             .
          
           
             Vitula
             the
             wife
             of
             
               Matthew
               de
               Loupe
            
             at
             S.
             Francis
             gate
             in
             Assisium
             ,
             had
             a
             sonne
             called
             Martin
             ,
             that
             had
             a
             deep
             soare
             in
             his
             throat
             ,
             and
             another
             in
             his
             shoulder
             ,
             both
             mortall
             ,
             whence
             issued
             such
             an
             offensiue
             sauour
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             not
             possible
             to
             come
             neere
             him
             .
             At
             length
             after
             many
             remedies
             had
             in
             vaine
             bin
             tryed
             ,
             his
             mother
             recommended
             him
             to
             S.
             Agnes
             ,
             to
             whome
             hauing
             with
             a
             deuout
             hart
             offered
             her
             prayers
             ,
             the
             Saint
             one
             night
             
             appeared
             vnto
             her
             richly
             attyred
             with
             a
             diademe
             of
             gold
             vpon
             her
             head
             ,
             and
             a
             branch
             of
             Lilly
             in
             her
             right
             hand
             ,
             and
             said
             vnto
             her
             :
             My
             daughter
             disquiet
             not
             thy selfe
             for
             thy
             sonne
             ,
             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
             ,
             &
             recounted
             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
             her
             Sonne
             was
             cured
             of
             the
             impostume
             in
             his
             throat
             only
             .
             After
             that
             ,
             Saint
             Agnes
             appeared
             to
             him
             in
             vision
             ,
             togeather
             with
             another
             woman
             ,
             who
             brought
             a
             violl
             full
             of
             oyntment
             
             Saint
             Agnes
             then
             sayd
             to
             the
             child
             ,
             my
             Sonne
             how
             do
             you
             ?
             whereto
             he
             answered
             :
             I
             am
             by
             the
             meritts
             of
             Saint
             Agnes
             cured
             of
             the
             impostume
             in
             my
             throat
             ,
             but
             that
             vvhich
             is
             vpon
             my
             shoulder
             procureth
             me
             extreme
             affliction
             .
             The
             Saint
             replyed
             ,
             I
             will
             cure
             this
             ,
             as
             I
             did
             the
             other
             in
             thy
             throat
             :
             then
             she
             vnbound
             the
             sayd
             ●●postume
             ,
             tooke
             of
             the
             playster
             ,
             and
             cast
             it
             vpon
             the
             ground
             ;
             then
             applyed
             thereto
             the
             oyntment
             ,
             vvhich
             her
             companion
             had
             brought
             ,
             and
             instantly
             the
             child
             was
             perfectly
             cured
             .
             When
             his
             mother
             came
             to
             see
             him
             ,
             she
             found
             the
             playsters
             ,
             vpon
             the
             ground
             ,
             and
             her
             Sonne
             sound
             and
             lusty
             ,
             vvho
             particulerly
             recounted
             vnto
             her
             the
             sayd
             
             vision
             ,
             vvhich
             afterward
             vvas
             generally
             diuulged
             .
             This
             happened
             in
             the
             yeare
             1350.
             
          
           
             The
             end
             of
             the
             life
             of
             Saint
             Agnes
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           LIFE
           OF
           ANOTHER
           
             S.
             AGNES
          
           ,
           WHO
           WASDaughter
           to
           the
           King
           of
           Bohemia
           ,
           and
           Religious
           of
           the
           Order
           of
           
