The HOLY LIFE OF PHILIP NERIUS: Founder of the Congregation of the ORATORY.
THE FIRST BOOK. His Actions before his going to Vallicella.
Chapter 1. Philips Birth and Infancy.
PHilip Nerius was born at Florence in the Year of our Lord 1515. On the Vigill of the B. Mary Magdalen after midnight, Leo the Xth. then Pope: and at his Baptiſm in the Church of S. John Baptist, was after the name of his Grandfather called Philip. His Father Francis Nerius was a man of good repute with all, and of great integrity in his pleadings in the Law. His mother Lucretia Soldia a Noble2 and Religious Matron, whoſe Anceſtors had formerly managed the prime offices in that Commonwealth.
Francis had by Lucretia four Children; two Daughters Katharine and Eliſabeth, and two Sons, Anthony, that dyed an infant, and Philip; who was of a pregnant wit, an affable diſpoſition, handſome features of body and and a ſtrange ſweetneſs of behaviour; furniſhed with all the excellencies wherewith thoſe, who from Heaven are deſigned unto the good of Souls, are uſually beautified.
His vertuous Parents vertuouſly educated him whilſt yet a child: firſt entring him timelyWhat is Writ concerning his Childhood is from the relation of his Siſter, of his own mouth, of Ludovico Parigi his moſt ancient and familiar freind. into Grammar, wherein he not only outwent, but became alſo admired by his School-fellows. He ſtudied Rethorick too under an able Maſter, through whoſe diſcipline he proved a good proficient.
Among other eſſays of his after-piety, which at times from his very infancy he diſcovered to the world, a marvellous inclination to things divine, a rare modeſty, and very great reverence to his Superiours were remarkable in him. He was ſo dutifull to his Father, that, but once in all his life, was he known to move him (in the leaſt) to anger; viz. when he very lightly ſtrook his Siſter Katharine, as ſhee diſturbed him at his prayers: which fault (if at thoſe years it may be termed a fault) being reproved for by him, he a long while after bewailed.
His Mothers commands he was ſo carefull of, that being at any time bid to ſtay any where, he would not ſtir from the place without her leave. She dying,3 and his Father marrying anew, his Step-Mother, out of a reverence to his Sanctity, loved him entirely, as her own; and when he afterward left Florence, wept ſore to part with him. Yea in her laſt moſt deſperate Sickneſs, being at the point of Death, ſhe oft redoubled his name, ever and anon calling him thereby, as if the very mentioning of it were a kinde of eaſe to her.
Nor only was he thus reſpective to his Parents and betters; even his equals and inferiours found him ſo pleaſant, as if he had no mixture of Choller in him at all: ſo that for his excellent temper, and innocent carriage he was (by contraction of his name) ſtyled Pippus bon•s, Pippus the Good.
By which amiableneſs both of Nature, and manners, he not only deſerved the love of men, but was protected by God, even to a miracle: For being ſome eight or nine years old, and (as boys are) eager of riding, he got up on an aſſe that was in an outer court; and on a ſudden together with the aſſe fell down a pair of ſtairs into a cellar, where a woman preſently running took him up ſound ▪ and well, whom ſhe ſuppoſed to have been bruiſed to pieces.
Theſe rare accompliſhments of the minde were attended with a ſpeciall care of religion, and the ſervice of God: and his devotions argued in him a ſtrange maturity, and carried with them much of authority. For they conſiſted not in erecting li•tle Altars, as is uſuall for children at that age; but in ſending up prayers, reciting Pſalms, and devout attention to the word of God: concealing ſtill in his talk his intention to become a Prieſt, or betake himſelf to a Cloyſter; and even in his childhood growing reſerved in his deſignes; as perfectly deteſting all manner of oſtentation.
Such a forwardneſs in vertue, and ſo childlike innocency4 procured him already that favour with God that whatever he requeſted of our Lord, he inſtantly obtained: So that it oft hapned, when he had loſt any thing upon recourſe to his prayers he preſently found it.
He drew his firſt breathings of the Spirit from the Fryers predicant, whoſe Church dedicated to S. Mark, he much frequented, inſomuch as living afterward in Rome, when any of the Fathers of that Order viſited him, he would uſually ſay; Whatever good I have by Gods bleſſing received from my Infancy: I owe it all to the Fathers of your Society; principally to Zenobius de Medices, and Servantius Minius: of whom he was wont to relate this paſſage.
Theſe two had agreed together, every night, before they went to Mattens, to confeſſe their ſins to one another, but the enemy of mankind envying them ſo great a good, knocks at Zenobius's chamber one night, two hours before ordinary, and cries, O ho, riſe, 'tis high time: whereat he awaks, and leaping out of bed hies him to Church, where he finds the counterfeit Servantius walking hard by the ſeat of Confeſſion. Zenobius taking him for Servantius indeed devoutly kneels to make his confeſſion, the devill ſits by, takes it, and at any fault the Penitent confeſt, anſwered, Piſh, this is nothing, no fault, this: then diſcovering ſome worſe offence, ſtill he replyed, Theſe are but trifles. Zenobius hearing that, miſtruſting the devils wiles, croſſing himſelf thus beſpake the Father of lies; Art not thou that fiend infernall? at which he vaniſht away, both diſappointed of his hope, and confounded with ſhame.
Beſides theſe he reſorted to an eminent Preacher of the Order of the Humiliati, called Baldoline, whom he greatly delighted to hear; of whoſe Sanct•ty, he gave a very fair Character, affirming that Florence5 was ſaved by this mans prayers; in the Year 1527. What time the Duke of Bourbon paſſing with his army through Italy, aſſaulted Rome.
The Holy Youth thus taken up with Spirituall imployments, this divine priviledge was granted him, that burning with the love of all vertues he even flamed with a Zeal of ſuffering for Chriſt. He was then about fifteen years of age, when he fell into a burning fever, which he endured with that patience and reſolution, that though his body lay under the ſtrokes of the diſeaſe, his Spirit ſeemed in a ſort above it: therefore ſecretly hiding the matter, his chief care was to conceal from the family his being Sick.
No leſs bravery of minde did he expreſs, when his Fathers houſe being on fire, he bare with ſuch moderation the loſs of no ſmall quantity of goods; that he thereby raiſed in all a very great opinion of his future piety.
Chap. 2. He is ſent to his Ʋncles in Campania.
THere was an Ʋncle of Philips named Romulus, a man very induſtrious, who going from Florence into Campania, and living a Merchant at S. Germans had there got an eſtate to the value of 22000 Crowns, and more: to him therefore was Philip at eighteen years old, by his Father diſpatched, with deſigne, that applying himſelf to Merchandiſe, he might make him his heir, eſpecially having none nearer a kin to him then he. So coming to S. Germans, he was by his Ʋncle kindly received, towards whom he ſo demeaned himſelf, that obſerving his ingenuity and6 maners, he purpoſed to make him his heir; but that God who had deſtined him to nobler ends, defeated the contrivances of his Ʋncle: and Philip within a while perceiving himſelf called forth to a far better courſe of life, began to conſult of altering his condition: to the perfecting which project of his, that which now comes to be related did conduce.
At the Port of Caieta, not far off S. Germans, there riſeth a Mountai•, fam'd by report for one of thoſe that ren•aſunder at the Paſſion of our Saviour. This mountain parts it ſelf into three huge clefes from top to bottom, of which the midlemoſt is much the wideſt; where on a high and ſtately Rock ſtands a Chappel remarked for an ancient Crucifix in it, wh•ch, as they paſſe by, the Seamen are wont to ſalute with volleys of Shot.
Hither ofttimes Philip retires, the better to contemplate on the myſteries of the Paſſion: where loathing daily more and more the varniſhed follies, and gilded roctenneſs of this world, he reſolved, quitting his Merchants affairs, to make choice of a life, wherein he might freely ſerve God, with a minde diſintereſſed from worldly cares. His Ʋncle ſoon diſcovers his drift, and labours might and main to alter his Reſolutions:Firſt promiſeth to leave him ſole Heir to his whole eſtate; then mindes him of the Nerian Family, like to fail utterly in him; which he ſhould do well to think of; and neither haſtily nor unadviſedly determin a matter of that conſequence; Laſtly tells him, he had not deſerved ſo ill at his hands, as not to obtain one favour from him,in lieu of ſo many beſtowed. Philip as was fit, modeſtly replyed; He ſhould never be unmindful of his favours indeed; but as to the reſt, he rather commended his affection, then approved his counſel.
Chap. 3. His going to Rome: and firſt Fervors in Spirit.
WHen he had been at S. Germans two years, moved by impulſe of the H. Spirit, he comes to Rome, not ſo much as acquainting his Father therewith, leſt he might divert him from his intentions.
At his entrance into the City, he met with an opportunity (to his own wiſh) of devoting himſelf to Chriſt: for going to one Galeottus Caccius a Gentleman of Florence, whom poſſibly he formerly knew, he ſeeing the modeſty of the youth, took him into his houſe, and pittying his neceſſity, allotted him a little chamber, allowing him yearly a quantity of Corn, which Philip gave to a Baker, to whom he repaired daily for a loaf to ſuſtain life with.
This his kindneſs the pious young man was not wanting to requite, even with a greater; taking upon him the inſtruction of Galeottus's two Sons, both in Learning and Manners; whom in a ſhort time he brought to that paſs, that in innocence and purity they ſeemed Angels rather than men.
Here for divers years did Philip lead a moſt auſtere life, ſhunning all Company and commerce; ſo that there be, who affirm him to have lived an Anchorets life even in the heart of the City. His diet was ſo ſpare, you would have ſaid, Hunger could not pinch, nor Thirſt parch him; for when the Servants uſed at firſt to ſave him a ſhare at meals, yet would he go down into the yard to the well, and dine or ſup with bread and water; adding ſometimes a few olives or herbs: yea oftimes faſting three dayes together. His chamber was ſlightly furniſhed, for except a little Bed, and a few Books, you ſhould ſcarce finde any thing there. 8His neceſſaries both of linnen and woollen hung on a line tyed croſs the room. He was much in Prayer, wherewith he was ſo delighted, that he needed no external inducement, his own inclinations did ſo hurry him thereto, ſpending ſometimes whole nights and dayes therein. This his emment courſe of life became ſo notorious, that not Florence alone, but moſt of the Cities of Italy heard the fame thereof.
