immortall fountaine of saluation by her that as the most wretchedest of all women was the occasion of bringing all misery on our heads so the most glorious not only of women but of all creatures whatsoeuer should direct and guide vs vnto our former state of blisse againe Wherfore blessed Mother of mercy and the most comfortable refuge of all offenders giue eare and harken I beseeche thee to these plaints of thy vnworthy suppliant Neyther the voice of a wretched sinner nor his poore wishes and praiers alone durst presume to present thēselues before so singular a Patronesse to intreate so great a benefit as pardon peace and grace for thy distressed England if the merits of all holy Apostles Prophets Martyrs Confessours Virgins deuout Matrons yea and that nothing at all may be wanting euen thy owne aboundant well-deseruing merits themselues did not come to intreate to request and to call vnto thee in behalf of this out-cast and abandoned Iland If it be exceeding ioy and contentment to thee to haue Loreto glorified and most reuerenced of all places in the worlde worke meanes with thy beloued Sonne that this vnfruitfull vineyard may haue the earth and soile of her harte sowne with that heauenly seede which at Loreto is most aboūdantly powred from heauen into the soules of thy deuout Clients that all the people of our Countrey may reioyce not only to haue vnderstanding but also to see planted in their soules the beautifull flowres of the mysticall Paradise where the spirituall Adā CHRIST IESVS our Lord and Sauiour was framed and made mā of the virginall earth of thy body where he found all delicacies and dainty fruites of vertues the sweetest flowers which heauenly grace could produce and the comfortablest nourishment and food which Angells taste Amidst which was made and framed the Lord of Angells in thee the earthly Paradise of this world and the ioy of our God which doth well shew that thou indeed O glorious art the Paradise which was neuer defiled neuer was stained with any imperfection nor neuer sawest the least blemish of earthly corruptiō Witnes herof not only the glorious Resurrection of Christ our Lord thy Sonne thy most happy Assumption into heauen both in body and soule but the very precinct the circuite and the place where this Paradise was planted those very walls I say and the rest of the sacred House of Loreto it self which by a great miracle haue stood from the very time that you liued till this day without any alteration or change at all either by default of antiquity or iniury of the weather declaring vnto vs the rare wonders and mercies of Allmighty God who by his only will doth make mortall things immortall in a sort for euer VVherfore that the gate of this Paradise may allwayes be open and that all may haue free passage to gather the sweete flowers seedes of vertue which vndoubtedly do cure both spirituall corporall infirmities request intreate importune thy Lord thy Creator thy Sauiour thy Sonne that the Angell may terrify prohibite no longer that the fiery sword of wrath reuenge may be remoued that in Loreto all may come to tast of the tree of life whose fruit doth not only heale and take away sinne but also doth so comfort all them that be in distresse and misery that neyther death nor the fruites therof can haue power to raigne in them any longer but that the sacred fountaine of life it self which there was made man to saue man by thy B. merits and most holy prayer may most happily be planted giuen and bestowed on man to the well-fare of his euerlasting felicity and desired saluation TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL AND RIGHT VERTVOVS Gentlewoman M. ris M. B. T. P. VVisheth increase of vertue and true felicity in IESVS CHRIST CONSIDERING with my self right vertuous M. ris M. to whom of mortal creatures euen next after that glorious Virgin the Mother of our mercifull and great God I might present and deliuer this discourse being as it were the gate of the flourishing place where the true spirituall Paradise was planted to be opened for the well-fare of our distressed Countrey me thought none could better performe so singular an office of duty towards B. Mary of Loreto than they who with the example of Virginall purity haue euē from their cradle beene allwaies specially deuoted to that place and haue much desired to heare and to read the meruailous wonders of so mercifull a Patronesse that their soules might be fully replenished and happily blest with the great comfort of so diuine a benefit Among whome who may be iudged more worthy than shee in whome from infancy the disposer of these celestiall graces hath dwelt both by name grace And that she may allwaies dwell in your religious hart to the increase of your noble vertues and to the good of many soules to you deuout M. ris M. I present this small token of my dutifull affection that by your singular piety and true Christian zeale towards this miraculous place others may know what vnfayned happines if any be on earth this little booke doth set before their eyes For as by her glorious merits and the disposition of the Father of mercies B. Mary of Loreto hath deserued the principality and to be Queene of all heauenly creatures so by the sanctification and will of Mary the most sacred House of Loreto hath euer beene the first of all places consecrated to her name on earth and that in so meruailous a manner that the most B. Queene of Angells doth bestow her Angelicall benefits so bountifully in this place that there is none although he doe not visit her with corporall presence if conueniently he can not but in spirit only that departeth hence without the speciall reward and blessing of Loreto such a fountaine of sanctity haue the merits of this Virginall Queene produced for our miseries infirmities that O wonder these burdēs seeme as it were to be remooued and taken from vs during our aboad in that Paradise which B. Maries