there was no water at all or earth but à hollow rock from whence stones had been dig'd to build the Castle Simon Waterford Vicar who had Christened the Child John de Bois John Gyffen all sworn Witnesses took their Oaths upon the Gospel that they saw and handled the Child dead the Kings Crowners Stephen Ganuy and William Nottingham presently called for went down into the Mote found the Childs body cold and stiff covered with à little hoary frost stark dead indeed While the Crowners as their office required began to write what they had seen one John Syward à Neighbour not far off went down into the Grot gently handled the Childs body all over and finding it as dead as ever any was made the Sign of the Crosse upon it's forhead and earnestly prayed after this manner Blessed S. Thomas Cantelupe you by whom God has wrought innumerable Miracles show mercy upon this little Infant and obtain he may return to life again if this grace be granted he shall visit your holy Sepulcre and render humble thanks to God and you for the favour No sooner had Syward The dead Child restored to life spoken these words but the Child began to move his head and right Arm à little and forthwith life and vigour Came again into every part of his Body The Crowners and à world of other Standers by saw the Miracle and in that very place with great Admiration returned humble thanks to God and S. Thomas for what they had seen The Mother now overioyed taking the Child in her armes went that day to hear Masse in à Church not far off where prostrate on her knees she with à greatful heart Justly attributed the Life of her Infant to God and S. Thomas Her Devotions ended She returned home and the Child feeling no pain at all merry and joyful walk'd as he was wont to do up and down the house though à little Scarr Still continued in one cheek which after three dayes quite vanisht away All these Particulars with many more the lesser I omit were proved upon Oath before the Lords Commissioners who subscribed to the Miracle a Truth not to be doubted of Two great Miracles wrought by Saints Thomas 15. Robert Russel brought before the Lords Comissioners by the Procurator of Hereford was commanded to depose upon Oath what he knew true concerning à Miracle said to be wrought upon his Son Galfrid Robert depossed that three years past upon wednesday in the Passion Week he drove à Cart heavy laden with earth drawn by four Oxen and passed through à Court-yeard where Galfrid his son about à year and an half old lay sleeping upon the ground His wife Letice then present by chance espying the danger Galfrid was in cryed out though too late O Stop Stop or you kill the Child Robert not able to stay his Oxen soon enough the misfortune happened for one cart Wheel passed over Another great Miracle wrought upon à dead Infant the Child 's very head and Temples and downright killed him in so much that he neither groaned or ever made noyse The afflicted Parents fearing some trouble might follow in case the ill Accident were known abroad laid Galfrid on à bed in their house till Evening and often that day sought for Signs of life but found none neither Pulse breath nor Motion With in night they measured the Child as the custome was and piously addressed Themselves by earnest Prayer to S. Thomas Cantilupe still hoping that God who had very lately wrought many great Miracles by the Saint would hear their Petition and restore life to the dead Child And thus they continued in Prayer all night long when Behold at the break of Day they heard à small childish wailing as Infants use in pain or Sickness The Parents drawing neer with their Candles burning all night long saw the Child open his mouth draw breath and move his Eyes The Mother taking him into her Armes gave him her Breast to suck which he did and three dayes after was perfectly well Some wannesse remained about his Eyes bruised by the Cart wheel but that also in à short time ceased This Miracle attested upon Oath was approved by the Lords Commissioners as an undoubted work of God above the force of Nature A fourth Miracule 16. John Alkin brought before the Commissioners to give in Evidence of à Miracle wrought upon one John Holourton having first laid his hand upon the Holy Gospel and taken his Oath that he would depose nothing but Truth then Said He had known Holourton alwaies reputed an honest man ten whole years before the Miracle I shall now relate happened And that during so long à time he was much afflicted with à fearful Wen or red Bunch of flesh hanging down in his neck fully as big as à great goose Egg which not only he had seen and handled frequently but knew also that many more had done so He said more over that the distressed Patient hearing of the great Wonders wrought at S. Thomas his Shrine repaired to Hereford and lodged in the house of one Agnes de Port where he uncovered his Wen and Of à Wen or à great bunch of flesh Miraculously taken away upon Prayer Made to S. Thomas show'd it to many hanging at his neck The next day being munday in Easter week Holourton accompained with Alkin and others went to the Church and there with tears falling down before the Bishops Shrine petitioned the Saint to take away that troublesome Bunch and for that end like the poor Widow in the Gospel offered up à small piece of silver my Manuscript calls it Denarius that is à penny of English coin which Mr Gilbert who had then care of the Monument à sworn Witness also took from him in the Presence of Alkin and other Standers by That done Holourton put his whole head and neck into an open Passage close by the Tombe of S. Thomas and there held it while one might Say three times over Pater noster and Ave Maria thus old de Catholicks spake and so do I. Then in the Presence of all those VVitnesses twice or thrice Proetentans manu groping with his hand for the Bunch to his great joy found it not Next he sought for it in his Gap or Hood worn perhaps to cover that deformity but no appearance of it there neither in his Coat which he put of nor any where else In à word Holourton was perfectly cured and in that very place both he and all the other present very numerous rendred humble Thanks to Almighty God and glorious S. Thomas for à Miracle so palpable that malice it selfe strucken dumb shall never speak probable word against it 17. A world of People had seen this Deformity hanging in the poor Patients neck for many years together and many Ey-witnesses present at the cure in the Cathedral Church of Hereford saw it quite taken away there immediatly after Holourton had made his earnest Prayer to S. Thomas
of his high contempt of Religious Orders approved by the Church of his grosse undervaluing Baronius Canisius Lorinus and other more learned than himselfe may please to Peruse Raynaudus in the following Quaeries 31. Yet halfe is not said of Launoys virulent Launoy's strange contempt of Authors Spirit who accounts all lying Impostors petulant Scythians Divulgers of old wives fables sellers of Trifles that dissent from his perverse and crooked Judgement in so much that the Censure of Julian the Apostata fits him right No Savage beasts seem more deadly Enemies to man than some Christians are in their Writings against Christians whom they seek not only to Torment but if possible to tear in pieces And thus much of John Launoy our Dr Still learned Sorbon Ds as like to like as an Egg to an Egg Launoy worse in this that he bear 's the name of Catholick whether really so is best known by his Writings 32. Who desires more of this Subject may please to Peruse the two Authors already cited Ioannes Guesnay and Monsieur Denys Both goe hand in hand together build upon the same Fundations and dissolve Launoys Arguments much after the same manner Their Assertion is That S. Mary Magdalen Lazarus Martha and S. Maximin arrived as you have heard at Provence in France where Blessed Magdalen dyed One Proof hereof is taken from à never interrupted Tradition received not only in France but all over Italy Germany Spain and Rome also And it seem's hard that à Consent so Universal should be grounded on à Fable The general Approbation of Popes yeilds à second and most convincing Proof You 28. Popes have approved the Reliques at S. Maximins may reckon saith Monsieur Denys in the Bullarium of S. Victor at Marseils and the Monastery of the Holy Order of Preachers at S. Maximins 28. Popes that