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ANd lest any, should think Him a bringer of ill news only, and a Messenger of death, 'twill be worth the while, in a few instances to observe, how he oftimes proved to many the welcome Harbinger of life and health. A high Fever, with a Flux of bloud, had seized on Cardinall Franc. Sforza, then retired unto his Country-house, which in two and twenty days so increased, that he could take no sus∣tenance,
but discovered very desperate Symptoms of approaching death, for which he was prepared by the Sacramentall Refection. His Mother Katharine dispatches straight a sure messenger to Philip. to desire him, to remember her sick Son in his Prayers to God. He sends word again, the Cardinall should not dy of that sickness; upon which answer he be∣gan to mend, and in short time was restored to per∣fect health.
Pet. Mercator Miniatensis the Physician judged that his Son Michael was in great danger of death, who was also well skilled in Physick: Philip affirmed the contrary. The next day Peter pronounced, his Son could not escape; but Philip cried: Believe, thou of little faith; for God hath reserved him to a longer time. In short, Michael not only regained his for∣mer health, but, was many years after Physician to Clement the VIII. and chosen into the number of Prelates. Whose recovery now, and afterward his end was foretold him by the H. man.
Joh. Baptista Altovitus lay sick, whom the Doctors affirmed to be past cure. But Phi∣lip, after he had prayed for him, * 1.1 calls Franc. Maria Taurusius, bid∣ding him; Go tell Altovitus from me; you shall not dy of this sickness, but to morrow you shall mend, and in a short time be well a∣gain. He went, and did so; and he recovered.
Bartholom. Dottius, of Modena, was ill of a Fever once, and having an office at Court, being one of the Guard, his Nephew desires Philip to pray for his Vncle, chiefly upon this intention, that so he might confer his office on him. The H. man told him; Your Vncle shall not dy now, but upon his next sickness shall, and yet not leave you his place. So Dottius got
rid of that malady, but died a few years after of a∣nother; without conferring his Office on his Nephew.
Olympia de Nigris. the wife of Marcus Antonius Vitelleschius, fell dangerously ill, being taking with a successive triple Fever. Hieron. Cordelius, who at∣tended her in her sickness; told her husband, none ever recovered of such a disease. But Philip, going to see her, said, he would by no means Olympia should dy, for that, her death would turne to the great detriment of that Family; adding, that he would so effectually solicit God that she should be perfectly restored. No sooner was Philip gone, but Olympia found her disease gone too; and her self in a short space well, beyond the opinion of the Physicians and those about her,
Hierom. Pamphilio, not yet Cardinall, lay sick unto death, whom the H. Father visited twice aday; but the violence of his disease growing upon him, moved thereunto by the H. Spirit, holding the sick mans head in his hands, He prayed over him, trembling every joint. When he had done pray∣ing, Now quoth he, be of good courage, for you shall not dy, having said so, the patient soon after re∣attained his former strength. The same Cardinall also hath left in writing, that the like befell his Nephew Alexander.
Faustina Cencia, Wife to Car. Gabrielius, hav∣ing bin long sick lay a drawing on. Philip com∣ing to see her layes his hand on her head, saying, Doubt not, for you will not dy of this sickness, She re∣plying O Father, I am even dead already: he an∣swers; Be of good chear; I warrant you, you shall not dy of this disease. And his promise was not in vain, for the fury of her malady having spent it self, and being asswaged, she grew as well in health as ever.
Constantia Draco as it were breathing out her last, saith Philip to her; Doubt not; for ere long you shall grow * 1.2 strong and lively again, and come to S Hierome's. She find∣ing it so indeed, thereupon chose him for her Confessor.
The like hapned to the wife of Joh. Franc. Buc∣chius, who being at the last gasp, the Brothers of the Confrateruity of the Florentines being sent to, about burying the Corps, Philip bad her Husband; Chear up, your Wife will not dy of this disease. He believ∣ing him, was not disappointed of his expectations; for to the astonishment of all, she that lay nigh dead was restored to longer life.
Joh. Anton. Luccius, oft mentioned already, aged about threescore going to Rome, his Horse flung him, and with the fall put his shoulder out of jont, leav∣ing him for dead to all mens thinking, upon which followed a Fever. He straight sends for Philip, both to give him Absolution for his sins, and to pray for him, withall that he might not dy in∣testate, his malady growing so fast upon him. Phi∣lip lovingly embracing him saith; Doubt not, you will have leisure enough to make your will in, and dispose of your estate to your owne wish. So when he had made an end of his Confession, he began to mend and in a few dayes was very well; who surviving the H. Father distributed well nigh his whole means upon the Poor.
Upon his pronouncing the same words, Doubt not, Joh. Franc. de Bernardis, Priest of the Congregation, presently re∣vived, * 1.3 beyond the apprehension of all, when he had been anoin∣ed
with the Sacred Oile as he lay a dying. Agnesina Columna, one of the most eminent Matrons in Rome, both for Nobility and Pi∣ety, recovered of a disease, in which the Physicians judged her past all hopes, upon his meer saying, Doubt not, as he used to do. So likewise did Joh. Babtista Cribellius, in a Fever; and divers others, in the very pangs of death recover∣ed, whom he had foretold should live. As is at∣tested by the experience of Montes Zazzara and ma∣ny others.
This Cardinall Taurusius pub∣lickly attested.
Of this are two sworn ey-witnes∣ses, besides Con∣stantia herself.
This the same Francis, and A∣lexander Allu∣minatus, who at∣tended him in his sickness witnessed upon oath.