habitation touchings and vertues haue truly sanctified for the good well-fare of her Suppliants for euer Which you deuout M. ris M. knowing to be true will not cease this haruest-tyme of your life to gather into the treasury of your hart all spirituall seedes of celestiall glory with more singular example and zeale of the honour of her your Patronesse of your owne perfection and the good of all that shall concurre with you in this most profitable seruice of the heauenly Queene And that you may most faithfully performe it heere once againe you your self and they by you receiue the full view of that true flourishing vineyard and of all her heauenly fruites that among such variety you may make speciall choice of some of her odoriferous vertues which haue so singular a quality that they neuer change their first beauty but still adorne the soule with greater purity than the brightest planets these
corruptible heauēs which God graunt to be your happy choice that still in this earthly peregrination you may be made more like to her whose name you beare that as a well-deseruing seruant you may sollace with her in the ioy of eternall beatitude In all sincere affection Euer ready to do you seruice in Christ Iesu T. P. From my poore dwelling this 29. of March 1608. TO THE GODLY READER AMONG all the wonders which haue happened on earth since the mysteries of our Redemption what more meruailous more wonderfull profitable to man than to haue an infallible refuge and harbour of security against the fury and storme of the diuine wrath where he may be deliuered from the imminent blow of that dreadfull sword which perceth with so great woe as the extreme and insufferable paine which it causeth can neuer be mitigated nor in any sorte abated but rather more and more increased as by meditating considering and reading the holy Scriptures it is playne to all that can conceiue the misfortunate state of sinners VVhich is the chance of all that dy the children of wrath and are plunged into the fiery pittes of damnation bycause they did not succour themselues in their life on earth in the harbour of Gods vnspeakable mercies which very specially do appeare at his beloued Loreto the precinct the walls and the circuite of that Paradise where Christ our Lord was not only made man and the Sauiour of our soules but also the sentence of malediction was taken from the damned posterity of Adam and happily changed into the former benediction If that the place where our first Father was created was the delight and ioy of man yf the place where the sentence of death was pronounced against vs were holden of such wonder estimation and desire that no wordes can declare it what I pray thee ought that to be where Christ himself was framed of our nature where in steed of damnation benediction was brought from heauen and giuen to all well deseruing people VVhich was not made the barre the tribunall and the throne of the rigorous and seuere iudgment of our death but the Paradise the treasury and the sacred Fountaine where that heauenly salue was made that cureth the grieued woundes of our manifold sinnes If Allmighty God destroied the former Paradise as the place of our damnation and by a miracle vnheard of from the beginning of the world hath preserued this in the very same state wherin it was when he himself was there made man can any imagine dare any say will any iudge that it is for no end This speciall wonder was for some greate purpose as indeed the meruailous the dayly and the manifold benefits bestowed there on mankinde by the praier of the immaculate Mother of our God do vndoubtedly declare yea and do signify to all that God Allmighty hath made this a very speciall harbour of refuge and succour vnto vs in the manifold dangers of our earthly peregrination which not only many thousands of supernaturall wonders wholy surpassing the power of all naturall meanes but also the incredible deuotion of all Christians doth acknowledge testify and approoue the same with more effectuall zeale than any words can deliuer to the godliest Reader in so much indeed that they who haue not seene tasted this wherof I speake at first will not so easily belieue to be true For the like concourse the like feruour and such continuall deuotion was neuer heard of from the beginning of the world And what is the cause of all this so great feruour and reuerence The reuiuing of dead men the curiug of diseases that by naturall meanes were vtterly despaired of and past all hope of cure the heauenly visions and reuelations which haue beene shewed to deuout people in this most Maiesticall Seate of the whole world No no not only these but chiefly the aboundance of Gods grace the Fountaine of heauenly ioy and consolation which seemeth still to flow and to be powred into mens harts beyond all measure in this celestiall place which is so euident and so manifest that 〈◊〉 one nor two hundred thousands of people which dwell neere at hand but euen very many of the remotest parts of the world yearly pilgrimage thither to drinke of this fountaine and sacred Riuer o◠heauen Seing therfore that these things are so euident that the very enemies of the Christian name neither do nor can deny them what will they say who deny that Saintes can heare our prayers That their sacred Reliques can worke any effect aboue nature VVhat answere will they frame and shape to this VVell may they blush and be much ashamed to haue denied hated contemned and reiected Christ himself by reiecting these things with such malicious contempt and hatred But what can any answere be made to the inscrutable iudgments of Allmighty God who doth worke thus meruailously by the things which he and his B. Mother touched and sanctified by their owne habitation whiles they liued on earth If in the old Law allmighty God did worke these and such like wonders in the Pond vpon Probatica Ioan. 5. which he neuer commanded to be made either for the cure