sess and chapt aboue cited Abbess or to consecrate any Religious or for any other very importāt affaire he shal at that time be cōtent with a very few followers and seruants and those who are of the grauer sort 5. And when need requires that any enter into the Monasterie for to doe any work the Abbesse shal carefully appoint one at the gate who shal lett only those enter who are appointed And lett the sisters take care that they be not then seen by those who enter the Monasterie Of the Visitor and Chaplain XJJ. CHAPT 1. Lett your Uisitor be alwais of the Order of Friar-Minors according to the will and commandment of your Cardinal * The chapter speaketh of the Sisters vvho be subiect vnto Regulars vvho notvvithstanding must be visited by the Bishop in matters concerning Inciosure They that be subiect to the Bishop must be visited by him or his Vicar as vvel in vvhat concerneth Inclosure as in vvhat belongeth to discipline and obseruance and lett him be such an one whose modestie and behauiour is experienced whose office is to reforme as wel in the head as in the members the excesses committed against the forme of your Profession 2. Who being in an open place to the end that he may be seen by others may speak both vnto all and vnto each in particular of those things which appertaine to the office of Uifitor and according as it shal seeme expediēt vnto him 3. We require the These vvords are added by vvay of intreatie and deuotion fauour of the same Order through the charitie of our Lord and Blessed S. Francis to haue a Chaplain who is a Priest with a companion of good fame and discreet as also two lay Brothers of holy conuersation and louers of modestie to assist vs in our pouertie as we mercifully haue had hitherto of the Friar-Minors 4. The Chaplain may not enter into the Conuent without his companion and entring they shal be in an open place that they may be seen by each other as also by the sisters 5. They may enter to hear the confessions of the sick that can not goe vnto the grate to giue them the Blessed Sacrament and extreme Unction and to read the recommendation of the soule * Since the Council of Trent noe one may enter the Monasterie but vvith expresse leaue of the Lord Bishop as aforesaid and in necessarie occasiōs See the Council of Trent sess 25. chapt 5. But to celebrate the sacrifice of Masse to read the office of the dead ād to digg open or prepare the graue may enter also other sufficient fitt persons according to the discretion of the Abbess 6. Further more the sisters are bound to haue for their Protector Gouernour and Reformer one of the Cardinals of the holy Roman Church the same that shal be ordained by our H Father the Pope for the Friars-Minors that being alwais subiect vnder the feet of the same holy Roman Church stedfast in the Catholique Faith we may euer obserue the holy pouertie and humilitie of our Lord JESUS CHRIST and his Holy Mother and the Holy Ghospel which we haue vow'd Amen Dated at Perugia the sixt of september the tenth yeare of the Popedome of our H Father Jnnocent the fourth Here endeth the Rule of the Poore sisters and followeth the remainder of the Popes Bull for the Confirmation of the same THerfore lett not any person violate or disannull this our letter or Bull of Confirmation or by rash and temerarious boldnesse contradict it The which if any one presume to doe lett him know that he doth incurr the indignation of Almightie God and of his holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul Dated at Assisium the ninth day of August the eleuenth yeare of our Popedome Laus Deo Beatae Mariae semper Virgini Beato Francisco atque Beatae Clarae Amen HERE BEGINNETH THE HOLY MOTHER S. CLARE'S BENEDICTION Unto her sisters present and to come In the name of the Father and of the sonne and of the Holy Ghost Amen MY Deerly beloued sisters our Lord giue you his holy Benediction and behould you with the eye of his mercie and giue you his Peace as also vnto all those who shal enter and perseuer in this our Cloyster and Monasterie and vnto all other of the Order who shal perseuer vnto the end in this holy Pouertie J Clare seruāt of JESUS Christ and little plant of our holy Father S. Francis your Mother and sister although vnworthy doe beseech our Lord JESUS Christ that through the intercession of his most holy Mother of the holy Arch-Angel S. Michael and of all the holy Angels of our holy Father S. Francis and of all the holy Saints it wil please him to giue and confirme in you this Benediction in heauen and in earth Jn earth by