the Tears fell in such plenty that he was often forced to desert the employment At Divine Service he was so affected with the Melody of Church-Musick that he many times cried all the while Being once in the Qâ—ire among the Friers at S. Maries supra Minervam he wept so that he wet all the forepart of his cloathes Last of all he was so inclined to grief that on all occasions of Piety he would shed Tears and it was reckoned for a Miracle that by continual weeping he lost not his fight which he retained perfect to fourscore years of age without using Spectacles though he had divers pairs by him to preserve and refresh his sight as he said which after his death were affirmed to have done many strange Cures being used in diseases Among others Lucia Marzana a Recluse in the Monastery of S. Lucia in silice in the City being much troubled with the Head-ach applying but the H. mans Spectacles to the place affected fell into a gentle slumber and when she rose her paiâ— was gone CHAP. V. His Prayers THis fervour of Charity and abundance of Tears he obtained only by his frequent exercise of Prayer which he was continually so much addicted to that he directed all those Religious exercises he had instituted in the Oratory to this one and therefore entitled it the Congregation of the Oratory To this Divine Study he so vigourously set himself and made such progress therein that standing or walking his thoughts were still fixed upon God more naturally soaring heaven-ward then the doters on this world tend groveling toward earth Many a time whilst his Scholars were discussing several and serious matters in his Chamber be disengaged from their affairs either cast up his eyes to heaven or crossed his hands or sometimes fetched groans from the bottom of his heart As he walked the streets hee was so swallowed up of contemplation that ever and anon he must be plucked by the sleeve and put in minde to offer or returne Salutes After dinner that he might not injure the health of his body by too much intention of the minde when he had a desire to slumber or to rest him he was wont to call Gallonius and tell him You know what to do if you would have me sleep meaning that he must call off his thoughts from the consideration of things supernaturall by variety of discourse or some pleasant reading for that purpose Indeed he felt that in himself which he used to apply in generall to others to wit That a man enflamed with the Love of God must arrive to that heighth of Chariy as to be constrained to cry out Let me alone Lord let me rest a while for whoever is indisposed to pray even at Noon and after meals hath not yet received the Gift of Prayer He never went upon any business that was not usher'd in with Prayer either by himself or his whence he gained so strong a confidence that he spared not to say Give me but time to pray and I am sure to obtain of God what I ask And at other times Hoc volo Hoc jubeo This I will this I command and as he said it fell out still Briefly by his perseverance in prayer he attained even to supernaturall illuminations that he knew exactly which of his had prayed that morning and which not But though his whole life might truely be termed one continued Prayer yet he prescribed himself some set hours to encrease his devotion there in For in Summer except some work of Charity hindred he retired himself to the top of the house morning and evening where he might view heaven and earth to that end not only at S. Hieroms but a Vallicella amongst his own he built him a Closset on the very Roof a story higher than the rest And in his latter dayes he went up to the leads of the Church where he spent a good space in holy Cogitations yet if at any time he were called forth to any pious work he came down straight and quitted his spirituall exercise till having dispatched his business he returned again saying He did not therefore reject Meditation but left Christ for Christ and that the force of Prayer was not hereby diminished but augmented rather In the Winter after Sun-set he prolonged his Prayers to the second or third hour of the night and going to rest that he might rise again to prayer just at his time he hung his Watch at the Beds head by feeling of which he knew what a clock it was and hard by his Crucifix he laid the Rosary of our Lady that when he wakened he might fall to his Prayers At some speciall times in the year as the principall Festivals and when publique or private necessity required his prayers were both longer and more intense He watched fasted and prayed on Good Friday all those hours that the sacred Body of our Lord was kept apart by it self in memory of his Buriall He devoutly and attentivly recited his Canonicall hours for the most part joyning a Companion to him for he could not dispatch them alone by reason he was subject to rapts He almost ever had his Breviary lying open being wonderous carefull that no error passed in saying it and if any chanced though he seemed as one bereft of sense he presently corrected the mistakes When he was fourscore years old Gregory XIV remitted him his Office upon repeating the Rosary of the B. Virgin which favour he at no time made use of Nay if he were extream sick he appointed the Canonicall hours should be rehearsed in his hearing at least To Prayer he added Reading and the daily perusing Saints Lives alledging that There was no better incentive to Piety then the Examples and Rules of Saints Besides those lives gathered by Lippoman he commonly used Cassians Collations the Imitation of Christ father'd on Gerson the Life of S. Katherine of Siena and above all the Acts of the B. John Columbine For the Books of H. Scripture he delighted much in S. Pauls Epistles Those whom he designed for preachers he counselled to read their works chiefly whose names began with S. as S. Augustine S. Gregory S. Bernard and the rest And because he was desirous that People should rise from prayer rather cheared than tired he wished such as he thought lesse able to pray long together that they should often raise their devotion by certain short Ejaculations some of which more frequently used by him are here annexed Create in mee a clean heart O God and renew a right Spirit within mee O God make speed to save mee O Lord make hast to help mee Teach me to do thy will O Lord hide not thy self from mee O Lord I am oppressed undertake for mee Thou art the way the truth and the life Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Jesus be thou to mee Jesus Remember not Lord mine iniquities When shall I love thee with a filial love O Holy Trinity one
