THE FIRST DAY

 

THE FIRST NOVELL

 

     WHEREIN IS CONTAINED, HOW HARD A THING IT IS, TO DISTINGUISH

   GOODNESSE FROM HYPOCRISIE; AND HOW (UNDER THE SHADOW OF HOLINESSE)

            THE WICKEDNESSE OF ONE MAN, MAY DECEIVE MANY

 

  Messire Chappelet du Prat, by making a false confession, beguyled

an holy Religious man, and after dyed. And having (during his life

time) bene a very bad man, at his death, was reputed for a saint,

and called S. Chappelet.

 

  It is a matter most convenient (deare Ladies) that a man ought to

begin whatsoever he doth, in the great and glorious name of him, who

was the Creator of all things. Wherefore, seeing that I am the man

appointed, to begin this your invention of discoursing Novelties: I

intend to begin also with one of his wonderfull workes. To the end,

that this being heard, our hope may remaine on him, as the thing onely

permanent, and his name for ever to be praised by us. Now, as there is

nothing more certaine, but that even as temporall things are mortall

and transitory, so are they both in and out of themselves, full of

sorrow, paine, and anguish, and subjected to infinite dangers: So in

the same manner, we live mingled among them, seeming as part of

them, and cannot (without some error) continue or defend our selves,

if God by his especiall grace and favour, give us not strength and

good understanding. Which power we may not beleeve, that either it

descendeth to us, or liveth in us, by any merites of our owne; but

of his onely most gracious benignity. Mooved neverthelesse and

entreated by the intercessions of them, who were (as we are)

mortals; and having diligently observed his commandements, are now

with him in eternall blessednes. To whom (as to advocates and

procurators, informed by the experience of our frailty) wee are not to

present our prayers in the presence of so great a Judge; but onely

to himselfe, for the obtaining of all such things as his wisedome

knoweth to be most expedient for us. And well may we credit, that

his goodnesse is more fully enclined towards us, in his continuall

bounty and liberality; then the subtilty of mortall eye, can reach

into the secret of so divine a thought: and sometimes therefore we may

be beguiled in opinion, by electing such and such as our intercessors

before his high Majesty, who perhaps are farre off from him, or driven

into perpetuall exile, as unworthy to appeare in so glorious a

presence. For he, from whom nothing can be hidden, more regardeth

the sincerity of him that prayeth, then ignorant devotion, committed

to the trust of a heedlesse intercessor; and such prayers have alwaies

gracious acceptation in his sight. As manifestly will appeare, by

the Novell which I intend to relate; manifestly (I say) not as in

the judgement of God, but according to the apprehension of men.

  There was one named, Musciatto Francesi, who from beeing a most rich

and great Merchant in France, was become a Knight, and preparing to

goe into Tuscany, with Mounsieur Charles without Land, Brother to

the King of France (who was desired and incited to come thither by

Pope Boniface) found his affaires greatly intricated heere and there

(as oftentimes the matters of Merchants fall out to bee) and that very

hardly hee should sodainly unintangle them, without referring the

charge of them to divers persons. And for all he tooke indifferent

good order, onely he remained doubtfull, whom he might sufficiently

leave, to recover his debts among many Burgundians. And the rather was

his care the more heerein, because he knew the Burgundians to be

people of badde nature, rioters, brablers, full of calumny, and

without any faithfulnesse: so that he could not bethinke himselfe of

any man (how wicked soever he was) in whom he might repose trust to

meete with their lewdnesse. Having a long while examined his

thoughts upon this point, at last hee remembred one Master Chappelet

du Prat, who ofttimes had resorted to his house in Paris. And

because he was a man of little stature, yet handsome enough, the

French not knowing what this word Chappelet might meane, esteeming

he should be called rather (in their tongue) Chappell; imagined,

that in regard of his small stature, they termed him Chappelet, and

not Chappell, and so by the name of Chappelet he was every where

known, and by few or none acknowledged for Chappell.