by several Bulls have approved the Reliques in those places and some in express Terms honour them by the name of Blessed Magdalen's Reliques Boniface the VIII Charles the second King of Sicily and Count of Provence speaking of S. Maximin's Church plainly Say That S. Mary Magdalen's Body lies buried there Pope Benedict the XI uses the like expression in his Bull. In qua quiescit corpus Mariae Magdalenae Et apres saith Denys pag. 10 n. 18. at these words La cinquieme L'Authorite c. Denys nommant La Sainte Baume makes mention of à Holy Grot or Cave where the Saint lived à Penitential life The work would be long for my short Discourse to name other Popes recounted by Denys upon this matter Please yet to know that Clement the VII comming to Marseils would not return to Italy before he had done his Devotion to S. Magdalen's Holy Cave and the Church of S. Maximin where he said Masse and imparted an Indulgence to all those who upon the day of her departure out of this life and her Translation the 16. of June should visit the said Church of S. Maximin This great Prelate moreover desires That the Church of S. Maximin where the Head of S Mary Magdalen is seen upon the high Altar and we saith the Pope Celebrated Divine Masse be frequented with all due respect and Honour Gregory the XI who removed the See Apostolick from Avignion to Rome enriched S. Maximin's Church with great Gifts before his return to Italy Benedict the XIII in time of the Schism visited S. Mary Magdalen's Holy Cave and the Church of S. Maximin said Masse there which done he gave an Indulgence annexed to the day of the Saints Translation to Friday also in the Holy week when the Miraculous Vial visibly liquisies and boyls up as is already noted I am forced to omit much collected by this industrious Author who exactly point's at the year the day of every Bull and Visits made by these now named Num. 19. and other Popes there mentioned Whence he concludes upon those clear matters of Fact That the Reliques preserved at S. Maximin's are the true and Authentique Reliques of S. Mary Magdalen Now if so many Popes have both reverenced and approved these Reliques you must either rashly impeach them of Oversight and knavery in their approving Fables for Truths or ought prudently to acquiesce in their Judgement with the rest of the Christian world 33. A third Proof is taken from many Synodes and Provincial Councils held in France Another Proof taken from Provincial Councils where the fore mentioned Reliques have been approved And S. Caesarius Archbishop of Arles at the Instance of Theoderick Count of Narbon and Provence presided after that Prince had built à Monastery of Canon Regulars at Pinance and Nobly enriched it with the Reliques of S. Denys num 20. Mary Magdalen Monsieur Denys mentions other Synodes His 4. Proof is deduced from many Martyrologes extant in France That of S. Francis his Holy Order has these express words Decimo Calend. Augusti At Marseils The birth day of S. Mary Magdalen who after Christ's Ascension cast into à Bark was by Divine help carried into France and there made à happy End Se more of this Num. 22. Subject at the number here cited A fift Proof is taken from Signal great and most evident Miracles wrought at S. Maximins by the Intercession of S. Mary Magdalen The blind have received then sight the stark deaf their hearing the Lame their Limbs the dumb their Speach and incurable maladies have by God's Assistance been cured in that Holy place See Denys cited Num. 26. A Sixt Proof this Author calls the Magdalen's Triumph exhibited not only in Provence Num. 27. But all Nations over as appear's by the Honour which the greatest Persons in the world have given and still give to S. Magdalen's Holy Reliques at S. Maximins See à large Catalogue of powerful Kings and Princes of Queens Dukes and Dutchesses of Cardinals and Prelates that have gone on Pilgrimage to these Holy Reliques and honoured the place where they are with most rich and noble Presents It is also Num. 14. memorable what my Author Writes of the People within the Territory of Arles accustomed upon People yearly repair to the Seaside and thank God for the happy arrival of the Saints Thursday in the Holy week after their Visiting the Parish Church and Two little Chappels To repair to the sea side where prostrate on their Knees They offer up their Prayers and Thanks to God for his careful Providence had over the little Bark that conveyed the Saints Magdalen and Martha with the rest to their Coast where they safely landed This Custome has been ever since They arrived and the Continuance of it from Age to Age handed down by Constant Tradition seem's à convincing Proof while no man can Show it began in any latter Century 34. Hence we Discourse If Popes Kings Princes and Prelates if whole multitudes of People rich and poor noble and ignoble account as we have heard the arrival of these Saints to Marseils an undoubted Verity
c. And thus all dissenting Christians stand as it were equally ballanced in their Plea for Truth one is no more advanced than another nor shall any ever know where Christ's Truths are taught unlesse he first find out à Church evidenced by Christ's own Signatures I mean glorious Miracles 19. Some may here Ask whether God cannot set other Marks on à Church besides Miracles Sufficient to distinguish it from all false Conventicles I answer the Question by another like Demand Could not God have set other Marks on Christ and his Apostles excluding Miracles sufficient to distinguish them from all false Prophets Reader we enquire not in this place what God can do his Power is Omnipotent but speak of what he has already done and Say that as his Power and Wisdom marked Christ Apostles and the Church marked by Miracles out our blessed Lord and the Apostles by many clear Signs as great Sanctity Purity in Doctrin admirable Conversions and one most choise Gods own Signatures glorious Miracles So also he has set all and every one of these Signal Marks upon his own Oracle the Catholick Church the chiefest and choisest whereof are illustrious Miracles by these she is clearly distinguished from all false and misled Teachers CHAP. III. Some Choise Manifest Miracles proved upon the Deposition of many Sworn Ey-witnesses Of à Late famous Miracle wrought at Calais in Picardy None can call into doubt the Authentick Miracles done by S. Thomas Cantilupe our renowned Bishop of Hereford Other grat Miracles yet obvious to all mens eyes S. Bernard's known Miracles proved most certain 1. MIracles being Matters of Fact and Objects of sense cannot but gain credit when Authors of unquestionable Fame produce many faithful Ey-witnesses who upon Oath attesâ—ed they saw them done Of these I shall chiefly speak in this chapter and remit the Reader to my former Book as also to some ensuing Chapters in this Treatise Reas. and Relig. Dis 2. cap. 8. where I bring to light à whole Torrent of most ancient Fathers not lightly but upon set design teaching That God in all Ages has adorned his Church with renewned and undeniable Miracles Cardinal Bellarmin begin's from the Bellar. lib. 4. de notis Ecclesiae Cap. 14. first Century with the known Miracles wrought by Christ and the Apostles and showes à continuance of them ever after to the 16.th Age when that learned man lived The exact Brerely Protes Apol Tract 2. c. 3. Sect. 7. Sub. 3. pag 534. having proved à confessed want of Miracles in Luther and Calvin and other Sectaries lead's you from the eight Century downwards and points out Miracles so manifestly attested by approved Authors that our very Adversaries as Osiander the Centurists and others cannot for shame either Question the sincerity of these Witnesses or deny the matters of Fact but shamefully recurre to à desperate Plea and say plainly God had no hand in them No. All were done by the Divel's power Now to the Task we have undertaken 2. One glorious and most certain Miracle being but lately done at Calais à Town in Picardy neer England shall first give the Reader entertainment The whole Processe whereof the rigid Examination made the Depositions taken from many Ey-witnesses and every particular at last confirmed by Episcopal Authority those two laborious Writers Godefridus Henschenius Acta Sanct. Mens April Tom. 1. 