The PROLOGVE .

TRue Religion and Faith is a matter of so great consequence , that who so professeth it not , cannot enter into the kingdome of heauen : For ( as the Apostle teacheth ) wee are saued by faith . Ephes. 2. The first part whereof is the knowledge and acceptation of sound Doctrine ; according to which , Damas . lib. 4. de orthod. fid. cap. 12. Damascen learnedly concludeth , that it is impossible to bee saued without Faith .

Therefore we ought with great study , care , and diligence , to procure , imbrace , and hold firmely the true Orthodox and Apostolicall Religion , seeing without it we cannot hope for any thing but condemnation and death .

But seeing in these our daies there are so many and diuers Religions , it is requisite wee should vse a carefull and iudicious examination , that none may be so hardy as to preferte vnto vs , drosse in stead of Gold , nor we to admit and lay hold of Heresie in stead of truth , and so vndergoe a disastrous shipwracke of eternall saluation : so Christ the principall Pastor of the Church , counselled , taught , and charged vs ; saying , Beware of false Prophets . Math 7.

But because in this Scruteney , seldome times wee encounter aright , but often times we faile ; it is most important , and absolutely necessary , to learne and obserue some meanes by which wee may infallibly distinguish that which is precious , from that which is base , and the truth from falshood : For as there is a touch-stone to try Mettals by , so it is fit wee should haue some measure and square by which we may discusse and rule Faith and Doctrine .

This Rule and Square of Faith , we Protestants affirme to bee the sacred Scripture comprized in the Bookes of the Prophets & Apostles , & this is euident by many places of the said Scripture , as many of our Doctors haue proued very perspicuously , to whom I referre my selfe , being content for this present to confirme this doctrine with the authority which is of no small account , especially amongst vs Spaniards of the learned Doctor , Tena in Isag . in tot . sacr. script . Vocatur Scriptura instrumentum ab Augustina , quia probatissrna instructio est de nulla falsitate suspecta ; quare , & Canon , vei Regula dicitur , quoniam ad illam , vtlydium lapiden sum fidoi dogmata examinande . Tena Bishop of Tortosa : Saint Augustine calleth the Scripture an Instrument , because it is a most approued instruction , and suspected of no falshood , therefore it is called also a Canon or Rule , because points of Faith are to be examined by it as by a Touch-stone : The Bishop of Rome is of a farre different opinion from Tortosa ; for he casting Scripture aside , because it manifestly conuinceth his Doctrine , propoundeth some exteriour signes and markes , by which hee would haue vs to iudge of and discerne true Religion and Christian Faith ; these are the Antiquity of the succession of Ecclefiasticall Ministers , Monasticall Sanctity , Miracles , and other such like , which are fitter to obtenebrate , then to enlighten the eyes of the vnderstanding in the way of saluation .

My scope and purpose is , to make it obuious and plaine to the eyes of all who shut them not as Moles , that they may not see , the incertainty and vanity of these signes which the Papists doe so highly esteeme ; but in this Treatise I will onely speake of that which concerneth Miracles , reseruing the remainder for other discourses , which God willing I will in fit time print .

And because euery kinde of Doctrine hath it's validity from the authority of him that teacheth it , or from reason , that euinceth it , or from those Authors which vphold it ; though there bee wanting sufficient authority vnto my person , yet I will endeauour to verifie what I haue here said , by such Doctors as cannot easily be reiected in regard of the authenticke reputation they hold amongst those of my Nation , for whose benefit and good I haue vndertaken this labour , and am ready to imploy that small Talent which God hath giuen vnto me , for the saluation of their soules ; yea , if need so required , to lay downe my owne life for them : I beseech the diuine Maiesty to blesse this my small worke , that the faithfull may gaine profit and benefit by it , and that it may redound to the glory of his most holy name .

That we cannot , nor ought to iudge of Religion onely by Miracles .

WEe deny not but that true Miracles are the seales and testimonials of Euangelicall Faith , but we distinguish betweene Christian Faith when it was to be propagated , & now that it is propagated : when it was to be propagated amongst the Gentiles , Christ indued his Ministers with the gift of Miracles , because as Saint Paul saith , at that time Faith was a scandal to the Iewes , & folly to the Gentiles ; and therfore it was greatly countenanced by Miracles , which increased the number of the faithfull ; but now they are not necessary , because Faith is already greatly defused throughout the world , and sufficiently fortified by the miracles of the first ages , so that now it is not sare , but rather very dangerous to iudge of Religion meerely by Miracles .

And that this may clearely appeare , wee must first obserue , that Miracles are not the perpetuall companions of true and Catholike Doctrine ; according to the Assertion of the learned Father Puente , Puente 4. tomo de la perfecion pag. 619. in these words : The Doctors and Preachers cannot ordinarily authorize their persons , nor the Doctrine they teach by Miracles , because they are not now behoofefull amongst Christians , neither haue all power to doe them : of the fame opinion is Doctor Fonseca , Fonseca ensus discursos . pag. 220. and prooueth it by three reasons : the first , because many were and are conuerted without them ; the second wee mentioned formerly ; to wit , that the Primitiue Church being in it's minority , had need of Miracles , which the Church now being in it's full growth requireth not ; the third is , because where holy Scripture is , there is no need of Miracles . All which my Author proueth by testimony of the Scripture : Torres ensu Philosophia . Pag. 155. Chrisoft . in ca. 13 Gene. hom 35. & in Acta hom 19. Now conformably vnto this last reason of Fonseca , Doctor Torres saith , with Saint 10. Chrisostome , that the reading of holy Writ is sufficient to supply Miracles ; and further , we cannot finde a meanes more conduceable vnto the end wee aime at , seeing that vnto the reading of holy Scripture , Miracles nor Signes from heauen are of no necessity .