multiplying in you graces and vertues in his militant Church amongst his seruants Jn heauen in his Church triumphant eleuating you among his Saints J giue you my Benediction in my life and after my death in all that J am able and more then J am able with all the Blessings wherwith the Father of mercies hath or shal blesse his spiritual children both in heauen and earth or wherwith the spiritual Mother doth or shal be able to blesse her spiritual Childrē Amen Be alwais louers of God of your soules and of your sisters be carefull to keep that which you haue vowed And our Lord be alwais with you and you with him Amen An Epistle of the most Reuerend Father in God Ladislaus Lord Bishop of S. Omers c. To the Reuer Mother Abbess and Religious of the order of S. Clare in Graueling Health in him who is the spouse of Virgins our Lord IESVS CHRIST AS it hath a cheef place in our Pastoral solicitude to direct and aduance those happie soules who despysing the vanities of the world endeauour to attend to themselues and God in the Euangelical perfection of a Religious state soe is it our special dutie to open our Fatherly bosome of charitie towards you my Dearest Daughters in Christ whom the right hand of God leading out of Aegypt and the house of bondage hath conducted ouer the red sea into the land of Promise exod 20. Deutor 8. and safe hauen of Religion which doth not only giue vs iust occasion to blesse our Lord of Heauen for hauing show'red his Mercies on you Tobiae 12. but doth increase our ioy and add new glorie to see you though poore and humble yet to liue vnanimous in the house of God feruent in spirit hauing nothing and possessing all things Act. 3. 2. Rom. 12. 2. ad Corint 6. This Zeale of sublime Pouertie and highest Perfection was the motiue why you humbly requested of the sea Apostolique to haue your Constitutions which your selues had gathered out of those of Blessed saint Collett reuewed and confirmed without any considerable change saue only in some few points therby to make them more conformable to the sacred
it from his Holiness and the like is granted them on euery feast of our B. Sauiour and of our B. Lady on the feasts of S. Peter and S. Paul S. Francis and S. Clare S. Catharine Queene and Martyr on the feast of all Saints and euery day of the H. week Notwithstanding these graces wil profit nothing those who should vpon presumption to gaine them offend more freely 9. They may apply all priuiledges and indulgences granted to themselues vnto the faithfull departed For the gayning of these or any other indulgences it is requisite to apply your intention for the same LITANIAE B. P. S. FRANCISCI KYrie eleïson Christe eleïson Kyrie eleïson Christe audi nos Christe exaudi nos  Pater de coelis Deus Miserere nobis Fili Redemptor mundi Deus Miserere nobis Spiritus sancte Deus Miserere nobis Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus Miser nob Sancte FRANCISCE ora Pater amabilis ora Pater admirabilis ora Pater benigne ora Pater venerabilis ora Vexillifer IESV CHRISTI ora Eques Crucifixi ora Imitator filij Dei ora Seraphim ardens ora Fornax charitatis ora Arca sanctitatis ora Cultor Pacis ora Vas Puritatis ora Norma Iustitiae ora Speculum pudicitiae ora Regula Poenitentiae ora Magister Obedientiae ora Exemplar Virtutum ora Patriarcha pauperum ora Profligator Criminum ora Lumen tuae Patriae ora Decus morum ora Viuificator mortuorum ora Saluator famelicorum ora Obsequium leprosorum ora Praeco magni Regis ora Forma Humilitatis ora Consors sublimitatis ora Victor vitiorum ora Dux Minorum ora Praedicator siluestrium ora Portans dona gloriae ora Auriga militiae nostrae ora Nouis vtens prodigijs ora Coelum caecis apperiens ora Gratum gerens obsequium ora Templum Christo consecrans ora Hostes malignos proterens ora Tenens vitae brauium ora Spargens virtutum munera ora Amplians iter ad gloriam ora Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Parce nobis Domine  Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Exaudi nos Domine  Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Miserere nobis  Vers Ora pro nobis beate P. Francisce Resp Vt digni efficiamur promissionibus CHRISTI OREMVS DEus qui Ecclesiam tuā B. Francisci meritis faetu nouae prolis amplificas tribue nobis ex eius imitatione terrena despicere coelestium donorum semper participatione gaudere Per Dominum nostrum c. Amen LITANIAE B. M. CLARAE VIRGINIS KYrie eleïson Christe eleïson Kyrie eleïson Christe audi nos Christe exaudi nos  Pater de coelis Deus Miserere nobis Fili Redemdptor mundi Deus