2. April pag. 229. and Daniel Papebrochius have amply drawn out to whom I must remit you for further Satisfaction and briefly recount the Miracle visibly wrought upon à Gentlewoman in Calais by the intercession of that great Servant of God S. Franciscus de Paula Founder of à most Holy Religious Order Vulgarly called Minims 3. In the year 1661. the forenamed Gentlewoman The nature af Peronna's Infirmity about 30. years old by name Peronna Raoult daughter to an honourable man called Lewis Raoult had been 13. whole years griveously afflicted with à violent cough and stoppage at her lungs caused by á continual Defluxion of humours comming from her head Physicians though often consulted found no remedy saying ingenuously they well knew not the cause and nature of her strange Asthtmatical disease which for the four last years more and more encreasing brought frequent and fearful convulsion fits upon the afflicted Patient whence followed such à contraction of nerves and Sinewes in her left Leg that first it became four fingers soon after halfe à foot shorter than the other This innumerable Witnesses saw and gave Evidence of as also that the bone of her right Leg and Hip put out of joynt gave her such intolerable pain that the could not sit without drawing her body into à round lump in which Posture she suffered many Sowing fits and unexpressible Torments When the most Christian King came to Calais anno 1658 His Majesties chief Physician Mons t Valet and three other expert Doctors were there also and several times visited the infirm creature which done all unanimously concluded the infirmity to be incurable and that poor Peronna was to remain Paralitick all the dayes of her life 4. Thus left confortles still enduring excessive Torment she thought it high time to implore help from Heaven and resolved to make à Novens or nine dayes of prayer by her Peronna implores assistence from Heaven selfe or others to the glorious Saint Francis of Paula and began it in the Minims Church at Calais the fift day within the Saints Octave Now because of her great weaknes she could not repair thither without much pain she often sent her Maid servant to perform the Devotion for her yet encouraged to doe some thing herselfe during the Novens though usually carried to the Church in à chair she called that day for her Crutches and with the help of her Maid to hold her up after many à wearisom step and stop in drawing breath at last got to the Church where she heard Masse said for her intention and communicated When behold at the reading of the last Gospel Peronna felt an excessive pain all her body over but chiefly in her left Leg and both hipps then all her nerves were violently stretched out by à humour as she thought dispersing it selfe through every member and heard the noyse of her bones long out of joint brought again to their natural posture Immediatly after these Torments Peronna Cured in an Instant by Miracle the vigour and agility of her whole body were perfectly restored in à moment in so much that without help or the least sign of weaknes she rose up and knelt before the Altar to the great admiration of all the Beholders The Priest who said Masse by name F. John de Beaumont when he saw her kneeling wondred at it and because he yet knew nothing of the Miracle advised her to fit down O Father said she blessed be God that is now needless for I am perfectly cured and as well as if I had never been infirm Then she went to the
evidently laid before all mens Eyes in Italy and the famous City of Naples 24. Bolognia all know where you have an Archbishoprick and à famous University in the Popes Dominions is renowned over Christendom and had its Fame much encreased by the life and happy death of à most Holy Virgin called S. Catherine of Bolognia who dyed S. Catherin's Body at Bolognia still preserved entire there about three hundred years agone and lâ—es not in any Sepulcre as the dead are wont but still sit's up richly cloathed in a Chair as if she were living Her whole Body entrails Lungs and all never touched or cut open remain entire and her flesh is yet as supple soft and delicate as when she lived By no Oyntment but her own Sanctity by no perfumes but by her Holy Prayers by no Balsam but her Virgin Purity by no Myrrhe but by her own frequent Tears is that Holy Body in appearance living without à Soul preserved as if it were Immortal nothing decayed nothing putrifyed 25. The Religious Virgins of S. Clares Holy Order whereof S. Catherine was à member often change the Garment she wear's and when The hair of her head growing long is cut and reverently preserved the hair of her head growes longer as sometimes it doth they cut it and Reverently keep the exsect Parcels as precious Reliques Reader These things though strange are most evidently true seen by Thousands not only the Inhabitants there but also by innumerable Travellers who passing through Bolognia have with great admiration beheld the Saint enthroned in her Chair more like one living than à dead Carkasse I have spoken with many Ey-witnesses of this wonder And perused that larger Relation Written by Albergatus whom Petra Sancta cited above c. 12. Petra Sancta cites and wish Dr Still after his other two Pilgrimages courage enough to undertake â third towards Bolognia where if his Eyes dazle not at the sight of à Saint's Body he will find what I here write most certain That done I would have him dive into the Secrets of nature and show me those natural causes whereby à Body dead three hundred years since though exposed to the open Air yea often handled when cloathed and uncloathed can without Incision ever made in it or any Balsam applyed last so long wholly entire as sound and incorrupt as when the Soul was in it 26. That other Miracle seen at Naples where the head and blood of S. Januarius à most Holy Bishop and Martyr are preserved with great Veneration is so certain and famous the whole world over that to write more of it than is known were only to tell you the Sun shines at noon Day In à word the Miracle is thus When the Martyrs head enclosed in à Sylver shrine is taken out and placed on the right end of the high Altar and the blood likewise usually concrete and thick shut up in à little glasse Cruet or viol stand's directly Opposite at the other end the blood visibly Liquifies Bubbles Mount's up and cover's all the sides of the glasse to the very top of the Cruet the Another known Miracles seen to this day in the liquifying blood of S. Ianuarius head removed it fall's down again and remain's concrete as before Thrice every year you have this Miraculous liquifying Blood exhibited to à world of People to wit upon the first Saturday in the Month of May kept in Memory of S. Januarius his Translation and the 19.th of September the very day he was beheaded And finally upon the 16.th of December yearly solemnized at Naples by way of Thanksgiving for à most Signal and memorable favour obtained by the Saints intercession in delivering the City from the burning flames of Vesuvius when some years past it threatned ruin to all Thus much for the usual showing this liquifying blood 27. But the extraordinary Occasions of seing it are more frequent as when Persons of quality or Strangers from remote places come to Naples then with leave of his Eminence the Archbishop the Miracle has been often and is to this day shown to many I VVhen and upon what occasions Shown have treated with four or five of these Ey-witnesses and found all agreeing in one and the same Relation though none more exact than F. Godefridus Henschenius and F. Daniel Papebrochius to whom we may justly add that large and full Relation penned by F. Iohn Rho à great Preacher who after his Lent Sermons ended at Naples anno 1644 was so singularly favoured by the Archbishop for à reward of his labours as not only to se the Blood boil up which he diligently observed but also to hold the glass Viol in his hands for à long time together and show the Motion of it to à world of People then present You have F. John Rho's ample Silvester Petra Sancta Cited under the Title Miracula perpetua p. 118. Relation in Petra Sancta where he call's God to witness that he Writes nothing in his letter to F. Silvester but what his own Eyes with many other Spectators beheld and most carefully took notice of and whoever Saith he had seen the stupendious bubling up of that Blood as we saw it and had not been strucken with à Sacred horrour would have been thought no man but à