That Miracles are also common to False-Teachers ,

THis Doctrine , Fonseca , Fonsecaibid , pag. 91. whom we formerly alleadged , proueth by Miracles , which the Scripture foretelleth Antichrist should doe , as also by the example of the Witch , which the diuell caused to appeare in the shape of Samuel , and by that of the Pharisies which did cast out diuels by vnlawfull coniurings and exorcifmes . Father Ojea saith with Saint Ioh. Chrisostome , Ojca a Ojea hasta laoja 1602 del tratado de la venida de Christ . that to cast out diuels out of the bodies of those that are possest , is common both to the Ministers of God , and those of Sathan : When thou seest any ( saith Chrisostome ) that casteth out diuels out of bodies , if he preach not truth , and worke not righteousnesse , such a one is not a Saint , nor true Minister of God : But if contrarily thou seest that hee Preacheth truch and worketh righteousnesse ; such a one , though hee cast not out diuels , hold him for a man of God and his true seruant and Minister . The same Oiea testifieth , that amongst the Gentiles , there want not Miracles and prodigious signes ; The Emperour Vespatian being in Egypt , restored sight vnto a blinde man , and to one that was lame in foot or hand , he rendred his former health and strength , as is related by great Authors , whereof Father Pineda is one ; Pineda in Monarch iom 2 lib. 11 c. 25. §. 2. and those of China , which are notable Idolaters , haue amongst infinite other , three Idols , of which they publish as a certaine truth , that they haue done , and daily doe many Miracles , as Mendoza relateth ; who confesseth that they might take effect according to their report .

That the Romish Religion is not Eminent by the glory of true and diuine Miracles .