             S.
             Clare
          
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             IN
             the
             beginning
             of
             this
             Religious
             Order
             ,
             there
             was
             another
             Virgin
             besides
             the
             precedent
             called
             Agnes
             ,
             as
             illustrious
             in
             sanctity
             ,
             
             as
             in
             bloud
             ,
             for
             she
             vvas
             daughter
             to
             the
             King
             of
             Bohemia
             ,
             vvho
             promised
             her
             in
             marriage
             to
             the
             Emperour
             Frederike
             :
             and
             this
             holy
             virgin
             hauing
             heard
             the
             worthy
             reputation
             of
             S.
             Clara
             who
             then
             liued
             ,
             by
             such
             as
             came
             from
             Rome
             &
             Assisium
             ,
             being
             inspired
             of
             God
             ,
             she
             besought
             the
             King
             her
             Father
             ,
             to
             giue
             her
             leaue
             ,
             to
             serue
             rather
             a
             celestiall
             then
             a
             terrestriall
             spouse
             .
             But
             the
             King
             knowing
             that
             he
             could
             not
             recall
             his
             word
             ,
             &
             that
             whatsoeuer
             excuse
             he
             shold
             alleage
             to
             breake
             this
             marriage
             ,
             the
             Emperour
             would
             sinisterly
             interprete
             ,
             he
             vtterly
             denyed
             her
             .
             Now
             the
             virgin
             hauing
             found
             the
             drift
             &
             cause
             of
             this
             deniall
             ,
             assured
             her
             Father
             ,
             that
             if
             he
             would
             accord
             to
             whatsoeuer
             she
             demaūded
             ,
             
             she
             would
             vndertake
             ,
             the
             that
             Emperor
             should
             condescend
             therunto
             ,
             presuming
             confidently
             vpon
             the
             fauour
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             She
             knew
             well
             to
             deliuer
             herselfe
             from
             many
             other
             allegations
             with
             so
             good
             a
             grace
             ,
             &
             with
             such
             persuasiue
             tearmes
             that
             she
             purchased
             her
             Fathers
             consent
             to
             what
             she
             desired
             ,
             without
             further
             seeking
             ,
             the
             approbation
             of
             the
             Emperour
             ;
             wherupon
             this
             Princesse
             presently
             sent
             for
             certaine
             Friars
             Minors
             of
             Magnes
             ,
             where
             they
             had
             a
             Couent
             ,
             who
             coming
             to
             her
             ,
             did
             shortly
             after
             consecrate
             vnto
             God
             this
             Royall
             plant
             ,
             with
             many
             other
             gentlewomen
             of
             great
             families
             in
             Bohemia
             ,
             to
             whome
             they
             gaue
             the
             habit
             of
             Religion
             ,
             instructing
             them
             in
             the
             life
             and
             Rule
             of
             
               S.
               Clare
            
             .
             The
             
             King
             desiring
             to
             assigne
             a
             good
             pension
             ,
             &
             to
             bestow
             vpon
             the
             Monastery
             vvhere
             his
             daughter
             was
             ,
             a
             good
             rereuenew
             ,
             to
             supply
             the
             necessities
             thereof
             ,
             she
             formally
             withstood
             him
             ,
             purposing
             to
             liue
             &
             dye
             poore
             ,
             &
             to
             be
             maintayned
             by
             almes
             ,
             conformably
             to
             her
             rule
             ,
             rigorously
             obseruing
             the
             intention
             of
             the
             holy
             Father
             Saint
             Francis
             ,
             &
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             in
             the
             vow
             of
             pouerty
             ,
             which
             is
             yet
             to
             this
             day
             in
             the
             same
             manner
             obserued
             in
             the
             sayd
             Monastery
             ,
             which
             is
             in
             Prague
             ,
             the
             chiefest
             Citty
             in
             the
             Kingdome
             of
             Bohemia
             :
             and
             this
             foundation
             layd
             by
             this
             holy
             Princesse
             ,
             hath
             alwayes
             bin
             furnished
             with
             gentlewomen
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             Emperour
             vnderstanding
             that
             his
             promised
             Loue
             had
             
