Eucharist in his hand tarrying longer than ordinary ere he gave it him he not able to wait longer said Ah Antony why keepest thou my Lord in thy hand and givest him not to me so passionately desiring him when having taken the H. Communion he fel into a pleasing slumber The same mind and affections he desired to implant in all his exciting all Priests of the Congregation to say Mass every day unlesse they were hindred by some urgent occasion or let nor would he take the excuses of those who for some relaxation to their minds remitted the frequency of saying Mass For saith he who ever looks for recreation but from his Creator or consolation but from Christ shall never finde either true recreation or solace He was very desirous that Lay-persons should oft partake of this Sacrament therefore at his instance some of them every eighth day some every Holy-day others but those were few every day feasted on this Angelicall food Yet he more frequently perswaded them to the Sacrament of confession than of the Altar Being to say Mass he was so rapt in contemplation of celestiall things that he was fain to divert his mind another way for fear of Trances and oftimes you might have seen the Good man stand still awhile His rapts at Mass were testified by the Cardinals Paravisini and Tarugi upon oath and by above twenty more Witnesses and give over at the time of celebration by several sleights and actions to shun those surprises Wherefore if he said Mass publikly in the Church he admited none in attendance but such as were familiarly known to him And yet nothing indecent or unseemly fell from him in such fits and Violences but he rather provoked the standers by to piety and devotion When he came to that part of the Mass called the Offertory a This was known in a manner to all the City his heart so leaped for joy within him that albeit he was of full strength of a good age and free from any inclination to Palsies he could never powre the Wine into the Chalice till he rested his elbow on Card. Tarugi Testified this upon Oath something yet did he at no time spil the least drop of either the Blood or Wine At the Elevation of the Hoast many times his hands would continue a long while together held up and sometimes Card. Tarugi witnessed this upon Oath he was raised a handfull or more from the ground Therefore to avoid such like accidents which he suffred against his will he set down the Hoast as soon as ever he had but lift it up In receiving of the B. Bread he found such delicacy and such a flavor as if swallowing the pleasingest sweet-meats and therefore he picked out the thickest wafers for that purpose that so the H. Species might last the longer and he thereby enjoy more of the presences of his Saviour But when he drank the blood of his Lord he did so fasten on the Chalice with his lips and teeth that he not only fetched off the gilt of it with hard sucking but left in the very Plate the prints of his teeth Notwithstanding in this sacred office he was rather quick than tedious yet with so great a passion of devotion that he would draw teares many times from those that were by Mass ended and thanks duly rendred as he returned to his chamber he would be so entranced as not to be able to discern those he met and of so wan a visage that he resembled one rather dead than living In his latter years advising with some eminent both for their piety and their parts he procured of Gregory XIII that little chamber above mentioned to celebrate Mass in with greater privacy and freedom Where when the time of receiving the Sacrament came dismissing the company and puting out the lights all but one the dovr and windows shut he staid behind alone then his servant fastned a note at the door with these words in it Silence for the Father is at Mass About two houres after the Servant came again and knocked at door when if Philip called or answered he straight unlockt the doors opened the windows and light the tapers so the Father dispatched the rest of Mass But what passed there betwixt God and him themselves only knew Besides administring the Sacraments to others he was so enflamed with pious ardours that his whole body trembled Insomuch as a Woman then but newly converted to the faith reports that she saw the Servant of God holding a Pixe in his hand whose body did so shake that the H particles were seen raised up on high out of the Pixe and he himself with an aspect like fire who presently grew pale as ashes The like befell Nerus de Nigris a Roman Lord and a Patrician of Florence one very much beloved of Philip who came on a time to Church and brought one Barsum Archdeacon of Alexandria with him who was then Embassadour from Alexandria in Egypt to the Pope both of them receiving the Communion at the Fathers hands Who as he held the Pixe was taken with such a trembling that Nerus feared lest some of the H. particles should fall down and therefore with a beseeming reverence caught his right hand and held it till he had taken the Eucharist When they were gone he told Nerus You raised a great heat in me to day for he perceived himself affected with an extraordinary fervour by the presence of the Archdeacon In like sort when he reached forth the Hoast at the Communion to Julia Vrsina Rangonia a Noble and religious Lady she with those that were presen saw a consecrated Wafer parted out of his fingers hanging in the air to the amazement of all He was ravished with devotion to the most sacred Passion of our Lord. And therefore had he by him a brazen Crucifix the body whereof he could take from the cross and by putting it to his lips or breast satisfie his devout affections From this continuall meditation on our Saviours Passion grew his so vehement desire of going to the Indies to lay down his life for Christ But not obtaining this wish of his the Merciful Lord answered his desires in another kind for like that H. Virgin Luthgarda he was Christs Martyr in designe though not in event shedding blood for blood Yea he bled at the mouth so excedingly all his life that he seemed many times to have quite lost his sight and pulse In which most sweet languishment he was wont to say O Good Jesu that I could for thy sake poure out my blood till at least in part I have answered thy incomparable love Withall he was so devoutly affected unto the most sacred Name of Jesus that at the very sound thereof he was even ravished He was also hugely delighted in repeating the Apostles Creed being himself full of faith He said the Lords Prayer with such deliberation and devotion that sometimes he could hardly finish it CHAP.
