THE multitude of bookes which now adayes are printed with purity and elegancie of tongues and languages , are so aboundant , that it causeth many to reiect the reading of such as they ought to haue alwayes in hand for edification and profit of their soules , and not for curiositie , in regard that though al good and true doctrine , ought to be highly esteemed as the nourishment of the soule ( the foode wherofis , the intellectuall vnderstanding of the truth : ) yet ought the discret and Christian Reader to consider how different is the fruit collected of one booke , before an other , that with the greater profit he may dispose of his houres , and keep his cogitations employed , and that as bookes encrease , so may augment in him discretion and iudgement of reading them : that so he may of each of them gather some fruit . And certainly I admire that , sith when we see avenimous beast we are terrified and tremble , for feare of his poyson : how we are so senceles , as with delight to read heretical or dissolute bookes , considering that they corrupt good manners , and induce to vices and vanities : which are also most subtill venime , wherto making the least approach , it taketh such roote in vs , and doth afterward so budde foorth , that empoysoning our soules , it becometh incurable . And which is yett worse , we permit our selues easily to be infected , because the scope and discourse of such bookes are pleasing vnto vs , as being conformable to our appetite and to our lasciuious inclination : and thus according to the custome , presenting poyson vnder a sweet or alluring bayte . And therfore if the studious and carefull Christian , desire to obserue any due course in his reading , sith it so much importeth him , lett him vnderstand , that next to the doctrine of faith , and the counsels of holy scripture , no other can euer so much aduance him to purchace vertues , and hate vices , as the frequent and ordinary reading of the conuersation and life of the holy seruantes of almightie God , considering with all that is a natural thing , that to attempt a difficult and dangerous enterprise , we are therein much more induced by example then by any persuasions of whom soeuer : though we acknowledg them to be certainlie true . None could be found that would resolue ioyfully to embrace the vertue of pouerty , humility , chastity , fasting , and other penitentiall labours , if he knew not that others , not only with wordes exteriourly , but really with worckes haue embraced the same : Neither was it for any other cause , that our Lord IESVS Christ would personnaly come into this world , but by example to shew vs the way of our saluation , and his holy wil , because the examples & aduertissementes of his faithfull seruantes , would not suffice to retire vs from our euill conuersation and way , and to setle vs in his , no not the preceptes which he had giuen in the first written law . But when he began to walke this way , how many were there that would accompagny him , very seriously seruing him euen till their death , and this only for his loue ? The Church therfore knowing right well the glory that redoundeth to almightie God , and the fruit which men gather by the memory of the life of our lord IESVS Christ and of his sainctes , doth euery day propose and sett them before our eyes , in the diuine office , in the sacrifices and solemnities , that it should not be tedious vnto vs to follow and imitate them whome we prayse , and whose memory we honour , and that likewise we should not esteeme it labourious to walke that way , which alone conducteth vs to eternall life . Hereof mayest thou consider ( deuout Reader ) what vse , almightie God maketh of his elect , in fauour of vs , because we are ( saith S. Iohn ) coadiutors to the saluation of soules , we may hence also conceiue how greatlie we are obliged to the trueseruantes of God , who haue so put themselues to paines in the exercise of vertues , that they haue left the way open , that such as seeke it may finde it , and by their examples haue taught vs which it is , and with whath force and industry we may attaine vnto true glory . Those of former ages guided only by naturall light , did vse exceeding diligence , to induce and animate themselues by the examples of their famous predecessours , vsing them as so many spurres vnto vertrue , to the end they might in no time be defectiue in the obligation they had both to their natiue country , and to their owne honour : and indeed the milke wher with they nourced their children in their publique schooles , was the generous actes of their ancestours , which were red vnto them in poemes , and orations , that by meanes of those examples , the children might be affected to vertue , and enflamed with desire of glory , although it was more vaine then vertuous . This is of such force , that euen at this present , many of our Christians following the same practise , cause their children to spend the most entiere parte of their age , in committing to memory , the heroyicall actes of the ancient Grecians and Latines . But would to God that too many did not employ and wast all their life in this study , and that many others were not more affected to Homer , Cicero and Virgil , then to IESVS Christ . O extreme indignity of Christians . ! deseruing sharp reprehension and eternall punishment , in regard that they glory to be imitatours of the superstitious Gentils , who as they wanted faith , and the true light illuminating the