             abandoned
             the
             world
             ,
             he
             was
             at
             the
             first
             apprehension
             exceedingly
             troubled
             ;
             but
             considering
             vvith
             more
             maturity
             ,
             that
             she
             had
             not
             forsaken
             him
             to
             take
             another
             man
             ,
             but
             for
             Iesus
             Christ
             himselfe
             ,
             he
             was
             at
             length
             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
             obedience
             vnto
             her
             ,
             as
             to
             her
             mother
             &
             mistresse
             ,
             auouching
             herselfe
             her
             humble
             disciple
             ;
             S.
             Clare
             answered
             her
             by
             a
             letter
             filled
             with
             much
             feruour
             and
             consolation
             ,
             &
             sent
             her
             in
             token
             of
             amity
             ,
             &
             good
             will
             ,
             a
             girdle
             ,
             a
             veyle
             ,
             a
             cuppe
             of
             wood
             ,
             and
             a
             dish
             wherin
             the
             Saint
             herselfe
             
             accustomed
             to
             eate
             ,
             &
             many
             like
             small
             thinges
             ,
             which
             the
             holy
             Princesse
             with
             great
             deuotion
             accepted
             .
             Our
             Lord
             wrought
             many
             miracles
             by
             the
             sayd
             Reliques
             ,
             which
             euer
             afterward
             were
             kept
             in
             the
             sayd
             Monastery
             ,
             with
             very
             great
             deuotion
             and
             Reuerence
             .
          
           
             The
             renowne
             of
             this
             Princesse
             being
             diuulged
             ouer
             all
             Germany
             ,
             there
             were
             founded
             many
             monasteries
             of
             poore
             Religious
             in
             her
             imitation
             ,
             which
             were
             filled
             with
             many
             daughters
             of
             Princes
             ,
             Duks
             ,
             Earles
             ,
             and
             other
             great
             Lords
             ,
             and
             gentlemen
             of
             that
             Countrey
             ,
             who
             in
             imitation
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             &
             the
             sayd
             Princesse
             Agnes
             abandoned
             the
             world
             ,
             &
             the
             vanities
             thereof
             ,
             and
             espoused
             ,
             for
             eternity
             ,
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             seruing
             him
             alone
             in
             pouerty
             ,
             
             &
             in
             humility
             .
             This
             Saint
             Agnes
             of
             Bohemia
             being
             illustrated
             by
             many
             vertues
             &
             miracles
             ,
             hauing
             assembled
             an
             infinit
             number
             of
             Religious
             in
             diuers
             Couents
             ,
             &
             hauing
             perseuered
             with
             them
             in
             all
             perfection
             of
             vertue
             ,
             she
             left
             this
             transitory
             world
             ,
             to
             take
             eternall
             possession
             of
             her
             glorious
             celestiall
             Spouse
             Christ
             Iesus
             ,
             who
             honoured
             her
             ,
             and
             made
             her
             blessed
             ,
             as
             he
             hath
             manifested
             by
             ma-many
             miracles
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             wrought
             by
             her
             great
             merits
             and
             intercessiōs
             .
             The
             Emperour
             Charls
             the
             fourth
             ,
             who
             was
             also
             King
             of
             Bohemia
             ,
             was
             two
             seuerall
             tymes
             deliuered
             from
             death
             by
             the
             intercession
             of
             this
             celestiall
             Princesse
             ,
             &
             therfore
             at
             his
             death
             he
             inioyned
             his
             Sonne
             VVenceslaus
             ,
             and
             successour
             
             to
             the
             Empire
             ,
             to
             procure
             her
             Canonization
             ,
             but
             he
             was
             hindred
             by
             important
             ,
             and
             continuall
             troubles
             and
             affayres
             ,
             that
             disabled
             him
             to
             execute
             the
             pious
             and
             iust
             desires
             of
             his
             Father
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Of
               many
               other
               Religious
               ,
               that
               florished
               primitiuely
               in
               the
               Order
               of
               Saint
               Clare
               .
            
          
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             THERE
             was
             another
             holy
             Religious
             of
             the
             royal
             bloud
             of
             Polonia
             called
             Salome
             ,
             whose
             sanctity
             was
             manifested
             by
             by
             diuers
             miracles
             ,
             which
             God
             wrought
             after
             her
             death
             .
             She
             by
             her
             merits
             deliuered
             women
             from
             
             perill
             of
             death
             in
             trauell
             of
             child
             ,
             many
             lame
             were
             restored
             to
             the
             vse
             of
             their
             lymmes
             ,
             blynd
             recouered
             sight
             ,
             and
             wounded
             persons
             were
             cured
             .
          
