who had seene the aforesaid vision in his sleep they drew him vnto the next decke to seeke out the rest but euen at that very instant they perceiued that Almightie God did protect the Catholicks with heauenly help For the Priest of whome we speake escaping out of their haÌ„ds by miracle was neuer after to be fouÌ„d Therefore hauing searched eight whole daies till they were wearie at last they gaue ouer to seeke after the Bisshop and dismissed the shippe that she might returne vnto her course But behold one danger after an other In the same voiage to France an other Nauy of Pirats met them more cruell then the former who by the instigation of Queene Elizabeth sought Edmund the Bishop for his destruction and out of hand taking the shippe wherin he sailed they boarded her ouerturned all the Merchandize and with lights searched all places with diligent care wherby they came to the secret place at last apprehended the Bishop himself They had preuailed if the present protection of our B. Lady had not quailed the rage of their enemies For behold as they were about to draw forth their prisoner they were striken with suddaine blindnesse and began to wander like blind men Wheruppon being frighted with the vndoubted wrath of God punishing their wickednes they let go the vessell which they had taken and she holding on her course by fauour of our B. Lady arriued at the desired harbour hauing twice in few daies escaped these exceeding dangers For which cause the Bishop and his retinew being very mindefull of their vow forthwith from the place where they landed came to Loreto on foote the yere 1586. where the Bishop rightly performing his vow left the whole matter set downe in writing in the House of Loreto in token of the double help of our B. Lady in his double danger The yeare ensuing the B. Virgin of Loreto by as great a miracle deliuered another froÌ„ the raging sea as she had donne these from the wicked Pirats Iohn Baptista Capra a Monte-Albodo the name of a towne in Picene a good a godly yong maÌ„ sayling in a Galcot toward the coast of Calabria and comming in sight of the Iland Vulcana which lieth ouer against the IlaÌ„d of Siâ—ilie was brought into imminent danger by a suddaine tempest For the oars were broken the saile was lost and the little vessell being tossed to fro with the waues was in great danger of drowning But he conceiuing good hope of safe deliuerance and inuocating the B. Virgin of Loreto cried vnto her As the Angells brought thy House into Picene where at this present it remayneth so thou B. Virgin Mother of God bring this litle vessell to the harbour A meruailous thing The tempest ceased as if it had beene controulled or bridled by his prayer and presently a prosperous wind beginning to blow made the Galcot ariue with safety that you may thinke the B. Virgin fauoured her Client and the report of the transportation of her sacred House by the hand-worke of Angells Two Priests hauing stolne a little morter out of the House of Loreto by their owne harme are taught to restore it thither againe CHAP. XV. Vict. Brigant THE report of the History of Loreto is confirmed by the former miracle but the religion of the most sacred House is established with this The same yeare two Priests of Placentia tooke alittle morter out of the sacred walls with intent to carrie it about them as a monument of the B. Virgin of Loreto and as a defence vnto them in the perills of this mortall life But protection sought against the will of God turned to their danger For assone as they returned into their Contrey they were punished with a terrible a cruell feuer wherewith being much vexed for the space of three moneths at last they repented And calling to mind the late example of the Bishop of Portugall who albeit by the Popes permission had taken a stone out of the House of Loreto yet God was so offended therwith that he was punished with a cruell sicknes and recouered not vntill he restored the sacred stone to the B. Virgin Therefore with common consent both determined to restore to our B. Lady that which they had taken from her earnestly requesting her to pardon their folly and to restore them their former health when she receiued her owne againe Wheruppon presently putting the morter into a silke purse and witnessing the miracle by their letters they deliuered it to the Pilgrims which came to Loreto and so recouered their health And the morter remayning in the silke purse as it was was brought to Loreto by the Pilgrims of Placentia to Rutilius Benzonius the Bishop who assoone as he read their letter gaue credit to the miracle and published it abroad to represse the boldnes of others by their example Our B. Lady appearing to two in the same forme wherin she is reuereÌ„ced at Loreto restoreth them their health despaired of by Physitians CHAP. XVI Vict. Brigant ABOVT that time the B. Virgin did shew by euident tokens that her Image in the House of Loreto was as deere vnto her as her natiue House it self Tiberius Delphinus a seruant of the Duke of Mantua being deere vnto him many waies consuming with a grieuous a long ague by vehmency of the sicknes was vpon departing Wheruppon as the Priest was carefully recoÌ„mending his soule armed with christian mysteries to the protectioÌ„ of God his Saints the House of Loreto innobled with many famous miracles came to the mind of him that lay a dying which whiles he was in health he could not visit by reason of busines And soone after a representation of the same House and of the B. Virgin appearing vnto him in his rest stirred him to make a vow to the Mother of God and to hope well of himself which was to good effect For he who euen now lay void of all sense beginning to reuiue and opening his eyes spake more cheerfully to them that were present told them how he had made a vow to visit the B. Virgin of Loreto leauing them all dismaied at the wonder of the thing Within few dayes he throughly recouered and assoone as by any meanes health permitted him to performe the iourney of his votiue Pilgrimage he went to Loreto before he had gotten sufficient strength so feruent was his desire to be free froÌ„ the vow which he had made And assoone as he came thither with harty thankes to God his B. Mother he performed his vow nigh at hand beholding the most religious Image of our B. Lady with diligeÌ„t care Truly said he in this very likenes and similitude I saw our B. Lady in my sleep when I was at the point of death that it may playnly appeare the Image at Loreto to be most like or els most deare vnto her Soone after this miracle was confirmed by an other of the same kind Iohn Raffrede a yong man
diamond and Carbuncle Gregory the xiij being Pope Also after his Embassage to Rodulph the Emperour Cardinall Madruzzo presented to the B. Virgin of Loreto for a gift The gift of Cardinall Madruzzo a siluer Crosse being the ensigne of such Legates in token of his Legacie happily performed by her protection and help The piety and gifts of the Princes of Italy CHAP. VII AT that time the piety and liberality of the Nobility of Italy was very notable Vict Brigant Iohn Piccolhomini sent a siluer plate representing two mules carrying a horslitter The gift of Iohn Picolhomini and of many others wherof the one doth strike with his heeles a man lying on the ground no doubtfull argument of danger eschewed by the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto Iohn Baptista Duara Gonzaga siluer fetters insteed of the yron-ones wherwith he was fettered in token that he got his liberty by the fauour of our B. Lady of Loreto Lewis Martinengo of Bressa foure Chalices of siluer guilt The Marquesse of Est her owne and the Image of her sonne praying to our B. Lady in plate of siluer of 14. pound weight The Duke of Atria two Images of Angells of a Cubit and a half of excellent worke of xxxvj pound weight which are placed before the B. Virgin on the Altar and present continually burning lights which the inscription engrauen in the base doth shew to be votiue gifts The Duke of Terra-Noua a siluer lampe hanging of xxij pound very notable both for workmanship and weight Emanuell Philibertus Duke of Sauoy his owne Image adorned with a Crowne and a scepter made all of pure gold in manner of a suppliant of ten pound weight Cardinall Columna the Legate of Picene a siluer Cuppe of excellent worke of no small weight Cardinall Arigonio a golden Chalice of great price by reason of iewells and pearls a Chrystall Crosse with the Image of Christ of gold and foure siluer Candlesticks of great beauty Cardinall Riario ornature of damaske for the Altar and the Priest Augustine Cusano who afterward was admitted into the Colledge of the Cardinalls furniture for the Priest and the Altar of gold and siluer And Pope Gregory himself much reioycing that the sacred House of Loreto was thus reuerenced and adorned with gifts desired to haue a speciall gift of his owne to remaine there for euer The fourth Sunday of Lent called Dominica Laetare of the Introite of the Masse of an ancient solemne custome the Romā Bishops do consecrate a golden Rose The stemme or plant wherof is of flourishing roses of gold which being put into a golden Cuppe standing on a triple foote of gold is more thē a Cubit half in height said to be worth a thousand Crownes And this Pontificall gift wont for the most part to be presented to Queenes Gregory sent to the B. Virgin of Loreto as Queene of Heauen and earth And in the midle of the Cuppe there is a godly inscription for a remembrance of him that gaue it About the same time Nicolas Caietan the Cardinall of Sermoneta honoured the House of Loreto with a new kind of gift who either for the generall deuotion of his family for he was of the House of Boniface the eight whose Popedome the comming of the most sacred Cell into Italy made very famous or els of a certaine priuate affection was wholy deuoted to the B. Virgin of Loreto For being well and in good heath he chose a place for his sepulcher in the Church of Loreto not far from the Cell of the Mother of God and caused it to be beautified with magnificent worke The forme wherof is very notable and large