hart of Christians , so was not their vertue true and solid , but exteriour and vaine . And although that in that time of obscure darcknes , they gaue to men some sparckle of light , some litle knowledg of vertue , more with wordes then with effect , these Pagans neuertheles persiste in obscurity euen in the cleare day of the true light of our lord IESVS Christ , the soueraigne truth and perfection , and are vnworthy to be honoured in comparison of true Christians , who being illuminated with the light of faith , can easily discerne , iudge and condemne the world with his vnwise adherentes : because as the Apostle S. Paul Saith , the spirituall man 1. Cor. 20 knoweth and iudgeth al thinges : Pagans on the contrary , glorying and esteemning themselues wise with their eloquence , become sottish and ignorant , as hauing attributed and giuen vnto creatures , that which appertayned only to the Creatour : but they whose cogitation and confidence is more setled and grounded on the diuine will and doctrine then humane , and do follow celestiall , not earthly Philosophy : such , I say shal only arriue to heauen , whence first discended their knowledge , they cannot erre , being taught by the eternall wisdome , neither shall they euer want glory , euen among mortall people , though they haue with all possibility shunned the same , but shal be illustrious to all the world . For though antiquity haue exceedingly honoured great ambitious personnes , that desired to leaue some memory and renowne of themselues in this world after their death : yet our holy mother the Church doth farre more exalt and make more glorious our Sainctes continually in the predications , feastes , and solemnities , which for them and in their honour are celebrated ; besides that we beleeue that they liue and gloriously raigne in heauen , in the contemplation of their Lord . So that the true seruantes of God are blessed among Angels , and honoured among men , as eminent sainctes , as great they are , and worthy of all reuerence . Altars are euery where consecrated , and churches bult in their names , their images are honoured , their wordes and workes are highly commended and preached , their reliques are reuerenced and worshipped on earth , their soules glorified in heauen , and the miracles and excellent workes both ancient and moderne , which our lord in them , and by them hath wrought , are with exceeding great glory admired . Our Lord euen in this world recompenceth his elect , who not in appare●e , but in effect are vertuous and holy , and incorruptedlie conserue their faith to their Creatour . When was there euer found in any time among the ancient naturalistes , such constancie , such faith , temperance , magnanimity , sweetnes , mercy , iustice , fortitude , and loyaulty , as hath bin found in our Christians , who by no kinde of threates or faire speeches of Tyrantes , could be induced , to leaue their obedience vnto God , could neuer be corrupted by any promise or recompence , nor haue bin inclined by any kinde of flatteries or fauours , but persisting firme & constant in the truth , haue nothing esteemed nor feared the terrible and horrible tormentes , were they neuer so barbarous , nor in the extremity of them , or death it selfe , but haue alwayes remayned immoueable and inuincible in true vertu & piety , not desiring reuenge or detriment to the persecutours or executioners , but pardon and saluation , praying vnto God for them . And all this , not att their death only , but euen in their life . For there is no kinde of vertue , wherin the sainctes haue not excelled , some in purity of virginity , others in continencie , with great labour subiecting the flesh to the spirit , that euen on earth leading a life more angelical then humane , they might purchase eternall glory in heauen : others renouncing kingdomes , estates , and dignities , others distributing their goodes among the poore , much more highly esteeming the piety of God , and charity to their neighbour , in a base and submissiue pouerty , then any other temporall thing : to th end that being disburdened of the care of these transitory riches , they might with more ease , study to purchace those of heauen : and in the end , for so much as , where they knew it to concerne the honour , glory , or seruice of God , they haue not spared to permitt their bodies to be tormented after what sort soeuer : they haue bin therefore so pleasing vnto his maiestie , that he hath graunted them power to cure the diseased , to cast out deuils , to raise the dead , to foretell future thinges , to vnderstand and explicate the diuine misteries , and finally to doe such thinges , as the diuine might can only doe . Lett then the eminencie of Kinges , Princes , and of all qualities of wealthy people ancient and moderne be confounded , sith they are , and euer more haue bin vanquished and surmounted by vs ( poore and feeble ) in honour and knowledg . Lett the subtilty of Philosophers be whist and silent , sith these who haue trulie reposed their faith in almightie God , shal know and finde the soueraigne good . I coniure thee therefore , gentle Reader , by the loue which thou owest to IESVS Christ our Redeemer , to represent before the eyes of thy spirit , the glory and eternall riches , which the least of the seruantes of our Redeemer IESVS Christ shall in the most blessed kingdome of heauen perpetually enioy : and with the same eyes afterward to behold all the goodes of the earth vnited together , paragonizing them with those of these Religious , there will not so much as one only thought abide within thee , vntill thy hart hath quite contemned them ▪ and as recordeth Cicero , if all the Empires of the earth , in comparison of heauen and of the moone , be so litle that no esteeme should be had of them , because betwene them there is no proportion , how much lesse will they appeare , being opposed to the Emperiall heauen , the blessed country of the Phil. 3. elect , where according to S. Paul , our conuersation is ? It is then very reasonable , that the life of this Saincte be seriously read , to the end to imitate him , yea before many other , sith hereof we learne how we may pourchace the true eternall goods or riches , which according to the promises of God , we expect and hope for . To this end it is that our Creatour doth dayly renew and regarnish his Church , with new examples of his saincts , that Christians becomming weake & feeble , might resume force to meritt their saluation , in seruing almightie God from the bottome of their hart . For in them is represented vnto vs the vertue of faith , the life of IESVS Christ and together with it , the imitable life of his sainctes . He will that there be seculer Preistes , Religious of the order of S. Hierome , S. Augustin , S. Benedict , S. Bernard , S. Dominick , S. Francis and others : that in them we might alwayes haue before our eyes , his life and Passion . Sith then so pious a lesson or reading produceth such fruit , thou mayest well persuade thee ( good Reader ) how profitably shal be employed the time , the paper , and labour , which is spent in writing the chronicles of them that haue bin true imitatours and representations of the life of our Redeemer IESVS Christ . How well in like sort their time shal be spent that employ their eyes and vnderstanding in this lesson , not only to square out a Religious life to such as desire to embrace it , but euen to learne what ought to be the life , what the comportmentes of true Christians , that with their workes desire at least to appeare such : by reason that the kingdome of heauen must be attayned by a combatt to Matth. 11 . be made , and by force of armes , which is an enterprise of valerous Champions or warryers : and this forcible wrestling is not to be made against mortall and humane creatures , according to the Apostle , but against Ephes. 6. wicked spirittes , as subtill and malicious , as they are potent & puissant . If thou wilt know them , thou shalt here finde their extreme audacity discouered , their fraudulent delusion published , their offensiue armors manifested , and their assaultes repulsed . If then thou be inclined to war-like exercise , thou shalt here obserue most noble prowesses and heroicall actes against the deuils , subdued by the champions of IESVS Christ : If thou takest content in honours , thou shalt here see how highly the true freindes of God are honoured in earth and in heauen , yea and feared in hell . If thou affectest science , of these thou shalt learne , the true knowledge of the fraudes and deceiptes of the world , and especially true wisdome , which is , first the knoledge of God , then of thy selfe : If thou apply thee to the actiue or contemplatiue life , thou shalt here finde a great experience of morall vertues , and of contemplations more then humane , of communion and diuine vnion : breifely if thou make profession of Christianity as thou oughtest , thou shalt here clearly see figured in two tables , what it is to be a Christian , and with what partes he ought to be qualified that maketh profession therof . And that in the doctrine and in the examples of sainctes , two thinges are necessary to our saluation : so that thou shalt here finde a remedy very proper and conuenient to all they desires , and for all thy necessities . Now writing the life and examples of the Frier Minors the especiall seruantes of God , by them , I meane the disciples of the holy Father S. Francis , and of those holy Fathers that did imitate him , who are the principall parties of this historie , they point out vnto vs the true rule and obseruance of the tree instituted by the said Father S. Francis , procuring many in these dayes to blush att their faultes and transgressions . Other Religious personnes shall in like sorte make their benefitt hereof , sith all Religious , touching their profession , are a like , Besides , euery other Christian may gather some fruit hereof , if he will bestow the labour to receiue it , as all haue equally graces and fauours of God , by the worthy merittes of his sainctes , Francis , Antony , & others : when with them they study to seeke the loue of God and their neighbour . Our Fathers then deserue prayse and gratitude of our partes for hauing so well conserued the memory of these glorious saints , with a feruent desire to further soules , though they haue not laboured to publish their liues , in a lofty and polished stile , with a connexion of choice wordes , as the precise and curious would desire ; But they considered that the deuout Reader leauing the flowers and leaues , would only take hold of the fruit . Now to content and satisfie the Readers , when they shall light on such thinges as are not vulgare , which they shall finde in these chronicles : I haue bin willing here to insert and adde the names of the Authors , whome in this present history I haue principally vsed , and this for greater light and direction : who are these ensuyinge .