block or stone unworthy humane Conversation 28. F. Rho also tell 's à strange Accident which happened that very day he saw the Miracle Some of the prime Nobility saith he brought along with them two Turks Captives Then in the service of the Noble Princesse Squillaci These two by the Cardinals command placed neer the Altar attentively observed the Miraculous motion of the blood and returned home with many sad and pensive thoughts The one next morning came to the Jesuits Convent in Naples and told the Fathers VVhat once happened upon the sight of this liquifying blood he had à strange Vision the night past and à Command also forthwith to become Christian having seen enough the day before to work that change in him for said he the stupendious motion of that Blood I clearly saw has made so deep an impression in my Soul that I cannot rest until I be Baptized and professe my selfe à Christian The other of à harder heart ingenuously confessed he had clearly seen the blood rising up to the top of the Viol there boyling and bubling but that he could not desert Mahomet's Doctrin because he thought both Christians and Turks may be saved though of different Religions Quid ego hîc mi Silvester dicam What shall I say here dear Friend add's F. Rho ' but that according to our Saviours words one was assumed and the other left abandoned because negligent when called to Repentance 29. Great Multitudes have been coâ—â—erted to the true Catholick Faith by the Sight of Greâ—t Conversions wrought by it this undeniable Miracle which works so powerfully upon the minds of all who se it saith Franciscus Petri in his excellent
recounted to à high Credibility the Dr brings nothing against us but his own peevish Incredulity while he tell 's us with à jeer of the pleasant tasts of S. Iames his Miracles That is as I said you must first take off all Maruel from à Miracle and t is fit Lettice for the Dr ' s lipps otherwise not tastable much less digestable Tell à Heathen of Elias dividing the waters of Jordan with his cloak and passing over the dry Sand with Elizeus will he not think ye follow the Dr ' s strain and say Here is à pleasant Tale of an old mans cloak To such feeble shifts Incredulity leads men that reject all faith humane and Divine CHAP. VI. Of the Dr ' s Pilgrimage to the Vial of S. Mary Magdalen in France The Truth of that Miracle Proved Cavils answered Holy Reliques vindicated from the Dr ' s Calumny VVhether Protestancy be à grave Religion Of D r Iohn Launoy's Virulency 1. NOte 1. We enquire not in this place whether S. Mary Magdalen whose Vial is kept in the Church of S. Maximin be that Poenitent and once sinful Magdalen or another Sister to Martha and Lazarus raised from the dead by our Saviour Caesar Baronius cites Origen S. Chrisostom S. Baronius Ann. Christi 32. n. 20. Hierom and S. Ambrose who seem to make them two distinct Women though Origen saith the Cardinal retracted his Opinion S. Austin speak's doubtfully in this point Ecce S. Austin de consens Evang. lib 12. c. 79. saith he Sorror Lazari si tamen ipsa See the Sister of Lazarus if yet She be the same that anointed the feet of our Lord and wiped them with the hair of her head Some Authors quoted by Joannes Ferrandus favour much the Opinion Ferrand l. 1. Disq Reliq Cap. 1. a. 1. which admit's two different Magdalens the one out of whom our Lord cast seven Divels The other à Virgin and Sister to Martha and she it was that brought the Christian Faith to the Province of Marseils and with it may the Tradition of à whole Nation gain beliefe the Vial we shall now speak of Baronius Baron n. 22 cited learnedly opposes those who admit two distinct Magdalen's and Saies there was but one only who with her tears washed the feet of our Lord Sister to Martha and Lazarus 2. We enquire not how or by whom the Vial yet preserved in S. Maximins Church was conveyed thither yet have thus much upon Record that when our Saviour was crucified and one of the Souldiers pierced his sacred side with à Lance so violently that bloud and water in great abundance gushed out the Blessed Virgin and other women present gathered up with great reverence as much of it as they could though mingled with the earth or sand under Metaph. 15 Augusti Baronius Ann. Christi 34. n. 127. the Crosse This Metaphrastes recount's out of Very Ancient Monuments And Baronius approves who speak's much of the Admirable courage of the Blessed Virgin in taking down her Son from the Crosse pulling out the nails from his hands and feet embracing his Sacred Body and bathing it with her Tears as the Church Sing's Stabat Mater dolorosa juxta crucem lacrymosa c. Moreover we know that as after the death of S. Stephen the first Martyr the number of Christians encreased so also the Persecution against them raised by Iewes raged most violently whereupon the Disciples of Christ were sent and dispersed up and down several Parts of the world to preach the Gospel See more hereof in Baronius who add's Baron Anno 35. n. 4. 5. that in this dispersion of the Disciples Ananias went to Damascus and at the same time Lazarus Mary Magdalen with her handmaid Marcella bitterly hated by the Iewes were not only banished Hierusalem but barbarously also cast into á Boat without Oares yet by God's special Providence arrived safely at Marseils For this Baronius cites in his Margent Manuscript Baron n. 5. Histor Angl yet preserved in the Vatican Library Reader for your greater Satisfaction Bellavo Tom. 4. Spec. Hist cap. 9. 95. in these particulars please to peruse at leisure Vincentius Bellavocensis that done you will find no great difficulty in yeilding S. Mary Magdalen the singular honour of carrying with her that precious Relique of our Saviours Sacred blood enclosed in à little Vial and leaving the Treasure to the Inhabitants in Marseils whereof they have good assurance by Tradition perpetuated from Age to Age. These matters waved 3. My task is now to prove what I asserted Disc 4. c. 8. num 1◠Reason and Religion to this Sence Viz. That the Sacred bloud contained in the forementioned Vial though at other times hard black and congealed yet every year growes red liquifies and visibly boyl's up on the day Sil. tom 2. c. 12. p. 105 under the Title Mira. perpet of our Saviours Passion Usually called Good Friday The like Wonder is seen saith Silvest Petra Sancta the first day of January on our Lords Circumcision and on the Feast of the Holy Crosse May 3 Silvester moreover observes that upon the Change or correction of the Kalendar made by Pope Gregory the XIII this Miracle which before was seen on the now named Dayes answerable to the old Account keep 's yet the same dayes Viz. Good Friday the Circumcision c. But according to the new Change or correction of the Kalendar 4. I proved the visible liquifying or manifest boyling up of this Blood 1. By the consent of à whole ample Nation the Kingdom of France 2. By the Testimony of thousand Ey-witnesses who have seen it And what Proof can be greater 3. Laurentius Surius tell 's us That when Anno 1497 He went cut of pure Devotion to visit the Cave where S. Mary Surius to 4 ad 22. July Magdalen lived in high Contemplation Her Venerable head was shown him very grear bare without skin to the Skull excepting only one little Particle of flesh upon her forehead which our Saviour is said to have touched I saw moreover saith Surius à glasse Vial with blood in it of à middle colour between black and red and this the Saint standing neer the Crosse when Christ suffered took up mingled with the earth it fell upon All add's Surius I conversed with plainly avouched without hesitation or doubt that the Blood shut up in the Vial Visibly boyl's every Fryday in the Holy Silvester cited p. 99. week of Lent I saw also saith Silvester Petra Sancta S. Mary Magdalen's Head in the Town of S. Maximin had it in my hands and admired the gracious Symmetrie of it Whereby one may Conjecture what great beauty and Comeliness once adorned that Countenance This Skull and the particle of flesh yet cleaving to the fore head Clichtoveus also beheld witnesse Clichto de trib Magd. part 1. p 34 Ferrand l 1. c. 4. Art 1. post mediū Silv. p. 106. Joannes Ferrandus