THis is proued , because the Miracles whereof the Church of Rome so much boasteth , branch themselues into three kindes : the first containeth many fictitious Miracles which neuer hapned ; the second containeth such Miracles as hapned onely by the outward appearance : the third kinde hath an aspect vpon such prodigies as happened really and truely , but by the illusion and Artifice of the diuell . I will handle these three kindes , and in the first place , the first . Of this first kinde of fained Miracles which neuer happened , there are so many publishers in the Church of Rome , that long since it caused a law to be ennacted in Spaine against them , the words wherof are these ; L 10. primae partitae tit . de las Eglesias . Many discouer or make altars in open fields , or in townes , saying , that in those places there are some of the Reliques of the Saints , which as they pretend , worke Miracles , and by this meanes induce people to come from many parts thither in pilgrimage , Sierra en su desenganno pag. 209 that so they might make benefit by them , &c. And presently it sets down a way to remedy this euil : but how little benefit resulteth from this law , daily experience showeth vs , this matter growing euery day worse and worse . Father Sierra lamenteth this Euill , saying ; I am much afraid that merchandize wil be made of deuotion ; & that the truth is not sufficiently examined , because some are interessed in it , the Miracles which are accounted vnto vs of the Saints , not canonized by the Church , are not all of them certaine . Primera parte de Don quixote pag. 543. Another Spanish Author saith , that in diuine Comedies , the Authors of them doe inuent infinite false Miracles ; and also in humane Comedies , they attempt the doing of Miracles , which is in preiudice of the truth When a Merchandize is vendable , euery one laboureth to imploy his stocke in it to inrich himselfe . In the Romish Church , Miracles are very vendible , and therefore not onely Clergy-men and Fryers , but also Camodions traffique in them , and not onely they , but much other secular people , as well men as women practise this Merchandize ; of all which , Gratian en sus Obras pag 41. complained Doctor Gratian , saying , the world for our sinnes is come to an end , for there are some which make benefit and gaine of sanctity , giuing out that they haue reuelations , that so they may haue gifts and presents . The same Author saith , that he met one day with a notorious theefe , whom he bad to amend his euill life : Vide ibid pag. 94 he answered , That he had about him a certaine printed prayer , which by Reuelation he knew was of such efficacy , that whosoeuer carryed it about him , could not dye without confessing his sinnes , and therefore he cared not for leauing his ill life . Spaine is so ful of such and the like Prayers , often times imprinted by permission of the Inquisitors , that it drew from this Author , these notable words , in these matters of superstitious Nominas , Vbisup . Couarrubias en el tesoro de la lengua Espannola . Verbo Nomina . much harme is done amongst the common people . Let vs heare Doctor Couarrubias , who will tell vs the Etimology of Nominas , and withall confirme that which wee would proue . They were wont auntiently to carry purses shut , and in them certaine writings and names of Saints , and so long as there was no corruption nor superstition mixt , they were commonly the Gospels of the foure Euangelists , and the names of Saints from whence they were styled Nominas , and this was very lawfull and religious , but since they did annexe many other Apocriphall prayers , which they so intituled , that hee which hanged them about his necke , should not dye by fire , water , nor by sword , nor by sentence of Iustice , and that the houre of his death should be reuealed vnto him . Others haue foysted into the said Nominas a hundred fopperies , which haue neyther head nor foot ; he proues it by this example : One of these mockers gaue a Nomina vnto an Hostis which was ready to be brought to bed , affirming that she should bee well and safely deliuered ; they made him sup well , and gaue Prouender to his Mule , and on the morning he tooke his iourney ; they through curiositie desirous to see what was written within , found a schedule to this purpose , Coma mi mula , y cene yo , si quiera , para , si quiera no : that is , let my Mule feede , and me sup , I care not whether shee bee deliuered or no : It is not remote from my intent to insert here a famous fiction and deceit , by which a proflygate villaine caused for many ages diuers to weepe , and not a few to laugh ; he cloathed himselfe in a very ragged garment which he had stollen from an Hermit , & put about his necke , a rosarie of Beades as big as Walnuts , that the greatnesse of them might make them more visible and occular vnto all ; ( in him is verified the Spanish prouerbe , El rosorio al cuello , Y el diable en el cuerpo , which saith ) Beades about the necke , and the Diuel in the body ; ) he girt about him a massy chaine of yron , his stockins and shooes were such as hee brought with him into the world , that he might bee reputed not onely for a Fryer , but for a bare-footed Fryer ; he shau'd off his beard , peraduenture to make a brush to sprinckle holy water when hee was in his Hermitage : in conclusion , he so disguised himselfe , that his owne mother could not know him , though she had viewed him with as many eyes as Argos had , they which saw him , were so farre from taking him for what he was , that they held him another Saint Hilarion , or one of the Celebrious penitent Hermits , mentioned in the papisticall Legends : So this holy and blessed Hermit , fastening his eyes on the earth , as if he were seeking of pins , began , Con passos de frayle combidado , to goe as fast as a Fryer inuited to dinner towards the Prouince of Biskaye , resoluing to seat himselfe in a City of it , called Durango : He made choyse of this City and Prouince , as iudging the people of Biskaye , the most simple and ignorant of any other in Europe , that so hee might with facility make sale of his Pharisaicall hypocrisie , instead of Apostolicall vertue , and his iugling trickes in stead of admirable wonders : He came to Durante in an vnhappy & disastrous houre , for those of Durante who entertained him , and lodged him with such singlenesse , humanity , and courtesie as was worthy of that noble nation , being thereunto obliged by his penitentiall habit , that modesty and sanctimony which they saw in his outward actions , the opinion they conceiued of him was such , that they publiquely honoured him as a blessed Saint , and said , that God had sent him vntothem , that by his good example and religious conuersation , hee might rectifie their lines , and reforme their manners : They assigned him an Hermitage not farre from the City , that he might more conueniently deuote himselfe to his heremetical exercises ; the simple women began to visit him in his Hermitage , euery one striuing according to her ability to carry him some thing to supply his want , and mittigate his pouerty : finally , in a short time , this cunning Imposter could so insinuate himselfe into these ignorant women , that hee thought hee could perswade them to doe what hee would , such was their simplicity ; and seeing that hee had no neede of riches , because the gifts and presents which they made him , for adorning of an Image of the Virgin which he had in his Hermitage , would plenteously suffice him all his life time , hee determined to lay hold on the occasion offered vnto him , causing these women to change that holy and spirituall affection they bare him , into a flagitious and carnall one ; He made no long delay to execute his purpose , for the day after , he began as well in the conferences which he held in his Hermitage , as in others which he vsed among the people , to publish as a thing knowne by reuelation , authentique , expresse , true , and communicated by the spirit of God , that the precept of brotherly charity required , that amongst neighbours , euen women should be common , and perswaded this as a truth , and so he finally enioyed his damnable and filthy desire , vntill his deceit was manifested , and so he was forced to betake him to his heeles , and to relinquish his habite for being discouered ; hence grew the Prouerbe of la charidad de Durango , the charity of Durango , vsed when a woman prostituteth her body and honor ; and because he was call Alonso , they so deadly hated this name , that though it be a very common name in Spaine ; not any one in the City is so called , & if any stranger so called , repaire thither , he changeth his name , which if he did not , they would stone him to death . For my part , I neuer was in that City , but I testifie before God , that I haue heard diuers Fryars of my Order , which liued there in a Monastery , to auerre all this for a truth , whereof the common Prouerbe formerly mentioned and vsed throughout all Spaine , is an euident argument .

He that would be further informed concerning the Miracles fained by Fryars , let him see the bookes quoted in the Margents , the Author of the first being a Dominican , Historia de la sagrada Orden de preaicaderes en los remotos Reynos de la Eliopia pretendeth to proue , and that by no few Writers , as also by eye-witnesses , that in Ethiopia , there are many Monasteries of his Order , and that the Fryars of them doe daily worke great Miracles . The Author of the second booke being a Iesuite , Historia Y Anal relacion de la scesas que hizieron los padres de la compan tia de Jesus , por las partes de Oriente , &c. maketh an expresse Tractate , in which he euidently demonstrateth , and by many occular witnesses , that whatsoeuer the Dominican saith , is meerely false ; and that the Fryars which hee saith are of his Order , are notable Heretickes , and that their Miracles , in case they be deuoyd of true faith , are elusions of the diuell , to perswade them that they haue the true faith , &c. And hence we may conceiue what credit is to be giuen to Papisticall Miracles .

The second sort of Papisticall Miracles , comprehendeth counterfeit or humane signes which were seene to happen , but were not true Miracles , though they seemed to be such to the spectators .