was wont to recite this passage in his discourse as an argument that Philip could dive into the most reserved thoughts Claudius Neri a Roman was so distracted with some anxious cares that for the trouble thereof he was forced to omit many works of Piety contrary to his own inclinations even to forbear the H. Eucharist intending divers times to acquaint Philip herewith yet he was fearful durst not But visiting him once as he lay sick after a great deal of discourse Philip asked him what was that you meant to tell me nothing saith Claudius but the H. man still urging him to a Confession and he still denying it at last Philip taking This Claudius his Wife and Children all affirmed upon oath upon him a third person continued his speech thus There was a man whom I am well accquainted with that was much infested with cares and so began by a fiction of the Person to reckon up all the grievances which molested Claudius upon which he not only perceived that Philip meant him but for that he applyed a Remedy sutable to his Sore he accordingly making use thereof was ever after rid of the like vexation Another such purpose of his also Philip discovered to him He had a mind to place his Daughter with the Nuns of Turris Speculorum but was loth to make his intentions known to the B. Father for that the Maid seemed unwilling thereto Philip understanding by Revelation his Penitents desire without his knowledg procured his Daughters admission among the Nuns and obtained likewise of Almighty God that she changing her mind most contentedly put her self into that House Francis de Rusticis a Noble man rested not all night for musing how he might compound a certain difference with his Sisters Husband and being minded to consult with Philip about it the Good man said as soon as ever he saw him I know what you would come again two dayes hence He did so and found the business transacted and concluded of according to his wish having neither spoken of it to Philip nor any else Joh. Andre Pomius Lucatellus of Bononia Priest a Divine of much account read oft in Philips hearing Books of School-questions and as he read the Father would many times tell him Lucatellus thy mind is upon something else while thou art reading and such and such things distract you naming them to him so that the man for very astonishment had like severall times to have gone beside himself Constantia Draco as the H. man came to comfort her in her Widow-hood thought with her self This decrepit old man lives when as my Husband died a young man He smiling as apprehending what she imagined said Indeed I am alive who have lived to old age and your Husband is gone in the flower of his youth The woman wondring that he should utter the same words she had been thinking on The same person meant to attempt a matter which she imparted to none but afterward changed resolution and coming to the Servant of God to Confession Why quoth he are you so soon gone back from your purposes The woman was amaz'd which way he could enter into her secret imaginations and reverenced him still more and more A Nun in the Monastery of S. Martha named Scholastica Gazia had an earnest desire to open her mind to Philip being at the Grate who before ever she spake word to him about it said How dost thou Scholastica how dost thou Paradise is undoubtedly thine Nay â—eplied she I fear the contrary for in my own apprehension I am already consigned unto Damnation Yea said Philip Paradise is sure thine own which I thus prove Pray tell me for whom did Christ dyâ— For sinners said she And what are you A sinner quoth she Therefore inferred he repenting of your sins Paradise is yours 't is yours Upon which argument of his she regained her former Peace and was disturbed no more with the like fears Nay she thought she always heard that expression of confidence sounding in her ears Paradise is thine 't is thine Two other Nuns likewise in the same Monastery the Servant of God helped by this means Discovering to one a secret pertaining to the direction of her Soul whom he with good words encouraged to the other an impetuous temptation which hapned before her entring the House whom he antidoted against the fury of it for the time to come Before the Constitutions of the Councill of Trent were in full force a certain young man of some sixteen years of age meets the Father in the habit of a Laick his name was Thomas a sancto Geminiano Philip looking wistly on him said Pray tell me are not you a Priest At that he wondred confesing he was and briefly told him on what occasion he was made Priest his kinred compelling him thereto by force that so they might get to themselves the inheritance amounting to Six thousand Crowns Philip commiserating his ill hap took care both to have him well taught in point of learning and made his friends allow him a constant annuall Provision and after a certain time sent him into his own Countrey abundantly well satisfyed He afterwards told Taurusius that he knew him to be a