IT is with great reason , that learned men writing bookes of histories or doctrine for the publike good , doe ordinarily accompany them with certaine introductions , which we call proemes or prefaces , to discouer their intention to the Readers , which wanting they cannot haue perfect knoledge , nor reape much fruit of what they read . Though in deed , for the Readers to remayne only depriued of these fruites and benefittes , were a lesse inconuenience , and in some sort supportable , if they did not some times conceiue euill impressions , that induce them to contemne the good doctrines and profitable examples which they read : and this proceedeth of their ignorant temerity , which causeth them to condemne thinges worthy of praise , and falsly to censure that which they vnderstand not , which vice as is it reprehensible , so is it detrimentall and detestable in all kinde of doctrine , but especially in the sacred scriptures and liues of sainctes : And therfore we see that God , in all his worckes , would prepare men as it were by certaine proemes , that they might vnderstand them , and expect them with such intention as he meant to performe them , as when he purposed to renew the world , by meanes of the vniuersall deluge , he conferred thereof with the iust Noe an hundred and twenty years before , commanding him the edifice of the arck , to th end that worck might be knowne , not only to those that then liued , but also to such as should succeed them afterward Neither did he vpon any other consideration deferre to giue children to the Patriarch Abraham , but that he should the better vnderstand , and with greater reuerence receiue the grace which was figured vnto him in his sonne Isaac . I am of opinion that for the same respect he was forty dayes in giuing the law to the people of Israel , bountifully imparting vnto them many notable fauours in the meane time , and with such excellent miracles deliuering them from the seruitude of Egipt , that they might by these meanes dispose them to acknoledge him alone for God , and completely to obserue his law . I may also inferre the like of the forty yeares that he entertayned that people in the desert , that it was vnto them as it were a disposition the more deerly to prise and estimate the so much desired land of promise . For this selfe same cause did God vse Prophetes among his people , were it to thereaten them with punishment and chasticementes , or to giue them hope of the benefittes and fauours which he intended vnto them , or to teach them the manner to demand and meritt his grace . And finally all the old testament , the sacrifices , ceremonies , and mysteries , haue bin nothing else but as a certaine proeme or preface of the new , that it might be desired and hoped , vnderstood by them , and receiued by vs according to the true light of the holy Ghost , and not with a humane and fallacious spiritt

Intending therfore to imitate those diuine and humane examples , it seemed to me expedient to add a preface to this worck , that the readers might dispose them to read it with a good intention , and auoid the enormous vice of ingratitude , not duely receiuing the diuine graces : and that also they might receiue therof a beneficiall fruit . Which I haue found so much more necessary to this worck , as the holy Ghost in the institution of the Order of the Freer Minors , is more remote from the ordinary intention and discourse of the world : for Mounting aboue the common obligation of the preceptes , he hath designed it to a degree of perfection more high then the Euangelicall Councells . It is not needfull not with standing , that I search farre to find the proeme requisite to discouer and manifest vnto you the intention of the holy Ghost and the eminencie of this Order , sith him selfe semeth to haue disigned it both in the old and new testament . We read in the prophet Ieremie , that when the Hebrew people were obstinate in their sinnes , and that they opened not their eares to the wordes , which on the part of the almighty , were by the Prophetes preached vnto them , God said to Ieremie : Goe to the house of the children Icrem . 