THE HISTORIE OF the virgin Maries Conception. 1

THE Virgin MARIES conceptiō was of twoe sortes. One was eternal in the minde of God; when he did choose her to be mother of the Sauiour of the world, & allot her the most excellent giftes, that could be imparted to anie pure creature: wherefore Trag [...]d de Christ [...] patiente. Nazianze­nus saith, that no creature can be com­pared with the virgin Marie, who sur­mounteth al in grace and perfection: An other conception, was temporal in the wombe of her mother S. Anne, in the yeare after the creation of the world according to In cap. 2. Matth questio. 91 Abulensis, three thousand, nine hundred fourtie & six. Ioachim was her father, and both her parents were noble no lesse of linage [Page 2]then vertue: [...] contrar Colyr. haer. 70. Nice­ [...]ho. li. 1. [...]ist. cap 7. Nissen. de humana Christi ge­neratione. who as Epiphanius and others do recount, albeit they were old, & liued manie yeares in wedlocke without yssue, yet because they had great hope in god, & had also vowed to consecrate vnto him the child they were to haue, they did not cease to de­maund the same of our Lord continu­allie, with praiers, fastings, and almes. For so we read in Tomo. 4. de natiui­tate B. vir­ginis. S. Hieroms works, that yearelie they deuided their sub­stance into three partes, giuing one to the Temple, and ministers thereof; an other to poore folkes, and pilgrimes: and reseruing the third part for them selues. Beda in martyrolo. Finallie after twentie yeares past they obtained the desired fauour: for the eight of December S. Anne conceaued our euer B. virgin Marie.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries Natiuitie. 2.

Epiph ci­tato.EPIPHANIVS and Germa. Sermo▪ de oblatione Mariae. S. Brigida lib. 1. re­uelat. ca. 9 Germanus Pa­triarchs of Constantinople doe re­corde, that the virgin Maries parents retyring them selues, Ioachim into a mountaine of the desert, where he fa­sted fourtie daies, & Anne into a gar­den of hers, there to praye God, that he would vowchsafe to deliuer them from the ignominie of barronnes; an Angel reuealed to Ioachim that he should haue a childe, & that Anne had now conceaued. And so when Herod the Idumean raigned in Iewrie, who by force and vniust dealing tooke the roial sceptre from the tribe of Iuda, & was the first forren king of the Iews, in which time according to the Gen. 49. pro­phecie of Iacob the Messias was to come euen then the virgin Marie was borne [Page 5]to wit Abulē [...] citat. three thousand, nine hundred, fourtie & seuen yeares after the creati­on of the world, the eight daie of Sep­tember, and this not without mysterie: for that in the same moneth, as the Iewish tradition doth make mention, Eue was created by God in the terre­strial paradise in ca. 1 [...] Ioan. Theophilactus and Euthi­minius doe write that Marie was the onlie daughter of Anne, who neuer had anie other husband than Ioachim; nether had one or the other any more children than Marie. So that when S. cap 19 Iohn doth cal Marie of Cleophas, sister of oure Marie the virgin, it is to be vn­derstoode that she was her kinswomā, like as Sara said she was Abrahams si­ster, that is, allied to him.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries Presentation in the Temple. 3.

VVHen the virgin Marie was three yeares old, Ioachim and Anne according as they had vowed, did pre­sent her to the Priests of the Temple, who as Euod sua epis Ecclesia ca Euodius and N pho li. cap. 7. Nicephorus doe affirme, receaued her as a pretious gift consecrated to god, to bring her vp with the virgins of the Tēple. De hi [...] Christi. genera. Nyssenꝰ writeth, that in the Temple there was a separated place, where al thos virgins were trained vp, that were dedicated to god, & that Marie remained there, into which place no weomen entred that had bene maried. But Orig tract 2 in Ma Origenes & Cyril aduers [...] Anth. morp. [...] Cyrillus Alexādrinus doe say that Marie, after she had brought forth Christ, en­tred there also as a virgin: a thing which the Iewes reprehended, but Zacharie [Page 8]father to Iohn Baptist defended the same, who knew the mysterie of the virgins childbirth, Euod. cit. Marie dwelt in the Temple twelue yeares, and Cedren in cōpend. histor. Cedrenus saieth that she went not forth from thence, except it were for some neces­sitie to her cosen Elizabeth, which did make her aboade neere the Temple: moreouer Nicom. homil de oblat. virg Georgius Nicomediensis doth saie, and Ambros lib. 2 de [...]irg. S. Ambrose confirmeth it, that the virgin Marie was in that place often visited by the Angel. In the eight yeare that she remained in the Temple, which was the eleuēth from her age according to Cedre cit. & Ca­nis. de B. Maria lib. 1. cap. 13. Cedrenus, she be­came orphane by the death of her parents.

OF THE ƲIRGIN Maries life in the Temple. 4.

ANdreas Cretensis doth write that the virgin Marie, De dor­ [...]itione [...]e pa. whiles she dwelt in the Temple amōgst the virgins, did so giue her selfe to learning, that she vnderstoode verie wel the lawe & the Prophets. Lib 2. cemp. ca. & lib. [...]. cap. 4 Sabellicus doth report, that she diuided the daie-time in this ma­ner. In the morning, for three houres space, she gaue her selfe to prayer & deuotion, from thence foorth, vntil middaie, she sate at her woorke with the other virgins, & that for the most part spining; after dinner she did reade the holie scripture. Lib. 1. re­ [...]l cap. 10 & lib. 3. [...]p 8. Ga­ [...]tin. lib. 7 [...]arca. [...]uho. ve­ [...]t. cap. 5.S. Bright seeteth downe verie largelie the manners and customes of the virgin Marie in her youth, and amongst others relateth these: She contemned riches and wealth, in so much that what she could get, she gaue to the poore; She tooke delight in nothing but in god; She [Page 11]did willinglie and often talke of the future Messias; she did with drawe her selfe, as much as shee could, from worldlie discourses; she did force her bodie, of which the Angels had care, to be obedient in al things to the soule: she was so comelie and modest, that she moued to deuotion such as did be­hold her. In co [...] ­pend. h [...] ­stor & Canis. li [...] cap. 13. Cedrenus doth recount that at twelue yeares of age, being at mid­night in prayer, she heard these words Thou shalt bring foorth my Sonne, the which she did not manifest to anie mā in the world, vntil Christ was ascen­ded into heauen.

OF THE ƲIRGIN Maries spousage vvith S. Ioseph. 5.