adorned with sundry sorts of marble and graced with a brazen Image of Nicolas the Cardinall of great curiosity and beauty The marble stone vnderneath hath this Epitaph NICOLAS CAIETAN THE CARDINALL OF SERMONETA OF THE FAMILIE OF POPE BONIFACIVS THE 8. CALLING TO MIND THAT THIS MOST SACRED HOVSE VVAS SEATED HEERE BY THE HAND-VVORKE OF GOD ABOVT THE TIME THAT HE ENTRED INTO HIS POPEDOME AND THAT HIMSELF HATH OBTAINED MANY THINGS OF ALMIGHTY GOD BY THE PRAIER OF THE B. VIRGIN THE MOTHER OF GOD AND ALSO HOPING THAT HER HELP VVIL NOT FAILE HIM AT HIS DEATH ALIVVE AND IN GOOD HEALTH HATH PROCVRED THIS MONVMENT OF MARBLE TO BE MADE FOR HIM THAT HIS BODY MAY BE BVRIED IN IT VVHEN HE SHAL DEPART THIS MORTALL LIFE BEING NOVV 54. YEARES OF AGE HE DIED ALMOST AT THREESCORE THE YEARE OF OVR SALVATION M.D.LXXXV IN THE MONETH OF MAY. And Nicolas departing this life was brought from Rome to Loreto where his funeralls were made with great honour and solemnity and the Sepulcher being finished long agoe his body was laid into it and a stone put ouer it with this title HEERE I VVIL DVVELL BECAVSE I HAVE CHOSEN IT At this day in the Church of Loreto there is a great Hearse of cloth of gold bordered about with a great border of black Veluet in some places magnificently adorned with the armes of the Caietan family and in other with golden Crosses in token of his stately funeralls The rashnesse of those which tooke away small peeces of the stones and the morter of the most sacred House is punished from heauen CHAP. VIII THE same yeare to wit 1585. by a new Miracle Almighty God shewed what care he hath of the sacred House of Loreto For a particle of one of the sacred stones was brought backe out of Sicily long after the fault was committed and punishmēt suffered therfore Aboue twenty yeares a Cittizen of Palermo comming to Loreto secretly taking a litle stone out of the sacred Cell of the Mother of God by no shew of piety in that rash deed nor the ignorance of the Pontificall inhibition by any meanes could be deliuered from the wrath of God For assoone as he returned home forthwith he was troubled with a grieuous sicknes And lest the cause of his suddaine griefe might be doubtfull yearly about the same time that he committed the fault he suffered punishment for it Wheruppon strēgth suddainly fayling him in the moneth of September or October he was molested with a grieuous feuer and by iudgment of the Physitians there could be no naturall cause therof and he acknowledged not his fault coloured vnder the name of piety But it continued 20. yeares all which time there was neither cause nor end of his incurable disease And at last when no other cause of the sicknes still returning by course could be found Religion entred into his heauy mind being much tormented with a guilty conscience he opened the wound vnto a Priest who told him that the cause of his sicknes was his rash piety earnestly exhorting him to restore the sacred stone if he would make sure way for his health It was spoken to no deafe eares For the sicke man being commanded as it were by a heauēly voice deliuered him the sacred stone to be sent backe to the
annoied with raine cold snow and tempestes Likewise all the people diuiding them selues into companies about the most sacred House and sitting down on the grasse among the trees did there eate their meate and afterward lodged on the bare ground not to sleepe and take their rest but to sing psalmes hymnes without any feare at all of wilde beastes or theeues such inflamed pietie might easily ouercome all discoÌ„modities and dangers The Sacred House is transported out of this wood into the hill of the two Brothers CHAP. VII BVT the euerlasting enemie of mankind being nothing gâ—ad at this honour of the heauenly Queene so great good of ChristiaÌ„s Praep. Terâ—m Hieâ—o Angel with all his might decreed to disturbe the exceeding ioy and reâ—igion of the Picentians Therfore lest the sacred place should increase the deuotion of the people before it was of so great reuerence as in likelihood it would be he purposed to make warre against the Pilgrimes and strangers as they came vnto it The Chappell of our B. Lady was in a solitary place neere to the sea and compassed about with a thicke wood and high trees and though there was no way vnto it but among these thicke bushes and trees yet many went without weapons putting great considence in the P. Virgin the defendresse of the place Wheâ—upon certaine notorious wretches of desperate boldnes not more allured with a fitt opportunitie of preying then stirred with infernall furies as it may be supposed beset the wayes that went vnto the sacred House and began to ly in ambush in places compassed about with thicke bushes From whence rushing forth they tooke the Pilgrimes as they went vnto it sett on them vnawares robbed them of their money and cloathes yea and of their liues also if so be they resisted by force Wherby in short space all that Wood being infested and notoriously reproached with robberies and murders was reduced to a wildernes by reason that the Pilgrimes were frighted thence and the reuerence and deuotion of this holy place waxing daily lesse and lesse the most sacred House it selfe departed thence For Almightie God thinking it an indignitie that the malice of the infernall enemie should turne to the destructioÌ„ of mankind the refuge which he had prouided for their saluation he chose a safer and a fitter seat for Pilgrimes for his owne and his B. mothers little House There was a little hill not very steepy almost a mile from that place neerer to Recanati and not far from the high Way whither the sacred House was carried on high by Angells and placed in the top therof about eight monethes after it was seated in the wood Two brothers of Recanati possessed the said hill in common with mutuall agreement and taking exceeding ioy in the heauenly gift began to reuerence the most sacred House with brotherlike endeuours And as the mutation of the place and the fame of the new miracle increased admiration so likewise the deuotion of the inhabitants and strangers For assoone as it was spread abroad that the House of Loreto had changed her place forsaken the wood which was infested with robberies seated it selfe on a hill free froÌ„ theeues conuenient for pilgrimes forthwith it enkindled a desire in adioining people to reuisit it Therfore either to recompence the benefit of so greate a good omitted for feare of theeues or els couerting to see with their eyes the new migration which they heard reported with their eares many flocked vnto it from all partes with great willingnes wherof diuers had worshipped the same house lately in the wood which now they reuerence out of the same in the top of the hill to their great admiration and wonder For which cause with vowes and feruent prayer the inhabitants did coÌ„tendingly reuerence this most holy Chappell venerable as well for ancient wonders as lastly for the miracle of her changed seat And euery one for his owne particular gaue Almightie God and his B. mother great thankes that they had not remooued the most religious seat defiled with robberies and murders to some other pâ—ace but had seated it on a safe hill conuenient for the deuotion of Pilgrims Wherby the multitude of Pilgrimes daily increasing increased also the celebritie of the Sacred House that the walles began to be couered with votiue tables with Images of wax with precious hangings and the Altar to be heaped with giftes and money But the wealth of the sacred Chappell thus increasing lessened their deuotion whose feruour should chiefly haue increased So that auarice now againe made the aboade therof shorter in the hill then it had done in the wood It departeth from the hill of the two Brothers by reason of their auarice and discord CHAP. VIII THE said hill as we shewed before was common to two Brothers Praepos Terem Hieron Angel who at first reuerenced the most sacred House godly deuoutly as was most meet they should happy they if they had vsed the heauenly gift rather for deuotion then abused it for gaine For when they saw that the most religious House was adorned with richer donaries couertousnes ouercame their greedy mindes wholly extinguished pietie and deuotion Therfore both supposing that the inheritance of the said hill came wholly to him selfe first they began to couet the sacred gold siluer but afterward auarice egging them on to disagree betweene themselues with more theÌ„ brotherly hatred Finally whiles either striued to get all the commoditie for him selfe and reasoned the matter with altercation from wrath they fell to armes And there letted not much that two brothers had not defiled them selues and the most maiesticall Cell of the mother of God with brothers bloud for nothing is so holy that auarice defileth not had not God preuented so great wickednes by taking away the occasion therof Wherfore being no lesse offended with the discord of these brothers then with the robberies which were committed in the wood he remoued his mothers House vnto the next hill towardes the sea being about an arrowes flight from that place and seated it in the very high way that goeth to the hauen of Recanati being also about two miles from the sea so the cause both of discord and theft was taken away at last a stedfast and firme remayning seat was giuen to the most sacred House which stood but a few monethes in the hill of the two brothers For it is well knowne that within lesse then a yeare after it came into Italy it was seated on that hill where at this present it remayneth so that either through the default of the inhabitants or rather by the prouidence of Almightie God within the compasse of a yeare she changed her seat three times in the territorie of Recanati and within fiue yeares after her departure out of Galiley honoured soure places with her residence yet by change of place she changed not religion but more and more increased the same The impressions of the