35. of Rechab , and conduct them with thee to the temple , and giue them wine to drincke . Wherto Ieremie obeyed , and hauing brought the Rechabites to the temple , in to the house of one of the principall Officers , before him and many others , he offred them wine in cuppes or vessels , and bid them drinck . But they answeared him : Know Ieremie that we haue neuer drunck wine , nor will we drinck any , because we haue bin forbidden it by Ionadab the sonne of Rechab our Father , who commanded it vnto vs in these termes : You Rechabites shall neuer drincke wine , nor your children , you shall not build houses , you shall not sow , you shall not plant vignes , nor possesse any , but you shall dwell all your life , in tentes and pauillions that you may liue many dayes on the earth , wherin you are pilgrimes : And in this sort doe we obserue it , obeying that which our father hath commanded vs . The Rechabites hauing giuen this answeare to Ieremie , he had incontinently the spiritt of God , that said vnto him : Ieremie goe to the people of Iuda , and of Hierusalem , and thus speake vnto them O obdurate and obstinat people , will ye neuer obey my law , and follow my commandementes ? the wordes of Ionadab the sonne of Rechab are they of more force then mine ? He would that his children and their posterity should neuer drinck wine , and to obey their father , they haue not dranck any , and you would neuer obey my commandementes . I will therfore send you a punishment worthy of your rebellion , according as I haue threatned you : but I will not ceasse to fauour the Rechabites , because they haue obeyd the commandements of their father . A figure doubtles most expresse , so farre foorth as the ancient estate would permitt it , and so particular for the Religion of the Frier Minors of the B. Fa . S. Francis , that it hath litle need of farther exposition then to be red and conferred with the expresse wordes of his rule , which are these . The Frier Minors haue not any thing proper , neither house , nor place , nor what soeuer other thinge , but lett them liue in this world as pilgrimes and strangers , and lett them serue God , who hath redeemed vs in pouerty and humility and seeke almose with out shame or dishonour : considering that our lord Iesus-Christ would be poore for vs . Now by the liuely example of this Order , and by the so great austerities and strict obseruations ; our lord reprehendeth the frensie and folly of the Christians ; who forgetfull of the pouerty of our Redeemer Iesus-Christ , and of his seruantes , doe ruine themselues by auarice , by delicacies and dissolutions . We hope that God will neuer permitt vs to want perfect Religious of this Order , that shall admonish vs of our duety by their example , before the eyes of his diuine Maiestie .

But S. Iohn the Euangelist and Prophett in his reuelations doth more particulerly demonstrate the time and estate of the glorious Fa. S. Francis and his holy disciples , saying : And I saw , when the Angel had opened the sixt seale , there was made a great earthquake , and the sunne became black as it were sackcloth of haire : ( which is a garment made of the haire of a horse and of very grosse woll ) and the whole moone became as bloud : and the starres from heauen fell vpon the earth . After these thinges I saw foure Angels standing vpon the four corners of the earth , holding the four windes of the earth that they should not blow vpon the land , nor vpon the sea , nor on any tree . And I saw an other Angell ascending from the rising of the sunne , hauing the signe of the liuing God : and he cryed with a loud voice to the foure Angels to whome it was giuen to hurt the earth and the sea , saying , hurt not the earth and the sea , nor the trees , till we signe the seruantes of our lord in their foreheades . This Prophesie occording to the testimony of Vbertinus , was preached by S. Bonauenture att Paris in a Prouinciall chapter , as already verified in the Person of the holy Father S. Francis , adding that he was by diuine reuelation assured , that S. Iohn the Euangelist in this passadge , had his eye on S Francis , and on his sacred Religion . The same is affirmed by Brother Iohn of Parma , who was a right holy and Religious man , and famous by many miracles that God wrought by him .

