THE NATIVE HOVSE of our B. LADY is reuerenced with great honour in Galiley, whiles the Christian faith remai­neth in Palestine. CHAP. I.

THE natiue house of the B. Virgin, in time past was in Galiley, a Pro­uince of Syria, where in the towne of Nazareth, our B. Lady herself was borne and brought vp; where she conceiued our eternall God, by foretelling of the Angell: And where the footstepes of God and his F. mother, soue­raigne to mankind, were first imprinted. The sanctitie of which place, was neither vnknowne, nor at any time neglected of godly people. For first of all it is wel know­ne, that our B. Lady hath alwayes beene [Page 2]of great name & veneration among Chri­stians; wherof the Apostles thēselues were the authours, The Apo­stles con­secrate the h use of our B. La­dy. who rightly consecrated the B. Virgins house, either to preserue the me­morie therof to posteritie, or els to increase the Christiā religion therby. From which time the Apostles themselues reuerenced it with exceeding honour, and also cōman­ded that others should worship it with like deuotion. And the Apostles authoritie pre­uailed with posteritie. For all succeeding ages haue cōtendingly reuerēced the birth­place of the heauenly Queene, & the stepps of Gods Conception, with such deuotion and honour, as it deserued. Therfore about 300. yeares after Christes Natiuitie (Chri­stian affaires beginning then to flourish, with long peace renewing all thinges, vn­der the protection of Constantine the Great) S. Helene the Empresse adorned this little House of the Blessed Virgin with a goodly Church. For pilgrimaging into Palestine (as Nicephorus deliuereth) and with sacred buil­dings adorning the places, which were san­ctified with diuine mysteries, S. Helen doth a­dorne it vvith a Church. lib. 8. ca. 30 She came to Nazareth, and finding out the House of the Angeli­call Salutatiō, built there a sumptuous Church. Frō which time, those holy places began to be reuerenced more then before, not only by [Page 3]the Asians and Africans, but of the Europians al­so; and the natiue House of our B. Lady, glorious for the heauenly Embassage and Conception of the diuine issue, was more earnestly reuerēced of godly people. Proofe is that S. Hierome, a pillar of the Roman Church, S. Hierom & S Paula do visit it. and B. Paula a woman of the chie­fest nobilitie of Rome, visiting that holy Land, went as S. Hierome termeth it, to Nazareth the nourcerie of our Lord. And this de­uotion continued many ages; Epist. 27 ad Eusto. for about the 700. yeare of our Redemption, when Hie­rusalem was taken by the Saracens by force of armes, the sacred places of Syria, Guil. Tyr. lib. 1 bell. Sac. and the Church, wherin was the House, in which the Angell saluted our B. Lady, was visited of the Europian pilgrimes. Author hereof is Venerable Bede, soone after that age: for the State of Hierusalem, De loc. Sanc. and of the Christians in Palestine, was not then so bad vnder the Sa­racens, as afterward it was vnder the Turkes; who conquering Syria and Hierusalem about the yeare of our Redemptiō, Guil. Tyr. lib. 1 one thousand and fiftie, began to dishonour the Christi­an name many reprochefull wayes. The same wherof incensed Pope Vrbane the se­cond, Idem lib. [...] by a new Breue to proclaime sacred warre. In which by the forces of the Euro­pians, but specially of the French nobilitie, [Page 4]vnder the conduct of Godfrey Duke of Lo­raine, Paul Aemil. lib. 4. Hierusalē is recoue­red. Hierusalem, and Palestine were recoue­red, about the yeare one thousand one hū ­dred. Wherby as long as the Kingdome of Hierusalem stood, the religion of those holy places did chiefly flourish, among which the natiue House of the B. Virgin, obtai­ned not the meanest place. For which cause Tancred a Norman by birth (whose worthy vertue was very famous in the sacred war) and being President of Galiley adorned the Church of Nazareth with many notable giftes, which afterward, not so much the wealth, The Church of Nazareth is made the Metro­politan as the sanctitie of the place, made the Metropolitan or principall Church, as witnesseth VVilliam Archbishoppe of Tyrus, who liued here those times. Likewise Iames Victriacus Patriarch of Hierusalem, who liued shortly after, Guil. Tyr. lib. 9 doth also deliuer, that he of­ten went to Nazareth for deuotion sake, and sundry times celebrated diuine seruice in the House, where our B. Lady was saluted by the Angell, the very Anniuersarie day of the Annunciation it selfe. About which time began the two most notable Orders of sacred souldiers, Guil. Tyr. lib. 12. & 13. Paul. Aemil. lib. 5. to wit, the Templaries, & S. Iohns, both chiefly ordained to entertaine and defend the Pilgrims, that visited those holy places. The fame wherof preuailed so [Page 5]much, that the natiue house of our B. Lady of Nazareth was reuerenced of the Transal­pines, and them that dwelt beyond the seas, as well as the Sepulcher at Hierusalem, and at Bethleem the birth-place of our Lord. But this quietnes continued not long: For Sa­ladine King of Aegypt ouercōming and ta­king in battell, Balduine the fift, (then King of Hierusalem) forthwith waged warre on euery side, and brought Hierusalem, Paul. Aemil. lib. 4. and o­ther Citties and townes ther-about into his Dominion, about 90. yeares after the Christians had recouered them. Wherup­on Conrade the Emperour, Philip of France the second, and Richard King of England, Paul. Aemil. lib. 6. pas­sed ouer into Syria with great forces, either to recouer Hierusalē, or els to keepe the pos­session of Palestine. But they returned home without their purpose, circumuented and dissolued, either with the subtilties of the Enemie, or with the guile of the Countrey or els by discord among themselues. After whom followed the Emperour Fredericke the second, who also was King of Sicilie, and intituled to the Kingdome of Hierusalē: who through the persuasion and instiga­tion of Gregory the 9. at last conueyed an ar­mie into Syria. Paul. Aemil. lib. 7. But entering into friend­ship and societie with the King of Aegipt, [Page 6]he recouered Hierusalem and other borde­ring townes, with money, & not by armes, the yeare 1225. wherby his fame was grea­ter then his deserte; the possession therof prouing no longer, then glorious. For few yeares after, the Parthians being driuen out of their countrey, by the Scithians and Tarta­rians, inuaded Syria, & razed Hierusalē, (late­ly repaired by Fredericke the Emperour) downe to the grownd. Wherupon Lewes the 9. (who at that time was King of Frāce) about the 45. yeare or that age, Paul. Aemil. lib. 7. sayled into Syria with great forces, to ayde the Chri­stian cause vpon decaying. But all his en­deuour came at length to nothing: for the godly King subduing the frōtiers of Aegipt (sometime called Pelusium but now Damiata) in the beginning waged many fortunate battells with the King of Aegipt: but after­ward being pestered with the plague, he was constrained to purchase peace of his enemie, by surrendering vp Damiata. Final­ly when his enterprise in Syria had no pro­sperous euent, he withdrew his armie: but before his departure, that his expedition into Syria might not be in vaine, he purpo­sed to carry thence some profite, if not of warre, Iod. Cli­to. ser. de S. Ludou. at least of pietie. For visiting those holy places of Palestine, frō the mount Tha­bor [Page 7](as some affirme) he went to Nazareth. And as soone as he saw the House of our B. Lady, he speedely alighted frō his horse, S. Levves doth visit the house of our B. Lady. fel [...] downe on his knees, and with great ve­neration saluted the natiue House of the B. Virgin, and the B. Virgin herselfe, go­ing thence afoot to the Church to reuerēce and worship the Sonne of God, there made man for the loue of man, and also his most holy mother the B. Virgin MARY. And the sacred and festiuall day of the Annun­ciatiō of Gabriel the Archangell, and of the B. Virgins Conceiuing or God being then at hand, the godly King (as the sanctitie of the place and his owne deuotion mo­ued him) did fast the day before with bread and water onely, wearing a haire-cloath next vnto his skinne. Vpon the festiuall day it selfe, he commanded that diuine ser­uice should be celebrated with great solē ­nitie, and Princely ornature, and after the Dreadfull Sacrifice, he himselfe receiued the most sacred Eucharist, in the maiesti­call Cell of the B. Virgin the Mother of God, with great aboundance of teares, and singular deuotion. Truely a rare documēt of Christian pietie vnto posteritie, especi­ally in a King, wherby we may coniecture how highly the sacred house of the B. Vir­gin [Page 8]was esteemed euen in those dayes. But the Christian name, & the reuerence of the holy places of Syria, were not quite extin­guished by the departure of King Lewes. S. Anto­nin. par. 3. Paul. Aemil. For the Templaries remained yet in their Catho­licke faith, & in their office, & now & then being aided with helpe beyond the Seas, defēded the Reliques of the holy land with all their might. But in very deed assoone as Ciuill warres began to rage in Italy, by the deadly factions of the Guelses & Gibellines; & at the same time, the Kings of England, France & Aragon, breaking also into armes, the Fu­ropiās altogether neglected the Christiā state in Syria, and the Barbarians much decaying it, gaue it at last an vtter ouerthrow. For the King of Aegipt thinking the dissenti­on of Christiā Princes his aduātage, tooke Tripolis by force of armes, & razed it down; and from thence wēt to beseege Ptolemaidis, the famous and most frequented Cittie of Phenicia, which then alone of all the Citties in Palestine, did stand for the Christiās, and at last hauing conquered it, he destroyed it with fire & sword. And the Barbarians had so desperate a hatred to the Christiā name, that they slew all the Cittizēs, threw their houses and walles downe to the ground: & which is more, digged vp the very foūda­tion [Page 9]of the walles themselues, that no me­morie of Christianitie might remaine in Syria. And thus hauing lost Ptolemaidis, we were driuē for euer (as it may seeme) out of the possessiō of Palestine, the yeare of our Re­demption, one thousand two hundred nin­tie one, wherby the Christian inhabitants partly forsooke Syria, and partly, as some­times it happeneth, conformed themselues to the manners of their Lordes. And for­renners and Pilgrims had beene frighted thence by this terrour of the Turkish furie, but that their accesse is allowed for money Yet this fatall calamitie hath not vtterly abolished the auncient reuerence of the ho­ly Sepulcher, which for deuotions sake was held in chiefest reuerence. For the oppor­tunitie of Hierusalem once a Kingly seate, but now the chiefest Cittie inuiteth Pil­grims vnto her; whose fame the neernes of the birth place of Christ our Lord do the maintaine and fauour. But the distance of the places and desert wayes, not a little in­fested with the armes of the Barbariās, made the natiue house of our Lady (situated in Galiley) inconuenient for the deuotion of Pilgrims, which was the cause of a won­derfull miracle, and such a one indeed, as frō the memorie of man, was neuer heard of to that day.