ad Timo. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. that is Hom. 10. Chrysostom is more forcelesse where the Saint Demands From whence shall Christians now be moved to believe From Signs or Miracles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but these are not wrought Here the Dr fraudulently leaves off To unbeguile the Reader know that the Saint inveighs against the reprehensible Manners of many then living who too much loved Themselves desired to appear great in the World and had à horror to think of Death Then he Ask's how can these men be brought to Believe What by Signs or Miracles But these are not now wrought By the Holy and Saintly lives of others Alas they are not now seen By laudable Works of Charity There is no Vestigium of them amongst men And we saith the Saint are the cause of these Evils whereof we must give account to God Let us therefore awake out of this drowsiness and amend our lives c. Say now I beseech you can any Inferr hence when S. Chrysostom speak's like à Preacher that he really Judged there were none the whole world over that loved God in those Dayes but sought them selves Honours or Dignities None the whole world over that gave Evidence of à Vertuous life None the whole world over that did any works of Charity It is highly senceless and no less is it improbable that the Saint Judged no Miracles were then done in any part of the whole Christian world when he knew not what passed the Tenth part of it All therefore he saith is that God ceased to shew new Signs to such lewd Livers who if Christians had Miracles enow partly recorded in Scripture partly known by the History of all Ages abundantly sufficient to awake them out of their Dulness and draw them to à better Life 18. Another Quotation contain's nothing like S Chrys l. 4 de Sacerd. cap. 4. à Difficulty where S. Chrysostom speak's worthily of S. Paul and prefer's the Apostle before men then living Though saith he I speak not this to insult over any in our time yet I cannot but wonder at their boldnes who dare compare Them selves to this great Doctor Alas were all our men assembled together in one place and should with à thousand Prayers and tears begg the favour they vvould never do so much as S. Pauls hanker-chief did Most true Doctrin because Miracles Miracles are not infallible wrought at the Prayers or tears of pious men being God's free Graces bestowed upon what Persons Providence pleases best knowing our Necessities are not infallibly wrought at à Call or when men though most Pious and devout would have them done Whence it is that many great Saints have wrought fewer Miracles than others Perhaps less eminent in Vertue Saints may humbly pray that God manifest his Power when and as often They Judge Circumstances require it But still with à perfect Resignation to his Pleasure but to pray to shed tears for more would be insoleney and justly deserve reproof 19. The Author of the Imperfect work Author oper Imperf Hom. 49. in Matt. Bellar. de Script Eccles verbo Chrysost Quoted also by the Dr hath little credit with us First because an Heretick either composed it or at least corrupted the Work as Bellarm in Witnesses 2. Upon this Account that it contain's Evident contradictions for there the Homousiani are called Hereticks and yet to affirme that the Son is lesse than the Father is held an Heresy Se Bell. cited 3. In this very 49. Homily An Author quoted by the Dr that speak's Contradictions it is said that formerly true Christians were Differenced from the false by the Miracles which they wrought false Christians Saith he shewed nothing but empty Signs the true Christians wrought true Miracles soon after we are told that this working of Miracles is vvholly taken avvay A plain Corruption contrary to S. Chrysostom's express Doctrin above where he Saith that God never ceased to vvork Miracles in every Age And such as the Apostles vvrought Yea more numerous in after Ages and in that Sence greater though inferiour to the Apostles Signs if we respect the singular Priviledge of the Ordinary Power granted those first great Masters whereof enough is spoken already 20. Our good Dr having done with S. Chrysostom methinks unseasonably enough return's to Capgrave and Colganus and after à Rehearsal of some strange Wonders related by them debates à Question little to our Purpose Whether any since the Apostles times had the Gift of speaking divers Tongues or were understood Some say Yea others No which proves if the Writers be truly Quoted that some have erred light where you will whereof more hereafter it little import's our present Controversy I therefore wave the Parergon and will Examin other Testimonies alleged by the Dr proving as he Thinks that all true Miracles ceased after the Apostles time and one cited by Mr Dr is the Chancellour of Paris Gerson contra sectam flagelantium tom 1. page 641. Iohn Gerson who favovred not that Sect of men whipping themselves to blood neither liked he Those that spake of new Miracles to confirm the neer Approach of the Day of Judgement or the speedy comming of Antichrist But call's them Phansies and old mens Dreams Thus farr the Chancellour speak's with great Reason And most judiciously add's That Miracles now à dayes are to be held much suspected Nisi prius factâ examinatione diligenti Unless first rigidly examined which Exception implies no Denyal of Miracles but rather Supposes them wrought Soon after followes Gerson's Letter to S Vincentius 21. Reader I have perused that Letter twice and find that Dr Still most injuriously imposes two things upon Gerson which he never wrote in this Epistle The one That he expresses no great Admiration or esteem of S. Vincentius whereas the contrary is evident For he calls him à most famous Doctor and one that Zealously sought the Good of Souls That he had heard much of his renown by the report The Dr deal's most unworthily with the Chancelour Iohn Gerson of the General of his Order c. The Second falsity is intolerable which yet the Dr Writes in à different Character This Author saies he and he alludes to Gerson or to none makes no other Difference of Signs Than that the Miracles of false Christians were only in appearance whereas the Miracles of true Christiant were real and benefical to the world But now and this I except against This vvorking of Miracles is vvholly taken avvay and only false Christians Pretend to it Thus the Dr and brag 's when he has done of his Quotation being so strong That he expects no other Answer to it than calling the Author of it Heretick Reader all is most false there are no such words in Gersons Epistle nor any thing like them How the Dr will clear him selfe from worse than Jugling here I know not while he made use of the same Edition I have before me as appear's
by the very Page he cites 641. Answerable to mine Paris print 1606. 22. Now Reader you may Bless your selfe vvith the Sign of the Crosse at à strange Wonder Dr Stillingfleet will needs have it sink into our Heads that no lesse à man than the great S. Austin much opposed the Continuance of Miracles in the Catholick Church Should we slightly passe over this grosse Errour without reproof There can be no Paradox no Improbability so monstruous which our Dr. may not ere long hope to fashion better to varnish over and set forth as sound and saleable Doctrin In à word the Errour is Gross and in plain English more than intolerable None more stoutly Defend's Miracles wrought in the Church Than blessed S. Augustine 23. For your better Satisfaction turn to S. S. Austin lib. 22. de Civit. Dei c. 8. petrotum Austins Treatise entituled the City of God where in the first place he Asserts Twice over that â—tiam nunc even in those dayes glorious Miracles were wrought in the name of Christ our Saviour by the Sacraments by the Prayers and memory of Saints departed And although saith he They are not so famed the whole world over as Those we read of in Holy Scripture yet They are manifestly clear and cannot be denyed And he doth not only Assert this in general Terms But proves the Assertion by so many Examples that à Reader must either give S. Austin the Lye or confess himselfe evidently convinced 24. When I was à Milan saith S. Austin One Miracle wrought at Milan the Emperour being then there that Miraculous cure was wrought upon à blind man at the Holy Bodies of S. Protasius and Gervasius and this innumerable People who flocked to the bodies of those Saints were Witnesses of I omit that great Miracle there largely set down wrought in Carthage upon à pious woman called Innocentia who had à Cancer in her