But for the more easie intelligence hereof , it must be vnderstood that by the seauen visions of S. Iohn in his Apocalipse , are signified the seauen ages or estates of the Church . The first age was , of the foundation therof , made by our Lord IESVS Christ and his Apostles in Iurie which began at his preaching , and continued till the Martyrdome of the Apostles . This was figured by the first vision of the seauen Churches , in the first and second chapter . The second age was of the confirmation of the faith , with the bloud of the martyrs shed thorough all the world by Pagans and Idolators , which began att the persecution of Nero , figured by the second vision of seauen seales , in the 5. chapter . The third age was doctrine , in the same being declared the mysteries of our faith , and all heresies clearlie refuted . It began in the time of the Emperour Constantin , who assembled the Councell of Nice , against the heresie of Arius , figured by the third vision of the seauen trompettes , in the seauenth chapter . The fourth age was solitary and Eremeticall life , performed with long and great austeritie of life and contemplation of spiritt , till the time of S. Antony , figured in the fourth vision of the woman clothed with the sunne , in the twelueth chapter . The fift age was when the holy Church began to abound in temporall riches , as well Religious as Clearkes , it began in the time of Charles the great , figured by the fist vision of the seauen golden vessels , in the fifteenth chapter . The sixt age of the renouation of Euangelicall life , is of the warre against the sectes of Antechrist , performed by the voluntary poore , who possesse not any thing in this life , it began in the Seraphicall Father S Francis , author and institutor of the Frier Minors , figured by the sixt vision of the abhominable and puissante woman of Babilon , in the seauenteenth chapter . The seauenth age shal be hereafter , both in a merueillous repose , and participation of warre , which is to come in earth , and shall shortly come in perfection in the generall resurrection of all the sainctes of God : it shall haue his begymning in death before the comming of our Redeemer IESVS Christ to iudge , it is figured in the twentith chapter of the Apocalypse , when the dragon shall finally be condemned , and the elect glorified .

So that in the first age did florish the perfection of Prelacie and the Pastorall care of the Church , those were the holy Apostles . In the second florished the estate of Martyrdome , by the combatt and triumph of the Champions of IESVS Christ . In the third florished the Voice of Preachers and Doctours , the trompett of the diuine wisdome . In the fourth the sanctity and ornament of contemplatiue life , in those that liued and led an Euangelicall and celestiall life on earth . In the fift florishhed the zeale of iustice , by which one discendeth to a commune and lesse perfect life in the zealous & iust institutors of Reguler estates . In the sixt florished the estate of the imitation of IESVS Christ , reformed by the Church in the true imitators of Euangelicall life . In the seauenth afterward shall florish the tast and swetnes of the glory which God shall communicate vnto his elect , for the wearysome , labours which one shall haue voluntarily and affectionatly suffered here on earth , as farre foorth as humane infirmity , shall haue ability to support , and God shal be pleased to inspire into vs . And our Lord hath ordayned these estates and these ages , according to the necessities of the holy Church against his ennemies the diuels , and against wicked men their followers , who together maintaine ancient warre against his Church , though tolerated by God for the greater glory of the elect : for none shal be crowned but he that couragiously combatteth . So was the first estate against the carnall , and grosse intelligences & ceremonies of the Iewes . The second against the idolatry of the Pagans . The third against the Arrians and other heretikes . The fourth against the carnall and detestable sect of Mahomet . The fift against the life of loose Christians dishonoring themselues . The sixt against the pestiferous poyson of Antechrist . The seauenth against the army of deuils and their sectatours , who in these latter dayes shall trouble the Church more then euer . We ought neuertheles to conceiue , that though the said estates be thus separated , and each one haue his particuler property , yet the one participating of the quality and property of the other , they come in a certaine manner to entermingle together : by reason that there euer haue bin , and shal be in the Church of God , Prelates , Martyrs , & Confessors , all affectionate and perfect imitatours of IESVS Christ . It is a matter well worthy exceeding deepe consideration to weigh with what profound wisdome , these Estates haue bin ordained by the holy Ghost .