The sacred House hauing lost her honour in Galiley, is mira­culously transported in­to Dalmatia. CHAP. II.

WHEN due reuerence could not be donne to the most Sacred Chappell, neither by the in­habitants nor forraine peo­ple, Almightie God permit­ted not the soueraigne footstepps of him­selfe and his B. mother, to lye long negle­cted among the Barbarians. For the verie yeare, which was notorious for the ex­treame ouerthrow of Palestine, this sacred House most deare to God himselfe, togea­ther with the Christian Religion departed out of Syria. Iohn Villanus a famous Histori­ographer of that age, Toan Villa. lib. 7. doth witnesse, that Ptolemaidis was taken about the midst of the month of Aprill, the yeare 1221. & in the next month of the same yeare, that is to say the 7. of the Ides of May, Anual. Flum. Nicholas the fourth being Pope (as the Sclauonian Chronicles re­cord) [Page 11]the sacred House of the B. Virgin was transported into Europe, Annal. Elum. apud Hiero. Angel. recōpencing the calamitie of the East, with this inesti­mable good of the West. Some there are, who considering the wealth of Ioachim the B. Virgins father, thinke that this was not his house, but rather a chamber apart, frō the rest therof. But truely it misliketh not me, to be of their opinion, who thinke it to be both the Chamber and House of the B. Virgin, to wit, the chiefest part of her fathers house. Proofe wherof (to say no­thing of the armorie of the earthen vessell there to be seene) is the doore far greater, then for a chamber alone, separated from the other building. Neither must the state of Ioachim mooue vs; for Nicephorus Callistus deliuereth, Niceph. lib. 1. c. 30 that by reasō of the warlike tu­multes of Iewrie, the parents of the B. Vir­gin forsaking the towne of Bethleem, their ancestours seat, and going into Galiley, set vp a little house at Nazareth: that we may vnderstand, that this was not their ance­stours, but the B. Virgins fathers house, not fitting peraduenture his calling, but being prouided for the time, it was not surely in­commodious, nor differing from the vse of that anciēt simplicitie: Yet altogether such a one it is, that it seemeth to breath the [Page 12]exceeding loue of our B. Lady towardes po­uertie. But whether it were the Chamber or the House of the mother of God, truely being dedicated by the Apostles (as we said before) and reduced into the forme of a Church, continually all Christians did de­uoutly reuerence and adorne the same.

Wherfore this most sacred House, by his vertue and power, who at the prayers of S. Gregory Thaumaturge, in time past remo­ued a mountaine out of his place, and trās­ferred it an other way, in fauour of the Queene of heauen, was taken vp from the foundations, and doubtles by the hand­worke of Angells was transported (a won­der to be spoken and heard) by great distā ­ces of land and sea, euen from Galiley into Dalmatia, which is more thē twentie hun­dred miles. Betweene Tersact and Flumen (two townes of Dalmatia) there is a moun­taine not very high, in the toppe wherof the plaine superficies of the ground, doth make a pleasant seat, open to the Adriaticke sea, which in time past being notoriously dangerous by reason of many daily & foule tempestes, since that time (as the report go­eth) is become very calme and quiet. You may beleeue that the B. Virgin would re­straine those furious seas by the presence of [Page 13]her Cell; that euen by this we might con­iecture, what she would effect in the life of mortall men, which is dayly tossed with diuers chaunces, and as it were, with sun­dry stormes. Therfore euen heere, about the second Vigill of the night, by cōmand­ment of the mother of God, heauenly mi­nisters did seat the most sacred house of Na­zareth, that it might be a most certaine suc­cour to all that were any way indangered: and assoone as the morning light shewed this gift of the diuine liberalitie to the in­habitants, in very deed not only admira­tion, but also deuotion & pietie was pow­red into their hartes, dismayed with the strangenes of the thing. Wherupon they that were neerest at hand, assoone as they espied it, ranne contendingly with desire to see it. The de­scription of the House of Loreto, as it vvas in those dayes And they beheld a little house with a sharpe roose, graced as well with the toppe of a chimney, as with a little bell hanging vp on height; but in nothing more remarkeable, then for the antiquitie therof. Forthwith going into the house it self, they prostrated their bodies on the ground to worship Almightie God, who mercifully vouchsafed to replenish them with a certaine sacred dread & vnwonted ioy. After their prayer to Christ and his [Page 12] [...] [Page 13] [...] [Page 14]B. mother, whose Images they saw, they beganne leysurely to view and review all with their eyes; and perceiued that the sa­cred Chappell, was of a long square forme, built of ordinary stone, hauing a faire roose vaulted with fretts: which being deuided with small squares, and flourished with blew colours, was beautified with guil­ded starres which glittered in the diuisiōs, as if it had bin in a certaine heauen. Vnder the vaulted roofe, round about the walles, there appeared small semicircles touching each other, the midles wherof were ador­ned with painted potts. The walles were almost a cubite thicke, leuied neither by rule nor square, but couered with plaiste­red worke; wherupon was drawne an an­cient painting, to expresse the mysteries of the house it selfe; which vpward till this day remayneth in many places, but down­ward hath decayed by antiquitie of time. The length of the sacred house, is about 40. foote; the breadth lesse then 20: and the height about 25. Some thing neere the midst of the wall, which in time past (as I suppose) was the forefront of the sa­cred house, there is a large doore, but true­ly not differing from the common sorte, which in steed of a transome, hath a plaine [Page 15]beame layd vpon it. On the left hand stan­deth a little Cupbourd of simple worke, made to keepe earthen vessell: on the right hand in the next wall, there is a window, not very bigg, and ouer against the win­dow, a meane and a slender chimney of cō ­mon workmanship, as the rest are. And euen heere standeth a high nicet, and vaul­ted with an arch of the same worke, re­sembling fiue moones ioyned togeather. In which Nicet is placed a Cedar Image of our B. Lady standing, The Image of our. B. Lady. being about two cubits high; who with her left hand im­braceth the sweet child Iesus about the mid­dest, and supporteth him with the right. Her face is vernished with amber, giuing a s [...]uer glasse, but darkened with the smoke of the lightes; yet this very darkening (a token of antiquitie and religion) doth ex­ceedingly increase the maiestie of her vir­ginall countenance. A crownet of iewells doth adorne the toppe of her head. Her traine of haire doth fall along her bare neck and shoulders, after the fashion of the Na­zarens. The Image it selfe is clothed with a guilt garment, which is girded round a­bout with a broad girdle, hanging downe to the feete, according to the vse of that countrey, and also couered with a blew [Page 16]mantle sitting decently about her from the top of her shoulders, both the one and the other carued, and wrought in the same stemme. The sweet child Iesus, doth rest on his mothers right hand, more maiesti­cally then in mortall shape, resembling in his countenance, the disposition of a cer­taine diuine Maiestie, and lifting vp the foresingers of his right hand, as if he would blesse something, and in his left hand hol­ding a goldē globe; so that with his traine of haire, with his long garment and girdle, he also doth represent the Nazarens attyre. Before the Image of the mother of God, there is an Altar of free stone squared, see­ming to breath forth sanctitie. When the Dalmatians had viewed all this with leisure, albeit they were ignorant what it was, yet with common consent they agreed, that whatsoeuer it was, it was doubtles the gift of God: neither was it newly erected frō the ground, but verily by the ordination and will of God, was brought from some other place. Departing therfore thence, whomsoeuer they mette, they tould what they had seene: wherupon many (and a­mong them some diseased people) flocked to the new spectacle of so great a thing, ex­pecting some helpe therby. And their hope [Page 17]deceiued them not: for to sound bodies the religion of the place imparted health of mind, and to diseased, the oure of their in­firmities.

By reuelation of the mother of God, her house is knowne, & honou­red, with an euident mi­racle. CHAP. III.