Chap. 4. His Study of Philoſophy and Theologie.
ANd the better to attain the perfection of divine knowledge, and contemplate on heavenly things, he annexeth to the exerciſes of Piety, the ſtudies of Philoſophy and Divinity. And applying himſelf firſt to Philoſophy, he therein ſo acquitted him, that not without cauſe he was ranked amongſt the learned'ſt Scholars, eminent in thoſe dayes in the Colledge at Rome. His Praeceptors were the chief in all the City, Alphonſo Ferrio, and Caeſar Jacobellius, afterwards Biſhop.
He ſtudied Divinity among the Auguſtine Friers; wherein he made ſuch a progreſs, that he gained enough to ſerve him for his whole life: inſomuch that when he was old, he would anſwer the deepeſt queſtions in Theologie as readily, as if he had come from his ſtudies but the other day: ſometimes diſcuſſing ſuch points with his Sons, who were vers'd in them; both to endear them the more to him, and by theſe allectives, further and promote them in Chriſtian Devotion. At other times (but that ſeldom) he would diſcourſe thereof with the moſt judicious Divines of that Age; of whom were Ambroſius de9 Balneolo, afterward made Biſhop of Nardo by Pius the V. and Paulus Bernardinus of Luca of the Order of S. Dominic, famous for Wiſdom and Learning, with whom he was very intimate. To others he carried himſelf with ſuch Modeſty, as though he had ſcarce been in the Confines of Learning. Whereupon a wiſe Prelate viſiting him, and conferring at large with him, ſaid at his parting: I took this for an ignorant and unletter'd man, but in truth I finde him excellently qualified for vertue and profound knowledge: the like befell Alexander Saulius, Biſhop, firſt of Aleria, then of Pavie, famous for holineſs and learning, who propounding ſome Theological queſtions to him, wondred at his ſharp underſtanding, and gave him the like teſtimony.
Hence it was his cuſtome, that if any of His had in his hearing delivered any thing, either unwarily or obſcurely, in their ordinary Sermons, (of which courſe more hereafter) he would preſently up into the Pulpit, and explain it with ſuch weight of reaſons and ſignificancy of terms, you would have ſaid, his Doctrine was rather inſpired by God, then acquired from Art.
In Theologie he moſtwhat inclined to the judgement of S. Thomas, whoſe Summ he had ſtill by him: nor was he leſs a proficient in the H. Scriptures; by continual reading whereof, and daily meditation, he was able to interweave the ſacred Oracles with his diſcourſe, to the great advantage of his hearers.
Nor in his younger time did he neglect Poetry, as well Latine as Italian, in which he grew ſo dextrous, that on a ſudden he would compoſe excellent verſes at pleaſure. Yet while he thus intended his ſtudies, he did not for this omit the exerciſes of Religion and Charity; but reſorted to the Infirmaries of the City, carefully tended the ſick, taught in the Cathedrals10 the principles of Faith, and the like; in brief, refuſed nothing that any way conduced to the good of Souls. Yea, for the time he ſtudied Divinity, whenſoever he fixed his eyes on the Crucifix which hung up in the Schools, he was not able to forbear ſighs and tears. So that, as at Florence he was ſirnamed Pippus bonus, ſo at Rome he gained the title of Philippus bonus, Philip the vertuous.
Chap. 5. Quitting his Studies he devotes himſelf wholly to Chriſt.
AS ſoon as he had gathered from Sciences, and reading Holy Books what he thought might ſuffice to the promoting his own and others Salvation, taking S. Pauls advice; Non plus Sapere, quam oportet ſapere; That none preſume to underſtand, above what is meet to underſtand; all buſineſs ſet aſide, he determined to know nothing but Chriſt and him Crucified. Hereupon he ſold all the Books he had, and beſtowed the Money on the Poor: which act of Charity performed, he betook him to his Prayers with more fervent devotion; even to the ſpending dayes and nights therein, and continuing ſometimes in it full forty houres.
And for his better progreſs, he began more ſeverely to afflict his body, ſleeping on the ground anights, beating himſelf every day with ſmall Iron Chaines, declining the Company of men, daily frequenting the ſeven Churches of the Citty, eſpecially the Caemitery of Calliſtus; where carrying with him only one loaf for his proviſion, he would many times paſs whole nights in ſupplications: which ſtrange courſe of life he led for ten years together. Which Francis11 Cardonius, a Dominican (who then in Rome had charge of the Novices in the Monaſtery of S. Maria ſupra Minervam:) obſerving, to encourage others to the practiſes of ſtricter holineſs, would frequently tell them; Phil•p Neri indeed was a right holy perſon; who, beſides many wonderfull things done by him; lived ten whole years in S. Sebaſtians Grots.
If he chanced at any time to finde the Church-doors ſhut, when he repaired to thoſe holy places, he was won•to ſtand in the Porch; and there imploy himſelf in meditation on heavenly things; oftimes in reading ſome pious book by Moon-light. Here was he enriched with ſuch celeſtial treaſures, here was he ſo raviſhed with delights, that when he could no longer ſuſtain thoſe overcomming pleaſures, he would cry out; It is enough, good God, it is enough, withhold I entreat thee, withhold the exceſſes of thy Grace, for I cannot•ear them: and falling flat upon the earth, he was fa•n to roll himſelf too and fro. No wonder therefore, if being big with him, who fills heaven, and earth, he did divers times affirme, that nothing was more irksome, more a burden to him that truely loved God, than life: oft uſing that memorable and common ſaying, That Holy Men endured life, deſired death.
Yet God not only thus feaſted his Champion with Spirituall Dainties, but on the other ſide exerciſed him with the encounters of divels that aſſaulted him. He went once to the Lateran Church, and paſſing the Amphitheater of Veſpaſian, an evill ſpirit in the likeneſs of a naked perſon comes out and meets him, ſuggeſting filthy and impure thoughts to him: but the chaſt youth knowing the wily artifices of that old Serpent betakes him to his wonted artillery of Prayer, with which he ſhamefully worſted the fiend.
One night alſo, not far from S. Sebaſtians Church,12 on a ſuddain three devills with ugly and grim viſages (the more to fright him) met him praying, and meditating as he walked, but he, as one diſdaining them, diſcovering no ſign of fear went on undauntedly, continuing in prayer with great tranquility: at which they fled, fruſtrate of their expectations. And with many other combats in this kinde did thoſe wicked ſpirits aſſail him, over whom notwithſtanding this valliant Souldier of Chriſt victoriouſly triumphed. Of which in their proper places.
Chap. 6. The miraculous Palpitation of his Heart.
HAving lived thus a long time, and now 29 years of age, among other priviledges wherewith God honoured him, the miraculous beating of his heart, the fracture of two of his ribs, ſo that they ſtuck out, were not the meaneſt: which befell him after this manner.
A little before Witſuntide, a feſtivity dedicated to the Holy Ghoſt, to whom Philip having long ſince piouſly ſurrendred up himſelf, now more intenſely pray'd; Lo! on an inſtant he perceived himſelf ſeized with ſuch a paſſionate fervour of Divine Love, that flinging himſelf on the earth, like one in a ſwoon gaſping for air, he was forced immediately to bare his breſt: when, the extream heat ſomewhat allayed, he roſe, and tranſported with extraordinary joy, putting his right hand to his left ſide, found a kind of riſing where the heart is & ſeated, ſwollen to the bigneſs of ones fiſt.
What the cauſe of this tumor was, plainly appeared when he was dead, in the view of divers: for as13 the Surgeon opened his Corpſe before skilful Anatomiſts that were by; they found two of the five leſſer, which they call the ſhort, ribs, broken clean aſunder, and ſticking forth like a bow, which for fifty years afterward that he lived, at no time ever cloſed again: and yet (which ſeems incredible) he never found from it, either then, or afterward, the leaſt pain or trouble.
At the ſame time, though he were in very good temper of body, and perfectly free from any grief or paſſion, yet was he ſuddenly taken with a palpitation of the heart, that held him from that moment to his laſt breath: Yet it uſed to ſeize on him only when he was converſant in matters of Religion; as when he ſaid Maſs, gave Abſolution, miniſtred the Body of Chriſt, prayed, or performed the like offices; at which his heart would ſo leap within him, as though it would have broke its priſon, and have forced its way through him. Then ſhould you have ſeen the ſtools, bed, and the chamber it ſelf ſhaken and toſſed, as with an earth-quake; ſo once at the Cathedral of S. Peter when kneeling down upon a great and heavy board, his whole body did ſo quake and tremble, that the board he reſted on moved up and down, like a thing of no weight at all. From that time was Philip ſo devoted unto the Holy Ghoſt, that after he was Prieſt, he would every day (except the rites of the Church were againſt it) uſe that prayer in the Sacrifice of the Maſs; Deus cui omne cor patet.
Hence it was likewiſe, that if any Penitent coming to Confeſſion chanced to lean againſt his breaſt, he ſhould (even to admiration) feel that throbbing of his heart, and, if his head touched him, ſometimes perceive it recoil, as if ſtruck with a hammer; and he in the mean while freed of all Temptations. So that Tiberius Ricciardellus, Canon of the forenamed14 Church of S. Peter, who voluntarily ſerved the H. Man four years together, left this upon record.