of infirmities or for people to resorte vnto it for that or any other end but approoued their deuotion and godly reuerence by miracles from heauen will he then be lesse beneficiall to Christians in the new law than to the Iewes in the old Or will he do lesse honour to the Reliques of his deere Saintes than to the waters which only washt the sacrifices of the old Law Or haue people lesse need of these things now than at those times they had Or be there not now as many diseases in the new as before in the old Law VVhy therfore should not Christ bestow benefits on his beloued in this and in other places by the merits of his B. Mother VVhy should not diseases be cured in this deuout House before the Image of our B. Lady now a dayes aswell as in the waters of that Pond in the tyme of the former people Is Christ power lesse now in his owne House than in tyme past in the waters of that place But why by more wordes should I seeke to prooue and declare the possibility of Gods grace power which so admirably so comfortably and most merueilously doth not only shew it self but also doth flow into mens soules in the sacred House of Loreto that by his holy Conception and education there Christ our Lord doth seeme to haue made it the gate of heauen for our comfort and euerlasting ioy Haue not all nations Christian by their vowes votaries gifts and donaries approoued and most religiously desired to tast as indeed they haue of the sweetnes of Loreto And which is more do not heathenish nations admire and confesse the diuine power which allwaies is so present there that to them it seemeth as it were to dwell in the most sacred House of Loreto All Barbary is full
of the reuerēce of Loreto and doth tremble to heare the name of Mary of Loreto mentioned whome many times that country-people thinking to haue robbed spoiled of her wealth were taught by many great miracles and infinite losse of men not to touch nor approach vnto her but to reuerence and honour her with religious respect and deuout wordes Only England of all nations vnder the sunne doth not know doth not honour and reuerence this glorious Paradise of the earth VVhat is she worse than Turkes and heathen people who dare not attempt any hostility nor vtter any irreuerent thing of Loreto being taught this fruitfull lesson by their great harme Truly for that presumptuousnes which maketh thee O England to say that Saints cannot heare our praiers that Mary the Mother of Christ is no better than other women that she can not heare nor help her Suppliants But if the Catholicke Church can not teach thee if Turkes if heathenish people cannot informe thee let wonderfull workes of God this miracle of the world the meruailous benefits bestowed on mankinde in this most sacred place by the praiers of the Mother of God make it manifest vnto thee that Christ doth heare his Mothers praiers and that the contrary irreuerent impious and blasphemous opinion doth bring dānation of body soule to all those that belieue such fancies diuellish inuentions as to contemne to deride to detract the Saintes of Allmighty God wheras the contrary that is to honour to reuerence and by humble praier to intreate the help the assistance and the aid of his Saintes is so pleasing acceptable and deere in the sight of his diuine Maiesty that he doth confirme this beliefe of his Catholike seruants with dayly innumerable miracles from heauen wherby the contrary is so confoūded detested hated by Allm. God himself that he can do no more to make thē to know see their detestable dānable errour indeed their heresy as palpable Christs Conception who would not see the ouershadowing of the holy Ghost and the vertue of the Highest descēd on the B. Virgin in her litle house of Loreto who would not be present at all the wōders that Christ wrought in that litle place of his aboad who would not allwaies most effectually desire to pray with his body in Loreto before the glorious Images of IESVS MARY that his mind may be carried to greater ioy than wordes can expresse O what increase of vertue will come to your soules to thinke that B. Mary the Mother of God doth worke in your hartes all those miraculous cures which she hath donne in the bodies of her suppliants what ioy will it be to your harts to see your sinnes taken away to feele the working of the holy ghost in your breasts to see damnation turned into saluation deepe auersion into sweet imbracing loue These things are so wonderfull and admirable that nothing can be more desired of your soules Therfore giue your selues to Mary offer your selues to Mary consecrate your harts and wills wholy to Mary and Mary will allwaies be with you in Loreto she will teach you to pray she will be an exāple still before your eyes in your behalf before the Altar of his diuine presence she will also offer vp euery Aue Maria euery deuout naming of Iesus to the increase of your holines on earth to your great cōfort in all your tribulations to the full accomplishment of your heauenly Crowne in the Paradise of eternity Your Welwiller T. P. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND RIGHT REVEREND Lord Peter Aldobrandino CARDINAL Of the Holy Roman Church HORATIVS TVRSELLINVS VVISHETH FELICITY THE prouidence of Allmighty God doth appeare in many great and wonderfull things Right honorable Cardinall but specially in this that he hath made his B. Mother the Patronesse and parent of mankind For seeing that humane imbecillity was subiect to innumerable chaunces he euer determined to appoint such a keeper and defendresse vnto the same as chiefly aboue all others both would could deliuer their health euery way beset with dangers blesse their life with true happy goodnes For our mighty God hath made his B. Mother a companiō of his diuine maiesty and power as far as may be lawfull long agoe bestowing vpon her the speciall prerogatiue and principality of all heauenly and earthly creatures According to whose will as much as the protectiō of mankind doth require he moderateth the earth the sea heauen and nature it self at whose intreaty and by whome he bestoweth diuine treasures and heauenly gifts on mortall men that all may vnderstād that whatsoeuer doth flow from that eternall and most sacred Fountaine of goodnes to earth that it doth flow vnto vs by Mary his most B. Mother What region therfore what people what nation is there where the Patronage of Mary is not illustrated with miracles consecrated with Houses adorned with titles But among all the sacred Houses dedicated to the B. Virgin Mother of God one House of Loreto doth excell which with the fame of her name hath both filled the whole world and also for the space of these many ages is reuerenced dayly more and more with the concourse and frequency of all people and nations For as other Churches of our B. Lady are for the most part the refuges of particular Citties Coūtries so this seemeth to be the common refuge of all people and nations And therfore to you Peter Aldobrādino I specially dedicate the History both of this House Church aswell in the name of our whole Society which you fauour with singular beneuolence as in my owne who for the same cause must needes confesse my self to owe more to your singular humanity than I am able to performe Nether must any meruaile why we write this History in Latin for they erre by some mens leaue be it spoken and measure the thing rather by the loue which they beare to their natiue tongue than by the truth it self if any thinke that more fruite of a History may be receiued by this our late and Tuscane lāguage than by the old Latin tongue For the Tuscane tongue doth not much passe the boūds of Italy it self which heerafter an interpreter of this History may satisfy but the Latin tongue doth go far neere almost through all people and nations that the Roman language may extend further than in times past the Roman Empire did And if the protection of the B. Virgin of Loreto be shewed to all Countreys of the world truly with good reason we may wish that her glory and fame may go as farre as the Christian Religion reuerence hath donne Wherfore most honorable Cardinal with that benignity wherwith you are wont to receiue our Men receiue this small gift of our Order and permit the most famous name of Peter Aldobrandino to be carried ouer most remote nations and countreys togeather with the History of Loreto that it may be a monument
backe againe to their shippe When they had worshipped the most glorious Sepulcher of CHRIST our Lord at Hierusalem they held on their iorney to Galiley and comming to Nazareth inquired of the natiue House of our B. Lady and diligently demaunded of it of the Christians who such as they were dwelt in the midst of that depraued nation of whom being told what they had receiued from their forefathers and what they had seene with their owne eyes whilst the Christian religion remained in Syria they brought them to the desired place that they might behold the floore with the foundations of a house raised vp from thence yet in the ground to be seene which measuring with very diligent care they found that in euery respect all thinges did agree with the impressions in Sclauonie with the floore the walles of the House of Loreto And hauing dispatched their busines in both places according to their owne desire they shipped them selues with great gladnes and with happie passage were recarried safe to Ancona whēce they set forth Wherupon making haste home and relating all that they had found to the Magistrates Gouernours of the Citties from whence they were sent they imparted vnto thē what great ioy they conceiued therwith And the Cittizens of Recanati being very glad of the good successe of this Embassage wherof they were the Authours and desiring to haue a monument there to remayne registred the whole matter in publicke record Hier. Angel Praep. Terem adding therunto the names and testimonies of the 16. Embassadours that the matter might be well witnessed to all posteritie Certaine copies wherof being reserued in the houses of priuate men are yet to be seene And thus much was knowne and found by these Embassadours the yeare of our Redemptiō one thousand two hundred nintie and six The Picentians choose the B. Virgin of Loreto for their Patronesse CHAP. XIIII FORTHVVITH newes as it is wont was speedily carried to the Citties and townes adioining that 16. Embassadours returning from Sclauonie and Galiley had found by manifest signes that the House of Loreto was the very same where the mother of God was borne and saluted by the Angell and that by heauenly power it was first transported out of Galiley into Sclauonie and from thence into Picene it selfe And much about this time the same fame diuulgating the third remoouall therof in the terrtories of Recanati many greatly desired conceiuing as it were more feruour of mind by this new report to see and honour in this new seat the heauenly pledge which was brought vnto them from the Fast it selfe For all did verily thinke and say that the mother of God had speciall care to protect the Picentians in regard wherof they thought it most meet to commit them selues to her protection and defence Wherupon in continent the inhabitants of all the townes of Picene The concourse of the Picentians filling all the passages and wayes that went to the House of Loreto began to set forward in this iorney neither did the healthfull and strong alone make hast to do it but also the diseased and feeble neglecting the Phisitians command crept along if they were able if not they desired to be carried in what sort soeuer And the people of the wealthiest Citties townes of Picene went in surplisses diuiding them selues into seuerall companies adorned with ensignes and colours like bands of men vnder their Ancients who with great emulatiō singing solemne praise to God and his B. mother filled all round