may to verify that Maximin both be reassumed and yet still remain on earth in Mantua in S. Maximins Church with the Xantons also and some other Parts of Europe And thus the Divine Blood now shut up in our Saviours Body in Heaven And here on earth in the Blessed Sacrament may without Prejudice to Faith be thought Individually the very same yea and were this certainly known adored likewise with Latria or Divine worship I am Sure the Doctrin is held sound by the learned Gregory de Valencia and maintained by many other great Divines 22. Yet Ferrandus Cited § Addo Sudorem Valent in 3 P. Disp 1. quest 5. punct 1. Dul. 3. Lucae 22. v 44. Pondering that Passage in S. Luke And his svveat became like drops of blood trickling dovvn to the ground curiously observes that the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies grumos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is concrete or little clottered Balls of Blood which condensed by the Cold of the night trickled down in that Agony And however mixt with earth were afterward gathered up by careful hands though the Dr simply tell 's us S. Magdalen had no time at our Saviours Passion to do that service to her Lord and Master Now these very Particles or precious drops may well augment that Treasure whereunto so many lay claim and prudently Judge they yet have in keeping some Quantity of our Saviours sacred Blood And truly when no meaner à man than Pope Clement the V. earnestly sollicited Henry Bishop of Claremont to have but à small Portion of our Saviours Blood sent him then in that Bishops custody This fact alone recounted by Ferrandus Showes methinks what high esteem the greatest Prelate upon earth had of that highly valuable Treasure 23. It is Strange to see what slight Stuffe followes Lib. 1. c 2. sect 3 § lacrymas in the Dr. When Ferrandus Proves out of excellent Authors that our Saviours Teares perhaps more copioufly Shed than those of the Poenitent woman Luke 7. 37. are yet preserved in France and moreover Showes out of Antiquity that Teares have been kept very long The Dr Medles not with his Proofs but wonders at the matter and thinks it à pretty competent Miracle that teares should last so long Again when he Assures us upon undeniable Authority that some Locks of our Saviours hair some parts of his swadling bands with his Seamless Coat Reliques easily kept without Corruption are yet in being and tell 's us where and in what places The Dr still wondring Answers no Authority Lib. 1. c. 2. sew unica But jeers at all Lastly when he makes it clearly out that à considerable quantity of the Blessed Virgins milk naturally more liable to corruption than hair or cloths continues yet preserved with great Reverence in Judea Italy Spain and France the Dr got into à Jocular humour laughs at the Author but finding his Reasons and Arguments too hard very wisely as his fashion is waves them in à word replyes to none 24. Here is one attested by as grave Authors as ever wrote and well wroth the Readers knowledge In the time of Baldwin King of Hierusalem à meer handful of Christians Three thousand in number and no more totally routed and overthrew fourty thousand Saracens If you Ask how the Victors came armed Baronius Robertus à Monte Marianus Siculus Baron to 12. ad ann 1124. A monte Append ad cron Sigl anno eodem Mari. Sicu lib. 5. Rerum Hisp and other Writers Answer The Patriarch carried our Saviours Ensign or the Banner of the Holy Crosse an other great Prelate à Lance And lastly the then Bishop of Bethlem marched on bearing before him some Quantity of the Virgins Milk enclosed in à little Pyx of Gold To these armed with sacred Reliques God gave that known and most signal Victory Joannes Mariana à man of great repute for Learning and Judgement recount's how nobly Lewis Joan. Mariana lib. 13 De reb Hisp cap 8 the most Christian King of France enriched the Cathedral Church at Toledo with most precious Reliques to this day carefully preserved in the Holy Sanctuary of that Church together with the Kings own Authentick letter The Substance whereof set down by Mariana is as followes 25. Lewis by the grace of God King of the King Lewis his letter to the Canons of Toledo French sends Greeting to his beloved the Canons and the whole Clergy of the Church of Toledo We desirous to gratify you with à Present of great Value moved thereunto by the earnest Petition of John our Venerable Archbishop of Toledo have taken out of our own Sanctuary choise and selected Reliques which were sent us from Constantinople and freely bequeath them to you Viz. Some of the wood of our Saviours Sacred Cross with one of the Thorns which crowned his blessed head some Quantity also of the Milk of the ever blessed Virgin Mary parts likewise of the purple Garment wherewith our Saviour was clothed as also of that Linnen which he girded about him at the washing of the Apostles feet and some of the Sindon wherein his Sacred Body when it lay in the Holy Sepulcre was wrapped We Therefore ask and require in our Lord JESUS that you receive and conserve these Holy Relicks with all due respect and Reverence in your Church That you be often mindful of me in your dayly Sacrifices and devour Prayers Given at Estamps Anno 1248. May the 8 th Thus that pious and most Christian King whose high esteem of Holy Reliques and amongst the rest of the Virgins Milk yet preserved sufficiently methinks Check's the Dr ' s boldnes when he rashly tell 's us without any semblance of Proof Dr Still page 484. There can be no sussicient credibility in the Testimony given to the Reliques of the Roman Church There are Dr already most credible Testimonies produced Ergo they can be given And are so perswasive to our Intent that no Foolhardy Spirit of incredulity amongst you whereby you would fain obliterate all memory of our Saviour besides à little bare talking of him shall ever abate or Discredit while humane Faith is in the world 26. The Dr in the next place return's once more to the Vial at S. Maximins and hopes with Page 485. another throw to break it in pieces This Vial saith he is supposed to be of S. Mary Magdalen's own bringing into France and its worth the vvhile to knovv hovv it came thither Answ It is well worth the while when to purpose to write whole Volumes as have been Written upon this subject Sure all are not to the purpose for I find no little Confufion among Authors though no one I ever yet read Opposes what I formerly asserted and still defend as à Truth Viz. That at S. Maximins in France there is à Miraculous Vial called by the name of S. Mary Magdalen's which Liquifyes and boyls up every year seen by thousands and owned
of his Crucifyed Body And shall we call this into doubt saith Ferrandus when the Queen of Heaven in after Ages gave Assurance of it to S. Brigit Revel 6. S. Briget yet living upon earth The Dr replyes not at all to this Authority but only frigidly Saies it were Good to understand where the Prepuce is It would Sr be likewise Good to understand where your Protestancy was two or three Ages since make you but thus much out upon any Revelation imparted to S. Brigit We will yeild it once à Being in the world yea and more à longer Continuance But never yet could you or any say where or in what place it was The Sacred Prepuce Mr Dr once committed Why the sacred Prepuce cannot be Supposed lost to S. John cannot while so many lay claim to it be supposed lost In case some be mistaken in judgeing they have it and have it not the Errour arising out of invincible Ignorance is pardonable and in Justice not imputable O but Saies our Dr The same worship is given to all those places where its thought to be And as he pleases to Suppose Miracles likewise equally wrought there Answ Where God vouchsafes to work true Miracles by that Relique there I say it is and therefore will sooner grant it multiplyed by Divine Power in many places than unreasonably dare to deny the Miracles I know Ferrandus solves the Difficulty Ferran lib. 1. c. 2. sect 2 another way and thinks those several Prepuces are only so many divided Parts of the Umbelical Reins yet preserved in Italy and other Countries But I willingly wave this Authors long discourse and in lieu of it Propose à second Objection 19. S. Athanasius cited in the 2. Nicene Synode Athanas lib de Passione Imaginis Domini seem's to assert that no other Flesh or blood of our Saviour remain's