Priest because he saw the Sacerdotall Character shining in his forehead Now that it may appear what hath been hitherto said was rather sparingly mention'd than with designe of amplifying ought it will be worth the while to view the Testimonies avouched by sworn Witnesses before Judges The first is of Cardinall Frideric Borromeo in these words Philip was a man so famous for his discerning secrets that at first sight he could tell who had passed over from a state of sin to Grace and again who had fallen from Grace to sin insomuch as he once said to one that came to him Son you have not a good look He straight withdrew himself and exercising some Acts of Contrition returned to Philip again who eying him said I since you went hence you have betterd your look Cardinall Taurusius saith divers times Philip seeing me would namâ— me the sins that lay hid in my heart before ever I disclosed them to him saying Son you have been in such a danger or have fallen into such or such a sin Cardinall Octavius Paravicinus thus I can witness upon my own frequent experience how miraculously Philip would enter into the thoughts of standers by having admired with my self which way he should come to know the inward conceptions of my mind which I remember I have heard hath befallen divers others Cardinall Hieron Pamphilio thus Being on a time desirous to reveal to the B. Father a purpose which I had kept from the knowledge of any he taking me by the hand in the Vestry before ever I spake of it said I am willing we dispatch that business And repeats to me beforehand what I came to inform him of at which I stood amazed Besides as oft as I came to the Servant of God
and maners he purposed to make him his heir but that God who had destined him to nobler ends defeated the contrivances of his Vncle and Philip within a while perceiving himself called forth to a far better course of life began to consult of altering his condition to the perfecting which project of his that which now comes to be related did conduce At the Port of Caieta not far off S. Germans there riseth a Mountaiâ— fam'd by report for one of those that renâ— asunder at the Passion of our Saviour This mountain parts it self into three huge clefes from top to bottom of which the midlemost is much the widest where on a high and stately Rock stands a Chappel remarked for an ancient Crucifix in it whâ—ch as they passe by the Seamen are wont to salute with volleys of Shot Hither ofttimes Philip retires the better to contemplate on the mysteries of the Passion where loathing daily more and more the varnished follies and gilded roctenness of this world he resolved quitting his Merchants affairs to make choice of a life wherein he might freely serve God with a minde disinteressed from worldly cares His Vncle soon discovers his drift and labours might and main to alter his Resolutions First promiseth to leave him sole Heir to his whole estate then mindes him of the Nerian Family like to fail utterly in him which he should do well to think of and neither hastily nor unadvisedly determin a matter of that consequence Lastly tells him he had not deserved so ill at his hands as not to obtain one favour from him in lieu of so many bestowed Philip as was fit modestly replyed He should never be unmindful of his favours indeed but as to the rest he rather commended his affection then approved his counsel Chap. 3. His going to Rome and first Fervors in Spirit WHen he had been at S. Germans two years moved by impulse of the H. Spirit he comes to Rome not so much as acquainting his Father therewith lest he might divert him from his intentions At his entrance into the City he met with an opportunity to his own wish of devoting himself to Christ for going to one Galeottus Caccius a Gentleman of Florence whom possibly he formerly knew he seeing the modesty of the youth took him into his house and pittying his necessity allotted him a little chamber allowing him yearly a quantity of Corn which Philip gave to a Baker to whom he repaired daily for a loaf to sustain life with This his kindness the pious young man was not wanting to requite even with a greater taking upon him the instruction of Galeottus's two Sons both in Learning and Manners whom in a short time he brought to that pass that in innocence and purity they seemed Angels rather than men Here for divers years did Philip lead a most austere life shunning all Company and commerce so that there be who affirm him to have lived an Anchorets life even in the heart of the City His diet was so spare you would have said Hunger could not pinch nor Thirst parch him for when the Servants used at first to save him a share at meals yet would he go down into the yard to the well and dine or sup with bread and water adding sometimes a few olives or herbs yea oftimes fasting three dayes together His chamber was slightly furnished for except a little Bed and a few Books you should scarce finde any thing there His necessaries both of linnen and woollen hung on a line tyed cross the room He was much in Prayer wherewith he was so delighted that he needed no external inducement his own inclinations did so hurry him thereto spending sometimes whole nights and dayes therein This his emment course of life became so notorious that not Florence alone but most of the Cities of Italy heard the fame thereof Chap. 4. His Study of Philosophy and Theologie ANd the better to attain the perfection of divine knowledge and contemplate on heavenly things he annexeth to the exercises of Piety the studies of Philosophy and Divinity And applying himself first to Philosophy he therein so acquitted him that not without cause he was ranked amongst the learned'st Scholars eminent in those dayes in the Colledge at Rome His Praeceptors were the chief in all