ABOVT the end of the year 1633. my Lord the Count of Mount Royal, An. Dom. 1634 then viceroy of Naples, hauing designed to cele­brate, in his own Palace, a magnificent Solemnity, in honor of our Bles­sed Lady, vpon the Sunday within the Octaue of her Immaculate Conception; he ordained a­mongst other preparations, that four Altars should be erected, at the four corners of the Court of his Palace; & to the end that nothing should be wanting at them, he assigned the care of adorning of them, to four of the chief Nobility of the City. One of which hauing the relation, both of a Kinsman, and also of a familiar freind, to R. Father Marcellus Mas­trilli, he intreated the said Father to assist him, in the erection of the Altar committed to his charge; who most willingly yeelded to his re­quest; such was his desire to concurr, in any manner, to the aduancement of the honor, of [Page 2] the euer Blessed Virgin; and all things succeeded very happily. Only at night, the solemnity being now ouer, as they were taking down the ornaments of the Altar, Father Marcellus from below, giuing directions, to one that was loos­ning the hangings aboue, by I know not what chance, he aboue let fall a hammer, of about two pound weight, from a loft thirty palms high, vpon the head of the Father, which so wounded him in the right temple, that he fell down half dead vpon the ground. Being per­ceiued to be dangerously wounded he was im­mediately carryed home, and the wound in­stantly searched, but more exactly the day fol­lowing, by the surgeons, who iudged him to be in euident danger of his life. For besides the grieuousnes of the wound, vpon the fourth day, he was seized vpon by a violent feauer, accom­panied with a defluxion vpon his right eye, & certain other distempers, for the most part, mortal. In such sort, that after diuers consults, and applications of most soueraign remidies, but all in vain, vpon the one and twentith day of his distemper, which was looked vpon as a critical day, both the Physitians and surgeons, gaue him ouer for a dead man. For that all vpon the sudden, vpon the beginning of this day, which was the first day of the New year, he began to faint, and to feel certain grieuous pains in his stomack, and was not able to eat any thing, no nor euen to open his mouth, but a very litle, to receiue any nourriture, for that the nerues of his jaws and muscles, were become vnseruiceable. Other signes of present [Page 3] death did also discouer themselues. Wherefore many Physitians of cheif account, professed openly, again and again, which afterwards also they attested vpon oath, that Marcellus was not curable by any human power. So that his fri­ends desired of them, that if they could not saue his life, that at least they would prolong it for some hours, by thrusting some litle bits of meat in to his mouth by force. But his mouth was shut so close, as that the surgeon vpon the second of Ianuary, very hardly, by litle and litle, opened it with two Spoons; and yet notwithstanding, nether art nor force, nor counsel or command of superiors, was able to make the despaired patient, to swallow down, euen som few drops of liquid sustenance, much less to eat any thing, which was solid. Besides what has been said, such a vehement cold and chilness seized vpon his whole body, as they were not able to expell or mitigate it, by any somentations, nor euen by the application of fire it self. Wherefore Marcellus, giuen ouer by the Doctors, and despaired of by all human art, exspects death euery hour.

In the time of this his sicknes, he was often visited by one, who appeared vnto him in a white soldiers-coat, with a cross vpon his breast; who often asked him, whether he had rather dy, or liue? whether there were any thing, he desired he should ask for him of hea­uen? whether he desired a wax-taper, or a Pil­grims staff, both which he brought in his hand? Marcellus alwaies answered, he was indifferent to any thing, might he but more sincerely serue [Page 4] the Diuine Majesty. Vpon another day, F. Marcellus took the freedom, to ask the war­rior, whether death, or a journey, [for those were the things, which were signified by the Taper & Pilgrims staff] were decreed for him in heauen? The warrior answered him, he would consult the Diuine Majesty, and in due time, and that very shortly, let him know; but at present, he said it was not lawfull for him, to reueal those secrets.

Marcellus being now, as was said, despaired of, the same warrior appeared to him again, but attended by a troop of very many others: concerning whom, the Sick person asking, who they were, and particularly, whether they were not Iaponian Martyrs, nothing more was at present answered him, but that they were his friends, and those who would earnestly cōmend him to almighty God. The same toge­ther with the same attendants, appeared to him immediately before the three daies, in which he was prodigiously cured; and Marcellus de­manding, whether perhaps they were not souls, that were in Purgatory? the warrior answered him again, that they were his dear frinds, and those which were very solicitous for all his affairs; but with all told him, that the souls in Purgatory were not a litle sorry for his sick­nes, by reason whereof, they wanted his help and suffrages. Wherefore, replied the Father, methinks it were fitting, I should procure some Masses and Praiers, to be said for theyr relief by others. By all meās, subjoyned the warrior, it were very good to do so, nor will they be [Page 5] wanting to return your Charity, and so disap­peared. And F. Marcellus procured, many holy sacrifices and praiers, of his friends, for the faithful departed. Who this was, which appea­red in a soldiers habit, is not known, but out of a letter of F. Marcellus, to his freind M. Antony Tellez, in which, he wishes that his beloued Father, S. Francis Xauerius, would vouchsafe, also to visit him, in a white gar­ment, with a Cross vpon his breast, with a taper and pilgrims staff in his hands, attended by his Royal Train, according to his wonted manner. And indeed S. Xauerius at this time, often and familarly appeard vnto him, somti­mes by night, otherwhiles by day, now as he was a praying, and then as he was conuersing with others, somtimes sitting by his bed-side comforting of him, bidding him be of good courage, and in fine filling his soul with a hea­uenly sweetnes.

But now when there was no expectation of any thing but death, S. Francis Xauerius signi­fied to a noble matron, that Marcellus would not dy of that sicknes, but was destind to do great things and charged her, immediately to acquaint her Confessarius hereof, that he might afterwards be a witnes of the prediction.

F. Marcellus prepares himself for death, & rather to satisfy his deuotion, then that he had any hopes or desire of life, with leaue of superiors, makes a vow of going into the In­dies for the help of souls, in case he should re­couer; for now he desired nothing of almighty God, but either Death, or the Indies. After [Page 6] this, towards night, was administred him the Sacrament of Extreme Vnction: the diuine Viaticum of the Holy Eucharist, he was not able to receiue, by reason of the hard and close compression of his jaws. Wherefore he desired, a picture of his patron S. Francis Xaue [...]ius, should be brought into his chamber, and im­mediately one was brought out of the next room, which represented the Saint in the habit of a pilgrim. The sick person earnestly be­sought him, euer and anon applying his holy Relicks to his throat, that he would not per­mit him to depart out of this life, without receiuing the Diuine Sacrament In the mor­ning, assured that his praiers were heard, he called for the holy Eucharist, which he swal­lowed down without any difficulty. This day, which was the third of the New year, he spent betwixt life and death. Notwithstanding, that very night, he told two Fathers, he must say Mass the next day, and they asking him where, whether perhaps in heauen, for they imagind him to be out of himself, he answered, where he knew not, but that he should celebrate the next day, he affirmed again, & with such con­fidence, as if it had been reueald to him from heauen. Nay, that very night, be treated with F. Ʋincent Carrafa, then Rector of the College, and afterwards General of the whole Society, concerning his going into the Indies, as if he had been certain of it.