intreat and importune Sabine her father to bring her to that house which shined with so many lightes for otherwise she could not describe the place where that most beautifull Virgin dwelt The father iested at his daughters request either thinking it to be a childish toy or els ignorant what place she described but not long after it happened that Sabine with his familie pilgrimaging to Loreto Alexandra straight acknowledged the place triumphed and exulted for ioy turning to her father Behold father said she this is the house whither that most beautifull Virgin cloathed in white brought me hither I desired to returne and this is the sight that I was so willing to enioy againe Wherat the father was amazed but pondering in his mind the exceeding deuotion of his daughter to the mother of God he perceyued that she was deare to the B. Virgin her selfe specially seeing the mother of God drew her vnto her from her tender yeares by a certaine vnwonted course For which cause he neither foreslowed to further the pietie of his daughter nor thought good for him to coÌ„ceale this wonder And Alexandra her selfe when she came to riper yeares tould it often to godlie men who afterward related it to others to me my selfe This miracle happened the 7. yeare of this age neither in vaine For Alexandra being trained in this Nouiceship liued alwayes a Virgin and lead a most holy life vntill she was 90. yeares of age euery yeare reuisiting the B. Virgin of Loreto And so great was the fame of her sanctimonie that she was made Abbesse of a Monasterie of Virgins in the towne Montabodo where she flourished not onely with vertues but also with miracles Neere to the Porch of the Church of Loreto the Popes Pallace is begunne by Iulius the II. and the caruing of the most sacred House is purposed CHAP. XIIII IVLIVS vsing all diligence to finish and adorne the House of Loreto was easily induced to greater expences For when the most sacred Chappell was fenced with the walles of the Church he thought good to ad a fortification to the towne it selfe against the assault and suddaine incursions of the enemie Hierome Roboreo Patron of Loreto of worthy memorie who vndertooke that worke lately departed this life hauing scarce laid the first fouÌ„dations therof Therfore Iulius the Pope prosecuting those worthy beginnings by meanes o the said Bramant whom we mentioned before began the Popes Pallace neere to the Church being a great and a magnificent worke cheefly designed for the intertainement of noble men The forme whereof is such That part of the Pallace where the entrance is into the square Court being right against the Church doth compasse it with two wings as it were with armes The foure angles haue as manie turrets All the whole worke doth beare the true forme of a square Castle hauing the Church for a fortresse And at this day with the continuall labour and expeÌ„ces of many yeares the one halfe therof is hardly finished Nether did Iulius Hier. Ang. Bern. Cyril whiles the Popes Pallace was in hand desist to adorne the Church it selfe A Quire for the singers made for the ornament of the place the excellent Organs of musicke set forth with statelie worke and gold two bells notable for bignes and forme and the foundations of the Bellfray were the worthy workes of Iulius the second When he had adorned the Church he prepared costly marble inough to garnish the most maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin on the outside which doubtles had bene the greatest of all his workes if speedie death had not euen then preuented his designments Almightie God reseruing that excellent praise to another And it is not to be esteemed the least which in this kind was the last of his mortall workes The gift of Antonie Perotto Peter Antonie Perotto Generall of the Siluestrines bearing great affection deuotion to our B. Lady of Loreto gaue the Abbey of S. Laurence neere to Loreto to wit in the territorie of Castro Ficardo with all the villages houses meadowes fieldes oliueries and woods therunto belonging to the Church of Loreto with the Popes approbation the 12. yeare of this age Wherupon a few dayes before his death in behalfe of the House of Loreto he confirmed the Donation of that Abbey with his Pontificall Breue and ordained Perotto him selfe Gouernour of Loreto supposing as it fell out that he who tooke contentment to increase the wealth of Loreto would also be carefull to preserue defend the same when it was increased The Queenes of Naples visite the House of Loreto CHAP. XV. POPE Leo the X. succeeding Iulius not only in the Apostolicke Chaire but also in his good purpose desired nothing more theÌ„ to yeeld to none in honouring the sacred House of Loreto And to manifest this his desire God gaue fitt occasioÌ„ in the verie beginning of his â—eigne For at that time the fame of the celebritie of the House of Loreto comming to Naples prouoked the two Ioanes of Aragon the elder and the yonger by the commonaltie called the Queenes of Naples because they were desceÌ„ded of the royall bloud to visit the Church which was glorified with so many miracles Who with a greate traine passing through good part of the Kingdome of Naples and comming by Abruzzo into Picene were receiued of the people with great ioy and preparation which way soeuer they went At which time the munificence of Leo was very notable for in all the townes of the Popes dominions through which they were to passe he coÌ„manded that these Queenes should be receiued with princely entertainment not so much for their owne honour as for the celebritie of the House of Loreto and granted full remission of sinnes not onely to the Queenes themselues but likewise to all that resorted to Loreto at their comming thither and rightly reuerenced the sacred House of our B. Lady the same day The 14. yeare of this age those Queenes came to visit the House of Loreto and in Picene there is extaÌ„t a famous monumeÌ„t therof For the report goeth that by this occasion in the territory of MoÌ„te-Sancto a towne betweene Loreto and Firmo the faire beaten way was paued which at this day is called the way of the Queenes being so called in time past of these Queenes in whose honour it was made Pope Leo the X. adorneth the Sacred House with ample Decrees CHAP. XVI AFTERVVARD Leo commanded that all the Indusgences Immunities The benefits of Leo the X. and benefittes of Iulius the second of the precedent Popes granted to the House of Loreto should be ratified with an expresse Breue which donne he carefullie added more to more aboundantly For he made the Church of Loreto a Collegiate Church giuing it the seale and other dignities of such Churches where he ordained 12. Chanons out of which number the Archpriest the keeper of the befoued House were to be chosen as many resident Priests called Mansioners and six
last newes came to the Pope how in the towne of Loreto many infants and children perishing with the foggie aire before they came to mans estate by little and little the towne it selfe would become desolate if that the inhabitants as they intended departed thence to other places for want of posteritie Therfore thinking it to the glory of the B. Virgin of Loreto to haue the towne most frequented and the place very healthfull by aduise of the Architects he thought it most conuenient to dry vp the lakes adioyning to cut downe the woods to leuell the hills which ouer-looked the Church by the inhabitants called Monte Regal and Montinorum that by taking away the origeÌ„ of the mistes and making the heauens discouerable the cleare and open winde might blowe into the towne with many wholsome blasts to make the place more healthfull Wherupon he wrote to Iohn Antonie a Statis Gouernour of Loreto and to Antonie Sansouino the Architect in manner following Vnderstanding that the aire in those partes but speciallie in the summer-time is very vnhealthfull partlie for that a certaine hill ouerlooking the said Chappell and Church excludeth the vplandish windes healthfull to the place partlie also because in a plaine neere to the said church for fiue miles togeather manie lakes and woods almost allwaies slymie breed much vnhealthfulnes and desiring to make that Church famons throughout the whole worlde for the merits of the most glorious Virgin Marie and the multitude of people resoâ—ing thither healthfull by taking away the asoresaid causes we haue now ordained that the high hill which ouer-looketh the Church shall be plained the lakes dryed vp by ditches the woods cut downe Wherupon the Gouernour of Loreto euen with greater care then he was coÌ„manded beginning so healthfull a worke the 33. yeare of this age speedily hyring a great number of workmen by the Architect and also intreating poore Pilgrims to sett to their helping hands made haste to cutt downe the wood next vnto the towne to draine the lakes by ditches into the riuer running by or into the next part of the sea to leuell the hill that ouerlooked the towne which because it was a long and almost an infinite worke was then rather begunne then finished but that very beginning brought some better health to the inhabitants for the present and also much hope in time to come as the worke proceeded on Pope ClemeÌ„t sendeth 3. of his ChaÌ„ber into Dalmatia Galiley to seeke out the remoueall of the house of Loreto CHAP. XXVI WHEN the dwelling of Loreto was made more healthfull the Historie of the House of Loreto was made more manifest Hierome Angelita a CittizeÌ„ of Recanati an honour to his familie many waies not only for the nobilitie of his pareÌ„tage but also for the integritie of his life Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier Who at that time dedicated to Clement the Pope the Historie of the B. Virgin of Loreto which him selfe coÌ„posed The cause wherof was this Because about that time as before hath bene said out of the Chronicles of Flumen certaine Dalmatians brought to the Cittizens of Recanati the relation of the transportation of the sacred House from Galiley into Dalmatia and from thence into Picene Therfore either by reading the historie of Angelita or at the request of his friends or rather being mooued by heauenly inspiration Clement had a vehement desire to seeke out the remoouall of the sacred House in Galiley it selfe And