Miserere nobis Spiritus Sancte Deus Miserere nobis Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus Miserere nobis Sancta MARIA Ora pro nobis Sancta Dei Genitrix ora Sancta Virgo virginum ora Sancta Clara Virgo Mater nostra ora Virgo CHRISTI Spousa ora Virgo Francisci plantula ora Virgo electa prae millibus ora Virgo Seraphica ora Virgo Matris IESV discipula ora Virgo primogenita pauperum ora Virgo gemma Virginum ora Virgo norma perfectionis ora Virgo humilisima ora Virgo mundo abscondita ora Virgo speculum Paupertatis ora Virgo lilium Castitatis ora Virgo rosa poenitentiae ora Virgo Crucifixi amore saucia ora Virgo Crucis ardentissima amatrix ora Virgo stella clarissima ora Virgo sequens agnū quocunque ierit ora Mater nostra honorificata ora Mater admirabilis ora Mater amabilis ora Mater sicut balsamū aromatizans ora Mater paranympha Christi ora Mater pulchrae dilectionis ora Mater puritatis nutrix ora Mater Obedientiae magistra ora Mater scala paradisi ora Mater gloria filiarum ora Mater socia Angelorum ora Mater clipeus in te spe rantium ora Mater protectrix pauperum ora Mater consolatrix flentium ora Mater terror Infidelium ora Mater triumphatrix Doemonum ora Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Parce nobis Domine  Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Exaudi nos Domine Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Miserere nobis Vers Ora pro nobis beata Mater Clara. Resp Vt digni efficiamur promissionibus CHRISTI OREMVS FAmulos tuos quaesumus Domine Beatae Virginis tuae Clarae votiuam commemorationem recensentes caelestium gaudiorum sua facias interuentione participes tui Vnigeniti cohaeredes Per Dominum c. Amen THE TESTAMENT OF THE HOLY MOTHER S. CLARE IN NOMINE DOMINI AMEN AMong all other benefits which we haue receiued from our bountifull benefactour the King of mercies and dayly receiue of him and for which we are most bound to prayse him one is our Vocation the which by how much it is more perfect and great by soe much are we more obliged vnto him The Apostle sayth acknowledge your Vocation God hath him self made a way the which he shewed by word and example and our Holy Father S. Francis a most perfect louer and follower of the same way hath taught it vs. Wherfore my beloued Sisters we ought to mark the inestimable benefit which God hath bestowed on vs among others and hath vouchsafed to work in vs through his seruant our Holy Father S. Francis not only since our conuersion but also before when yet we were in captiuitie and vanitie of the world For after his cōuersion not hauing as yet any brothers being to repaire to S. Damians Church where he was visited with diuine consolations and constrained wholy to abandon the world filled with ioy and illumination of the Holy Ghost he prophesy'd of vs that which our Lord hath afterwards fulfilled For standing on the walls of the sayd Church he called with a lowd voice in the Frēsh tongue on some poore folks who liued ther about saying Come help me in this Church of S. Damian for ther shal come Woemen by whose good life and holy conuersation our heauenly Father shal be honoured in his whole Church Wherin we may mark the great bounty of God towards vs who out of his abundant mercy and charity did vouchsafe to prophesy these things by his seruant of our Uocation and Election And not only of vs did our Holy Father foretell these things but also of those who hereafter shal be partakers of the Uocation which our Lord hath called vs vnto With what care of soule and body are we then bound to keep the Commandments of God and of our holy Father S. Francis to the end that with the grace of God we may repay him his talent multiplied and increased neither hath our Lord only placed vs as an example and paterne for the secular but particularly for all our Sisters whom he shal call vnto our course of life that they also may be a mirrour and example vnto those who are in the