the City Alphonso Ferrio and Caesar Jacobellius afterwards Bishop He studied Divinity among the Augustine Friers wherein he made such a progress that he gained enough to serve him for his whole life insomuch that when he was old he would answer the deepest questions in Theologie as readily as if he had come from his studies but the other day sometimes discussing such points with his Sons who were vers'd in them both to endear them the more to him and by these allectives further and promote them in Christian Devotion At other times but that seldom he would discourse thereof with the most judicious Divines of that Age of whom were Ambrosius de Balneolo afterward made Bishop of Nardo by Pius the V. and Paulus Bernardinus of Luca of the Order of S. Dominic famous for Wisdom and Learning with whom he was very intimate To others he carried himself with such Modesty as though he had scarce been in the Confines of Learning Whereupon a wise Prelate visiting him and conferring at large with him said at his parting I took this for an ignorant and unletter'd man but in truth I finde him excellently qualified for vertue and profound knowledge the like befell Alexander Saulius Bishop first of Aleria then of Pavie famous for holiness and learning who propounding some Theological questions to him wondred at his sharp understanding and gave him the like testimony Hence it was his custome that if any of His had in his hearing delivered any thing either unwarily or obscurely in their ordinary Sermons of which course more hereafter he would presently up into the Pulpit and explain it with such weight of reasons and significancy of terms you would have said his Doctrine was rather inspired by God then acquired from Art In Theologie he mostwhat inclined to the judgement of S. Thomas whose Summ he had still by him nor was he less a proficient in the H. Scriptures by continual reading whereof and daily meditation he was able to interweave the sacred Oracles with his discourse to the great advantage of his hearers Nor in his younger time did he neglect Poetry as well Latine as Italian in which he grew so dextrous that on a sudden he would compose excellent verses at pleasure Yet while he thus intended his studies he did not for this omit the exercises of Religion and Charity but resorted to the Infirmaries of the City carefully tended the sick taught in the Cathedrals the principles of Faith and the like in brief refused nothing that any way conduced to the good of Souls Yea for the time he studied Divinity whensoever he fixed his eyes on the Crucifix which hung up in the Schools he was not
as well as if he had never bin ill at all Whereupon as a Testimony of his Gratitude to the Servant of God he presently hung up the foresaid Table at his Monument The same Abbot also hung up the first Lamp before his Tombe which when the Priests to lesson the Pomp caused to be removed he complaining to the Pope had it placed there again which a Nobâ—e Lady hearing of straight gave another Silver one of a great Value The same year by Permission from Authority was his Statue erected at Rome with the Title of Blessed to it and a Glory round about it and speciously set out with figures of his Miracles on the Sides Besides divers others of Plaister which Noblemen and Ladies kept privately in their Chambers of which Clement the Eighth had one upon his Desk and another hanging on the Wall among the Images of the Saints As soon as ever he was dead his Chamber began to be in much honour among all and to have the Veneration of a Consecrated place being frequently resorted unto by Cardinals Prelates Nobles Plebeians and men of all orders But the Chappell where his Body was had so great Reverence done it by such as came thither they kissed the very Walls and plucking pieces of stones out of them carried them in devotion home with them yea some gathered up the Dust off the Pavement to keep There you might have seen some striving to get the Flowers that bedecked his Grave others daily visiting the Chappell some bare-footed all which affirmed they had received many Divine Blessings through his means The Year ensuing on the return of his Anniversary in the presence of many Bishops and Cardinalls the Mass for the day was in solemn manner and with their costliest habits on sung and after they had done singing the Vespers a Panegyrique was made in honour of him Many were the Elogies published in praise of Philip by men remarked for both knowledge and Piety First Cardinall Gabriell Paleottus in his Book De â—ona Senecâ—utâ—s gives him these commendations These things O Religious and well-affected Reader were some while since not only written and digested into this Method by us but together with the whole work perfected so that nothing else was wanting but to Print them But see the Eternall counsell of the Grand disposer of All The B. Man who a little before had bin somwhat distempered yet not so as to keep his bed or intermit his ordinary employments was snatched from us in an instant and on the twenty sixth of May fetched from this his Banishment here below to his Celestiall Countrey Whose so sudden and unexpected End notwithstanding we have held our former purpose of proposing this Excellent Old man as the lively Mirrour wherein to behold the advantages of Age. Since although to our Eys he seemed to dye four moneths sithence yet as by his Religious and renowned actions we have cause to hope in the region of the Living he still lives He lives no less upon Earth in the Memory of Vertuous and Holy men He lives especially in the City of Rome where he left a numerous Issue of Spirituall Children of all degrees whom he begot in Christ He lives among the Sons of the Congregation severally dispersed abroad of whom some are sent into remote Lands