THE fame of this prodigious Chappell, Annal. Flum. apud Hiero. Angel. comming speedily to Tersact anm Flumen, kindled in the healthfull a desire to see it, and in the diseased, no small hope of recouering their health. Alexander a man of great vertue, deare both to God and man, Alexan­der Bishop of Tersact being Bishop in the house of S. George of Tersact; and hauing layen sicke of a long and a grieuous disease, liued in litle hope of life, when very opportunely, he was certified of this diuine House by his familiar frendes. Wherupon he had a ve­hement desire to behold the comfort of so great a miracle: but sicknes oppressing him he could not be carried vnto it, without [Page 18]manifest perill of his life; which seemed more grieuous vnto him, then the burning of the feuer it selfe, that his distressed bo­dy would not follow the affection of his mind. Notwithstanding he dispaired not or him selfe, being acertained that the I­mage of the mother of God was brought thither with that diuine House. Think­ing it therfore to be a Chappell of our B. Lady; he earnestly implored her helpe, & made a Vow vnto her, hoping not only to recouer his health, but also to knowe from aboue, the mystery of that heauenly gift. Our B. La­dy appea­reth to A­lexander. In the quiet night when he was be­tweene sleeping and waking, the Mother of God descending suddainely from hea­uen, presented herselfe vnto him in glori­ous brightnes, and filling all the chamber with a most cleere light, with a gracious countenance sayd vnto him. Be of good comfort, my sonne, behold being called vpon, I am come to bring thee present helpe, & notice of the thing thou desirest. Therfore so it is, that the Sacred House, which was lately brought to your coastes, is the very same, where in times past I was borne, & for the most part was brought vp: where by foretelling of Gabriel the Arch­angell, through the worke of the Holy [Page 19]Ghost I cōceined the Diuine issue, where also the word it selfe was made flesh. Ther­fore after our descease, the Apostles did rightly cōsecrate the House which was ho­noured with such mysteries, and did con­tendingly celebrate there diuine seruice. The Altar which is brought therwith, is that which Peter the Apostle did cōsecrate: the Image of Christ crucified, the Apo­sties them selues placed, where at this pre­sent it standeth: and the Cedar Image is out representation, made by the hand of Luke the Euangelist, who for the familia­ritie that was betweene vs, expressed our similitude in colours, as liuely as a mortall creature could do. And this very House, most deare to heauen it selfe, was reueren­ced in Galiley with great honour for these many ages; but now the reuerence therof fayling together with the Catholike faith, it is come from the towne of Nazareth to your partes: wherof no doubt at all is to be made, for God him selfe is the worker of it, VVith whom no word is impos [...]ible. And that thou thy selfe mayst be both the witnesse and the publisher of this, which I haue said, be thou cured; that thy suddaine re­couerie of so long a sicknes may giue credit vnto the miracle. And when she had spo­ken [Page 18] [...] [Page 19] [...] [Page 20]thus vnto him, she mounted vp to­wards heauen, leauing a certaine heauen­ly odour behind her in the house. And that it was not the fallacie of a dreame, or of a distracted mind, but a true vision in­deed, the euent of the thing did shew. For the Bishop awaking betweene ioy & feare, began to be all bedewed with sweat, Alexander is cured. and perceiuing that the feuer was sodainly gon, arose safe and sound out of his bed. And conceiuing no lesse ioy for the tidings of the House of Nazareth then for his owne recouerie, he fell downe on his knees, and listing vp both eyes and handes to heauen, gaue manisold thankes to God and his B. mother for the double benefit, greatly re­ioycing that they had vouchsafed to be­stow so great a gift on him selfe, on his coū ­trey & people. Assoone therfore, as it was day, with exceeding gladnes he came forth among the people, and being a man of that age, he forgot grauitie and authoritie, and like to one distracted, began to runne vp and downe the streetes, the Courtes & by­wayes, declaring his nightes vision to as many as he mette, knowne or vnknowne, and euery where publishing that gifte of God, and his B. mother, as well common to all, as peculiar to him selfe. And such [Page 21]was his voyce and countenance, such fer­uour of mind appeared in his eyes, as might easily giue credit to his speaches. Wher­unto was added an vndoubted argument, to witt, suddaine health of body & strēgth in him, who before was so cruelly afflicted with a long and grieuous feuer, that the o­ther day he was knowne to be in excee­ding danger. And assoone as this newes was diuulged amōg the greater part of the Inhabitāts of that towne; forthwith great concourse was made vnto the Bishop, and striuingly with one common voyce, they extolled the heauēly gift, in token of thāks giuing to God & his B. mother. As chiefe among the congratulatours and reioycers, went the Bishop him selfe, exulting with ioy, and making hast to see the natiue house of the B. Virgin. Whither assoone as he came, he very reuerently performed the Vow which he had made: whose religi­ous example imprinted greater deuotion in the hartes of mortall men, specially be­cause he him selfe the authour therof was no vaine man, nor an vncertaine reporte noysed abroad. Wherupon this most ho­ly house (illustrious for miracles) was day­ly celebrated and reuerenced of the Inha­bitants with greater deuotion. Newes [Page 22]whereof first passed to the bordering, then to places far remote, and in short time all the people there-about esteemed it most holy, and burned with desire, at length to see so vnusuall and so venerable a thing.

The miracle is sought out by certaine men sent into Galiley. CHAP. IIII.

VERY happily at that time, Nicolas Frangipane a man of the chiefest nobilitie of Rome, for his pietie and godlines, being made President of Croatia, Dal­maia and Istria (of the inhabitāts called the Great Ban) gouerned that Countrey where this miracle happened, who also was Lord of Tersact and Flumen: and being not a little moued both with the miracle which hap­pened on his land, as also with the relation and suddaine recouerie of Alexander the Bi­shop, at first he was amazed therat. But afterward reioycing that the heauenly gift had seated it selfe happily in his Iurisdi­ction, [Page 23]he hastened spedily vnto the moun­taine, and determined to reuerence and a­dorne the most Sacred House, with such giftes as was behoouefull for him. But be­cause the strāgenes of the thing passed the memorie, and the greatnes, the beliefe of man, he thought good that so vnwonted and vnknowne a miracle with diligence was to be inquired of: for he seared lest their credulitie might be suspected of o­thers, or that so notable a thing, might be of greater admiratiō then credit with po­steritie. Wherupon cōsulting therof with the Bishop, they determined to send cer­taine men into Galiley, to inquire out the matter with great care. Amōg all the peo­ple, foure of approued credit and vertue, were chosen, whereof Alexander the Bishop was one, whom they sent to Nazareth, com­maunding them to bring them word of all that they found concerning the natiue House of the B. Virgin: who without de­lay, shiping them selues, and sayling along the Adriatike, the Siculum, the Cretike and Cy­presse seas, arriued at Palestine with good suc­cesse: and pacifying the Barbarians with money, worshipped the most sacred Sepul­cher of Christ at Hierusalē. From whence with publicke pasport, and guarded with [Page 24]a strong company of armed men, they con­tinued their iorney to Nazareth, a Cittie of Galiley, the end of their trauell; where care­fully inquiring of the inhabitāts (not Chri­stians so much in effect, as in word) they assured them that the natiue House of the B. Virgin, was taken thence not long be­fore; and brought them to the Church, which long agone Helene the Empresse cau­sed to be made to inuirone the sacred house that they them selues might behold the ruines therof miraculously broken downe. They also shewed them the floore, where the sacred house had stood, that they might likewise view the foundations, & the late impressions of the house which was taken thence. Wherupon measuring the length and the breadth of the floore, & the thick­nes of the foundatiōs, they found all things exactly to agree with the measures of the House and the walles transported into Dal­matia, which for that purpose they had brought with them: Also the time of the departure of the maiesticall Chappell from thence, and the comming of it into Dalma­tia doth well accord. So returning home againe with exceeding ioy and gratulatiō, they related all that they had found to Frā ­gipane the President; who taking no small [Page 25]contentmēt in such a message, with flow­ing teares of ioy, gaue manifold thankes to Almightie God and his B. mother, that not only in his life time, but in manner looking on, so great a miracle had hap­pened, confirmed with such euident won­ders, & the authoritie of such men. Wher­fore incontinently they made a solemne and a religious procession to the House of the B. Virgin, & performed it with great concourse both of men and women, where Alexander the Bishop in steed of a Sermon, related the matter in order vnto the peo­ple, protesting openly before God and the B. Virgin, before mortall and immortall, that he would add nothing to the manifest truth, if it were otherwise, he would not gainsay, that the wrath of God should lay punishment vpon him: yet in this respect they well hoped to be in greater fauour with the mother of God, for that they had made a thing almost incredible most ma­nifest and knowne. When the assembled multitude heard these speaches, falling as it were frō heauen, they were suddainly o­uercome with so great ioy, that they could not refraine, but with their gratulations and teares confused him, vttering these thinges vnto them: so that the prayers of [Page 26]the auditorie giuing thankes to God and his B. mother, with the hartiest signes and tokens they could, hindered the Bishops conclusion. It is wonderfull what credit, not only the inhabitants, but euen stran­gers them selues gaue vnto him rehearsing and affirming those things; and what con­course and reuerence was done to the most sacred Cell at the report of such men. Nei­ther were there wanting many & famous miracles, seeing from all partes, feeble, im­potent and possessed persons were there to be cured; notwithstanding there wanted some, to haue deliuered them particularly to writing. With the concourse of people and the manifold miracles, the religion & reuerence of the place did not a little in­crease. For the exceeding care which they saw setled in the hartes of the inhabitants towardes this maiesticall House (because the B. Virgin her selfe seemed as it were pre­sent at suppliants prayers) filled all with so great deuotion, that they imagined, that that place was inhabited, and nor beloued only, of the B. Virgin mother of God. Therfore with striuing emulation, they began to reuerence & beautifie the natiue House of the Virgin, and the B. Virgin her selfe, by all the meanes they could and were able: but [Page 27]scarcitie of wealth hindering their liberall mindes, they adorned it rather with pietie thē with magnificence; but so that in short time, it began to be reuerenced and honou­red with the recourse of far remote people. For newes of the thrice fortunate House, being daily more and more spread abroad, to wit, that the natiue habitation of our B. Lady, was miraculously brought from Galiley to Tersact, and that men of approued vertue and credit, going to Nazareth, found it was most certaine and manifest, did not only prouoke the remotest Sclauonians, but also the Istrians, Croatians, Bosnians, Seruians, Epidaurians, and the other people of that Countrey, to visit so great a miracle & gift. And the present helpe of the B. Virgin, im­parted to many in time of their distresse & calamitie, did also daily increase the cele­britie of the p [...]ace; so much, that the Scla­uonians which dwelled by, greatly reioyced at such concourse of people to the Sacred House, boasting that their Coūtrey was of great glory with forraine people & natiōs, & by the cōmon vice of humane arrogan­cie belieued, that Almightie God himselfe had preferred them before other nations, measuring heauenly gifts rather by the me­rites of men, thē the benignity of Al. God.

The Sacred House departeth out of Sclauonie with great lamentation of the Dalmatians. CHAP. V.

