CHAP. XVI. His declination of Honours and Dignities.

NOr was the B. Father lesse averse to Honours and Preferments then he was to Riches. For having lived in the City sixty years, and gained an opinion of rare sanctity, not only with the Plebei∣ans and private Citizens, but among the Nobles, and with the Popes themselves, yet did he continually retain very low and mean thoughts of himself. He never would take any Church-Livings, stipends, or preferments, though freely offered him, nay, he used such cunning and art in refusing and declining them, that one could scarce tell that he at any time refused them: yet is it evident and apparent that the H. man both cautiously and modestly had divers times rejected the wealthiest Prebendaries and Bishopricks in the City, ye and the sacred Pur∣ple too, as shall appear.

Gregory XIV. whilst yet a Cardinall loved Philip entirely; whereupon being newly preferred to the Popedome, the Servant of Christ came •o kiss his feet; the Pope straight running to embrace him, tels him he had a purpose to make him Cardinall. At which the Good man whispered somewhat in his, Page  156 and putting it off with a jest went his way. Yet was not Gregory removed a whit from his intended resolution, but within a while sends him a trusty messenger to confirm it to him, and carry him a Cardinals Hat; he returns the messenger, praying him to present his humble thanks to the Pope, and acquaint him, that he would certifie his Holiness further what time would be fittest for the recepti∣on of such an Honour. And by this means he de∣seated the Popes intent and skreened off the Lustre of the dignity proffered him. And that none reck∣on this a meer Complement of the Popes, and no re∣all offer, it is attested by those who were admitted to all the Popes privacies, and by Philip himself, who oft related the same to his Sons, to disswade them from the Ambition to Honours.

But this truth became more illustrious under Pope Clement VIII. for Philips requesting the Popes Bull for a certain Maid, and by indisposition of body unable personally to attend him, he sent him a petition to this effect.

Hereunto Clement writ back in the same leaf with his own hand thus.

To the same purpose was that which fell out some three moneths before the Servant of Christ died; when speaking to Bernardine Corona, one of the Congregation, with whom Philip was familiarly and frequently conversant; The Pope saith he, will make me one of his Cardinals, what think you on't? He replied; You must needs accept of it, if it be but for the good you may do for the Congregation. At which Philip lifting up his cap and looking to hea∣ven cried out, Paradise, Paradise.

Yea the H. man did so constantly refuse dignities and promotion, that somtims he brake out into such expressions as these; In truth I had rather dye, nay to be strook with lightning from heaven (pardon me my Children) than be intangled in the love of these world∣ly things: I do indeed desire much the Vertues of Car∣dinalls and Popes; but their Riches and pompious splendour I tremble within my self to think of. So he.

Not without cause therefore did Marc. Antonius Maffa the Abbot utter these words:

But the Right humble man rejected not only the preferments offered him by such as were Strangers; but even those honours presented by his own, as Fa∣ther and Founder of the Congregation. Insomuch as being chosen perpetuall superiour, two years before his death, he was extreamly importunate that they would let him lay down the Office, but they strong∣ly opposing it, he by assistance of the Cardinalls Borromeo and Cusanus procured of Pope Clement VIII. that the Fathers should condescend to his in∣treaty. So on the twenty third of July in the year One thousand five hundred ninety three, Caesar Baro∣nius succeeding him, did this vowed Lover of Obe∣dience, to the great joy of his heart, resign his Su∣periour-ship. Yet neither did his abate any thing of their duty and observance toward him, nor a∣gain did he in the least withdraw, so much as for a minute, his care and providence for the benefit of the Congregation.

And as he demeaned himself herein, so would he have all his to behave themselves; those peculiar∣ly of the Foundation of the Oratory, being much dis∣pleased when any adventured but to step into the Courts of Princes, except only in cases of necessity: so that he oftimes severely reprehended Germanicus Fidelius for frequenting so much company of Cour∣tiers, saying to him, Ʋnless you quit the Court, you will be made a Courtier, and yet shall you never attain unto the dignity of a Prelate; and he spake true. For Clement VIII. committed his Nephew Silvester Aldobrandinus for his instruction in man∣ners to Germanicus, and confered on him a Canons place in the Vatican, which he at last resigning di∣ed, as Philip had told him, without any degree of eminency.

Besides the Servant of Christ would not willingly suffer any of his to hold above one Ecclesiasticall Be∣nefice; and on no terms would take the Confessions of such Prelates, as, contemning the Refidence due unto their Sees, without colour of Canonicall ex∣cuse, lived in the City; a thing wherein he would not dispence with Cardinalls themselves.

In his discourse he would so sharply reprove the counterfeit Pageantry of the world, that he was of∣ten repeating such sayings as these: Vanitas Vani∣tatum, & omnia vanitas. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. There is nothing at all in this world good. The contempt of Riches and honours is in all places ne∣cessary, but at Rome most of all. I find nothing in this world that pleaseth me, but this pleaseth me most that nothing pleaseth me; and the like. At which di∣vers being awakened and rowsed made after heaven with all their might.