And now it was about eight a clock at night, when Marcellus himself thought that he had not a quarter of an hour to liue, and all [Page 7] things were ready for his funerals. Many of his brethren of the Society were about him, part of thē praying, others by pious speeches com­forting of him, as the time required. Amongst others, there sat by his bed side, on his right hand, F. Iulius Cesar Recupitus, to whom with a small and weak voice, he spake in this man­ner. I seem to my self to be in a certain valley, and to see a litle ray of light a great way off. And a while after he spoke again, and said that he saw as it were a globe or ball descen­ding from heauen, and in it S. Francis Xaue­rius in a most resplendent glory, and with so pleasant and amiable an aspect, as that in a moment he had driuen away all grief from his heart, and infused into his soul, such, and so lasting a sweetnes, as he could not though he neuer so much desired it, as he afterwards testified, excite in himself, any sense of grief and sorrow; which he most earnestly endea­uored to do, when all alone he was carried in the same coach with the corps of his dead mo­ther, of which we shall speak afterwards, inso­much, that the memory of S. Xauerius his gracious and sweet countenance recurring, in stead of grief & tears, he was compelled against his will to laugh. F. Recupitus interpreting those his words, as if he had receiued some spiritual consolation in his soul, endeauored to excite him to a firm hope of eternal happines. Then F. Marcellus sayd some body calld him by his name, but with a low voice: Marcellus, Mar­cellus; & admiring at it, exclamed; Alas! I do not hear well, and stretching out his hand, [Page 8] gaue a signe to those which were present to be silent. Then shutting his eyes, he re­mained quiet as it were musing or harkning for a litle space, vntil being calld again, he cried out; Hinc, Hinc vocor, I am called hence, I am called hence. And instantly he that but euen now was not able to stirr himself, turnd his body and face to that side of the bed whence the voice came. Those which were about him, astonished hereat, fix their eies more stedfastly vpon him, and they hear him speak with a low voice, and giue answers as if he were discoursing with some body, but can hear no body speak to him. They interrupt him calling vpon him, but he takes no notice of what they say; insomuch, that of those which were present, some thought he was visited by some body from heauen, others that out of himself he talked idly. F. Marius Fontanorosa prefect of the Infirmary, that he might better hear and see, what Marcellus said and did, put himself betwixt his bed and the wall. The brother who had care of the sick following him, hindered by an inuisible power, was not permitted to go on by S. Xauerius who stood in his way. Father Marius vnderstood all that F. Marcellus said, clearly and distinctly. F. Marcellus hauing turnd himself towards the pic­ture, of S Francis Xauerius in the habit of a Pilgrim, seeming to himself to be wholly ab­stracted out of the sight of the chamber where he was and all things els, he saw S. Xauerius standing betwixt himself and the picture, in his full proportion, and in habit very like the [Page 9] manner of his representation in the said picture, his countenance gloriously resplendent, and far surpassing all human features in grace and [...]miablenes. To him, S. Xauerius with a plea­sant countenance, Thus. Marcellus, what do we do? Had you rather dy or go into the Indies? Marcellus made answer, That liked him best, which was most pleasing to Almighty God. The Saint goes on. Do you remember, that yesterday in the presence of your Prouincial you made a vow to go into the Indies, in case you re­couerd? I do temember it, answerd Marcellus. Go to then, said S. Xauerius; say after me: and immediately the Saint recited the Formula of the Vows made by all of the Society of JE­SƲS in the end of their Nouiship, interpo­sing certain clauses, which are noted in a dif­ferent caracter: all which words as they were repeated by Marcellus, were heard by F. Ma­rius; nay, F. Marcellus not hearing perfectly some of the words recited by S. Xauerius, the Saint smiling repeated them again. The words by which S. Xauerius, incited F. Marcellus to deuote himself to Almighty God, were these following.

‘Almighty and euerlasting God, I Marcellus Mastrilli, though euery way most vnworthy of thy diuine sight, yet cōfiding in thy good­nes and infinite mercy, and moued with a de­sire to serue thee, do vow before the most sa­cred Virgin Mary, and thee Holy Father Francis Xauerius, & the whole court of heauen, to thy Diuine Majesty, Pouerty, Chastity, & Perpe­tual obedience in the Society of JESƲS; and especialy [Page 10] the Apostolical mission of the Indies, which I also vowed yersterday before my Father Prouin­cial: & I promise to enter into the same So­ciety, with intention to spend my whole life in it, vnderstanding all according to the con­stitutions of the same Society, and the Decrees made by Holy Father Francis Xauerius concerning the Indian expedition. Wherefore I humbly be­seech thee of thy immens bounty & clemency, by the blood of JESƲS CHRIST, & merits of holy Father Francis Xauerius, that thou wouldst be pleased to admit as an odor of sweetnes this holocaust, and vow made by me though most vnworthy; & as thou hast giuen me to desire, offer, and [...]ow this, so thou wouldst also giue me abundant grace to fulfill it, and to [...]hed my blood for thy loue.’

This being don, the Holy Father told him he was cured; & commanded him in thanks gi­uing for the fauor receiued, to kiss the wounds of Christ crucified, whom he held in his hands. Which he hauing deuoutly, and affectuously don; the Saint asked him if he had any of his Relicks. Haue you my Relicks? Marcellus answering that he had, and taking them from vnder his pillow where they lay, S. Xauerius subioyned; Let them be dear to you. Haue you not also Relicks of the Holy Cross? Marcel­lus answering that he had. Go to then, said the Saint, apply them to the part affected. Mar­cellus instantly applied them to his temple which was wounded. But S. Xauerius making a signe with his head, that that was not the place, chan­ging his staff out of his right hand into his left, [Page 11] [...]ad laying his hand vpon the hinder part of [...]is head, he signified that there lay the force of his distemper, and to that the Reliquary was to be applied, which the sick man hauing don, the Saint forthwith, bad him repeat after him, what he should say. Which was as follows. All hail wood of the cross; All hail most pre­ [...]ious cross; I dedicate my self wholly to thee for euer: And I humbly beseech thee, that thou wouldst wouchsafe to graunt me, though most vnworthy, the grace and fauor to shed my blood for thee, which the Apostle of the Indies did not deserue to obtain after all his labors. And a litle after.