SVch are the Miracles recited euer-and-anone in the Papisticall Legends concerning Images that sweate bloud , whose haire and nailes grow , the which almost all the common people , and many others of better ranke , beleeue really to happen in some of our Spanish Images : but the truth is , that Fryars to attract the people and the almes of such as giue credit to them , to their Monasteries , doe fasten counterfeit haire to some Images of Christ crucified , and apply false nayles also , the which sometimes they take away by night , placing in their roome others differing from them ; and by such slight ( for herein they are dextrious Artifts ) they perswade the ignorant and simple people , that the haires and nayles doe truely grow , and with semblable iuglings they counterfeit the sweating of Images : but let vs heare a learned person of Spaine what hee saith , and thinketh of such Miracles and the actors of them ; You must not credit , saith he , Mateo Aleman en la historia de san Antoniode Padua pag. 107. what ignorant and vnconscionable men affirme , saying , there are Images that sweat bloud , whose haires waxe , and nailes are cut , it is an vntruth , a meere inuention and knauery : hee addeth , an Image of wood , or other mettall , cannot euacuate sweat , neither doth it's haire grow , for it is counterfeit , nor consequently the nayles which are carued by the hands of a wretched man , and in liuelesse wood : The nailes ( obserue this ) which truely grow , are the infernall auarice of those who inuent them for their abhominable ends : these and such like stratagems , acquire to the Fryars immunerable riches , to which no Indies but those of Purgatory , which are the non vltra , are comparable . There are Images which maintaine very opulently a great multitude of Fryars ; because vpon the bruite of Miracles , infinite people resort to them with money in their hands , for the sight of such Imager is prohibited to such as buy it not : Of which number is our Lady of Atocha , of Monsarrate , of Puy , the holy Crucifixe of Burgos ; All these are houses which from a mean beginning are by reason of the Images grown to so an incredible greatnesse , that now they are the richest and most splended in all Europe . That of Burgesse is of my Order of the Augustines , of which I can report as an eye-witnesse , that it may enter into competicion for riches with a City . When I was there , I diligently laboured to see some Miracle of those infinite ones which the Fryars diuulged daily of that Image , but I could neuer see any , and it happened alike to many of my Companions , and therefore one of them was wont to say , that the Miracles of that Image were as thefts , which for the most part are done by night in the darke .

To the second sort of Miracles , Salazar en la histo. de la prouincia de Castilla de san Francisco , pag. 44. appertaineth that which some others relate of a certaine religious woman , which in Bolonia was held for a Saint , and shewed the wounds of the holy passion of our Sauiour in her feete , hands , and side , and many times the bloud distilled from her head , as if it had beene pierced with a crowne of thornes ; and in fine , it was all found to be imposture and cousenage : Of this I could alleadge many Histories , as this Author acknowledgeth , but for auoiding prolixitie I omit them , contenting my selfe with one most true president , which not many yeares since happened in Spaine . There was in Valladolid , a famous City of Spaine , a Iesuite , who was so in loue with a noble Widdow which was wont to confesse vnto him , that perceiuing by her confession , that shee was an impregnable castle , as being most chaste , and fearing God , resolued to conquer her by an extraordinary and miraculous way , to which intent , he suborned with many gifts , one of the said Ladies Gentlewomen , that with all secrecy , shee should put vpon , or neere the Boulster of the Bed where shee slept , a little schedule , the which she accordingly performed , and her Mistresse going to bed , found it , and much meruailing at it , called her Seruant , and asked her if shee had laid the schedule there ; shee answered no , asseuering it with a thousand oathes and protestations ; this ( and because her Lady reputed her for an honest vertuous maide ) caused her to thinke that shee knew nothing of the writing , & because there was no body else in the house , she was perswaded that it was sent from heauen : she remaining alone in her lodging , hauing first charged the Damosell touching this secret , and reading the schedule , found the contents of it as followeth : Most deare Daughter , I haue elected you , that in this deplorable time , you should be the Mother of a Sonne , that shall reforme the world , and this must happen by the co-operation of a man , choose whom you will , but marry not , for my will is that thou remaine a widdow . If the reading of this schedule bred admiration in her , it is needelesse to coniecture , it is sufficient to tell you , that presently after breake of day , shee went to seeke her Confessor , to whom she declared sub sigillo confessionis , what had befallen her the former night , and intreated him to counsell her what he thought best ; hee perswaded her after large conferences , ( note the great subtilty of the Iesuite ) she should not lightly beleeue it , because Sathan is wont to transfigure himselfe into an Angell of light , to delude the better sort , and that she should recommend that businesse heartily to our Lady , and that hee would also doe it , that shee might inspire what should be best : and thus the Lady returned to her house , and spent the greatest part of the day in recommending vnto God the good successe of it , and when night approached , she entred into her chamber to lye downe , where shee found a second scedule to the same purpose ; presently the next morning she returned vnto her Confessor , who perswaded her to tarry yet another night , and if she found a third , then she might hold it as a thing ordained by heauen , and should dispose her selfe to the accomplishment of it ; she found one the next night conueied thither by the meanes aboue specified , and communicating it vnto the Iesuite , both of them determined , with his no small delight to beginne the execution of that which was contained in the schedule , which was ennacted the same day in the house of the said Lady , and continued some dayes , with the great shame and disgrace of the Lady , and with such impudency and perpetude of the Iesuite , that she thought it past the bounds , not onely of a deuout and spirituall man , but of the most carnall and brutish one in the world , she began to suspect that this Companion had beene the Author of the Miracle , which surmize increased , because after she had told him that she was with childe , and that therefore no further action was needfull , in as much as when the end aimed at is attained vnto , the media conducing thereunto cease ; he notwithstanding ceased not to importune her , and also to force her with smal modesty to doe that which she would haue excused : These and other considerations , moued her to tell the Iesuite , that because her neighbours began to murmure and iudge ill of his frequent visiting her , it was meete hee should totally forbeare her company ; of necessity hee was faine to yeeld though vnwillingly : When her time of childe-bearing was come , she had a faire Daughter , and so perceiued that the Iesuite had beguiled her , shee acquainted her kindred with the businesse , who notwithstanding all the diligence they vsed , could not deterre the malifactor who was fled away .

There is no other which I know hath written this History , but the common fame of it in Spaine implyes the truth of it .

To the last kinde appertaine Diabolicall Miracles , which were onely iugling trickes , or did really happen : to this we referre casting out of Diuels , healing of the sicke , giuing sight to the blinde , &c.

THat which Father Ojea saith of the Miracles of Vespatian , Ojea en la vida de Christo pag. 154. who restored sight vnto a blinde man , and healed a lame man , his words are : The diuell could mingle with the spittle of Vespatian , some powders of particular vertue which might forthwith take away the clowdes , and disperse the other obsticles which were in the eyes of the blinde man , that he might recouer his sight ; and when hee touched with his foote the other which was lame , hee might apply another remedy of those many which are extant in nature , which he knoweth well through his long experience , and so hee might bee healed . We iudge the same of Papisticall Miracles : It cannot be denied but diuers meruailous effects haue bin produced among them , but either by deceit or art of the diuell , somtimes the Fryars themselues not knowing it , & somtimes holding correspondency with the diuell : That this is so , the reasons following conclude , I. Because Papisticall Miracles are to corroborate superstition & false Doctrine , & therefore cannot be essentially diuine ; but that they confirme false doctrine , I proue by this insuing example ; Lib. 4. pag 56. del prado espiritual . the first wherof is of an Abbot which absolued a Fryar after he was dead , and imposed a punishment vpon him that he should be in Purgatory vntil his body were buried , as soon as the deceased heard this , he gaue a great & fearfull shoute , which was heard all ouer the Monestary , saying , Oh mercilesse Father , why haue you inioyned me to abide so long in Purgatory ? This example containeth , first , three , and those no small errors of the Romish Church ; to wit , the doctrine of Purgatory , that of humane satisfaction , and the necessity of auricular confession , and infoldeth also another error not onely repugnant to truth , but also contrary to that which the very Church of Rome it selfer beleeues ; to wit , that a man may be absolued from his sinnes after he is dead : And here I would intreate the first Monke that readeth this , to tell mee where that Fryar which departed was , vntill his Abbot came to giue him absolution ; for I cannot conceiue where he might soiourne during that intervall ; for in Purgatory hee could not be , whether ( if we giue credence vnto Papists ) none entreth vntill hee hath receiued absolution of his sinnes , neither by the same reason could he be in heauen , because the Papists doe not send the soules that haue beene in heauen vnto Purgatory ; but contrarily , Nunnes can neuer come out of the Monestary . they send those that are in Purgatory vnto heauen . As little could it be in hell ; because as schoole-boyes know , there is no redemption ; & therfore the Priests saith not , deliuer vs Lord , ab infero , from hel , but , a porta inferi , from hel gate , and if once thou entrest there , thou maiest make ful account to be a Nunne of hel : wel , if this Fryar was neither in heauen , Purgatory , nor in Hell , where was he ? alas I had forgot Limbus , but it is all one , for what had Limbus ( a place destinate to Innocents ) to doe with this nocent Fryar , which forgaue not his owne Abbot , euen then when hee dealt so compassionately with him ? The second example is of a Gentleman , who hauing vowed to turne Monke , was condemned for not being compleat in his vow , ( though at the houre of his death , Jbid pag. 45. he vsed all the diligence which a good & faithful Christian might vse for acquitting of his conscience : After his decease hee appeared vnto an Abbot , which asked him ; What doth the blessed Saint Vincent for thee , perchance he doth not assist thee in this thy necessity , seeing thou hast giuen so much money to his Administrators , that they might labour in building of his Monestary ; to whom the Gentleman answered , I resorted to him , but he hath made me wait many dayes to talk with him , & when I could not doe it after many tedious attendances , I now despaire of euer talking with him , or hauing his fauour ; it were friuolous to employ any arguments to perswade the learned , or those which are not altogether ignorant and blinde , that this is one of the most vaine Monasticall fables , or ridiculous elusions of Sathan ; I say , for satisfaction of the ignorant , that this example hath for end and scope , the authorizing of one of the most pernitious errors of the Church of Rome , ( viz ) that the vow of leading a Monasticall life , is not onely lawfull , but also that hee which performeth it not , can by no meanes be saued , how solicitous soeuer hee be for clearing of his conscience . I would haue the Papists tell me , if those dayes , which were not a few if we beleeue the Papists , that Saint Vincent caused this poore Gentleman to dance attendance , preceded his condemnation yea or no ; for if they did precede , then is it indubitorily false , that euery one heareth at his death the sentence of his condemnation or saluation , which I presume no papist in the world is so impudent as to affirme : if they were subsequent vnto his condemnation , it followes that those which are condemned in hell , come forth to solicite the Saints of heauen to infranchize them from thence , and haue hope of their enlargement , & that God wil revoke the sentence he pronounced against them ; for no man soliciteth a businesse , knowing it impossible to compasse his intent , all which how erronious , absurd , and ridiculous it is let the Pontificies themselues iudge .

In the last place I ranke the reuelations made vnto many hee and shee Papisticall Saints , Sosa en al tratado de la concepcion Pag. 86. especially to Saint Bridget , to confirme the conception of the holy Virgin to haue beene without originall sinne , which haue beene examined and allowed of as diuine ones , by many Cardinals and Prelates ; yea , euen by the very Popes themselues ; whether these reuelations be reluctous vnto holy Scripture yea or no , I appeale to the iudgement of the famous and celebrious Order of Preaching Fryars , so called by way of eminency ; the which with many others that simpathize with them herein , haue euidenced in their writings and Pulpits with luculent authoritie scited out of holy Writ and auncient Doctors , and with euident arguments , that the holy Virgin was conceiued in sinne ; and the authority of this graue order of Dominicans is of such force , that although the Pope complying with the Franciscan and Iesuiticall Orders , great Antagonis to the former , doth ratifie the said reuelations , yet dares he not define this question of the conception against them , though it be true , that according to the tenent of Papisticall doctrine , he being in conscience obliged to doe it , as many Pontificiall Doctors doe clearely demonstrate , and amongst them most elegantly , that renowned Sosa , Bishop of Segouia : Vbi sup. I will transitorily say , that Cardinall Caietane , a conspicuous Author , as all know , doth many Authors affirme , that Saint Catelyn haue a reuelation contradictory to that of Saint Bridget , which the Franciscans and Iesuites say ; hee inuented of his owne head , to ratifye his opinion , whence appeareth , how the Fryars deride one another concerning the reuelations .

The second reason prouing the Papisticall Miracles to be diabolicall , is , because the actions which they vsually alleadge for Miracles , are often times so childish and ridiculous , that euery one may with facility perceiue that they proceede not from the holy Ghost ; Enel prado , espiritual pag. 100. such was that Miracle of the Crow , which for hauing stollen a Ring , as they say , did incurre sentence of excommunication , and began forthwith to pine away by little and little , refusing to eate , or crake , nor to continue the other pastimes and demonstrations of iockondnesse , which irrationall creatures are accustomed to doe , vntill an Abbot had absolued it , from which moment the Crow began to bee iouiall , returning vnto it's former habit . Ibid pag 24. Semblable vnto this Miracle , is that of a little Bitch , which dyed because it entred into the holy Cell of Saint Gregory ; Ibid pag. 103. of like quality is that of Saint Bernard , of whom it goes for current , that he excommunicated a great number of Flyes , which dyed , being strucken with the arrow of excommunication : but aboue all these Miracles , that of a Fryar is remarkeable , Ibid. pag 47. who kept the Swine of his combent , and on a day assembling them into one place , made vnto them this , no lesse graue then eloquent oration : you know brothers , swine , how in the time that I haue so carefully kept you , I haue sufficiently taught and instructed you , where you may , and where you may not feede ; therefore I request you , that you roue not out of your bounds , for feare of causing iarres in the Monastery , through the detriment of their neighbours ; and in confidence that so you will doe , I will repaire to the Conuent , promising you soone to returne : and so he went , and all the swine as if they had the vse of reason , kept themselues in the hils apertayning to the Fryars , insomuch that some labouring men which desired to catch them , could by no meanes driue them thence , notwithstanding they gaue them many a blow with cudgels ; who is there of sound iudgement , that doth thinke God is the Author of such fopperyes ? It is the property of the diuell , and not of God , to delude men with such .

I will put a period vnto this discourse , with one very true and domesticall example , that all the world may plainely discry the falsity of Papisticall Miracles , and so abhorre them . A Dominican Nunne , called Mary of the visitation , Prioresse of the Monastery of the Anunciada in Lisboa in Spaine , furnisheth vs with this example , whose hypocrisie and forged Miracles were discouered and condemned publiquely ; diuers haue written of this holy Nunne , but a Dominican Fryar called Esteuan of Lusignan , hath purposely treated of her , collecting whatsoeuer he could finde to magnifie her , & compiled a booke in French , which hee dedicated to the Queene of France , and caused it to be printed at Paris by Iohn Bessaut , in the yeare 1586. the title whereof is as followeth .

The great Miracles and most holy wounds which happened to the Reuerend Matron for this present yeare 1586. Prioresse of the Monastery of Anunciada , in the City of Lisboa in Portugall , of the Order of Preaching Fryars , approued of by the Reuerend Father Lewis de Granada , and other credible persons .

I will not here recite all which the Author alledgeth , but onely abreuiate what he saith in his Dedicatory Epistle as followeth .

I hauing found some Writings printed in diuers Cities , haue gathered them together , in which interuiewing the greatest Miracles and effects which in our age the omnipotent Lord hath wrought by a noble , vertuous , and religious Virgin , called as formerly , most deuoted vnto the holy Sacrament , and of Saint Thomas Aquinas , by whose merits and intercessions she hath deserued to haue visibly for her spouse , Iesus Christ crucified , and his fiue most sacred wounds , by meanes whereof the diuine Maiesty continually worked diuers Miracles .