now on earth besides that in the Holy Eucharist I wonder the Dr makes use of these words because as Quoted by him they necessarily prove the Blood in the Blessed Sacrament to be truly and really Christ's Sacred Blood For if none really remain on earth but that in the Holy Eucharist that most certainly is Supposed to be the true real Blood of our Saviour So if any truly say none is in the house but Peter the Assertion necessarily implies Peter to be there Briefly Cardinal Bellar. de Ecc Scrip. Anno 340. S. Athan. Bellarmine Answer 's that the Book cited is not held the Work of the Ancient Athanasius but of some other Author much later Again Saith he the late Quoted words are not all extant in the Greek Copy of the Nicene Council nor recorded in the Version of Anastasius Bibliothecarius Therefore seem an Addition foisted in by some after the debate had before Pope Pius the second concerning the Sacred Blood of Christ Moreover saith Bellarmine to Assert that none of our Saviours Blood remain's on earth besides that in the Holy Eucharist contradict's the Tradition of the Church of Mantua which glories in preserving part of the Blood which truly issued out of our Saviours Side and Pope Leo the third then eight hundred year's past declared it to be so who as many French Writers recount went at the Instance of Charles the Great to Mantua with Intention to be informed of the Truth as likewise of the Miracles wrought there by Virtue of that precious Treasure where the Pope receiving full Satisfaction approved all by à special Bull as Baronius cited by Bellar. witnesses For à Baron tom 9 ann 804 Parisiens in Henrico 3. Rege Angliae p. 717. Conclusion of this whole matter Bellar. quotes Matthew Paris who Saies that the Patriarch of Hierusalem sent to Henry the third King of England à little Vial containing à rich Present the Very true Blood of our Saviour which was received with great joy and Veneration all England over Our Catholick Bishops then preaching in their several Districts highly esteemed the Gift and shewed of what worth it was with much Zeal and fervour 20. Ferrandus Quots these words out of Pope Ferran sect 1. Pius his Bull. Veritati fidei c. It is no way against Faith to affirm that our Saviour in memory of his Sacred Passion left here on earth some parts of his own precious Blood whereunto besides Leo the third two other Popes Sixtus the Fourth and Julius the Second accord with à whole Legion of Catholick Divines saith Ferrandus The Testimony also of Euthymius Euth Monachus Zigabemus in coufut Sectae Saracenicae in his Confutation of the Ismaëlits or Saracens is here most memorable Non umbram Christi c. The Blood saith he which ran down from the Body of our Crucified Saviour proves that we have not à bare Shadow or Semblance of Christ but Christ really Crucified in mortal Flesh This Blood is yet kept amongst Christians and visibly boyling up cures many Diseases and that it is our Redeemers Blood most clear and uncontestable Miracles make manifest I hope These few Authorities and many more alledgeable may happily teach the Dr to rule his Tongue better and to Surcease from his roaring out against our abusing Mankind with Vials and turning the most Holy Religion in the vvorld into à meer Shevv and Ceremony Meer empty and peevish words void of weight and all shadow of Reason 21. A third Objection All the Blood of our Saviour Shed in his Sacred Passion vvas as many hold reassumed at his Resurrection Answerable to an old Maxim Quod semel assumpsit non demisit The Dr to his shame blindly stumbles upon the Difficulty after he had as it seem's read Ferrandus his clear Solutions but was willing to Ferran cited sect 7. conceal what he would not have à Reader know Briefly None Saith Ferrandus can Assert that our Saviour reassumed all the Parts of matter added to his Sacred Body by continual Nutrition without making it of à monstrous Bignesse yet those particles once were united to his Divine Person though never reassumed Why Therefore may we not Say that as our Redeemer left on the one side great Quantity of his Blood as à Testimony of his dear Affection to Mortals who reverently preserve it so on the other when he rose from death He resumed so much Vital Blood perhaps saith Ferrandus taken from some other matter as was sufficient to constitute his Glorious Body in à perfect State of Immortality Again were it needful Why might we not assert that that copious torrent The Dr may think this Doctrin Strange But that 's no matter Let him read Divines of Blood which fell from Christ in his bitter Passion remain's yet Hypostatically Vnited to the Divine Person His dead Body lying in the Grave retained still all confess the Hypostatical union and so did his glorious Soul in Lymbo Though all that time far distant from the Body In like manner that precious Blood which plentifully gushed out of his Veins
afford Miracles in abundance However grant which is not true that God in any one latter Age favovred his Church with á greater number of Miracles than he did the Primitive who can repine at his Providence he is Lord and may do what he pleases Or who dare censure us as Lyars and over credulous if by real Proofs taken from undoubted Records we make our Assertions good and evince the Truth of every Miracle in particular 5. Dr Still after à tedious rambling much Page 667. to this Sence That God would contradict himselfe should he confirm à Doctrin by Miracles contrary to Christian Religion already proved by Miracles à Truth known to all makes this Inference Therefore although in the beginning of à Religion the Doctrin is to be proved by Miracles yet that being once supposed Miracles afterwards are to be tryed by the Doctrin Would Dr Still either prove his Protestant Miracles by Protestant Doctrin or Protestant Doctrin what ever it is by Protestant Miracles I should be better Satisfyed But the Good man offer 's at neither I Answer How Miracles are proved by the Churches Doctrin and that Doctrin by Miracles this common Doctrin often proposed by our Divines All new Miracles wrought in the Church are to be examined and proved by the Churches Authority is True and therefore whatever Miracle after due Examination is found contrary to the Churches Doctrin as it is established and proved Orthodox by the Ancient Signs of Christianity the Ancient Prophesies also by the Sanctity of thousands and thousands and the large Extent of this great moral Body Such à Miracle I say ought to be rejected as false though an Angel from Heaven which is impossible should visibly exhibit the greatest 6. Some hereupon will say Not only new but all Miracles though now old are to be tried and proved by the Churches authority For the first Miracle wrought in the Church was then new so was the second and all other ensuing respectively to the time and place they were done in But all these together cannot if we make á right Analysis be proved by the Doctrin The Difficulty proposed or the Authority of the Church because the Churches Doctrin and Authority is Primarily proved by her Miracles which seem's impossible For who can first prove the Churches Doctrin true or Evidently credible by Miracles and afterwards without à vicious Circle prove her Miracles true by the Doctrin which is not proved true or evidently credible But by Miracles 7. Shall we in this Trial of Miracles try also Dr Stillingfleet's speculative faculty à little Has the like Force against our Saviours Miracles and propose the same Argument against the Miracles wrought by Christ and the Apostles using the very same words The first Miracle Christ wrought was then new the like is of the Apostolical Signs the second also ensuing respectively to the place and time when done was new and so of the rest But all these taken together if we make à right Analysis cannot be first proved true by Christ's Doctrin because that Doctrin is primarily proved true or evidently credible by Christ's Miracles which seem's as I said to imply à Vicious Circle For what can be more Circular than first to prove Christ's Doctrin by Miracles and afterwards to prove the Miracles true by the Doctrin not otherwise proved true or evidently credible than by Miracles What Answer gives the Dr to this Argument Will he say Christ's Miracles are now supposed true I may say as much of Church Miracles But believe it if we make à right Resolution of Faith we