world Seeing then our Lord God hath honoured vs with soe high a Vocation as to serue for paterne vnto those who ought to be an example vnto others how much are we bound to bless and prise our Lord God and in well doing to remaine the more comforted in him Wherfore if we liue piously according to the forme aboue mentioned we shal leaue good example vnto those who shal follow vs and after short labours receiue the reward of euerlasting life When our heauenly Father had vouchsafed through his great mercie and grace to illuminate my heart in such sort that through the example and teaching of our holy Father S. Francis J began to doe pennance a little after his conuersion J with a few Sisters whom our Lord ioyned vnto me a little after my conuersion willingly promised vnto him Obedience as our Lord through the light of his grace inspired vs by meanes of his maruelous life and holy doctrine S. Francis then marking though we were according to the body weak and tēder that we were not dismay'dwith any necessitie pouertie labour tribulatiō or contempt of the world but that we esteemed all those things as great pleasures as he had proued by the example of his Brothers he reioyced in our Lord and moued with great charitie towards vs obliged him self and his Brothers to haue alwais ouer vs a special and diligent care We went also by the will of God and of our Holy Father S. Francis towards the Church of S. Damian to dwell ther. Soone after which time our Lord through his great mercy and grace multiplyed vs in number soe that then was fulfilled that which our Lord had sayd by his seruant for we dwelt before in an other place A little after he wrote vnto vs this forme of life and principally that we should perseuer in this most holy pouertie Neither was it sufficient vnto him that he admonished vs ther vnto in his life by many sermons and exhortations to moue vs to the loue and obseruance of the same holy pouertie but also he gaue vs many writings that after his death we might not fall frō the same holy Pouertie but loue it according to the example of the Sonne of God who liuing in this world did neuer leaue the sayd pouertie which also our holy Father S. Francis with his Brothers did honour and obserue during his life Wherfore J Clare seruāt and hand-mayd of Christ and of the poore Sisters of S. Damian although vnworthy the little plant of our holy Father S. Francis considering this with my other Sisters and togeather the highness of our Profession made vnto such a Father fearing our owne frailtie and that of others after the death of our holy Father who next vnto God was our pillar and comfort againe and againe bind my self vnto the sayd holy pouertie to the end that the Sisters who now are or shal come after my death may by noe means decline from it This pouertie J have alwais been carefull with the grace of God to obserue and to cause it to be obserued and for more securitie J haue made Profession ther-of vnto our Holy Father Pope Jnnocent the fourth in whose time we began and haue renewed it to his successours that by no meanes and in no time we should decline from this holy Pouertie which we haue vowed vnto God and to S. Francis Wherfore J bowing the knees both of my body and soule in all humilitie cōmend vnto the Church of Rome vnto our Holy Father the Pope and especialy vnto the Cardinal vnto whose Protection togeather with the Friar-Minors we are committed that for the loue of God who was borne in great pouertie layd in the Crib and liued poorly in this world and dyed poorly on the Crosse they wil preserue this litle flock which God the Father hath gayned to his Church by the words and examples of our holy Father S. Francis causing them to follow the Humilitie and pouertie of his dearly beloued sonne and of his holy Mother and making the holy Pouertie to be obserued which we haue promised vnto God and vnto S. Francis and strēgthning them to obserue it And as God gaue vnto vs our holy Father S. Francis for our founder and helper in the seruise of God and in those things which we vowed vnto God and vnto him to obserue and as he was carefull whiles he liued to water vs his litle plants by word and example soe J commend and leaue my Sisters as wel those who are alreadie as those who hereafter shal be vnto the successour of S. Francis and to the whole Religion that they wil alwais help vs to proceed from better to better to serue God and accomplish and obserue our holy Pouertie Jf it shal happen at any time that the said Sisters should leaue their Contry or Cittie to goe to an other they are firmly bound after my death in what place soeuer they are to obserue the holy Pouertie which they haue vowed vnto God and vnto S. Francis Those who shal be in office as also the other Sisters shal be carefull that they receiue no more ground thē extreme necessitie doth require as a garden for help vnto their relief and if for the defence or decencie of the Cloyster it were needfull to haue more ground they shal take but only what is necessarie in which they may not plough or sow J admonish you all my Sisters who are and shal be that you labour to follow the way of simplicitie humilitie and pouertie and