I renounce my parents, family, friends, Italy, and whatsoeuer may retard my mission into the Indies: and wholly consecrate my self to the sauing of souls in India, in the presence of Holy Father Francis Xauerius, my, my Father, Which two last words, Marcellus added of himself; and the Saint smiling approued of them, and pleasantly subjoynd: Be of good courage, and be merry for the future; and re­peat these acts euery day: and so vanished, Marcellus his sicknes vanishing with him. For their discours being ended Marcellus was sound and whole, and absolutely restored to perfect health, without feuer, without palsy, without defluxions, without wound, without faintnes, weaknes, palenes, meagernes, yea sound, whole, strong lusty. Then with a cheerful countenance to the prefect of the Infirmary, thus: Dear Father I am hungry, giue me some thing to eat. Whilst meat was prouided, he desired those [Page 12] which were present, to recite alowd the solem [...] praier of S. Francis Xauerius, and would hau [...] this versiele, Ora pro nobis Sancte Francisce Xaueri, S. Francis Xauerius pray for vs, repeate [...] thrice, and he answered, Ʋt dignus efficiar pr [...] missionibus tuis, That I may be made worthy of th [...] promises. This being done and meat brought those about him, were in the beginning at [...] stand, what they should best do: and wen [...] about to cut his meat into litle bitts, tha [...] he might more easily get it down. But he wit [...] a cheerful countenance smiled at theyr vai [...] fear, and sitting vpright in his bed, wit [...] out any thing at his back, fell vpon some o [...] the more solid meat: finally he professed tha [...] by the help of S. Francis Xauerius he was per­fectly well, and so strong that he was able to to rise out of bed, and that the next day he would celebrate Holy Mass as soon as the mor­ning would permit, wherfore those which were present, assured of his recouery, began to cry out, a miracle, a miracle, a prodigious mira­cle. The noise of it was soon spread all ouer the College, and the whole cōmunity instantly was gatherd together, to congratulate Mar­cellus his happy recouery: & vpon theyr knee [...] before the picture of S. Francis Xauerius, his restorer to sound and perfect health, they reci­ted the Te Deum laudamus, together with Mar­cellus, who by this time was risen out of bed, and had put on his clothes, after he had re­paired his decayed forces by eating and drin­king with a very good stomack, it being now four daies since he had taken any thing. After [Page 13] [...]is he took off the clothes and plaisters from about his wound, which was so perfectly cured, that there remained no scar, or mark of it nay the very haires, which had been shaued off for the cōmodious applying of salues, were grown again. The next day, which was the fourth of Ianuary, he said Mass in the Church, at the Altar of S. Francis Xauerius. And, which is not a litle to be admired, instead of being en­feebled by his past pains & distempers, he had sufficient force, that very night, to set down in writing this prodigious miracle, with all the particulars of it, and to recount it, all the next day, in a maner without any intermission, to diuers persons; and aboue all was able to assist fiue whole hours at a Iuridical enquiry, which was made in the euening, by the Auditor of his Eminency the Cardinal Archbishop of Na­ples. Moreouer, from this day forward, strong and lusty, he exercised the functions of the So­ciety. And a litle after for eight days together, night and day, without euer putting off his clothes, he attended his dying mother, vntill he had happily closed her eies: then more free & expedite for his Apostolical trauels into the Indies.

Now if any one desire to know what became of this happy Father, raised in a maner from death to life by S. Francis Xauerius; Going into the Indies, according to his holy vow, there to propagate the Ghospel of Christ, he first gaue signal testimonys of his Heroical vertues at Goa; and finally in Iapony, in the year 1637. according to the presignification of S. Xaue­rius [Page 14] vnto him, he died for Christ at Nanga [...]ach [...] hauing his head cut off with a cimeter vpō th [...] 17 of October, after he had with an incredibl [...] constancy endured the cruel torments of wa­ter, and the pit, which those Barbarians are won [...] to exercise vpon Christians. Ex R. P. Philip. Alegam. Mort. Illust.

I add▪ out of the R. Fathers of the So­ciety of IESVS at Mechlin in their collectio [...] of certain miraculous fauors obtained by the Inuocation of S. Francis Xauerius at his Relick [...] there, for the direction of the clients of thi [...] Great Saint in their Deuotions to him; that the Saint himself in an apparition, testified to R. F. Marcellus Mastrilly; that nothing wa [...] more grateful to him, nothing more powerful to obtain his assistance, then the Deuotion of a Nouena or nine dayes before his Canoniza­tion, that is, from the fourth of March to the twelfth, which was the day vpon which he was canonized for a Saint by his Holines Gregory the XIII. This Deuotion, at F. Mastril [...]is per­swasion, was much in vogue in Italy, & many haue found great comfort by it, particularly in the year 1658. Alexander Philipuccius of the Society of JESƲS, who suddenly recouered of a dangerous sicknes vpon the last day of a like Nouena. So They. And no wonder, that Christ our Lord should at that time giue speciall po­wer to his Saints, to bestow singular fauors vpon their Clients, when by his Vicar vpon earth, he proposes them as special Patrons, to the Publick veneration of his Church.

I Ʋdocus Houbraken Canon of the Ca­thedral An Dom 1662. Church of Anwerp, and Vi­car General of the vacant Diocess of Bolduke, To all that shall see these, Health in our Lord.

Amongst the vndoubted signes of the true Church are miracles, which are sometimes wont to be wrought, as well for the conuersion of Infidels to the faith, as also for the confirma­tion of the faithful in the same faith: for these miracles was singularly famous, both in his life, and after his death, S. Francis Xauerius of the Society of JESƲS, the glorious Apostle of In­dia and Iapony, who, as we haue vnderstood, has extended to our subjects his miraculous and benefical arm, [a litle peece whereof is ex­posed to publick veneration at Mechlin in the Church of the Society of JESƲS.] Which that it may more manifestly appear, by these our present letters we testify, that we haue parti­cularly examined, and caused to be examined the cure of a malignant feuer, and the sudden restoring of strength and forces, which by his means a certain yong woman in our Diocess [Page 31] of Bolduke obtained in the manner following.

