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 cham∣ber, 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 ascer∣tained 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 famili∣ars, in number about twenty, of whom was Tauru∣sius; 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 for∣merly, he went to a Monk of the Order of S. Be∣net, that dwelt in S. Pauls Monastery with∣out the City, and advised with him, as being in re∣pute Page 34 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 san∣ctity, by his parents dedicated to God and Reli∣gion ere he was born into the world. For his de∣vout 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 cry∣ed 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 arm∣ing 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 ex∣pounded it, presaged a great calamity on the City. Upon this Philip gave over, determining to settle Page 35 at Rome, and addict himself altogether to the fur∣thering 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 en∣deavoured 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 desi∣rous of his conversion: and therefore neglected no∣thing 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 be∣fore the Altar, where was the H. Sacrament, the He∣brew 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 Christi∣an 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 perswad∣ing them to visit Philip at their leisure, who lived Page 36 then at S. Hieroms. They did so, and were kind∣ly 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, en∣quires 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 a∣way 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, Re∣member you promised Philip you would become a Christi∣an; I well remember it, said he, and will stand to my word. Marcellus informs Philip hereof, who o∣ver 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 bapti∣zed in S. Peters Church. And because his Fa∣ther 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 there∣fore Page 37 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 there∣with he quickly was baptized, and admitted into the number of the faithfull.
Some years after, when Philip went from S. Hie∣roms to Vallicella, the same man having four Ne∣phews, Orphans, was solicitous to keep them from conversing with the Jews, that so being instruct∣ed in the mysteries of religion, they might be train∣ed up in the faith of Christ: these therefore, their affectionate Ʋncle commits to Philip, who loving∣ly 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 Ja∣cob, 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, con∣tinued * 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 Even∣ing Page 38 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 di∣vers 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 Ne∣phew 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 even∣ing 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 ob∣tained of our Lord your recovery by prayer. Where∣upon 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 conver∣sion of their Mother, they never left importuning their superiours, till they got her placed with a Lady of great quality: and asking Philip still, what Page 39 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 omit∣ted. 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 con∣demned 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 con∣demned person, he friendly counsels him to re∣tract his error. When they came to the stake, Phi∣lip (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 dis∣claim his heresy, who heartily did abjure and de∣test his impious opinions in the view of all the peo∣ple. 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 Grego∣ry 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 the Page 40 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 Columbi∣nus 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 dis∣putes: 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 repen∣tance: but at length relapsing again he was put to death, not without signes of hearty contrition; Caesar Baronius and John Francis Bordinus at the in∣stance of Philip affording their assistance for setling his minde in the faith being then at the brink of death.