This Lusignan to countenance that which he saith , produceth three Letters , the first written by the Prouinciall , Anthonio de la Cerda , & sent to Fernando Castor , Procurer in Rome for the said Prouince of Portugall , that he might shew it to the Pope ; the date of it is , from Lisboa the 14. of March 1584. The purport of the letter is , The Matron Maria de la visitacion , being eleauen yeares old , betooke her selfe to a Nunnery , and when she was of the age of sixteene yeares , our Lord appeared occularly to this religious woman , to recompence her merits , and took her for his Bride , and since that time continueth alwaies to appeare vnto her , granting her many particular fauours , talking familiarly with her , as one friend doth with another , after the same manner that God conferred with Moses , and oft times manifested himselfe to her , accompanied with shee and hee Saints , and helped her to pray her canonicall prayers , and at the end of euery Psalme , shee said , gloria patri , & tibi , & spiritui sancto , that is , glory be to the Father , and to you , and to the holy Ghost . In the ninth page he saith , when she receiued the Communion , the other Nunnes perceiued her to be rauished in spirituall extasie a long while , vntill her superior commanded her to goe to the Communion with the other Nunnes . In the eleauenth page he saith , so often as in the Nunnery shee heard the bell that accompanied the holy Corps of our Sauiour carried through the streetes to the sicke , she kneeled on the ground with teares , and was extatically transported , as the Nunnes of the said Nunry testifieth : He further saith , that two seuerall times , a Chest wherein the Sacrament was , did open of it owne accord , and the Eucharist lept out of it into her mouth : Further , in the 12. page , when shee was at prayers in her Cell , the Nunnes saw her inuironed with are splendency , and lifted vp into the aire , great brightnesse streaming from her breast and face , which signified the great and feruent charity and loue of God which is in her : One day Iesus Christ appeared vnto her , full of splendor , and crucified with his fiue holy wounds ; out of his feete , hands , and side , he shewed beames of fire , which darted vpon the hands , feete , and side of this holy Nunne ; the wounds and markes remained in her very beautifully , of sanguine colour , as well on the in-side as the out-side of the palmes of her hands , and of her feete correspondent the one to the other , and being of a round figure as of a nayle .

The second Letter was written by Lewis de Granada , to the Patriarch of Valencia , wherein amongst other things he saith , as followeth . The Prioresse hath told me , that since seauen yeares , she feeleth in her head , all the paines of the crowne of thornes , in such extremity , that the bloud gusheth out , and she hath in her head , small holes and passages made by the said thornes .

The third Letter was written by the same Prouinciall , Antonio de la Cerda vnto Fernando Castro , Procuror in Rome for the Prouince of Portugall , therein he thus saith ; Since your Reuerence departed out of this City , it hath pleased our Lord to shew from day to day , how acceptable vnto him the Prioresse of Annunciada is , for infinite are the Miracles , as well corporall as spirituall , which he doth by meanes of her in these parts , which haue caused very many Gentlemen to turne Fryars ; anone hee saith , that three Mores inspired by God , went to see her , as soone as they had seene her , they fell prostrate to the ground on their faces : the manner of it was such , that some of those that were there present , were faine to helpe them vp ; being vp , and looking on her the second time , they kneeled downe , without saying any word , lamenting incessantly for a long time ; their eyes being fixed on the Pryoresse , when I asked them wherefore they spake not to her , they answered , that they saw in her such admirable things , that they knew not what to say ; and then they intreated the Pryoresse that he that was by her might Baptize them ; she answered , that I should Baptize them ; whereof I aduertized the Archbishop , accompanying them vnto him with some other Fathers . They confest to him in our presence , that they had seene by the Pryoresse , Iesus Christ in humane shape fastened on the Crosse .

Presently hee mentioneth another Miracle , of a Dame that put vpon her lippes which were poysoned , a little piece of linnen of the same Nunnes , and presently she was well . He addes another Miracle , of a woman that drinking water , into which had beene cast two pieces of a Crosse which this Prioresse had giuen her , shee was forthwith healed of her infirmitie ; and addeth , that the two pieces ioyned themselues together in the water , & made a perfect Crosse .

All this is gathered out of the afore-mentioned booke , the fame of the holinesse of this Nunne was so renowned , that Cardinall Albertus of Austria , sent an information of it to Pope Sixtus the sift , to whom the Pope writ this ensuing Letter , Wee read with much contentation , the Letter which you caused to bee written vnto vs of the vertues of the Prioresse , and of the great blessings which God hath conferred vpon her ; supplicating his diuine bountie to make her from day to day worthy of his grace , and inrich her with his Coelestiall gifts , to the glory of his name , and the comfort of his faithfull ones ; Dated in Rome in Saint Maries , with the seale of the Fisher , the 10. of September , 1584.

Antonio Pruchae Badulmi vnder writ it .

