_Messire Chappelet du Prat, by making a false confession, beguyled anholy Religious man, and after dyed. And having (during his life time)bene a verie bad man, at his death was reputed to be a Saint, andcalled S. Chappelet._
The first Novell.
_Wherein is contained, how hard a thing it is, to distinguish goodnessefrom hypocrisie; and how (under the shadow of holinesse) the wickednesof one man, may deceive many._
It is a matter most convenient (deare Ladies) that a man ought tobegin whatsoever he doth, in the great and glorious name of him, whowas the Creator of all thinges. Wherefore, seeing that I am the manappointed, to begin this your invention of discoursing Novelties: Iintend to begin also with one of his wonderfull workes. To the end,that this beeing heard, our hope may remaine on him, as the thingonely permanent, and his name for ever to be praised by us. Now, asthere is nothing more certaine, but that even as temporall things aremortall 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 ofthem, and cannot (without some error) continue or defend ourselves,if God by his especiall grace and favour, give us not strength andgood understanding. Which power we may not beleeve, that either itdescendeth to us, or liveth in us, by any merites of our owne; but ofhis onely most gracious benignity. Mooved neverthelesse, and entreatedby the intercessions of them, who were (as we are) mortals; and havingdiligently observed his commandements, are now with him in eternallblessednes. To whom (as to advocates and procurators, informed by theexperience of our frailty) wee are not to present our prayers in thepresence of so great a Judge; but only to himselfe, for the obtainingof all such things as his wisedome knoweth to be most expedient forus. And well may we credit, that his goodnesse is more fully enclinedtowards us, in his continuall bounty and liberality; then the subtiltyof any mortal eye, can reach into the secret of so divine a thought:and sometimes therefore we may be beguiled in opinion, by electing suchand such as our intercessors before his high Majesty, who perhaps arefarre off from him, or driven into perpetuall exile, as unworthy toappeare in so glorious a presence. For he, from whom nothing can behidden, more regardeth the sincerity of him that prayeth, then ignorantdevotion, committed to the trust of a heedlesse intercessor; and suchprayers have alwaies gracious acceptation in his sight. As manifestlywill appeare, by the Novell which I intend to relate; manifestly (Isay) not as in the judgement of God, but according to the apprehensionof men.
There was one named, _Musciatto Francesi_, who from beeing a most richand great merchant in _France_, was become a Knight, and preparing togo into _Tuscany_, with Monsieur _Charles without Land_, Brother tothe King of _France_ (who was desired and incited to come thither byPope _Boniface_) found his affaires greatly intricated here and there(as oftentimes the matters of Merchants fall out to bee) and that veryhardly hee should sodainly unintangle them, without referring thecharge of them to divers persons. And for all he tooke indifferentgood order, onely he remained doubtfull, whom he might sufficientlyleave, to recover his debts among many _Burgundians_. And the ratherwas his care the more herein, because he knew the _Burgundians_ to bepeople of badde nature, rioters, brablers, full of calumny, and withoutany faithfulnesse; so that he could not bethinke himselfe of any man(how wicked soever he was) in whom he might repose trust to meetewith their lewdnesse. Having a long while examined his thoughts uponthis point, at last hee remembred one master _Chappelet du Prat_, whoofttimes had resorted to his house in _Paris_. And because he was aman of little stature, yet handsome enough, the French not knowing whatthis word _Chappelet_ might mean, esteeming he should be called rather(in their tongue) _Chappell_; imagined, that in regard of his smallstature, they termed him _Chappelet_, and not _Chappell_, and so bythe name of _Chappelet_ he was every where known, and by few or noneacknowledged for _Chappel_.
This master _Chappelet_, was of so good and commendable life;that, being a Notarie, he held it in high disdaine, that any ofhis Contractes (although he made but few) should be found withoutfalshoode. And looke how many soever hee dealt withall, he would beurged and required thereto, offering them his paines and travaile fornothing, but to be requited otherwise then by money; which prooved tobee his much larger recompencing, and returned to him the farre greaterbenefit. Hee tooke the onely pleasure of the world, to beare falsewitnesse, if hee were thereto entreated, and (oftentimes) when hee wasnot requested at all. Likewise, because in those times, great trustand beleefe was given to an oath, he making no care or conscience tobe perjured: greatly advantaged himselfe by Law suites, in regard thatmany matters relyed upon his oath, and delivering the truth accordingto his knowledge.
He delighted (beyond measure) and addicted his best studies, to causeenmities & scandals between kindred and friends, or any other persons,agreeing well together; and the more mischiefe he could procure inthis kind, so much the more pleasure and delight tooke he therein. Ifhe were called to kil any one, or to do any other villanous deede,he never would make deniall, but go to it very willingly; and diverstimes it was wel knowen, that many were cruelly beaten, ye slaine byhis 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, butbasely contemned it, with the Sacraments and religious rites thereinadministred, accounting them for vile and unprofitable things: butvery voluntarily would visit Tavernes, and other places of dishonestaccesse, which were continually pleasing unto him, to satisfie hislust and inordinate lubricitie. Hee would steale both in publike andprivate, even with such a conscience, as if it were given to him bynature so to do. He was a great glutton and a drunkarde, even till hewas not able to take any more: being also a continuall gamester, andcarrier of false Dice, to cheate with them the verie best Friendes hehad.
But why do I waste time in such extent of words? When it may suffice tosay, that never was there a worse man borne; whose wickednesse was forlong time supported, by the favour, power, and Authoritie of Monsieur_Musciatto_, for whose sake many wrongs and injuries were patientlyendured, as well by private persons (whom hee would abuse notoriously)as others of the Court, betweene whom he made no difference at all inhis vile dealing. This Master _Chappelet_, being thus remembred by_Musciatto_ (who very well knew his life and behaviour) he perfectlyperswaded himselfe, that this was a man apt in all respects, to meetewith the treachery of the Burgundians: whereupon, having sent for him,thus he beganne.
_Chappelet_, thou knowest how I am wholly to retreate my selfe fromhence, and having some affaires among the Burgundians, men full ofwickednesse and deceite; I can bethinke my selfe of no meeter a manthen _Chappelet_, to recover such debts as are due to me among them.And because it falleth out so well, that thou art not now hinderedby any other businesse; if thou wilt undergoe this office for me, Iwill procure thee favourable Letters from the Court, and give thee areasonable portion in all thou recoverest. Master _Chappelet_, seeinghimselfe idle, and greedy after worldly goods, considering _MounsieurMusciatto_ (who had beene alwayes his best buckler) was now to departfrom thence, without any dreaming on the matter, and constrainedthereto (as it were) by necessity, set downe his resolution, andanswered that hee would gladly doe it.
Having made their agreement together, and received from _Musciatto_ hisexpresse procuration, as also the Kings gracious Letters; after that_Musciatto_ was gone on his journey, Master _Chappelet_ went to _Dijon_[Sidenote: To Borgogna saith the Italian.], 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 furtherfeeling of him in the ende. Being lodged in the house of two Florentinebrethren, that lived on their monies usance; and (for _MounsieurMusciattoes_ sake) using him with honour and respect: It fortuned thathe fell sicke, and the two brethren sent for Physicions to attend him,allowing their servants to be diligent about him, making no s
pare ofany thing, which gave the best likelyhood of restoring his health. Butall their paines proved to no purpose, because he (honest man) beingnow growne aged, and having lived all his life time very disordredly,fell day by day (according to the Physicions judgement) from bad toworse, as no other way appeared but death, whereat the brethren greatlygreeved.
Upon a day, neere to the Chamber where the sicke man lay, they entredinto 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 amanifest note of our weake wisedome: the people knowing that first ofall we gave him entertainement, and have allowed him honest physicalattendance, and he not having any way injuried or offended us, to lethim be suddenly expulsed our house (sicke to death as he is) it can beno way for our credit.
On the other side, we are to consider also, that he hath bin so baddea man, as he will not now make any confession thereof, neither receivethe blessed Sacrament of the Church, and dying so without confession;there is no Church that will accept his body, but it must be buriedin prophane ground, like to a Dogge. And yet if he would confessehimselfe, his sinnes are so many and monstrous; as the like case alsomay happen, because there is not any Priest or Religious person, thatcan or will absolve him. And being not absolved, he must be cast intosome ditch or pit, and then the people of the Towne, as well in regardof the account we carry heere, (which to them appeareth so littlepleasing, as we are daily pursued with their worst words) as alsocoveting our spoile and overthrow; upon this accident will cry out andmutiny against us; _Beholde these Lombard dogs, which are not to bereceived into the Church, why should we suffer them to live heere amongus?_ In furious madnesse will they come upon us, and our house, where(peradventure) not contented with robbing us of our goods, our liveswill remaine in their mercy and danger; so that, in what sort soever ithappen, this mans dying heere, must needs be banefull to us.
Master _Chappelet_, who (as we have formerly saide) was lodged neereto the place where they thus conferred, having a subtle attention (asoftentimes we see sicke persons to bee possessed withall) heard allthese speeches spoken of him, and causing them to be called unto him,thus hee spake.
I would not have you to be any way doubtfull of me; neither that youshold receive the least damage by me: I have heard what you havesaid, and am certaine, that it will happen according to your words,if matters should fall out as you conceite; but I am minded to dealeotherwise. I have committed so many offences against our Lord God, inthe whole current of my life; that now I intend one action at the hourof 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 casethen to me, for I will deale in such sort for you and my selfe, thatall shall be well, and you no way discontented.
The two Brethren, although they had no great hope in his speeches, wentyet to a Monastery of Gray-Friars, and requested; that some one holyand learned man, might come to heare the confession of a _Lombard_,that lay verie weake and sicke in their house. And one was granted untothem, beeing an aged religious Frier, a great read master in the sacredScriptures, a very venerable person, who beeing of good and sanctifiedlife, all the Citizens held him in great respect & esteem, and on hewent with them to their house. When he was come up into the Chamberwhere Master _Chappelet_ lay, and being there seated downe by him; hebeganne first to comfort him very lovingly, demanding also of him, howemany times he had bin at confession? Whereto master _Chappelet_ (whonever had bin shriven 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 trueit is, that being faln into this sicknesse, now eight dayes since;I have not bene confest, so violent hath bene the extremity of myweakenesse. 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 thelesse labour in urging questions to thee.
Master _Chappelet_ replied: Say not so good Father, for albeit I havebene so oftentimes confessed, yet am I willing now to make a generallconfession, even of all sinnes comming to my remembrance, from the veryday of my birth, until this instant houre of my shrift. And therefore Iintreate you (holy Father) to make a particular demand of every thing,even as if I had never bene confessed at al, and to make no respect ofmy sicknesse: for I had rather be offensive to mine owne flesh, thenby favouring 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 Frier, and seemed to himas an argument of a good conscience: Wherefore, after hee had muchcommended this forwardnesse in him, he began to demand of him if he hadnever offended with any Woman? Whereunto master _Chappelet_ (breathingfoorth 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 Confessorreplyed: Speake boldly Sonne, and feare not; for in telling the truth,be it in confession or otherwise, a man can never sinne. Then saydeMaister _Chappelet_, Father, seeing you give me so good an assurance,I will resolve you faithfully heerein. I am so true a Virgin-man inthis matter, even as when I issued forth of my Mothers wombe. O Sonne(quoth the Frier) how happie and blessed of God art thou? Well hastthou lived, and therein hast not meanly merited: having hadde so muchlibertie to doo the contrary if thou wouldst, wherein very few of uscan so answer for our selves.
Afterward, he demanded of him, how much displeasing to God hee hadbeene in the sinne of Gluttony? When (sighing againe greatly) heanswered: Too much, and too often, good Father. For, over and besidethe Fasts of our Lent season, which everie yeare ought to bee dulieobserved 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. Butindeede (holy Father) I confesse, that I have drunke water with sucha pleasing appetite and delight (especially in praying, or walking onpilgrimages) even as greedy drunkards do, in drinking good Wine. Andmany times I have desired such Sallades of small hearbes, as Womengather abroad in the open fields, and feeding onely upon them, withoutcoveting after any other kinde of sustenance; hath seemed much morepleasing to me, then I thought to agree with the nature of Fasting,especially, when as it swerveth from devotion, or is not done as itought to bee.
Sonne, Sonne, replied the Confessour, these sinnes are naturall,and very light, and therefore I would not have thee to charge thyconscience with them, more then is needfull. It happeneth to every man(how holy soever he be) that after he hath fasted over-long, feedingwill be welcome to him, and drinking good drinke after his travaile. OSir (said Maister _Chappelet_) never tell me this to comfort me, forwell you know, and I am not ignorant therein, that such things as aredone for the service of God, ought all to be performed purely, andwithout any blemish of the minde; what otherwise is done, savoureth ofsinne. The Friar being well contented with his words, said: It is notamisse that thou understandest it in this manner, and thy consciencethus purely cleared, is no little comfort to me. But tell me nowconcerning Avarice, hast thou sinned therein? by desiring more then wasreasonable, or withholding from others, such things as thou oughtst notto detaine? whereto Maister _Chappelet_ answered. Good Father, I wouldnot have you to imagine, because you see me lodged here in the houseof two usurers, that therefore I am of any such disposition. No trulySir, I came hither to no other end, but onely to chastise and admonishthem in friendly manner, to cleanse their mindes from such abhominableprofit: And assuredly, I should have prevailed therein, had not thisviolently sicknesse hindered mine intention. But understand (holyFather) that my parents left me a rich man, and immediatly after myfathers 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 membersof Jesus Christ, I betooke my selfe to a mean
e estate of Merchandise,desiring none other then honest gaine thereby, and evermore whatsoeverbenefit came to me; I imparted halfe thereof to the poore, convertingmine owne small portion about my necessary affaires, which that otherpart would scarcely serve to supply: yet alwayes God gave thereto sucha 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 howoften times hast thou beene angry? Oh Sir (said Maister _Chappelet_)therein I assure yee, I have often transgressed. And what man is ableto forbeare it, beholding the dayly actions of men to be so dishonest?No care of keeping Gods commaundements, nor any feare of his dreadfulljudgements. Many times in a day, I have rather wished my selfe deadthen living, beholding youth pursuing idle vanities, to sweare andforsweare themselves, tipling in Tavernes, and never haunting Churches;but rather affecting the worlds follies, then any such duties as theyowe 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 notrage or furie at any time so over-ruled thee, as to commit murther ormanslaughter, or to speake evill of any man, or to doe any other suchkinde of injurie? Oh Father (answered Maister _Chappelet_) you thatseeme to be a man of God, how dare you use any such vile words? If Ihad had the very least thought, to doe any such act as you speake, doeyou thinke that God would have suffered me to live? These are deedesof darknesse, fit for villaines and wicked livers; of which hellishcrue, when at any time I have happened to meete with some one of them;I have said, Goe, God convert thee.
Worthy, and charitable words, replied the Friar; but tell me Sonne,Didst thou ever beare false witnesse against any man, or hast spokenfalsly, or taken ought from any one, contrary to the will of the owner?Yes indeede Father, said Maister _Chappelet_, I have spoken ill ofanother, because I have sometime seene one of my neighbours, who withno meane shame of the world, would doe nothing else but beate his wife:and of him once I complained to the poore mans parents, saying, thathe never did it, but when he was overcome with drinke. Those were noill words, quoth the Friar; but I remember, you said that you were aMerchant: Did you ever deceive any, as some Merchants use to doe? TrulyFather, answered Maister _Chappelet_, I thinke not any, except one man,who one day brought me money which he owed me, for a certaine piece ofcloath I solde him, and I put it into a purse without accounting it:about a moneth afterward, I found that there were foure small pencemore then was due to me. And never happening to meete with the managaine, after I had kept them the space of a whole yeare, I then gavethem away to foure poore people for Gods sake.
A small matter, said the Friar, & truly payed back again to the owner,in bestowing them upon the poore. Many other questions hee demaundedof him, whereto still he answered in the same manner: but before heproceeded to absolution, Maister _Chappelet_ spake thus. I have yetone sinne more, which I have not revealed to you: when being urged bythe Friar to confesse it, he said. I remember, that I should affordone day in the weeke, to cleanse the house of my soule, for betterentertainement to my Lord and Saviour, and yet I have done no suchreverence to the Sunday or Sabaoth, as I ought to have done. A smallfault Sonne, replied the Friar. O no (quoth Maister _Chappelet_) doenot terme it a small fault, because Sunday being a holy day, is highlyto be reverenced: for, as on that day, our blessed Lord arose fromdeath to life. But (quoth the Confessour) hast thou done nothing elseon that day? Yes, said he, being forgetfull of my selfe, once I didspet in Gods Church. The Friar smiling, said: Alas Sonne, that isa matter of no moment, for wee that are Religious persons, doe useto spet there every day. The more is your shame, answered Maister_Chappelet_, for no place ought to be kept more pure and cleane thenthe sacred Temple, wherein our dayly sacrifices are offered up to God.
In this manner he held on an houre and more, uttering the liketransgressions as these; and at last began to sigh very passionately,and to shed a few teares, as one that was skilfull enough in suchdissembling prankes; whereat the Confessour being much mooved, said:Alas Sonne, what aylest thou? Oh Father (quoth _Chappelet_) thereremaineth yet one sinne more upon my conscience, whereof I never atany time made confession, so shamefull it appeareth to me to discloseit; and I am partly perswaded, that God will never pardon me for thatsinne. How now Sonne? said the Friar, never say so; for if all thesinnes that ever were committed by men, or shall be committed so longas 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 mercyof God is so great, that upon penitent confession, he will freelypardon him, and therefore spare not to speak it boldly. Alas Father(said _Chappelet_, still in pretended weeping) this sinne of mine isso great, that I can hardly beleeve (if your earnest prayers doe notassist 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 forthee.
Master _Chappelet_ still wept and sighed, and continued silent,notwithstanding all the Confessors comfortable perswasions; but afterhee 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 greevedextraordinarily. Oh good Son, saide the Friar, doth that seeme so greata sinne to thee? Why, men doe daily blaspheme our Lord God, and yetneverthelesse, upon their hearty repentance, he is alwayes ready toforgive them; and wilt not thou beleeve to obtaine remission, for asinne so ignorantly committed? Weepe no more deare Sonne, but comfortthy selfe, and rest resolved, that if thou wert one of them, who nayledour blessed Saviour to his Crosse; yet being so truly repentant, as Isee thou art, he would freely forgive thee. Say you so Father? quoth_Chappelet_. What? mine owne deare Mother? that bare me in her wombenine moneths, day and night, and afterwards fed me with her breasts athousand times, can I be pardoned for cursing her? Oh no, it is toohaynous a sinne, and except you pray to God very instantly for me, hewill not forgive me.
When the religious man perceived, that nothing more was to be confessedby Master _Chappelet_; he gave him absolution, and his owne benedictionbeside, reputing him to be a most holy man, as verily beleeving allthat he had said. And who would not have done the like, hearing a manto speake in that manner, and being upon the very point of death?Afterward, he saide unto him; Master _Chappelet_, by Gods grace you maybe soone restored to health, but if it so come to passe, that God doetake your blessed and well disposed soule to his mercy, will it pleaseyou to have your body buried in our Convent? Whereto Master _Chappelet_answered; I thanke you Father for your good motion, and sorry shouldI be, if my friends did bury me any where else, because you havepromised, to pray to God for me; and beside, I have alwayes carried areligious devotion to your Order. Wherefore, I beseech you, so sooneas you are come home to your Convent, prevaile so much by your goodmeanes, that the holy Eucharist, consecrated this morning on your highAltar, may be brought unto me: for although I confesse my selfe utterlyunworthy, yet I purpose (by your reverend permission) to receive it,as also your holy and latest unction; to this ende, that having lived agreevous sinner, I may yet (at the last) die a Christian. These wordswere pleasing to the good olde man, and he caused every thing to beperformed, 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 Chamberfrom theirs, heard and understood the passage of all, betweene himand the ghostly Father, being many times scarcely able to refrainfrom laughter, at the fraudulent course of his confession. Andoften they said within themselves; what manner of man is this, whomneither age, sicknesse, nor terror of death so neere approaching, andsensible to his owne soule, nor that which is much more, God, beforewhose judgement he knowes not how soone he shall appeare, or else besent to a more fearefull place; none of these can alter his wickeddisposition, but that he will needes die according as he hath li
ved?Notwithstanding, seeing he had so ordered the matter, that he hadburiall freely allowed him, they cared for no more.
After that _Chappelet_ had received the Communion, and the otherceremonies appointed for him; weakenesse encreasing on him more andmore, the very same day of his goodly confession, he died (not longafter) towards the evening. Whereupon the two Brethren tooke order,that all needefull things should be in a readinesse, to have him buriedhonourably; sending to acquaint the Fathers of the Convent therewith,that they might come to say their _Vigilles_, according to precedentcustome, and then on the morrow to fetch the body. The honest Friarthat had confessed him, hearing he was dead, went to the Prior of theConvent, and by sound of the house Bell, caused all the Brethren toassemble together, giving them credibly to understand, that Master_Chappelet_ was a very holy man, as appeared by all the parts of hisconfession, and made no doubt, but that many miracles would be wroughtby his sanctified body, perswading them to fetch it thither withall devoute solemnity and reverence; whereto the Prior, and all thecredulous 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 onthe morrow, apparrelled in their richest Coapes and Vestiments, withbooks in their hands, and the Crosse borne before them, singing in theforme of a very devoute procession, they brought the body pompeouslyinto their Church, accompanied with all the people of the Towne, bothmen 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 hardlyhe could be perswaded, that God would grant him pardon for it. Wherebyhe 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 wholeCourt of heavenly Paradise: Oh, take example by this singular man, thisSaint-like man, nay, a verie Saint indeede.
Many additions more he made, concerning his faithfulnesse, truth, &integrity; so that, by the vehement asseveration of his words (wheretoall the people there present gave credible beleefe) he provoked themunto such zeale and earnest devotion; that the Sermon was no soonerended, but (in mighty crowds and throngs) they pressed about the Biere,kissing his hands and feete, and all the garments about him were tornein peeces, as precious Reliques of so holy a person, and happy theythought themselves, that could get the smallest peece or shred or aniething 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, erectedin a faire Chappell purposely; and for many dayes after following, itwas most strange to see, how the people of the country came thitheron heapes, with holy Candles and other offerings, with Images of waxefastened to the Tombe, in signe of Sacred and solemne Vowes, to thisnew created Saint. And so farre was spread the fame and renowne of hissanctity, devotion, and integrity of life, maintained constantly by theFathers 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_, affirmingupon their Oathes, that infinite miracles were there daily performed byhim, and especially on such, as came in devotion to visit his shrine.
In this manner lived and died Master _Chappelet du Prat_, who beforehe became a Saint, was as you have heard: and I will not deny it to beimpossible, but that he may be at rest among other blessed bodies. For,although he lived lewdly and wickedly, yet such might be his contritionin the latest extreamity, that (questionlesse) he might finde mercie.But, because such things remaine unknowne to us, and speaking byoutwarde appearance, vulgar judgement will censure otherwise of him,and thinke him to be rather in perdition, then in so blessed a placeas Paradice. But referring that to the Omnipotent appointment, whoseclemencie hath alwayes beene so great to us, that he regards not ourerrors, but the integrity of our Faith, making (by meanes of ourcontinuall Mediator) of an open enemy, a converted sonne and servant.And as I began in his name, so will I conclude, desiring that it mayevermore be had in due reverence, and referre we our selves thereto inall our necessities, with this setled assurance, that he is alwayesreadie to heare us. And so he ceased.
The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5) Page 5