breast Judged by all Physicians incurable yet after She had powred out her earnest Prayers to God for assistance was in à moment of time heard and Miraculously cured This I passe by with Intention to recount yet greater Wonders and Ask what the Dr thinks of an other Popish Miracle there related Hesperius saith S. Austin Another on à house infested with Divels one of the Tribunes had his House much hanted with Evil Spirits to the great molestation of his Servants and desired some of our Priests to repair thither who did so one taking with him à Piece of the Holy Earth which was brought from Hierusalem where our Lord was S Austin's own Relation of this Miracle buried hung that up in the Chamber to secure himselfe from the danger of those Divels He said Masse offered up the Sacred Body of our Saviour and earnestly prayed that the Vexation Very afflictive to that whole family might cease And by Gods great mercy it ceased The house thus happily freed from Divels Hesperius out of Reverence not willing to keep that Holy Earth longer in his chamber Ask't me Saith S. Austin and another Bishop whether it were not best to preserve it in some place and erect an Oratory where Christians might meet together and serve God we condescended saith the Saint And all was done accordingly A third on à young man strucken with à Palsey When behold à young man strucken wlth à Palsey hearing of this Oratory petitioned his Parents to carry him to the Oratory where the Holy earth lay and after earnest Prayer made to Almighty God for his recovery in à moment stood upon his leggs wholly sound and perfectly cured Reflect Reader how many Points of Popery we have here approved by S Austin Vndoubted Miracles the unbloody Sacrifice of the Masse and the use of Reliques passe here for sound Doctrin Had Colganus Capgrave or any other Modern Writer told these wonders now related would our Dr think ye have spared his Jeers and not rather scornfully laughed at all Let us se whether he dare deal so rudely with S. Austin 25. There is yet one Miracle more which A fourth done for à poor Taylor may perhaps make the Dr sport done for Florentius à poor Taylor of Hippo. The Vertuous Good man saith S. Austin had lost his Cloak and not having wherewith to Buy another addressed himselfe to the Twenty Martyrs whose Memory was there Very famous and begged with à lowd voice that those blessed Saints would supply his want and procure him à cloak Certain young men then casually present hearing that simple Petition Jeered and followed and poor Taylor with biting words But he quietly went away and happily found à great Fish newly cast upon the Shore which he took and brought to à Cook called Carchosus à very good Christian who cutting the Fish open found in it à golden ring which he partly out of Compassion partly for conscience sake gave poor Florentius with these comfortable Words Ecce quomodo viginti Martyres te vestiverunt se how the twenty Martyrs have cloathed thee 26. S. Austin soon after recount's the famous More Miracles recounted by S. Austine Miracles wrought upon many at the Reliques of the glorious Martyr S. Stephen I only set down and briefly Three or Four most remarkable There at S. Stephen's Reliques à blind woman who brought with her flowers and presented to the Martyr soon after applyed them to her Eyes protinus vidit and forthwith had her sight restored There also Eucharius à Priest of Spain lay dead and by the help of this blessed Martyr was raised to life God wrought this Miracle by the Priests Tunick cast upon the dead Body There à little Boy playing in his Mothers Court-yeard had his tender Body so bruised by à cartwheel that he presently dyed The sorrowful Mother carried the Corps to S. Stephens Reliques where the Child saith S. Austin not only recovered life but appeared perfectly sound without Bruise or Scarr as if he had never been hurt There one Bassus of Hippo having his Daughter mortally sick hastned with the sick womans Garment to the Martyrs Reliques and earnestly prayed for her recovery while he was on the way or at his Prayers The daughter dyed returning home he found his whole Family lamenting the deceased What did he He cast the Garment presented to S. Stephen upon the dead Body which done She without delay revived and so also did another there mentioned whose dead Corps being anointed with the Martyrs Oyle came to Life again 27. S. Austin goes on What Shall I do saith he I promised to commemorate the Miracles wrought by blessed S. Stephen But cannot set down all and am sure no few when they read these will grieve because I have passed over many more known to me I Ask their pardon for if I should enumerate all the Miracles wrought by the Martyr S. Stephen to say nothing of others in the Colonie of Calama and here also many Books might be Written These I specify all upon Record to
East Indies I will first remit you to Emanuel Acosta â—ited and next evince upon unquestionable Authority that S. Xaverius his Miracles are so clear and manifest that none unlesse utterly stupifyed can call them into doubt or least Question CHAP. XII Of S. Xaverius his admirable life and most glorious Miracles VVitnesses of these Miracles and undoubted Testimonies produced The Dr's simple Exceptions against them demonstrated vain and frivolous His unjust Aspersion laid on Iesuits discovered 1. PLease Reader to review Acosta at the Eman. Acosta page 3. beginning of his Treatise where you have à short compendium of S. Xaverius austere life and most undoubted Miracles No fewer saith this Author than à hundred and thirty thousand were drawn to Christ by the indefatigable Labours of this one blessed man in the Coast of Comorinum In the Kingdom of Travancore and the places Adjacent he wrought great conversions also in so much that the very Heathens speaking of Xaverius usually called him by no other name but Sanctus Pater the Holy Father The rumour of the Conversions comming by the attestation of many certain Witnesses to the knowledge of John the third then King of Portugal both while S. Xaverius lived and after his death His Majesty expresly commanded that the Miracles Page 3. of the Saint should be diligently examined Written down and sent him A copy of the Kings letter you have in Acosta Strange likewise were the Conversions and wonders done by S. Xaverius in the City of Tolo the Moluccy Page 6. Islands and Amboinum No lesse wonderful is that which Acosta recount's of S. Xaverius who Page 7. by one and the same Ansvver given to ten or twelve Persons proposing different Questions was so well understood by all as if he had answered one after another or every one apart Admirable also are the Miracles wrought in Japan Page 7. where S. Xaverius saith this Author cured the Dumb deaf the lame restored perfect health to Persons desperately infirme In the country of Commorinum he cured innumerable quite Page 7. deserted by Physicians freed many possessed of Divels and most certainly raised the dead to life See Acosta cited at those words Mortui ad vitam revocantur c. He had moreover the Page 10. gift of Prophesy Acosta relates the particulars foretold by the Saint which afterwards came to passe He recount's also memorable Things Page 11. of his austere and poenitential way of living Two or three houres of sleep after most wearisom labours S. Xaverius allowed himselfe and this short repose he took when oppressed and Acosta's relation of the Saints Miracles ready to fall down often resting upon à Bord or the bare grownd with à stone under his head Of his spare Diet and poor clothing se Acosta cited And thus much not the halfe of what S. Xaverius did I produce out of this one Author à long time Missioner in the East Indies Writers of à latter date have more amply set forth the glorious Miracles of this great Saint 2. VVonder therefore nothing at the great De Lingendes tom 2 concion Quadrag Feria 4 Domini prima Quadrag Elogium Claudius De Lingendes gives of S. Xaverius What shall I say of the great Apostle of the Indies the sun of the Orient the Dr of Gentilism the Miracle of the last Age the Star of Iapan and Prodigy of India the Honour of the Society Enlarger of the Church and delight of the vvorld Those vvho hate us love thee vvho dispise us praise thee vvho set us at naught highly value thee The glory of thy Virtues out-lives Enuy and is above reproach Thus he with much With much