What time I ſerved the B. man (ſaith he) I was ſurprized with a lewd and foul imagination, which ſo ſoon as I had diſcloſed unto him, he bade me come neerer, and joyn my breaſt to his; I approached, did ſo, and was inſtantly rid of it, never after being moleſted with like impurities.Thus Tiberius. The ſame do Marcellus Vitelleſcus, Canon of S. Maria Major, one very gracious with Philip, and ſundry others avouch.
Beſides, that part of his breaſt burned with ſuch extream heat, that it diffuſed it ſelf over all his body; and even when he grew in years, and was almoſt ſpentMany have ſeen this, and fourteen witneſſes, perſons of credit, have confirmed it by Oath. with incredible abſtinence, yet in the depth of Winter, in the in the middle of the night was he forced to uncover his breaſt, open Windows, and by ſeveral wayes, (as he could) let in the cooler air. Which immoderate heat grew ſo great at ſome times, that not only his hands grew exceeding hot, but his throat was dried up and ſcorched, as it had been on fire: that in winter, when all things are chill, and ſtiff with froſt and ſnow, you ſhould have ſeen a man worn out with old age, walk open-breaſted thorow the City.
But when the Phyſicians, in regard of the differing Symptoms, which he found from this panting, applyed ſeveral and contrary medecines; he jeſtingly ſaid, I would theſe men knew but the cauſe of my malady ▪ intimating that he was not diſtempered by any natural ſickneſs, but wounded rather with Divine Love: and therefore uſed to ſay, Vulneratus ſum Charitate ego, I am wounded with love. As likewiſe finding himſelf enſnared in the love of Chriſt, he would ſing in Italian.
15In like manner he would oftimes throw himſelf upon his bed, and there languiſh, ſurcharged with the too delicious Guſts of the Spirit. So truly was that in the Canticles verified in him, Fulcite me, &c. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am ſick of love. But to conceal his ſecret from the notices of any, he gave out, thoſe Fits aroſe either from indiſpoſition of body, or long cuſtom; and therefore purpoſely wore a Hankerchief on the left ſide of his breaſt, that the extenſion of his Ribs might not be perceived. This alſo in his palpitation was attributed to a miracle, that it took him not by conſtraint, but by conſent; as he more then once declared to Cardinal Borromeo his moſt intimate friend. And therefore Andreas Caeſalpinus, and Angelus Victorius, with other able Phyſicians, ſet forth ſeveral Tracts about it, ſhewing how this thruſting forth his Ribs befell him by a ſpecial Providence of God; that his heart (likely otherwiſe to be oppreſſed in ſo violent a motion) having by this means a larger circuit, might beat freelier, and gather air the better.
After he had received of God this favour, he began more than ever to viſit the ſeven Churches; whom, as he was going one day, the Spirit of God ſo ſtrongly ſeized on, that caſt down to the ground, he was fain to cry out; Depart from me, O Lord, depart; for lo! I die; and except thou help, I can no longer bear it. From which time the Merciful Lord ſomewhat abated and leſſened thoſe impetuous violences of Holy Love.
Chap. 7. His good works, and pains for the Converſion of others.
HAving now a long while lived thus, ſevered from the ſociety of men, and now called forth by the ſupream Lord of all for the good of Souls, he applies himſelf wholly to the converſion of Sinners. To that end he reſorts to publique meetings, the company of Scholars, frequents the Academies, intrudes into the aſſemblies of the prophane, diligently repairing to the chief places of buſines: where on all occaſions, without any regard of their perſons, treating of divine things, he wan many, whom by degrees he gently led to Chriſt.
Among others, whom he converted, was Henry Petra of Placentia, who by his perſwaſions forſaking his Merchandiſe, was made Prieſt, and lived very exemplarily at a Church of S. Hierom's, where he made a Holy end. This was he that amplified and enlarged the Congregation of Chriſtian Doctrine in the City. Next he gained unto Chriſt Theſeus Raſpa, who likewiſe leaving the profeſſion of a Merchant took Orders, and died full of years and good works at the ſame Church with Petra. He reclaimed alſo John Manzolius, who, though a Laique, yet aſpiring to perfection, gave a great example of vertue unto many. Beſides many others, whom he reduced to the paths of life, of whom hereafter.
And as his Charity encreaſed, he (no doubt by directions from the H. Spirit) began to conſort with the moſt lewd recreants in all the City (but being of that age, not with women at all) many of which he perſwaded to better courſes. Of theſe there was one17 of the chief Bankers, who inveigled with the Love of pelf, and mired in Sottiſh and carnal pleaſures led a moſt diſſolute life. He being by Philips means incenſed with a Zeal to the ſervice of God repaired to a Prieſt, for abſolution of his ſins, who repulſed him, for that he refuſed to abjure committing the ſame again, he, coming to Philip ſomething ſad, relates what had hapned, beſeeching him to pray to God for him, though moſt unworthy. Philip chearing his dejected minde, and making light of the difficulties ſaid Go: I am now haſting to pray for you; and will not deſiſt till I have moved the moſt High to pitty: and ſo he did: for ſhortly after, upon his withſtanding the next occaſions to thoſe ſins, he was abſolved according to his deſires by the ſame Priest, who had formerly rejected him; and became a great obſerver of Philip ever after.
And here muſt not be forgot, that when he was young, being very handſome, he was by ſome debauched perſons inticed to villany as he came from Sermon; but he immediately diſcourſed to them ex tempore of the uglineſs of vice, and dignity of vertue, with ſuch courage, that they went away his converts, who came to pervert him.
He drave divers to ſeverall Religious Orders. Whereupon S. Ignatius Loiola Founder of the Society of Jeſus living then at Rome, uſed to call him the Saints-bell of that time; for that he excited others to Regular Diſcipline, while himſelf led a Secular life: juſt as the Bell that tolls others to Church, and it ſelf the while abides in the Steeple. Ignatius was deſirous to have made him his own, but God had otherwiſe appointed.
Philips Sons obſerved, that thoſe who deſpiſed18 his counſel for the moſt part came to an ill end. So it chanced to one that profeſſed Philoſophy, whom Philip had chid for ſome heinous fact, but he ſlighted his admonition; and no ſooner went from the place, but was unfortunately murdred. The like hapned to another, whom once, or twice he had wiſhed to repent, who growing obſtinate, within a few dayes was impriſoned, convicted of a notorious crime, and adjudged to dye, but at the earneſt ſuit of his friends was condemned to the Gallies.
Yet whilſt imployed in the cure of Souls, he neglects not other acts of piety, he oft viſited Hoſpitals, where with his own hands he made beds, cleanſed away all filth, ſwept the floor, ſerved in meat, and did ſuch like offices; but in the firſt place commended to God the Souls of dying people; not leaving them till they either recovered, or died.
Theſe inſtances of Chriſtian charity ſo inflamed the hearts of many unto Piety, that not only the Clergy, but even the Laity, and Nobility began to frequent Infirmities and places of charity (a thing not common in that age) where, as every one ſtood affected they releived the fick, or ſtrangers and pilgrims. Hence the Order of thoſe that miniſter to the Sick had its Originall; whoſe firſt Inſtituter was Camillus Lellius, a man renowned for his vertues, and a great admirer of Philip. Here it muſt not be paſſed over, that Philip affirmed, how when two of this order were one time commending to God the Souls of the dying, he ſaw Angels wiſpering words in their ears: which thing he had often related to them, to encourage thoſe religious perſons to ſo important a duty of piety; as is mentioned in their Chronicle.
CHAP. 8. He erects the Fraternity dedicated to the H. Trinity.
BEſides theſe the H. Man contrived otherways for the good of his Neighbours; for in the year 1548. on the 16th. of Auguſt, together with Perſianus Roſa a devout Prieſt (his Confeſſarius) he inſtituted the Society of the moſt H. Trinity in the Church of S. Saviours in the Camp.
Here Philip and about fifteen more met, where beſides the frequent uſe of Sacraments, and other religious exerciſes, they communed about ſpiritual matters with great devotion, provoking one another to Chriſtian perfection. The firſt Sunday of every Moneth, and yearly in Holy week before Eaſter, according to the cuſtom of the Church, they for the ſpace of forty hours expoſed the B. Sacrament of the Euchariſt in moſt ſolemn manner; at the performing which Philip diſcourſed of heavenly things (ſometimes at each hours end) with ſuch fervency of Spirit, as there was none ſo hard and inflexible, but relented while he ſpake: and once it fell out, that at one throw (letting down the net of Divine exhortation) he drew up thirty young men together who ſtuck faſt in the mudd of an impure converſacion: yea divers that came to jeer, ſeeing a Lay-man preach (a thing then unuſall) ſtruck with the force of his words betook them to the practiſes of a holy life.
During the time of theſe prayers, he for the moſt part ſpent a day and a night in heavenly contemplation; and at the end of each hour by a ſignall20 diſmiſſed them that prayed, calling up others, and ſaying, See Brethren, the houre indeed is ſpent, but never the time of doing well.
The Inſtitution of this Society (which continues at this preſent) was, that Pilgrims coming to Rome out of devotion, might be hoſpitably entertained: which in the Jubile following under Pope Julius the third began to grow to a perfect work. For the number of thoſe that came to the City being in theſe years much greater, and no place ſetled for poor and ſtrangers to lodg in, Philip and his aſſociates moved with charity courteouſly received them: and the reſort increaſing exceedingly, there was a neceſſity of hiring a larger houſe to lodge the many comers the more conveniently.
This charitable work excites divers to the like: in ſuch wiſe, that every day you ſhould ſee, whilſt whole multitudes of travellers flocked in from all parts, ſome waſhing their feet, others bringing them victuals, others making their beds; ſome comforting the diſtreſſed, inſtructing the Ignorant, all diligent in doing all offices of charity and piety. So that the good ſavour of this Order diffuſing 'its fragrancy abroad far and wide, ſundry were ambitions of entring into it.