           
             A
             holy
             Religious
             of
             Padua
             ,
             called
             Helena
             ,
             florished
             in
             great
             perfectiō
             of
             life
             in
             the
             monastery
             which
             was
             builded
             by
             the
             Seraphicall
             Father
             S.
             Francis
             ,
             and
             in
             which
             the
             blessed
             Father
             S.
             Antony
             of
             Padua
             yielded
             his
             spirit
             vnto
             Almighty
             God.
             This
             holy
             Religious
             liuing
             in
             that
             place
             ,
             after
             she
             had
             there
             obtained
             of
             God
             many
             vertues
             ,
             she
             was
             tryed
             by
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             refined
             as
             gold
             in
             the
             furnace
             of
             afflictions
             ;
             for
             she
             kept
             her
             bed
             depriued
             of
             all
             corporall
             force
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             her
             speach
             for
             fifteene
             years
             ,
             during
             all
             which
             time
             ,
             she
             ordinarily
             
             demonstrated
             by
             signes
             &
             gestures
             an
             exceeding
             great
             alacrity
             &
             ioy
             in
             her
             hart
             .
          
           
             Our
             Lord
             reueiled
             many
             things
             to
             this
             Saint
             ,
             which
             she
             manifested
             to
             the
             Religious
             ,
             who
             seriously
             recorded
             the
             same
             to
             be
             knowne
             to
             posterity
             .
             The
             said
             Religious
             being
             demaunded
             how
             the
             sicke
             Religious
             sister
             could
             make
             them
             vnderstand
             those
             wordes
             ,
             sith
             she
             could
             not
             speake
             ,
             they
             answered
             that
             themselues
             then
             obserued
             so
             strict
             a
             silence
             ,
             that
             they
             opened
             their
             necessities
             by
             signes
             ,
             vvhich
             vvere
             well
             vnderstood
             among
             them
             ,
             for
             expressing
             whatsoeuer
             they
             desired
             to
             haue
             knowne
             .
             And
             in
             this
             had
             they
             vnderstood
             the
             sayd
             Saint
             ,
             whose
             body
             for
             many
             yeares
             after
             ,
             the
             
             said
             Religious
             sisters
             did
             shew
             to
             such
             ,
             as
             in
             deuotion
             repayred
             to
             see
             it
             ,
             remayning
             entiere
             ,
             and
             incorruptible
             ,
             yea
             her
             nayles
             and
             haire
             did
             grow
             ,
             as
             if
             she
             had
             byn
             liuing
             .
          
           
             By
             her
             merits
             God
             wrought
             many
             miracles
             ,
             and
             particulerly
             vpon
             the
             Lord
             Marquesse
             of
             Parma
             ,
             who
             was
             of
             the
             family
             of
             Lupi
             called
             Boniface
             ,
             who
             being
             in
             the
             anguish
             of
             death
             ,
             his
             Lady
             making
             a
             vow
             to
             this
             Saint
             Helene
             for
             his
             health
             ,
             it
             was
             perfectly
             restored
             vnto
             him
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             Order
             of
             Saint
             Clare
             ,
             there
             was
             also
             a
             daughter
             of
             the
             King
             of
             Hungary
             called
             Cuiga
             ,
             sister
             vnto
             blessed
             S.
             Elizabeth
             the
             widdow
             ,
             who
             hauing
             taken
             the
             habit
             ,
             &
             made
             profession
             
             fession
             of
             the
             rule
             of
             S.
             Clare
             ,
             became
             so
             famous
             after
             the
             death
             of
             S.
             Elizabeth
             in
             sanctity
             and
             miracles
             ,
             both
             during
             her
             life
             ,
             and
             at
             her
             death
             ,
             that
             her
             Canonization
             is
             treated
             of
             at
             Rome
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .