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.

CAHP. IX. The Elogies and Titles of Honour given him after his Death.

THe fame of Philips Holiness, who while he lived was for his great Merits, and the Glory of his Miracles, the Wonder of his Time, became after his death so generall and confirmed; that immediately Votive Tables were brought unto his Sepulchre. The first whereof was hung up by Marc. Antonio Maffa the Abbot, and Apostolicall Visiter, being likewise Chief Overseer for the Examination of Bishops.

For a little after Philips death being taken with a Putrid Fever and growing every day worse than o∣ther, the Physicians affording him no relief, he dreamt, that he saw, as he lay, the House all on fire the Wals utterly demolished by Carpenters, and two men, that were with him, crushed by the fall of a Wall, lying for dead. The Abbot affrighted here∣at on the sudden hears Philips Voice, chiding those that destroyed the building, and Saying; Servate Abbatem: Save the Abbot, O Save the Abbot: and forthwith he found himself out of all fear of danger. Nor was it a fond imagination, as the sequele manifested; for when he awaked he was better, and, the day after, as well as if he had never bin ill at all. Whereupon, as a Testimony of his Gratitude to the Servant of God, he presently hung up the foresaid Table at his Monument.

The same Abbot also hung up the first Lamp before his Tombe: which when the Priests, to lesson the Pomp, caused to be removed, he, complaining to the Pope, had it placed there again; which a Nob••e Lady

hearing of, straight gave another Silver one of a great Value.

The same year by Permission from Authority was his Statue erected at Rome, with the Title of Blessed to it, and a Glory round about it, and speciously set out with figures of his Miracles on the Sides. Besides divers others of Plaister, which Noblemen and Ladies kept privately in their Chambers; of which Clement the Eighth had one upon his Desk, and another hanging on the Wall, among the Images of the Saints,

As soon as ever he was dead, his Chamber began to be in much honour among all; and to have the Veneration of a Consecrated place; being frequently resorted unto by Cardinals, Prelates, Nobles, Plebei∣ans, and men of all orders. But the Chappell where his Body was, had so great Reverence done it by such as came thither, they kissed the very Walls, and pluck∣ing pieces of stones out of them, carried them in de∣votion home with them, yea some gathered up the Dust off the Pavement to keep. There you might have seen some striving to get the Flowers that be∣decked his Grave; others daily visiting the Chappell, some bare-footed; all which affirmed, they had received many Divine Blessings through his means.

The Year ensuing on the return of his Anniversa∣ry, in the presence of many Bishops and Cardinalls the Mass for the day was in solemn manner, and with their costliest habits on, sung: and after they had done singing the Vespers, a Panegyrique was made in honour of him.

Many were the Elogies published in praise of Phi∣lip, by men remarked for both knowledge and Piety. First, Cardinall Gabriell Paleottus, in his Book, De ••ona Senec••ut••s, gives him these commendations:

These things, O Religious and well-affected Reader, were some while since not only written, and digest∣ed into this Method by us, but together with the whole work perfected, so that nothing else was want∣ing, but to Print them. But see the Eternall counsell of the Grand disposer of All! The B. Man, who a little before had bin somwhat distempered, yet not so, as to keep his bed, or intermit his ordinary employments was snatched from us in an instant, and on the twenty sixth of May fetched from this his Banishment here below to his Celestiall Countrey. Whose so sudden and unexpected End notwith∣standing, we have held our former purpose of pro∣posing this Excellent Old man, as the lively Mir∣rour wherein to behold the advantages of Age. Since although to our Eys he seemed to dye four moneths sithence, yet as by his Religious and re∣nowned actions we have cause to hope, in the re∣gion of the Living he still lives. He lives no less upon Earth in the Memory of Vertuous and Holy men. He lives especially in the City of Rome, where he left a numerous Issue of Spirituall Children of all degrees, whom he begot in Christ. He lives a∣mong the Sons of the Congregation severally dis∣persed abroad; of whom some are sent into remote Lands by Christs Vicar and Supream Pastor on Earth, to govern his Flock. And a little after: Which his so Noble Acts being to spread farther daily, and as is to be hoped, to come to the know∣ledge of all, we have here pourtrayed him to the Life, to revive such as loved him as their Father in Christ; and that others, stirred up by the Glory of his Name, might be awakened to the imitation of his Vertues: last of all that Posterity might have a perpetuall Monument in their view, whence they

may learn to know the happiness of Old age, and to reverence it also, as is due. For of his Death and departure to the Lord, the End of his Pilgrim∣age being agreeable to the whole course of his most holy Life foregoing, and he, as he had led, so concluding his life, not without undeniable ar∣guments of his Sanctity, let others, to whose care that is committed, make report.

Thus Paleottus.

Cardinall Frederic Borromeo in a Letter to Ant. Gallonius writes thus: 'You best know, how great respect I have always born to this Person, and I can∣not believe you ignorant of my love to him, which since his decease is so far from being lessened, that I would most willingly sacrifice my Bloud to his Memory, if need required.

Cardinall Aug. Cusanus thus: It hath pleased Al∣mighty God to take unto Glory that Blessed Soul, a∣dorned with so many Christian Vertues, after well∣nigh fourscore years spent in the service of Christ; concerning whom that saying of H. Scripture may be applied; Qui ad justitiam erudiunt multos, fulge∣bunt quasi stellae in perpetuas aeternitates. And they that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever. And that Longitudine dierum re∣plebo eum, & ostendam illi salutare meum: With length of days will I satisfy him, and shew him my Salvation?

So Cusanus, whose devotion to Philip was such, that not long after his death, being to make his Will, he next God himself, and the B. Virgin, the Princes of the Apostles, and S. Augustine, recommen∣ded his Soul to the B. Philip.

Cardinall Octavius Bandinus thus: In Philip a∣lone me thinks the Summary of all Vertues was com∣prized: and all those Excellencies met as concen∣tred in him, which we wonder at apart in other Saints.

Cardinall Caesar Baronius, in his Notes on the Ro∣man Martyrologe, the twenty one of August, speaking occasionally of the B. Philip, Benitius a Florentine, thus fals upon the praises of Philip Neri.

Nor is that Noble City of Florence famous only for one Saint Philip, there being another of that Name, the Foun∣der and Father of Our Congregation of the Oratory in the City: that B. Philip sirnamed Neri, renowned for his Purity of living, and incomparable Charity towards God and his Neighbour; whose frequent Miracles sufficiently testify, that he now enjoys the the Society of the Saints in heaven.

Cardinall Hierom Pamphilio: Far and wide doth the fame of this B. Father daily spread, by reason of the apparent Miracles which the Lord sheweth on such as fly for help to him. Indeed the conti∣nuall favours he hath done me, make me hope for his aid on all assayes: therefore I resigne up my self to him, to his Tuition I wholly commit my self, and beseech him daily, not to deny me at any time his Protection.

But of the Vertues and Accomplishments of Philip have divers written: the chief of which are, Ruti∣lius Benzonius Bishop of Loretto, in a Book which he put forth, Of the H. Year of Jubile: John Baptist Tuphus Bishop of Cerra, in his Annals of Clearks Regn∣lar, Silvanus Razzius in his Lives of the Saints in Tuscany: Alphonso Vilegas in his Flos Sanctorum: Archangelo Giano in his History of the aforesaid Phi∣lip Benitius of Florence: Thomas Bozzius in his Book, De signis Ecclesiae Dei & de Ruinis Gentium: and Francis Bocchius, in his Treatise Of the Praise of the Citizens of Florence: with sundry others here omited. Severall Monuments also were set up in Memory of him, here and there; but especially at Rome, Julius S••ncedonius, before he was Bishop of Grosseto, had

his Picture drawn, and set in the Gallery at S. Hie∣roms à Charitate, with his Sons in a Ring about him, and this inscription on it: B. Philippo Nerio Floren∣tino. Ʋt ubi triginta tres annos eximia Sanctitatis & miraculorum laude claruerat, innumerisque ad Christi obsequium traductis, prima Congregationis fun∣damenta jecerat; ibi aliquod ejus rei monumentum ex∣taret; Templi hujus domus, ac Sacerdotum Deputatus, annuente piissima Congregatione Charitatis, Parenti in Spiritu optimo bene merenti posuit. Kalend. Septembris. 1605. That is: To the B. Philip Nerius of Florence. That where for thirty three years he had flourished, in great reputation for Sanctity, and Miracles, convert∣ing vast numbers to the obedience of Christ, and laid the first Foundations of the Congregation, there might remain some Memoriall of the same, the Deputy of the Church, and Priests of this House, with the consent of the Religious Congregation of Charity, erected this for their Best, and Best deserving Spirituall Father. September 1. 1605. And it is memorable, that when, some years since, that House was fired the to ground, so that another was fain to be built, the Gallery, where that Picture was, had no hurt at all.

Besides, presently after the death of the B. Old Man, abundance of Offerings were brought to a∣dorne his Sepulchre. Cardinall Augustine Cusanus be∣stowed a Canopy curiously wrought in Needlework▪ Cardinall Alph. Vicecomes, one of the Congregation gave a Rich Silk furniture for the same purpose. Withall a decree was made by the People of Rome, whereby they were bound every year to bring a Silver Chalice and some Tapers on his Festival to him The Duke of Bavaria gave a Silver Lamp of a thou∣sand Crowns value, to burn continually at his Al∣tar. And Charles Cardinall of Lorreign hung up a∣nother

Lamp of Silver: yea & daily after that, divers rich Presents were brought thither by Persons of Quality, both men and women.

Five years after his death, Ant. Gallonius writ and published his Life, being one intimate with him; it came forth backed with the Popes Authority, and the Title of Saint: Clement the Eighth made it of∣ten be read to him. Besides that five Illustrious Car∣dinals approved it with their Suffrages subscribed thus: J. N. do avouch that whatsoever is here written of the B. Philip Neri, I have partly seen with my own eyes, partly have received from the sure Testimony of very Credible Persons. N. &c.

Clement the Eighth dying, his Successor Leo XI. was requested by some of the Nobility to Canonize Carlo Borromeo: to which he answerd; Indeed I am content to Register the B. Carlo among the Saints, but will at no hand omit Philip Neri: though, being pre∣vented by death, he did neither.

What esteem of the H. Man Pope Paul V. had, ap∣pears by this, that he Sainted him by his Bull: and gave leave for the Office to be said, and Mass to be celebrated in honour of him: yea and by sentence from his own Mouth proclaimed a Plenary Indulgence to such as on his Holy day devoutly visit the Church of Vallicella.

Gregory XV. likewise expressed his abundant love, respect, and esteem of Philip, in that being yet Car∣dinall, he gave out, not only in words, but by let∣ters, that if ever it pleased God to call him to S. Pe∣ters See, he would without delay enter him, among the Saints in the Calender. Which so falling out, he afterward performed; for in the Year 1622. on the Feast of S. Gregory the great, he with the liking and joy of all, Canonized Philip, together with

Isidore, Ignatius, Xaverius, and Teresa.

After his Canonization Peoples piety, and devo∣tion toward him began to grow, and diffuse it self farther daily; so that not only throughout Italy, but even in France, Spain and Germany, publike Pray∣ers and Orations were made in honour of him. Nor may it be concealed, that Elizabeth Queen of Spain caused Philips effigies, set forth with most costly Je∣wels, to be carried about with the rest in Procession, the same day the other four were Solemnized at Madrid.

Temples likewise were built, Altars erected, Ima∣ges set up, and Decrees passed by divers Towns and Pityes, which had made choice of Philip for their Pa∣tron, that his Festivall should be as regularly obser∣ved by the Inhabitants, as if enjoyned by publike Edict. And the Order of the Dominicans in a Gene∣rall Ponvocation decreed, that on his Anniversary they would say their Office for him every year.

Last of all, to what a reputation and fame for holiness, his Name is at this day arrived, the num∣berless Vows hung up at his Grave by Suppliants, and the frequent evidence of Miracles testified from all Parts do abundantly shew.