Annal. Flum. Hieron. Angel. BVT this ioy and heauenly gift continued not long with the Sclauonians: within lesse then foure yeares (for there wan­ted fiue monthes) the Sacred House departed out of their coastes; the the cause wherof is vncertaine, for diuers do diuersly report. Whether therfore the inhabitants did reuerence it with lesse care then they ought to haue done, or whether from the beginning (to the short comfort of that nation) our B. Lady did purpose to make it a place of passage, rather then of a­boad, or whether it were to relieue Italy, the fortresse of Christian Religion with present helpe, at that time afflicted with warres and calamities; suddainly the hea­uenly gift was taken from the Dalmatians, [Page 29]when they mistrusted no such thing, and brought into Italy with as great good and ioy of the Italians, as domage and lamen­tation of the Dalmatians. For as soone as it was knowne and published abroad, that the diuine pledge, & the most Sacred Cell of the B. Virgin was carried to some other place, in very deed the admiration of so strange and vnexpected newes strooke the people of Tersact and the borderers thera­bout into great astonishment, being so mo­ued with the desire which they had vnto it, that they ranne to and fro like distra­cted people, and all their countrey ouer, sought and inquired after the gift, which Almightie God had giuen and taken from them againe. And when they could not find it, nor learne whither it was re­mooued; the confused multitude of men and women (wounded with the griefe of so great a losse) remained a while in morn­full silence. But when their astonishment was a little past, they brake out all togea­ther into teares and plaints, & with won­derfull lamentation began to discouer the great domage of their nation. To wit, that the heauenly gift was but shewed to them, and giuen vnto others: that, that refuge of Dalmatia, that succour of the di­seased, [Page 30]that solace of the wretched, that or­nament and defence of their nation, was taken from them, that such a Patronesse of the Dalmatians, and such a Protectresse of their neighbourly people, had now for­saken them: that they were altogeather vn­worthy of such a pledge, because they re­uerenced it with lesse deuotion and care, then they ought to haue done. But what religion, what care, what reuerence of any people whatsoeuer can be answerable to that heauenly and most excellent gift? If this were the cause, why she changed her seat, whersoeuer she is seated, forthwith she may well change her seat againe. This and such like moane they all made, for the departure of it, which the present feeling and griefe of their losse suggested vnto thē, not easie for the writer to relate. Finally being ouercome with wearisomnes, rather then with the satietie of lamenting, they went swarming to Frangipane the Pretor, and there againe renewing their wayling, they asked of him aduise and helpe. And though he him selfe did need comfort, as wounded with the cōmon griefe, & more sorowfull thē was fitting for his part; not­withstanding he ouercame him selfe, and dissembling his sorrow, asswaged the la­mentation [Page 31]of the people with his authori­tie and wisdome: In very deed (quoth he) so it is, that you haue receaued so greate a losse, that Almightie God could hardly lay vpon you a greater for offending him; that no teares, no sighes, no wayling, is able to extinguish your griefe of mind. But now truely you seeme to cōplaine without cause seeing Almightie God hath graunted you the vse of the heauēly gift without prescri­bing any time, & therfore there is no rea­son, why you should grieue that it is requi­red againe, whē he would haue it so, that gaue it; but rather should giue God thanks for granting you the vse of so great and so fruitfull a pledge for certaine yeares, and should recōpence the presēt discōmoditie, with memorie of the former commodities. And he promised them to do his best ende­uour, in some sort to supply the great losse, which they had receiued by the departure of the heauenly gift, and to satisfie their desire towardes so great a good: For in the very impression of the most Sacred Chap­pell, he was determined to erect such an other house to the B. Virgin, that it might be as well a monument of so great a thing to posteritie, as a solace to them for their grieuous losse, whereby he was in good [Page 32]hope, though the natiue House of the B. Virgin was wanting, that her helpe would not be wanting vnto them. And indeed the Presidents wordes were not more mag­nificent then his workes. For within few yeares at his owne cost and charge, he cau­sed a new Chappel to be placed in the same impressions, which was dedicated to the mother of God, and inuironed it with a Church, magnificent for workmanship and reuerence, which at this day is extant, for no lesse a monument of the Frangipanes munificence, then of so great a miracle. Neither did the B. Virgin suffer the wordes of the foūder of her Church to be vttered in vaine: for afterward sundry miracles were wrought in that place, to shew plainely that the seat it selfe was pleasing to the B. Virgin, and her helpe not wanting to the Sclauonians. And the said Church at this day is committed to the gouernment of the Franciscans, The desire of the Dal­matians to the most sacred House. which are called De obseruantia, and is most famous for celebritie and fame in those partes. But this did not so much extinguish as enkindle the Dalmatians desire to the House of Nazareth: for it is now three hundred yeares since it departed thence, & yet they bewayle to remember that so great a good was taken from them, as if the do­mage [Page 33]were newly done them. Proofe is, that yearly passing the Adriaticke sea, and comming to Loreto in great troupes, they do not seeme to do more reuerence to the natiue House of the B. Virgin, then to la­ment the detriment of their nation: whose solemne plaintes, Returne to vs O MARY, Re­turne to vs, do not a little signifie, that their desire shall be euerlasting, seeing it is no­thing at all abated in the space of three hū ­dred yeares, & also witnes that the House of Nazareth was transported out of Sclauonie into Italy.

The Sacred House is transpor­ted into Picene, & sea­ted in a wood of Recanati. CHAP. VI.

Praep. Te­rem. Hier. Angel. THIS heauenly gift was passed ouer into Italy very happily the yeare, 1294. at which time, Italy being diuided with the deadly factions of the Guelses & Gibellines, was all miserably vexed with ha­treds [Page 32] [...] [Page 33] [...] [Page 34]and more then ciuill warres. Ther­fore in the inter-raigne, when Bonifacius the 8. was created Pope, the fourth of the Ides of December, a remarkable day, and wor­thy euerlasting memorie, the B. mother of God, bringing peace and quietnes to Italy, chose her House a seate in Picene. In Italiā called Marc-Aneona. Picene is a Prouince of Italy of no small renowne and wealth, situ [...]ted ouer against Dalmatia, the Adriaticke sea flowing betweene, which al­so is called the Superum. And this most sa­cred House being brought out or Dalmatia into Picene ouer the Adria icke sea, where the passage is n [...]e [...]e an hundred miles, was sea­ted in a wood of the territorie of Recanati, about a mile from the sea, which belon­ged to a certaine matrone of Recanati, both rich and godly, whose name was Laureta: of whom euer after b [...]ing called the House of Loreto, it gaue immortall prayse to her, from whom it tooke that name. The re­port goeth (neither is it without truth) that the trees which were in the way as the little House of our B. Lady came thither, bowed downe as it were to reuerence it; and afterward remayned stooping vntill they were consumed with age, with wind or with the axe. And as long as the wood stood (which at this present is cut downe) [Page 35]the said trees were wont to be shewed to the Pilgrimes in a long ranke, to witnesse so great a miracle. Which some do yet well remember; for a man of good credit tolde me, that sundry times with great admira­tion, he him selfe had seene very many of those trees, not much aboue twentie yeares agoe; that is to say, stooping with all their bodies, and bowing towards that part of the sea, ouer which the most sacred House passed on high, to her ordained seat in the wood. And the same trees being preser­ued for deuotiō sake, did also remaine long after the vnderwood was destroyed: but at last about 20. yeares agone, they were cutt downe by the foolishnes of the rude husbandmen, lest they should hinder their tillage. In the quiet night the sacred House of the B. Virgin was seated in a void place of the aforesaid wood. At which time the sheepheards of Recanati keeping their flocks in the next chase, and diuiding the vigill of the night amongst them (as their maner is) suddainly a great light inuironing the sacred House, drew the eyes of the warders vnto it: To whom it seemed wonderfu [...]l vpon the suddaine, to see a new house in that solitary place, but specially glittering with great brightnes: and there was one [Page 36]among them who auouched that he saw it, whē it came on high ouer the sea. Wher­fore awaking their fellowes to behold the spectacle, first they questioned among thē selues (as the fashion of wonderers is) and then with mutuall wordes animating ech other to go see what it was, all began to coniecture, as in deed it was, to wit, that it was some heauenly thing. Whē they came vnto it, they went into the House it selfe, and assoone as they had passed the thresh­old, a great dread came suddainly vpon thē; but presently being replenished with a cer­taine vnwonted sweetnes, they spent the night deuoutly in prayer, diligētly viewing whatsoeuer was vnder the roofe. Wher­upon at the breake of day certaine of them went to Recanati (almost foure miles from that place) to relate vnto their maisters, what they had seene. At first for their sim­plicitie, they did not only contemne them, but also the matter it selfe, supposing that they related a vaine thing, and peraduen­ture a fancie represented vnto thē in their dreame. But the sheepheardes affirming with all asseueration, that their owne eyes might witnesse it vnto thē, if they would, their maisters were more willing to be­lieue them, them indeed they durst. And at [Page 37]last, lest it should either be thought, that they had giuē to rash credit to so vnwonted a miracle, at the testimonie of those simple men, or els lest by their negligence they might let that passe as vaine, which might be true indeed, they went with them to see what it was. When they came to the place of the wood foretold, and the sheep­heardes newes proued true; none almost belieued their owne eyes, nor them selues: for in very deed, that House was neuer seene there before, nor newly built, as the antiquitie therof did manifestly shew.

Doubtles therfore it was brought from some other place by miracle, or sent from heauen it selfe. And with great wonder discoursing thus among them selues, they went neerer vnto it, to behold the roofe, not so much to be noted for fashion, as for antiquitie: and greatly admired that such anciēt building could stand without a foū ­dation or any support at all. Forthwith putting away these cogitations, they went into the House it selfe, and suppliantly re­uerenced the B. Virgin, imbracing the sweet child Iesus in her armes. Neither did their pietie want her reward: For vpon the sud­daine, such sacred dread and ioy was pow­red into them, that they confessed, they ne­uer [Page 38]felt the power of God more present in all their liues. Wherupō they ranne backe againe to the Cittie with all speed, reioy­cing much among them selues, that Al­mightie God had vouchsafed to bestow so rare a gift on them, and on their Coūtrey: which was exceeding ioy to the deuout matrone Laureta, in whose wood the sacred House had seated it selfe. The con­course of the people of Recanati. And assoone as the newes of so great a miracle came into the Cittie, a wonderfull concourse of peo­ple, of all sortes and degrees repaired vnto the wood, as if a set signe had beene giuen, coueting to satisfie the desire they had to see that admirable spectacle; in so much, that boyes, girles, old & feeble folkes could not stay them selues at home. The diseased also forsaking their bedds, crepte along; their very desire to see it (as sometimes it happeneth) yeelding them strength ther­fore. And many running with a certaine vehemēcie of feruour, striued to come thi­ther before other, that they might be the first, that might behold that heauenly spe­ctacle with their eyes. The neerer their hope was of approaching vnto it, the more the multitude of the concurrents, & their desire to see it increased: so that, when the most Sacred House (which all this [Page 39]while was intercepted and hidden from them with the boughes of the trees) sud­dainly appeared vnto them by entering in­to the sheerer wood, speedily all at once began to hasten vnto it, and incontinent so great concourse was made on euery side from all partes of the wood, couering to go, to touch and to kisse the sacred walles, that pressing neere togither they were like to fall ouer each other. And assoone as they came into the maiesticall seat it selfe, and deuoutly saluted the B. Virgin, they were all replenished with such deuotion, and pow­red out so many teares, that they purpo­sed the amendment of their liues and could not be drawne from it. This meane while great noyse was heard on euery side, speci­ally of the diseased and feeble, with confu­sed speaches inuocating their Patronesse, their mother, the Queene of heauen, the mother of God, and with earnest prayer intreating for recouerie and health. Nei­ther were their plaintes vnaccepted, nor their petitions vnheard. For by and by the power and vertue of God, appeared in cu­ring of diseases, & in restoring of strength to many: wherupō the noyse of the thāks­giuers was doubled, that they might giue Almightie God and his B. mother hartie [Page 40]thankes, and publish the heauenly vertue and helpe which they had now obtained. Wherfore assoone as this light of Gods li­beralitie shewed it selfe to the people of Re­canati, with striuing emulation they began to reuerence and adorne the Cell of the B. Virgin; but among all those publike honors, the priuate indeuours of Laureta did excell, The Lady to vvhom the vvood of Laureta did belong called the Sacred House by the same name. wherby euer after it was called the House of Loreto. In this meane while, fame (then the which in like cases nothing is swifter) flew to the bordering people to bring news that the House of Loreto was glorified with miracles; wherwith out of hand, as euery ones deuotion or necessitie did vrge, all be­gan to runne vnto the wood, to bring or conuey them that were molested with any infirmitie, to intreat helpe and to make vowes. That they obtained their vowes, their often thansgiuing to Almightie God and his B. mother, and their votiue tablets hanging openly about the walles did eui­dently shew: for the mother of God was a clement and a potent Patronesse in the sight of the diuine maiestie, both to shew them the way which sought it, and also to intreat helpe and health for them that re­quest it. And the solitarines of the place did greatly recōmend the deuotion of the [Page 41]assembled people. For then there was no house, no lodging, nor any little recepta­cle in the wood, but trees, which being void of leaues in the winter time, gaue but cold hospitalitie to the Pilgrims. Yet there might you haue seene many, both weal­thie & delicate in their owne houses, lodge abroad in the ayer, annoied with raine, cold, snow, and tempestes. Likewise all the people, diuiding them selues into com­panies about the most sacred House, and sitting down on the grasse among the trees, did there eate their meate, and afterward lodged on the bare ground, not to sleepe and take their rest, but to sing psalmes & hymnes, without any feare at all of wilde beastes or theeues, such inflamed pietie might ea­sily ouercome all dis­cōmodities and dangers.