VVHen the virgin Marie, was four­teene yeares old, the Priests of the Temple, as In ora [...] de nati. Domini. Nissenus doth recount sent her to her kinsfolkes in Nazareth, that according to the custome, she might be maried, because in the Tem­ple they did not treate of matrimonie, and some litle while after, by aduise of the said Priests, she was despoused to Ioseph a iust man, who was of the same countrie, and Tribe, that Marie was. De per­per. virg. Mariae. Hugo de Sācto Victore writeth that the virgin Marie did consent to the matri­monie, because she vnderstoode that such was Gods vvil, & knevv likewise by reuelation, that Ioseph would liue most chast with her. Concerning the vow of virginitie that Marie did make, although Quidan Scholasti & Brig­ [...]da cit. some say she made it with condition, if it so pleased God, yet S. [...] Thom. 3. [...] q. 28. ar. Thomas, with Augus [...] de sancta virgini. [...] cap. 4. S. Augustin doth hold, [Page 14]that she, before she was despoused had purposed virginitie, and after ma­trimonie contracted vvith her hus­band, both of common consent did vow perpetual virginitie. Historie But be it howsoeuer, yet two things are here certaine. One is, that the virgin Marie before she was announced by the An­gel, had vowed virginitie, as f after­ward shal be declared. An other we haue out of Bede, Bed. hō. [...]e annun. & serm. 4. [...]e assump. Ruper. [...]b. 3. in [...]ant. Rupertus, & Abd. in [...]ta S. Bar [...]olom. [...]anis. li. 2. [...]p. 14. Abdias, to wit, that from the creation of the world, the virgin Marie was the first amongst vvoemen, that by perpetual vow did consecrate her virginitie to god.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries Annunciation. 6.

FOuere moneths, saith In epist. Euodius, after that the virgin Marie was despou­sed, God sent to her the Angel Gabriel, who as [...]t. lib. 1. [...]sic ca, 18 Hier. in [...]ist [...] ad [...]ustochiū. hom. 3. S. Ambrose &c Hierome write, entred to the virgin in a mans shape, she then being recollected as d S. Bernard saith in her closet at prayer: he saluted her; & said that she was to conceaue & beare the Sauiour of the world. B. virg. cap. 1. Ansel. [...]om. intra it IESVS August. [...]e sancta [...]irgine ca. [...]. Saint Luke telleth how the virgin hearing her selfe saluted with so great praise; was troubled thereat, and afterwards asked how that might be done, be­cause she knewe not man: that is as f Holie fathers doe expound it, she had vowed neuer to know man, but to re­maine stil a virgin, to whom the An­gel aunswering did saie, that it should be done by woorke of the holy Ghost, without violating either vowe or vir­gintie. Then the virgin did humblie [Page 17]giue her consent, to what soeuer god did commaund her. In Litu [...] ­gia. S. Chrysostom wil that the word was incarnate, when the Angel said, our Lord is with thee. But Augu [...] de fide a [...] Petr. ca 1 [...] S. Augustine and Damas [...] de fide or­thod. lib. [...] cap. 2. Damascene doe think, that it tooke flesh when the vir­gin Marie did giue her consent, Behold the handmayde of our Lord, be it done to me according to thy vvorde. Now when the Angel had thus ended his embassage, and giuen newes to the virgin Marie, that also Elizabeth had by gods wil conceaued in her old age, he depar­ted, and she folowed on her praier.

OF THE ƲIRGIN Maries visiting Elizabeth. 7.

Lucae. cap. 1.VVhen the virgin Marie had vn­derstoode of the Angel, how God had so fauoured Elizabeth that she had conceaued, notwithstanding her barrēnes and old age, rising from her praier she went to visit her, and re­ioyce with her of the fauour bestowed vpon her. In vvhich voyage, although it vvere painful, because it was tho­rough mountaines, and long, for that from Nazareth whēce she departed, it was three daies iourneie to the coun­trie of Ierusalem, as In Lucae [...] cap. 1. Bede and S. Au­gustine do vvrite, where Zacharie made his aboade: yet Serm▪ de verbis A­pocal. S. Bernard saith that the virgin going thither, did not feele that vvearines, which weomen ar ac­customed to feele after they haue cō ­ceaued, because that which she had conceaued was not humane but di­uine. Lucae. cap 1. Arriued that she was to Zacha­ries [Page 20]house she did greete Elizabeth, and her salutation was of such force, that euen the infant in Elizabeths vvombe did leape for ioye. The virgin Marie remained there about three moneths. In Lucae. [...]ap. 1. Theophilactus doth vvrite, that she de­parted from thence, before Elizabeth was deliuered of her child, & S. Luke doth seeme to insinuate this, partlie because it was not cōuenient that vir­gins should be present at womens deli­uerie, partlie also for that manie came thither to see the miraculous child­birth of Elizabeth. homil. [...]duent. 6. & Canis. lib. 4. cap 3. Eusebius Emisenus saith that al those of Zacharies house had taken so great affection towards the virgin Marie, that they remained extreme sorie at her departure.

OF THE VIRGIN Marie suspected of Ioseph. 8.

Matth. [...]a. 1.THe virgin Marie being returned from Elizabeth to her house in Nazareth, and now great with childe for three moneths, and Ioseph not knowing what had past betwixt the Angel Gabriel & her, he began to sus­pect: on the one side he saw the virgin in al her actions resemble holines and chastitie, and knew likewise that she had vowed virginitie: on the other side he beheld her great with childe, and sawe that she held her peace, not ma­king him acquainted with the matter, wherfore douting whether this were a thing done by god, or some humane weakenes, he resolued not to accuse her to the Iudges, nor diffame her, but to depart from her. And as he was thinking of the matter, the Angel ap­peared to him in sleepe, and told him [Page 23]that he should not feare to abide with the virgin, because she had conceaued by woorke of the holie Ghost, and should bring forth a sonne that should be called IESVS, who should saue his people from theire sinnes. Orig. ser. 1. ex­diuersis. Origen and Bernar [...] Hom 2. d [...] B. Maria S. Bernard do hold that Ioseph be­leeued the virgins greatnes with child to be some diuine thing, and that he thought him selfe vnworthie, to re­maine in the companie of so holie and vertuous a person, and therefore did thinke to depart from her.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries Childbirth. 9.