others avouch Besides that part of his breast burned with such extream heat that it diffused it self over all his body and even when he grew in years and was almost spent Many have seen this and fourteen witnesses persons of credit have confirmed it by Oath with incredible abstinence yet in the depth of Winter in the in the middle of the night was he forced to uncover his breast open Windows and by several wayes as he could let in the cooler air Which immoderate heat grew so great at some times that not only his hands grew exceeding hot but his throat was dried up and scorched as it had been on fire that in winter when all things are chill and stiff with frost and snow you should have seen a man worn out with old age walk open-breasted thorow the City But when the Physicians in regard of the differing Symptoms which he found from this panting applyed several and contrary medecines he jestingly said I would these men knew but the cause of my malady intimating that he was not distempered by any natural sickness but wounded rather with Divine Love and therefore used to say Vulneratus sum Charitate ego I am wounded with love As likewise finding himself ensnared in the love of Christ he would sing in Italian Vorrei saper da voi com' ell ' é fatta Questa rete d'amor che tanti hà preso I would fain be by you taught How this Net of Love is wrought Where so many have been caught In like manner he would oftimes throw himself upon his bed and there languish surcharged with the too delicious Gusts of the Spirit So truly was that in the Canticles verified in him Fulcite me c. Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples for I am sick of love But to conceal his secret from the notices of any he gave out those Fits arose either from indisposition of body or long custom and therefore purposely wore a Hankerchief on the left side of his breast that the extension of his Ribs might not be perceived This also in his palpitation was attributed to a miracle that it took him not by constraint but by consent as he more then once declared to Cardinal Borromeo his most intimate friend And therefore Andreas Caesalpinus and Angelus Victorius with other able Physicians set forth several Tracts about it shewing how this thrusting forth his Ribs befell him by a special Providence of God that his heart likely otherwise to be oppressed in so violent a motion having by this means a larger circuit might beat freelier and gather air the better After he had received of God this favour he began more than ever to visit the seven Churches whom as he was going one day the Spirit of God so strongly seized on that cast down to the ground he was fain to cry out Depart from me O Lord depart for lo I die and except thou help I can no longer bear it From which time the Merciful Lord somewhat abated and lessened those impetuous violences of Holy Love Chap. 7. His good works and pains for the Conversion of others HAving now a long while lived thus severed from the society of men and now called forth by the supream Lord of all for the good of Souls he applies himself wholly to the conversion of Sinners To that end he resorts to publique meetings the company of Scholars frequents the Academies intrudes into the assemblies of the prophane diligently repairing to the chief places of busines where on all occasions without any regard of their persons treating of divine things he wan many whom by degrees he gently led to Christ Among others whom he converted was Henry Petra of Placentia who by his perswasions forsaking his Merchandise was made Priest and lived very exemplarily at a Church of S. Hierom's where he made a Holy end This was he that amplified and enlarged the Congregation of Christian Doctrine in the City Next he gained unto Christ Theseus Raspa who likewise leaving the profession of a Merchant took Orders and died full of years and good works at the same Church with Petra He reclaimed also John Manzolius who though a Laique yet aspiring to perfection gave a great example of vertue unto many Besides many others whom he reduced to the paths of life of whom hereafter And as his Charity encreased he no doubt by directions from the H. Spirit began to consort with the most lewd recreants in all the City but being of that age not with women at all many of which he perswaded to better courses Of these there was one of the chief Bankers who inveigled with the Love of pelf and mired in Sottish and carnal pleasures led a most dissolute life He being by Philips means incensed with a Zeal to the service of God repaired to a Priest for absolution of his sins who repulsed him for that he refused to abjure committing the same again he coming to Philip something sad relates what had hapned beseeching him to pray to God for him though most unworthy Philip chearing his dejected minde and making light of the difficulties said Go I am now hasting to pray for you and will not desist till I have moved the most High to pitty and so he did for shortly after upon his withstanding the next occasions to those sins he was absolved according to his desires by the same Priest who had formerly rejected him and became a great observer of Philip ever after And here must not be forgot that when he was young being very handsome he was by some debauched persons inticed to villany as he came from Sermon but he immediately discoursed to them ex tempore of the ugliness of vice and dignity of vertue with such courage that they went away his converts who came to pervert him He drave divers to severall Religious Orders Whereupon S. Ignatius Loiola Founder of the Society of Jesus living then at Rome used to call him the Saints-bell of that time for that he excited others to Regular Discipline while himself led a Secular life just as the Bell that tolls others to Church and it self the while abides in the Steeple Ignatius was desirous to have made him his own but God had otherwise appointed Philips Sons observed that those who despised his counsel for the most part came to an ill end So it chanced to one that professed Philosophy whom Philip had chid for some heinous fact but he slighted his admonition and no sooner went from the place but was unfortunately murdred The like hapned to another whom once or twice he had wished to repent who growing obstinate within a few dayes was imprisoned convicted of a notorious crime and adjudged to dye but at the earnest suit of his friends was condemned to the Gallies Yet whilst imployed in the cure of Souls he neglects not other acts of piety he oft visited Hospitals where with his own hands he made beds cleansed away all filth swept the floor
the Tears fell in such plenty that he was often forced to desert the employment At Divine Service he was so affected with the Melody of Church-Musick that he many times cried all the while Being once in the Qâ—ire among the Friers at S. Maries supra Minervam he wept so that he wet all the forepart of his cloathes Last of all he was so inclined to grief that on all occasions of Piety he would shed Tears and it was reckoned for a Miracle that by continual weeping he lost not his fight which he retained perfect to fourscore years of age without using Spectacles though he had divers pairs by him to preserve and refresh his sight as he said which after his death were affirmed to have done many strange Cures being used in diseases Among others Lucia Marzana a Recluse in the Monastery of S. Lucia in silice in the City being much troubled with the Head-ach applying but the H. mans Spectacles to the place affected fell into a gentle slumber and when she rose her paiâ— was gone CHAP. V. His Prayers THis fervour of Charity and abundance of Tears he obtained only by his frequent exercise of Prayer which he was continually so much addicted to that he directed all those Religious exercises he had instituted in the Oratory to this one and therefore entitled it the Congregation of the Oratory To this Divine Study he so vigourously set himself and made such progress therein that standing or walking his thoughts were still fixed upon God more naturally soaring heaven-ward then the doters on this world tend groveling toward earth Many a time whilst his Scholars were discussing several and serious matters in his Chamber be disengaged from their affairs either cast up his eyes to heaven or crossed his hands or sometimes fetched groans from the bottom of his heart As he walked the streets hee was so swallowed up of contemplation that ever and anon he must be plucked by the sleeve and put in minde to offer or returne Salutes After dinner that he might not injure the health of his body by too much intention of the minde when he had a desire to slumber or to rest him he was wont to call Gallonius and tell him You know what to do if you would have me sleep meaning that he must call off his thoughts from the consideration of things supernaturall by variety of discourse or some pleasant reading for that purpose Indeed he felt that in himself which he used to apply in generall to others to wit That a man enflamed with the Love of God must arrive to that heighth of Chariy as to be constrained to cry out Let me alone Lord let me rest a while for whoever is indisposed to pray even at Noon and after meals hath not yet received the Gift of Prayer He never went upon any business that was not usher'd in with Prayer either by himself or his whence he gained so strong a confidence that he spared not to say Give me but time to pray and I am sure to obtain of God what I ask And at other times Hoc volo Hoc jubeo This I will this I command and as he said it fell out still Briefly by his perseverance in prayer he attained even to supernaturall illuminations that he knew exactly which of his had prayed that morning and which not But though his whole life might truely be termed one continued Prayer yet he prescribed himself some set hours to encrease his devotion there in For in Summer except some work of Charity hindred he retired himself to the top of the house morning and evening where he might view heaven and earth to that end not only at S. Hieroms but a Vallicella amongst his own he built him a Closset on the very Roof a story higher than the rest And in his latter dayes he went up to the leads of the Church where he spent a good space in holy Cogitations yet if at any time he were called forth to any pious work he came down straight and quitted his spirituall exercise till having dispatched his business he returned again saying He did not therefore reject Meditation but left Christ for Christ and that the force of Prayer was not hereby diminished but augmented rather In the Winter after Sun-set he prolonged his Prayers to the second or third hour of the night and going to rest that he