The Sacred House is transported out of this wood into the hill of the two Brothers. CHAP. VII.

BVT the euerlasting enemie of mankind being nothing g [...]ad at this honour of the heauen­ly Queene & so great good of Christiās, Praep. Ter [...]m. Hie [...]o. Angel. with all his might decreed to disturbe the exceeding ioy and re [...]igion of the Picentians. Therfore lest the sacred place should increase the deuotion of the people, before it was of so great re­uerence as in likelihood it would be, he purposed to make warre against; the Pil­grimes and strangers as they came vnto it. The Chappell of our B. Lady was in a so­litary place, neere to the sea, and compassed about with a thicke wood and high trees: and though there was no way vnto it, but among these thicke bushes and trees; yet many went without weapons, putting great considence in the P. Virgin, the de­fendresse of the place. Whe [...]upon certaine notorious wretches of desperate boldnes, [Page 43]not more allured with a fitt opportunitie of preying, then stirred with infernall fu­ries, as it may be supposed, beset the wayes that went vnto the sacred House, and be­gan to ly in ambush in places compassed a­bout with thicke bushes. From whence rushing forth, they tooke the Pilgrimes as they went vnto it, sett on them vnawares, robbed them of their money and cloathes, yea and of their liues also, if so be they re­sisted by force. Wherby in short space all that Wood being infested and notoriously reproached with robberies and murders, was reduced to a wildernes, by reason that the Pilgrimes were frighted thence: and the reuerence and deuotion of this holy place waxing daily lesse and lesse, the most sacred House it selfe departed thence. For Almightie God thinking it an indignitie, that the malice of the infernall enemie should turne to the destructiō of mankind, the refuge which he had prouided for their saluation; he chose a safer and a fitter seat for Pilgrimes, for his owne, and his B. mo­thers little House. There was a little hill not very steepy almost a mile from that place, neerer to Recanati, and not far from the high Way, whither the sacred House was carried on high by Angells and placed [Page 44]in the top therof, about eight monethes after it was seated in the wood. Two bro­thers of Recanati possessed the said hill in common with mutuall agreement, and ta­king exceeding ioy in the heauenly gift, be­gan to reuerence the most sacred House, with brotherlike endeuours. And as the mutation of the place, and the fame of the new miracle increased admiration, so like­wise the deuotion of the inhabitants and strangers. For assoone as it was spread a­broad, that the House of Loreto had chan­ged her place, & forsaken the wood, which was infested with robberies, & seated it selfe on a hill free frō theeues & conuenient for pilgrimes; forthwith it enkindled a de­sire in adioining people to reuisit it. Therfore either to recompence the benefit of so greate a good omitted for feare of theeues, or els couerting to see with their eyes the new migration, which they heard reported with their eares, many flocked vnto it from all partes with great willing­nes: wherof diuers had worshipped the same house lately in the wood, which now they reuerence out of the same in the top of the hill, to their great admiration and wonder. For which cause, with vowes and feruent prayer, the inhabitants did cō ­tendingly [Page 45]reuerence this most holy Chap­pell, venerable as well for ancient wonders as lastly for the miracle of her changed seat. And euery one for his owne particular, gaue Almightie God and his B. mother great thankes, that they had not remooued the most religious seat, defiled with robbe­ries and murders, to some other p [...]ace; but had seated it on a safe hill, conuenient for the deuotion of Pilgrims. Wherby the mul­titude of Pilgrimes daily increasing, in­creased also the celebritie of the Sacred House, that the walles began to be couered with votiue tables, with Images of wax, with precious hangings, and the Altar to be heaped with giftes and money. But the wealth of the sacred Chappell thus increa­sing, lessened their deuotion, whose feruour should chiefly haue increased. So that auarice now againe, made the a­boade therof shorter in the hill, then it had done in the wood.

It departeth from the hill of the two Brothers, by reason of their auarice and discord. CHAP. VIII.

THE said hill (as we shewed before) was common to two Brothers, Praepos. Terem. Hieron. Angel. who at first reue­renced the most sacred House godly & deuoutly, as was most meet they should: happy they, if they had vsed the heauenly gift rather for deuotion, then abused it for gaine. For when they saw that the most religious House was a­dorned with richer donaries, couertousnes ouercame their greedy mindes, & wholly extinguished pietie and deuotion. Ther­fore both supposing that the inheritance of the said hill came wholly to him selfe; first they began to couet the sacred gold & sil­uer, but afterward, auarice egging them on, to disagree betweene themselues, with more thē brotherly hatred. Finally whiles either striued to get all the commoditie for him selfe, and reasoned the matter with al­tercation, from wrath they fell to armes. [Page 47]And there letted not much, that two bro­thers had not defiled them selues, and the most maiesticall Cell of the mother of God with brothers bloud (for nothing is so ho­ly that auarice defileth not:) had not God preuented so great wickednes, by taking away the occasion therof. Wherfore be­ing no lesse offended with the discord of these brothers, then with the robberies which were committed in the wood, he remoued his mothers House vnto the next hill towardes the sea, being about an ar­rowes flight from that place, and seated it in the very high way that goeth to the ha­uen of Recanati, being also about two miles from the sea; so the cause both of discord and theft was taken away, & at last a sted­fast and firme remayning seat was giuen to the most sacred House, which stood but a few monethes in the hill of the two bro­thers. For it is well knowne that within lesse then a yeare, after it came into Italy, it was seated on that hill where at this pre­sent it remayneth: so that either through the default of the inhabitants, or rather by the prouidence of Almightie God, within the compasse of a yeare, she changed her seat three times in the territorie of Recanati; and within fiue yeares after her departure [Page 48]out of Galiley, honoured soure places with her residence: yet by change of place she changed not religion, but more and more increased the same.

The impressions of the places, where the Sacred House did stand. CHAP. IX.

AND at this day there are ex­tant in all these places, Hiero. Angel. vndou­bted proofes hereof. For Ni­colas Frangipane (as we shewed before) builte a magnificent Church about the new House, which he caused to be made to resemble that of Naza­reth, & set it in the very impressions where the other stood; calling it the Church of our B. Lady of Tersact, either for an anciēt memorie of the most sacred Chappell, or els for that it was honoured with new mi­racles. And in this Church not farre from the dore of the resembled house of Nazareth, there is yet a worthy monument of Nicolas Frangipane, who founding that Church, in token o [...] his great deuotion, towardes the [Page 49]natiue House of the B. Virgin, chose for him selfe and his posteritie, a tombe neere to the impressions therof: where also re­maineth a very ancient marble table, to witnesse so great a miracle to posteritie, wherin is engrauen: THIS IS THE PLACE, VVHERE THE MOST SACRED HOVSE OF THE B. VIRGIN OF LORETO SOME­TIME VVAS, NOVV REVEREN­CED IN THE TERRITORIES OF RECANATI. Which many of good credit haue reported, assuring me, that thē selues haue seene them. And in that place where it rested, when it came first into Picene, as long as the wood stood (and it stood vntill the 75. yeare of this age) there appeared no obscure signes of the remouall of the sacred House, and of the miracle. For that parcell of ground on which it was seated, was alwaies beautified with greene herbes and flowers, when all the rest thereabout being ouer-growne with thicke bushes and thornes, were sauage and rude. Neither is the thing doubtfull. For Hierome Angelita doth so deliuer it in his sto­rie of the B. Virgin of Loreto, which he de­dicated to Pope Clement the 7. at that very time, when this was a miracle to the be­holders [Page 50]holders. And with this part of ground were seene the impressions of the sacred walles, imprinted in the earth, represen­ting holines, and as it were some diuine thing. In so much that I my selfe receiued the same from Raphael Riera, a man of sin­cere credit and religion, who was wont to tell that he often beheld the impressions of the sacred House, and the beautie of this parcell of ground with great delight. But the wood being lately cutt downe, & the land made arable, this exceeding pleasant­nes therof was so spoiled by the rude hus­bandmen with diging and sowing, that it vtterly decayed. Yet to preserue the reli­gion of the place, in those very impressi­ons, the said Riera raised little low walles, both for a monument to posteritie, that the sacred House of Loreto had in time past beene there, as also for a defence against the abuses of cattle and simple men. I my selfe saw and viewed this place, when I com­mitted these thinges to writing, and ob­serued that the parcell of ground inclosed within those walles was euery way answerable, both in length and breadth, to the House of Loreto. But now it is al­togeather like to the other ground there­about; hauing lost the exceeding pleasant­nes [Page 51]which it had, before the rude husbād­men violated the sanctitie of the place: yet truely it hath so lost the sweetnes, that it retaineth the religion. For at this day it is visited of many for deuotiō sake, & would also be visited of more, but that the place is vnknowne to the common people. In time past when it was more knowne, ei­ther by reason of the exceeding pleasantnes or better commoditie of the wayes, it was wont to be so reuerenced of the Pilgrimes, that none almost would belieue, that he had visited the Cell of the B. Virgin of Lo­reto, that had not also reuerenced those first impressions of the same Cell. Now the place is altogeather vnfrequented & with­out passage, neither hath it a knowne way vnto it, so that if any will visit it, he hath need of a skilfull guide. It is distant from the towne of Loreto almost a mile, and as much also from the sea, not so much right on, as by many turnings. It is situated be­tweene the mont Vrsus and the Riuer Mu­sion, with almost the like distance, as be­tweene Loreto and the sea, and is common­ly called Banderola, peraduenture of a ban­ner, which in time past was sett vp in a certaine tree, to demonstrate to Pilgrimes as they came, and to seafaring men sayling [Page 52]along that coast, that the most sacred Chappell was seated in that wood: Certes the Ita­lians do call a litle Banner, Banderola. By the sacred part of ground, wherof I haue spo­ken, there is a great well, which conti­nually yeldeth water, & easie to be drawne of: you may belieue that this vnusuall and large well was made for the vse of some great multitude, to wit, for people which came to visit the sacred House. But in the hill of the two Brothers, the signes are more obscure; for that hill was leuelled to fill vp the valleys to make them commodi­ous for bulding, and also built vpon when the towne of Loreto was built, yet the place, or rather a signe therof remaineth. For without the walles of some priuate houses, there is a certaine rude and a round peece of a hill, like to a bound-marke, which is graced with a little house, being now the only signe of the seate that our B. Lady made choise of there, and forsooke againe. The house wherunto this boūd­marke is ioyned, being situated not farre from the gate of the Bishops Pallace on the right hand as we enter, is as it were the na­uell or midst of the towne of Loreto. And if that part of the Bishops Pallace which is already begunne be continued, it will oc­cupie [Page 53]almost all that space, but then also (as I suppose) some monumēt of this place and miracle shall be left, that the signe of so memorable a thing may not perish.