The firſt of this fraternity (who all reverenced Philip as their Father) though but meanly accomodated with temporals, had nevertheleſſe a rich furniture of their own vertues; for he that had the loweſt office among them, ſerving in the Kitchin, arrived to ſo high perfection, that going many times at midnight from his lodging, looking up to heaven he would be even rapt with the meditation of things divine. Another likewiſe of the ſame ſociety foreſeeing the day of his death, ſends for his21 Siſter, and bid her write, ſuch an hour on Friday I ſhall depart: and departed the ſame hour as he had ſaid.
Further theſe pious, and compaſſionate men, obſerving ſick men turned out of the Hoſpitals, before they were quite recovered, oftimes relapſing with greater peri of their lives, appointed that ſuch for ſome dayes ſhould be relieved here, till they were perfectly well. All which, being daily augmented, and enlarged, was for conveniency removed from the Church of S. Saviours to that place where the Temple of the H. Trinity is now erected, at the Bridge Xiſtns.
And to what greatneſs this work hath riſe, within theſe three laſt Jubiles, both our Fathers and our ſelves have beheld. For not only the chief Prelates of the Court, and Cardinals of the Church of Rome; not only men, and women of principall note (the one toward the men, the other toward women) have bin ſeen performing ſervices of all kinds; but there alſo you might behold the Pope himſelf (both to the admiration, and for the imitation of the beholders) waſhing the feet of Pilgrims, ſerving them at table, giving them Alms, and moſt devoutly doing ſuch like offices; inſomuch as the fame hereof was bruited throughout the whole Chriſtian World.
CHAP. 9. He is made Prieſt, and Authoriſed to hear Confeſſions.
GOd therefore having determined the work of his Servant to the Cure of Souls, and Philip in22 that condition being uncapable of ſuch employment, inwardly excites Perſianus Roſae his Confeſſor to perſwade him to the taking H. Orders. At firſt he oppoſed it, objecting his weakneſs, and endeavoured by many reaſons to divert Perſianus from thoſe thoughts: but he peremptorily demands his obedience.
So in the year 1551. (the Council of Trent not then broken up) Philip at the age of 36. in March at S. Thomas's Church in Parione, but upon ſeverall days, received his firſt Tonſure, the four inferiour Orders, and Subdeaconſhip: and the ſame moneth and year, namely on the Saturday in Holy week was made Deacon at the Lateran Church: and on the 23d. of May the ſame year, Prieſt, at S. Thomas's.
Soon after he went to dwell at S. Hierom's a Charitate, where lived ſome few yet holy Prieſts: viz. Bonſignorius Cacciaguerra of Siena, a man eminent for his Sanctity, and Learned, Perſianus Roſa Philips Confeſſor; Francis Marſupinius of Arezzo, one of great ſimplicity and integrity, who next after Perſianus was Philips Confeſſor; one Francis ſirnamed the Spaniard, no whit inferiour to the reſt in vertue; and Peter Spatarias of Arezzo too; one of extraordinary piety, and the laſt of all the Priests at S. Hierom's that were his Confeſſors. For theſe dying he choſe John Baptiſt a P••uſian of the ſociety of Jeſus for ſome years; and laſt of all Caeſar Baronius to his dying day.
Theſe ſervants of Chriſt, lived in the ſame houſe together, united faſt in the ſame bond of mutual charity and reſpects; without any other particular conſtitution of government, ſave only Love, none ſuperiour to other, nor having one table, but keeping their order of ſeniority, cared for nothing but23 to outvy each other in the ſerving of God, and helping their Neighbours. Which Order continues ſtill, and flouriſheth to the great example of vertue: and here was Philip Authoriſed for the taking Confeſſions; whereby he dayly gained opportunities for promoting the good of Souls.
CHAP. X. The Original of the Spiritual Conferences.
BUt for that moſt then neglected the things pertaining to ſalvation, and counted it enough for them to confeſs their ſins once or twice a year: Philip obſerving, that the bane of ſouls principally aroſe hence; employed all his wit and pains to animate and ſtir them up to more frequent uſe of the Sacraments, and the diſcharge of other religious duties: which with thoſe devout perſons already mentioned he reſtored, or at leaſt promoted at Rome.
And to effect it the better, laying all aſide, he gave himſelf wholly to the hearing Confeſſions, having no ſmall number of Penitents, and conſidering what great advantages accrewed thereby, beſtowed part of the night alſo herein: and betimes in the Morning gave audience to others confeſſing to him in his Chamber; for whoſe conveniency he layd the key of his door in a conſtant place, that they might have acceſs to him at their pleaſure.
As ſoon as ever the Church-doors were open, he ſtraight betook him to his ſeat of Penance, which he left not uſually, except to ſay Maſs, or when ſome urgent occaſion called him away. When none24 came he ſtayed there either meditaring, or walking before the Church-porch; that if any needed his help they might preſently have recourſe to him, as being at leaſure. He was ſo delighted in hearing Confeſſions, that he would often ſay, he took exceeding pleaſure in but fitting in the Penitential chair; and therefore as long as he lived he omitted not this ſervice. And when any asked him, Father, why do you over-burden your ſelf with ſo great pains taking? his anſwer was, I am ſo far from thinking it a burden, that I finde it an eaſe and recreation to me.
Neither was it enough in his opinion to allure many by theſe artifices, but he alſo laboured to ſtrengthen and confirm them in the ways of God. To which end he took order for their meeting in his chamber after dinner, (for at thoſe hours the wiſe man knew the incurſions of the Noon-day devil were moſt of all to be avoided and withſtood) where gathering round about him, he either ſitting or reſting on the bed, propoſed ſome moral ſubject, as the beauty of vertue, or deformity of vice, or elſe the life of ſome Saint, whereto every one contributed his part. Which pious diſcourſe ended, Philip repeating what was ſaid, followed the argument with ſucha Monte Zazzaro teſtified this upon oath. eagerneſs, that he a ſhook the whole room with his action, and oftimes his body was ſeen lifted up into the air, and he ſtanding as on the Ground.
At firſt there were preſent at theſe Conferences but ſeven or eight: viz. Simon Grazinius and Montes Zazzara, Florentines; Michael a Prato a Shoemaker, two young men Goldſmiths; and a Roman, one of the Maximi: but the number afterward increaſing,25 the H. man at his own charges provided a larger, and more convenient room in the ſame houſe.
CHAP. XI. His firſt Penitents.
WIth theſe religious exerciſes did He win many of the prime of the City, which became famous in all manner of vertues. Among which the principal were John Baptist Salviatus, Siſters ſon to Katharine de Medices, Queen of France; who was not aſhamed to ſtoop unto the meaneſt ſervices for Chriſts ſake, even to attendance on the Hoſpitals, an employment then thought (but thought unjuſtly) ignominious for a Noble man; all which he managed with ſuch evidences of his Charity and and Humility, that the ſick out of reſpect to his Perſon refuſed his ſervice, which many times he was fain to force upon them. One day making the beds in an Hoſpital (as his manner was) he found one ſick, which had formerly been his ſervant, who (when he would have made his bed) ſick as he was oppoſed him: the Maſter urged, the Servant refuſed; ſo that a great quarrel began betwixt them, till after a hot conteſt the Masters Piety got the victory of the Servants Modeſty.
This man was ſuch a maſter of his affections, that he who lately ſtalked through the City, gorgeouſly array'd, attended with a numerous train of ſervants, having once reliſhed the Spirit, began now utterly to abandon the empty oſtentation of ſuch State; yet Philip wiſhed him to go well habited,26 and keep a competent Retinue for the Honour of his houſe. By theſe and the like vertues he ſo pleaſed God, that at his death, armed with the Sacraments of the Church, and ſpreading forth his hands to Heaven, he ſang that of David, Laetaetus ſum in his quae dicta ſunt mihi, in domum Domini ibimus: I was glad when they ſaid unto me, Let us go into the houſe of the Lord: and ſo breathed out his ſoul in the arms of Philip his moſt tender Father.
Before this, Philip had long ſince brought Portia the Wiſe of this Salviatus, one of the Maximi, to a wonderful height of Piety; for living a Widow at Florence, ſhe reſolved on ſome ſtricter courſe of ſerving God; and thereupon withdrew unto a Monaſtery of Religious Virgins: but not having her health well at Florence, returned to Rome, where, entring into the Nunnery of S. Katharine of Siena on Mount Viminal, being very aged, as ſhe had lived vertuouſly, ſo ſhe died holy and lamented.
Next Salviatus was Francis Maria Tauruſius Politianus, allied to two Popes, Julius the third, and Marcellus the ſecond; a man of great parts, and for his excellencies and abilities of mind by the Princes highly eſteemed, and of much repute at Court. He, upon occaſion of a certain Indulgence at that time publiſhed, went to the Church of S. Hierom a Charitate to Confeſſion, and found the good man, never unprepared to ſuch offices. When he had done Confeſſion, Philip had him to his chamber; where, after many and ſeveral diſcourſes, he took an occaſion to deſire him to go and pray with him one hour. Tauruſius yielded to it; and found in that ſpace ſuch a guſt of heavenly things, that the hour ſeemed leſs then a minute to him. And when afterwards coming to Philips lodging, he oft ſaw27 him hoiſed up into the air whilſt he pray'd he began to have a venerable eſteem of him, and inflamed with more ardent affections unto holineſs, thought of preſcribing to himſelf a new courſe of life. But withheld by ſome obſtacles from thoſe purpoſes of ſerving God, he acquaints Philip with them; who bids him Go, and rest contented; for thoſe lets that now hinder you within a moneth will be over: and at the moneths end returning to the H. man well quieted and at eaſe, he confeſſed to him, with great contrition and remorſe, the ſins of his whole life; and finding in Confeſſion that Philip could diſcover his very thoughts and imaginations, became ſuch a lover and admirer of him, that foregoing the Pomp and ſplendour of the Court, he reſigned up himſelf wholly to his conduct.