VVHen the virgin Marie had pre­pared some clothes for her litle childe, according to her pouertie, and the time of her deliuerie began to drawe neare, there came forth, saith Cap. [...] S. Luke, an edict from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrol­led, for euery one to paie tribute in his countrie, wherefore the virgin Marie and Ioseph, went from Nazareth to the cittie of Dauid called Bethlem, be­cause they were of the house and fa­milie of Dauid. The voyage was verie noisome to the virgin, for that it was in winter, through mountaines, and neere foure daies long. Being come to Bethelem, they founde al the Innes ta­ken vp, so that they were forced to re­tire them selues into a stal, where the blessed virgin in the night was deliue­red of her sonne Christ IESVS, [Page 26]god and man. In which childbirth. [...]rat. 1. [...]resur­ [...]. Chri­ [...] Nyssenus and [...]erm. 4. [...]igil. [...]iu. Do [...]i. [...]e insti­ [...]. virg. S. Bernard do auouche that the virgin Marie felt no paine nor trauel at al, but exceeding ioye and comfort 4. [...]e virgi­ [...] Mariae S. Amhrose and 4. [...]pr. [...]m de [...] Chri­ [...] S. Ildephon­sus do adde also, that the virginal cloi­stre of our Ladie did remaine entire and whole. [...]ierom. [...]a Hel­ [...]. S. Cyprian likewise and [...]cae. ca. Canis. 2. ca 9. S. Hierome do teache vs, that there was no Midwife present, but the vir­gin her selfe was both Midwife and Nourse. The Sheepheards, who had bene warned by the Angels, that sung Glorie in the highest to God, came to the stal, and with great humilitie and de­uotion adored the holie infant.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries Purification. 10.

AS soone as fourtie daies were en­ded of the virgins Purification af­ter her deliuerie, Lucae. [...] 2. she went to the Tem­ple in Ierusalem to offer her sonne, & giue as the law ordained a paire of turtles or two young pigeons, albeit (as diuers holie b fathers do saie) the virgin was not bound to anie such law, Beda in ca Lucae. Guari. nether needed she purification, for that she had not conceaued by woork of man, [...] Ser. 2. [...] purifi­tione et [...]ij. [...]uitici ca. [...]. of which yet law maketh expresse mention. At that ve­rie time Simeō came into the Temple, who amongst al the other mothers that were there to be purified, did see the virgin Marie, In orat [...] Proph. [...]meonis. Marie, as d Timotheus priest of Ierusalem recounteth, enuironed with a wonderful great and diuine light: and seeing that other weomen were desirous to be dispatched first, he said to them: o ye seruants, wil you [Page 29]goe before your Ladie and mistresse? Cap. 2 Canis. li 4. ca. 9. S. Luke saith that Simeon was a iust & religious man, who had receaued an aunswere from the holie Ghost, that before he died he should see the Mes­sias: he did see him now, & take him in his armes, blessing god w th al his hart. And afterwards turning him selfe to the virgin Marie, he tolde her that Iesus should be set for a signe of contradictions, and that a sword of sorowe should pearce her soule.

OF THE ƲIRGIN Maries flight into AEgipt. 11.

THe fame of the childe Iesus grow­ing daily more and more, Matt. & Luc. ca. 2. & Rabanus in 2. c. Matth. through the wounderful things which were spoken of him, as wel by the sheepe­herds touching the reuelatiō they had from the Angel, as also by the Sages concerning the new starre which they had seene, and finallie by that which Simeon and Anne had said in the Tem­ple. Chrisos [...] in 2. cap. Matth. August. serm de E­piph. & serm. de Innocent. Herode as a most cruel tyrante, entring into suspition & feare of loo­sing his kingdome, principallie for that the Sages told in Ierusalem, that he whome they did seeke, was borne king of the Iewes: he commaunded that al the children of Bethelem should be murdered, thinking so to make Christ awaye with the rest. But god by means of an Angel reuealed al the matter to Ioseph, ordaining that he should flie into Aegipt togeather with the child Iesus and his mother, and Io­seph [Page 32]with greate diligence did per­forme it. This voiage was much more combresome then the others past, be­cause it was so daine and vnexpected, into forren countries, and amongst barbarous people. In ca. 2. [...]atth. Anselmus and Niceph. b. 10. [...] [...]. 31. et [...]ij vt re­ [...]rt Hiero­ [...] [...]b. 5. in [...]ai. ca. [...]9. [...]anis. lib. [...] cap. 6. Nicephorus Callystus do recount, how at the entringe of Christ into Aegipt, the diuels trembled, and the Idols fel doune to the grounde, not being able to stand in the presence of Iesus who was the true God.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries aboade in Aegipt. 12.

AFter a long and wearisome way, the virgin Marie at the length arriued in the land of Aegipt, a Brocar­dus in de­scriptione terrae san­ctae in fine. distant from Bethelem, whence she departed, twelue long daies iourney. In which voiage it is credible, as In con­cord▪ euāg ca. 11. Iansenius saith, that the virgin consumed and spent al that, which by Gods inspi­ration she had reserued to this end, of the giftes presented to Iesus by the three Sages. She did settle her selfe in a place caled Materea neare to Cairo, for fiue yeares space; in which time, with her owne labour and that of Ioseph her spouse, they maintained them selues, & brought vp Christ. Ita refe­ [...]unt, qui id [...]iderunt Peregrini In the house, where this holie familie, did dwel, remaineth yet a miraculous fountaine of water that springeth vp: there is also to be seene a little garden, in which time past did growe certaine [Page 35]smal trees of baulme. In this place, those of Aegipt, to conserue the me­morie of such holie inhabitants, were wont to keepe a Lampe stil burning, vntil the yeare a thousand, fiue hun­dred and threescore. Manie pilgrims likewise doe goe thither to visit that place for deuotion, who al doe tel straunge effects of that water▪ and saie it is so good, that those called the Bas­sa of Cairo doe drinke thereof. More­ouer they doe report, that there is in the same place a most sweete sauour, although the dwelling be now neare fallen downe.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries leesing of Jesus. 13.

VVHen Herode was once dead, the virgin Marie with Ioseph and Iesus returned to Nazareth, a Matt ca. 2. as the An­gel had ordained, who againe appea­red to Ioseph in sleepe. From Nazareth the virgin went euerie yeare with Ie­sus and Ioseph, at the solemne daie of Pasche, to adore in the Temple of Ieru­salem, although the same was distant three daies of, and the Exod ca [...] & Deuter [...] ca. 6. virgin not bound to go. Iesus being then twelue yeares old, remained in Ierusalem. The virgin Marie not finding her child, the first daie at night, amongst her kins­folkes, in whose cōpanie she thought that he had gone (for as In cap Lucae Ca­nis. de [...] Mar. li [...] 4. c. 15. Bede saith, it was a custome among the Iewes, in their deuotions, to go seperate men from weomen, and that the children might go with whome of them they would) she returned back with Ioseph [Page 38]to Ierusalem, where the third daie she founde him in the temple in the mid­dest of the Doctors. And his mother asking him what he meant to tarie in Ierusalem, & make him selfe be sought with so much griefe, he aunswered that they ought to remember, that he being sent to seeke the glorie of his father, was to be found in the affaires and place of his father.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries spouse Joseph his death. 14.