are obliged to show our Suppositions reasonable and goe deeper into matters than only to Suppose and prove nothing 8. My Answer conformable to what I delivered Part. 1. c. 6. num 17. in the last little Treatise against Dr Still is thus All Miracles whether wrought by Christ or in the Church may be considered two wayes First as Objects of Sence seen or known by undoubted Witnesses and under this Notion as previous to Faith they illuminate the mind and only rationally move to accept Christ's Doctrin anciently delivered and now taught in the Church But are not the last ground or only Formal Object of Beliefe and therefore Faith depend's not on the sight or bare Appearance of this The difficulty solved or that Individual Miracle 2. Miracles may be considered as most certainly true and this full Assurance of their Truth we have not from any outward appearance for Divels may delude us But from the Churches Approbation which Church is not only supposed but rationally proved God's own Oracle by the glorious light of external Motives Miracles chiefly Thus far led on by reason we prudently receive her Doctrin and say that all new Miracles are to be tryed and proved by the Churches known and received Doctrin what 's Contrary we reject as spurious and false What is conformable when the marter of Fact is made Morally certain we rest in and own as undoubted after this Oracle has sealed Chap. 17. from n. 1◠and n. 38. all up in à Legal Trial and given in her Approbation Se more here of afterwards 9. You will Say if the Churches Approbabation be required as necessary before we yeild An assent though sure implies not the certainty of Faith à sure Assent to the Truth of à Miracle How can we Show that the Doctrin of Christ or the Church is made evidently Credible by Miracles not yet known evidently true when meerly considered as previous Inducements or not firmed by any certain Oracle They move to Believe I Answer Those who heard of Christ's Miracles only relyed on Moral certainty very easily Tell me I beseech you Had all those who only heard of Christ's Miracles and Doctrin far distant from the place where they were wrought any previous clear Evidence of their Truth or did they then believe them by Faith fixed only upon the humane Testimony of such as made à Relation of them It is impossible because Faith requires à more noble Motive The knowledge therefore they had was then only morally certain which as I shewed in the last Treatise is enough with other helps to Assent to Christ's Doctrin upon this Motive that God revealed it 10. By all hitherto noted the Reader may Why the Churches Censure is necessary concerning Miracles see how necessary it is to have an Oracle ever ready at hand by whose Censure and Judgement true Miracles are discerned from the illusive Charms of Divels and wicked men Nothing that is counterfeit can passe this Tribunal Though therefore the Divel often Transform's himselfe into an Angel of light and may dazle mens Eyes with à false Lustre of fair Wonders yet the Church will find him out and lay open the Legerdemain 11. Dr Still told us just now That in the beginning of Religion the Doctrin is to be proved by Miracles Upon à meer Accident I met with à Protestant Brother who
Divines Though the Dr most likely will not allow me so favourable à Censure The Dr's way or mode in writing whilst Substance failes cannot but be worthless unsavory and distastful Peruse him Reader page after page you will find the man all along in à peevish Humour when you see his Book brim full of tare biting Ironies Drolleries Comical Expressions impertinent Demands Idle Stories c. As if the disgorging à little Gall were enough to bring into Contempt the Clearest Miracles God ever wrought Had he had but common Prudence He might well have thought that for one Petit private man hid in à corner of the world pertly to rise up against all ancient Fathers Doctors and Divines without Manifest Proofs reduced to sound Principles would never take But appear to every Iudicious Reader as it is an unluckly Management of an ill cause Herein without all doubt Passion blinded the man And I am sure left him no clear Ey-Sight when he too boldly tell 's us above That be relies on our own Writers in this Controversy and thinks himselfe not mistaken I say once more the Pretence is most false having not so much as one Catholick Author that opposes approved Miracles But suppose one or two could be racked to his Sence hitherto I neuer met with any might not the Dr haue called to mind his own Apology made in behalfe of Mr Thorndick Who as Zealously clear's the Catholick Church from Idolatry as the Dr fondly laies that foul Aspersion on Her If we should grant They are the Dr's words in his General Preface That He Mr Thorndick held some things singular in this matter what is that to the constant Opinion of our Church So say I should we grant which I shall neuer yeild that some one or other Catholick Author were singular in this matter now debated what 's that to the contrary Iudgement of all other Writers and the Sentiment of à whole Church besides But now when the Dr has none that sides with him His only course will be to sit down silent and talk no more of our Writers By what is hitherto said T' is hard methinks to conceive what moved the Dr to quarrel with our Miracles Has God angred the man in Showing so many clear Legible Characters Written by his own powerful hand intending thereby to make his Church glorious I say many For there is no Kingdom Saith S. Chrysostom no Country no common wealth no famous City in the world where innumerable have not either seen or heard of Miracles attested by most faithful Witnesses and upon that Account haue rendred humble thanks to God for so signal Testimonies of his favours It may bee the Dr thinks that those who have Written of Miracles are but à few only Vulgar and ignorant It is à Cavil Many stout Champions inferiour to none in knowledge have defended them These are our Combatants and Conquerours in this Controversy But perhaps these learned only recount some Trivial matters or as the Dr speak's à few extraordinary Things Quite contrary They mention most Signal Works great Wonders as raysing the Dead restoring sight to the blind and curing incurable Infirmities clear effects of God only Omnipotent But stay have not our Learned Writers willing to wave pains slightly passed over such Matters of Fact No. Never any were or can be more accurate in laying forth the Substance and all Circumstances relating to Miracles than S. Irenaeus S. Hierom S. Augustine S. Gregory Thaumaturgus and S. Bernard These Admirable Saints to omit latter Authors have either wrought great Miracles or Written of them with so much care and diligent Study That one with halfe an Ey may perceive As They themselves never doubted of what they wrote so they purposely strove to fix à firm Belief of them in the minds of others Hence S. Augustine cited afterward Lib. 22. de Civit. Cap. 8. assures us He vvrote the Miracles there specifyed for this End that they might be publickly read before the People and knovvn to all For saith the Saint Such was my express will Because when we saw the Signs and Miracles wrought frequently in our time like those which God anciently evidenced to the world I endeavovred that their memory should not perish If therefore Miracles have been frequent If knovvn the vvhole vvorld over If seen and attested by Many Ey-Witnesses if legible Characters Written by God's own hand if great and prodigious If finally wrought for this End that their Memory might be preserved and known to all VVhat could induce our unadvised Dr most rashly to publish his lame and imperfect Enquiry against Miracles This to me appear's à Paradox or rather à Riddle which no Oedipus can solve Had not this man shown Spight enough in his former Treatises vvhere he set's that Vile and Infamous Mark of Idolatry upon our Ancient Church though She drevv vvhole Nations from Idolatry to the Christian Faith But thanks be to God He has not as I hear gained three Iudicious men of his ovvn Profession to believe him Had He not spit out Venome enough in stiling the most Learned vvith in this great Moral Body Rebel teachers and Sowers of Divisions Had he not in some Frolick gnash't his teeth enough in his more than bold presumptious railing at the Saints in Heaven How could à renowned S. Benet