The History of the Holy War, Book 2 · Chapter 4
Chap. 4. The originall and increase of the Hospitallers; their degenerating through wealth into luxury.
*Hospinian. De orig. Mon. fol. 165.ABout this time under Gerard their first master, began the order of Knights-hospitallers. Indeed more anciently there were Hospitallers in Jerusalem▪ but these were no Knights: they had a kind of order, but no honour annexed to it; but were pure Alms-men, whose house was founded and they maintained by the charity of the merchants of Amalphia a citie in Italy.
But now they had more stately buildings assigned unto them, their house dedicated to S. John of Jerusalem; Knights-hospitallers and those of S. John of Jerusalem being both the same; although learned *In his View of civill law, pag. 159.Dr. Ridley maketh them two distinct orders, for which our *Mr Selden, in his preface Of tithes, pag. 6.great Antiquary doth justly reprove him. But such an errour is veniall; and it is a greater fault rigidly to censure, then to commit a small oversight. The one sheweth himself man, in mistaking; the other no man, in not pardoning a light mistake.
To make one capable of the highest order of this Knighthood (for their *Hospinian. De orig. M…n. fol. 165.servitours and priests might be of an inferiour rank) the party must thus be qualified: Eighteen yeares old at the least; of an able body; not descended of Jewish or Turkish parents; no bastard, except bastard to a Prince, there being honour in that dishonour, as there is light in the very spots of the moon. Descended he must be of worshipfull parentage. They wore a red belt with a white crosse; and on a black cloke the white crosse of Jerusalem, which is a crosse crossed, or five crosses together, in memorie of our Saviours five wounds. Yet was there some difference betwixt their habit in peace and in warre. Their profession was to fight against Infidels, and to secure Pilgrimes coming to the Sepulchre; and they vowed Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. Reimundus de Podio their second master made some additionalls to their profession: as, They must receive the sacrament thrice a yeare; heare Masse once a day if possible: They were to be no merchants, no usurers; to fight no private duells;Hospinian. ut prius. to stand neuters and to take no side, if the Princes in Christendome should fall out.
But it is given to most religious orders, to be clear in the spring and mirie in the stream. These Hospitallers afterwards getting wealth, unlaced themselves from the strictnesse of their first Institution, and grew loose into all licentiousnesse. What was their obedience to their master but rebellion against the Patriarch their first patrone? as shall be shewed hereafter. What was their poverty but a couzenage of the world; whilest their order sued in formâ pauperis, and yet had *Camb. Brit. pag. 311.nineteen thousand mannours in Christendome belonging unto them? Neither will it be scandalum magnatum to their lordships, to say what S. *Cited by Volaterran.Bernard speaketh of their chastity, how they lived inter scorta & epulas, betwixt bawds and banquets. And no wonder if their forced virginity was the mother of much uncleannesse: For commonly those who vow not to go the high-way of Gods ordinance, do haunt base and unwarrantable by-paths.
I will not forestall the history, to shew how these Hospitallers were afterwards Knights of Rhodes, and at this day of Malta; but will conclude with the ceremonies used at their creation, because much materiall stuff no doubt may be picked out of their formalities.
There is delivered them, 1. a *Sand. Trav. pag. 229.sword, in token that they must be valiant, 2. with a crosse-hilt; their valour must defend religion: 3. With this sword they are struck three times over the shoulders, to teach them patiently to suffer for Christ: 4. They must wipe the sword; their life must be undefiled. 5. Gilt spurres are put on them, because they are to scorn wealth at their heels: 6. And then they take a taper in their hands, for they are to lighten others by their exemplary lives; 7. and so go to heare Masse: where we leave them.
*Sand. Trav. pag. 159.At the same time Knights of the Sepulchre were also ordained, which for their originall and profession are like to these Knights-hospitallers. The order continueth to this day. The Padre Guardian of Jerusalem maketh them of such as have seen the Sepulchre. They should be Gentlemen by birth: but the Padre carrieth a Chancerie in his bosome to mitigate the rigour of this Common law, and will admit of him that bringeth fat enough, though no bloud: as of late he made an Apothecary of Aleppo of that honour: So that there the sword of Knighthood is denied to none who bring a good sheath with them, and have a purse to pay soundly for it.