might rise again to prayer just at his time he hung his Watch at the Beds head by feeling of which he knew what a clock it was and hard by his Crucifix he laid the Rosary of our Lady that when he wakened he might fall to his Prayers At some speciall times in the year as the principall Festivals and when publique or private necessity required his prayers were both longer and more intense He watched fasted and prayed on Good Friday all those hours that the sacred Body of our Lord was kept apart by it self in memory of his Buriall He devoutly and attentivly recited his Canonicall hours for the most part joyning a Companion to him for he could not dispatch them alone by reason he was subject to rapts He almost ever had his Breviary lying open being wonderous carefull that no error passed in saying it and if any chanced though he seemed as one bereft of sense he presently corrected the mistakes When he was fourscore years old Gregory XIV remitted him his Office upon repeating the Rosary of the B. Virgin which favour he at no time made use of Nay if he were extream sick he appointed the Canonicall hours should be rehearsed in his hearing at least To Prayer he added Reading and the daily perusing Saints Lives alledging that There was no better incentive to Piety then the Examples and Rules of Saints Besides those lives gathered by Lippoman he commonly used Cassians Collations the Imitation of Christ father'd on Gerson the Life of S. Katherine of Siena and above all the Acts of the B. John Columbine For the Books of H. Scripture he delighted much in S. Pauls Epistles Those whom he designed for preachers he counselled to read their works chiefly whose names began with S. as S. Augustine S. Gregory S. Bernard and the rest And because he was desirous that People should rise from prayer rather cheared than tired he wished such as he thought lesse able to pray long together that they should often raise their devotion by certain short Ejaculations some of which more frequently used by him are here annexed Create in mee a clean heart O God and renew a right Spirit within mee O God make speed to save mee O Lord make hast to help mee Teach me to do thy will O Lord hide not thy self from mee O Lord I am oppressed undertake for mee Thou art the way the truth and the life Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Jesus be thou to mee Jesus Remember not Lord mine iniquities When shall I love thee with a filial love O Holy Trinity one
with a golden lustre then a third time wipes his eyes with a handkerchief and his fingers marks the heads of others that were present but sees no such thing And fixing his eyes on him again espies the very same splendour as before which lasted till he had done Mass but when he had communicated presently the light disappeared Mutius Achilleus also a Priest of S. Severines living at Rome observed him at the celebration of Mass to dart forth glittering beams from about his face Vincentius Lanterus Archbishop of Ragusa kissing Philips hand once whilst yet a youth perceived it all gilded with resplendent Rayes so that his eyes dazled with the brightnes thereof and being astonished at it went forthwith to his Confessor Thomas Bozzius to acquaint him with it Who bid him Not think strange for that divers had beheld Philips hand like burnish'd gold Last of all a Maid of some twelve years of age had many times seen the H. man at Mass inveloped in a bright cloud and though he wore a Cope of a different colour according to the diversity of the season yet she had never seen him but arrayed in white still These and divers other Rapts and Extasies he sustained of which enough at present CHAP. II. His Visions FUrthermore God honoured him often with celestiall Visions such as these that follow First while he was yet a Laick and desirous to understand the will of God having not yet determined what course of life to take he earnestly besought God to make known his mind to him when lo about Sun rise S. Iohn Baptist appears to him who having first comforted and refreshed him by his presence tels him as Himself afterward certified Cardinall Frederico Borromeo that he must dwell in the City no where else and laying aside all business whatever should addict himself wholly to the conversion of Souls at Rome The same was intimated to him in a Vision by the Souls of two Saints Citizens that were in Glory one of which pretending to eat a Crust of dry bread brake out into these words The will of God O Philip is that you live in the very heart of the City as in the solitude of the Desert By both which apparitions and what Augustinus Ghettinus as is before rehearsed told him at Aquae-Salviae he was sufficiently advertised concerning the choice of his condition He prayed once in Christmas time at Church his sons Constantius Tassonius and Sebastian the Musician being with him and while he was in deep meditation on our Lord. behold Jesus appeared upon the Altar in the likeness of an Infant And supposing his Companions had also seen it he said Do not ye see the Child Jesus standing on the Altar They saying No he perceived the Vision was not discovered to the rest so quietly went on in his Prayer without any more words of it One time saying Mass after he had shewen the people the Body of Christ laying the Hoast down he staid a good space ere he elevated the Cup so when Mass was done as he went from the Altar he was discerned going to the Vestry to look merrily as one that laughed Being asked thereupon why he paused so long between Elevating the Hoast and the Chalice and why he returned to the Vestry so pleasant he smiled and laying his hand on his head that put the question to him hushed up the matter in silence Yet afterward wearied by urgent intreaties he at last answered him Son when