S. Dominick or S. Francis fall under his lash and raise up so much unruly Passion in à Dr Could he not he have left these happie Souls in their eternal Rest free from his Scratches Taunts aend bitter Obloquies Without doubt he look't on them as some of old did on the wild beasts in Theaters publickly exposed to be bated and furiously encountred Yet to make the burthen of his sins more heavy he sports himselfe with all that can be serious Do but mention the Sanctity and Austerity of thousands yet living in the Church all with him is thought Hypocrisy Speak of our Catholick Doctrin taught his Progenitors for à thousand years and more it Led them forsooth into so many abominable Errours that 't is hard to say whether they are saved or damned Bring to light the clearest Miracles God ever wrought what are they Nothing but painted Strawes and Counterfeit Trances And thus he add's Sin to Sin without remorse or check of Conscience upheld by no other Principles than Drollery vain Florishes lowd untruths and Calumnies Dr Iohn Avila à man of great learning and à renowned Preacher hearing soon after the death of à Priest of one sole neglect and t' was that but once only he had offered up in his whole life time the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass spake these few but weighty words Multum defert ad Iudicem This man upon that Account carries much with him to be answered for before his Iudge VVhat was this little small Omission compared with Dr Stillingfleet's enormous Commissions Dovvn Cries He vvith their Sacrifice avvay vvith their Mass all is Superstition and the highest Idolatry He
Sacristy doore and desired another Masse to be said by way of Thanskgiving for the wonderful cure wrought upon her F. Peter Hullin said the Masse whereat she knelt the whole time though as the custome is rose up by her selfe without difficulty at the reading of the Gospel Masse done She left her Crutches in the Church and walked home as sound and strong as ever she had been in her life All these particulars Peronna deposed upon Oath as most true when she was most rigidly examined and obliged by Oath to speak nothing but Truth of the state and continuance of her malady as also of the cure whereunto she subscribed her name Peronna Roault 5. Now if any suspect Fiction or jugling in this Deposition made by the Gentlewoman though methinks it is very unlikely that one who stood in no need of any temporal reliefe should juggle so long or feign an Infirmity for thirteen years together I answer all fear of fraud is taken away upon the manifest proof of these two things 1. That the disease was such in the main particulars as the Patient her selfe deposed 2. That she was restored to perfect See these witnesses named in the first Tome of April already cited health as is now said But no fewer than 16. or 17. sworn Witnesses all named in the Processe or full information of this Miracle gave in Evidence of these main particulars To produce every one in order would be needlesse while hundreds yet living in Calais conscious of the Miracle are ready to Testify it These few therefore shall suffice One à maid Servant deposed she was present when Peronn'as Limbs were so violently rack't out of joynt that she heard à noise much after the like manner as if bones had been broken in her body and swore also she had often handled and seen one of her Legs much shorter than the other the like Attestation other Witnesses gave Fr. John Beaumont appointed to hear the infirm Gentelewoman's Confession at her own house the last Lent before her cure deposed upon Sworn Witnesses of this Miraculous Cure Oath that her voice by reason of the obstruction in her breast often intermitted by continual coughing was so low and inarticulate that though most attentive he had much A doé to understand her Others gave Testimony of her frequent Convulsion fits Others present when the Kings Physicians visited her after à long consultation had upon the disease deposed they heard those knowing Doctors say no Cure could be hoped for So Mons t Valet Judged and the Ordinary Physician then of Calais Mons t Crocque deposed that after many frequent Visits made he had often discovered Peronna so fearfully assaulted with sharp Accesses of her malady and the corrupt humours of her strange distempered Body that he Judged her incurable by humane Art and therefore left all to God's Divine Providence and assistance Now for as much as concern's the Truth of Peronna's speedy recovery perfectly wrought in the Church of the F. F. Minims by the Intercession of the glorious S. Francis de Paula not only the forementioned Witnesses but innumerable other Inhabitants of Calais can and will depose to this day So that if humane Faith be not utterly extinct or of no account among rational men the Relation here briefly set down is upon moral Certainty most indubitable 6. The whole Processe and Information of the Miracle the Original whereof is yet extant in the Convent of the FF Minims at Calais two worthy Priests Robert Feubre Bachelour in Divinity and Curate also in Calais and John Tiffaine Cantor in the great Church there by Commission of the most Reverend Lord Bishop of Bologne presented to his Lordship which done his Lordships Approbation is as followes 7. Having seem and examined the Information given by our command which Mr Robert Feubre Curate The Miracle approved by Episcopal Authority and Dean of Calais offered us concerning the cure of Madamoiselle Peronna Raoult wrought in the Church of The FF Minims this present year 1661. the 9.th of April within the Octave of S. Francis de Paula we willingly acknowledge the Cure to have been truely Miraculous and obtained by the merits of that great Saint And because God requires that his Glory be manifested for favours done above the ordinary course of Nature VVee to stir up Devotion in all faithful People towards the blessed Saints in Heaven and mereover to Convince the Heresy of those who forbid Saints to be invocated have permitted and do permit this Miracle to be made publick and thanks rendred to God and the Saint in what ever Solemne manner shall be Iudged meet and convenient In VVitness hereof we set our hand and Seal Given at Bologne April 29.th in the year 1661. subscribed ✚ FRANCISCUS EPIS BONONIENSIS 8. From Callais we passe into England once à happy Nation no lesse shining with innumerable glorious Saints and Miracles than now God knowes made dimne yea fearfully dark by Sin and Heresy Two monstrous Evils The Sinner want's goodnes and seldom cast's à thought on the Saints in Blisse But Hereticks want Justice and honesty who violently Rob the blessed in Heaven of those Wonders which God Manifestly works by them here on Earth While Heaven and earth abhor's this open Plagiary I call for Justice and due Restitution if any be found so gracelesse as to deprive one English Saint of those very many most certain and clear Miracles which God wrought by him in life and after death I mean our ever renowned S. Thomas Cantelupe Cambden in Britānia pag. 461. London print 1607. that worthy Bishop of Hereford nobly born saith Cambden speaking of Herefordshire who for his Sanctity was Canonized and publickly held so pious à man that he came not short of King Ethelbert Martyr in virtue Nay perhaps excelled him Thus Cambden who it seem's had heard of the Saints glorious Shrine or Monument but saw it not being before his time destroyed by impious hands 9. You have also an exact account of some Entituled the life and Gests of S. Thomas Cantelupe by R. S. printed at Gant 1674. Chap. 20. Surius de S. Tho Here. in à manuscript I have by me great Miracles wrought by the Saint in à late English Book with many excellent Observations made upon his admirable life I esteem the Book and shall hereafter make use of it I likewise much value what Surius recount's of our renowned Bishop's Miracles who made his Collections out of approved Manuscripts yet exstant in Rubrâ valle à Convent of Canon Regulars neer Bruxels where many learned Volumes are preserved and brings to light almost innumerable done after the Saints death He raised to life saith Surius threescore dead and restored sight to 41. blind He cured 21. strucken with Palsies I saw add's this Author in one Volume kept in the forenamed Monastery à Relation of other wonderful Miracles which altogether amount to 425. 10. But Reader the Records I most rely