  This Master Chappelet, was of so good and commendable life; that,

being a Notarie, he held it in high disdaine, that any of his

Contractes (although he made but few) should be found without

falshoode. And looke how many soever hee dealt withall, he would be

urged and required thereto, offering them his paines and travaile

for nothing, but to bee requited otherwise then by money; which

prooved to bee his much larger recompencing, and returned to him the

farre greater benefit. Hee tooke the onely pleasure of the world, to

beare false witnesse, if hee were thereto entreated, and

(oftentimes) when hee was not requested at all. Likewise because in

those times, great trust and beleefe was given to an oath, he making

no care or conscience to be perjured: greatly advantaged himselfe by

Law suites, in regard that many matters relyed upon his oath, and

delivering the truth according to his knowledge.

  He delighted (beyond measure) and addicted his best studies, to

cause enmities and scandals betweene kindred and friends, or any other

persons, agreeing well together; and the more mischiefe he could

procure in this kind, so much the more pleasure and delight tooke he

therein. If he were called to kill any one, or to do any other

villanous deede, he never would make deniall, but go to it very

willingly; and divers times it was well knowen, that many were cruelly

beaten, ye slaine by his hands. Hee was a most horrible blasphemer

of God and his Saints, upon the very least occasion, as being more

addicted to choller, then any other man could be. Never would he

frequent the Church, but basely contemned it, with the Sacraments

and religious rites therein administred, accounting them for vile

and unprofitable things: but very voluntarily would visit Tavernes,

and other places of dishonest accesse, which were continually pleasing

unto him, to satisfie his lust and inordinate lubricitie. Hee would

steale both in publike and private, even with such a conscience, as if

it were given to him by nature so to do. He was a great glutton and

a drunkarde, even he was not able to take any more: being also a

continuall gamester, and carrier of false Dice, to cheate with them

the very best Friends he had.

  But why do I waste time in such extent of words? When it may suffice

to say, that never was there a worse man borne; whose wickednesse

was for long time supported, by the favour, power, and Authoritie of

Monsieur Musciatto, for whose sake many wrongs and injuries were

patiently endured, as well by private persons (whom hee would abuse

notoriously) as others of the Court, betweene whom he made no

difference at all in his vile dealing. This Master Chappelet, being

thus remembred by Musciatto (who very well knew his life and

behaviour) he perfectly perswaded himselfe, that this was a man apt in

all respects, to meete with the treachery of the Burgundians:

whereupon, having sent for him, thus he beganne.

  Chappelet, thou knowest how I am wholly to retreate my selfe from

hence, and having some affaires among the Burgundians, men full of

wickednesse and deceite; I can bethinke my selfe of no meeter a man

then Chappelet, to recover such debts as are due to mee among them.

And because it falleth out so well, that thou art not now hindered

by any other businesse; if thou wilt undergoe this office for me, I

will procure thee favourable Letters from the Court, and give thee a

reasonable portion in all thou recoverest. Master Chappelet, seeing

himselfe idle, and greedy after worldly goods, considering that

Mounsieur Musciatto (who had beene alwayes his best buckler) was now

to depart from thence, without any dreaming on the matter, and

constrained thereto (as it were) by necessity, set downe his

resolution, and answered, that hee would gladly doe it.

  Having made their agreement together, and received from Musciatto

his expresse procuration, and also the Kings gracious Letters; after

that Musciatto was gone on his journey, Master Chappelet went to

Dijon, where he was unknowne (well-neere) of any. And there (quite

from his naturall disposition) he beganne benignely and graciously, in

recovering the debts due; which course he tooke the rather, because

they should have a further feeling of him in the end. Being lodged

in the house of two Florentine brethren, that living on their monies

usance; and (for Mounsieur Musciattoes sake) using him with honour and

respect: it fortuned that he fell sicke, and the two brethren sent for

Physitions to attend him, allowing their servants to be diligent about

him, making no spare of any thing, which gave the best likelyhood of

restoring his health. But all their paines proved to no purpose,

because he (honest man) being now growne aged, and having lived all

his life time very disorderly, fell day by day (according to the

Physicions judgement) from bad to worse, as no other way appeared

but death, whereat the brethren greatly grieved.