When in the year 1662. the plague was at Breda, N. N. a farmers wife of the territory of Bolduke assisted her brother who was there sick of it: she being return'd home fell sick of a contagious feuer, and infected her husband, two sons, and her daugter Catharin being two and twenty years old. First of all the mother, and afterwards the father being taken away by this pestilential malady, and the two bro­thers also infested with the same, Catharin, from the six and twentith of Iuly to the three and twentith of August, was so exhausted with the continual burnings of the same pest, as that she lost at length not only her natural forces, but also her vnderstanding, in such sort as there being no remedy for her in hu­man art, a skilful surgeon auouched that there was no hopes of her life, who amongst diuers others, both with his hand and oath confirmed this our narration. Their friends & neighbors vndoubtedly perswaded themselues that this house was infected with the plague; whereupō there was none who would afford comfort & necessary assistance to the sick parties. Not­withstanding their good Pastor, confiding through the merits and intercession of S. Fran­cis Xauerius both to be preserued himself from infection, and also to free the sick from theyr infirmity, did not desert those who were de­serted by all their friends. Hauing therefore late in the euening administred to Catharin the Holy Sacrament of Extreme Vnction, retur­ning again the same euening, he brought with [Page 32] him a picture of S. Francis Xauerius, which had touched his Holy Relicks famous for mi­racles at Mechlin, and presenting it to Catha­rin, who was in a manner just a dying, by the hands of her brother, he incited them all to put their confidence in the intercession of that Blessed Saint to God for them. Catharin had now layne four or fiue dayes, without being able to moue herself: the picture being offe­red her, she took it and kist it with a great confidence, the Pastor hauing exhorted her to contiue that her Deuotion all night, he retur­ned home. The next day early in the morning, without any bodies help or knowledge, Ca­tharin rose out of her bed, and put on her clothes herself, and walked about the house: nay euen that very day, she would haue gon out into the field to get forrage for the cat­tel, had not her brothers hindred her. The day after she indeed went abroad, when in the mean time, the Pastor being come to visit her, expecting to finde her in her bed, either dead or dying, he sees her come in at the door loa­ded with a great basket of forrage, which she had gathered in the field. The good man was wholly astonished at this vnexspected miracu­lous change, but withall reprehended her im­prudence, for so rashly exposing herself to the open air, and danger of a relapse, being but immediately recouered of so dangerous a ma­lady. The maid hauing heard him with respect due to his person, confidently replied, Sir, be not solicitous for me, I am out of danger, the Saint has perfectly cured me, and restored me my [Page 33] strength euer since yesterday morning.

All these things hauing been declared to vs by a legal Instrument, to which, the Reuerend Pastor, Catharin herself, and the surgeon, her two brothers, and others of her kindred and neighbors had subscribed with oath, we first approued a Commissary in those parts, an ho­nest and vnderstanding man, who after he had examined all things in our name, and had again, interposing the fidelity of an oath, receiued knowledge of the same things from Catharin, confirmed all with his own seal. Afterwards we our selues, here at Anwerp, examined the foresaid Catharin, in the presence of her Pas­tor conscious of all that had passed, and we found vnder the same Religion of an oath, that all had so happened. Which things being manifest, moreouer, there hauing been sent vnto vs in writing, the judgements of most skilful Physitians, who had been consulted about this matter, to wit of Tungers, and Brussels, & especially of two famous Professors and Doctors of Physick, & also of two others of the famous vniuersity of Louain, who vna­nimously agreed, that this restauration of for­ces and strength in so short a space of time could not be obtained by any power of nature; to the end that we might do nothing but le­gally, and according to the Decrees of the Councel of Trent, we haue consulted learned men and skilful Diuines, and haue again in presence and with them heard the foresaid Ca­tharin, and finally all things hauing been ma­turely, and as in the presence of God consi­dered, [Page 34] after a long and often repeated exami­nation, we thought it was fitting that we should decree, and by these presents we haue decreed, that the cure of the said Catha­rin may be esteemed and published as miracu­lous, and wrought by God, and obtained through the merits of S. Francis Xauerius, and we do publish it, and testify, that we esteem it as such: beseeching God the Author of all things, that as he has been pleased to gather to his Church the nations of the Indies, by the preaching and miracles of S. Francis Xaue­rius while he liued, so he would now vouch­safe in these parts, by the miracles and inter­cession of the same Saint, to conserue & con­firm his faithful people in the same Church, & graciously to gather those vnto her, who are by any error whatsoeuer separated from her. In confirmation of all these things, I haue subscribed these presents with my own hand, & ordered them to be signed with the seal of our vicarship, vpon the 19. of the Month of March, in the year of our Lord 1664.

MAdam Mary Castelli had for her father Don Lancelot Castelli Marquess of Ca­pizzi, Prince of Castle Ferrato, at present one of the three masters of the cham­ber of Counts who carry the sword, & Presi­dent with a like number of the Robe at the administration of the Royal patrimony; and for her mother she had the Lady Hippolyta Lareara of the house of the Counts of S. Char­les. This honorable Gentlewoman, after she had attained to sufficient age to delibera [...]e of a state of life, contemning all worldly hopes, well founded as well vpon the promising qua­lifications of her own person, as vpon her fa­mily, it being one of the most flourishing & richest in all Palermo, consecrated herself to God by a perfect Holocaust, by taking the name of Hippolyta Lancelotta, and the habit of S. Basil in an ancient Monastery, called Del Saluatore: where she had a litle before, amongst those exemplar Religious, spent the first years of her tender age, in an education as well no­ble, as holy.