I say Mass I oftimes behold the Glory of Paradise but be sure you never open your mouth to any concerning it He was divinely favoured with the sight of the Souls of divers as they went to heaven Marinus Tosinus one of the first of the Fraternity of the Most H. Trinity a Person of great Vertue whose Life was writ by Bonsignorius Cacciaguerrius as soon as he departed this life appeared to Philip calling him twice by his Name who looking up saw his Soul ascend to heaven wrapt about in light In the morning he understood that the man died about the same hour the Vision hapned Vincentius the Limner as he was called a Holy man and one of the first of the same Society presently after his death shewed himself to Philip all glittering with light who beheld him as he went to heaven and going the next day to comfort his Wife Your Husband saith he knocked at my chamber door to night and came and recommended you and your family to me at which words the woman was revived whom together with her Children Philip thence-forward relieved with all things necessary Marcus Antonius Cortesellus of Como one whom Philip loved well died a man devoted much to Prayer and works of Piety the Depositary for the Alms conferred on the Capuchins who had presaged of the H. man thus This man is known to but a few as yet but hereafter it shall appear to all how great a Saint he is When his Coarse was laid forth on the Beir in S. Katherines Church nigh unto S. Hieroms a Charitate Philip went with Antonius Gallonius another Priest accompanying him to see the body and having viewed it a while sends for a Painter and wills him to draw his picture to the life The other his companion wondring at it Gallonius bid him Think not strange of it for the R. Father had related how the night before he had seen his Soul in great Clarity appearing to him holding discourse with him about foure or five hours and passing thence into the heavens Fabricius de Maximis had a Daughter of some thirteen years of age named Helena a Virgin deeply wounded with the Love of Christ and rigidly obedient to her Confessor thrice aweek she received the Body of our Lord having more appetite to her Prayers than repast she would bitterly weep over the Passion of our Saviour and did so much endeavour the vilifying of her self that she made it her ambition to be a Servant to all and was exceedingly desirous to suffer for Christs sake that at least in part she might testify her gratitude toward him in her last sickness after that Baronius had given her the heavenly Viaticum she saw the Lord Christ besprinkling her Soul with blood and foretelling the hour of her departure piously deceased Her Philip saw as she hastned to the heavenly mansions Angels singing and attending on her His Sons knew likewise that the state of Penitents in the other world was revealed to him as soon as they were dead When Virgil Crescentius died going to comfort his Children he said to them Be of good chear for your Father is received into Glory by Almighty God I know well what I say repeating it again and again All had so strong an opinion of his knowing by Revelation whither the Souls of His went that divers resorted to him for satisfaction therein John Antonius Luccius had lately lost his Mother and requesting Philip to pray to God and to acquaint him whether his Mother were in
Augustine Cardinal of Cusa was so devoted to him that he loved to be continually in his Chamber Who speaking of his Holiness saith Indeed I never knew any whether Regulars or Seculars that were both by Plebeians and Nobles so highly reverenced as Philip not only for a reall opinion they had of his piety but for his huge success in reclaiming such as went astray to a holy life and I ever wonderfully prized his incomparable Vertues which by so much were the more conspicuous in him by how much the more concealed Cardinall Frederic Borromeo who together with the forenamed Cardinal Cusanus were called Father Philips Soul speaks of his extraordinary Sanctity in this wise All the time I conversed with the B. man me thoughts he was so divinely qualified and endowed with such admirable Gifts by God as I doubt not but he might be compared with most of those admired by the antient Writers For he was so well experienced in the knowledg of Spirituall things that he may truely be said to have perfected all that either Cassian or Climacus and Richardus de S. Victore have writ on this argument Besides of all that ever I knew there is none hath answered my expectations as he yea he so satisfied me herein that bethinking me sometimes what I could wish more compleat in him I could find nothing So far Borromeo Cardinall Octavius Paravicinus thus By the Mercifull Providence of God I have been acquainted with Philip from about six years old till I was twenty eight when I went into Spain being present at his usuall conferences and one of his intimate familiars in all which time and after my return from Spain as long as he lived upon an exact Scrutiny of all his actions expressions behaviour I found him indeed flaming with an ardent love of God And a little after I render Eternall thanks to God that I had a Master whose Vertues are diffused and famed all the World over and whose Glory no age shall ever impair Hitherto Paravicinus one who was so passionate a Lover of Philip that he could scarce live without him spending frequently whole dayes and nights with him and whensoever he lay sick attending him as if he had been his Servant though he were a Cardinall Once when he was ill being one of his last sicknesses sendâ—ng away them that were by he called the Cardinall saying Octavius I desire much to talk with you but when my Cough comes that I must spit I would have you put the Bason under me as you have used to do Good Humble