IT is not altogeather certaine at what time the virgin Marie became [Page 40]a widowe. Haeres. [...]8 contra Antid. Epiphanius is of opinion that Ioseph deceased, Christ being thir­tene years old. In com­ [...]end. hist. Cedrenus saith he died whē Christ was of thirtie years. Ambro. de instit. [...]irg. c 7. & epist. 79. S. Am­brose and Hiero. cōtra Hel­ [...]uid. S. Hierome do write onlie, that Ioseph was then dead, when Christ was crucified. Matth. ca. 1. This holie man was of the roial stocke of Dauid, and being chosen of God for the custodie of two so pretious treasures, as were Christ & the Virgin, it is to be thought that he was such a one, as the holie scrip­ture and Damasce de fide or­thad lib. 4. ca. 15. auncient fathers do report him to haue bene, iust, religious, prudēt, faithful, and indued with manie other vertues. He was not onlie chaste, as Hiero. cont. Hel­uid. S. Hierome, Augu. Serm. 15. de nat. Do mini. S. Augustine and others do affirme, but also did die a virgin, as not hauing anie other wife then the virgin Marie, with whome, as 3. p. q. 28. ar 4. & ad Ga­lat. ca. 1. S. Tho­mas saith he vowed virginitie. And al­beit the virgin was a most beautiful creature, neuertheles her countenāce did cast forth such holines and grace, that as Lib▪ 1. reuel c. 1 & lib. 3 ca. 8. S. Briget writeth she moued al that did behold her to the loue of ver­tue, [Page 41]and much more did she moue Io­seph to the same, whose concupiscēce, saith De nat [...] Mar. cōs [...] 3. Canis. lib. 2. ca. 13. Gerson, was ether extinguished or so repressed, that he neuer fealt in him selfe anie disordinate motion.

OF THE VIRGIN Marie in time of her vvidow­head. 15.

THrough the death of Ioseph, there grewe to the virgin Marie some difficultie of househould, Lib. 2. cem ca. [...] & 9. & lib. 3. [...]. 4. yet a Sabel­licus writeth that she had so wel dispo­sed her spiritual exercises, and the af­faires of her house, that the one did [Page 43]not hinder the other. For she did giue the beginning of the daie to godlie contemplations, and that towards night she did applie to read holie scrip­ture, of which she was so greatlie ena­moured, that, as Lib. 2. de virgini. S. Ambrose writeth she repeated sleeping the night, what the daie time she had reade. She had her appointed time for sleepe, albeit as Lib. 1. reuel. ca. 10. & lib. 3. ca. 8. S. Briget reporteth, she had so accu­stomed her bodie, that not onlie in sleepe, but in whatsoeuer els it was obedient to the soule. de arcan Catho. ve­rat. lib. 7. ca. 5. Galatinus tel­leth vs that the virgin had such a spirit of prophesie, that she did stil shut her eyes and eares, when she was to see, or heare anie things vnlawful or imper­tinent. In epist. Canis. lib. 1. ca. 13. Ignatius doth likewise re­count, that the virgin Marie was so sound in the loue of her neighbour, that she did not onlie shew her selfe kinde to the Iewes, that persecuted Christ, but hauing compassiō of their imperfections, did also seeke to do them al kind of seruice, that she could. when Christ did come to her house [Page 44]with his Apostles, she did feele parti­cular ioye of spirit, so that she receaued them with great chearfulnes & con­tentment.

OF CHRIST HIS departing from the virgin Marie. 16.

CHrist our Sauiour was in a towne called Bethania, Ianseni­us in con­corc. 128. & Stella. in Luc. [...]. 22. two miles of Ieru­salem, in the house of Martha & Marie Magdalen, as Bonau. in medie. c. 4. & 62. Bonauenture saith, with whome also the virgin Marie was, and when vppon thursdaie he had sent Pe­ter and Iohn to Ierusalem, to find a place where to celebrate the Pasche, the time of his departure now come, he tooke his leaue of his deare mother [Page 46]which remained fraught with sorow, because she knew that Iesus was to be deliuered vp into his enimies hands, to endure exceeding torments, and fi­nallie to die vpō the crosse as a thiefe. There is no doubt but that the virgin weeping and taking no repose al that night, did expect stil to heare most heauie newes of her sonne. Canis. lib 4. ca. 25. And in deede as soone as Iesus was apprehen­ded in the garden, a messenger, who peraduenture was some one of the Apostles, went to Bethania to carie ti­dings to the virgin, how Iesus was now betrayed by Iudas, taken by the Iewes, and leade awaie bound to the Iudges. The virgin Marie hauing vn­derstoode this doleful newes, sobbing and sighing, and accompanied with the other Maries, went to Ierusalem.

OF THE ƲIRGIN Maries going to mount Cal­uarie 17.

VVhen the virgin Marie entred into Ierusalem, Bonau. in Medi­tatio. she did finde the whole cittie bent and moued a­gainst Iesus; and because the people were incited, encouraged and per­swaded by the Scribes and Pharises, to cause Christ to be condemned as a malefactor, the afflicted mother was constrained to heare infinite iniuries, and horrible blasphemies against her sonne Iesus, throughout al the streetes of Ierusalem, by which she was to passe going to mount Caluarie. But how much this virgin did suffer this daie, which was good fridaie: holie [Page 49]fathers do declare with diuers exāples. Lib. 4. de fid. or­thod. ca. 15. Damascene writeth that the virgin marie did feele those bitter pangs, and paines at the time of Christ his passion, which she did not feele in the time of his natiuitie. And In tra­ctat de Compas. virginis. S. Bernard saith, that what effect the nailes, and other instruments (of torment) did woorke in the bodie of our Sauiour Christ; the verie same they wrought in the soule of the virgin, by reason of her mother­lie compassion. Luthim. in Luc. ca. 2. Luthimius and Beda ib. & Canis. lib. 4. ca. 25. & 26. Bede doe record, that the paine of our Saui­ours passion, did pearce euen through the harte of the virgin, like that sharpe sword, that was prophecied & foretold by holie Simeon: in somuch that Ansel. lib de ex­cellen. B. Mariae. ca. 5. Anselmus, Bernard serm sig­num mag. S. Bernad [...]ldeph. Ser. 2. de assum. vir­gini. Ildephōsus and others doe affirme, that the virgin Marie was a martyre, and more then a martyre.