albeit he was not ignoraÌ„t that that very thing was made euident inough both by the Dalmatians Frangipane being the authour therof as also by the common consent of Picene at the suite of the CittizeÌ„s of Recanati yet he held it to be the speciall office of the Pope himselfe last of all by speciall men to seeke out the certaintie of so vnusuall and almost so incredible a thing that the authoritie of the Pontificall Sea might confirme other folkes endeuours vtterly to take away all doubt out of the hartes of men if perchaÌ„ce any should remaine Wherupon out of the number of his familie he chose three of his Chamber of approued religion and credit whome he commanded to set forward as soone as he had giuen them notice what they must do and aboundantly furnished them with all things necessarie for them wishing them a happie iourney Who going to Loreto and viewing and measuring the sacred House with diligent care shipped them selues for Sclauonie Assoone as they came thither they found a little ancient house like to that of Loreto famous with the monumentes of miracles on a wall wherof was written that in times past the House of Loreto had beene seated there These thinges the inhabitants them selues did shew them and that they reported no vntruth their true teares trickling downe aboundantly of zeale was no small assurance Wherupon the Legates laying to their measures and finding all things exactly to agree coÌ„tinued on their iourney and ariuing in Galiley came to Nazareth where the inhabitants shewed them the foundations of the sacred House which viewing and measuring round about they found all things to accord Among these Embassadours there was one Iohn N. of Sienna who thinking to confirme the truth of the old miracle with some new signe brought thence two of the stones wherof the houses of Nazareth are commonly built which by his naturall forme is like to slate such as in some places is digged out of quarries easie to be hewed but markt and distinguished with yellow veines And Iohn returning to the House of Loreto with his fellow-Legates compared thoâ—â— stones of Nazareth with the stones of the sacred house and found them to be of the same kind and very like which also did increase the certaintie of the miracle seeing it is euident that no such quarrie of stones is in Picene where all buildings though very ancient for want of stuffe such stones are knowne to be made of bricke Wherfore being very glad of their good successe they made haste to Rome and after long expectation they came at last vnto the Pope related vnto him all that they had found More-ouer Iohn shewed him the stones of Nazareth very like to them of Loreto as witnesses of so great a miracle which was imbraced with exceeding ioy of the Pope with speciall applause of his retinew Three worthie men are deliuered from danger of death CHAP. XXVII ABOVT the same time the House of Loreto was ennobled with most worthie miracles Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier Iulianus Caesarin ê° is cured of a very daÌ„gerous disease Iulianus Caesarinus one of the Peeres of the Cittie of Rome being brought to the last cast with a grieuous sicknes at Bologna the 33. yeare of this age and being also giuen ouer by the Phisitians perceiued death to be at hand but imploring the helpe of the B. Virgin of Loreto he suddainly recouered therof The same yeare the Vayoud of Transiluania being ouercome and taken in battaile by Abrahim
soule giuē by vow to hell it self by fauour of the Mother of God was set in the liberty of the childrē of God that no wicked nor desperate man should despaire of saluation if he himselfe will not perish nor doubt of the clemencie of God who hath freelie giuen his B. Mother a Patronesse to offenders for their saluation The end of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF LORETO Collected by the Reuerend F. HORATIVS TVRSELLINVS Of the Society of IESVS The care of Pope Pius IIII. and of the Cardinall of Vrbine in adorning the House of Loreto CHAP. I. THIS meane while Pius succeeded Paul the IV. whose Popedome Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier as it was more ioyfull to Italy by reason of peace so was it more notable in adorning the House of Lerote For Pius built most of the higher porch of the Bishops Pallace The benefits and giftes of Pius the 4. made the old hospitall more conuenient and commodious by adding new building vnto it exempting the House of Loreto out of the Iurisdiction of the people of Recanati made it a free State the 65. yeare of this age The cause wherof was for that they were accused to be negligent in execution of Iustice and suffering the walls to decay in many places Wheruppon the towne of Loreto was restored to her former liberty by Pius the IIII. about 30. yeares after Paul the III. had committed it to the Gouernment of the Citty of Recanati who also commanded the Gouernour of Loreto to repay eight thousand Crownes to the Cittizens of Recanati albeit they should refuse it But the piety of the good Pope was not more notable in augmenting the State of Loreto then in adorning the B. Virgin herself For he supplied the number of the Chanons and of the Officers not a litle diminished with his Pontificall Breue established the Colledge of the Society of IESVS which Paul had inlarged and also increased it with reuenewes About which time the Cardinall of Carpa departing this mortall life he gaue the Patronship of Loreto to the Cardinall of Vrbine who in piety and care towards the B. Virgin of Loreto was inferiour to none of the former Patrons For first he committed the Gouernment of the House of Loreto to Pompeius Pallanterius by whose direction he caused the Thole of the Church to be adorned on the inside with costly marble worke Also at the foote of a hill which is neere to Loreto and in the high way that goeth to the hauen of Recanati he made a commodious and well adorned fountaine for Pilgrims and afterward by other Gouernours did many more notable things as in due place shall be sayd The care of the Picentians in defending the House of Loreto against the Turkes the protection of the B. Virgin towards her owne House CHAP. II. AT that time the terrour of the Turkish nauy comming to Loreto Annal. Laur. Rier did manifestly shew the deuotion of the Picentians to our B. Lady likewise the beneuolence of our B. Lady towards the Picentians Word was brought by the Scoutes that a great nauy of Turkes in which were a hundred fifty galleys had set out of Epyrus intending to assault Ancona assoone as they had spoiled the Church of Loreto And within few dayes a speach of their nauy being seene vpon the coast of Italy caused the Picentians to assemble themselues with great strength Among the first multitude the flower of Recanati flocked to Loreto to defend the Sacred House with fortifications and armes who neglecting their Countrey and friends fortified Loreto with rampiers bulwarkes And other people of Picene filling all the shores round about with armed men hasted thither with no lesse emulation chiefly to defend the Sacred House of Loreto with all their might against the Barbarians for with all willingnes they desired if necessity required to dye a glorious death for her and in her sight To these forces of armed men were conioyned cruell weapōs against the outragious Barbarians to wit the continuall prayers of the godly For all the Priests and deuout people of Loreto and of the bordering townes round about ceased not to pacifie Almighty God by praier by supplication to inuocate the B. Virgin that she her self would vouchsafe to defend her owne House and Clients Their praier and vow had effect For the B. Virgin mother of God did not onelie keepe the force of the Barbarians from her natiue House but also from the Territorie of Picene it self Because the Captaines of the Turkish nauy suddainlie changed their determination of attempting Ancona and turned their fury on the maritime people of Abruzzo where setting their men a land and taking Ortona Guasto Francauilla and other no meane townes of Abruzzo by force they destroied them with fier and sword Hauing for the most part ransackt Abruzzo yet they durst not touch the bordering Countrey wholy exposed to their prey euen so present was the protection of the B. Virgin of Loreto vnto her owne people Whereuppon the Pope himself being most glad that the House of Loreto was deliuered out of such imminent danger by heauenlie protection thought it also his dutie to prouide that heereafter it might not onelie be far from danger but euen from any feare therof For which cause by aduise of the Architects he determined to fortifie the hills neere to the towne whence the enemy might easilie assault the sacred House with walls fortresses ditches and rampiers to the end that it might not onelie be able to withstand their suddaine incursions but also notablie sustaine a siege But one care after another put of this holie determination of the Pope finallie vntimelie death wholie dissolued his holie and godlie purpose The Bishop of Conymbria being taught by his owne harme restoreth a stone which he procured to be taken out of the House of Loreto CHAP. III. THIS time was not without miracles and Donaries Annal. Laur. Rier For neuer before in so few yeares did there happen a greater number better witnessed and more knowne among all people wherof this was most famous in all the Christian world The 61. yeare of this age Iohn Suarez Bishop of Conymbria a man famous for learning and pietie going to the Coūcell of Trent sūmoned by Pius the IIII. came out of his way to go to Loreto about the Natiuitie of the B. Virgin where dutifullie making his prayer and performing his vow he had a great desire to build in his Bishopricke a litle House like to that of Loreto for which purpose he desired to take some one stone out of the House of Loreto it self But the Gouernour of the place and the Patron withstood it menacing him with the Popes inhibition Yet Suarez making honourable shew to propagate the reuerence of the B. Virgin of Loreto in Portugall obtayned his desire of the Pope by an Authenticall Breue which by Francis Stella his Chapline for he himself was gone to Trent he sent