Soul he did not in this despise the Purple but satisfied the impatient longing of the man Thereupon Octavius be pleased to know Father that I account it a special honour and priviledg to do you service Again I so willingly did attend on Philip that though sometimes I suffered great inconveniences thereby yet I was alwayes requited with far greater content Yea whilst I recount them I am so delâ—ghted with the offices I heretofore did him that nothing troubles me but that I could not further serve him Cardinall Octavius Bandinus esteemed it a high honour that while he was yet a Boy he waited on him as he said Mass and speaking of his estimation for Holiness hath these words The opinion of Philips Vertue was such as not only most honoured him for it but divers conceived it necessary for their better progress in the Service of God to use his conduct Therefore to him as to an Oracle resorted men of all degrees for direction in a Spirituall course c. And after He that hath bin acquainted with the B Philip and accurately observed his procedure in the way of God and what a life he led for so many years in eminent Holiness and Religion shall not need to doubt but that those mervailous Benefits which so many obtained by his Prayers were indeed so many visible and reall Miracles And for that they were both so numerous and notorious I always reverenced him as a true Servant of God and do at present repute him as a Saint worthy of all honour Cardinall Franc. Maria Taurusius then Archbishop of Avignon writes thus in a Letter I should be glad to be one of them that have the first place in the Chappell where the H. Father saith Mass although it be so small it is the same that is at this day removed to the other side of the Church as was formerly said for how ever I seem so far distant yet by the Blessing of God I am always there both by Faith and the Love I bear to my Most dear Father and by the peculiar Seat I reckon my self to have in his Soul For whilst He there displays his Mind in the Contemplation of things Divine I deem my self ranked in not the lowest place within it Katherine of Siena built her self a Cell in her heart where she would sit alone with Jesus amidst the concourse of a Multitude so would I erect me a Lodging in the midle of Philips heart not fearing but I should find Jesus there and behold at once all the Progress of that his stupendious Life which he hath led here on Earth with us now this thirty three years and so as often as the Father exults and his swolne heart danceth out of the plenitude of his Love of Christ I also there should dance and exult together Afterwards again Enjoy ye therfore while ye may that Bliss which I long since enjoyed and long together but unworthily neglecting my best use of so happy a time am now by the just judgement of God unwillingly deprived thereof Cardinall Hierom Phamphilio one most intimate with the B. man thus reports of him Philip out of his exuberant Charity would so endear solace and assist every one that none ever went from him but he was cheared and confirmed in the opinion of his sanctity My self especially have accounted him alwayes and confidently held him for a Saint and adjudged him absolutely furnished with all the Vertues that can be desired in a true Servant of God yea I have found by experience in all his actions that he was every day better than other to his very death Cardinall Lud. Madruccius was so addicted to him that he not only frequented his Chamber there conferring with him a good while together but was so much taken with their Method of Preaching that he often came to the Oratory at S. Hieroms to Sermon Michael Bonellus Cardinall of Alexandria Nephew to Pius V. knowing how much his Vncle tendred Philip loved him entirely whom for his singular piety he revered often going or sending to him for his Company Alexander Medices Cardinall and Archbishop of Florence afterwards Pope under the Title of Leo XI visited Philip at least once a week and spent the whole day in courtesy and friendly familiarity with him Cardinall Pet. Donatus Caesius was also a great observer of Philip and conferred many Favours upon the Congregation Cardinall Guil. Sirletus so much
daily Afterwards on the return of the Solemnity of the H. Martyrs Nereus Achilleus and Flavia Domitilla whom the Congregation honours with a more peculiar Veneranion He bled so extreamly at the mouth that all gave him for dead Whereupon Baronius then Superiour of the Congregation upon a strong suspicion of his near approaching End duly applies the Sacrament of Extream Vnction to him by the administration of which Sacred Remedy he presently seemed to be somewhat better Then Câ—rdinall Frederic Borromeo being there purposed to give him the H. Communion and as he was bringing the Celestiall Bread to his Chamber the Good olâ— man who a little before lay hopeless forthwith opening his eyes and raising his voice wept and said En amor meus en utique omne bonum Lo there my love Lo all that good is Whereat all that were by fell a weeping Afterward when Borromeo came to those words Domine non sum dignus i. e. Lord I am not worthy Philip repeating them added Nor ever worthy was nor hitherto have I done any good at all but as the Cardinall put the B. Viands into his mouth he said Come Lord come and so with enflamed devotion received the H. Eucharist saying Now indeed have I ententained the true Physician of the Soul Vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas Vanity of vanities and all is vanity He that seeks any thing but Christ knows not what he seeks and thus spent the rest of the day joyfully About Evening he was taken again with his wonted bleeding and through extremity of pain three or four times vomited blood in abundance yet unappalled at it looking up