The king of Virgins did not delay, to tes­tify, with what particular satisfaction he ac­cepted the generous oblation of this his new [Page 36] Spouse; and he did it by bestowing vpon her one of those fauors, with which he is wont ordinarily to grace those whom he loues most tenderly; that is by a very strange, and very troublesom infirmity. Which began vpon the first of Iune, in the year one thousand six hundred sixty one, with a litle Catarr accom­panied with a cough: which as then was not very troublesom vnto her, and also no great matter was made of it, but afterwards it did so extremely encrease, that hauing surmoun­ted the force of all human remedies, it redu­ced the patient to such a condition, as she had no hopes to recouer, whilst that, before she was brought if not to dy [...], at least to desire death, she felt in her self the effects of death, according to the proportion of the frequency of the symptoms of death which did assault her, and according to the measure of the ex­periments, which the Physitians made of theyr art vpon her person, endeauoring to cure her. Vpon the sixth of August in the same year, this malignant humor discouered it self to be of another nature, then before it was appre­hended to be: for it tormented sister Hippo­lyta for some hours together without one mo­ments respit, with a most violent cough. From henceforward, as in case of open and proclai­med war, she was forced euery day to suffer the same assault of the said cough, which did cruelly shake her and ceased not to torment her for six hours together in the afternoon. Her pains were encreased by new accidents in the month of Ianuary. Her cough, after a short [Page 37] truce of a few daies, hauing recouered its for­ces, returned again with more violence; and sometimes the shaking was so violent, the impetuosity so great, & the straining to cough so frequent, that euery body wondered, how so delicate and feeble a yong maid was able to endure it, and not to dy of it. But that which gaue greatest cause of fear, was the fal­ling of some drops of this pestilential catarr into her throat, where stopping the passage, it brought her to the very point of expiring. Wherefore fearing least some time or other she should be stifled herewith, and so dy suddenly, without further delay they gaue her the most sacred Ʋiaticum or last Communion, & com­mended her soul to God. This slimy and bi­ting distillation at length came out; and just as a torrent, makes the most hideous noyse when it breaks its bounds, so the Violence, which was necessary to cast out of the throat, this dangerous dam or stopping, was accom­panied with so vehement a cough, as it resem­bled the bellowing of an ox, and all the mo­nastery rung of it. Nor must any one wonder at this, or hold it for less credible, for it is not yet six years, since that at Macerata, the noyse, with which the air round about rung, by a cough of a yong Father of the Society of IESƲS, was so strong and lowd, as that it was heard half a mile off. The horrible noyse of this cough and painful shaking of her whole body, was followed with most sharp head-achs with a great defection of her strength & forces, with languishings, faintings and sownings. She [Page 38] remained without strength, without speech, without motion, and was for a good space of time, somtimes for a quarter of an hour, with her mouth gastly open, without being able to speak one syllable, or euen to moue her lips. Nor did the strange effects of this obstinat rheum stay here, but brought the patient, after an extreme weaknes, to an extreme contortiō or gathering vp of her body; so as she was not able to ly along in her bed, but was for­ced to sit vp in it. Then just as Watermen managing theyr oar, at euery stroke, moue all their limbs back wards and forward, so she seized vpon by a cruel conuulsion, throwing herself with her arms and breast, now to the feet, and then again to the head of the bed, she tossed her self vp and down with great pain and torment. Four of the strongest of the Re­ligious, to the end that they might somwhat asswage her dolors, endeauored to hold her as still as they could, but at length being not able any longer to endure the toyl, nor all four of them able to master the force of only one, & she sick too, they set besides her certain litle chairs, to the end that she laying hold of those, & throwing thē about, might finde wherein to weary herself, and by that means abate the force of her strange frensy, which remaining in its vigor more grieuously tormented her. Palpi­tations and oppressions of heart, frequent ne­cessity of breathing now on this side, then on that, an extreme difficulty of drawing her bre­ath, conuulsions, sownings, were the symptoms which followed one in the neck of the other, [Page 39] with so violent an agitation of the sick party, that many of the Religious, who were more tenderly affected towards her, forbore to visit her, to the end they might not see her in this pitiful conditiō. In the fifteen months, in which the malady continued in this violence, many consults of Doctors were made with great ex­pences. Besides abundance of Medecins of Iu­lips & Quintessences, they applied the burning heat of red hot irons twice, and cupping-glasses eight times or more, but all without doing her any good. Moreouer, if we will belieue Galen, there is no remedy on earth for this malady, which for its contumacious and insuperable fiercenes is called Distillatio Ferina. But while sister Hippolyta, her strength & forces exhausted, giuen ouer by the Doctors, who despaired of sauing her life, hauing lost her speech, at the end of a three dayes violent agony, wholly resigned to the Diuine will, was expecting the last mercy of God, the recompence of her pa­tience with the end of all her dolors; behold, beyond all human hopes, she is rewarded with the gift of her lost health, to the end that she might multiply the crowns of her vertues by her faithful seruices of her bountiful spouse. She remembred herself, how that Father Tho­mas Buscemy of the Society of JESƲS, hauing entred into the Monastery some few daies be­fore to hear her Confession, had recounted vnto her a miracle, wrought in the City of Macerata vpon a Father of the same Society who being aflicted with the same malady, with very sem­blable symptoms of oppression of the heart, a [Page 40] violent cough, & those other rude paroxisms, which I haue aboue related, by taking for his Aduocate the Holy Apostle of the East, was by the Saint immediately and perfectly cured: she remembred also that the said Father, bringing to her a Relick, had exhorted her to make vse of a like recours to the Saint, for the recouery of her health: moreouer that the Father being returned to the College, had receiued a letter, by which sister Hippolyta demanded of him permission to pray to God & S. Francis Xauerius, not to prolong her life, but to hasten at least her death; but he persisting in his first Counsel, had answered her, that she should for the pre­sent quit that her desire of happines, and with a due indifferency pray to God to restore her health, if it were to his greater glory, to the end that she might employ it to the seruice of his Diuine Majesty, and of her Religion, and that she should repeat this praier three times. She then being now gasping for life, remem­bred that she had not been so punctually obe­dient to her spiritual Father, for which she was a litle troubled, and had some scruple of it, & so whether in recompence of her obedience, or as a disposition to the merit of that grace which was prepared for her, she felt her heart encouraged & strengthned by a great faith, such as she had not experimented ether in her first, or second praier: by means wherof, without delay, she repeats her praier in thought [being not able to do it by words] & beseeches God the third time in the form prescribed by her Confessarius, that through the intercession of [Page 41] his faithful seruant, and Apostle of the East S. Francis Xauerius, he would deliuer her from this mortal infirmity. No sooner had she don this, but the torment of her agony being chan­ged into a sweet repose, she fell into a quiet sleep: In her sleep she seemed to herself to hear an interior voice, which said vnto her, that she was now perfectly cured: and for that surpri­zed, between astonishment and joy, she did not yet belieue it, and demanded how this was don so suddenly, & why she should receiue so great a reward for so small an act of obe­dience? Not so, replied to her clearly the same voice, but S. Francis Xauerius, whom you haue taken for your aduocate, has interposed his praiers for you to God; wherefore take his Relick, and lay it vpon your heart, for it is this Saint who has obtaind you this gra­ce. And she had no need of any thing els quite to free her of her malady, but immediatly sei­zed on by a sublime rauishment of spirit, what return, said she, shall I be able to make to my deliuerer, that I may acquit my self worthily of so considerable a fauor? Nothing els [re­plied again the diuine inspiration, whick spoke to her in her heart without the noyse of words] but that first you communicate euery Friday in honor of S. Francis, offering to the soue­raigne Lord the most adorable Eucharist, the abridgment of all graces. Secondly that you banish from you that day all other thoughts, & spend it in a Deuout recollection, keeping silence exactly. Thirdly that by particular acts you employ your self in the exercise of some [Page 42] vertue and aduance your self in the acquiring of it. At this very moment she raises her self vp, and hauing with a great Deuotion applied to her breast the Holy Relick, the true remedy of her incurable distillation and all other in­firmity, she cryed out with a lowd and clear voice: I am well, S. Francis Xauerius has cured me, giue me my Habit, for I will go imme­diately to the Quire, to giue thanks to God and the Saint for my recouery. The mothers, who in a great number kept her company in this extremity, looked vpon these words, as the rauings of one that was out of herself; but presently after acknowledging them to be what they were indeed, an vndoubted testi­mony of the very truth, they were greatly astonished at them, which amazemēt soon chan­ged it self into a hearty joy, and praises of the Diuine bounty and the Holy Apostle: & with­out exspecting any further, they went all in a modest & Deuout Order to the Quire with the sick person, who was then perfectly recouered: and sung the Te Deum laudamus in a sweet and harmonious consort with the applause & vns­peakable joy of the whole Monastery. Af­ter which, they immediately gaue notice of all that had passed to my Lord the Archbishop: by whose ordination, necessary informations hauing been taken, and a process juridically formed, this present relation in an authentical form was drawn out of it. From the day on which the sick person was miraculously cured, vnto this present that we write this narration, are passed ten months: during which time she [Page 43] has constantly enjoyed the grace of as per­fect health as at the first moment in which she receiued it, except that when through forget­fulnes, or some vnexspected accident, she has sometimes failed exactly to fulfill the dutyes ordained her by the Saint: for then she found her self to be seized on by certain symptoms of the same euil, but which were sent her only as an aduertisment, in such sort, that acknow­ledging her defect, and not deferring to cor­rect it, the grudgings of her distemper strait vanished, and she was as free from them as be­fore. Amongst others, for that hauing vpon one day of the Octaue of the Holy Apostle, lighted certain candels to honor his memory, she resolued afterwards, out of I know not what human respects, to put them out again, she was immediately assailed with those furi­ous conuulsions, which we haue aboue recoun­ted, together with loss of her speech, and was nether able to recouer the vse of her tongue, nor to free herself from those contorsions, vntil she had again lighted the candels. In like manner another time, her voice failing her in the Quire, in such sort that she could not sing one syllable of the diuine office; & all remedies which were vsed to make her voice return, ser­uing to no purpose, she remembred that she had not payed to her liberal benefactor, the small tribute of a lamp, which was to burn before his picture. Wherefore she ran to it immediately: and at that very instant, she was freed from the stopping of a watry humor, which was falne down into her throat. I could [Page 44] here recount a multitude of such like amiable passages betwixt the Saint & his dear Deuote, but content your selues with these, which were alledged and authentically proued in the aboue-mentioned process.