to the Gouernour of Loreto who at that time was Pompeius Pallanterius But assoone as it was reported abroad that a Priest of the Bishop of Conymbria was come authorized with the Popes Breue to diminish the wall of the most Maiesticall Cell in verie deed the thing seemed verie vnfitting not onelie to the Gouernour and Chanons but also to townes-folkes and strangers no lesse pernicious for the present domage then for future example Whereupon euerie one pronounced that there would be an end of the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin For if once they began to take away the stones of the sacred House in short time not so much as one would be left Notwithstanding because the Popes authoritie did vrge after diuine seruice and a solemne procession the Chanons and the Priests of Loreto assembled themselues into the sacred Cell of the B. Virgin rather to suffer then to do that which was commanded For all resolutelie refusing such a seruice with a fit instrument Stella himself pulled and tooke the stone out of the wall all the keepers of the sacred House saying confidently vnto him that it would be but short ioy vnto his Bishop that the Minister of sacriledge might take that from God and his B. Mother which doubtlesse by the manifest indignation of them both he would shortlie bring back againe It was a Prophesie For these wordes seeming to come from heauen pierced the brest of the audacious man and filled it with anxious cares Whereuppon vncertaine what to do albeit the command of his Bishop did vrge he staied eight whole daies at Loreto and spent all that time in vaine to pacific Almightie God For how could he asswage the heauenly wrath who suffered the cause therof to remaine about him At last on the Calendes of December he began his iourney much troubled in minde with a certaine religious dread sollicitude And coming to Anconae without any inconuenience and holding on his iourney without feare of ill successe he presentlie perceiued that Almightie God did punish him for his rashnesse Because from that time he was alwaies so molested with raine and tempestuous weather yet perseuering still to go whither he intended that euerie moment he escaped many and great dangers of life For most of the waies were almost vnpassable by reason of lakes and streames which hindered him Also furious waters encountering threatened him destruction Likewise the horse on which he rode being not able to stand fell downe and he himself tumbling after was so moiled in the lakes that he was enforced to change his horses but he had no better successe with any And thus diuers accidents hindering his vnluckie iourney he came at length to Trent in the end of the moneth of December hauing passed many inconueniences and dangers and deliuered the sacred stone vnto the Bishop telling him how deerlie he had bought it But the Bishop being made nothing more circumspect therby hauing space strangelie giuen him to repent nor willing to learne by an others perill was taught by his owne For about the end of Februarie inclosing the sacred stone in a siluer case and preparing to send it into Portugall he was suddainlie taken with an extreme burning feuer and began to be miserablie anguished and molested therwith which brought with it a more grieuous and cruell disease to witt most bitter paine of the groine which permitted him to take no rest at all Forthwith Phisitians are set aworke who applying all things in vaine because his sicknes comming to him as a punishment from God the cure therof might verie well surpasse their skill they constantlie pronounced that the force and cause of his griefe seemed not to them any humane thing Therefore it was best for him to consider whether peraduenture Almighty God might not inflict that horrible punishment vpon him for offending him And so fearing vnfortunate euent of the cure they departed despairing of his recouerie Wheruppon the Bishop was verie sollicitous and much perplexed in himself whether for any secret offence Alm. God had inflicted such horrible punishment on him And being thus forsaken of the Physitians he began to be tormented more in minde then in bodie to looke diligentlie into himself And because he was troubled with a scruple about the stone which he procured from Loreto he ceased not to mitigate the wrath of God by all the meanes he could and with sighes and feruent praier to aske pardon of the B. Virgin of Loreto if perchance he had offended by violating her sacred House and to confesse that he was ready to cōdescend to all to make satisfactiō His praier was not vnheard assoone as in some sort he acknowledged and detested his fault For within a while he seemed to heare a silent voice as it were from heauen commanding him to restore the stone which he had taken from the B. Virgin of Loreto But fearing leste it might be the vaine immagination of a weake minde both because he had gotten it by the Popes authoritie and also for that he would not defraud Portugall of so great a good now obtained for her he remayned doubtfull what to do In this meane while some weekes were spent Wheruppon by commandement of his Lord at last Stella carefully recommended the Bishop verie dangerously sicke to two holy monasteries of sacred Virgins in the Cittie of Trent And within two dayes one of the chiefe of either Monasterie brought answere if that the Bishop would be cured he must restore that which he had taken from the B. Virgin of Loreto when Stella heard what they said he was amazed admiring how Virgins shutt vp in their Cloisters could know of the stone of Loreto which truly at Trent besides himself the Bishop none knew because he commanded the thing to be concealed with all care Not doubting therefore but that the whole matter was shewed vnto them by a heauenlie signe he tolde his Lord what he had heard Whereat the Bishop remained like one astonished and wounded with remorse gaue many sighes And by and by with his elbow lifting himself vp vpon the bed where he lay and holding vp both hands eyes to heauen with trickling teares he ernestly intreated pardon of the Mother of God That the mercifull Mother would vouchsafe to pardon his pious errour that she would forgiue him acknowledging his fault For he would keepe nothing of the House of Loreto against her will he was resolued determined forthwith to restore that which he had receiued thence and mistrusted not but to recouer health by her meanes assoone as he had restored the sacred stone vnto her that she would therfore help him who had giuen him this hope He failed not in his promise nor the B. Virgin his hope For presently Suarez commanded Stella himself who brought it to recarry it backe to Loreto with all the speed he could Neither in vaine For he was scarce gone out of the gate of the Citty on a horse of good speed but the
darknes was suddenly taken away and he recouered his desired sight The thing is well witnessed For he came to Loreto the yeare 1564. and brought with him the letters of Annibal Cassalius the Protonotary Apostolicall Vicar of Fauentia in witnes of the miracle The B. Virgin cureth two that were dumbe restoring to the one the vse of his tongue and to the other his tongue when it was cut out CHAP. XI THE B. Virgin was not more bountifull to the blind Annal. Laur. Rier then to the dumbe A little boy of Iohn Vbaldus of Padua a famous Captaine in the warr was so troubled with the falling sicknes that it tooke from him the vse of his tongue And hauing layne three yeares both dumbe sicke the father of the child despayring of help by meanes of Phisitians implored the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto in behalf of his sonne and his prayer was heard For in continent the child did not only recouer his former speach but also health of body by miracle Whereupon his father brought him to Loreto the yeare 1563. that both might giue due thankes to the B. Virgin Mother of God and performe their vow who related the whole matter to the Gouernour of Loreto and to many others But this is most admirable The president of Abruzzo comming to Loreto went out of his way to go to Cluitella where he apprehended a wicked man vsing now and then to vtter impious speeches against Alm. God the B. Virgin of Loreto Wherewith the PresideÌ„t being incensed to great wrath for example sake presently reuenged his filthy â—aÌ„guage by cutting out his sacrilegious tongue And not contenting himself with this he deliuered him ouer to prison commanding him to be carefully kept vntill he returned from Loreto that then he might determine whether he deserued to be punished with greater torment But the poore wretch being in great paine with the inflicted punishment and also solicitous for that which was past at last repeÌ„ted turning wickednes into reuerence vsed all diligence both day and night to mitigate the B. Virgin of Loreto by silent prayer vow beseeching her to asswage the Viceroyes anger against him to giue him meanes to cleanse his soule of sinne by sacred ConfessioÌ„ The praier of the wicked man repeÌ„ting and detesting his fault did not mislike the B. Virgin of Loreto For within a while the Mother of God appeared vnto him in his sleepe bidding him be of god comfort for in short time he should be deliuered out of prison that he might go to the House of Loreto and there confesse his sinnes by means of a new tongue The euent approued the prediction When he awaked a certaine tongue as it may seeme began to grow againe by which he vttered the conceite of his mind without any difficulty at all And the Viceroy returning from Loreto and vnderstanding of the matter thought good to pardoÌ„ him whom the B. Virgin herself had pardoned Therfore in coÌ„tinent he set him at liberty hereafter aduising him to be wiser by his owne perill and giuing him letters to the Penitentiaries in token of the miracle he sent him to Loreto to performe his vow When he came thither not only the Viceroyes letter but also the thing it self witnessed the miracle to all For when he opened his mouth a wonderfull thing to be seene