OF THE VIRGIN Marie seing Christ on the Crosse. 18.

THe virgin Marie when she was come vp to mount Caluarie, Ioan. ca. 19. did see her sonne crucified betwixt two thieues: and whiles with most dole­ful teares she stoode beholding this la­mentable pageant, Iesus did regard her from the crosse with great com­passion, & shewing her Iohn his disci­ple, said to her, vvomā behold thy sonne, and after he said to the disciple, Behold thy mother. Serm. stabatiux­ta Cruc. S. Anselmus doth auou­che, that the virgin Marie shewed in that place such rare vertues, as she was [Page 52]the glorie of al weomen sex: for whē the disciples had forsaken their mai­ster, the virgin did not abandone him, and when others fled for feare, she re­mained stedfast in faith, and constant at the foote of the Crosse: with greate sorow she had exceeding patience: she did not curse, nor murmour, nor de­maund reuenge against her enemies at gods hand. And In ea­dem. Ser. Stabat. S. Bernard saith, that the virgin, although she was ouer­whelmed with sorowe, did not yet commit anie vndecent act, nor shew anie signe of impatiēce, but keepe her selfe alwayes within the bounds of reason and modestie. In la­ment. Ma­na Canis lib. 4. ca. 25. & 26. S. Ephrem the deacon doth also write, that the vir­gin, at the foote of the Crosse, did a­dore, and worshippe with al reuerence the woundes, the afflictions, and ma­gnanimitie of Iesus, & eftsons offer them vp to god, for the redemption of mankind.

OF THE VIRGIN Marie houlding Christ dead in her armes. 19.

THe virgin Marie stoode at the foote of the Crosse, [...] Matth. a. 27. Mar. ca. [...]5. Luc. [...]a. 23. [...]oan. ca. [...]9. when at Iesus death the sunne was darkened, and the earth did quake: and being verie desirous to haue in her armes the bo­die of her beloued sonne, behould, one of the souldiars with a speare ope­ned his side. There is no doubte but that this speare did wound also the blessed mother with exceeding griefe, who although she were displeased with that fiercenes of the souldiar, which did shew him selfe so cruelle to wards one that was deade, yet she [Page 55]was not moued against him. Canis. lrb. 4. de B. Mariae. ca. 26. To be shorte, vpon fridaie at night, because it was not expedient that the deade bodies should remaine vpō the Crosse in the Sabboth, the bodie of Iesus was vnnailed, and taken downe from the Crosse and laid in the armes of his pi­tiful mother, which she most dearelie did embrace and worship, and often kisse those holie wounds, offering them vp to the eternal father for the saluation of the world. Here the o­ther Maries did weepe most abundāt­lie, seeking by this meanes to accom­panie the virgin, whose sorowe and lamentation, as In Ioan. ca 19 Serm Sta­bat in [...]xta Crucem. Anselmus saith, was passing greate, because the loue that she did beare to Iesus, was also greate: yet the same was alwaies ioined with such comlines and graue behaueour, that no man could reprehend it.

OF THE ƲIRGIN Marie seeing Christ resus­citate. 20.

THere is noe certaintie, into what place the virgin Marie did retire her selfe, after that Iesus was buried, nor in what place Christ did appeare vnto her after his resurrection: if not, that Lib 2. histo. ca. [...] Nicephorus doth saye, that she dwelt in S. Iohns house, neere to Sion in Ierusalem. And this is verie likelie to be soe, for that the virgin was ex­treme weake, partelie in respect of her continual weeping, partelie also be­cause al that daie she had eatē nothing: in so much that it is credible she went not from Ierusalem, but that S. Iohn, [Page 58]to whome Christ commended her a little before, did leade her to his house, where she expected her sōne knowing for certaine, that he was to rise from death the third daie. But be it how­soeuer, that which Augus lib. de sancta vir­ginitate. ca 3. Ruper. lib. 7. diu. offic. ca. 25. Anselm. de excel. virg. ca. 6. holie fathers doe affirme, & is certaine, is this: that the virgin Marie was the first, to whome oure Sauiour appeared after his resur­rectiō. And as Epiph. [...]on. haer. & libel. Aetiq Canis. lib. 5. ca. 1. Epiphanius doth write, she was the first that did adore him, being glorious. In deede it was conue­nient for such a sonne, so to behaue him selfe towards such a mother, not onlie because he gaue vs the lawe to honour father & mother, but also be­cause the virgin did receaue extreme paine and sorowe, of his passion and death, more then anie othres, yea a­boue al others: soe that she deserued to be comforted before anie other, & more then anie els whosoeuer.

OF THE VIRGIN Marie after Christ his As­cension. 21.

AS the common opinion is, the vir­gin Marie liued fifteene yeares af­ter the Ascension of Christ into hea­uen: in which time she was occupied in aduauncing the primitiue church of Christ, which in those beginnings was mightilie persecuted; so that she did animate al, & teache them how to behaue them selues in their actions & persecutions, moreouer De ex­cel Mar. ca. 7. & Me [...]a­phrat in [...]rat de dor mit Dei­parae. S. Anselmus doth write that the virgin vnderstan­ding more profoundlie those verities, which the holie Ghost had reuealed, did teach and declare manie things also to the Apostles, with whome she alwaies liued familiarlie, leading with them an Apostolical life. Tragae. de Christe patiente. Nazianze­nus [Page 61]saith, that after the Ascension of Christ, she did foretel the Iewes of the destruction of Ierusalem, for the sinne cōmitted against the Messias. Serm. de Assump­tione. Sophro­nius also doth report, that oftentimes she visited the mount Caluarie, the ho­lie sepulchre, and with great deuotion did kisse the footsteps of Christ, which he le [...]t printed in the mounte Oliuet. Canisius lib. 5 ca. 1. Some be of opinion that she did liue of the common almes, with which the widowes of the primitiue Church were wont to be maintained. Lib. re­uel. cit. S. Bri­get writeth, that the virgin did not onlie fortifie and confirme those new Christians in their faith, but also con­uert manie Iewes and Gentiles to the knowledge of Christ, and that for this cause, God did conserue her aliue af­ter Christ his Ascension.

OF THE VIRGIN Marie requesting fauour to die. 22.