On what Records we most rely in this enquiry on lyable to no exception are certain and no other than the very Authentique Depositions of Faithful Witnesses rigidly and severely examined in the Processe of our Saint's Canonization The Original Records I mention carefully preserved to this day in the Vatican Library at Rome sent thither by our King and all the Bishops then in England Those two worthy men often cited Godesridus Henschenius and Daniel Papâ—brochius after their visiting many Libraries up and down the world in order to their great Work now in hand had Licence granted by Pope Alexander the VII freely to make use of what Manuscripts they pleased extant in the Vatican and about 14. years past besides other Collections gathered sincerely out of the Original there all the juridical proved and approved Miracles which God wrought by this glorious Saint in number about 429. This Extract or Copy I have now by me very long 't is true Yet pleasant to read where you may see an ingenuous candour and plainenisse on the one side Through the whole Processe And so rigid à Search made to find out Truth on the other as if Damnation had been concerned and it was no lesse in case of Perjury or giving in false Evidence Not one past for an approved Miracle But under Solemn Oath which the examined Witnesses deposed to be most true upon the Holy Gospel laid open before them Some Choise ones mong many most clear and Evident you shall have presently In the mean while it will not be amisse for the Readers better Satisfaction to touch briefly upon à few Particulars whereby more light may be had of the whole Procedure in the Processe concerning our Saints Canonization 11. No sooner had those many Signal Miraculous Wonders wrought upon the living and dead by the Intercession of S. Thomas raised his Sanctity and Miracles to à publick Of the addresse the English made to the See Apostolicke For the Canonization of S. Thomas Fame all England over but the whole Nation as well Prince as People the learned Bishops also with the Clergy and Religious joyntly concurred and petitioned the See Apostolick to have their Bishop declared à Saint in Heaven by whom God had certainly wrought Innumerable Miracles here on earth The most active in this pious Enterprise was the Lord Bishop Richard Successor to S. Thomas who had long lived with the Saint and knew much of his Virtues The Other was Henricus à Schorha deputed Procurator by the Chapter of Hereford that presented à Writing to the Lords Commissioners containing the great respect and Veneration all had of the Saint grounded upon his Virtues and frequent Miracles wrought in à manner dayly at his Monument To this Transcript or Writing ten Bishops all named set their hands where upon the publick Processe in order to his virtuous life and Miracles began The Commissioners appointed by the Popes Holinesse for the hearing all that passed in the Processe were first two Bishops Mimatensis saith my copy Londinensis and one Arch-Deacon called Wilhelmus de Testa besides four Authoriz'd Notaries by the See Apostolick The Notaries Authority stood without limit of time but the Lord's commission Dated the 13. July 1307 lasted only 4. Months and Therefore no more were examined by them The depositions sent up to Rome obtained the CanonizatioÌ„ but 39. Miracles whereunto they subscribed The Notaries Commission continuing irrevocably brought the whole Processe to an end Depositions made and exactly reviewed by the Commissioners à clear Information of every particular was in due and Legal Form sent up as the manner is to the Congregation of Rites for à Further Trial if necessary whereupon saith the Relation his Holyness Pope John the XXII having had by what was done full Satisfaction at the Instance of our King and Prelates procedeed to à Solemn Canonization which was Celebrated at Rome with great joy with greater in England chiefly in the Carhedral Church of Hereford Thus much premised 12. The mainest Point remain's and it is The depositions made by sworn Witnesses are many to give the Reader satisfaction concerning those innumerable Depositions made by sworn Witnesses who brought in Evidence of our Saints Virtuous life and Miracles The Work would be Immense and not suitable to à short Treatise should I run throught all the Depositions with their Circumstances as they are in my Manuscript I must therefore content my selfe with à few only And if these most undeniably manifest prevail nothing upon our Sectaries Incredulity the whole Manuscript I have though I should Transcribe all particulars with their Circumstances as they lie in order would prove inefficacious and do them little or no good at all 13. The first Deponent or sworn Witness The first deponent was the Lord Bishop Richard was no less à man than Richard Lord Bishop of Hereford and it is à Wonder to see how rigourous an Examination pass't upon him in this Tribunal had he been one of the Vulgar sort the Lords Commissioners could not have used greater Severity The Holy Gospel as my Manuscript has it laid open before him with the forme of an Oath presented to every one rich or poor Noble or ignoble He swore according to that Tenor that his Answer to all Interrogatories in this weighty matter should be without fraud and fiction exactly true The very most of the Questions proposed Bishop Richard being one who had long conversed with S. Thomas chiefly concerned the Sainct's Charity Sanctity Prudence Mortification Sobriety abstinence c. where in the Commissioners received full Satisfaction That done the Bishop also gave in Evidence of 3. or 4. Miracles wrought by S. Thomas after his bones had been translated from our Ladies Chappel to his other Sepulcre But because I find the Relation of these Miracles very long having no time to run over The life and Gests of S. Tho. Cantelupe c. 20. from p. 238. the tenth part of all I wave them and pitch upon Some more compendiously set down no lesse choise and clear They are an Overplus to those Six or seven you have already very faithfully recounted by Mr R. S. Cited 14. One clear Miracle was wrought by S. Thomas upon à Child about two years and three Months Old called Roger Son to one Gervase One memorable Miracle wroâ—â— hâ— by S. Thomas upon à Young Child that served in the Castle of Coneweye in Walrs The Child unfortunately fell down in the night time from à Bridge belonging to that Castle into Ditch under the Bridge distant from it 28. foot the mischance happened in the year 1303 and 6. of September The Mother of the Child called Dionisia living in à little House neer the Castle thought her little one had lodged that night with his Father in the Castle but next morning making enquiry after him the found to her Sorrow the Child half naked and dead upon à hard stone in the bottom of the Dith where
Perseverance and constancy in any other Society but in the Roman Catholick Church only Most reasonably Therefore may we apply our Saviours sacred Words to this Church and say Had She not done greater Works had She not exhibited more glorious Miracles in the Open view of the world than any other those rebellious Spirits that oppose Her would not have committed so hainous à sin but having seen the palpable VVonders wrought in Her and by her their sin is supra modum peccans enormously great and unexcusable 13. Thus much said of true Miracles I would willingly know to what purpose doth Dr Still produce the Wonders of Infidels and Hereticks against the great Works of God Manifest in our Church Can he hope by these lesser Signs to extinguish the Light of great Miracles Or will he suppose the Heathens Miracles true and ours false If so he is above measure blamable unlesse he first prove their Records Authentick and ours forged Will he say that all the Miracles pretended by Gentils Hereticks and the Church are à like false and feigned He Speaks at random without proofe and dos open wrong to Manifest Truth You will better understand what I would An Instance Shewing that no comparison can be made between the Churches Mirucles and those done by Infidels Say by this one clear Example Imagin it were certainly known to us all that it pleases Almighty God for the ending of debates about Religion to have matters decided by à visible sight of Miracles in an open Contest between two men Suppose likewise that God should say these