  Upon a day, neere to the Chamber where the sicke man lay, they

entred into this communication. What shall we doe (quoth the one to

the other) with this man? We are much hindered by him: for to send him

away (sicke as he is) we shall be greatly blamed thereby, and it

will be a manifest note of our weake wisedome; the people knowing that

first of all we gave him entertainement, and have allowed him honest

physicall attendance, and he not having any way injuried or offended

us, to let him be suddenly expulsed our house (sicke to death as he

is) it can be no way for our credit.

  On the other side, we are to consider also, that hee hath bin so

badde a man, as he will not now make any confession thereof, neither

receive the blessed Sacrament of the Church, and dying so without

confession; there is no Church that will accept his body, but it

must be buried in prophane ground, like to a Dogge. And yet if hee

would confesse himselfe, his sinnes are so many and monstrous, as

the like case also may happen, because there is not any Priest or

Religious person, that can or will absolve him. And being not

absolved, he must be cast into some ditch or pit, and then the

people of the Towne, as well in regard of the account we carry

heere, (which to them appeareth so little pleasing, as we are daily

pursued with their worst words) as also coveting our spoile and

overthrow, upon this accident will cry out and mutiny against us;

Behold these Lombard dogs, which are not to be received into the

Church, why should we suffer them to live heere among us? In furious

madnesse will they come upon us, and our house, where (peradventure)

not contended with robbing us of our goods, our lives will remaine

in their mercy and danger; so that, in what sort soever it happen,

this mans dying here, must needs be banefull to us.

  Master Chappelet, who (as we have formerly saide) was lodged neere

to the place where they thus conferred, having a subtle attention

(as oftentimes we see sicke persons to be possessed withall) heard all

these speeches spoken of him, and causing them to bee called unto him,

thus hee spake.

  I would not have you to be any way doubtfull of me; neither that you

should receive the least damage by me: I have heard what you have

said, and am certaine, that it will happen according to your words, if

matters should fall out as you conceite; but I am minded to deale

otherwise. I have committed so many offences against our Lord God,

in the whole current of my life; that now I intend one action at the

houre of my death, which I trust will make amends for all. Procure

therefore, I pray you, that the most holy and religious man that is to

be found (if there bee any one at all) may come unto me, and referre

the case then to me, for I will deale in such sort for you and my

selfe, that all shall be well, and you no way discontented.

  The two Brethren, although they had no great hope in his speeches,

went yet to a Monastery of Gray-Friars, and requested; that some one

holy and learned man, might come to heare the confession of a Lombard,

that lay very weake and sicke in their house. And one was granted unto

them, being an aged religious Frier, a great read master in the sacred

Scripture, a very venerable person, who being of good and sanctified

life, all the Citizens held him in great respect and esteeme, and on

hee went with them to their house. When he was come up into the

Chamber where Master Chappelet lay, and being there seated downe by

him; he beganne first to comfort him very lovingly, demanding also

of him, how many times he had bin at confession? Whereto Master

Chappelet (who never had bin shrived in all his life time) thus

replied.

  Holy Father, I alwayes used (as a common custome) to bee confessed

once (at the least) every weeke, albeit sometimes much more often; but

true it is, that being falne into this sicknesse, now eight daies

since I have not beene confest, so violent hath bene the extremity

of my weaknesse. My sonne (answered the good old man) thou hast done

well, and so keep thee still hereafter in that minde: but I plainly

perceive, seeing thou hast so often confessed thy selfe, that I

shall take the lesse labour in urging questions to thee.