VVHen the primitiue church, through the labours of the vir­gin Marie, was for the space of fifteene yeares meetelie wel established, and encreased by persecutions; the virgin demaunded of our Lord to end her Pilgrimage, and passe to an other life, there to be more vnited with her sōne. And the time being now come, which God had appointed for this purpose, Lib 2. hist ca. 21. Metaphras in orat de vita & morte virginis. Canis. lib 5. ca. 2. &. 3. Nicephorus doth report that our Lord sent her an Angel, which brought her the ioiful newes of her departure from this banishement to heauen, and giuing her a braunche of a palme tree, foretold her the daie of her decease. This tidings was to the virgin Marie [Page 64]of exceeding [...]oie, and so deare, that she could not be satiated to thanke God, but al ful of ioie, she did com­municate to her frinds and deuoute persons the reuelation which she had receaued from the Angel, and shewed thē the braunche of palme which the same Angel brought her. She caused certaine poore garments that she had, to be giuen to two poore widowes her neighbours Nichephorus doth more­ouer adde, that to the house where she was, there came a greate multi­tude of Christians, which with teares did lament, seeing them selues to be shortlie bereft of such a mistresse, and the onlie comfort that they had; but the virgin Marie did exhort them ra­ther to be glad, then to mourne and lament.

OF THE VIRGIN Marie being neere to die. 23

THe time approaching neere in which the virgin Marie was to de­part out of his life to the celestial Ieru­salem, God did not cease to shew her new fauours, for he would that al the Apostles should find them selues pre­sent at her death as Metaph­ras orat de uita & morib. B. virg Nice­pho lib. 2. hist. ca. 3. Damasce. orat. de. dormit & assum virg. manie writers do affirme. And setting a part the te­stimonie of Dion. Areop. de dui nomi. ca. 2. Dionysius Areopagita, who was there present, I wil heere laye downe that, which. Inuena­lis apua Euthim in vet. hist. S. Iuuenalis Bis­shop of Ierusalem did aunswere to Marcianus Emperour being demaun­ded of him touching the death of the virgin Marie. Albeit, saith he, holy scripture doth not speake of the death of the virgin Marie, yet we haue by an auncient and most true tradition, that [Page 67]at the time of her glorious parting out of this life, the Apostles that were in diuers parts of the world, in a moment were lifted vp into the aire, and came togeather in Ierusalem, and were pre­sent at the death of the virgin Marie. Besides this S. Ansel. de excel­lētia virg. ca 8. Anselmus and Nice­pho citat. ca. 21. Nice­phorus doe saie, that Christ also came from heauen in companie of manie Angels, to be present him selfe in par­son at the death of his most deare mo­ther, and to receaue her soule. The like long before these men did write Vbi su­pra Canis. lib. 5. ca. 3. Damascenus, setting downe the dis­course and speeche, which past at that time betwixt the mother & the sonne, as heereafter shal be declared.

OF THE ƲIRGIN Maries death. 24.

THe virgin Marie deceased in Ieru­salem in S. Iohns house, being a­bout threescore and three years old. Lib. 4. reu [...]la. ca. 23. S. Brigett telleth vs that she died most quietlie, without anie feare or paine. In orat. de assump Deipare. S. Damascenus is of opinion, that a litle before the virgin gaue vp her ghost, she said to Iesus, Into thy hands o my sonne, I commend my spirite: re­ceaue now my sowle so deare vnto thee, which thou hast kept free from al spot of sinne. To thee likewise and not to the earth doe I giue my body, in which it pleased thee to dwel. drawe me to thee, that I maie be there, where thou art, the blessed fruite of my wombe. The self same father doth also saie, that Christ did aunswere her in this sort-come, o my blessed mother into my repose, come o pure & beau­tiful amongst al weomen, because in [Page 70]thee there is no spotte. Lib. 2 [...]hist. ca. 21. Nicephorus doth recount that the virgin Marie speaking these words, Be it done to me againe according to thine vvorde, gaue vp her blessed sowle into the deare hands of her sōne Iesus, & so she remained as if she had bē a sleepe In hist. [...]ete. Eu­him. S. Iuuenalis also did say to the Emperour Marcianus, that at the death of the virgin were seene manie Angels, and most sweete songs of the highe powers, and the virgin in an vnspeakeable manner did giue vp her gracious soule into the hands of God, moreouer In orat. le Assum to. Canis. [...]ib. 5. ca. Andreas Bisshop of Candie doth tel how there came a greate multitude of Angels from heauen at the death of the vir­gin.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries funerals and burial. 25.

AFter that the virgin Marie was departed this life, the Apostles tooke her sacred body out of the bed, in which before her death she did re­maine appareled and put in most de­cent maner, and laide her vppon the biere. Lib. 2. bist. ca. 22. Nicephorus doth report that there was great concourse of deafe, blinde, and other lame folks, who al were most miraculouslie cured with touching onlie that sacred bodie. This done-there was a procession set in or­dre: & some of the Apostles wēt before with lights in theire hands, some o­thers caried the coffin, and al sing­ing holie himmes Andreas Cretē. orat de As­sump. B. Virginus. Damascin orat de Dormit. & Assáp virg. Ca­nis. lib. 5. ca. 3. went towards getssemani, where she before had ap­pointed to be buried. The same au­thor doth recount, and others also do avouche, that through al the waie were seene in the aire manie squadrōs [Page 73]of Angels, which did accompanie the blessed bodie of theire Queene. He saith moreouer, that a certaine priest of the Iewes, moued of haterd and en­uie, was so rash and vnconsiderate, as to push the beire thinking to throw the same to the grounde: but he was foorth with punished by god, for that his hands were separated from his armes, and did sticke hanging to the coffin. whereuppō the poore wretche astonied with the miracle, did soden­lie repent him selfe, and with teares demaūded pardon: so that by S. Peters appointmēt the procession was staied, and the Iew approching neere to the coffin with great reuerence, his hands by a new miracle were restored to him againe.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries Assumption. 26.