The speciall place, and the admira­ble situation of the house of Loreto. CHAP. X.

IN the afore named places the B. Virgin mother of God, chose her self a seate rather to rest in than to dwell, that is to say, of no long continuance, because she determined euer from the be­ginning to make a setled seate in this place, where at this present she remaineth, and (vnles some offence of the inhabitants or borderers do hinder it) we hope an euer­lasting. Neither is it lawfull to doubte, but as the mother of God from the beginning foresaw, so could she haue auoided the indi­ligence of the Dalmatians in Sclauonie, the crueltie of the theeues in the wood, and the detestable hatred of the two brothers in [Page 54]the hill, that was common vnto them. For well knowing all this, euen from the time that her sacred house departed first from Nazareth, and forsooke her natiue soile, she her selfe made speciall choise of this place, to settle her a firme and a perpetuall seate. And in very deed to giue credit to so vnu­suall a miracle, The cause of her ma­nifolde re­moouall. and neuer heard of before, the repetiō of the same miracle was need­full, that the often mutation of the place in so few yeares might make a thing of it selfe incredible, credible inough. For how could mortall men doubt, whether that House was brought from Galiley; when them selues had heard that in their owne age, the same was transported out of Scla­uonie into Picene; and had seene, that in Picene it selfe within lesse then the compasse of a mile it changed seat and place, thrice be­fore the yeare was expired. This third and last mutation fell in the yeare of our Re­demption 1295. Prep. Te­rē. Hier. Angel. which ensued after the cōming of the sacred House into Italy. And it is a thing worth the labour to know the admirable situatiō therof, which doth ea­sily shew that the most sacred Cell was not so placed by humane, but by diuine proui­dence and power. For it is situated, if euer any were, iust to the foure regiōs of heauen [Page 55]and earth, according to the rule of the Ma­thematicians: And not according to that rule only, but also by an ancient instituti­on of the holy Fathers, who commanded that the Altars of sacred houses, should stād towardes the rising of the Sunne. Therfore the fore-wall of this most sacred House (beautified with the window wherat the Angell is said to haue entred) doth stand towardes the Sunne sett; and the hinder (adorned with the Altar standing before the Image of our B. Lady) looketh so dire­ctly towardes the Sunne rising, that in ei­ther Equinoctiall, for the space often dayes, In eyther Equino­ctiall the Sūne doth seeme to reuerence and salute our B. La­dy. the Sunne when he riseth, shineth on the hinder part, and when he setteth on the former part therof: wherby a little before he setteth, the Sunne shining in at the win­dow, which I haue mentioned, commeth to the B. Virgin, as it were to salute her at night, sith he cannot salute her in the mor­ning, being excluded by the interposed wall of the sacred House it selfe: which al­so as they report was obscrued to be so, since the Sacred House, was inuironed within a Church, vntill the forefront of the Bi­shoppes Pallace, being opposite vnto the Church, was placed on the west side. Yet neuerthelesse I doubt not, but when the [Page 56]gate thereof shall stand open (which can not be vntill the worke be finished) it will easile yield againe, the self same view of the sunne by the window of the sacred Chappell, that it may salute the B. Mother of God from the enterance of the Church it self. The left wall of this moste sacred Chappell doth stand towards the north, and the right towards the south: and there­fore when the magnificent porch of the Bishops pallace standing against the south (for the B. Virgin by the situation of her Cell, prescribed as it were to the Architect the situation of the Bishops pallace) doth daylie receiue the sunne directlie into it, infalliblie it betokeneth high noone. And that this so admirable a situation of the moste sacred Chappell, happened not by chance, but was so appointed by the proui­dence of God; proofe hereof be the impres­sions in the wood it self, yet extant (as I my self haue diligentlie obserued) which do sufficientlie shew that the B. Virgin herself did delight in such a situation. The same peraduenture happened in the hill of the two brothers, but it can not be iudged by reason that the impressions are obscure. And perchāce also the same happened by course in the Dalmatian seate; yet we haue no cer­taintie [Page 57]thereof, but that the thing it self is consonant vnto the others. And two chiefe mysteries, to witt, the natiuitie of the B. Virgin, and the Conception of the Eternall VVord, haue made this sacred house most il­lustrious; whereof that happeneth in the Autumne, and this in the Equinoctiall spring. Wherefore as the sunne hath iust cause to visit her in either Equinoctiall; so likewise (being as it were mindefull of these sacred mysteries) with a certaine kinde of ambition, a litle after his rising, and befo­re his setting, he seemeth to comme to the B. Virgin mother of God, to salute her.

By manifestation of the Dalma­tians, the Picentians know that the natiue house of the B. Virgin is brought vnto them. CHAP. XI.

BVT to returne to the order of the mateer whence the won­der of the rare situation made vs to digresse; at first the new migratiō of this sacred house, seemed wonderfull to the people of Reca­nati, but afterward gratefull and pleasant. And as the same & admiration of the place was more increased by the miraculous multiplication of the triple transmigration of the holie Cell; so likewise did Alm. God, dilate the honour of his B. Mother, both among the inhabitants and strangers. For the remoouall of this moste sacred house from Nazareth and Dalmatia, being spoken of, Praep. Terem. Hier. Angel. and crediblie reported much about this time, strooke the Picentians into greate feare, leste it might also in time for­sake [Page 59]them, specially being already disho­noured in two places of their Countrey. Newes of the House of Loreto, and of these her wonders, being lately reported in Scla­uonie, by certaine marchants, enkindled the Dalmatians (beginning to suspect some­thing) to visit the House that was so glori­fied with miracles, and to emulate the pie­tie of the Picentians. Wherupon certaine of them beholding the Chappell of Loreto (for the remēbrance of her departure from Scla­uonie was yet fresh) acknowledged it not vnwillingly to be the same, and performed their dutifull veneration with flowing teares: and presently renewing their for­mer griefe, and sighing with the desire they had to see their lost treasure, thus they began to bewaile their late domage. This House which now is honoured in Picene, with so great concourse of mortall men, was lately reuerenced in Dalmatia, with al­most the like endeuours of our people. This natiue House of the B. Virgin was first cō ­ueied by heauenly power from Galiley into Sclauonie, that afterward the Picentians might haue it brought vnto them out of Dalmatia it selfe. This wonder was shewed to the Dalmatians by a heauenly signe, and made manifest by certaine men sent into Galiley. [Page 60]Therfore let them acknowledge, and reue­rence this heauenly gift, with great deuo­tion, lest the same happen to them, which they heare hath chanced vnto others: and what manner of gift it is, they may rather knowe by wanting, then by enioying the same. Neyther do we despaire (if our deedes were answerable to our desires) but that this very House of the Blessed Virgin, would returne into Sclauonie againe, from whence it departed not many yeares agon. But because these and such like speaches of the Sclauonians were strange and wonderfull to the Picentians (for as yet they had heard nothing of her transmigration from Naza­reth and Dalmatia) many esteemed thē vaine & foolish. But in short time a new wonder from heauē declared them to be true indeed.

By reuelation of our B. Lady, an Hermite importuneth the Pi­centians to inquire of the matter. CHAP. XII.