about with the pleasant sound of their tymbrels fruits and instruments After whom followed boyes and girles among the women as it were in a company among them selues When they came to the Chappell of the B. Virgin because the straitnes of the place would not admit so great a multitude of people at the very sight of the most sacred House bowing downe their knees and giuing most hartie thankes to God and his B. mother they most deuoutly intreated for pardon and peace among so many euils as they already suffered or els were likelie to do earnestly besought the B. mother of God because she had offered her selfe a voluntary Patronesse vnto Picene afflicted with diuers miseries and calamities that she would also receiue the Picentians themselues into her protection and patronage and willingly fauourably would alwaies vouchsafe to defend their people The name of her protection and patronage was not in vaine For since that time the B. Virgin hath shewed her selfe a most assured patronesse to the Picentians and they in like maner them selues alwayes deuout clients of our B. Lady not only in adorning but also in defending her House of Loreto The sacred House is honoured with heauenly flames and reuerenced daily more and more CHAP. XV. TO the daily miracles in restoring health to humane bodies now then were added heauenly signes not obscurely signifying that the B. Virgin did fauour and protect the Picentians For many times vpon the suddaine a flame of fire was seene to spread it selfe abroad and to come frō heauen in the night time Hiero. Angel which at first glittering as though it were dispersed in sundry places but afterward making as it were one streame and going towards the Cell of the mother of God filled all round about with heauenly lightes And the roofe it selfe was often seene to flame with great brightnes with such admiratiō of the beholders that you would thinke you had seene an armie of Angells warding the House of the heauenly Queene Wherupon the Bishop of Recanati in whose Diocesse it happened thinking it an honour of religion according to his office aduertised Boniface the 8. therof of whom obtayning the gouernment of the Chappell of Loreto and thinking it most conuenient to make roome for the Pilgrims out of hād he cosecrated all the ground that was about the sacred House to the B. Virgin by gift of the Cittizens of Recanati wherwith the celebritie of the place was also increased For first they began to build cabbines and cottages to entertaine the Pilgrimes who before that time thronging together in the open ayre lodged in the high waye The tovvne of Loreto is built but afterward larger houses And because the vneuennes of either hill specially a valley lying betweene was no fit seat for building the hill of the two brothers being higher then was conuenient for their enterprized worke was leuelled the valley filled vp and the vneuennes plained that there might be leuell ground inough to build vpon by the high way side Wherby in short time what with rude cottages and houses there was erected no small village extended on the toppe of either hill and called Loreto that both the village and the House might take their names from that LAVRETA who was so singularly deuoted to our B. Lady This commoditie of lodging ioyned to the Religion of the place meruailously increased the multitude of guestes and strangers S. Anto. part 3. Plat. in
ancient custome he daily went vnto it to adore God and his B. mother in the place where his seet had stood Wherupon Paul giuing him selfe to prayer and to the meditation of heauenly thinges in the sight of the most sacred Chappell as his custome was as if it were in the fight of our B. Lady her selfe he often obserued that a heauenly flame spreading abroad far wide Heauenly fire doth rest ouer the sacred House in manner of a great blazing starre rested ouer the Cell of the B. Virgin And obseruing the thing the time very diligently he found that on the 6. of the Ides of September that is to say on the very day of the B. Virgins birth yearly about the fourth Vigill of the night a great flame falling from heauen and couering the roofe of her sacred house with an vniforme brightnes within a while ascēded on high from whence it came Which wonderfull spectacle did not only replenish him with great ioy but also amazed him And as he was a man of true simplicitie he supposed that the B. Virgin her selfe came from heauen into her natiue House in likenes of a flame to celebrate her birth Wherupon hauing a desire to behold so great a wonder neere at hand he began to expect the opportunity of the time thē the which nothing seemed longer vnto him At length when the yeare came about that heauenly flame shewed it selfe againe he speedily ranne vnto it to behold with his eyes as he beleeued and with all deuotiō to salute the Queene of heauen inuironed with blisle But the neerer his hope was of approaching vnto it the more the thing and the flame at first diminished and at last vanished away and withdrew it selfe quite out of sight leauing the credulous beholder frustrate of his expectation which inflamed his godly hart with a more ardent affection and desire as if he had receiued all that heauenly fire into him selfe though he was altogeather ignorāt what it might portend And hauing thus spent ten whole yeares yeare by yeare alwayes the selfe same day this heauenly flame hanging ouer the sacred House deceiuing the hope of the beholder more more inflamed his godly desire But at length obtaining it of Almightie God by prayer he had his wish For in his quiet rest in the night time he learned by a heauenly vision that the natiue House of the B. Virgin was honoured with an anniuersary flame the very day of her natiuitie because it was to her liking to haue that day to be kept and reuerenced there with great solemnitie Wherfore Paul who vntill this day had concealed this admirable spectacle in great