by Christs Vicar and Supream Pastor on Earth to govern his Flock And a little after Which his so Noble Acts being to spread farther daily and as is to be hoped to come to the knowledge of all we have here pourtrayed him to the Life to revive such as loved him as their Father in Christ and that others stirred up by the Glory of his Name might be awakened to the imitation of his Vertues last of all that Posterity might have a perpetuall Monument in their view whence they may learn to know the happiness of Old age and to reverence it also as is due For of his Death and departure to the Lord the End of his Pilgrimage being agreeable to the whole course of his most holy Life foregoing and he as he had led so concluding his life not without undeniable arguments of his Sanctity let others to whose care that is committed make report Thus Paleottus Cardinall Frederic Borromeo in a Letter to Ant. Gallonius writes thus ' You best know how great respect I have always born to this Person and I cannot believe you ignorant of my love to him which since his decease is so far from being lessened that I would most willingly sacrifice my Bloud to his Memory if need required Cardinall Aug. Cusanus thus It hath pleased Almighty God to take unto Glory that Blessed Soul adorned with so many Christian Vertues after well-nigh fourscore years spent in the service of Christ concerning whom that saying of H. Scripture may be applied Qui ad justitiam erudiunt multos fulgebunt quasi stellae in perpetuas aeternitates And they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever And that Longitudine dierum replebo eum ostendam illi salutare meum With length of days will I satisfy him and shew him my Salvation So Cusanus whose devotion to Philip was such that not long after his death being to make his Will he next God himself and the B. Virgin the Princes of the Apostles and S. Augustine recommended his Soul to the B. Philip. Cardinall Octavius Bandinus thus In Philip alone me thinks the Summary of all Vertues was comprized and all those Excellencies met as concentred in him which we wonder at apart in other Saints Cardinall Caesar Baronius in his Notes on the Roman Martyrologe the twenty one of August speaking occasionally of the B. Philip Benitius a Florentine thus fals upon the praises of Philip Neri Nor is that Noble City of Florence famous only for one Saint Philip there being another of that Name the Founder and Father of Our Congregation of the Oratory in the City that B. Philip sirnamed Neri renowned for his Purity of living and incomparable Charity towards God and his Neighbour whose frequent Miracles sufficiently testify that he now enjoys the the Society of the Saints in heaven Cardinall Hierom Pamphilio Far and wide doth the fame of this B. Father daily spread by reason of the apparent Miracles which the Lord sheweth on such as fly for help to him Indeed the continuall favours he hath done me make me hope for his aid on all assayes therefore I resigne up my self to him to his Tuition I wholly commit my self and beseech him daily not to deny me at any time his Protection But of the Vertues and Accomplishments of Philip have divers written the chief of which are Rutilius Benzonius Bishop of Loretto in a Book which he put forth Of the H. Year of Jubile John Baptist Tuphus Bishop of Cerra in his Annals of Clearks Regnlar Silvanus Razzius in his Lives of the Saints in Tuscany Alphonso Vilegas in his Flos Sanctorum Archangelo Giano
in his History of the aforesaid Philip Benitius of Florence Thomas Bozzius in his Book De signis Ecclesiae Dei de Ruinis Gentium and Francis Bocchius in his Treatise Of the Praise of the Citizens of Florence with sundry others here omited Severall Monuments also were set up in Memory of him here and there but especially at Rome Julius Sâ—ncedonius before he was Bishop of Grosseto had his Picture drawn and set in the Gallery at S. Hieroms à Charitate with his Sons in a Ring about him and this inscription on it B. Philippo Nerio Florentino Vt ubi triginta tres annos eximia Sanctitatis miraculorum laude claruerat innumerisque ad Christi obsequium traductis prima Congregationis fundamenta jecerat ibi aliquod ejus rei monumentum extaret Templi hujus domus ac Sacerdotum Deputatus annuente piissima Congregatione Charitatis Parenti in Spiritu optimo bene merenti posuit Kalend. Septembris 1605. That is To the B. Philip Nerius of Florence That where for thirty three years he had flourished in great reputation for Sanctity and Miracles converting vast numbers to the obedience of Christ and laid the first Foundations of the Congregation there might remain some Memoriall of the same the Deputy of the Church and Priests of this House with the consent of the Religious Congregation of Charity erected this for their Best and Best deserving Spirituall Father September 1. 1605. And it is memorable that when some years since that House was fired the to ground so that another was fain to be built the Gallery where that Picture was had no hurt at all Besides presently after the death of the B. Old Man abundance of Offerings were brought to adorne his Sepulchre Cardinall Augustine Cusanus bestowed a Canopy curiously wrought in Needlework Cardinall Alph. Vicecomes one of the Congregation gave a Rich Silk furniture for the same purpose Withall a decree was made by the People of Rome whereby they were bound every year to bring a Silver Chalice and some Tapers on his Festival to him The Duke of Bavaria gave a Silver Lamp of a thousand Crowns value to burn continually at his Altar And Charles Cardinall of Lorreign hung up another Lamp of Silver yea daily after that divers rich Presents were brought thither by Persons of Quality both men and women Five years after his death Ant. Gallonius writ and published