  Master Chappelet replyed; Say not so good Father, for albeit I

have bene so oftentimes confessed, yet am I willing now to make a

generall confession, even of all sinnes comming to my remembrance,

from the very day of my birth, until this instant houre of my

shrift. And therefore I entreat you (holy Father) to make a particular

demand of everie thing, even as if I had never bene confessed at

all, and to make no respect of my sicknesse: for I had rather be

offensive to mine owne flesh, then by favoring or allowing it ease, to

hazard the perdition of my soule, which my Redeemer bought with so

precious a price.

  These words were highly pleasing to the holy Friar, and seemed to

him as an argument of a good conscience: Wherefore, after hee had much

commended this forwardnesse in him, he began to demand of him if he

had never offended with any Woman? Whereunto master Chappelet

(breathing forth a great sigh) answered.

  Holy Father, I am halfe ashamed to tell you the truth in this

case, as fearing least I should sinne in vaine-glory. Whereto the

Confessor replyed; Speake boldly sonne, and feare not, for in

telling the truth, bee it in confession or otherwise, a man can

never sinne. Then sayde Maister Chappelet, Father, seeing you give

me so good an assurance, I will resolve you faithfully heerein. I am

so true a Virgin-man in this matter, even as when I issued forth of my

mothers Wombe. O sonne (quoth the Friar) how happy and blessed of

God art thou? Well hast thou lived, and therein hast thou not meanly

merited, having had so much libertie to doe the contrary if thou

wouldest, wherein verie few of us can so answer for our selves.

  Afterward, he demanded of him, how much displeasing to God hee had

beene in the sinne of Gluttony? When (sighing againe greatly) hee

answered: Too much, and too often, good Father. For, over and beside

the Fasts of our Lent season, which everie yeare ought to bee duely

observed by devout people, I brought my selfe to such a customarie

use, that I could fast three dayes in every Weeke, with Bread and

Water. But indeede (holy Father) I confesse, that I have drunke

water with such a pleasing appetite and delight (especially in

praying, or walking on pilgrimages) even as greedy drunkards doe, in

drinking good Wine. And many times I have desired such Sallades of

small hearbes, as Women do gather abroad in the open fields, and

feeding onely upon them, without coveting after any other kinde of

sustenance, hath seemed much more pleasing to me, then I thought to

agree with the nature of Fasting, especially, when as it swerveth

from devotion, or is not done as it ought to bee.

 Sonne, Sonne, replied the Confessour, these sinnes are naturall,

and very light, and therefore I would not have thee to charge thy

conscience with them, more then is needfull. It happeneth to every man

(how holy soever he be) that after he hath fasted overlong, feeding

will be welcome to him, and drinking good drinke after his travaile. O

Sir, (said Maister Chappelet) never tell me this to comfort me, for

well you know, and I am not ignorant therein, that such things as

are done for the service of God, ought all to be performed purely, and

without any blemish of the minde; what otherwise is done, savoureth of

sinne. The Friar being well contented with his words, said: It is

not amisse that thou understandest it in this manner, and thy

conscience thus purely cleared, is no little comfort to me. But tell

me now concerning Avarice, hast thou sinned therein, by desiring

more then was reasonable, or withholding from others, such things as

thou oughtst not to detaine? Wherein Maister Chappelet answered.

Good Father, I would not have you to imagine, because you see me

lodged heere in the house of two Usurers, that therefore I am of any

such disposition. No truely Sir, I came hither to no other end, but

onely to chastise and admonish them in friendly manner, to clense

their mindes from such abhominable profit: And assuredly, I should

have prevailed therein, had not this violent sicknesse hindered mine

intention. But understand (holy Father) that my parents left me a rich

man, and immediatly after my Fathers death, the greater part of his

goods I gave away for Gods sake, and then, to sustaine mine owne life,

and to helpe the poore members of Jesus Christ, I betooke my selfe

to a meane estate of Merchandise, desiring none other then honest

gaine thereby, and evermore whatsoever benefit came to me; I

imparted halfe thereof to the poore, converting mine owne small

portion about my necessary affaires, which that other part would

scarcely serve to supply: yet alwayes God gave thereto such a

mercifull blessing, that my businesse dayly thrived more and more,

arising still from good to better.