silence now either vpon deuotion or els as it may be supposed compelled by the B. Virgin in his rest went speedily to Recanati and declared the whole matter to the Bishop and to the Magistrates of the Cittie who through the opinion of his sanctitie was esteemed a graue authour euen of so great a thing And the Bishop being moued with the authoritie of the man and with the congruencie of the thing and the time beleeued that the heauenly vision was vnfayned and presently published it abroad that the people of Recanati might reuerence the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin with speciall honour deuotiō the very day of her natiuitie Wherby it came to passe that afterward the adioyning also remote people either imitating the example of the people of Recanati The day of our B. Ladies natiuitie is had in greatest reuerence or els stirred with the fame of this miracle chiefly in the month of Septēber assēbled to Loreto with great zeale to celebrate the day of our B. Ladies birth And shortly after the new bountie of the Popes increased the deuotion of the people who chieflie at that time as in due place we are to declare granted most ample Indulgences to the House of Loreto And these spectacles of the heauenly flames continued not only many yeares but also many ages For about 20. yeares agone diuers Cittizens of Recanati The vvonder of the heauenly fiers is renevved remarkable for vertue and grauitie reported to Raphael Riera of whom I receiued it that about the day of the B. Virgins natiuitie flames of fire were seene to fall from heauen in the night time on the House of Loreto all the whole Cittie of Recanati looking on and that them selues had seene the same many times with exceeding ioy of mind adding withall that the day before about night when it began to be darke the Cittizens of Recanati hauing a great desire to see so gratefull so pleasant a sight flocked commonly to the houses walles whence they might behold the House of Loreto that they might delight their eyes and mindes with the admirable beautie of that heauenly flame which euery yeare was seene as it was reported vntill the time of Pope Paul the third Riera in Annal. Laur. Ambro. Noui. Fast. l. 9. so that among all the wonders of Loreto there is scarce any more notable than this which not only historiographers set downe in writing but also Nouidius a famous Poet recorded it in a notable poeme which he dedicated to Pope Paul the third which we thought good to insert in this historie Wherfore thus he writeth extolling the B. Virgin with worthy praise To thee therfore are temples built rare monuments of loue As many as be tongues on earth or shyning starres aboue Yet none with that may be compard in which the Virgin bright The Queene of heauen to blesse the world at first was brought to light VVith wonder great this worthy House to good for Parthia land Did mount into the lofty ayer borne vp by Angells hand VVhen after stay in diuers coastes to Italie it came And of the Picene people there did lastlie beare the name And lest succeeding ages should the truth hereof suspect This night strang lights vpon the roofe do glittering beames reflect VVhen the towne of Loreto was gouerned by lawes the Cittizens of Recanati inuironed the Sacred House with a Church CHAP. XVIII THE Cittizens of Recanati being mooued with these heauenly signes Bap. Mant. Hiero. Angel determined to defend adorne the House of Loreto with their vttermost endeuours For when the towne of Loreto was daily more and more frequented by reason that many came thither frō all places to dwell either vpon deuotion to the B. Virgin or els for desire of traffique the Cittizens of Recanati thinking it most conuenient to order them by lawes and statutes The tovvn of Loreto hath a Gouernour giuen vnto it set them downe lawes and gaue them a Magistrate for execution of Iustice Hauing disposed matters in the towne they turned their care to thinges abroad For certaine necessitous and notorious wretches allured either with a fit occasion of robbing or els with the sweetnes of the prey it selfe spoiled many straying and wandering Pilgrimes setting on them among bushes and woodes adioyning
diuers accidents and misfortunes CoÌ„sidering therfore that this most sacred House not only illustrious for her wealth but also for the fame of her sanctimonie was seated in an vnfenced towne as a prey to the auarice of souldiers and Barbarians by the aduise and helpe of Bramant the notable Architect he beganne to forward this his intended worke by Hierome Roboreo Patrone of Loreto And Hierome thinking it the office and honour of his familie to adorne the House of Loreto with all his might built fortified the Church in manner or a Castle for the very Chappell 's theÌ„ selues are made like to bulwarkes and round about in the top of the Church walles are conueied little pâ—nnacles and passages vnder the roofe that on euery side the souldiers may passe safelie vp downe for defence therof To the beholder a far of it hath the forme rather of a Castle then of a Church And a little hill doth helpe the fortification therof in the top wherof it is seated specially on that side which standeth towardes the sea The bodie of the Church doth stand on twelue great Columnes like to pillars wherof six on each side support the vauted roofe And the said bodie hath also on either side as it were two winges in which are erected six little Chappels answering to one another betweene the pillars Alâ—o about the head of the Church are placed seauen greater Chappell 's among the which are foure Vestries wherin all the Donaries of Loreto are reserued Vnder the thole which is as the head of the Church the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin hath the most principall place and on euery side perspicuous many caire Chappell 's of admirable workmanship as we haue said erected round about Pope Iulius the second is protected from a