Fuga sæculi. Or The holy hatred of the world Conteyning the liues of 17. holy confessours of Christ, selected out of sundry authors. Written in Italian by the R. Fa. Iohn-Peter Maffæus of the Society of Iesus. And translated into English by H.H.

Another example of S. Antonyes prophesyes, which happened in another Martyr. Chap. 10.

NO lesse memorable then the former, was a certaine reuela∣tion, which S. Antony manifested cleerely being Guardian at that tyme in the confines of Aquitan, in a Citty, which being in a more high place, the Frenchmen called Le Pay, and the vulgar Italian Val Poggio, and was aunciently by the Latins called Anicium. In this Citty among other Inhabitants, was a certaine Notary, very Catholike in fayth, the worldly in his dealinges, and more practized in taking of Suretyships, then discerning of spirits, more aquainted with plying the Iudges, and Aduocats, then frequen∣ting of Churches and Sacraments. And yet S. Antony on a tyme, meeting him one the way, with a low duck, & vncouering of the head, made him an extraordinary reuerence and obeysance. Which thing the Notary, being guilty of his owne quality, and not tyed through any freindship to the poore Fryar; at first attributed the same to errour or simplicity, afterwards perceiuing him to persist

in the sayd obseruance, when he saw him a farre of, endeuoured to shunne him. But meeting full on a tyme where he could not auoyd him, and the Fryar saluting him againe with the accustomed, or ra∣ther with greater signe of honour then euer, he holding the same as an act of scorne and derision towards him, began with anger, euen grinding his teeth, and drawing out his sword withall, and to cry out, saying: If thou hadst not been a Fryar, I had now a good while since euen thrust this same in thy sides.

But tell me, thou rude, base, and errant Iacke: What is the mat∣ter thou scoffes me thus to my face? To whome the seruant of Christ answered with all submission; Brother, trouble not your selfe, I do reuerence you with my hart, and do honour you withall fidelity that may be: the reason is, for that I hauing greatly desired, & beg∣ged as a fauour of our Lord, to spend my bloud in his holy seruice, haue neuer been worthy, nor hath he byn pleased to heare my suite. But indeed of you, he hath reuealed to me, that you shal one day dye a Martyr; Whence I am constrayned with a sweet enuy, to hold you in the esteeme and regard I doe: and doe most affectuously in∣treate you, that when you shall come to that glorious conflict, you would be mindfull of me poore wretched sinner. At which words the Notary being pacifyed, conuerting choler into laughter, went his wayes iesting at the matter. Nor long it was, but the effect did really succeed.

Because the Bishop of that Citty, preparing himselfe to go vnto the holy Sepulcher, the Notary being touched with supernall mo∣tiues, resolued to accompany him thither, as he did. And being ar∣riued at Palestine possessed by the Saracens, the Bishop happened to fall into dispute, of matters concerning the holy Fayth. In which conflict those barbarous people shewing themselues very bold and iusolent, against the honour of Christ, and the Bishop being timo∣rous in defending the same, and in opposing their blasphemyes; the Notary could by no meanes brooke such indignities, but couragi∣ously entred into the quarrell, & without any respect a whit indea∣uoured to discouer & accuse the vanity, fraud, & ambitions of their wicked Mayster whome they adored: wherupon the Mahumetan•…•… being all enraged tooke the Notary, & for the space of three conti∣nuall dayes, hauing satiated their greedy desires, with mangling and scourging the victorious warrier of Christ, at last they led him to death: and he remembring very well, what had been told to

him by S. Antony, declared it to the Christians about him, and with infinite consolation, stretching forth his neck, to the seruants of impiety, and washing his stole anew in the bloud of the Lambe, went immaculate to the heauenly banquet. And thus, with the stupour, and amazement of all, came the Oracle to be verifyed.