his Life being one intimate with him it came forth backed with the Popes Authority and the Title of Saint Clement the Eighth made it often be read to him Besides that five Illustrious Cardinals approved it with their Suffrages subscribed thus J. N. do avouch that whatsoever is here written of the B. Philip Neri I have partly seen with my own eyes partly have received from the sure Testimony of very Credible Persons N. c. Clement the Eighth dying his Successor Leo XI was requested by some of the Nobility to Canonize Carlo Borromeo to which he answerd Indeed I am content to Register the B. Carlo among the Saints but will at no hand omit Philip Neri though being prevented by death he did neither What esteem of the H. Man Pope Paul V. had appears by this that he Sainted him by his Bull and gave leave for the Office to be said and Mass to be celebrated in honour of him yea and by sentence from his own Mouth proclaimed a Plenary Indulgence to such as on his Holy day devoutly visit the Church of Vallicella Gregory XV. likewise expressed his abundant love respect and esteem of Philip in that being yet Cardinall he gave out not only in words but by letters that if ever it pleased God to call him to S. Peters See he would without delay enter him among the Saints in the Calender Which so falling out he afterward performed for in the Year 1622. on the Feast of S. Gregory the great he with the liking and joy of all Canonized Philip together with Isidore Ignatius Xaverius and Teresa After his Canonization Peoples piety and devotion toward him began to grow and diffuse it self farther daily so that not only throughout Italy but even in France Spain and Germany publike Prayers and Orations were made in honour of him Nor may it be concealed that Elizabeth Queen of Spain caused Philips effigies set forth with most costly Jewels to be carried about with the rest in Procession the same day the other four were Solemnized at Madrid Temples likewise were built Altars erected Images set up and Decrees passed by divers Towns and Pityes which had made choice of Philip for their Patron that his Festivall should be as regularly observed by the Inhabitants as if enjoyned by publike Edict And the Order of the Dominicans in a Generall Ponvocation decreed that on his Anniversary they would say their Office for him every year Last of all to what a reputation and fame for holiness his Name is at this day arrived the numberless Vows hung up at his Grave by Suppliants and the frequent evidence of Miracles testified from all Parts do abundantly shew THE FIFTH BOOK of the LIFE of PHILIP NERI Of the Miracles which He did whilst he lived CHAP. I. Miracles done by him with the Sign of the Cross HAving in the preceding Books spoken of Philip from his Birth to his Death and brought down the relation of his Vertues thus far intermixed with many strange Occurrents it now rests that we particularize which on purpose was before ommited the rest of the Miracles wrought by his means not doubting but they that read them may again no less than by perusall of his Life That so those who read and see the Sanctity of the B. man confirmed by so many and so manifest signes and wonders may be the more easily won to the imitation of his Vertues First then to begin with our own Prometheus Peregrinus a Priest of the Congregation was so miserably wrung with the Cholick as if his Bowels had been pulled asunder from him His pains increasing still Philip comes to visit him and laying his hands on him crossed This Promotheus testified upon oath the part affected saying in a jesting srot it is nothng easing him thereby of all his greife and torment Antonia Caraccia was desperately ill of a Putrid Fever and a pain of her sides whereof she lay sick fifteen dayes This Antonia and her Husband witnessed upon oath and was now not able to stir her Husband desirous of his Wifes health acquaints Philip with it who bid him Go we will pray for her But her dissease still growing upon her she could neither rest nor eat her Husband returns to Philip and tells him Antonia is a dying I bid you quoth he not long since doubt not it will come to nothing go and I will follow and straight way coming to her he asked Where is your grief she shewed him her right side He laying his hand on it and crossing it told her This is nothing
the bearing that Venerable burden cured of a Fistula that had long troubled him expecting the help of a Surgeon his friend to come and lance it Eucharius a Priest of Spain dwelling at Calama being ill of the Stone his old disease was by a Relique of the forenamed Martyr brought thither by Bishop Possidius perfectly cured And afterwards falling into another sickness and being laid out for dead so that they had already tied his Thumbs together was restored to life by means of the forementioned Martyr from whose Monument a Preists Coat being brought was cast over him as he lay There was one Martialis a man of note and pretty ancient much averse from Christianity who yet had a Daughter a Christian and a Son in Law Baptizâ—d that year He sickening they besought him often and earnestly both with Prayers and Tears to become a Christian he absolutely denyed thrusting them from him in a furious passion His Son in Law resolves to go to S. Stevens Monument there to offer up his most ardent Prayers for him that God would change his heart without any more ado to believe in Christ This he did with abundance of Tears and Vollies of sighes and a burning zeal of sincere devotion when at his going thence taking some of the Flowers that came next to hand off the Altar at night he laid them under his Fathers head To sleep they went and lo before day breake he cries out to run straight for the Bishop who as it chanced was then with me at Hippo and when he