  Well hast thou done therein good Sonne, said the Confessour: but how

oftentimes hast thou beene angry? Oh Sir (said Maister Chappelet)

therein I assure yee, I have often transgressed. And what man is

able to forbeare it; beholding the dayly actions of men to be so

dishonest? No care of keeping Gods Commandements, nor any feare of his

dreadfull judgements. Many times in a day, I have rather wished my

selfe dead then living, beholding youth pursuing idle vanities, to

sweare and forsweare themselves, tipling in Tavernes, and never

haunting Churches; but rather affecting the worlds follies, then any

such duties as they owe to God. Alas Sonne (quoth the Friar) this is a

good and holy anger, and I can impose no penance on thee for it. But

tell me, hath not rage or furie at any time so over-ruled thee, as

to commit murther or man-slaughter, or to speake evill of any man,

or to doe any other such kinde of injurie? Oh Father (answered Maister

Chappelet) you that seeme to be a man of God, how dare you use any

such vile words? If I had had the very least thought, to doe any

such act as you speake, doe you thinke that God would have suffered me

to live? These are deeds of darknesse, fit for villaines and wicked

livers, of which hellish crew, when at any time I have happened to

meet with some one of them, I have said; God, God convert thee.

  Worthy, and charitable words, replied the Friar: but tell me

Sonne, Didst thou ever beare false witnes against any man, or hast

spoken falsly, or taken ought from any one, contrary to the will of

the owner? Yes indeed Father, said Maister Chappelet, I have spoken

ill of another, because I have sometime seene one of my neighbors, who

with no meane shame of the world, would do nothing else but beat his

wife: and of him once I complained to the poore mans parents,

saying, that he never did it but when he was overcome with drinke.

Those were no ill words, quoth the Friar; but I remember you said,

that you were a Merchant: Did you ever deceive any, as some

Merchants use to doe? Truely Father, answered M. Chappelet, I thinke

not any, except one man, who one day brought me money which he owed me

for a certaine peece of cloath I sold him, and I put it into a purse

without accounting it. About a moneth afterward, I found that there

were foure small pence more then was due to mee: and never happening

to meete with the man againe, after I had kept them the space of a

whole yeare, I then gave them away unto foure poore people, for Gods

sake.

  A small matter, said the Friar, and truly payed backe againe to

the owner, in bestowing them on the poore. Many other questions he

demanded of him, whereto still he answered in the same manner. But

before he proceeded to absolution, Master Chappelet spake thus: I have

yet one sinne more, which I have not revealed to you: when being urged

by the Friar to confesse it, he said. I remember, that I should afford

one day in the weeke, to cleanse the house of my soule, for better

entertainement to my Lord and Saviour, and yet I have done no such

reverence to the Sunday or Sabbath, as I ought to have done. A small

fault Sonne, replyed the Friar. O no (quoth Master Chappelet)

doe not terme it a small fault, because Sunday being a holy day,

is highly to be reverenced: for as on that day, our blessed Lord arose

from death to life. But (quoth the Confessor) hast thou done nothing

else on that day? Yes, said he, being forgetfull of my selfe, once I

did spet in Gods Church. The Friar smiling, said: Alas Sonne, that

is a matter of no moment; for wee that are Religious persons, doe

use to spet there every day. The more is your shame, answered Master

Chappelet, for no place ought to bee kept more pure and cleane then

the sacred Temple, wherein our daily sacrifices are offered up to God.