to heaven Thanks be to thee O Christ saith he that at least this way I can repay bloud for blond This loss of bloud was attended with such a Cough and Asthma that he could scarce breathe but looking chearfully repeated oft I dy I faint and though many remedies were tryed yet none availed In the morning when the Physicians came to him he told them Now I need none of your help for my medicines have proved better than yours and since break of day when I sent my offering to the Monasteries of the Religious to say Mass for me I have not bled at all but find my self mended I breathe freely and am so well that I seem fully restored to my former strength The Doctors by his Pulse finding him to be as well as he gave out amazed thereat affirmed it was done by Miracle from Almighty God And from this day to the twenty sixth of May he continued in good health repeated his office every day said Mass heard the Confessions of his own gave them the H. Sacrament and performed his duty in everything as he used to do so that all imagined he might undoubtedly live yet some years CHAP. II. He foretells his own death PHilip had long before presaged not only the time and day but even the hour and kind of his death and the place were his body should be interred Therefore This Francis Zazzara witnessed upon oath first was he in all his former sicknesses peremptory that he should not dye as in the year One thousand five hundred sixty two being suddenly taken with a violent pain and a Fever insomuch as it was determined by his to prepare him for death by the B. Sacrament and Extream Vnction he calling Taurusius said Know I am most willing and ready to participate of those Holy Mysteries yet I shall not dy of this Sickness for the Most Mercifull God who hath bestowed on me already so many blessings will net suffer me to depart out of this life thus devoid of the Gusts and Fervour of Devotion So they confirming him with those Divine Remedies straight his grief was asswaged his Fever left him and regaining his former strength he followed his employments In the year One thousand five hundred ninety two on the twentieth day of November he again fell into a Fever that continued upon him and so raging as Hierom. Cordelius one of the principall Physicians affirmed it would end him but toward break of day coming again to see the B. man he told him I shall not dy My â—ordelius of this disease as you imagine And the next day he was seen going about his occasions sound and perfectly well His Sons also having desired his leave to confess themselves to other Conâ—essors because of the Festivall of Our Lords Nativity approaching he answered I will take your Confessions my self and being fully recovered did so Three years after on the thirty one of March he caused Letters to be writ for remanding Flaminius Riccius of Firmo Of this Germanicus Fidelius is a sworn witness who was then at Naples being desirous to see him ere he died He was on whom Philip dearly loved who was the Third Superiour of the Congregation next to him a great despiser of himself having refused a Bishoprick offered him He writ back that he was very willing to return but for certain reasons was forced to defer his journy till September following Philip by Letters urges him to lay aside all business and return speedily he answers that some principall Persons of Note and in speciall the Archbishop impeded his coming He commands him to be writ for the third time but added that he should come too late And so it hapned for when Flaminius was come to Rome Philip was newly dead Twelve days before his death Nerus de Nigris coming to congratulate his recovery Indeed saith he I am now very This Nerus himself delivered upon oath well and have no bodily pain upon me yet know that within these few days I shall dy And for that he was confident he must shortly dy he would often say to his every day Sons I must dy I must dy which he frequently reiterating to them they were troubled at it and replied We know Father you must dy but what of that he as his manner was answered It is enough I say I must dy and you do not believe me About the same time that he bled so much above mentioned Mark Antonio Maffa exhorted him to chear up saying he should live many years yet and save many Souls he jeastingly answered If thou canst but make me live out this year I promise thee I will give the something He had engaged himself to Francis Zazzara then a youth to tell him before he died what he would have him do after his death and he had oft importuned the R. Father to perform his promise who bid him Be not disquieted for I pray to God for you every day I say Mass and will reveall to you ere I dy what I shall receive from above Meanwhile though Philip had bin often sick yet he never declared what it was he would request of Francis but the nineth day before his death calling him unexpectedly told him what he had promised whereupon he burst out into tears as conceiving the B. man would shortly dy