more Soon after Ligendes qis Elogium of S Xaverius he enumerats the Miracles done by the Saint Xaverius saith Lingendes 1. Cured all manner of infirmities nay more vvhen he could not be present vvith all sick persons he sent Children to them vvho by reciting the Apostles Creed cured many 2. He had the gift of Tongues and vvas understood as the Apostles vvere vvhen he spake to men of different Languages 3. God endued the Saint vvith the gift of Prophesy and had things absent discovered long before they happened 4. He made by à Miracle the salt vvater of the sea fresh and sweet at which vvonder many Mahometans vvere converted 5. In the Promontorie of Commorinum he raised à youth one day buried to life again vvhere upon innumerable vvere converted And in the Processe of his Canonization it vvas proved that he restored life to no fevver than tvventy dead Persons Thus F. Lingendes where also he recount's other great Miracles wrought by the Saint and Ask's whether Hereticks that glory in their extraordinary Mission did ever any like wonders as these now briefly pointed at 3. But Courteous Reader hitherto I have said little of this glorious Saint and his stupendious Miracles Whosever therefore desires more ample Information of greater Wonders and the greatest Satisfaction that can be given to men on earth may peruse that accurate Bull of Pope Vrban the eight which begins Rationâ— Bulla Canonizationis S Francisi Xaverii Ann. 1613 8. Idus Augusti congruit convenit aequitatâ— published after the Canonization of S. Francis Xaverius where you have all and every one of the Miracles already noted exactly set down as his gift of tongues the gift of Prophesy and his innumerable and admirable conversions Many hundred thousands saith the Pope who sate in darkenesse and in the shadow Miracles of S. Xaverius attested and approved by the See Apostolick of death were by the industry of this great Servant of God drawn to the light of the Gospel To enlarge my selfe upon all the Miracles in these Apostolical Letters would because they are long be too great à Task yet à Few among many I must not omit At Comorinum where Xaverius preached in à Church to à great multitude of Infidels and by reason of their obdurate hearts seemed to effect little He first betook himselfe to Prayer and then commanded à Grave wherein one the day before was buried to be opened To prove said the Saint the Verity of our Christian Faith I now Preach you shall behold with your eyes this dead man raised to life Praying again he commanded the lately buried to appear in the sight S. Xaverius â—aises the dead of all his Auditors who in à moment of time came out of his Grave and to the admiration of the People stood up among them Living as he was before This visible and manifest Miracle so changed those stupified Infidels that not only the then present Unbelievers but innumerable others hearing of the Wonder embraced our Catholick Faith 4. In the same place not long after à poor Cures one full of ulcers Beggar full of ulcers and gastly wounds meeting S. Xaverius implored his help the Saint upon his Petition washed his ulcers which done to the horrour of all the Spectators
he presently drank of the water wherewith he had cleansed the wounds then taking recourse by earnest Prayer he petitioned the Father of mercy to show mercy upon the poor afflicted Patient and presently è vestigio saith the Bull he rose up perfectly cured freed from all his corrupted Botches and lothsome ulcers A young youth at Mulanum in the east Indies died of à pestilent feaver and wrapt up in his winding Sheet lay in it 24. houres then carryed to his Grave S. Xaverius beheld his disconsolate Parents weeping over him and moved with compassion fell on his Knees devoutly praying that God would restore the dead to life Then cutting open the Linnen wherein the Body Restores life to à young man dead lay he cast Holy water upon it signed it with the Sign of the Crosse took the dead by the hand and in the name of our Lord JESUS CHRIST restored him living and sound in health to his late sorrowful but now overjoyed Parents In memory of this certain known Miracle à Crosse was there erected and afterward had in great Veneration by all 5. The length of many other famous Miracles recorded in these Apostolical letters concerning B. S. Xaverius And the short time allowed to recount them forces me to passe by that strange cure wrought upon à Japonian Merchand And Sight to à Merchand many years blinde many years blind who was restored to his perfect Sight in à moment of time after the Saint had begged that favour and signed his Eyes with the Sign of the Holy Crosse When this Holy Servant of God was bound for China in à great Vessel with five hundred Passengers an unexspected Calme detained them all in one and the same place fourteen dayes together Among Salt water Miraculously made fresh by S. Xaverius other sad Accidents fresh water failing many of the Passengers cruelly tormented with Thirst began to languish whereupon the Saint commanded all the Vessels in the Ship to be filled with salt water ready at hand And having spent à short time in prayer made the Sign of the Holy Crosse upon the water which suddenly became sweet pleasant and drinkable Many Infidels seing the wonder were converted to our Christian Faith Some quantity of the water thus blessed by the Saint being carried up and down several Provinces of the Indies restored health to innumerable weak sick and infirm Persons See yet more Wonders in the Apostolical Letters 6. Now to Show that the Miracles hitherto briefly summon'd up are no pretended Fictions as our wise Dr simply speak's But undeniable Truths please courteous Reader to peruse Pope Vrbans Bull towards the End where you shall find how and in what manner the forenamed John King of Portugal piously moved with the report he had heard of S. Xaverius his admirable Sanctity and Miracles endeavovred All suspicion of forgery taken away to be informed of the Truth in all particulars And therefore gave expresse order to several Prelates that à rigid Processe and â most faithful Enquiry should be made after them which was exactly performed according to his Majesties Command and Sincerely presented to Pope Paul the V. who at the Instance of PHILIP the III. the Catholick King of Spain that much promoted the Canonization of S. Xaverius deputed several Cardinals there named to consider what ought to be done in so weighty à matter and to declare their Judgement to his Holinesse Whereupon for greater Assurance the deputed Cardinals sent back Letters to several Prelates in Spain Portugal and the Indies and in the interim examined new Witnesses in the Court of Rome 7. This Duty performed with all care and diligence after à long time and great Deliberation They made their Report to Pope Paul How the Processe concerning the Canonization was carried on and Judged that according to the Canonical Constitutions the Servant of God Francis Xaverius highly deserved upon the Account of his great merits Sanctity and Miracles wrought alive and dead to be registred in the Catalogue of the Saints Confessors and Canonized Soon after Pope Paul dyes and Gregory succeed's in the See Apostolick when not only PHILIP the IV. the Catholick King of Spain but many other Princes Prelates and the whole Clergy of India where S. Xaverius had been à long time Missioner pressed earnestly the Saints Canonization 8. Gregory proceeding warily in à matter of so great weight commanded the whole matter not only to be reviewed but most rigidly reexamined by several Cardinals there mentioned amongst whom Pope Vrbane the VIII who published this Bull then only Cardinal Barbarin was present This Examination accuratly performed all the Cardinals none dissenting still stood for the Canonization The Report of the whole Processe being made by Cardinal Franciscus Maria de Monte to his Holiness That done when Julius Zambeccarius Advocate of the consistorial Court had in à publick Consistory said much concerning the Holy life and Vertues of S. Xaverius and further declared the humble Petition of the Catholick King for the Canonization Pope Gregory answered he would Pope Gregory proceeds warily consult the matter once more with all the Cardinals and Bishops of the Roman Court And in the mean time exhorted them humbly to pray that God who is the VVay and Truth would so