NEERE to the wood and seat which the B. Virgin mother of God did first make choise of in Picene, Praep. Terem. Hiero. Angel. there is a litle hill cal­led the mount Vrsus, whither a holy man of great sanctitie had retired him selfe not many yeares agone, coueting to be neere the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin; his name is not deliuered, but my mind inclineth to thinke that it was Paul de Silua of whō afterward we are to speake: who being wholy deuoted to our B. Lady, came daily to visit her seat of Loreto, where he spent many houres in deuout prayer. And hauing a great desire to be present at the miracles which were done by the helpe of the B. Virgin, or els were related by strangers, as already done; he gaue diligent eare to those wonderfull thinges, which [Page 62]the Dalmatians had published with great as­seueration: now and then also he heard the Dalmatians thē selues lament their mis­chance, and bewaile the losse of their na­tion, that the natiue House of the B. Vir­gin was taken from them, and they depri­ued of the protection of so great a Patro­nesse. The godly Hermite reioycing at the other prayses of our B. Lady, was a­mazed when he vnderstood that it was her natiue House. And truely to him the thing seemed almost incredible, but yet worthy to be inquired of with all diligence; be­cause when so worthy a thing was found out and knowne, it would add great name and honour to the House of Loreto, to the which he was exceedingly deuoted. And hauing a vehement affection to know the truth, and to increase deuotion to our B. Lady, he desired to vnderstand from hea­uen whether that were true or false. Wher­upon without delay; he punished his body with fasting, with haircloth, and stripes, gaue him selfe to prayer, and omitted no­thing wherby he thought he might please and pacifie Almightie God: specially he prayed and besought the B. Virgin mother of God by some certaine signe to manifest what Chappell it was, or from whence it [Page 63]came. Neither did the B. Virgin frustrate his inflamed pietie and desire. The sacred House is knovvne by reuela­tion of our B. La­dy. For the se­cond yeare after the comming of the sacred House into Italy, our B. Lady appearing vnto him in his sleepe, and bidding him be of good comfort, told him that in Italy she had chosen a seat for the little House, wherin her selfe did liue on earth; which because it was negligently reuerenced in Galiley, was now by the ordination of Al­mightie God transported thence by hand­worke of Angells, that it might be brought into Dalmatia, & so into Picene it self. There she her selfe was borne, and there also did she conceiue the diuine issue: for which cause that House was, & euer shall be deare to God and her selfe. She likewise declared all that she had related to Alexander Bishop of Tersact in his sleepe, as before hath beene said; concluding at last that by the speciall grace & fauour of the Almightie, that hea­uenly gift was giuen to the Picentians and Italians, as a solace to their euills, and as a pledge of pardon and peace in time of so many stormes and calamities of their Coū ­trey; and then as a most certaine refuge and defence vnto all nations in the perills and dangers of this mortall life: commanding him to go and to declare these thinges to [Page 64]the Citizens of Recanati, and to the adioy­ning people: wherwith awaking out of his sleepe, with exceeding ioy of mind for the heauenly warning, he straight fulfilled the commandment of the B. Virgin. And first going to Recanati, he declared his vision to the people of the Cittie, and related vnto them the rest, protesting that our B. Lady her selfe was the authour of his speaches. Leauing the people of Recanati in a won­derfull maze, he made great haste vnto o­ther places, to declare the same to them, with like [...]eruour of mind. But at first the Pi [...]emi [...]ns esteemed it a vaine fancie, and many reputed the reporter for a teller of dreames: Yet afterward because about that time, there was a certaine flying fame, that this very Chappell was giuen and taken a­gaine frō the Dalmatians by the handworke of God; and also now the Dalmatians them selues acknowledged it at Loreto, they re­membred them selues, and thought that so weighty a matter was in no wise to be neg­lected. And likewise calling to mind the late wonder, how the most sacred House had changed her seate three times in one yeare, in their owne territorie of Picene, they were mooued therwith to send mes­sengers to and fro, to inquire therof. And [Page 65]at last the Citizens of Recanati propounding the matter, by common aduice of the Picen­tians, it was decreed, that with generall contributiō of money, certaine men should be sent into Sclauonie, & frō thence to Gali­ley, to seeke out the truth of the matter, by the testimonie of their owne eies, and o­ther certaine and manifest tokens.

Sixteene men sent into Dalmatia & Galiley, confirme the truth of the miracle. CHAP. XIII.

SIXTEENE men honourable for faith, religion, Praep. Terem. Hiero. Angel. and autho­ritie, were chosen out of all Picene; to whom command­ment was giuen, that first in­quiring in Dalmatia, & then in Galiley, they should diligently seeke out the whole mat­ter, and should bring them word of all that they found concerning the natiue House of the B. Virgin, which was said to be in those partes: who forthwith passing the Adriaticke sea, and arriuing at Tersact, ope­ned [Page 66]to the inhabitants the cause of their comming; who yet smarted with the griefe of their late wound, and lamented to re­member, that such a treasure was taken from thē, witnessing the great desire they had vnto it, with many plaints and teares. At the intreatie of these Embassadours they shewed them the floore, and the house, which they had built very proportiona­ble and like to that of Loreto for a monu­ment therof. And there againe renewing their lamentation, they grieued to thinke, that those were the only signes which the Sclauouians had of the heauenly gift, that the glory therof was granted to others; and the bare fame left vnto them. Wherupon the Picentian Embassadours applying a measure of the House of Loreto, (which for that pur­pose they had brought with them) to eue­ry side of the vacant space, found it in all respectes agreeable to the House of Loreto. Then demanding of them how long since the most sacred Chappell departed from them, they assuredly know, that at the ve­ry same time that it was takē from the Scla­uonians, it was giuen to the Picentians. And hauing well sought out the matter, and ech recounted the chiefest miracles wrought in either place, they parted with aboundance [Page 67]of teares, the one sorrowfull with desire, the others reioycing with gladnes. So out of hand the Embassadors returning againe to sea, and passing the Superum and the Sicu­lum seas, and speedily sayling along by Cor­cyra, by Creet, and Cypresse, they arriued at Pa­lestine with good successe. And vnderstan­ding that the wayes were nothing secure, by reason that the Turkish armies wādred vp and downe all Syria; they hired a Con­uoy which conducted them safe into Gali­ley, and from thence backe againe to their shippe. When they had worshipped the most glorious Sepulcher of CHRIST our Lord at Hierusalem, they held on their ior­ney to Galiley, and comming to Nazareth, inquired of the natiue House of our B. La­dy, and diligently demaunded of it of the Christians, who (such as they were) dwelt in the midst of that depraued nation, of whom being told, what they had receiued from their forefathers, and what they had seene with their owne eyes, whilst the Christian religion remained in Syria, they brought them to the desired place, that they might behold the floore, with the foun­dations of a house raised vp from thence, yet in the ground to be seene: which mea­suring with very diligent care, they found [Page 68]that in euery respect, all thinges did agree with the impressions in Sclauonie, with the floore & the walles of the House of Loreto. And hauing dispatched their busines in both places, according to their owne de­sire, they shipped them selues with great gladnes, and with happie passage were re­carried safe to Ancona, whēce they set forth. Wherupon making haste home, and rela­ting all that they had found to the Magi­strates & Gouernours of the Citties, from whence they were sent, they imparted vn­to thē what great ioy they conceiued ther­with. And the Cittizens of Recanati being very glad of the good successe of this Em­bassage, wherof they were the Authours, and desiring to haue a monument there to remayne, registred the whole matter in pu­blicke record, Hier. Angel. Praep. Terem. adding therunto the names and testimonies of the 16. Embassadours, that the matter might be well witnessed to all posteritie. Certaine copies wherof being reserued in the houses of priuate men are yet to be seene. And thus much was knowne and found by these Embassadours, the yeare of our Redemptiō one thousand, two hundred, nintie and six.

The Picentians choose the B. Vir­gin of Loreto for their Patronesse. CHAP. XIIII.

FORTHVVITH newes, as it is wont, was speedily carried to the Citties and townes adioi­ning, that 16. Embassadours returning from Sclauonie and Galiley, had found by manifest signes that the House of Loreto, was the very same where the mother of God was borne and saluted by the Angell, and that by heauenly power, it was first transported out of Gali­ley into Sclauonie, and from thence into Pi­cene it selfe. And much about this time the same fame diuulgating the third remoouall therof in the terrtories of Recanati, many greatly desired (conceiuing as it were more feruour of mind by this new report) to see and honour, in this new seat, the heauen­ly pledge which was brought vnto them from the Fast it selfe. For all did verily thinke and say, that the mother of God had speciall care to protect the Picentians; in [Page 70]regard wherof, they thought it most meet to commit them selues to her protection and defence. Wherupon in continent the inhabitants of all the townes of Picene, The con­course of the Pi­centians. fil­ling all the passages and wayes that went to the House of Loreto, began to set forward in this iorney: neither did the healthfull and strong alone make hast to do it, but al­so the diseased and feeble, neglecting the Phisitians command, crept along, if they were able, if not, they desired to be carried in what sort soeuer. And the people of the wealthiest Citties & townes of Picene, went in surplisses, diuiding them selues into se­uerall companies, adorned with ensignes and colours, like bands of men vnder their Ancients, who with great emulatiō, sing­ing solemne praise to God and his B. mo­ther, filled all round about, with the plea­sant sound of their tymbrels, fruits, and in­struments. After whom followed boyes, and girles, among the women, as it were in a company among them selues. When they came to the Chappell of the B. Vir­gin (because the straitnes of the place would not admit so great a multitude of people) at the very sight of the most sacred House, bowing downe their knees, and giuing most hartie thankes to God and his [Page 71]B. mother, they most deuoutly intreated for pardon and peace among so many euils, as they already suffered, or els were likelie to do: & earnestly besought the B. mother of God, because she had offered her selfe a voluntary Patronesse vnto Picene, afflicted with diuers miseries and calamities, that she would also receiue the Picentians them­selues, into her protection and patronage, and willingly & fauourably would alwaies vouchsafe to defend their people. The name of her protection and patronage was not in vaine: For since that time the B. Virgin hath shewed her selfe a most assu­red patronesse to the Picentians, and they in like maner them selues alwayes deuout clients of our B. Lady, not only in adorning, but also in de­fending her House of Loreto.

The sacred House is honoured with heauenly flames, and reue­renced daily more and more. CHAP. XV.