they saw that his tongue was cut out and that a certaine little tongue did grow vnderneath in place of the other wherewith when he himself would albeit with stammering they heard him speake This was not all For returning home and receiuing the sacred mysteries twice or thrice a new tongue increased by a new miracle to the iust bignes Wheruppon comming againe to Loreto to giue due thankes to the Mother of God to the very same who a little before had seene his tongue cut out wherof Raphaell Riera who set it downe in writing was one he shewed it growne out againe by the immortall gift of our B. Ladie to the admiration and wonder of all extolling the B. Virgin for so notable and so worthie a miracle A Iew is deliuered out of prison by the B. Virgin and baptized at Loreto CHAP. XII THE B. Virgin of Loreto did not onelie make the Christians Annal. Laur. Rier but also the Iewes partakers of her benignitie and help A certaine Hebrue of Nazareth a man in other respects graue and wise dwelled at Nazareth in the verâ—e street where as we said before the impressions of the House of Loreto were yet in the ground to be seene who by neernes of the place of which by report he had heard many admirable things had gotten some sparkle of religion For knowing that the Christians did reuerence Mary his Cittizen with great deuotion and respect he also began to honour her and for the same cause was not far from belieuing in Christ himself But as they are a kinde of people hard and peruerse he continued in the old superstition wherin he was inured from his Childhood by continuall vse But at last extreme miserie bowed his obstinate mind For at 60. yeares of age he being apprehended by the Turkes for what wickednes I know not and condemned to perpetuall imprisonment he pined away with miserie and despayring of bodilie health began to thinke of his soule And hauing a great care and zeale of saluation inspired into him from aboue he prayed suppliantlie for pardon to God the Creâ—tour of the world whereby obstinacy was ouercome by myserie and heauenlie light shined to his blinded mind Therefore with great deuotion he called on Iesus the Messias of the Christians on Marie the Mother of the Messias When he had sollicitouslie doÌ„ne so he weÌ„t to bed full of hope and confidence and his hope was not in vaine For the same night Christ appearing vnto him in his sleepe the Nazaren knowing him by the similitude in which the Christians did worship him he confessed him to be the true God the Messias of the world and suppliantlie adored him in his sleep And presentlie the likenes of a Virgin of exceeding beautie and maiestie was also represented vnto him by whose coÌ„mand an other Virgin her coÌ„panion vnloosed him out of the irons wherwith he was fettered and opening the doores of the prison brought him to the hauen yet fast asleep but seeing in his dreame what was donne in verie deed Then the more powerfull Virgin seeming to be the others Mistresse shewed him a boat in readines and said vnto him Now thou art free therfore be mindefull of thy Deliuerefle for beholde I haue prepared thee a meane to escape neither will I faile to helpe thee as thou fliest away â—or thy part go to Loreto which is a Towne of Picene in the Prouince of Italie there receiue Christian Baptisme and offer vp thy self at the Altar of Mary with purpose of better life And the Iew giuing thankes to both but chieflie to her who seemed the worthier
better sort are bountifully intertained CHAP. III. BVT Pope Gregory not forgetting that which he determined in the beginning of his Popedome that is to say to amplify the State of the House of Loreto and of the Christian world as at Rome and els where of diuers Nations so at last he determined at Loreto to institute a Colledge of Sclauonians that it might be a great solace and aide to that afflicted Nation Wheruppon he gaue commaundment that three hundred yong men should be instructed there in learning and good manners not onely to be a glory to the Sclauonian people but also an ornament to the House of Loreto it self To whome he allowed sufficient mayntenance out of the treasury of Loreto and certaine houses where the hospitall was before building a new hospitall in an other place These Sclauonian students were appointed to be present in the Church on festiuall daies in their surplisses to assist and serue at high Masse and to be instructed and taught were committed to the Fathers of the Society of Iesus Meane while the Pope vsing all diligence to increase and beautify the sacred ornature of the Church set vp an other paire of Organes of great variety and curiosity garnished with gold and paynting From which time the Church of Loreto hath had two notable paire of Organes to witt them of Iulius and of Gregory that great variety of musicke might grace the solemne seruice Cardinall Morono departing this life the Pope preferred Cardinall Vastauillanus his sisters sonne to that dignity Vitalis Leonorius Gouernour of Loreto who assoone as Vincent Casale was elected Bishop of Massa appointed Vitalis Leonorius a man not to be misliked to gouerne Loreto who being a very industrious man with carefull manuring of the ground increased the reuenewes of the House of Loreto and nothing at all diminishing her benignity to poore Pilgrims The hospitalyty of the House of Loreto prouided to intertaine Noble men very liberally and bountifully For which purpose he magnificently adorned the new and goodly parlour lately built in the Popes Pallace where he intertained principall men very carefully prouiding for them whatsoeuer belonged to good hospitality Wheruppon all returned home full of ioy and comfort reporting that they were very liberally vsed and intreated at Loreto which was as profitable to the sacred House as honourable to our B. Lady The piety and munificence of Duke Ioyeuse and of the King of France CHAP. IIII. NEVER before did more Peeres of diuers Nations honour the House of Loreto Vict Brigant with their presence and gifts as witnesseth Victor Brigantius who being a godly Priest and Resident at Loreto wrote an Appēdix of the History of Loreto affirming that now at this time many principall men came to visit the sacred House of Loreto and to present most worthy gifts Duke Ioyeuse comming out of France to Loreto to salute the Mother of God and shewing no lesse singes of deuotion then of liberality spent eight whole daies in the seruice of our B. Lady and in admiration of the House of Loreto within which time he thrice receaued the heauēly banquet in the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin and at his departure put foure thousand Crownes into the arke with memorable munificence But not contenting himself with this gift as he returned by Florēce from Rome from reuerencing the Pope in dutifull sort he sent the like summe of gold to the B. Virgin fo◠a gift adding thereunto two siluer lamps of great weight which burne continually before the B. Virgin in token of the notable and almost Princely munificence of Duke Ioyeuse This money built good part of the lodgings which were appointed to intertaine principall men to wit those which at this day do stand right against the Church of Loreto which albeit they were quickly brought vnto their full height notwithstanding they remaine rude and vnperfect Neither did the King of France himself yield vnto the Princely munificēce of a Duke of Frāce A vvorrhy gift of the King of France For when by reason of publicke affaires Henry the iij. could not himself visit honour the B. Virgin of Loreto with gifts in his place he sent vnto her a Princely gift by a Portugese one of the chiefe Peeres of France the yeare 1584. which was a worthy Cuppe to obtaine by the intercession of the B. Virgin issue male for the King and his Kingdome a gift for substance and worke most excellent For the Cuppe it self is of a hollowed gemme at this day called the Azure-stone ancient writers call it a Saphire as some thinke It is also very big and intermingled with golden veines the couer wherof is of turned Chrystall set in gold and adorned with many excellentiewells In the toppe of the couer an Angell of gold doth hold in his hand a lilly of Diamōdes the armes of the Kingdome of France which lilly doth consist of three Diamondes ioyned togeather in the gold with admirable art The foote of the Cuppe being Emerald is bound about and supported with gold which is notably adorned with precious stones rich oriēt pearls In the bottome of the Emerald foote which we said to be of gold the giuer and the cause of his gift is engrauen in manner following O Queene who by thy worthy Sonne Didst ioyfull blessing bring To all the world blesse with a Sonne The Kingdome and the King HENRY THE III. KING OF FRANCE AND POLONY THE YEARE OF OVR SALVATION M.D.LXXXIV But by the secret iudgment of God somtimes that effect is not giuen to our praiers as we wish that they may be heard for our good The gift was accepted but the vow not obtained Other gifts of the Nobility of France CHAP. V. AFTERWARD the Duke D'Oaumale one of the chiefe Princes of France Vict. Brigant came to visit the House of Loreto where rightly receauing the sacred mysteries he spent almost foure daies in the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin very deuoutly in praier and at his departure henoured the Mother of God with gifts Shortly after a worthy gift of the Duke of Espernon was brought to Loreto The fall of the Duke of Espernon graced with a notable miracle The Duke of Espernon going from Gascony to Lions to Henry King of France in the way met the Duke of Ioyeuse traualling to the same place Who after mutuall salutations began to trauell together and comming to a narrow way among steepy hills the horse of Espernon began to fling which turned to the danger of his Maister For as he ernestly endeuoured to stoppe his horse from yearking and plunging he was cast headlong from a high rocke where his seruants taking him vp for dead carried him speedily to the village next vnto Lions Of all others Espernon was most deere to the King and the King himself being moued with this dreadfull message made haft vnto him and there passed all the night procuring remedies to be applied to his most deere friend