Now that we haue heard the pro , let vs heare the contra , the true Iesus Christ , ( and not the spouse of this Nunne , which was the Diuell ) was pleased to vnmaske this bride of Iesus Christ , reputed so holy and full of charity , & an actresse of Miracles , and so to manifest all her abhominations , superstitions , and Idolatries , and so at the end of the yeare , 1588. which was the Admirable yeare , she was condemned , as a booke witnesseth , printed in Ciuill at the beginning of the yeare 1589. following : out of which is taken word for word , what I will say against her ; the title of it is , A relation of the sanctity and wounds of Mary of the visitation , which was Prioresse of the Annunciada of Lisboa , and that which was declared in the sentence pronounced against her . Diuers graue personages being deputed to examine the verity of her wounds , and sanctimony , repaired to the Nunnery , and found by the testimony of many Nunnes vniformly agreeing , that the sanctity of the Prioresse was counterfeited , and the wounds painted , notwithstanding the Prioresse denied it , vntil they took hard sope & hot water , and washt her hands throughly with them , and the wounds ouer them ; during the which , shee faigned the feeling of great paine : in conclusion , when the wounds vanished away , she fell on the ground , and began to weepe , sigh , and craue mercy ; casting her selfe at the Deputies feete , and being required to declare the truth , she said that shee had painted these wounds on her hands , & did it ordinarily , & that that one on her side she had onely did it thrice with a penknife , and that the crowne of thornes on her head , she had made it with pricking her selfe with a knife vntill the bloud followed , and that she had done this sixe or seauen times : being asked how she had figured the fiue drops of bloud vpon those little clouts which she said came from the wound of her side ; she replyed , that she had cunningly painted some fine Holland cloath with bloud , and when they presented her any peices of linnen to touch the wound she fained to haue in her side , shee did cut them in the presence of those that gaue them her , shaping them according to the forme of those she carryed in her bosome , and putting the peices she had receiued into her bosome , shee pluckt it out , & gaue instead of them those which she had painted with bloud : Being demanded how sheraised her selfe vp , & how the Nuns often times saw her glitter in her Cell ; shee answered , that shee fiered a few coales in a Chafing-dish , and did set it before a Looking-glasse , and the beames of it which were in the Looking-glasse , did reflect vpon her face ; and that shee might seeme to bee eleuated and lifted vp , she did put her feete into a high kinde of shooes called Chapines , and sometimes vpon stilts , which shee had for that purpose ; and was so dextriously placed vpon them , that she seemed to bee in the aire . After these interrogatories , her faults being manifest , shee was condemned the 6. of December , 1588. in the Monestary of the mother of God of this City , and in her presence was pronounced and read her sentence : She was not condemned to be burned , but onely enioyned certaine Monastical penances , because the fury and rage of the Inquisitors is onely satiated with the bloud of the truely faithfull , which they call Lutherans , as also because the Nunne was of the Dominican Order , of which Order most of the Inquisitors are .

About the yeare of our Lord 1540. there was in the City of Cordoua , another Nunne which was Prioresse of the Nunnery of Saint Francis , who was condemned by the Inquisitors of the same City for enormous crimes and compacts which she had made with the Diuell ; by whose assistance shee did such things , that throughout all Spaine shee was reputed and adored for a Saint : The History of whom , Ciprian de Valera truely recounteth in his tractate of the Masse .

We may conclude from the premises , that seeing Miracles doe not alwaies accompany the true and Catholique Faith , and are common to the Ministers of God , and those of the diuell , of whom Scripture witnesseth that he shall doe them , to deceiue therewith the faithfull ; experience also teacheth vs , that he so doth ; Payua en sus sermones pag. 261 we cannot iudge by them of Religion , but rather contrarily ( as saith Saint Augustine , with whom Doctor Payua concurreth . ) Examine and try Miracles by the pure and holy Doctrine of the Church , and obedience of the Law of God ; wherevnto if they be punctually answerable , wee may hold them for true and diuine ones ; if otherwise , for false and diabolicall , yea though they seeme to be the most prodigious Miracles that euer were seene ; for what greater Miracles then those of our Lord Iesus Christ and his Apostles ? And yet if the Pharisies could haue imputed vnto him or them the least breach of Gods Law , they had liberty not to beleeue them ; as the said Doctor Payua proueth very learnedly , Ibid. and this is so pregnant a truth , that it caused Lactantius to say , Torres . en su Philosophia moral . pag. 849. whom Doctor Torres alledgeth & followeth , Non idcirco à nobis creditur Christus , quia mirabilia fecit , sed quia vidimus facta esse omnia quae nobis annunciata sunt vaticinio Prophetarum , ( that is ) Christ is not therefore beleeued by vs because he wrought Miracles , but because wee haue seene all things accomplished which were foretold vs by the Prophets . And the auntient Martyr Ignatius had the courage to say , Jgnacius epist. ad Occeanum & Pamach . Euangelio se non crediturum , nisi videret in antiquis ; that he would not giue credit to the Gospell , vnlesse he saw it in the Prophets , which is the ioynt voyce of all the Saints and Doctors of the Church , as the said Torres notifieth : but if it bee thus , as thus it is , why should the Pope of Rome preferre his Miracles before those of Christs ? willing that they should be the rule of Faith , the others not hauing beene so ? and why should wee be so foolish as to vndervalue the auntient and Apostolicall aduise and directions , which doe place Miracles after Doctrine , and follow the new and Apostaticall which doth preferthem ? No , no , let vs not suffer our selues to be so deluded , principally in matters of such consequence as this is ; let vs censure Miracles by Doctrine , and not contrariwise Doctrine by Miracles ; and seeing Papisticall Doctrine is farced with a thousand superstitions and errors , let vs not indure to be ouercome by Miracles , especially seeing they are ( as hath beene copiously expressed ) either counterfeit or fayned , or diabolicall . As often therefore as the Papists shall obiect them vnto vs , let vs stop their mouthes , saying with Saint . Augustine , August . lib. de vnitate eccae . Romoueantur ista vel figmenta hominum mendacium , vel portenta Spirituum fallacium , aut enim non sunt vera quae dicuntur , aut si aliqua mira facta sunt , magis cauere debemus : quod cum dixisset Dominus , quosdam futuros esse fallaces , qui nonnulla signa faciendo , etiam electos si fieri posset , fallerent adjecit vehementer commendans & ait : Ecce praedixi vobis .

Let vs remoue those fictions of lying men , or prodigies of deceitfull spirits , for eyther they are not true , which are reported , or if any Miracles haue beene done , we ought to be more cautious and wary , seeing our Lord hath said , there shall come deceiuers , which by doing of signes , shall deceiue euen the elect , if it were possible ; hee addeth , emphatically , saying , Behold I haue foretold it you .