First our Lord IESVS Christ , as cheife and foundamental stone of his Church , together with his glorious Mother , his Apostles and primitiue Church , constituted and founded the first estate ; out of which was afterwardes to issue all perfection in the ensuying Estates . In which arose the first battell , our Redeemer IESVS Christ , opposing against the ingratefull Sinagogue , possessed of the deuill , wherein as our Capitaine he entred the field of combatt for vs and fighting valerously , gott a glorious victory , leauing to the world a new manner of fight , to vanquish our ennemies , and to attaine an eternall and immortal glory in heauen : and as he was true God and Lord of all , it was expedient , that , to the confusion of the ingrateful Sinagogue , and for the greater manifestation of his omnipotencie , and clemencie , by meane of his Apostles preaching , he should be knowne to be the true Redeemer and Lord of all the world and of all nations . But whereas they were all Idolators , and addicted to most abhominable vices , by persuasion of the deuils , whome they serued , the valliant combat of the champions of IESVS Christ was necessary ( I meane the holy Martyres ) to bring idolatry and infernall vices to ruine . Att the end of which conflict the world was to acknoledge IESVS Christ , as it began to doe vnder the Empire of Constantin , when it pleased God , to giue some peace and repose to his Church . And because a more cleare knoledge of the faith of the most sacred Trinity , and of the diuinity and humanity of IESVS Christ was expedient , the order and dignity of Doctours , illuminated by the holy Ghost , did then florish . In like sort also , because our spirittes cannot arriue to the depth of the mysteries of faith , and that many presume ouer much on the subtilitye and force of their witte , many ( particulerly of the Grecians ) did by diuine permission iustly fall into errour , therfore the want and necessity of Doctours did grow and encrease , who obtayned glorious victories ouer the heretikes . And because the knoledge of diuine thinges , doth litle or nothing auaile , if the life be not conformable to the doctrine , in the fourth estate which was litle different in time from the third of the Doctours , did florish that merueillous , celestiall and angelical life , of Hermites in the deserts specially of Arabia , Palestine and Egypt , very commodious and conuenient places , where , with great abstinence , watchinges , prayers , disclplines , contemplations , and other pious exercises , they did subiect the flesh to the spiritt , which they held perfectly vnited with God . But by reason that the malice and infirmity of humane nature cannot long support and endure such a sublimity and excellencie of life : and considering that the fall from so emin●t an estate draweth together with it a consequence of enormous sinnes , a coldnes of the loue of God , and sometimes Apostasie : the same succeded , together with heresies that branched out , so that there was yet need of violent chasticementes . And therfore were the Christians sharpely afflicted and chasticed , by no lesse cruell then barbarous nations , such as were the Hungarians , Gothes , Vandales , Lombardes and other , yea we yet see the order and abhominable sect of the barbarous Mahomet , by reason of false Christians and heretikes , to ruine , bring to seruitude and sclauery a great part of the Christian Prouinces . This was the fourth warre wherby , in regard of the extreme coldnes of the deuotion of Christians , the Church was greiuously afflicted . Yet did not God therfore leaue his Church destitute of holy personnages , vnder whome in so miserable a time , she was supported , as in the dialogues of S. Gregory doth manifestly appeare .

Now our Lord IESVS Christ defending his Church , he assembled and retired the purest and most entier part therof , into this part of the world which we call Europe , in the time of Charles the Emperour & king of France , by whose meane God secured , & setled in tranquility the estate of his Vicar att Rome , the capitall citty of the Empire , and gaue peace to the Church , the said Emperour attempting great enterprises , and obtayning glorious victories ouer the Barbarians , Pagans , and Sarrazins . In that fift estate , humane infirmity was with very great reason condiscended vnto , and to that effect was instituted a more lardge & tollerable life , to th' end that such as were not capable of the hight of Martyrdome , or of contemplation , might neuertheles finde place of fauour with God , in a meane or indifferent estate , ecclesiasticall persons possessing their temporall goodes peaceably as did the seculers : And because many could not , euen in that meane estate , so strictly containe themselues as to liue vertuously according to their duety , God raysed against them holy men and zealous of his honour , that should reprehend and check their vices and dissolutions : which caused them to raise rebellion and persecution euen against their owne Prelates , and so Christians abusing the benefitt of peace and temporall prosperity , the Ecclesiasticall no lesse then the seculers , loosed the reines to infinite vices , as to auarice , simonie , vsury , violence , discord , and adultery , without any remorse of conscience or feare of God : so that retayning as it were the only name and faith of Christians , they in other respectes liued meerly as Pagans . This carnall and licencious life tooke such roote , that all memory of spirituall life and the imitation of the life of IESVS Christ seemed to be vtterly extinguished and raced out of mennes hartes , and therfore it was expedient for him to reforme the Church by renewing the memory of his most sacred life . It ought not to seeme strange not with standing , that the diuine prouidence which sweetly and prudently gouerneth al thinges , would graunt to his Church , estates and temporall riches : for the same hath bin expedient for diuers considerations , and principally to demonstrate that IESVS Christ is the almighty Creator and Gouernour of all , that to him all creatures owe seruice , & that with all thinges & of all , he may be serued in his Church , against the heresie of the Manicheans : besides , it is to make appeare , that the new testament doth not reproue the estate and quality of Princes , nobles , and riche personnes , though himselfe being in the world , did choose an estate of life in pouerty , crosses , and humility .