This man had ſo burning a zeal, and fervent devotion, as needed more correctives to allay, than incentives to excite it: and he ſo wholly depended in every thing upon the Divine pleaſure, that he never loſt the tranquility of minde, which he had at his firſt converſion. He highly reverenced Philip; ſo that being fourſcore years of age, and dignified with the Cardinals purple, he gloried moſt, that he had laid his ground-work in Christs School under Nerius for above fifty years. He was famous for the gift of prayer and tears. He was ſo excellent at making familiar Sermons, that he is ſtiled by Baronius in his Eccleſiaſtical Annals, Dux Verbi; the Chieftain of the Preachers. Clement the eighth created him firſt Archbiſhop of Avignion: and then conferred on him the Cardinal Dignity: when he was in years he earneſtly beſought the Fathers, that he might return to them, and end his dayes in the Congregation, they all aſſented; ſo, not long after,28 in the year of our Lord 1608. and of his age the 82d. and the eighth moneth, he devoutly ended his life, and lies buried in the Church.
There was beſides, among the ſons of this H. Father, Constantius Taſſonius, Nephew to Peter Bertanus Cardinal of Phanum, who being ſo great a Courtier as he was thought never to be weaned from the world, yet by his converſe and acquaintance with Philip, retired from Court, and arrived to a moſt eminent piety, there being not the meaneſt duty of charity which he would not moſt willingly undertake: Thrice a week, and for the moſt part, every day, he opened himſelf to his Confeſſor, and fed on the Bread of Heaven: went every day to Hoſpitals and Alms-houſes; refuſing no means of conquering his own will, impoſed on him by Philip. When he was made Prieſt he ſaid Maſs every day: ſo averſe to riches and Church-preferments, that being offered a Benefice of a conſiderable value, he rejected it. For his extraordinary Sanctity and Vertue he was by S. Carlo ſollicited to come to Millain, where he continued in his family to his dying day in high eſtimation; at laſt being diſpatched to Rome by that H. Cardinal, he dyed in the boſom of Philip, who foretold his death to him, as after will appear.
One of the eldeſt of Philips Scholars was John Baptiſt Modius, a Calabrian by profeſſion a Phyſician, one learned and vertuous, that writ excellently of the waters of Tiber: and compleated ſome Notes of the B. Jacoponius upon the Canticles. Once Philip came to ſee him almoſt dead with a fit of the Stone; and exhorted him to patience; when going out he ſtept into the next Church, and prayed to God moſt fervently for him; and at the29 firſt tear the H. man ſhed, Modius voided the ſtone. ThereuponThis was publickly atteſted by John Francis Bordinus Archbiſhop of Avignion. being recovered, not unmindful of the bleſſing, he put himſelf into his ſole patronage and tuition. He was of a milde temper, ſoon affected with the miſeries of others; very ready in preaching; who by Philips appointment (whilſt yet a Lay-man) with much banefit and content unto the Auditors; rehearſed the lives of the Saints over in the Oratory: of which hereafter. When he died, Philip appointed to that employment Antony Fuccius of Tifernum. a Phyſician able and pious, and one of the H. mans diſciples, who had agreed to go with him into the Indies, for propagating the Christian Faith.
There was alſo one Martius Alterius greatly devoted to Philip, a Roman; one who was ſo good a proficient under his diſcipline, that Moſes like, for the exuberances of the Spirit, he could ſcarce frame to ſpeak of Divine matters. He was alſo ſo compaſſionate to the poor, that he gave them his very bed.
Adde to theſe Matthew Stendardus, Nephew to Paul the fourth, Bernardinus a Valle of Com•, Fulvius Amodeus, James Marmita, John Antonius a S. Severina, Lewis Paris, who lived with Philip as his menial ſervant almoſt thirty years: and many others of the prime families of Italy, all of which gave ſingular proof of their profiting by his Diſcipline, before the whole Court of Rome.
Beſide theſe he had other Sons, of mean rank indeed, but of illuſtrious piety. Of which the firſt was Steven a ſhoe-maker of Arimium, who lately living a Souldier led a diſſolute and profane life,30 in the abetting quarrels and maintaining of ſends: being at Rome he hapned to go to the Oratory of S. Hieroms to the ſermon there, and in civility to the reſt ſat the loweſt of all; but Philip though he neither knew nor had ſeen him before, brings him to the uppermoſt ſeat kindly inviting him to ſit down; when the company was gone coming to him again, he uſed him with ſuch reſpect, that being wone partly with Gods Word, partly with theſe, courteſies he frequented the ſermons every day, by the conſtant uſe of which and of the Sacraments he by degrees caſt off his long accuſtomed evill habits, and by little and little attained unto the height of vertue. He was ſo propenſe to works of mercy, that albeit he lived poorly, yet of that he got weekly in his trade, abating neceſſary diet, he diſtributed the reſt among the poor. He continually meditated on his latter end, preparing himſelf thereto, no leſs than if he had bin to dye that day: yet his daily thinking thereon made him not alter his countenance, nor leave his wonted chearfulneſs. He was ſtrict in his obedience, and much in prayer, in which he received many and great favours from our Lord; particularly this that in the Church of the H. Trinity he was ſeen to ſhine with a marvailous brightneſs. Thus ſequeſtred from all kinde of company, lived he in a ſmall cottage about 23 years, and being adviſed by his friends (ſuſpecting he might dye ſuddenly without notice taken) not to live alone, he made anſwer, that he relyed on the B. Virgins patronage, and doubted not, but that pious Mother would aſſiſt him in ſuch an exigent. Nor was he miſtaken in the event, for one night being like to dye on the ſudden, he went out and called ſome of his neighbours to ſtay by him,31 and fetch the Curate of the Pariſh; and going to bed again, when he had fitted himſelf in due manner with all the Sacraments, he quietly ſurrendred up his Spirit.
Next to Steven was Francis Maria firnamed Ferrarienſis an honeſt and upright man, one who could ſmell a filthy stench in ſin, and ſometimes had heard the muſique of Angels: when he communicated (which he did every day) or diſcourſed about heavenly matters he would even melt into tears. Withall ſo ambitious of ſuffering for Christ, that once in grievous tortures of the ſtone he pray'd God, if he ſaw it good to inflict more on him; upon the uttering which words he was preſently cured. He was ſo deſirous of the ſalvation of others, that after 3 years tears ſhed for a certain Jew he at length procured his converſion of God. Tauruſius found him once weeping fore, and demanding the reaſon of it, I could almost drown my ſelfe in tears, ſaith he, when I think of the words of our Saviour, Cum haec omnia feceritis, dicite, &c. When we have done all theſe things, ſay, we are unprofitable ſervents: for if the Apoſtles ſuffering ſo much for Chriſt, muſt call themſelves unprofitable, what ſhall I poor wretch ſay, that remember no good ever done by me? The ſame Tauruſius found him another time very intent in prayer, going backwards ſtill as though ſome huge mountain had bin coming upon him, and asking why he did ſo: I was ſaith he, meditating on Gods immenſity and greatneſs, which appearing ſtill greater and greater to me cauſed me even with my body to retreat likewiſe.
Another of Philips diſciples was Thomas a Sicilian, who through his managery attained to ſuch a pitch of humility, that he took it for a high honour32 to have but the office of ſweeping So Peters Church in the Vatican: which when he obtained, he diſcharged with all diligence and care. In the day time he never went out of the Church; In the night he would fetch a light nap on the ſteps of ſome Altar: having lived in this office divers years, the devil, enduring his unſhaken conſtancy, put him into a fright, that by being terrified he might deſert his emploiment. So, as he reſted ſecurely one night, the evil ſpirit on the ſudden made a great noiſe in the Church, that he verily thought all the ſeats had bin taken up and preſently daſhed againſt the ground; herewith awakned he roſe, and taking a wax-light looked round the Church, but found nothing miſplaced at all: and prying narowly into the private corners and holes; leſt ſome thief might lye•id there, he ſpied a devil skulking hehinde a pillar in the likeneſs of an ugly More; Thomas boldly ran to him, lifting up his hand to ſtrike him a box on the ear, but the Father of pride aſhamed, vaniſhed; ſo, he unappalled returned to his place, and ſlept on quietly.
Among other of Philips Scholers was Frier Lewis of Spoleto, ſo called, not for that he entred into any Religious Order, but for that in honour of S. Francis he alwaies wore hair cloth. He ſuſtained great temporal poverty, but was requited by a ſpiritual opulency, and the moſt pretious vertues, eſpecially purity. For which reaſon Philip allotted him the care of the Virgins of S. Katherinede Roſa; of which; when for certain cauſes he deſired to be diſcharged, he could never get the B. mans conſent, as having ſufficient experience of his chaſtity.
Of the number of his diſciples muſt Peter firnamed Molinarius be alſo reckoned, one who loſt his33 ſight with exceſſive weeping; which he is reported to have recovered afterward by miracle from Almighty God. Sundry other children in Chriſt had Philip, which died in high reputation for Sanctity; of whom ſome are for brevities ſake omitted here, ſome, as occaſion offers, ſhall be inſerted in due place.
CHAP. XII. His Zeal for propagating the Chriſtian Faith.
NOw while the children of this B. Father were conferring of divine things daily in his chamber, where were ſometimes read letters, that uſed to be ſent yearly from the Indies to the Fathers of the Society of Jeſus; Philip caſting with himſelf how plentiful a harveſt, and how few labourers there were in thoſe parts, reſolves (ſo he were aſcertained it would be acceptable to God) to go into the Indies, there to his utmoſt to propagate the Chriſtian faith, and, if need were, ſhed his blood for the truth of Chriſt.
His intents he declares to ſome his chief familiars, in number about twenty, of whom was Tauruſius; of theſe ſome he wiſhes to become Prieſts, only that thereby having procured the Apoſtolical Benediction they might take a voyage to the Indies. But becauſe he would not enterprize nor determine any thing of moment but by advice, prayer, and the advantage of time, uſing longer Prayers then formerly, he went to a Monk of the Order of S. Benet, that dwelt in S. Pauls Monaſtery without the City, and adviſed with him, as being in repute34 for his life and learning: he remitted him to another Monk of the Order of Ciſtercians, called Auguſtin Ghettine Govenourr of the Monaſtery of the H. Martyrs, Vincentius and Anaſtaſius at Aquae Salviae.