understood that he was abroad he desired the Priests to come to him They came he presently acquaints them that he now believed and to the wonder and joy of all was forthwith Baptized As long as he lived he had this still in his mouth O Christ receive my Spirit not knowing that these were the last words of the B. Steven when he was stoned by the Jews which also were his last words who not long after died Two likewise that had the Gout were healed here one a Citizen the other a stranger the Citizen outright but the Stranger by Revelation what he should use when he was ill who doing accordingly was soon rid of his pain Audurus is the name of a Mannour where is a Church in which is a Relique of the Martyr Steven Where certain Oxen drawing a Cart leaving the paths went over a little Boy that was playing in the Lane and bruised him with the wheel who thereupon fetched a groan and lay gasping his last The Mother snatching him up lays him at the same Monument and he not only revived but recovered of all kind of hurt A certain Votress at a Neighbouring Town called Caspiliana being extream ill past all hope her Coat was brought to the same Tombe but before it came back again she dyed Yet her Parents wrapping her Corps up in it her Spirit returned and she recovered At Hippo one Bassus a Syrian prayed at the same Martyrs Monument for a sick Daughter of his that was like to dy having taken her Garment to the place with him when on the sudden there came Servants from home to tell him she was dead But while he was at his Prayers his friends meeting with them forbad them to acquaint him therewith that he might not go mourning along the Streets So returning home to his house which rang with the lamentations of his Servants he threw her Garment which he had carried with him upon her and she came to life again In the same Hippo likewise the Son of one Irenaeus a Banker fell sick and died And as the Coorse was laid out and provision made for the funerall one of his friends while some were wailing and lamenting others administring words of comfort hinted unto them that they should anoint the Corps with the Oile of the B. Martyr Which was no sooner done but he was restored to life In like manner Eleusinus one that had been Tribune laid his Son a little Infant newly dead upon the Martyrs Memoriall that is in his Mannour in our Suburbs and after his Prayers powred forth with abundance of Tears in the place took him up alive What shall I do My promise of compleating this work hastens me so that I cannot name all those I know and questionless most of my familiars when they read these will take it ill that I have omitted so many which they certainly know as well as I. Whose pardon at present I must crave and that they would consider how laborious an enterprize it is to perform that which the dispatch of this Employment undertaken permits me not here to do For should I only write down the Miraculous Cures to let pass other things which have been done within the Confines of Calama and Hippo by this Martyr I mean the Most Glorious Steven I might compile many Volumes yet not comprize them all but only those whereof Testimonials are brought in that so they may be divulged to the people For so we have ordered being desirous that we having seen even in these our days instances of a Divine Supernaturall power frequently shewen like those of old they should not be buried in oblivion or kept from publick view It is scarce two years since the Monument at Hippo-Regius was erected when as the Books delivered in to us concerning these prodigious effects yet many other as we are most certain not being given in even to the time when I am writing this amount to some seventy But at Calama where the Memoriall was set up sooner and the Books brought faster they are incredibly more in number At Vzala too a Colony adjoining to Vtica we have been witnesses of sundry things of note done by the same See in serm de diversis 32. 33. the relation of another â—â— miracle which the Father knew done in this place Martyr whose Monument was built by Bishop Evodius long before ours But there is or rather there was no custom as then to publish Testimonials though haply of late some such Usage have got footing For when we were there awhile since we desired Petronia a Noble Lady that had been miraculously recovered of a long and dangerous sickness when all aid of the Physicians failed her the Bishop of the place likewise wishing the same to give in a Declaration to be read in the Congregation who most willingly assented and did so In which one thing was inserted which I cannot here conceale though hurried away to other matters importing this present design She relates how a certain Jew advised her to sow into a girdle of hair a Ring that had a stone set in it found in the reins of an Oxe and to gird her self with it under her clothes next her skin furnished with this remedy she addressed her self to the Shrine of the Holy Martyr And in her Travaills from Carthage after having stayed at a Mannour she had in those parts seated upon the River Bagrada as she rose up to go on her