place from whence he had taken it long agoe Assoone as it was restored he recouered his former health The thing is well witnessed Iohn Baptista Carminata Superiour of the Society of IESVS in the Prouince of Sicily sent the sacred stone with letters declaring the whole matter to Rome to Cardinall Vastauillano Patron of Loreto who sent it straight to Leonorius Gouernour of Loreto with the letter which he receiued out of Sicily commāding that it should be carefully put into the place where it was before Wheruppon assoone as it came to Loreto Leonorius commanding a solemne procession and going to the gate to meet it recarried it to the most sacred House with the greatest pompe that might be A meruailous thing to be spoken and seene It was scant brought vnto the fortunate House of our B. Lady when by and by as if God had shewed it the voide place appeared whence it was euident that fragment was taken twenty yeares agone and assoone as it was put into his owne place againe a remembrance was made in token of the miracle to represse the boldnes of other Pilgrims About the same time the new rashnes of mortall men gaue God occasion to shew new example in the lesser peeces of stones I finde many exāples of many who aduēturing the same quickly smarted for their folly vntill they had learned by their owne harme to restore that which they had takē frō thence But we will omit them lest many things of one kind should breed tediousnes Neither did Almighty God seeme to be more carefull to preserue the sacred stones thā the morter wherwith the stones themselues are ioyned togeather Alexandria is no meane Citty of Lombardy built and so called by the Confederate Citties in fauour of Pope Alexander the third A Cittizē of which place comming to visit the House of Loreto stole a litle morter out of the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin and returning home bruized it and put it into a siluer case togeather with an AGNVS DEI. But his foolish piety was nothing pleasing to God and his B. Mother For assoone as he hung that case about his wiues necke for what cause it is vncertaine the Prince of Diuells entred into her with no small company of his attendants wherwith the vnhappy womā being miserably vexed for the space of nine yeares to her husbands great griefe at last God of his goodnes sent her remedy Iohn Baptista Vauninus a Priest of the Society of IESVS preached at that time to the people of Alexandria as the manner is Who vnderstanding of the matter by her husbād the author of so wicked a thing forthwith exhorted him to restore the sacred dust if he did no doubt but in short time his wife would be deliuered from diuells wherewith she was tormented He was easily persuaded For taking the sacred morter out of the siluer case he himself deliuered it to Vauninus beseeching him to send it to Loreto with all speed Their hope deceiued them not For within few daies three of the tormenting diuells were expelled out of the body of the possessed woman not so much by vertue of the Exorcismes as by the praier of our B. Lady Wheruppon Vauninus putting the said morter into a case sent it presently to Loreto to the Rector of the Society of IESVS intreating him by letter with all speed to restore it to the sacred House of our B. Lady whence it was taken and to intreate peace and pardon of the B. Virgin for that miserable woman that by expelling the rest of the tormēting diuells she would vouchsafe to restore vnto her her former health which afterward was found to haue happened as he desired And assoone as the morter was brought backe to Loreto it was reserued in a conuenient place to be a document to mortall men not to aduenture the like Also the letter of Vauninus dated on the third of the Ides of Nouember the yeare of our Redemption 1579. is preserued likewise there in token of the miracle A ship of Epidaurus is deliuered out of the hands of Pirats by a worthy Miracle CHAP. IX WITH a notable and a famous Miracle we will conclude the most worthy and most illustrious Popedome of Gregory About that time a shippe of Epidaurus being laden with rich merchandize of Constantinople returned to Epidaurus by the Commonalty called Ragusa Which in the mid-way suddainly sustained such quietnes and calme of sea that for want of wind she could not mooue out of the place Wherby many sculking Pirats were presently at hand who spreading round about began to assault the destitute ship withall their force And albeit the Christiās were fewer in number yet at first they notably withstood the assault of the Barbarians but at last being ouercome with labour and woundes they failed as equall vnto them neither in courage nor strength Wheruppon being in great danger of taking by the Barbarians and deuoutly calling to mind the manifold fauours of our B Lady of Loreto all called on her with humble supplication and vowed if she deliuered them out of that imminent danger they would carry a goodly Chalice to the House of Loreto for a gift and withall would there wash away the blemishes of their sinnes by sacred Confession Their praier and vow proued not in vaine For by by a thicke mist arising so obscured the light with her darknes that it tooke from the Pirats greedily desiring so wealthy a prey the sight of the ship of Epidaurus For which cause the Christians acknowledged the help of the Mother of God and exulting with ioy amidst their feare gaue deuout thankes to God and his B. Mother Contrarily the Barbarians raging and grieuing to see the prey taken out of their handes endeuoured what they could to recouer the ship which they had lost But in vaine For a certaine night as it were hanging ouer the sea tooke from thē the sight of the vessell which they pursued they thēselues wandred euen as men in darknes Meanwhile a prosperous winde blowing in the cloud carried the ship along which escaping all danger by fauour of our B. Lady arriued safe at Epidaurus whence the Marriners and Passengers came to Loreto to performe their vow And this was almost all that happened at Loreto whiles Gregory was Pope Loreto is made a Citty by Xistus V. and adorned with a Bishops Sea CHAP. X. AS Xystus V. the emulator of Gregory would not seeme his inferiour in other things so would he be accounted more forward and diligent in augmenting the state of the House of Loreto For being borne in Picene he thought good to adorne the chiefe Patronesse of the Picentians with all care Therfore as it were to execute the determination of Pope Marcellus the secōd he gaue Loreto the title of a Citty adorning her with a Bishops Sea assigning certaine townes there about to her Iurisdiction The first Bishop of Loreto was Francis Cantucius a Cittizen of Perugia famous for learning and sanctimony
places where the Sacred House did stand CHAP. IX AND at this day there are extant in all these places Hiero. Angel vndoubted proofes hereof For Nicolas Frangipane as we shewed before builte a magnificent Church about the new House which he caused to be made to resemble that of Nazareth set it in the very impressions where the other stood calling it the Church of our B. Lady of Tersact either for an anciēt memorie of the most sacred Chappell or els for that it was honoured with new miracles And in this Church not farre from the dore of the resembled house of Nazareth there is yet a worthy monument of Nicolas Frangipane who founding that Church in token o◠his great deuotion towardes the natiue House of the B. Virgin chose for him selfe and his posteritie a tombe neere to the impressions therof where also remaineth a very ancient marble table to witnesse so great a miracle to posteritie wherin is engrauen THIS IS THE PLACE VVHERE THE MOST SACRED HOVSE OF THE B. VIRGIN OF LORETO SOMETIME VVAS NOVV REVERENCED IN THE TERRITORIES OF RECANATI Which many of good credit haue reported assuring me that thē selues haue seene them And in that place where it rested when it came first into Picene as long as the wood stood and it stood vntill the 75. yeare of this age there appeared no obscure signes of the remouall of the sacred House and of the miracle For that parcell of ground on which it was seated was alwaies beautified with greene herbes and flowers when all the rest thereabout being ouer-growne with thicke bushes and thornes were sauage and rude Neither is the thing doubtfull For Hierome Angelita doth so deliuer it in his storie of the B. Virgin of Loreto which he dedicated to Pope Clement the 7. at that very time when this was a miracle to the beholders holders And with this part of ground were seene the impressions of the sacred walles imprinted in the earth representing holines and as it were some diuine thing In so much that I my selfe receiued the same from Raphael Riera a man of sincere credit and religion who was wont to tell that he often beheld the impressions of the sacred House and the beautie of this parcell of ground with great delight But the wood being lately cutt downe the land made arable this exceeding pleasantnes therof was so spoiled by the rude husbandmen with diging and sowing that it vtterly decayed Yet to preserue the religion of the place in those very impressions the said Riera raised little low walles both for a monument to posteritie that the sacred House of Loreto had in time past beene there as also for a defence against the abuses of cattle and simple men I my selfe saw and viewed this place when I committed these thinges to writing and obserued that the parcell of ground inclosed within those walles was euery way answerable both in length and breadth to the House of Loreto But now it is altogeather like to the other ground thereabout hauing lost the exceeding pleasantnes which it had before the rude husbādmen violated the sanctitie of the place yet truely it hath so lost the sweetnes that it retaineth the religion For at this day it is visited of many for deuotiō sake would also be visited of more but that the place is vnknowne to the common people In time past when it was more knowne either by reason of