〈…〉 of St. Benedict ; the effects whereof are so wonderful and so well known in Germany .

It is not a very easie matter to find out the first beginning of these Medals , but it is manifest , that St. Benedict , and his Disciples , had the Cross evermore in singular honour and veneration . The chief furniture which this Holy Patriarch carryed with him into his Cave at Sublake , was a Cross which may be seen remaining this day in St. Scholastica's Monastery : and for a pledge of his affection to his Disciple St. Maurus , he gave him when he sent him into France a parcel of the true Cross . If he drives away that importunating Black bird , or rather that wicked Devil which tempts him to impurity● if he discovers the poyson which they present to him in a Cup to destroy him : if he expels the Spirit of Pride from the heart of one of his Religious Monks : in a word , if he will dissipate the delusions of a fantastical conflagration , 't is by means of the sign of the Cross .

With this divine Instrument St. Maurus , and St. Placidus wrought all their Miracles invoking at the same time , the name of their Holy-Father Benedict , though he was then living , and his devotion to the Cross was spread abroad , throughout the whole Order proportionably to its extent and dilation , witness Rabanus Maurus in his age , who left to posterity such variety of ingenious Crosses : and perhaps it proceeds from the examples of St. Maurus , and St. Placidus , that an occasion was taken to joyn the invocation of St. Benedict with the sign of the Cross , and even to grave upon Medals his name , in manner of a Cross . This practice was abolished , and the very memory thereof , would have been totally lost and extinguished , had not a miraculous discovery of these Medals been made in th●se latter times in Germany , after the manner here ensuing .

In the year 1647. a diligent inquest being 〈◊〉 after Witches , and Sorcerers in Bavaria , and several of them having been executed in the Town of Stroubingen : some amongst the rest , averred to the Judges in their ●rogatories and Examinations , That their charms and enchantments could work no effect upon the Persons or Cattle of the Castle of Nattremberg , neighbouring upon the Abbey of Mettew , of St. Benedicts Order ; by reason of certain Sacred Medals , which were there in certain places by them discovered .

And the said Medals being accordingly found , no one ( no not the Witches themselves ) could explicate the meaning of the Characters engraved upon them , till such time as they light upon an antient Manuscript in the Library of the said Abbey , which perfectly 〈◊〉 the difficulty .

A relation of all this was made to the Duke of Bavaria , who being desirous to inform himself exactly of all the particulars , caus'd the aforesaid Medals and Manuscripts to be brought to Ingolstad , and from thence to Monachiu● and having 〈◊〉 one with the other , it was concluded , That the said Medals might profitably be made use of , without the least suspition of Error , or danger of Superstition : Of all which , he caus'd a Verbal Process ( as they term it ) to be drawn up .

As concerning the Characters , engraven upon these Medals ; each Letter betokens a Word : And behold the Figure with the Interpretation .

In one of the Faces of the Cross , where you see these Letters , C. S. S. M. L. N. D. S. M. D. you must read , Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux. Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux .

Which founds somewhat after this sense in our Language . O Sacred Cross , be thou my light . Satan , avoid out of my sight .

The four Letters standing in the four Corners , to wit , C. S. P. B. signifie these words , Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti . The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict .

In the other , these two Verses are traced , Vade retro Satana , nunquam suade mihi vana ; Sunt mala que libat , ipse venena hibat . Avaunt foul ●iend , vain are thy tempting charms ; The Cross shall ward me 〈◊〉 p●yseneus harms .

The Fame of this 〈◊〉 being nois'd abroad in the Countrey ; every devout person was desirous to have some of these Medals : whereupon many were made according to the model of them which were thus found ; Which being bless'd by the Religious of the Order , have produc'd wonderful effects , principally against all sorts of Charms and Witchcrafts ; as they have happily experienced , who have made use of them for themselves , or for their Cattle bewitched , by dipping them in the water which they gave them to drink . And surely no one can doubt but that the use of such Sacred things is very profitable , when accompanied with true Faith in God , and devout Veneration towards the Holy Cross , and the Glorious St. Benedict , both whose wonders are otherwise so well known . And by the sensible effects , which this devout practise dayly produces , we may judge of the invisible effects which it operates in the Souls of them , who use it with the requisite dispositions .