  In this manner he held on an houre and more, uttering the like

transgressions as these; and at last began to sigh very

passionately, and to shed a few teares, as one that was skilfull

enough in such dissembling pranks: whereat the Confessor being much

mooved, saide: Alas Sonne, what aylest thou? Oh Father (quoth

Chappelet) there remaineth yet one sinne more upon my conscience,

wherof I never at any time made confession, so shamefull it

appeareth to mee to disclose it; and I am partly perswaded, that God

will never pardon me for that sinne. How now Sonne? said the Friar,

never say so; for if all the sinnes that ever were committed by men,

or shall be committed so long as the World endureth, were onely in one

man, and he repenting them, and being so contrite for them, as I see

thou art; the grace and mercy of God is so great, that upon penitent

confession, he will freely pardon him, and therefore spare not to

speake it boldly. Alas Father (said Chappelet, still in pretended

weeping) this sinne of mine is so great, that I can hardly beleeve (if

your earnest prayers do not assist me) that ever I shall obtaine

remission for it. Speake it Sonne, said the Friar, and feare not, I

promise that I will pray to God for thee.

  Master Chappelet still wept and sighed, and continued silent,

notwithstanding all the Confessors comfortable perswasions; but

after hee had helde him a long while in suspence, breathing forth a

sighe, even as if his very heart would have broken, he saide; Holy

Father, seeing you promise to pray to God for me, I will reveale it to

you: Know then, that when I was a little boy, I did once curse my

Mother; which he had no sooner spoken, but he wrung his hands, and

greeved extraordinarily. Oh good Son, saide the Friar: doth that seeme

so great a sinne to thee? Why, men doe daily blaspheme our Lord God,

and yet neverthelesse, upon their hearty repentance, he is alwayes

ready to forgive them; and wilt not thou beleeve to obtaine remission,

for a sinne so ignorantly committed? Weepe no more deare Sonne, but

comfort thy selfe and rest resolved, that if thou wert one of them,

who nayled our blessed Saviour to his Crosse; yet being so truly

repentant, as I see thou art, he would freely forgive thee. Say you so

Father? quoth Chappelet. What mine owne deare Mother? that bare me

in her wombe nine moneths, day and night, and afterwards fed me with

her breasts a thousand times, can I be pardoned for cursing her? Oh

no, it is too haynous a sinne, and except you pray to God very

instantly for me, he will not forgive me.

  When the religious man perceived, that nothing more was to bee

confessed by Master Chappelet; he gave him absolution, and his owne

benediction beside, reputing him to be a most holy man, as verily

beleeving all that hee had said. And who would not have done the like,

hearing a man to speake in this manner, and being upon the very

point of death? Afterward, he saide unto him, Master Chappelet, by

Gods grace you may be soone restored to health, but if it so come to

passe, that God doe take your blessed and well disposed soule to his

mercy, will it please you to have your body buried in our Convent?

Whereto Master Chappelet answered; I thanke you Father for your good

motion, and sorry should I be, if my friends did bury me any where

else, because you have promised to pray to God for me; and beside, I

have alwayes carried a religious devotion to your Order. Wherefore,

I beseech you, so soone as you are come home to your Convent, prevaile

so much by your good meanes, that the holy Eucharist, consecrated this

morning on your high Altar, may be brought unto me: for although I

confesse my selfe utterly unworthy, yet I purpose (by your reverend

permission) to receive it, as also your holy and latest unction, to

this ende, that having lived a greevous sinner, I may yet (at the

last) die a Christian. These words were pleasing to the good olde man,

and he caused every thing to be performed, according as Master

Chappelet had requested.

  The two Brethren, who much doubted the dissembling of Chappelet,

being both in a small partition, which sundered the sicke mans Chamber

from theirs, heard and understood the passage of all, betweene him and

the ghostly Father, being many times scarcely able to refraine from

laughter, at the fraudulent course of his confession. And often they

said within themselves, What manner of man is this, whom neither

age, sickenesse, nor terror of death so neere approaching, and

sensible to his owne soule, nor that which is much more, God, before

whose judgement he knowes not how soone he shall appeare, or else be

sent to a more fearefull place; none of these can alter his wicked

disposition, but that he will needes die according as he hath lived?

Notwithstanding, seeing he had so ordered the matter, that he had

buriall freely allowed him, they cared for no more.