There is only one thing, which although it discouer it self, notwithstanding, methinks I may not omit particularly to aduertise those of it, who shall read or hear this Relation: and 'tis for the spiritual comfort of the De­uotes of the Holy Apostle, who by the obli­gation he imposed in recognizance of a fauor don by him, does vndoubtedly assure vs all, how greatly he is delighted in the exercises of that christian Piety, which the Deuotion of the faithful has begun, to honor Friday in a special manner, the day on which this Saint, departing out of this life in the Isle of Sanciano neer China, in an vnspeakable destitution of all human comfort, and consequently very like to that of our Lord, receiued from his Diuine Majesty an abundant recompense of his infinite and Apostolical labors, which he had vndergon for ten years in the East, to the great aduantage of souls, and glory of the faith.

Let vs pray vnto him then, that from aboue he would please to kindle in vs also a desire of meriting by good works, the effect of his protection and patronage in this happy spouse of IESVS CHRIST.

ANDREW by the grace of God and An. Dom. 1662. of the Sea Apostolick Archbishop of Mechlin, to all those who shall see these presents, health in our Lord.

As amongst diuers places which giue singu­lar marks of their zeal towards the miracu­lous Relicks of S. Francis Xauerius, the City of Mechlin Metropolis of our Diocess in the low-countreys, does signally continue her De­uotion with an extraordinary feruor, where that sacred Depositum was first of all exposed with our approbation to the veneration of the people in the Church of the Society of JE­SƲS, so also the Diuine hand there opens it self largely, daily to distribute more considera­ble fauors by the miraculous and benefical arm of his faithful seruant. For besides the fauors and miracles which we haue leasurly examined and duely approued hitherto, as also other Prelates of the Church haue don, we vnderstand that this great Apostle of the In­dies, has lately made again appear the indeed prodigious power of his arm. To confirm this verity, we do declare by these presents, that [Page 46] we haue commanded with all possible exactnes to search out the truth of a sudden cure of a rupture of nine years, which a certain inha­bitant of Mechlin has obtained by the inter­cession of this glorious Saint, and which to this day he still perfectly enjoyes, as will ap­pear by this authentical narration, which was sent to vs.

‘William Plougart being threescore and fif­teen years old, was grieuously tormented with the extreme pains of a Rupture, the swelling whereof fell down sometimes in such sort, as it was as bigg as the head of a child. Margaret de Hoogh his wife was eye­witnes of it, and also Lewis van Dael felt it with his hand a few daies before he was cu­red, when he found him lying vpon the ram­pairs without force and strength, not being able to moue himself for the vehemency of his pains, which he has often confirmed by oath, and auouched that diuers times, for these fiue last years that he wrought with him, he obserued he was so weak and fee­ble, that he was forced to leaue off his dayly labor. The violence of this infirmity had from the beginning so oppressed the poor old man, that his sufferings growing euery day to be more violent then other, they made him wholly vnfit for labor. The fal­ling of his malady did so torment him in the night-time vpon the eleuenth of Decem­ber 1662. that he verily perswaded himself he should dy of it, protesting amidst the violence of his pains, that he should esteem [Page 47] himself extremely happy, might he but dy, and that by a death neuer so violent. A­mongst others of his neighbors who were awaked by the doleful noyse of his sad gro­ans, a certain yong woman moued with compassion towards him, at one a clock in the night, made a vow in his behalf to S. Francis Xauerius, and promised to perform it at his miraculous Relicks at Mechlin: no sooner had she made her vow, but the com­plaints and sighes of the infirm person cea­sed. Early in the morning she went to see him, and demanding how he did, his daugh­ter Magdalen made her answer, that he had slept queitly euer since one a clock in the night. Ʋertly, then replied the good maid, I made a vow at the same time to the great A­postle of the Indies, S. Francis Xauerius, for the case of your father, and I will forthwith accom­plish it, with as much fidelity as speed. Vpon the making & performance of this promise, the said William was perfectly Cured, and has not suffered any inconuenience from his infirmity, for the space of two years now past. He has walked vp and down, trauel­led, and don his ordinary labor, with as great case and alacrity, as if he had neuer known what meant the torments of a trou­blesom rupture; and which is more to be wondred at in an old man of his age, six months after his cure, vpon the first day of May, he went from Mechlin to Anwerp, Tvvelue miles. and returned again the same day on foot, & [Page 48] this loaded with a heauy pack. A while after in the most vehement heats of the summer, he went from Mechlin to Bruxels, Tvvelue miles. & came back again the same day strong and lusty. Moreouer he protests that since his recouery of his health, for these two years, he has performed without any pain his accusto­med functions, although hard & laborious, [for that he is a gardener by occupation] that he has digged, sowed, and oftentimes in the cold and most dangerous moist sea­sons, bowed [...]o the ground, plucked vp herbs by the roots in his garden; and in fine, that he has don other labors, which experience testifies to be wholly contrary & pernicious to ruptures; that he has planted and trans­planted trees; and that in the summer last past, being vpon a tree of a moderate height he fell down off it to the ground, without any hurt, or resentment of his malady, al­though that heretofore, during the nine years he was tormented with it, it fretted and swelled with cutting pains, according as the air grew cold or moist, or if that in laboring he vsed any violence.’