the exceeding pleasantnes or better commoditie of the wayes it was wont to be so reuerenced of the Pilgrimes that none almost would belieue that he had visited the Cell of the B. Virgin of Loreto that had not also reuerenced those first impressions of the same Cell Now the place is altogeather vnfrequented without passage neither hath it a knowne way vnto it so that if any will visit it he hath need of a skilfull guide It is distant from the towne of Loreto almost a mile and as much also from the sea not so much right on as by many turnings It is situated betweene the mont Vrsus and the Riuer Musion with almost the like distance as betweene Loreto and the sea and is commonly called Banderola peraduenture of a banner which in time past was sett vp in a certaine tree to demonstrate to Pilgrimes as they came and to seafaring men sayling along that coast that the most sacred Chappell was seated in that wood Certes the Italians do call a litle Banner Banderola By the sacred part of ground wherof I haue spoken there is a great well which continually yeldeth water easie to be drawne of you may belieue that this vnusuall and large well was made for the vse of some great multitude to wit for people which came to visit the sacred House But in the hill of the two Brothers the signes are more obscure for that hill was leuelled to fill vp the valleys to make them commodious for bulding and also built vpon when the towne of Loreto was built yet the place or rather a signe therof remaineth For without the walles of some priuate houses there is a certaine rude and a round peece of a hill like to a bound-marke which is graced with a little house being now the only signe of the seate that our B. Lady made choise of there and forsooke againe The house wherunto this boūdmarke is ioyned being situated not farre from the gate of the Bishops Pallace on the right hand as we enter is as it were the nauell or midst of the towne of Loreto And if that part of the Bishops Pallace which is already begunne be continued it will occupie almost all that space but then also as I suppose some monumēt of this place and miracle shall be left that the signe of so memorable a thing may not perish The speciall place and the admirable situation of the house of Loreto CHAP. X. IN the afore named places the B. Virgin mother of God chose her self a seate rather to rest in than to dwell that is to say of no long continuance because she determined euer from the beginning to make a setled seate in this place where at this present she remaineth and vnles some offence of the inhabitants or borderers do hinder it we hope an euerlasting Neither is it lawfull to doubte but as the mother of God from the beginning foresaw so could she haue auoided the indiligence of the Dalmatians in Sclauonie the crueltie of the theeues in the wood and the detestable hatred of the two brothers in the hill that was common vnto them For well knowing all this euen from the time that her sacred house departed first from Nazareth and forsooke her natiue soile she her selfe made speciall choise of this place to settle her a firme and a perpetuall seate And in very deed to giue credit to so vnusuall a miracle The cause of her manifolde remoouall and neuer heard of before the repetiō of the same miracle was needfull that the often
mutation of the place in so few yeares might make a thing of it selfe incredible credible inough For how could mortall men doubt whether that House was brought from Galiley when them selues had heard that in their owne age the same was transported out of Sclauonie into Picene and had seene that in Picene it selfe within lesse then the compasse of a mile it changed seat and place thrice before the yeare was expired This third and last mutation fell in the yeare of our Redemption 1295. Prep Terē Hier. Angel which ensued after the cōming of the sacred House into Italy And it is a thing worth the labour to know the admirable situatiō therof which doth easily shew that the most sacred Cell was not so placed by humane but by diuine prouidence and power For it is situated if euer any were iust to the foure regiōs of heauen and earth according to the rule of the Mathematicians And not according to that rule only but also by an ancient institution of the holy Fathers who commanded that the Altars of sacred houses should stād towardes the rising of the Sunne Therfore the fore-wall of this most sacred House beautified with the window wherat the Angell is said to haue entred doth stand towardes the Sunne sett and the hinder adorned with the Altar standing before the Image of our B. Lady looketh so directly towardes the Sunne rising that in either Equinoctiall for the space often dayes In eyther Equinoctiall the Sūne doth seeme to reuerence and salute our B. Lady the Sunne when he riseth shineth on the hinder part and when he setteth on the former part therof wherby a little before he setteth the Sunne shining in at the window which I haue mentioned commeth to the B. Virgin as it were to salute her at night sith he cannot salute her in the morning being excluded by the interposed wall of the sacred House it selfe which also as they report was obscrued to be so since the Sacred House was inuironed within a Church vntill the forefront of the Bishoppes Pallace being opposite vnto the Church was placed on the west side Yet neuerthelesse I doubt not but when the gate thereof shall stand open which can not be vntill the worke be finished it will easile yield againe the self same view of the sunne by the window of the sacred Chappell that it may salute the B. Mother of God from the enterance of the Church it self The left wall of this moste sacred Chappell doth stand towards the north and the right towards the south and therefore when the magnificent porch of the Bishops pallace standing against the south for the B. Virgin by the situation of her Cell prescribed as it were to the Architect the situation of the Bishops pallace doth daylie receiue the sunne directlie into it infalliblie it betokeneth high noone And that this so admirable a situation of the moste sacred Chappell happened not by chance but was so appointed by the prouidence of God proofe hereof be the impressions in the wood it self yet extant as I my self haue diligentlie obserued which do sufficientlie shew that the B. Virgin herself did delight in such a situation The same peraduenture happened in the hill of the two brothers but it can not be iudged by reason that the impressions are obscure And perchāce also the same happened by course in the Dalmatian seate yet we haue no certaintie thereof but that the thing it self is consonant vnto the others And two chiefe mysteries to witt the natiuitie of the B. Virgin and the Conception of the Eternall VVord haue made this sacred house most illustrious whereof that happeneth in the Autumne and this in the Equinoctiall spring Wherefore as the sunne hath iust cause to visit her in either Equinoctiall so likewise being as it were mindefull of these sacred mysteries with a certaine kinde of ambition a litle after his rising and before his setting he seemeth to comme to the B. Virgin mother of God to salute her By manifestation of the Dalmatians the Picentians know that the natiue house of the B. Virgin is brought vnto them CHAP. XI BVT to returne to the order of the mateer whence the wonder of the rare situation made vs to digresse at first the new migratiō of this sacred house seemed wonderfull to the people of Recanati but afterward gratefull and pleasant And as the same admiration of the place was more increased by the miraculous multiplication of the triple transmigration of the holie Cell so likewise did Alm. God dilate the honour of his B. Mother both among the inhabitants and strangers For the remoouall of this moste sacred house from Nazareth and Dalmatia being spoken of Praep. Terem Hier. Angel and crediblie reported much about this time strooke the Picentians into greate feare leste it might also in time forsake them specially being already dishonoured in two places of their Countrey Newes of the House of Loreto and of these her wonders being lately reported in Sclauonie by certaine marchants enkindled the Dalmatians beginning to suspect something to visit the House that was so glorified with miracles and to emulate the pietie of the Picentians Wherupon certaine of them beholding the Chappell of Loreto for the remēbrance of her departure from Sclauonie was yet fresh acknowledged it not vnwillingly to be the same and performed their dutifull veneration with flowing teares and presently renewing their former griefe and sighing with the desire they had to see their lost treasure thus they began to bewaile their late domage This House which now is honoured in Picene with so great concourse of mortall men was lately reuerenced in Dalmatia with almost the like endeuours of our people This natiue House of the B. Virgin was first cōueied by heauenly power from Galiley into Sclauonie that afterward the Picentians might haue it brought vnto them out of Dalmatia it selfe This wonder was shewed to the Dalmatians by a heauenly signe and made manifest by certaine men sent into Galiley Therfore let them acknowledge and reuerence this heauenly gift with great deuotion lest the same happen to them which they heare hath chanced vnto others and what manner of gift it is they may rather knowe by wanting then by enioying the same Neyther do we despaire if our deedes were answerable to our desires but that this very House of the Blessed Virgin would returne into Sclauonie againe from whence it departed not many yeares agon But because these and such like speaches of the Sclauonians were strange and wonderfull to the Picentians for as yet they had heard nothing of her transmigration from Nazareth and Dalmatia many esteemed thē vaine foolish But in short time a new wonder from heauē declared them to be true indeed By reuelation of our B. Lady an Hermite importuneth the Picentians to inquire of the matter CHAP. XII NEERE to the wood and seat which the B. Virgin mother of God did first make choise of in Picene Praep.