  After that Chappelet had received the Communion, and the other

Ceremonies appointed for him; weakenesse encreasing on him more and

more, the very same day of his goodly confession, he died (not long

after) towards the evening. Whereupon the two Brethren tooke order,

that all needefull things should be in a readinesse, to have him

buried honourably; sending to acquaint the Fathers of the Convent

therewith, that they might come to say their Vigilles, according to

precedent custome, and then on the morrow to fetch the body. The

honest Friar that had confessed him, hearing he was dead, went to

the Prior of the Convent, and by sound of the house Bell, caused all

the Brethren to assemble together, giving them credibly to understand,

that Master Chappelet was a very holy man, as appeared by all the

parts of his confession, and made no doubt, but that many miracles

would be wrought by his sanctified body, perswading them to fetch it

thither with all devoute solemnity and reverence: whereto the Prior,

and all the credulous Brethren presently condiscended very gladly.

  When night was come, they went all to visit the dead body of

Master Chappelet, where they used an especiall and solemne Vigill; and

on the morrow, apparelled in their richest Coapes and Vestiments, with

bookes in their hands, and the Crosse borne before them, singing in

the forme of a very devoute procession, they brought the body

pompeously into their Church, accompanied with all the people of the

Towne, both men and women. The Father Confessor, ascending up into the

Pulpit, preached wonderfull things of him, and the rare holinesse of

his life; his fastes, his virginity, simplicity, innocency, and true

sanctity, recounting also (among other especiall observations) what

Chappelet had confessed, as this most great and greevous sinne, and

how hardly he could be perswaded, that God would grant him pardon

for it. Whereby he tooke occasion to reprove the people then

present, saying; And you (accursed of God) for the verie least and

trifling matter hapning, will not spare to blaspheme God, his

blessed Mother, and the whole Court of heavenly Paradise: Oh, take

example by this singular man, this Saint-like man, nay, a very Saint

indeede.

  Many additions more he made, concerning his faithfulnesse, truth,

and integrity; so that, by the vehement asseveration of his words

(whereto all the people there present gave credible beleefe) he

provoked them unto such zeale and earnest devotion; that the Sermon

was no sooner ended, but (in mighty crowds and throngs) they pressed

about the Biere, kissing his hands and feete, and all the garments

about him were torne in peeces, as precious Reliques of so holy a

person, and happy they thought themselves, that could get the smallest

peece or shred of any thing that came neere to his body: and thus they

continued all the day, the body lying still open, to be visited in

this manner.

  When night was come, they buried him in a goodly Marble tombe,

erected in a faire Chappell purposely; and for many dayes after

following, it was most strange to see, how the people of the Country

came thither on heapes, with holy Candles and other offerings, with

Images of waxe fastened to the Tombe, in signe of Sacred and solemne

Vowes, to this new created Saint. And so farre was spread the fame and

renowne of his sanctity, devotion, and integrity of life, maintained

constantly by the Fathers of the Convent; that if any one fell sicke

in neede, distresse, or adversity, they would make their Vowes to no

other Saint but him: naming him (as yet to this day they do) Saint

Chappelet, affirming upon their Oathes, that infinite miracles were

there daily performed by him, and especially on such, as came in

devotion to visit his shrine.

  In this manner lived and died Master Chappelet du Prat, who before

he became a Saint, was as you have heard: and I will not deny it to be

impossible, but that he may bee at rest among other blessed bodies.

For although he lived lewdly and wickedly, yet such might be his

contrition in the latest extreamity, that (questionlesse) he might

finde mercie. But, because such things remaine unknowne to us, and

speaking by outward appearance, vulgar judgement will censure

otherwise of him, and thinke him to be rather in perdition, then in so

blessed a place as Paradice. But referring that to the Omnipotents

appointment, whose clemencie hath alwayes beene so great to us, that

he regards not our errors, but the integrity of our Faith, making

(by meanes of our continuall Mediator) of an open enemy, a converted

sonne and servant. And as I began in his name, so will I conclude,

desiring that it may evermore be had in due reverence, and referre

we our selves thereto in all our necessities, with this setled

assurance, that he is alwayes ready to heare us. And so he ceased.