The News of this cure hauing been brought vs by many persons of credit, The Reuerend Iohn Baptista Bernaerts curate and canon of our Metropolitan Church, and Antony Vermeulen Licentiat in Diuinity, authorized to this pur­pose, took by our command the informati­ons with theyr vsual forms, which the said William, his wife, his daugher, and Lewis van [Page 49] Dael subscribed with oath, as also the worship­ful commissaries, who sent them vs signed with their own seal. In confirmation whereof, many other testimonies were added of the most fa­mous Physitians of Mechlin. Anwerp, and Bru­xels, and of the two prime professors and Doc­tors of Physick in the famous vniuersity of Louain, who vnanimously assure vs, that so sudden and perfect a cure of a rupture of nine years, wrought vpon a man of threescore and fifteen years old, was aboue the power of na­ture, which we hauing vnderst [...]d, and conside­red in the presence of God, as also hauing required the judgements herein of diuers Di­uines, and other personages of great ability and Integrity, according to the Decree made by the Council of Trent concerning the ap­probation of New miracles, conforming our selues to the faithful report of the Reuerend Commissaries, who haue most diligently and maturely examined, and considered the matter, we judged it fitting, as we do also by these presents judge it fitting, that this cure of Wil­liam Plougart, both may and ought to be held and published for supernatural and miraculous, wrought and obtained of the Diuine goodnes, by the intercession of S. Francis Xauerius, and for such we publish and decree it. In credit whereof we haue commanded our Secretary to dispatch these presents, signed with our hand and sealed with our seal, humbly beseeching the good God, who glorifies those which glo­rify him, and is honored in the honors of his Saints [as we acknowledge, from our own [Page 50] experience and with all kind of submission the glorious merits and signal fauors of the blessed S. Francis Xauerius] that we may here­after more frequently experiment the effects of his fauorable protection.

FR: Ambrosius Capello by the Grace of God, and of the Holy Apostolick seat of Rome, Bishop of Anwerp, to all the faithful Christians of this Bishoprick, Health in our Lord.

The constant Deuotion of the people of Anwerp to S. Francis Xauerius, in his Holy Re­licks, kept in the Church of the Professed House there of the Society of JESƲS, excites the merciful God, who is alwaies wonderful [Page 51] in his Saints, now and then, by certain super­ [...]atural fauors to signify, how pleasing vnto him the honor is, which we, here vpon earth, shew to his friends in heauen; letting as it were descend certain rayes of that glory, which they there eternally poss [...]ss, to the increasing of that honor and temporal glory, which he does also euen here vpon earth to those his same friends: and so it has appeared to vs now the third time, in the Person of Margarit Crick a deuout woman, of about eight and thirty years of age, born at Aelost of Peter Crick a merchant there in his life time, and Susan Ʋander Straten. This woman in the year of our Lord 1656. hauing falne into a grieuous sick­nes, and palsy in the right side of her body, although she in some measure recouered of it, yet notwithstanding she retained, in all her right side, such a weaknes, that she was euer after miserable, and wholly vnfit for any work which required any force and strength, and she got moreouer such a sudden contraction of the nerues or sinews, that her right legg became remarkably shorter then her left: in such sort that she was forced, to make one of her shooes, at least about half a thumb higher then the other, and besides, was necessitated, by reason of her great weaknes, to make vse of a Crutch to go with all.

This lamenes in the maner related, together with a general weaknes of the right side of her body, stuck by her the space of six years. During the first two years, to wit from the year 1656. to the year 1658. she applied diuers [Page 52] oyntments to her lame legg, but finding not the least benefit or betternes by them, for the future she layd [...]hem all aside, and past ouer the four next-following years [the three last wherof she liued at Anwerp] without vsing any human remedies, medecins, or oyntings; bearing with patience this litle cross, which God had sent her. Vntil at last vpon the thir­tith day of March 1662. she made her address to S. Francis Xauerius, with a strong confidence of obtaining of God, through his merits & intercession, her perfect health, and strength. To which end she resolued with herself, the nine daies following, to go to visit his Re­licks, in the Church of the Professed House of the Society of IESƲS, there to do her De­uotions, & earnestly to beseech the same Saint, if it were the will of God, and would tend to her souls health, that he would vouchsafe to be her Aduocate, and obtain for her, perfect health of the Diuine mercy. And it seems the Saint stood ready to answer her request, for immediatly from the very beginning, & dayly forwards, during her nine-days Deuotion she felt herself remarkably better as to her infir­mity, together with a like encrease of her confidence in the merits of the Saint; so that vpon the seuenth day of April, being Good-Friday for the year last past 1662. & the last day of the Nouena, hauing ended her Deuo­tions before the Altar and Relicks of the fore­said Saint▪ finding her self comforted with an interior, sensible sweetnes, and strongly con­fiding that she was cured through the interces­sion [Page] of S. Xauerius, and should hereafter be able to go without a crutch, she offered vp her crutch, and there left it: then rising vp from her praying place, she went strait out of the Church without any difficulty: being come in to the street, finding herself stronger and stronger, she went to the Church of S. Iames, and thence to the Church of S. George, and so to her own dwelling, which was there abouts; with an vnspeakable joy, and a heart full of thanksgiuing to her curer and restorer S. Francis Xauerius, and was beheld with like admiration, first by her own hous-hold and neighbors, who saw her come home, and af­terwards by innumerable multitudes of people, who had before seen & known the said Mar­garit Crick, lame and miserable, going with a crutch, and high shoos, and all notwitstanding yet falling on one-side in her gate, whom they now saw without crutch or prop, to go nim­bly, and right vpon her limbs, without being able to perceiue any defect in her gate. And this strength and soundnes of her body, did so encrease, that shortly after [to wit in the sommer of the same year 1662. and again in the sommer of the present year 1663.] she went on foot from Baestroo to Aelost, of about nine miles distance, without any help of stick, or crutch, or any thing els: yea without euen feeling any greater wearynes in one legg, then in the other, to the great admiration of her friends and kinsfolks, and others of the town of Aelost, who had before known, or seen her lame, and miserable. In this perfect health & [Page 54] strength of limbs, does she continue to this very day, for the space of seuenteen Months, alwaies going vpright, without the least lim­ping on one side or the other, without feeling any pain or contraction of Nerues, or any other incommodity.

All which being so represented vnto vs, as it has been related, we haue thought good to examin the same more narrowly, according to the duty of our Episcopal function, & the zeal we haue to promote the honor of God, and of his Saints.