wrought in some places not wrought in others For the holiness of the place is very well known to many where the Body of the Blessed Felix of Nola was buried wither I willed them to go for that whatever was miraculously mad◠manifest upon either of them there might from thence be more readily and * Nola in Italy being over against Hippo in Affrick more faithfully transmitted in writing to us For at Millain I my self knew at the Memoriall of the Saints where the very devils make strange and terrible confessions a certain Thief who came thither purposely to deceive one by for swearing himself that was compelled to acknowledge the theft and restore what he had taken away And is not Affrica full of the bodies of Holy Martyrs a And yet we know such things done no where hereabouts For as the Apostle saith Non omnes c. 1. Cor. 12. All Saints have not gifts of healing nor have all the discerning of Spirits so neither would he who divides his own to every one as he will have these things done at all Memorials of the Saints Wherefore being unwilling that this very great grief of my heart should come to your knowledge lest I should trouble you by grieving you to much and to little purpose God would perhaps therefore not conceal it from you that you together with us might give your selves to prayer that so what himself knows in this matter but we cannot know he of his goodness may be pleased to manifest unto us c. a Here Bishop Andrews as I said Resp ad Apol. Bellarm c. 12. would make the matter of this Epistle someway to oppose evacuate the eighth chapter of the 22th Book de Civ Dei because the Father here saith nusquam hîc in Affrica talia fieri scire se that he knew no such miracles done in Affrica But the Father without making him to contradict himself may first either be understood by talia not to exclude all miracles in generall and absolutely but only those of such a kind that is a miraculous deciding of matters of controversy forcing the delinquent to confess his fault as these expressions of his seem to imply Ubi terribiliora opera Dei non sanam cujusque conscientiam facilius aperirent i. e. ' where the more terrible works of God ' discovered every one 's unsound conscience And novimus furem quendam c. his story of a thief forced to confess his theft before such a Monument And that which follows after talia Non omnes Sancti c. All Saints have not gifts of healings nor all the discerning of Spirits so neither would he have these things done at all Memorialls who divides to every one according as he will These things that is both these things both healing and discerning of Spirits Or Secondly if he speak here of all Miracles and mean these things in generall yet may that which he saith in Civ Dei 8. cap. be true nevertheless those frequent Miracles he knew to be done at the Martyrs Memorialls in Affrick probably happening after the writing of this Epistle For in that eighth chapter of the 22th Book De Civ Dei which books were finished not long before his death he saith Nondum est autem biennium c. ' It is not yet two years since this Memoriall was set up at Hippo-Regius and of another Memoriall he saith Quam Possidius illo advexit Which Possidius Bishop of Calama and one of S. Austins Colleagues as he calls himself in the story which he writ of his Life brought thither therefore that of no long standing But to put all out of doubt see what the Father saith concerning this matter in his Book De vera Relig. cap. 25. Sed accepimus majores nostros c. But we have heard that our Forefathers followed visible Miracles for they could not do otherwise in that degree of Faith whereby men ascend as high as from things temporall to eternall by whom it is come to pass that these now are not necessary to their posterity For seeing the Catholick Church is founded and diffused through all the World those Miracles were not suffered to last to our times lest the minde should always look after things visible and mankind by the frequency of them should chill by the Novelty whereof it was at first enflamed Nor yet are we to doubt but that they are to be believed who preaching things whereunto few arrived could notwithstanding perswade the people to follow them c. Vpon which words that he might not be misunderstood in them the Father thus comments in his Retractations S. Aug. Retract lib. 1 cap. 13. Item quod dixi c. Again whereas I said that those Miracles were not permitted to last to our times it is true indeed for they that are now adayes baptized do not so receive the Holy Ghost when hands are laid on them as to speake in the Languages of all Nations nor are the impotent at this day cured at the shadow of the preachers of Christ passing by them and whatever such like things were then done which it is apparent afterward ceased But what I said is not so to be understood as that men should believe there were now no miracles wrought in the name of Christ. For at the same time when I wrote that very Book I my self knew a blind man in the same City that recovered his sight at the Bodies of the * Millain-Martyrs and some others of which sort so many are even in these times done that we can neither know them all nor yet reckon up those we know See what the Father saith to the same purpose Retract 1. lib. 14. cap. Alio loco cùm miracula commemorassem c. In another place viz of his Book De utilitate Credendi 16. cap. When I had recited the Miracles which the Lord Jesus did when he was here in the flesh I added You will say why are not these things done now and I answered there because they would not move us unless they were wonders and wonders they would not be if they were usuall But this I said because not so great nor all such miracles are done now a dayes not because none are done also now a dayes * Gervasius and Protasius see S. Aug Confess 9. lib. 7. cap. S. Aug. De Cura pro Mortuis Cap. 16. HEnce also is that Question solved After what manner the Martyrs by the favours granted to such as pray declare that they intermeddle in humane affairs if the dead know not what the living do For we have heard it not by uncertain rumours but undoubted witnesses that when Nola was besieged by the Barbarians the Blessed Confessor Felix not only by certain instances of particular favours but even in the plain view of men appeared to divers citizens and inhabitants whom he especially loved But these things were divine manifestations differing far from the usuall course assigned to the severall