THat holy Bisshop Nicepho lib. 2. hist. ca. 23. S. Iuuenalis doth tel vs, how the Apostles re­mained at the sepulchre of the virgin Marie for three daies, hearing conti­nuallie a most sweete harmonie of holy himnes. After three daies were past, it seemed to the Apostles for cō ­solation of S. Thomas (who was not present at her death) to open the se­pulchre, and to shew him the sacred body. And when they had discouered the place, they found not the body, but they did feele a most sweete sa­uour, and found onlie the linnen in in which the body was wrapped, which they did kisse for deuotion. And that the blessed virgin was raised vp the third daie, and in soule & body assumpted into heauen many holy fa­thers doe tel vs. Oratio. de Assup. S. Damascenus doth write that the virgin as the daughter of the old Adam, was subiect to the old [Page 76]lawe of [...]ea [...]: but in as much as she was the mother of the liuing god, she was from the sepulchre conioined to him. In ento­nio de dor nit virg. [...] Part. 3. [...]nnal. & [...]d Alip. [...] Serm. de [...]it. & lormit. [...]irg Canis [...]ib. 5. ca. 4.5. & [...]. Andreas Bisshop of Candia doth say in this sort. She that brought forth the author of life, being raised vp againe, findeth her selfe now there where is present the perpetual foun­taine of life. Michael Glycas doth report that the virgin Marie died according to the lawes of nature, but by grace she was raised againe, as her sonne. Meta­phrastes also doth auouche that the most blessed body of the virgin, was by god translated into the diuine and celestial tabernacles.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries entring into heauen. 27

EPiphanius doth plainlie confesse, Sermo. le Laudi. [...]. virg. that no tongue of men or Angels is sufficient to expresse the glorie and triumph, that the virgin Marie had in heauen: and concluding he saith that next vnder god she is Superiour to al. Sermo. [...]. de as­ [...]up. virg. S. Bernard also writeth that none can thinke with what glorie the Queene of the world did enter into heauen; with what affect of deuotion the ce­lestial legions did behould her: with what cheerful countenance & diuine embracings she was receaued of Iesus, and exalted aboue al other creatures. Sermo. le assump. [...]urg. Sophronius doth tel in particular how in the Assumption of the virgin, those celestial Citizens went to meete her with al solemnitie: and so enuironed with heauenlie brightnes, she was con­ducted by them with musicke to the throne which was prepared for her: [Page 79]and how the feast of the Assumption, which we celebrate but once a yeare, is perpetual to al that heauēlie Ierusa­lem, and to those blessed spirites. In euāg. de sanc. deipa. Athanasius doth set downe the praises which each Ierarchie did sing to the virgin Marie. And Lib. de excil virg. ca. 8. Ca­nis lib. 5. ca. 4. Anselmus doth saie moreouer that God exalted the virgin Marie his mother aboue al the heauēs, and placed her in a throne of glorie, making her the Soueraigne ouer al creatures. The like doe say al those holie fathers that write of the virgin, or of her Assumption.

OF THE VIRGIN Maries protection in heauen of her deuoutes: 28.

THe cōtents of this last historie is so manifest and cleere, that we neede not quote anie other authors then our [Page 81]selues: forsomuch as we al doe see, that in euerie kingdome, in euerie pro­uince, and in euerie cittie though it be neuer so litle, there is to be found some image of our Ladie that doth worke miracles, & to which deuoute persons haue particular recourse, to obtaine graces and fauours of God, by meanes of the virgin Marie. And this hath bene an ordinarie thing since the beginning of the primitiue Chur­che of Christ. Now who is he that wil say, that this is not to be ascribed to the particular protection, which the virgin hath in heauen of her deuoutes heere on earth? who wil say, that she is not fauoured of that infinite maine sea of al good nes? seeing that she doth obtaine of him for vs, so manie great graces and fauours, who is so beside him selfe, that he wil not doe honour and reuerence to so diligent and lo­uing an aduocatrice. Lib de excellen. virg. ca. 8. S. Anselmus saith that the virgin hath ben exalted to such greatnes for vs, to the end she might easelie obtaine whatsoeuer [Page 82]good we needed for our sowle. And b S. Augustin teacheth that she doth help vs more, Serm. thē al the other Saincts. [...]e As­ [...]mptio. [...] In Can­ [...]ic. lib. 7. [...] fine. Canis. lib. [...]. ca. 8. & 17. So that c Rupertus calleth her the mountaine of mountaines, from whence cometh to vs al succour, obtained of our supreame Lord and maker of al things.

OF THE ƲIRGIN Maries stature and manners, taken out of auncient and holie fathers.

THe virgin Marie was of a meane stature, although some be of opi­nion as Nicephorus writeth that she was of a little more then a meane stature. [...]icephor. [...]. 2. hist. [...] 23. [...]iphan. [...]onstanti. [...]esbyter [...]b. de vita [...]ariae. [...]edrenus [...] compen [...]io hist. Ansel­ [...]us apud [...]anis. lib. [...]. ca. 13. Her coloure was sōwhat more broune then white, and was much like the colour of wheate. Her heare was yellow, yet without art or humaine in­dustrie. Her eyes were quick & liuelie and of a graue colour, but the apple of her eye was like to an oliue colour. Her eye liddes were decentlie blacke, and somwhat bowed: her nose was meane, her lippes of coral colour, her face somthing longe, her hands and fingars long.

In conuersation she was affable, and gracious in speeche, yet graue & mo­dest: her talke was litle, and not with­out necessitie: she did honour al most [Page 85]willingly: she was shamefast and de­mure, without laughing, disdaine, or anie other perturbation. The holy & famous martyr S. Ignatius, who liued at the same time the virgin Marie did, In epistel▪ ad Ioan. Euāgelist. in a certaine epistle of his, after he had called her a patterne of penance, and a mistresse of christian religion doth saie that from many parts of the world there came sundrie to see her, as if she had bene a celestial miracle, & a most sacred sight: to whome she seemed so maruailous, that euerie one of them was incredibly glad to haue seene her, or spoken with her. Amongst those was that greate Dionysius Areopagita, Apud Ca­nis. lib 5. ca 1. in­ter mediū. & finē in & ca 22. post prin­cip. who being at the maiestie of the vir­gin Marie, and woundering at the ho­lines of her manners, and beholding in her I know not what celestial and diuine brightnesse, did say, that if Christ had not bene reuealed to him, he would easelie haue beleeued that there had bene no other god then the virgin Marie. Homil. de hypapan. Domini. Hence it is that the holy doctor Saint Chrysostome doth cal our [Page 86]Ladie the great miracle of the vvorld.

CERTAINE AVN­cient miracles vvrought by the virgin Marie.

VVHat time Leo Isauricus sought to take awaie holie images out of the church of Christ, S. Iohn Da­mascene did write three bookes in de­fence of them: wherewith the aduer­saries (of images) being offended, they did accuse him as a breaker of the Princes peace, saying that he had written letters of treason, whereupon his right hand was out of. But Damascene en­tring into his closet, and kneeling downe before the image of oure La­die, said in this manner. See heere, o most holie mother, how for defēding holie images, my hand hath bene cut of: to thee doe I humblie commend mie selfe: which when he had vttered with teares, he slept, and in sleepe did see the blessed virgin restore him his hād, so that, waking he found his hād [Page 87]whole: there remayninge onlie a signe of the cut. This miracle was most fa­mous in al the East, and written by Iohn Patriarcke of Ierusalem.