This man was in eſteem for knowledg and ſanctity, by his parents dedicated to God and Religion ere he was born into the world. For his devout Parents, having duely confeſſed, and received the B. Sacrament, were wont to conſecrate to God their iſſue, as oft as it befel them, yet unborn. He was famous likewiſe for the Spirit of Prophecy; and exceedingly devoted to S. John the Evangeliſt; by whoſe means, he ſaid, he had received very many favours: inſomuch that being neer his end he cryed out, My dear S. John (ſo he called him) hath aſſured me, I ſhall die on his Feſtival. And indeed as he ſaid Maſs on Chriſtmas day, the Evangeliſt forewarned him, that next day after he ſhould die: ſo, Maſs being done, he haſtned to bed, and arming him with the Sacrament of extream Ʋnction, the day following died.
To this Reverend perſon Philip relates what he had deſigned, and requeſts his advice aceording as the matter imported, he deferred in it, and bids him come again, that ſo he might give him a more punctuall anſwer. At the day appointed when Philip came, he returned him this anſwer; S. John the Evangeliſt had appeared to him, and told him plainly, that his Indies ſhould be at Rome, and that God would uſe his ſervice there for the good of many: telling him further that the Three Fountains ſeemed to him of bloody tincture, which, as S. John expounded it, preſaged a great calamity on the City. Upon this Philip gave over, determining to ſettle35 at Rome, and addict himſelf altogether to the furthering and promoting the ſalvation of others, as long as he lived.
Yet did not this ardent Zeal of propagating the Faith chill in him at any time: for what he could not do among the Indians, he to his uttermoſt endeavoured in the City. When a Jew, Heretique, or any other Infidell met him, he could not refrain weeping at the firſt ſight, he was ſo earneſtly deſirous of his converſion: and therefore neglected nothing that might further it.
One time he travelled with Proſper Cribellius, one of his Sons, whom he loved well, to S. John Laterans; into whoſe companie a Jew chanced to light; as they went into the Church, reverently kneeling before the Altar, where was the H. Sacrament, the Hebrew ſtood with his hat on, turning his back upon the Altar, to whom Philip; Friend, let me intreat you to pray with me a little in theſe words, O Chriſt, if thou be the true God, grant that I embrace the Chriſtian faith: Far be that from me, replyed the Jew, that were to question my own Religion. Thereupon Philip ſpake to them that were by, Pray ye for him, for doubtleſs he ſhall receive the faith of Chriſt: and ſo it proved; for a while after, at the prayers of Philip, with other ſpirituall means, the Jew was baptized, and liſted in Chriſts Militia.
On the Vigil of the H. Apoſtles Peter and Paul, Marcellus Ferrius, one of Philips Sons, hapned on two young men, Hebrews, in the porch of the Vatican Church: who ſaluting them courteouſly, began to diſcourſe piouſly and profitably (and not in vain) of both the faith and glory of thoſe Hebrew Apoſtles: thereby gently and by degrees perſwading them to viſit Philip at their leiſure, who lived36 then at S. Hieroms. They did ſo, and were kindly entertained by the H. Father, whoſe ſweetneſs and civility ſo tranſported them, that for ſome moneths together they conſtantly called on him at certain times; afterwards when they left coming, Philip ſends for Marcellus, bids him carefully look out thoſe young men. He goes to their houſe, enquires of their Mother, if they were well: ſhe tells him one of them lay dangerouſly ſick; he deſired to have acceſs to him, and, as God would have it, was admitted: when he came into the Room he findes him like to dye; his diſeaſe having taken away his ſtomack quite, ſo that he refuſed all meats. The woman requeſts Marcellus to offer him meat if happily he would take it from his hand: he did, and the young man accepts whatſoever he offers. Marcellus when he ſaw his time, whiſpers in his ear. Philip remembers him kindly to you: at which, he was much pleaſed and ſmiled. Then Marcellus, Remember you promiſed Philip you would become a Chriſtian; I well remember it, ſaid he, and will ſtand to my word. Marcellus informs Philip hereof, who over joy'd ſaid to him, Doubt not, let us but fall to our prayers, and be confident, he will receive the faith. In fine, the ſick party recovered and both he and his Brother were Baptized.
He converted alſo to the Chriſtian faith, one of the wealthieſt of the Jews, who was baptized in S. Peters Church. And becauſe his Father who was ſtill a Jew was more familiar than was meet with the Son ſo lately become a Chriſtian, Gregory the XIIIth. then Pope, fearing leſt by this daily converſe this new Souldier of Chriſts might receive harm, told Philip he liked not that kind of entercourſe. The H. man replied, he therefore37 ſuffered their ſociety, for that he hoped by the ſons means to gain the Father to Chriſt alſo. And he was not deceived in it, for as ſoon as the Son but brought his Father to Philip, he diſcourſed with ſuch fervent charity, and forcible eloquence of true faith in God, that being enflamed therewith he quickly was baptized, and admitted into the number of the faithfull.
Some years after, when Philip went from S. Hieroms to Vallicella, the ſame man having four Nephews, Orphans, was ſolicitous to keep them from converſing with the Jews, that ſo being inſtructed in the myſteries of religion, they might be trained up in the faith of Chriſt: theſe therefore, their affectionate Ʋncle commits to Philip, who lovingly and friendly, as his manner was, received them, but ſaid nothing of religion. A while after he bid them pray unto the God of Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, to enlighten their minds with the beams of his truth, promiſing the next day at Maſs to ſet upon God by violence. And though the young men, who had bin oft aſſaulted by arguments and exhortations, continuedThis is atteſted by divers ſworn Witneſſes. unſhaken, it was obſerved at the time Philip ſaid Maſs, they inclned to imbrace the Chriſtian faith; whereupon thoſe, who were there the day before, and heard what Philip ſaid, namely, That he would offer violence to God, remembred his words.
Meanwhile that the lads where learning the principles of Religion at Vallicella, one of them fell into a fever, and the ſixth day the diſeaſe being at the higheſt, the Fathers fearing he would dye, conſulted about baptizing him; but toward Evening38 Philip came to ſee him, and lightly ſtroaking his forehead and breſt, My ſon I ſhould be ſorry, ſaid he, you ſhould dye of this ſickneſs; for the Jews would give out, the Chriſtians had bin the cauſe of your death: therefore to morrow before dinner ſ•nd to put me in minde, that at Maſs I pray to our Lord for you. Which when Peter Conſolinus, Philips chief favorite, heard, he told the youth, Son you will recover this ſickneſs; for this good man hath by his prayers to God reſtored divers to health. That night he had a ſhrewd fit, and the Phyſitian that had the cure of him, ſent to his Ʋncle to make all haſt if he meant to ſee his Nephew alive; but when the hour for Maſs came, Conſolinus asked the young man if he ſhould minde Philip, as was agreed; who was willing. When lo! ſcarce had the H. man done Maſs but the young man roſe up perfectly well, and ſat upon his bed, and his Ʋncle coming found him rid of his fever. After dinner when the Phyſitian came and felt his pulſe, as his manner was, croſſing himſelf at the ſtrangeneſs thereof he cryed out, have ye Phyſitians at home, and do ye fetch them from abroad? at evening came Philip again to ſee him, and told him, Truely ſon you had died, but that your Mother might not impute the cauſe of your death to us, I have obtained of our Lord your recovery by prayer. Whereupon as ſoon as he was throughly well, ſome two moneths after, hoth he and his Brothers, to the great joy of the devout old man, were baptized by Pope Clement the eight in the Lateran Church, on the feaſt of the Apoſtles, S. S. Simon and Jude.
But becauſe they as heartily deſired the converſion of their Mother, they never left importuning their ſuperiours, till they got her placed with a Lady of great quality: and asking Philip ſtill, what39 hopes were of her; the good man anſwered, She ſhall not yet embrace the faith of Chriſt; nor is it now ſo expedient: but it ſhall fall out more ſeaſonably both for you and her. And ſo it was; for, about ſix years after, ſhe and others to the number of 24. were baptized together.
He gathered into the boſome of the Church many heretiques alſo; whoſe names are purpoſely omitted. Yet how he cauſed one Palaeologus to renounce his hereſy, may not be paſſed over in ſilence. He was kept as an Arch-heretique in the Inquiſition, and, perſiſting obſtinately after all ways uſed, was condemned to be burnt. As he was led to execution, Philip then living at S. Hieroms, being acquainted therewith, forthwith runs and meets him, leaping into the crowd; and making his way reſolutly through the guard, when claſping about the condemned perſon, he friendly counſels him to retract his error. When they came to the ſtake, Philip (by the authority God vouchafed him at that time with them) bid the officers ſtay: they did ſo: meanwhile Philip in few words, yet ſuch as had their weight from heaven, perſwaded this errant to the acknowledging of the truth: willing him to get upon a form and there publikely diſclaim his hereſy, who heartily did abjure and deteſt his impious opinions in the view of all the people. At laſt Philip prevailed ſo far, that he was brought back to priſon, where to mollify the minde of this penitent, he procured him of Gregory the thirteenth a very liberall gratuity, beſides what the Maſters of the Inquiſition allowed him for diet: and that he might not relapſe from his good reſolutions, viſited him every day, treating with him only about matters of religion. And for the40 ſubduing and curbing in him the ſpirit of arrogance and pride, wherewith hereticall minds uſe to be poſſeſſed, he gave him the lives of S. John Columbinus and Jacoponius to read, ſaying, that this ſort of men are eaſilier won by the example of holy men, and their innocent behaviour, than ſubtilties or diſputes: ſo that Palaeologus was ſorry he had not light on Philip before, and bin acquainted with him. Yet he laſted not long in this good minde, which Philip foretold in theſe words: This mans converſion doth not altogether like me: yet by his prayers and tears he obtained of God his returne and repentance: but at length relapſing again he was put to death, not without ſignes of hearty contrition; Caeſar Baronius and John Francis Bordinus at the inſtance of Philip affording their aſſiſtance for ſetling his minde in the faith being then at the brink of death.
