The Holy life of Philip Nerius founder of the Congregation of the Oratory. To which is annexed a relation written by S. Augustine of the miracles in his dayes, wrought many of them in or near the city wherein he resided and well-known to him. And a relation of sundry miracles wrought at the monastery of Port-Royall in Paris, A.D. 1656. publikcly [sic] attested by many witnesses. / Translated out of a French copie published at Paris. 1656.

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 and

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 condi∣tion: 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 wid∣est; where on a high and stately Rock stands a Chap∣pel remarked for an ancient Crucifix in it, wh••ch, as they passe by, the Seamen are wont to salute with vol∣leys of Shot.

Hither ofttimes Philip retires, the better to con∣template on the mysteries of the Passion: where loath∣ing daily more and more the varnished follies, and gilded roctenness of this world, he resolved, quit∣ting 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 dis∣covers 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 conse∣quence; 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, mo∣destly replyed; He should never be unmindful of his favours indeed; but as to the rest, he rather commended his affection, then approved his counsel.