men shall appear among you to Morrow The one à false Prophet à great Magician The other my Servant commissioned to work in my name but none before hand shall distinguish between them save only by the Strength and greatnesse of their Signs Upon these make your Judgement The one having without violence set open à prison Gate fast shut endeavours to resuscitate à man stark dead but cannot The other by à Word only spoken recal's him to life The one after he had shown an Image walking up and down Offers to cure the born blind but in vain The other presently gives him perfect sight and thus the Strife goes on in exhibiting many like Wonders Is it not think ye as easy to distinguish the Magacian from the other in this contest as is to discern between à Blazing star and à glorious Sun The very like is our Case in the Comparison made between Miracles wrought in the Church and those other done by Infidels and Hereticks when Divels have à hand in them The Iudgement of Authors Concerning Miracles wrought by Christ's Adversaries 14. The ancient Irenaeus expresly denies Iren. lib. 2. cap. 56. Hereticks the power of working true Miracles Nec enim donare possunt saith he c. They cannot give sight to the blind nor hearing to the deaf nor cure the Infirm the Lame or Paraliticks S. Augustin S. Aug de unitat Eccles speak's more plainly Aut figmenta mendacium hominum aut portenta fallacium Spirituum They are either the Fictions of lying men or monstrous things done by Fallacious Spirits And elsewhere Aut falluntur aut fallunt Hereticks Aug. Hom. 13. in Joan. either deceive by their Miracles or are deceived Thanks be to God our modern Sectaries who pretend to no Miracles herein easily quit themselves of Fraud 15. Other Authors grant à Power of working some weak kind of Miracles to wicked men to Hereticks and Heathens and chiefly ground themselves upon several passages in Holy Writ presently laid forth and explained In the mean while 16. I say first God never wrought Miracles God Cannot work à Miracle to confirme false Doctrin by Heathen or Heretick in confirmation of any Doctrin opposite to his own revealed Verities which Christ the Apostles and the Church have delivered The reason given above is clear The first Verity cannot contradict himselfe but God would Do so could he by clear Signs establish à Doctrin Contrary to his own known and received Truths if as we now suppose he speak's as well by Signs as by words Hence it also followes that in case he permit à Miracle to be done by any out of the Church as was by Balaams Asse no member I hope of the true Church that ever yeild's in worth and Greatnesse to his own glorious Miracles 17. I say 2. The Divel that brought in The Divels Power in doing wonders Limited this Confusion of Signs between false and true Miracles and would fain do something like God can work no wonder but either by dazling mans fancy or by à swift and subtle Application of natural Agents together in order to some unusual effect as is already noted All true essential Transmutations therefore All Generations of perfect living Creatures as of men horses and the like not subject to any Magick are above the Divels Power hence saith Medina cited above what some Write of men changed into Wolves is to be accounted feigned and fabulous The Divel you know is called the Prince of the Air and can as Ludovicus Vives tom 2. lib 2 de unit fidei pag. 379. Vives well observes afflict men with Infirmities speak in an Idol Assume an Airy Body and exhibit himselfe visible c. God permit's no more Good I am sure he never did to any without à Cheat at the end 18. I say 3. No Passage in Holy Writ Nothing in true Ecclesiastical History or in any approved Author ascribs the like Power of working real Miracles to faithlesse men assisted by the Divel as have been wrought by Christ the Apostles and in the Church 19. Some Argue out of Scripture and too Thessalon 2. v. 9. Apocaly p 13. v. 13. much extolling Antichrist's Signs produce the Apostles words concerning that false Prophets appearing in all Power and lying Wonders S. John point's at these Signs as bringing down fire from Heaven and seducing the Inhabitants on the earth I Answer if we speak of the great Antichrist Antichrist's wonders no true Miracles that shall appear before the end of the world his Wonders will be great but far from the worth of true Miracles whence it is we are forewarned of his lying Prodigious Signs and one Lowd Lye is That he will deny JESUS the Son of MARY to be true Christ and consequently endeavour to enervate the Truth of the whole Gospel He will come saith Holy Scripture in his own name showing himselfe as John 5. 45. if he were God yea extolled above all that is called God or that is worshipped But that man 2. Thes 2. 4. losses all reason that can be brought by à sight of foreknown lying VVonders to deny the true God JESUS CHRIST and the Gospel when he has at hand not only more but far greater Miracles registred in Scripture and evidently wrought in the Church to confront the Divels pride Vanting by Antichrist 20. In this weighty matter therefore when
denyed great and most Signal Miracles to have been wrought in the Orthodox Church of Christ None of them ever hitherto brought in S Austin as Opposite to our Catholick Miracles Many it's true assert That false wonders have by abuse often passed for true ones which all willingly acknowledge and Say the Church upon their Discovery hath severely punished those who gave the scandal and upon this unsteady Topick the Dr unworthily ground 's the most of his whole Discourse as will appear afterwards Now to S. Austins Testimonies 2. The Dr quotes his Book of true Religion S. Austin de vera Religion c. 25. where it is Said that the working of Miracles since the Church is novv established and diffused over the world becomes Vnnecessary yet God thinks Mr Dr might do them out of extraordinary kindness to his Church in à time when many Pagans vvere yet unreclaimed Reader here Dr Still page 581. is not all for S Austin in his Book of Retractations and the Dr saw it well enough declared his own meaning thus When saith he I S Aust lib. 1. Retract cap. 1 3. taught in my Book of true Religion That after the Churches Establishment Miracles vvere not necessary that 's very true because novv vvhen hands are laid upon the Baptized They receive not so the Holy Ghost Observe what Miracles S. Austin speak's of as to speak vvith the Tongues of all Nations neither are the Infirm now healed by the shadows of Christ's Preachers that passe by them These and the like Wonders cease But vvhat I said then mark the words is not to be taken as if no Miracles vvere novv vvrought in the name of Christ for I had assurance of à blinde man cured at Millan and of many other great Miracles done in These times that I neither knovv them all nor can enumerate those I knovv Thus S. Austin Say Reader doth not the Dr egregiously juggle in raising à Difficulty out of S. Austin which the Saint had solved long since and plainly laid before all mens Eyes 3. The next Quotation in S. Austins Book S. Austin de utilit credendi c. 16. of the Vsefulness of believing is nothing at all to the Dr ' s purpose There we are Told what great Miracles were frequently done by God made man while he lived on earth then S. Austin Demands Why they are not done now He Answers because they would not move unless they were wonderful for Saith he were they Things common or usually Shown they would not seem wonderful and he explain's his meaning by an excellent Instance vvaved by Mr Dr. Should one saith the Saint who never yet saw the Vicissitude of day and night the constant motion of the Celestial Orbes the four various Seasons of the year the mighty efficacy which lies in seed the Beauty of light of Colours c. Should such à man I say first behold these wonders He would be overwhelmed with à Sight of admirable Miracles Yet We. not because we knovv the Causes of these things for nothing is more obscure But because they are common and dayly seen make little or no Account of them And so it would Were Miracles vulgar and common they whould not move happen were the Miracles wrought by our Saviour continually shown or often laid before our Eyes S. Austins whole Drift therefore is to Demonstrate that if Christ's Miracles were so common or continually wrought amongst us like the incessant Motion of the