Mâ—morialls of those whom he crowned that so from the intimation of the very places themselves our devotion may rise higher to the enflaming our affection both to them whom we may imitate and toward him by whose assistance only we may so imitate them We therefore worship the Martyrs with that worship of love and communion wherein are honoured even in this life holy men of God whose hearts we perceive prepared unto the like sufferings for the Evangelicall Truth But those we worship so much the more devoutly by how much the more securely after so many hazards now safely passed over as also we praise them with so much more confident Elogies now victors in a more blessed life than yet conflicting still in this But we neither worship nor teach men to worship any but God with that worship termed in Greek Latria which cannot be expressed by one word in Latin being a service peculiarly due unto the Deity And seeing offering of sacrifice belongs to this worship whereby it becomes Idolatry in them that exhibit it to idols we offer no such thing at no hand nor enjoyn it to be offered either to any Martyr or any holy Soul or Angel but whosoever falls into this errour is reprehended by our sound doctrine either that he may be amended or that he may be avoided For the Saints themselves whether Men or Angels would not have that given unto them which they know to be due of right to God alone And de Verbis Apostoli Serm. 17. Perfectio tamen in hac vita non nulla est ad quam c. Yet some perfection there is also in this life to which the Holy Martyrs have attained And therefore Ecclesiasticall discipline as the faithfull know sheweth when in such places the Martyrs are rehearsed at Gods Altar there are no prayers made for them but for other dead who are commemorated prayer is made For it is an injurie to pray for a Martyr unto whose prayers we ought to be recommended for he hath resisted against sin even unto blood c. Also Tract 84. in Joann 15. 13. Hoc Beati Martyres c. This that is laying down their life the Blessed Martyrs with an enflamed affection have done whose Memories if we celebrate not in vain but repair to the Lords Table unto that Feast wherewith they were even saturated it is requisite that what they did so we likewise should prepare to do the like For therefore we do not commemorate them at the Holy Table in such manner as we do others that rest in peace so as to pray for them but that they rather might pray for us that we may follow their steps inasmuch as they have fulfilled that love then which Our Lord hath said greater could not be Ideo eos commemoramus saith he ut orent ipsi pro nobis Therefore the Father conceived the Martyrs to pray for those that thus commemorated them rather or more than for others who commemorated them not Else such their commemoration nothing availed for obtaining the Martyrs prayers whereas he saith here commemoramus ut But then that the Martyrs might pray for such as commemorated them more than for others they must have some knowledge of such their commemoration This shews therefore 1. that the Father thought that the Martyrs knew of such commemorations And again 2. that such our commemoration of the Martyrs that they might pray for us well consisted with our not sacrificing or offering to them or religiously invocating them as deities And this needeth not to seem strang in a Father whenas Charity grants that Invocatio civilis is lawfully used to a creature Chamier de cultu Creaturarum 2. Tom. 20. l. 6. c. Quo minus rogentur hoc est invocentur promiscue civiliter nihil obstat yet are they not invocated by the Priest that sacrificeth For he sacrificeth to God not them although at their Monuments because he is God's not their Priest And the sacrifice it self is the Body of Christ which is not offered to them because they themselves also are it Which of the two therefore should we rather believe working Miracles Those who would have themselves reputed for Gods by them for whom they do those things or those who do all that is done that men may believe in God which also Christ is Those who would have their religious rites to be their crimes or those who would not so much as have their vertues and praises to be our service of them but what ever is truly spoken in their praise all tend to his glory in whom they are praised For in the Lord are their soules praised Let us therefore credit them both speaking truth and working wonders And of that Truth this is the main that Christ rose from the dead and shewed the immortality of the Resurrection in his own flesh first of which he promised either in the beginning of the new world or in the end of this to make us partakers S. Aug. Epist 137. The Argument of the whole Epistle is this BOniface a Priest of S. Austins Co-fraternity complained of another young man of the same society one of a suspected fame that he had sollicited him to commit uncleaness with him Who by the Father questioned concerning it by recrimination charged Boniface with the same When the matter could on no side be proved or confuted by any evident argument Upon S. Austins motion and request both of them ingage to repair to the Monument of the Martyr Felix at Nola in Italy over against Hippo in Affrik that by some Miracle there this matter might come to be decided The Father was very carefull that so scandalous a busines should be managed with great secrecy But it notwithstanding spreading abroad he writes this exhortatory Epistle to the Clergy and the rest of the people of Hippo not to judge rashly nor yet for the offences of a few either to desist from holiness or suspect evill of others shewing that there never was any society of men so happy but some wickedness might get into it CVm enim ista me causa diu cruciasset c. This cause having long perplexed me so that I could not discover which way one of the two might be convicted although I rather inclined to believe the Presbyter c. I made choice of a middle way that both of them by joint agreement should bind themselves that they would take a journey to a holy place where the more dreadfull works of God might more easily discover every one's conscience that was unsound and either by some feare or punishment force them to a confession Indeed God is every where and he contained or included in no place who made all things and he is by true worshipers to be worshiped in spirit and in truth that so hearing in secret he may also in secret justify and crown them But as touching those things which are visibly made known to men who can search out his counsell why these Miracles are