also the modestie of holy Cōuersation as we in the beginning of our conuersion were tought of Christ and of our holy Father S. Francis Soe that not through our merits but through the mercie of the liberal giuer the Father of mercies may spread abroad the odour of our good naem as wel amongst those who are far of as amongst those who are neer And for the Charitie of our Lord JESUS keep vnion of loue The Charitie which you haue inwardly shew it outwardly by work 's to the end that through your example the Sisters which are called vnto your Profession may increase in the loue of God and mutual Charitie Also J pray all those who shal be chose to beare offices among the Sisters that they wil studie to excell the others rather in vertue and modest conuersation then in authoritie and office that so by their example the Sisters which were called vnto Religion before them may be moued to obey them not only in respect of their office but for loue The Abbess must be carefull and discreet towards her Sisters as a good Mother is towards her childrē She must carefully prouide for euery one according to their necessitie of the almes which it shal please God to send her She must also be so sweet and familiar vnto all that the Sisters may without feare or doubt declare vnto her their necessities and haue confidently recourse vnto her When the Abbess and the Sisters shal think
anything necessarie lett the Sisters which are subiect remember that for the loue of God they haue renounced their owne wills wherefore J wil that they obey their Mother as they haue of their owne accord vowed vnto God to doe to the end that their Mother seeing the humilitie charitie and vnion which they haue vnto each other may easily beare the charge which she hath by her office Which because it is heauy and bitter they must through their holy cōuersation seek to turn into sweetness And seeing the way is narrow and the gate strait which leadeth vnto life and few their are which walk in it and few that perseuer therin blessed are those which haue receiued the grace to walk in it and to perseuer therin vnto the end Wherfore lett vs be carefull seing we be entred in to the way of our Lord that by our fault and negligence we doe not fall from the same commit or doe iniurie vnto our Lord vnto his Blessed Mother the Glorious Uirgin Marie vnto our holy Father S. Francis vnto the triumphant and militant Church for it is written cursed are those who decline from thy commandment To obtaine this grace J bow my knees vnto the heauenly Father through the merits of our Lord JESUS and of his B. Mother of our H. Father S. Francis and of all the Saints that it wil please his diuine Maiestie who hath giuen a good beginning to grant grace also that it may augment and without end perseuer euen vntil death Dearly beloued Sisters presēt and to come that you may the better perseuer in our vocation J leaue vnto you this writing in token of our Lords Benediction and of the Benediction of our H. Father S. Francis and of me your Mother and seruant A Prayer vnto the Glorious Virgin Marie Mother of God WHosoeuer shal say deuoutly this ensuing prayer in honour of the most sacred Passion of our Lord and Sauiour JESUS Christ and in honour of his most B. Mother the Uirgin Marie and continue the sayd deuotion for the space of 30. days shal mercifully obtaine his lawfull request as hath been often experienced A most deuout and efficacious Prayer to the euer glorious Virgin Marie EUer glorious and blessed Uirgin Marie Queene of virgins Mother of mercie hope and comfort of all desolate and desperate soules through that sword of grief which perc'd your heart whilst your only son Christ JESUS our Lord suffered death and ignominie on the crosse through his filial tenderness of purest loue in your behalf grieuing in your grief whils't from his Cross he bequeath'd you to the protectiō and care of his Vicar S. Iohn take pittie J beseech you on my pouerties and wants haue compassion on my anxietie and cares help and comfort me in all my infirmities and miseries whatsoeuer You are the Mother of mercies the sweet comfort of the afflicted and desolate the only refuge of all needy and Orphans Cast then an eye of pittie on the teares of a miserable forlorn wretch and heare my prayers and seing for iust punishment of my sins J am surrounded with many euills and much anguish vnto whom shal J haue recourse or where can J be more securely sheltred then vnder the mantle or your Motherly protection o Virgin Marie my sweetest Lady Mother of my Lord and Sauiour JESUS