CHAP. XIII. He puts Baronius upon writing his Annals.
THis ſo vehement zeal of propagating the faith would not be confined to the limits of Rome, but diffuſed it ſelf far and wide unto the moſt diſtant quarters of the Chriſtian world. For perceiving that in ſome Northerne countries the enemies of the Catholique faith daily broached new and infectious doctrines, he, on the contrary pitying the great ruine of Souls, reſolved to oppoſe himſelf. Thereupon by ſpeciall directions of the ſpirit of God he enjoyned, that in the Oratory (of which anon) one of his Scholars as oft as he preached,41 ſhould bring down the Eccleſiaſticall ſtory in order, from the Incarnation of Chriſt; that ſo, the beginning, truth, and progreſs of the univerſall Church expoſed to open view, and the craft and cheats of hereticks diſcovered, neither the Ignorant might be led into error, nor the Learned pretend any excuſe.
For this task he made choice of Caeſar Baronius of Sora, Doctor in either Law, a man renowned for ſacred ſtory, and noted for good life, who being but a private perſon was ſo liberall a benefactor to the poor, that he beſtowed all his houſhould-ſtuff, to a ſilver cabinet of a good value, and of much eſteem with him, yea his very apparell toward their maintenance: and ſo great a deſpiſer of honours that he tore his priviledge of Doctor, meerly in contempt of himſelf. Him therefore the H. Father deſigned for publiſhing the Hiſtory of the Church ſo oft recited in the Oratory, having well digeſted it into Method: a labour, which being begun out of obedience, and after vaſt pains and continuall watchings perfected, came happily forth.
Which ſo noble and admirable work is to be aſcribed rather to Philip than Baronius, as in his preface on the eighth Tome he hath left upon record, for the clearing of which, his own words are ſet down at the end of this treatiſe. Adde hereunto, that Philip himſelf a little before he died, calling Baronius to him, ſaid, Think but meanly of thy ſelf, Caeſar, for theſe works are not the iſſue of thy pains and ſtudie; but a gift of the Divine Bounty rather: when repeating the ſame again and again, True Father, replied Baronius, for whatever is in them is all next God owing to your prayers.
The ſame is confirmed by a viſion from heaven,42 which appeared to him not long before he ſet about the compiling his Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory. For when firſt he began to preach in the Oratory, he uſed to thunder out the terrors of de ath and hell: which after he had a while practiſed, Philip by direction of the H. Ghoſt, foreſeeing that, if he changed the ſubject of his diſcourſe, it would prove more beneficiall both to himſelf and others, adviſed him to apply himſelf to the compoſing his Eccleſiaſtique ſtory, and leave preaching death and hell: at that time Baronius did not oppoſe, but his genius carrying him the other way, afterward neglected his admonition: ſo that Philip by vertue of his authority commanded him ſpeedily to go about the task he had ſet him. Which his injunctions Baronius thought hard, and urged thereto one while by the vertue of obedience, another while diſcouraged by the reluctancy of his nature, he was extreamly troubled, but the Good Lord to allay theſe tempeſts in him, thus made known his minde to him.
As he was aſleep one night, he thought he was diſcourſing with Onuphrius Panuinus, who alſo applied himſelf to Eccleſiaſticall hiſtory, when being very penſive, and intimating what Philip had impoſed upon him, he deſires him not to refuſe the finiſhing ſuch a work: and as he heaped up arguments to perſwade his friend, on the ſudden he hears Philips voice ſaying yield Caeſar, now yield, and ſtand out no longer, for that the Eccleſiaſticall hiſtory muſt be written by you, not by Panuinus. At which Baronius awaked, and perceiving it to be the Divine will, immediatly reſolves to run through the Church Annals in the Oratory: which when he had brought along from Chriſts, we near to his own times, Philip enjoyned him to rehearſe them43 once or twice from the beginning to the end: ſo that in the ſpace of thirty years (as in the preface mentioned he affirms) he went over in publique, the whole ſtory from the beginning ſeven times, ere he printed the firſt Tome; and at laſt put forth the whole work divided into twelve Tomes. For this his great ſervice to the Church he was by Pope Clement the eightth advanced to the dignity of a Cardinal; which eminency with what unwillingneſs and regret he received, is there recorded by him; beſides his refuſing before that three wealthy Biſhopricks. So, worn away with continuall ſtudy and long weakneſs, living in hi•Tuſculan retirement, when he found his end approaching, Let us go to Rome ſaith he, for it beſeems not a Cardinall to dye in the Country. Being brought therefore to the City in a Litter, his ſickneſs increaſing, he died the laſt of June 1608. In the 69th. year of his age (which number he had with his pen marked in many pages of his books; as being preſcribed for the term of his life) in a houſe neer the Oratory, not far from S. Philips Chappel, the Fathers of the Congregation being preſent; and was buried with great concourſe of people.
For the ſame cauſe, to wit the refuting obſtinate hereticks fondly rejecting the worſhipping of ſaints, Philip enjoyned him to annex ſome Annotations to the Roman Martyrology. And for this reaſon alſo Thomas Bozzius of Eugubium, and Anthony Galloni•s of Rome, both Prieſts of the Congregation, publiſhed their writings with great commendation and liking; the firſt, of the marks of the Church of God, the other of the Lives of the Saints.
CHAP. XIV. The Foundation of the Oratory.
SEing therefore Philip determined to beſtow his pains at Rome, in winning ſouls to God, and the number of penitents daily encreaſed, that the place though large could not hold them: in the year 1558. He obtained of the deputies for the chief convent of S. Hierom, that part of the Church, which lies on the right ſide of the Chancel above the body of the Church; where he erected the Oratory, whither he removed the Conference held before in his Chamber.
That Oratory is yet to be ſeen, but more ſumptuouſly and neatly built; to which the R. R. Fathers daily reſort to prayer, and on Holy-days preach to the great benefit of ſouls.
Hither therefore did Phiiip with his Sons retire every afternoon to their Spirituall exerciſes; which ended, he would lead them, on worky days to ſome open place of the City or Suburbs; on feſtivals to ſome Church or other: and hence came the cuſtome of having the daily repaſt of the word of God, and that familiar way of preaching inſtituted by the H. Father.
But theſe beginnings of the Infant Oratory none better can delineate, then he who knew them ſo exactly, and deſcribed them ſo copiouſly, Baronius. For in the firſt Tome of his Annals, treating of holy meetings, ſuch as the Apoſtle mentions to the Corinthians. Certainly by the Divine wiſdome, ſaith he, was it brought to paſſe, that in our times, thirty years ſince, by means chiefly45 of the R. Father Philip Nerius a Florentine, who as a wiſe Maſter-builder laid the foundation; and of his diſciple the R. Father Francis Maria Tauruſius Politianus, who amongſt them ſeemed the Chieftain of the Preachers, Aſſemblies were inſtituted in the City, much what after the form of thoſe Apoſtolical conventions, ſuch eſpecially as by the Apoſtle were appointed for the diſcourſing of divine matters, both for edifying the hearers, and for propagating the Church. By the care therefore and induſtry of theſe was it firſt agreed on, that the Zealous Chriſtians ſhould meet adayes at S. Hieroms Oratory (for from it came the name of the Congregation of the Oratory) and there a religious meeting ſhould be held after this manner. Firſt ſilence being made, they began with prayer, and one of the Brothers reads ſome pious leſſon. At the reading of which the Father uſed to interpoſe upon occaſion, explaining more fully, enlarging, and vehemently inculcating upon the minds of the Auditors, the things read: continuing his diſcourſe ſometimes a whole hour (with great ſatisfaction to the hearers) dialogue-wiſe ▪ asking ſome of the company their opinions of ſuch a thing. Afterward by his appointment one of them went up into the desk raiſed upon ſteps, and made an Oration, without flouriſhes or varniſh of Language, compoſed out of the approved and choice lives of Saints, Sacred writ, and ſentences of the H. Fathers. He that ſucceeded him diſcourſed after the ſame manner, but on a differing matter. Then followed a third, who related ſome part of the Church-ſtory in the order of its ſeverall ages. Every of theſe had his half-hour allotted him, and46 performed all with marvailous delight and approbation: then, ſinging ſome Hymn, and going to prayers again the company broak up. All things thus ordered, and ratified by the Pope, as far as the times would ſuffer, that beautifull face of the Primitive Apoſtolicall aſſembling ſeemed to be revived again; whereat all good men rejoycing, and many taking their modell from them, the like exerciſes of piety were ſet up and practiſed in other places.Thus far Baronius to ſhew the riſe and originall of the Oratory.
To theſe daily duties he added others to be performed on Holy days. Firſt he enjoyned them to confeſs duly, and ſpend ſome time in prayer before they went to Maſs; after that to receive the Sacrament. Then he ſent them ſeverally to divers Infirmaries, ſome to S. John Laterans Hoſpitall, ſome to S. Maries de Conſolatione, others to Santo Spirito in Saxia, where they did each of them to their power help the ſick both by word and deed. Some of them vertuous above the reſt (in number about thirty or forty) to the ſingular example of piety to the beholders, went every day to perform theſe offices of charity.