direct him that nothing might be done but what was true and acceptable in the sight of the Divine Majesty from whom he craved light and Assistance 9. In the next halfe publick Consistory the Pope commanded not only the Cardinals but the Patriarcks also Archbishops and Bishops to be present with the Notaries of the See APostolick and Auditours of the Sacred Palace where many things were again spoken of S. Xaverius his admirable life and glorious Miracles as also of the stupendious Conversions he had wrought among most Barbarous Nations Moreover à rehearsal being made of the Catholick Kings earnest promoting the Canonization which other Kings and Princes of the Christian Republick instantly likewise urged His Holiness required of every one then present freely to deliver their Opinion and all none dissenting with one unanimous voice blessing Almighty God declared for the Canonization of this admirable Saint 10. All ceremonies thus exactly performed according to the custome and Constitutions of the Roman Church his Holinesse Pope Gregory in the 2. year of his Reign the. 4. Ides of March in presence of the Cardinals Patriarchs Archbishops Bishops Prelates and other Officers of the Roman Court when à mighty Concourse of the Clergy and Regulars were assembled in that Magnificent Temple of the Prince of the Apostles His Holiness I say after Litanies sung and other Prayers said begging again the Assistance of the Holy Ghost openly declared and defined That Francis Xaverius S. Xaverius Canonized of whose Holy life Sincerit◠in Faith and admirable frequent Miracles full proof and undoubted assurance had been given was a true Saint to be registred in the Catalogue of Saints Confessors and under that Notion
the Coffin hoping to find the naked bones only When Behold contrary to all expectation not only the whole Body but his Priestly Habit likewise were then as fresh and free from corruption as when first laid in the Coffin and moreover saith my Author sent forth à most fragrant and delight some Odour Could Lime give this good Saviour The Body again placed in the same Chest and transported to Malaca was received with all Veneration of the People when another Miracle happened S. Xaverius his Body Miraculously preserved in corrupt For upon its entring the City à violent Plague which had Cruelly raged there before wholly ceased and gave great comfort to the afflicted Inhabitants Had Lime such vertue in it Some Months the Holy Body remained at Malaca and thence carried to Goa by Gods special favour did strange Wonders in that Navigation The Vessel wherein it lay Twice in great danger of Shipwrack by running upon Quick sands caused both Mariners and Passengers to implore No vertue in Limes to work these Miracles the Saints Assistance which was no sooner ask't than obtained in so much that presently freed from all danger they sail'd on joyfully to Goa The Lime I think did not this Miracle You may read in Acosta Cited with what great Celebrity and Pomp the Body was received at Goa where it remained to that day without the least Sign of Putrifaction To God's glory and the Saints honour be it Tell me Reader will the Dr yeild assent to this short Relation made by the same Author that recount's the Miraculous Incorruption of the Body If he doth he grants Miracles If not I said right he is forced to quit Authority and run to his old Plea à want forsooth of sufficient VVitnesses that is There are sufficient when he likes when not there are none 19. Hitherto I have born much with Mr Dr Still page 617. Dr but am now almost at an End of Patience in the perusal of his uncivil and rude Calumnies First he tell 's us that the Relation of S. Xaverius his Miracles comes from the Jesuits in the East Indies as if forsooth none had attested them but Jesuits A vast untruth when King John of Portugal as you have heard caused them to be examined by several great Prelates VVere all these Iesuits Did the deputed Cardinals at Rome who ordered another new strict Trial commit the charge to Jesuits only No. Did his Holinesse when he published his Iesuits not the only Informers of the Saints Miracles Apostolical Letters and declared that the matters of Fact plain Miracles had been attested upon undoubted certainty rely wholly on the Jesuits information Evidently no. What then shall we say of this Dr But that without regard to Truth and honesty he cares not what he Writes Yet worse followes Jesuits Saith he are men that think it lawful to Lye for à good cause as no doubt the Honour of the Society is such with them And how can we vvith any tolerable Discretion rely upon their vvord Answer Dr I call you to account before God and the world I here accuse you of à Malicious Detraction Speak out if you Iesuits Calumniated by the Dr. can poduce me but one Jesuit that ever wrote or taught it is lawful to Lye in any occasion either for à good or bad cause and I will will proclaime you Victor In case you shift This one Spiteful Calumny contrary to Evident Truth Showes the Dr cares not what He Writes off this just Challenge the Reader shall Judge whether you or Jesuits deserve the foul Imputation of Lyars 20. Your Errour Sr lies here And proceed's from malice ignorance or both in not distinguishing between à Lye alwaies sinful and the ambiguous use of words in certain Cases of danger and other vveightr Concerns whereof I treated largely in my Book against Dr Taylor This ambiguous use of words yea and some kind of mental Restriction also most grave and learned Divines no Jesuits t' is well known A discovery of Dr Taylors untruths c. 26. p. 184. printed anno 1665 maintain as Lavvful which is as remote from à Lye as your Calumny Dr imposed on Jesuits is from Truth though never to be made use of say Divines but when Necessity and just reason requires And this both you Sr and Dr Taylor vvith his Excellent use of Confession in England must acknowledge as is proved in the Discovery now cited I say vvhen Necessity and just reason requires For example if à Judge ask à Priest whether à Paenitent confessed such à Sin truly confessed and be further urged to Answer directly Yea or No If he saies Yea he betrayes the Penitent and sacrilegiously breaks the Seal of Confession If No in your Divinity he tell 's à Lye Learned Divines deliver contrary Doctrin and Therefore find out à way not to Lye on the one Side and on the other to keep the Seal of Confession sase and inviolable If à Confessor saies S Austin lib uno de mendacio ad consent c. 13. post medium nothing in such an Exigency S. Austin rightly observes in à like case of Danger the Secret is too openly discovered By all now said you see that to use mental Restriction in Contracts Leagues Promises Vovves or Oaths justly tendered is impious Yea and à horrid Sin in those who attest Miracles in publick Tribunals before Popes and Princes known false and forged or never to have been as the Informers declare 21. One word more Suppose which is utterly false that the relation of S. Xaverius his Miracles had come only from Jesuits à long time Missioners among those Barbarians can any one without shame or the deepest Malice Imaginable Perswade himselfe That men who went upon à most generous Design left Country Relations Friends and whatever is dear to Nature That ran to the furthest Parts of the world where they knew they should endure Hardship misery contempt neglect imprisonment And besides live in continual danger of dying upon Gibbets as many did And all this to reduce Souls to Christ can any man I say of Common sence perswade The Dr's Calumny cast on Iesuits highly Improbable himselfe as our unconscionable Dr doth That such laborious Missioners after so many Heroical Acts performed would down right Damn their ovvn Souls tell Lowd and abominable lyes Feign Miracles which they knew were never wrought just matter of Damnation And avouch these now supposed fourbs as real Truths before Kings Princes the Court of Rome and the vvhole vvorld I say the Imputation is so extravagant the Calumny so horrid that no mans head would once have harboured it but only Dr Stillingfleet's Had the Dr said S. Xaverius was never in the Indies King John of Portugal never made Enquiry after his Miracles The Catholick King of Spain never promoted the Saints Canonization the Apostolical letters cited above were all feigned c. He had Methinks gone every whit as wisely to Work as now