Theophilus Archdeacon in Cilicia, being accused by some enuious per­sons, was put out of his office, and of­fended at the matter did denie Christ and oure Ladie, and by a certaine writing did giue him self to the diuel, wherunto to he was induced by a cer­taine Iew that was a magician. But afterwards repenting him selfe, he went into a church of oure Ladie, praying her with teares and fastings for manie daies and nights, that she would help him. At the length the virgin Marie made the writing to be restored to him by the diuel, and so being reconciled to the Church, he entred into grace with god, and liued in such manner that he was a Sainct, whose feast is celebrated the 4. daie of februarie. This historie is written by Metaphrastes and others.

Marie surnamed Aegiptiaca of Ae­gipt, [Page 88]a publicke harlot, going to see the churche of the holy Crosse in Ieru­salem, would often haue entered, but she could not; whereat astonied and touched of god inwardlie, she did en­ter into her selfe, and ashamed of her life, did turne her selfe to an image of the virgin Marie that stoode neere to the church doare and saide: O virgin and mother, seeing that god, whome thou hast brought forth, became man therby to cal sinners to penance, assist and succour me voide of al helpe: and I doe promise, if I enter into this chur­che, to chaunge my life. She entred & by the virgin Maries intercession was reconciled to god, and after this reti­ring her selfe into the desert, she did penance, & died a holy woman. This historie was written by Paulus Diaco­nus & is to be reade in the second Ni­cene councel, actione 4.

In the yeare 1094 a certaine womā of Laudune was condemned to death for committing a murder secreatlie: and as she went to the place of execu­tion [Page 89]where she was to be burned, she entred into a church of our Ladie, and there inwardlie contrite did confesse her sinne publiklie, and afterwards weeping she turned her selfe to an image of the blessed virgin, reque­stingher helpe for her sowle, & cōmē ­ding her self to her with al her hearte, departing that she was frō the church and come to the place of punishment, she was twise cast into the midest of a great fire, which nether did burne, nor touch her: and that which made the miracle more manifest was, that ne­ther her garments were as much as touched of the fire, whereat al the people astonied, did returne with the woman to the Church, & giue thanks to the virgin Marie, by whose praiers they acknowledge this miracle to haue bene wrought. Thus writeth Si­gibert in his chronicle.

Nestorius was strooken of God with diuers tribulatiōs, Canis. de. Maria De­para lib. 3. ca. 18. & lib. 5. ca. for his blasphemies vsed against the virgin Marie, but be­cause he amended not him self, his [Page 90]tongue was cruellie eaten, [...] & [...]icephor. [...] 14. [...]st. eccl. [...]. 36. with wor­mes, and he did dye most miserablie, whose body being buried, the earth did open and swallowe it vp. Moscus Euiratus also doth write, that when the virgin Marie did appeare to the Abbot Cyrriacus in sleepe, richlie ador­ned, and hauing in her companie. S. Iohn Baptist, and S. Iohn Euangelist, he did praie her that she would vouchsafe to enter into his chamber: but she aun­swered him in this manner, How wilt thou that I enter into thie chamber, where thou hast mine enimie? And with this she departed. The Abbot whē he was awaked was verie anxious for that he knewe not who this enimie of the virgin was. But reading a certai­ne booke which Isichius priest of Ieru­salem had lent him, he found that in the end thereof with it were boūd twoe bookes of Nestorius, & so he straight waies vnderstood who was the enimie of the virgin, and forthwith burning these two bookes, the Abbot was much comforted. Of this euerie one maie ga­ther, [Page 91]that dishonest bookes also be eni­mies to the virgin Marie, and so it is no maruaile, if she do not enter into the chamber of the soule of these that kepe such bookes. Thus we reade in the booke intituled Pratum spirituale A spiritual medowe. Chap. 46.

Gregorius Turonensis in his booke de gloria martyrum doth recount, that a certaine Iews sonne went to a church of the blessed virgin, & there did com­municate with other scholars, & returning home ioyful that he had so done he told his father of it, whoe became so enraged at the matter, that being a glasse maker he tooke the childe and threw him into the burning for­nace, heaping more woode, therby the more toe inflame the fornace. The childs mother came running to the place, and when she could not approa­che neere to the fornace, for the ex­ceedinge greate flame that it sēt forth, she cried out, in so much that manie people did runne to the howse where she was, whoe remouing the fire from [Page 92]the fornace, did find the childe lying as it were in a most delicate bead, and asking him how the fire had not con­sumed his bodie, he aunswered that the woman, at whose Alter he had communicated in the morning, did stand by him, and defend him from the fire with her mantel. This historie did Menna the Patriarch (as Glycas writeth) tel to Iustine the second Em­perour of that name, Parte. 4. Annaliū. as one whoe had bene present at the fact.

When Rome was grieuouslie vexed with the plague, S. Gregorie the greate being at that time Pope, did ordaine a solemne procession to be made vpon Easter daie, bearing through al the Cittie the image of our Ladie (which is said to be that of S. Marie maior yet extant in Rome) whervppon the pla­gue did cease verie miraculouslie, at the which the people greatlie reioy­cing, behold an Angel that did sing in the ayre, Regina coeli laetare Alleluya &c. Queene of heauen reioice Alleluya: for that he whome thou deseruedst to [Page 93]beare Alleluia, is risen as he said Alle­luya. And the holy Pope aunswered, Praie god for vs Alleluia. Sigonius a­mongst others doth recount this in his first booke de regno Italiae.

In the booke intituled Pratum spiri­tuale chap. 45. we reade of a certaine monke, who molested with a long temtation, saide to the diuel, when wilt thou let me be quiet. And the diuel appearing to him spake in this manner. Sweare to me, that thou wilt not vtter to anie one that which I shal tel thee, and I wil not molest thee any more. The mōke did sweare, and the diuel then saide, worship no more this image of our Ladie, and I wil let thee alone. The monke tooke time to de­liberate of the matter, & in the meane season discouered al to his Abbot, who did reprehend him for giuing his oath to the diuel, and afterwards ex­horted him to worship the image of the virgin Marie, telling him that he had obtained the victorie in so greate temptation by the help of the virgin, [Page 94]and that leauing to worship her, he should easelie be ouercome of the di­uel. These & other miracles wrought by God thorough the intercession of the virgin Marie are written largelie by Petrus Canisius in his first booke of the virgin Marie chap. 19. and 20.