CHRIST comfort and redress of our lost nature Lend therfore J beseech you an eare of compassion and pittie to my hūble requests and prayers J beg it by those bowells of mercie of your dearest son by that sweetness wherwith he embraced our human nature when deliberating with the two other Diuine Persōs and with secreet power of the H. Ghost your consent first being by the Angel demāded and obtained GOD BECAME MAN and 9. months expired vouchsafing mercifully to visit the world with his gracious presence came forth from the chast inclosure of your virginal wombe J beg it by that anguish of mind which your afore-sayd deare son our Lord JESUS Christ indured at mount Oliuet beseeching his heauenly Father to take away if possible that bitter chalice of his future passion by his three tims repeated prayer in the garden and your mournfull stepps when with teares you accompaned him to that dolefull spectacle of his death and sufferings by his whipps scoffs cords ignominies fals accusatiōs and vniust condemnation by that garment gayn'd at a cast at dyce by his teares ād dropps of bloudy sweat by his silence and patience by his feare sadness and grief of heart by his confusion and bashfullness hanging naked on a Cross in your presence and in sight of the whole world by his royal head perc'd with thorn's and struck with a reed by his thirst and pain-full potion of vineger and gall by that lance that perc'd his sacred side and by that bloud and water which flowing thence did showre on vs plentie of mercie and grace by those nailes stuch into his hands and feet by that pretious soule and sweet spirit which he crying with a loud voice my God my God why hast thou forsaken me recommended to his heauenly father and with an inclyned head gaue vp the Ghost saying all is consummated by the rending of rocks and tearing of the vaile of the temple by the earthquake and darck'ning of the sun and moone by his mercie shew'd to the good theef by his adorable Cross and bitter Passiō by his descent to Hell and all those soules which he comforted with his glorious sight by the ioy glorie and victorie of his H. Resurrection appearing vnto you his elect Uirgin Mother and to the rest of his disciples for 40. days by his admirable Ascension when you all behoulding him he was eleuated into heauen by the grace of the H. Paraclet which he in fyerie tongues infused into the hearts of his Disciples and by their zeale inflamed the rest of the vniuerse by that last and dreadfull day when he shal come to iudge the liuing and dead and the world in fire by all the compassion he bore you in this life by the rauishing sweetness of his eyes and by the ineffable ioy you felt being in his sight assumed into Heauen wher world without end you liue and reioyce in him comfort my heart and heare this my prayer for which J am your humble suppliant ASKE HERE DEVOVTLY WHAT-SOEVER YOU PLEASE And as J am confident he can refuse nothing vnto you and doth honour you soe lett me speedily fully and efficaciously experience your help and comfort according to the sweetness of your Motherly and his Filial louing heart who granteth mercifully the request of all that loue him and doth the will that feare him Wherfore sweet Lady according to my present need in this and in all other things whatsoeuer for the which J humbly inuoque your sacred name and assistāce obtaine for me of your dearest Son our Lord God firme hope in the Catholique faith perfect Charitie true contrition of heart a fountaine af teares sincere confession and refrayning from sin condigne satisfaction loue of God and my neighbour contempt of the world and true patience to suffer affronts ignominies and if need be an opprobrious death for loue of your Son our Redeemour JESUS CHRIST Obtaine for me perseuerance in good works execution of my good purposes and Vow 's mortification of self-will conuersation pleasing vnto you and in the last houre of my life a strong and true repentance and presence to my self in word and mind and a happy death Lastly for the soules of my parents brothers Sisters benefactours aliue and dead obtaine for vs all J beseech you life euerlasting Amen An other Prayer to the same HAile blessed Virgin Marie Mother of God Queene of heauen gate of paradise and Lady of the world Thou art a singular pure Uirgin Thou wert conceiued without sin conceiuedst also and brought forth without blemish your Son JESUS the Creator and Redeemour of the world All this doe J beleeue vndoubtedly Pray for me to JESUS your beloued Son and free me from all euill AMEN FINIS