Beſides ſome of them every Saturday evening, and on Holiday eves came to Philip, whom he took with him by night from S. Hieroms, to the Churches either of S. Maria ſupra Minervam, or S. Bonaventure on Mount Quirinall, (for then a Covent of Capuchin•dwelt there) where they went to Mattens with the Friers in the Quire, and ſpent all the night in prayer and meditation, that ſo in the morning they might receive the B. Sacrament with greater guſts and reliſhes of devotion. The number of them was ſometimes ſo great, that you ſhould ſee47 the Quires of the Regulars and Religious filled with ſecular and Lay perſons. Philip for divers years uſed almoſt every night to frequent thoſe Churches, whom, upon a ſignall that was betwixt them, the Porter let in; and the Dominicans freely granted him the keys of their Monaſtery, to come in at pleaſure.
But not content with theſe works of piety (thereby to withdraw his Sons eſpecially the younger, from the occaſions of ſin) he was wont at certain times of the year, as Shrovetide and after Eaſter, to go with them to the ſeven Churches of the City, though now thoſe of the Oratory viſit them at ſhrovetide only. At firſt very few went, five and twenty or thirty at moſt; but the company ſoon encreaſed, that even in Philips life time there went oftimes no leſs then two thouſand of them together. All were admitted of what rank ſo ever, except women: very many of the Regulars came, eſpecially of the Orders of the Capuchins and Dominicans, from whom there flocked thither whole troops of Noviees.
The manner of their journey was thus. On the day appointed they all came ſingle, or in companies to S. Peters in the Vatican, or the Cathedral of S. Paul without the walls, where putting themſelves into ranks, they went forward to the other Churches: as they paſſed they ſpent part of the time in meditation on ſome ſet ſubject out of the ſacred miſteries (the multitude being diſtributed into Claſſes, unto every of which a Prieſt was aſſigned) the reſt of the time was taken up in ſinging Hymns, Pſalms, Spirituall ſongs, and Letanies, the Muſiques attending them: if any of the day remained over, they conferred of religious matters.
In every Church, except thoſe two mentioned,48 one of their own, or ſome other made a ſhort ſermon to the people: but when they came to S. Sebaſtians or S. Stevens Church, Maſs was celebrated with all ſolemnity, where all of them well nigh received the Sacrament. Thence they went to the gardens of the Maximi or Creſſcentii, and ſometimes to thoſe of the Matthaei in Mount Caelius (yet at this day they (with their permiſſion) viſit thoſe only of the Matthaei) in which every one ſitting in his order, a table was furniſhed with bread and wine ſufficient, and an egg, a piece of cheeſe, with an apple added thereto. At dinner the Singers entred ſinging and playing to ſome holy Antheme: when table was taken away, they went to the other Churches; and ſo home, every one greatly rejoycing.
Theſe religious proceſſions were wholly governed by Philip, who took ſuch pains therein, that by overmuch wearying himſelf he ſometimes fell into a fever, but in his latter years, both by reaſon of age, and becauſe the Inſtitution was already ſufficiently ſetled, he ſtaid at home and performed other pious duties.
How pleaſing a work unto God that was, though it appeared not by down-right miracles, yet was notably declared by ſundry divine intimations. Once as his manner was, he went about Carnevall-time to theſe Churches, and in the way from S. Pauls to S. Sebaſtians aroſe on the ſuddain ſo great a tempeſt, that all thought of betaking them to their heels; but Philip bade them, Stay and be confident for I will warrant, - none that goes with me ſhall ſuffer much by this ſtorme.
Theſe devout uſages ſo piouſly introduced by the R. Father were commended by divers reputed49 both for gravity and learning: among which John Rubeus in his book dedicated to Philip honours them with theſe elogies.
Among other right famous things (ſaith he, beſpeaking the H. man) which I beheld the laſt year, being 1568 in Rome; it moſt pleaſed me to ſee the Oratory of S. Hierom a Charitate thronged with ſuch a multitude of devout perſons: which reflecting more ſeriouſly on, I reckoned to be the goodlieſt and nobleſt of all the rarities in the City. And ſo much the more I both wondred and rejoyced, for that I ſaw Perſonages of the beſt rank, and of ſeverall nations attend ſo chearfully to the word of God, diſpenced with that ſimplicity and integrity by You. Whence it falls out that almoſt infinite numbers of people abjuring the world, as the whole City can witneſs, conſult of giving themſelves up to Chriſt, where devoting themſelves to the Cloysters of the Religious, and other Holy Orders, they ſtedfaſtly perſiſt in their vowed ſanctity.Thus Rubeus.
CHAP. XV. He undertakes the charge of a Church of the Florentines.
NOw ſome of the chief Florentines duly weighing the abundant advantages that accrued to many by the above mentioned exerciſe, as likewiſe with what diligence and diſcretion Philip governed his ſociety, they endeavoured might and main to get him to undertake the government and care of S. Johns Church among them. To which50 purpoſe in the year 1564. they ſent ſome to requeſt him in the name of them all to accept of the employment, and to tender him a dwelling with all requiſites: His anſwer was, that he must conſider of it and make his prayers to God; and if he found it to be Gods will, he would ſoon ſatisfie their deſires. Within a few days when they came again he told them plainly, he could by no means leave S. Hieroms, where he had reſided ſo long. At which anſwer, Bernardine Cyril at that time Maſter of the Hoſpitall of the H. Ghost in Saxia, and John Baptiſt Altovitus with Peter Antonio Bandinus, who were employed in the buſineſs, repair to Pope Pius the fourth, entreating him to make uſe of his authority therein; whom having aſſured to them, they returne, and acquaint Philip that the Popes minde was, he ſhould govern that Church: when, with all ſubmiſſion to Chriſts Vicar he accepted of it; but on condition, that he ſhould not be compelled to leave S. Hieroms, which was granted him.
Meanwhile he cauſed three of his to take Orders; the firſt was Caeſar Baronius; the ſecond John Francis Bordinus; an eloquent Roman, afterwards made Biſhop of Cavaillon by Clement the eighth, then Arch-Biſhop of Avignon; the third Alexander Fidelius of Tranſona, one of great integrity and purity. Theſe Philip tranſplanted to the Florentines Church, alloting to ſome others the care of the Pariſh; of whom was Germanicus Fidelius Nephew to Alexander; a Youth of 16. years of age.
Not long after were added to them Francis Maria Tauruſius, with Angelus Vellius of Praeneſte of an unblemiſhed and even Angelicall life, who was the third Prefect of the Congregation after Philip: and51 being fourſcore and five years old died in peace the tenth of December, after he had ſeen the ſolemn Canonization of the R. Father.
Theſe excellent men with great zeal and courage began to cultivate the Lords Vineyard; for betimes in the Morning every day they went from S. Johns to S. Hieroms Church to confeſs their ſins; after dinner, thither they returned, either to preach, or hear ſermons; in the evening again they came to their uſuall prayers, never omitting theſe wont ed exerciſes either for Summers heat, or Winters cold, for wind or rain. For matters in the houſe, they were certain years their own Cooks, every one in his week: and that ſo willingly and contentedly, that Baronius left written over the Chimnypiece, Caeſar Baronius Cocus perpetuus: Caeſar Baronius everlaſting Cook: and oftimes Noble men and Scholers, found him with his apron on, waſhing diſhes. At meals they uſed reading, which laſted two parts of dinner or ſupper: they read the Bible, or ſome devout Author; which done, one of them propounded a queſtion either of morality or Divinity to go round. Germanic•s Fidelius and Octavius Paravicinus both of an age, were readers together at the table, the latter of which for his rare merits was made Cardinall by Clement the eighth. Every Saturday they ſwept the Church: on Holy daies ſome were employed in taking Confeſſions, others in giving the Sacrament.
Maſs was alſo ſolemnly celebrated; which ended, Baronius and Bordinus, at the ſuit of the Florentines, with Philips conſent, preached publikly by turns. At the uſuall hour Veſpers were ſung in the Church, after which they either met the B. Father at S. Mary's ſupra Minervam, or S. Mary's ad Martyres, or52 where elſe he appointed; and there Philip or ſome other propounding ſome pious ſubject or theme, ſometimes one, ſometimes another, anſwerd at the pleaſure of the Father, ſo paſſing the time in divine conferences, and ſpirituall exerciſes.
Hence grew a cuſtome after Eaſter day of going to that part of the Janiculum, where S. Onuphrius's Monaſtery ſtood; a place open to the Sun, and pleaſant for its overlooking the City lying beneath: yet as the heat of the weather increaſed, they reſorted to ſome ſelected Church to perform theſe ſervices. Where after the melody of voyces, a little Boy makes a pious Oration to the Auditors, got by heart, and ſtraight two of the Prieſts of the Oratory (the Muſiques at whiles interpoſing) make ſome ſhort diſcourſe to the people. But in winter viz. from the firſt of November to Easter, they begun about evening in a ſmall Oratory with mentall prayer, ſinging the Letanies and the Antheme of the B. Virgin; then a Boy, as before, repeats a devout exhortation, after which one of the Society preaches for half an hour, with Muſiques before, and after.
Theſe firſt Fathers kept up this cuſtome of going thrice a day from S. John to S. Hieroms ten years. Which is therefore mentioned particularly in this place, that poſterity might take notice with what ſanctity and humility theſe men ſerved God, who both for their literature, and noble extract, were ſo generally known to deſerve the chiefeſt promotions the Church of Rome had to beſtow.
Ten years had now paſſed, when the Florentines obſerving the many and great inconveniences thoſe Priests ſuſtained, requeſted Philip, that the ſervice in uſe at S. Hieroms Oratory might be transferred53 to S. Johns, He aſſented. So in the year 1574. on the fifteenth of April in S. Johns Oratory enlarged for that purpoſe the Fathers began their accuſtomed familiar ſermons. In ſuch wiſe that Juvenall Ancina afterward Prieſt of the Oratory, then Biſhop of Saluciae, a holy man (about annexing whom to the Catalogue of Saints, writings were drawn by Apoſtolical authority, and his courſe of life and vertuous deeds of late years writ) much converſant in thoſe duties, and taken with Philips piety, and Inſtitution, writes thus in a certain letter to Frier John Mattheo living at Foſſanum.
Some days ago (this was in 1576