great shot and adorneth the House of Loreto with gifts CHAP. XII MEANE time by an euident miracle the Pope was more enkindled to honour salute the B. Virgin of Loreto for going to Bologna to represse the commotion of the Bentiuolians he came to Loreto and the very day of the B. Virgins natiuitie said Masse in her natiue Chappell After Masse with soleÌ„ne pompe he went into a pulpit prepared of purpose for him where blessing the people who flocked thither more then vsually by reason of the Popes comming he graunted remission of sinnes vnto all that rightly visited the sacred House of Loreto that day Some there be who write that Iulius made a vow to the B. Virgin at that time going to prosecute the Tyrants with godlie and iust war and truly the euent therof and the donaries which he sent for the victorie obtained do testifie the same Iulius therfore comming to Bologna Vicciar lib. 9. On. fr. in â—ul 2. expelled the Bentiuolians pacified the Citty And when he had taken Fauentia Foroliuio RaueÌ„na and other Citties and townes of the Popes DominioÌ„s by force seeing that the siege of MiraÌ„dula was prolonged by the negligeÌ„ce of his captaines by a new exaÌ„ple he himselfe went into the Tents to animate the Captaines and souldiers with his presence Where as he was consulting of the war with the Cardinall in a Pauilion he escaped manifest danger by heauenly protection For an iron bullet as bigge as a mans head being suddenly shotte out of a great brazen peece by the enemie ouerthrew the Consistorie but hurt the Pope nothing at all nor any that was with him in Councell Wherupon the Pope confessed that he was wholly bound to the B. Virgin of Loreto for that good benefit either because he had made a vow vnto her when he weÌ„t vnto the war or els for that at the first noise of the peece he inuocated the said B. Virgin of Loreto Hauing therfore taken Mirandula with honour and gotten other victories he came to Loreto to performe his vow and when he had giueÌ„ hartie thanks to God and his B. mother he commanded that the bullet should be reserued in the most sacred Chappell for a monument to posteritie how great danger he eschued by the protection of the B. Virgin of Loreto which was hong vp on the left wall of the Altar commonly called the Epistle side there now remayning to be seene But afterward Iulius the Pope that he might not be onely deuout but also gratefull to the B. Virgin began carefully to adorne the Church of Loreto And thinking it best to enrich the high Altar with sacred ornature he sent from the Cittie an excelleÌ„t sute for the Altar of tissue cloth of gold a siluer Crosse of fortie pound weight parcell guilt and carued with excellent workmanship two Candlestickes of a cubite and a halfe of the same substance worke of 26. pound weight And in the round base of the Crosse there is an inscription for no small token that the Popes victories were gotten by the helpe of the B. Virgin mother of God POPE IVLIVS THE SECOND DEDICATED IT TO THE B. VIRGIN OF LORETO THE YEARE M.D.X. IN THIS SIGNE THOV SHALT OVERCOME But Iulius thinking these giftes not sufficient gaue also two ornaments of blew veluet for the Altar called frontlets adorned with gold precious stones and imbroderie wherwith he sent ornature for the Ministers a Myter of excellent workmanship and other Pontificall vestments for Popes or Bishops to vse in time of Masse Besides he gaue and dedicated to the B. Virgin of Loreto purple tapestrie to adorne the walles of the Church and many other giftes A girle of seauen yeares of age is brought to Loreto by the B. Virgin her selfe CHAP. XIII MVCH about the same time that the B. Virgin of Loreto defended the Pope in the war she in time of peace made sure to her selfe a poore girle by an vnwoÌ„ted miracle One Sabine of no meane village in the countrey of Picene called Roccha CoÌ„trada had a daughter named Alexandra seauen yeares of age who kept his sheepe not far froÌ„ the towne whiles the sheepe were feeding the girle was accustomed to pray to almightie God with great deuotioÌ„ vnder trees whereby before she was â—ullie of age she dedicated her self to Almightie God by miracle by the iustruction and teaching of so good a maister perseuering still in her prayer to reuerence the mother of God with great deuotioÌ„ a Ladie appeared suddeÌ„lie vnto her in heauenlie brightnes without doubt it was the mother of God who taking the girle by the hand coÌ„manded her to follow her A wonderfull thing to be spoken the Queene of heauen herselfe brought the little maid to the House of Loreto thirtie miles froÌ„ that place and when she had replenished her with great ioy at the sight of her Image and of her House she brought her backe againe to her sheepe Whereupon Alexandra had a great desire to see that place sight againe though she was ignorant what the House and Virgin was for wheÌ„ the tasted sweetnes of the House of Loreto once entred into her minde with flowing teares she neuer ceased to
greater progresse therof doth playnlie shew The wonder of the heauenlie flames is renewed at Loreto CHAP. XIII NOt lōg after heauēlie signes drew a far greater multitude of people to Loreto thē was wont Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier brought them to the Fathers to be confessed and instructed Before the yeare was expired night-fiers like vnto Starres were seene to breake out of the Thole of the Church of Loreto and as it were in one streame to go sensiblie towards Monte-Filatrano the village next to Loreto where mouing vp downe a little while in a round ouer an ancient House of our B. Ladie they retired straight to the House of Loreto from whence they came This wonder was first obserued by the sheepheards which dwelled hard by that Village by whose shewing it was afterward noted of the Inhabitants and of all the people with so great admiration that a certaine astonishment seized all their harts Neither was the spectacle