Heavens or those other wonders already mentioned They would to use the Saints words grovv contemptible Yet hence contrary to all Logick and rational Discourse the Dr would inferr that Miracles are never wrought though God often vouchsafes Pro opportunitate temporum That 's also S. Austin's expression to do them by his Servants here on earth That is not so frequently by any one man or in any such manner as our Saviour did in the first Promulgation of the Gospel 4. Here the Dr to his own confusion remit's S. Austin lib 4. Retract c. 14. us again to S. Austin When saith the Saint I mentioned in another place the Miracles our Lord JESUS vvrought in his mortal flesh I asked vvhy the like are not done novv And ansvvered They vvould not move unless they vvere vvonderful and this I said because neither so great Miracles nor all the Miracles vvrought by Christ are novv done among us Non quia nulla fiunt etiam modo And not because God vvorks no Miracles among us novv in this present Age. These last words which prove that Miracles cease not in the Church our Dr vvisely conceal's and adds to S. Austins Text another Expression not extant there Viz. As vvere vvrought by Christ and his Apostles whereas the Saint in this Passage speaks only of our Saviours Miracles without mention made of the Apostles However after this double fraud you must hear the Dr triumph And can saith he any Sayings be more contradictory than this of S. Austin's and E. W. s asserting That as many and as great Miracles yea greater are wrought since as were in their Dayes Mr Dr deal plainly read in lieu of your words As are done in their dayes as were wrought by Christ and your supposed contradiction vanishes into smoak For do not I expresly Part. 2. c. 1. â—um 3. say in the last Treatise That Christ our Lord proved himselfe the greatest Thaumaturgus the world ever beheld and far surpassed all Angels and men Patriarks Prophets or Apostles in working Miracles all nature over which none ever did before or shall do hereafter None but Christ commanded à new Star to shine at their birth No man like our Saviour darkened the lights of Heaven split the rocks rent the vail of the Temple moved the earth or rose again to Life like Christ our Lord. Therefore Ghâ—ist our Lord for above all men and Angels in working Miracles S. Austin saies well and I also assert it that neither so admirable nor all the Miracles wrought by Christ are now done amongst us Notwithstanding to verify that certain Prediction of greater wonders I said more blinde have seen more dead have risen to Life again more poor have received the Gospel in the later Ages of the Church than before while our Saviour was upon earth and this is undeniable unlesse S. Austin's Authority and all humane Faith be banished the world Hence I often Paralled Miracles wrought in the Church with those done by the Apostles ever giving Preheminence to our Saviours glorious Wonders and withal yeilded as you may see above à singular Prerogative granted the Apostles in working Miracles by Ordinary Commission which none known to me in the Church ever had since or if any had it the favour was singular and not common 5. The Dr goes on It s true indeed S. Austin saith there were some Miracles still left in the Church and he produces several Instances else where but in the same place he Denies the
Proof hitherto taken from Tyrrel may seem deficient Yet the confession of those three women rigidly examined takes away all doubt Answ The weakest Plea imaginable had we certainty of any such acknowledgement For how easy was it in those Dayes when England swarmed with innumerable virulent Adversaries that acted most Tragically against Catholick Religion and made it à Sport falsely to calumniate to persecute imprison and hang up Priests and Jesuits How easy I say was it for Those most unconscionable Accusers and Judges of à like Temper openly unjust harsh rough and cruel either to forge such à Confession Or by threats Torment sand other means to extort it from two or three poor simple women 24. Reader peruse at leasure the Author Morus Histor Prov. Angli l. 3. num 23. I quoted and you will find forgery enough which came at last to an Extremity of force invented by Diabolical Accusers and Merciles Judges against one of the worthiest men then living Se also the Concert in Eccles Aug. cited where you will find horrid Things acted against Priests and Laymen through Every page of that Excellent Book to say nothing of others I mean that glorious champion of JESUS Christ the incomparable and ever renowned F. Edmund Campian whom nature had framed of à sweet meek and amiable Disposition and Grace adorned with à rich Treasure of supernatural Virtues 25. This Innocent Lambe yet in courage à Lyon and six other Priests brought before the Judge Christopher VVraye to be tryed upon life and death were accused of Treason as if forsooth They at Rhems in France had conspired to murther Queen Elizabeth And to accomplish that infamous Designe came into England This villâ—nous Aspersion bitterly breathed out void of all Proof was at last laid aside whilst Campian answering called God the Angels Heaven and Earth to Witnesse that such Wickednesse never entred his Thoughts Then Anderson Popham and Egerton like Tygars ready to tear the blessed man in pieces laid to his charge that being called from Prague to Rome he had Ten years agone à long Discourse with à known Cardinal and Therefore coul'd Campian calumniated not but be conscious of all the Machinations the Pope the King of Spain and the great Duke of Tuscany had in hand to destroy their Queen and ruin England Hence said They Thou Campian cam'st hither as à Forerunner of these forces as à firebrand to raise Rebellion amongst us Hence it is thou schulk'st in the dark when thou pleasest Changing apparel and wearing silk when thou pleasest Now à noble man now à souldier now à Merchand and and what not Yet in all Shapes à Rebel in all forms à Traytor 26. Campian answered he no more knew of any such Machinations intended the Queen of England than à Child yet unborn And said because our Lawes have prudently ordained that no mans life be taken away upon weak Conjectures Clear's Himselfe or ungrounded Suspicions He required here before God and the world but one sole Proof whereby it might appear he was guilty of the Crimes they accused him Not à Proof was or could be produced He went on As for my keeping out of sight said he when pursued by those who sought my blood I did as the Primitive Christians taught me in their time of Persecution and like the Blessed Apostle who you know was let down in à Basket at à window and so escaped the fury of King Aretas If my wearing Silk offended any you have me now homely cloathed in à poor winter Garment almost worn to nothing 27. Much more followes in the Relation of worthy F. Campian's Trial which I am forced to wave being only to show what Judges and Promotours digraced England in those dismal Dayes However one memorable accusation worth P. Morus num 24. the Readers knowledge is not to be omitted and thus it was That known perfidious Eliot now Catholick now Protestant as best made for his Ends openly witnessed he had heard F. Campian Preach in which Sermon He much inveighed against Heresy and Wickedness and said à Day would certainly come formidable to the World O Sedition O Treason cryed out The Iudge enraged against Campian the Judge and his Assessors By this fearful day thou Campian could'st mean nothing but such à day as those late Rebells in the North hoped for of Ruin and destruction to us all Quite contrary replyed the Prisoner the Drift of my discourse carried me to speak of that formidable day of Judgement when our Just Judge CHRIST JESUS will appear and render to every one à reward or punishment Answerable to their Deserts This I said would be à day full of comfort to the Just but formidable to Hereticks and Sinners 28. Thus Reader frontlesse Calumnies unjust Slanders fancied Rebellions without proof without witnesses without the least Evidence given in contrary to all conscience were then forged Thus Malice bitterly acted against the Innocent Campian and Two other Venerable Priests Sherwin and Bryant Thus it set them forth as Criminals guilty of the Highest Treason And so the Divel would have it ended at last in an Extremity of force for nothing but malice brought these three