First then, hauing gotten full information, of the sicknes and condition, in the which Margaret Crick was, before she came to An­werp; [the same information being taken at Aelost, vpon the Tenth of October 1663. by Right Reuerend Mr. Iohn Fernand. Garrido Dean of the Collegial Church there, and the Reue­rend Mr. Marius Canon of the same Church, therevnto especially commissioned in the name of the most illustrious the Archbishop of Me­chlin.] we haue also in like manner to the more strict examen of the sicknes, and what has hap­pened to the foresaid Margaret Crick for the time she has liued here at Anwerp, and also to whatsoeuer might be required in this matter & its circumstances, commissioned the very Re­uerend Mr Henricus van Halmale Licentiate in both Laws, & Dean of our Cathedral Church of our Blessed Lady; and besides him, the Re­uerend Canons Mr. Antonius van Berchem Li­centiate in both Laws, Protonotary Aposto­lick, and Archpreist; and Mr. Aubertus van [Page 55] den Eede, Licentiate in both Laws, Protono­tary Apostolick and Canon Graduate of the same our Cathedral Church, who vnder so­lemn oath made in their hands, heard the re­lation as well from the foresaid Margaret Crick, as also from diuers other persons, who knew the foresaid Margaret, from those with whom she had dwelt & from some who saw her come home vpon the day of her cure: afterwards, they asked the judgement of three famous Doctors of Physick of this City, who hauing well and maturely considered all the foresaid points and informations, in like manner vnder solemn oath they vnanimously judged, and at­tested, that the aboue mentioned sudden cure of the foresaid Margaret, was aboue all natu­ral power and means: and must necessarily be attributed to God alone, and to S. Francis Xauerius, whom God would hereby honor.

Wherefore report hauing been made to vs, of all that has been said, by the aboue mentio­ned Commissioners, and we hauing been per­fectly informed of all the particulars, and ha­uing also heard the opinion of our Doctors in Diuinity, do declare the aboue related sud­den cure of the foresaid Margaret Crick, to be miraculous, and supernatural, and that it ought to be held by euery one for a true miracle: exciting all vnanimously to praise and thank God, who has giuen vs within the town of Anwerp, as well for our corporal, as for our spiritual necessities, so powerful an Aduocate, and who is pleased amongst vs, by remarka­ble signes to exalt his great instrument and A­postle [Page 56] S. Francis Xauerius, who carried and pro­pagated Gods true faith, honor, and glory to the vtmost bounds of India and Iapony.

In testimony of the truth whereof we haue signed these presents, and confirmed them with our own Seal, at Anwerp in our Episcopal pal­lace the 23. of Nouemb. in the year 1663.

CAtharin van Hoef wife to Peter vander Elst Burger of Lire, was no sooner deliuered of fiue of her children, but she saw them born, and dead at the same moment, and they vnhappy infants found their cradles in their graues, before they had been washed from ori­ginal [Page] sin by the sacred waters of Baptism. This sad accident aflicted their sorrowful mother the more greiuously, for that she perceiued by diuers signes and tokens, that they were stifled by magicall charms and enchantments.

Witches and enchanters, in their diaboli­cal arts, by the permission of Almighty God, make vse of the fruits of the earth, and of the dung of rats, & other filthy creatures, to work maligne effects vpon the bodies of men. with such kind of sorceries as these, this poor wo­man was outragiously aflicted, finding her bed oftentimes full of them, although she had caused it to be cleansed before. Wherefore finding herself thus grieuously assailed by wicked spirits and their adherents, she caused herself to be exorcized for four whole years, when excited by the noise of the miracles whrought through the intercession of S Xa­uerius at Mechlin, she went thither. And en­tring into the chappel where the Relicks of the Saint are kept, immediately the Saint filled her soul with such a sweetnes and comfort in her aflictions, as cheered her at the very he­art, and she was not a litle strengthened by it. The poor woman being again with child, the four last months of her time she was aflicted with such a troublesome flux of Blood, ac­companied with such a dereliction of forces, with such languishings and faintings, and so many euils at once, that fearing least oppressed by them she should by suddenly, they gaue her the most Holy Viaticum or last Sacrament of our Lords Body.

These sad effects made the mid-wife and her kindred judge that there was no hopes of her life: notwithstanding the sick party, although her strength and forces were exhausted, and she giuen ouer by all, yet did she not cease to ex­pect from the abundant charity of S. Xauerius, together with the end of her dolors, the re­compense of her faith, which wonderfully en­creased when they brought her a Relick and picture of the Saint; to whom she offered a heart of siluer, and promised to procure a solemne Mass to be sung, and in case she were deliuered of a son, she would giue him the name of Francis Xauerius.

As she rolled this sweet thought in her minde she sowned away, & remained so a long time without motion, so that euery one thought she was dead. Coming to herself again, she comforted those which were about her, with words which abundantly testifyed the confi­dence of her heart, saying vnto them with a languishing voice, Assuredly S. Xauerius will help me, he will cure me of my Pain [...], and in fine he will saue my life, and the life of my child.

The Physitian being conscious of these strange kinds of euils and miseries of the good woman, fearing least the bowels of the mo­ther might come to be the graue of her vnborn child, caused a Surgeon to be called, to be ready to open the womb of the sick party, in case she should come to dy, that so the infant might be baptized if it were yet aliue. A litle after, sownings, and the ordinary symptomes followed one another with such violence, that [Page 59] the sick party had the Holy candle in her hand a long time without any signe of life. Hauing continued in this manner insensible for a time, by litle and litle she opened her eyes, and be­sought her friends to say one Pater and Aue in honor of the great Saint, from whose bounty she hoped to obtain her cure.

A Father her Cōfessarius, who was in a cham­ber neer her, set himself to say the Lytanies of all the Saints, and when he had pronounced three times the name of S. Xauerius, behold without feeling the cruel approches, and sharp pangs of child birth, she was deliuered of a son, whose happy birth sweetned the grief, which the sad loss of her other children had caused in her. Since this her safe and fauora­ble deliuery, she, together with her litle Infant, has enjoyed perfect health, without being troubled from that time with those charmes and witchcrafts, which oppugned her child-bearing with so many anguishes & grieuances.

The Approbation of this last Fauor by the most Reuerend Bishop of Anwerp, F. Ambrosius Ca­pello, for breuity sake I haue omitted. In which approbation, after due examen by commissarys by him to that purpose appointed, he declares that this Fauor, [for so he stiles it only, and not an absolute Mrracle] may piously and prudently be belieued to haue been receiued by the singular assistance of S. Francis Xauerius. The omnipotent and most merciful JESƲS, through the intercession of the same his great Instrument in the conuersion of souls, work many like fauors for his humble Ca­tholick Clients in England, and compell by his Holy [Page 60] grace all misbelieuers to say to this Great Apostle and Doctor of the Roman-Catholick Church, what Ni [...]demus said of old to Christ our Lord, in like circumstances, Rabbi scimus &c. Sir, we know that you are a master come from God, for no man could work those signes which thou doest vnles God were with him. But may they neuer deserue to hear that of our Bless [...]d Sauiour concerning the obstinate Iews Io. 15. Si opera non fec [...]ssem in eis quae nemo alius fecit, peccatum non hab [...]rent &c. If I had not don works amongst them which no other has don they would not haue sinned. If I had not come and spoken vnto them, they would not haue sinned, but now they haue no excuse for their sin. Amen.

Ad majorem Dei & Sancti XAVERII gloriam.