short or of small continuance but durable and almost as long as the night it self For from the second vigill of the night it continued till the breake of day Wherupon many coueting to see the thing neere at hand ranne to the place which seemed to shine with heauenlie flames but when they came thither by and by that admirable spectacle beheld a far of vanished out of their sight that desired to see it neere at hand when neuerthelesse at the same time it shewed it self to the lookers on a far of Newes of these heauenlie lights being speedilie diuulgated ouer all Picene enkindled a desire in the bordering people to see so gratefull a sight who lodging abroad all night in such places as they might conuenientlie beholde them saw the heauenlie flames shine out of the House of Loreto and passe ouer their heads with no lesse admiration than ioy That they were no vaine sightes the Miracles presentlie ensuing did euidentlie shew For it is constantlie reported that many which came to visit that little House by gift of God and his B. Mother returned home to their owne houses cured of many diseases wherof there were lame deafe ruptured and possessed people You may thinke that these excursions of the light of Loreto to other Churches of our B. Ladie signified to mortall men that the House of Loreto far excelled the rest both in state dignitie sithence our B. Ladie seemed to stay with them onelie in passage but heere in a sort to dwell Heauenly flames are seene in the Church of Loreto it selfe CHAP. XIIII NOT onely abroad Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier but also within the Church it selfe hauenly flames haue sometymes beene seene The yeare that next ensued which was 1555. when one of the Fathers of the Societie of Iesus was preaching vnto the people in the Church of Loreto as their custome is in the cleere day-light certaine bright fiers salling downe from heauen rested ouer the most sacred Chappell in the presēce of many people which by and by spreding more and more abroad went about the assembled multitude and then presently into heauen againe with great admiration and wonder of all the audience It is scarce credible what deuotion and ioy this celestiall sight enkindled in the harts of the beholders Raphaell Riera a learned and a godlie Priest of the Societie of Iesus by chance being present among the multitude afterward set down in writing this very thing and also many others pertayning to the historie of Loreto and was so astonished at the wonder strangenes of the thing that presentlie he fell downe on the ground for reuerence sake and rendering due thankes to God and his B. mother who vouchsafed to make him partaker of that heauenlie sight he affirmeth that he felt such aboundance of heauenly ioy at that present that it continued with him many daies his hart being once inflamed with the charitie of God and deuotion towards our B. Ladie Neither did this wonder as he deliuereth happen to him alone but also to manie others who after the Sermon both with their speeches gestures and teares witnessed that the same happened likewise vnto them such was the vnwonted ioy and sacred dread which appeared in the countenance eyes gestures of them all That it was no vaine sight the iteration of the same miracle doth testifie For two yeares after when one of the same Fathers according to their custome was preaching to the Chanons the assembled multitude and some hearing the Confessions of Pilgrims others praying to Almightie God in the most maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin suddainly in the top of the thole a heauenlie flame like vnto a Comet or blazing star was perceiued to glitter and shine which falling downe vpō the sacred Chappell stood there a little while then going towards the multitude made a gratefull shew to all the audience much admiring so great a miracle and wonder but by and by turning his course an other way to wit towards the place appointed to heare Confessions called the Penitentiarie moued vp downe ouer the heads of the Priests them that confessed their sinnes And finallie resting a while ouer the Image of Christ Crucified which is religiouslie reuerenced in the most Sacred Chappell it mounted againe on high replenishing their hartes with deuotion and zeale who had seene that heauenlie vision with their eyes Two Capuchines are deliuered from the raging sea CHAP. XV. THERE wanted not other miracles at that time Trad. Laur. Annal. Rier wherof we will relate the most famous according to our purpose About the yeare 1553. two Franciscan Capuchines hauing saluted the B. Virgin of Loreto set out of Ancona to saile into Dalmatia but in the midle of their voyage a foule storme arising threatned destruction to all the company Therfore the Maister prouyding to disburdē the shippe of her weight and casting the baggage and merch and ize into the sea the Franciscans began to pacifie the wrath of God by praier in an angle of the ship But the Marchants being mad either with the griefe of their losse or els stirred with diuellish furie turned their range on the Franciscans secure from danger as they thought saying vnto them Seeing the storme arose by your default by your destruction it shall be asswaged Exclayming in this māner they flew vpō thē and assaulting the Innocents apprehended them and cast them into the sea But the Franciscans calling on the B. Virgin of Loreto whome they inuocated when the storme beganne ceased not to crie vnto her among the waues A wonderfull thing to be spoken and seene For by the great goodnes of God they were holden vp so high that their brests did appeare all aboue the water and singing praises to God and his B. Mother and also lifting vp their handes towards heauen they were verie quietlie carried amidst the violence of the outragious sea Whereby in short time by the guiding and direction of Almighty God they arriued both togeather at the hauen of Ancona and