Servants of God to the Gallowes and there forced out of their harmless hearts Blood Soul and Life to the eternal shame of their Judges and horrour of all the Spectators 29. Ponder now I beseech you it is the only thing I Aime at in this Digression could those Accusers Promoters and Judges forge such Calumnies in the deplorable Case of F. Edmund Campian and his Associats Could they unconscionably force the Life which God had given out of Their Bodies What wonder then is it if at any time the like Rabble of men perhaps in some other Tribunal unknown to me forged Lyes in the Trial of these three examined women with Mayney or forced out of those poore affrighted creatures à false Confession Semel inventum decies factum What do I Say once found It was ever done in those bloody Trials of Priests and as may probably be conjectured not left undone in the Examination of those simple women For the Violence of the English in those Dayes as Cambden confesses Cambden Anno 27. Elizabethâ— speaking of feigned conspiracies against Catholicks Was to Pry and search into mens minds to Devise mischiefe to forge Letters from banished Persons never transmitted to send Emissaries abroad with order to gather up false Rumours and to make all welcome that any vvay tended to the Disgrace of Catholicks Cease therefore to wonder if in the supposed Trial of those poor women such Artifices were used contrary to Justice and Conscience if all be not à meer Fiction 30. One word now of F. VVilliam VVeston whom the Dr call's the chief Manager of these feigned Possessions For your better Satisfaction A 〈…〉 rm Hist prov Angl. lib. 4. n. 15. n. 25. please good Reader to peruse F. Henry More cited where you have
his golden Asse that by taking poyson yet retaining à mans Soul he vvas made an Asse But these Transmutations saith S. Austin are either false or so unusual that no man can believe them Nay Ludovicus Vives in his notes upon this Passage Vivès Plinius lib 8 cites Pliny plainly teaching They are all false and fabulous With far greater reason Therefore may we conclude that Aesculapius his pretended cure wrought upon à beheaded woman S. Aug de Civit l 10 c 27 was à horrible Lye or as I said à Divelish Illusion Non audit ista hominum multitudo saith S. Austin upon another occasion where he rebukes Porphirius for saying that Divels can by Theurgick S. Austin slight's These fopperies of Heathens art purge and free souls from great Misery but as S. Austin add's vvhole multitudes of People believe no such things knovving vvell that our Saviour came to free us from the Divels Tyranny In Christ vve have à merciful Deliverance both in Soul and Body And this is evidently proved by clear Experience For since our Saviours comming Since Christianity was established we hear no more of heads cut off and restored by Necromancy no more of Circe's charmes of Appulius his change into an Asse of stopping the Stars in their course or of any such fopperies which argues all before Spoken of were nothing but vain apprehensions of some few credulous and too easy deluded People I say of some fevv for the wiser sort of Heathens as Pliny cited observes Nay vvhole multitudes believed none of them And one great Blessing hence ensued For after the world had been quite wearied with these Heathenish fooleries and the wisest of men had seen them lie under open contempt The infinite Surmounting Excellency of Christian Religion became glorious got ground every where and with greater ease spread it selfe over all Nations What therefore moved Dr Still to disgrace Christianity How highly doth he undervalue it while he set's so great à Lustre upon Miracles vvrought by Infidels clearly intimating that our Saviours Dr Stillingfleets grand Offence professed Enemies have done as signal Wonders as the very best of Christians ever wrought Why doth he not plead also as strongly for the Idols of Heathens where their pretended wonders were usually shown He may as laudably stand for the one as defend the other 22. I well know not what great advantage the Dr get 's by his Story of two Asses The one heard S. Francis Preach the other Ammonianus his Lectures What then Mr Dr Doth it therefore follow that Ammonianus was as great à Saint as S. Francis Had we Sr no greater Evidence of that blessed man's Sanctity but the small wonder you relate he would never have gained so much renown in the world as he hath most justly merited But thanks be to God his humble mortifyed life and other glorious Miracles raised the Saint as far above any thing Ammonianus or his Asse ever did as Heaven is above earth I Dispute not whether that Infidel S. August lib. 21. de Civit. c. 6. had an Asse brought him by Magick Charms S. Austin tell 's you of greater wonders done by Divels And though we should Suppose which is not probable that the Divel put à Trick upon S. Francis that 's no prejudice to his Sanctity while that great Servant of God as his whole life showes never medled with Divels or Charms of Magick 23. The other Miracle I insisted upon was Se Reason and Relig. Disc 2. c. 9 from n. 11. that known and much Famed cure wrought upon à young man at Zaragosa in Spain who had his broken Leg cut off and à long time buried but at last Miraculously restored by the Intercession of our Blessed Lady This Miracle seen by thousands and thousands at Zaragosa and Madrid was upon the Attestation of many sworn Witnesses rigidly examined and aftervvards approved as à Prodigious vvork of God His Catholick Majesty and the whole Court in Madrid French The young mans Cure in Spain proved most Evidently English and Nobles of other Nations frequently conversed with the youth and to their great admiration beheld the Mark à round red Circle where his Leg was cut off now perfectly whole and sound Amongst others the Lord Hopton then Lord Ambassadeur in Spain often desired by his Catholick Majesty to be present at the young mans Examination vvas present and upon his return to England declared before many Noble men that the cure wrought upon that maimed youth was most certain What I here assert The Lord Hoptons attestation I had not long since from à right Honorable Person who in company with others heard my Lord Hopton's plain Testimony given of that cure as à Truth most certain not to be called into doubt 24. Reader Dr Still strange Answer to this most manifest Miracle will I am sure purchase him more Shame than Credit He thinks Pythagoras his Golden thigh may be held as Miraculous as that restored Leg unlesse saith he the Priest Abaris be proved à falser VVitnesse than Hieronymus Brizids or the People of Zaragosa lesse suspected of partiality than the Greeks at the Olympick Games at vvhich some Authors tell us Pythagoras shevved his golden thigh In the first place I might complain of the Dr ' s Jugling The Dr's unhandsome Dealing and ask why he minces matters why hee Tell 's my Story by halfe as if forsooth I had no greater Authority for that Miracle than Hierome Brizid's and the People of Zaragosa Too partial Attestation I produced innumerable other Witnesses then living in Zaragosa and Madrid also But let this passe the Dr was in hast willing enough to quit what he could not Answer 25. However one main circumstance or the Substance rather of that true Miracle can never be Answered The Boyes Leg as you have heard really flesh and bone was certainly cut off huried and Miraculously restored But who tell 's Mr Dr that Pythagoras had ever his Thigh parted from his Body cast away and one of Gold put in its place No Author assert's it or if any did it s à meer fourb or à false Illusion The main material Thing therefore failing in that The main thing fail's in the Dr's Story of Pythagoras pretended Wonder relating to Pythagoras no comparison can be made with the other true Miracle wrought at Zaragosa I require the Dr's Answers to this one particular 26. You will ask How can we show à Fourb Jamblicus in vita Pythagore cap. 2. or à false Illusion wrought by Necromancy in this Story of Pythagoras Iamblicus who tells à long Tale of Abbaris the Priest and of Pythagoras his showing à golden Thigh gives Evidence enough of à Fourb Abaris saith he à very old man leaving those Hyperborei or People living under the North-pole came to Pythagoras and gave him an Arrow which he had at his going out of Apollo's Temple thinking it would be useful to Pythagoras upon this Arrow