TO the daily miracles in resto­ring health to humane bodies, now & then were added hea­uenly signes, not obscurely sig­nifying that the B. Virgin did fauour and protect the Picentians. For ma­ny times vpon the suddaine a flame of fire was seene to spread it selfe abroad and to come frō heauen in the night time, Hiero. Angel. which at first glittering, as though it were disper­sed in sundry places, but afterward making as it were one streame, and going towards the Cell of the mother of God, filled all round about with heauenly lightes. And the roofe it selfe was often seene to flame with great brightnes, with such admira­tiō of the beholders, that you would thinke you had seene an armie of Angells, warding the House of the heauenly Queene. Wher­upon the Bishop of Recanati, in whose Dio­cesse [Page 73]it happened, thinking it an honour of religion, according to his office, aduer­tised Boniface the 8. therof, of whom ob­tayning the gouernment of the Chappell of Loreto, and thinking it most conuenient to make roome for the Pilgrims out of hād, he cosecrated all the ground that was about the sacred House, to the B. Virgin by gift of the Cittizens of Recanati, wherwith the celebritie of the place was also increased. For first they began to build cabbines, and cottages to entertaine the Pilgrimes (who before that time thronging together in the open ayre, lodged in the high waye, The tovvne of Loreto is built.) but afterward larger houses. And because the vneuennes of either hill (specially a valley lying betweene) was no fit seat for build­ing, the hill of the two brothers being higher then was conuenient for their enterpri­zed worke, was leuelled; the valley filled vp, and the vneuennes plained; that there might be leuell ground inough to build vpon by the high way side. Wherby in short time, what with rude cottages and houses, there was erected no small village, extended on the toppe of either hill, and called Loreto, that both the village and the House, might take their names from that LAVRETA, who was so singularly [Page 74]deuoted to our B. Lady. This commodi­tie of lodging ioyned to the Religion of the place, meruailously increased the multitude of guestes and strangers, S. Anto. part. 3. Plat. in Boni. 8. Ioan. Villan. lib. 1 which shortly af­ter was not a little forwarded by a thing of new celebritie. For about that time Boni­facius the 8. (whose Popedome the com­ming of the sacred House into Italy hath made very famous) being much mooued with the vehement earthquakes and affli­ctions of Italy, partly past, and partly neere at hand; and bending all his care how he might turne from thē the heauenly wrath, with happie resolution either instituted the secular yeare (called the Iubiley) or els renewed it, granting to all that rightly vi­sited the Territories of the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul, release of all the paine due to their offences. Wherupon the yeare of our Redemption 1300. being the first that was memorable for the celebritie of the Iubiley, the fame of this new Pontificall Indulgence cōming into all the countreys of the Christian world, caused an innu­merable multitude of all nations, and spe­cially of the West, to trauell to Rome it self. For euery way there was such confluence of all nations to the Cittie, that albeit it be very large, yet could it scarce containe [Page 75]so great a multitude of strangers, for in a manner there passed no day, that the Cit­tie gaue not hospitalitie to two hundred thousand Pilgrimes, besides an innumera­ble multitude, which was on the way. Wherof many (specially to whom Recanati was not much out of the way) being mo­ued with the fame of these miracles, went to the house of Loreto, that euery one might be witnesses and messengers to their owne countrey people: of all which they re­ceiued of so vnusuall & vnknowne a miracle, not by the report of others, but saw with the view of their owne eyes.

The walles adioyned to the sacred House for a support, giue backe: to the which notwithstan­ding large Cloisters are added. CHAP. XVI.

MEANE while, the people of Recanati; Hier. Angel. Bap. Mant. being mooued with this greate concourse of Pil­grimes, determined to reue­rence and defend the most sa­cred Chappell with all care. For seeing that the walles were both weake and an­cient, and had stood many yeares without a foundation, they were very solicitous and fearefull, lest by little and little they might faile by iniurie of the weather, and also lest the worthiest memorie of the B. Virgin in the whole world, might vtterly decay and come to ruine. Therfore thinking it for the best, to defend on euery side (as much as by humane art & industrie they might) the sacred House, seeming much decayed, they went about to lay foundations, as well as they could, and to compasse it about [Page 77]with a bricke wall. But it is reported by no fayned writers, that the new founda­tions would by no meanes adhere to the sa­cred walles; that you may thinke the for­tunate House of our B. Lady standing by diuine power, Trad. Laur. Bapt. Mant. contēned all humane helpe and industrie. Moreouer in processe of time, the new walles adioyned to the old for a support, by little and little gaue backe so farre, that betweene the two walles, as often as it was needfull, a boy might go with a burning torch, therby to make the credit of the disioyned walles manifest to them that desired to see it. Neither is it long since it was well remēbred: for there liued diuers honest and godly men, not many yeares agone, who told Raphael Riera, a man of approued vertue and testimonie (of whom we made mention before, and afterward are to make, and of whom I al­so learned it) that they had seene a boy passe with ease betweene the said walles. To whom also Raynerius Nerusius, an excellent Architect, and ouerseer of the worke of Lo­reto, for the familiaritie that was betweene them, reported that by commandment of Pope Clement the 7. the pulling downe of these bricke walles being committed to his charge, when in steed therof the Pope wēt [Page 78]about to set vp the marble Crust which at this day all behold with great admiration, then to his owne wonder he found, that against all reason of Architecture, these walles were remooued frō the sacred Chā ­ber; neither were they ruined so much with antiquitie, as by a certaine hidden iudgement of Alm. God; that it might sufficiently appeare that the B. Virgin mo­ther of God would exclude all humane in­dustrie, Trad. Laur. from the supporting of her House, to th'end the diuine power might be more notable, if that a most ancient house could stand so many ages without a foundation or any human helpe. The Image of Christ Crucified doth re­turne into the most Sacred House of it selfe. The report also go­eth, that the most ancient Image of Christ Crucified, brought thither with the sa­cred house, about that time became very fa­mous for the iteration of a strange miracle; for when the Bishop and Citizens of Reca­nati had remooued it thence, and placed it in a Chappell adorned of purpose for it, that it might be reuerenced with great ho­nour, the holy Crucifix remoouing thence of it selfe, and returning into the most sa­cred House, it seated it selfe in his owne place againe: who often reassaying the same without effecting their purpose, at last they desisted, and turned their care an [Page 79]other way. For seeing that neither the houses nor cottages were able to receiue so great a multitude of strangers, nor in the sacred House any vacant place for votiue Images and Donaries; and also lest the Pilgrimes (whereof many deuoid of house­roome and lodging as it were in Stations, should be enforced to remaine all night in the open ayre:) or lest their votiue giftes exposed to the injury of the weather, should perish, neere to the sacred Chappell, they built very large Cloisters, to receiue stran­gers and their Donaries. And also erected an Altar without the sacred Chappell, that the Pilgrimes who were excluded by the straitnes of the place, might there be­hold the Priest exercising his holy functi­on. To these Cloisters, as it is reported, were adioined houses, where the Priestes, the keepers, and other officers of the most sacred Cell should dwell. And in the walles of the said Cloisters, Hiero. Angel. the chiefest mysteries of the sacred House, and her manifold re­moouall, were exposed in colours, by an excellent painter of those dayes.

Heauenly lightes make the day of the B. Virgins Natiuitie more so­lemnized in her natiue House. CHAP. XVII.

IN the meane season a heauē ­ly visiō wonderfull to be spo­ken or seene, Bapt. Niant. Hier. Aug. signified to mor­tall men, at what time the B. Virgin desired to haue her na­tiue House reuerenced with greatest deuo­tion. There was a certaine solitarie man called Paul, venerable for the gift of absti­nence and sanctimonie, Paul de Silua. surnamed A Silua, that is to say, Of the wood, where he dwelt, from the first comming of the sacred House into Italy: which assoone as it had remoo­ued out of the wood, this holy man think­ing it also his best to depart thence; built a cottage in a conuenient place of the next wood, from whence he might both easily behold and go to the most sacred House: for of an ancient custome he daily went vn­to it, to adore God and his B. mother in [Page 81]the place where his seet had stood: Wherupon Paul giuing him selfe to prayer, and to the me­ditation of heauenly thinges, in the sight of the most sacred Chappell (as his custome was) as if it were in the fight of our B. La­dy her selfe, he often obserued that a hea­uenly flame spreading abroad far & wide, Heauenly fire doth rest ouer the sacred House. in manner of a great blazing starre, rested ouer the Cell of the B. Virgin. And obser­uing the thing, & the time very diligent­ly, he found that on the 6. of the Ides of September, that is to say, on the very day of the B. Virgins birth, yearly about the fourth Vigill of the night, a great flame falling from heauen, and couering the roofe of her sacred house with an vniforme brightnes, within a while ascēded on high from whence it came. Which wonderfull spectacle did not only replenish him with great ioy, but also amazed him. And as he was a man of true simplicitie, he suppo­sed that the B. Virgin her selfe came from heauen into her natiue House, in likenes of a flame to celebrate her birth. Wher­upon hauing a desire to behold so great a wonder neere at hand, he began to expect the opportunity of the time, thē the which nothing seemed longer vnto him. At length when the yeare came about, & that [Page 82]heauenly flame shewed it selfe againe, he speedily ranne vnto it, to behold with his eyes (as he beleeued) and with all deuotiō to salute the Queene of heauen inuironed with blisle. But the neerer his hope was of approaching vnto it, the more the thing and the flame at first diminished, and at last vanished away, and withdrew it selfe quite out of sight; leauing the credulous beholder frustrate of his expectation; which infla­med his godly hart with a more ardent af­fection and desire, as if he had receiued all that heauenly fire into him selfe, though he was altogeather ignorāt, what it might portend. And hauing thus spent ten whole yeares, yeare by yeare alwayes the selfe same day, this heauenly flame hanging ouer the sacred House, deceiuing the hope of the beholder, more & more inflamed his god­ly desire. But at length obtaining it of Al­mightie God by prayer, he had his wish. For in his quiet rest in the night time, he learned by a heauenly vision, that the na­tiue House of the B. Virgin, was honoured with an anniuersary flame, the very day of her natiuitie, because it was to her li­king to haue that day to be kept and reue­renced there with great solemnitie. Wher­fore [Page 83] Paul, who vntill this day had concea­led this admirable spectacle in great silence, now either vpon deuotion, or els (as it may be supposed) compelled by the B. Virgin in his rest, went speedily to Reca­nati, and declared the whole matter to the Bishop, and to the Magistrates of the Cit­tie; who through the opinion of his san­ctitie, was esteemed a graue authour, euen of so great a thing. And the Bishop being moued with the authoritie of the man, and with the congruencie of the thing, and the time, beleeued that the heauenly vision was vnfayned, and presently publi­shed it abroad, that the people of Recanati might reuerence the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, with speciall honour & deuotiō, the very day of her natiuitie. Wherby it came to passe, that afterward the adioy­ning, & also remote people either imitating the example of the people of Recanati, The day of our B. Ladies natiuitie is had in greatest reuerence. or els stirred with the fame of this miracle, chief­ly in the month of Septēber, assēbled to Lo­reto with great zeale, to celebrate the day of our B. Ladies birth. And shortly after, the new bountie of the Popes, increased the de­uotion of the people, who chieflie at that time (as in due place we are to declare) [Page 84]granted most ample Indulgences to the House of Loreto. And these spectacles of the heauenly flames continued not only many yeares, but also many ages. For about 20. yeares agone, diuers Cittizens of Recanati, The vvon­der of the heauenly fiers is re­nevved. remarkable for vertue and grauitie, repor­ted to Raphael Riera, of whom I receiued it, that about the day of the B. Virgins nati­uitie, flames of fire were seene to fall from heauen in the night time, on the House of Loreto, all the whole Cittie of Recanati loo­king on, and that them selues had seene the same many times, with exceeding ioy of mind: adding withall that the day before, about night, when it began to be darke, the Cittizens of Recanati hauing a great de­sire to see so gratefull & so pleasant a sight, flocked commonly to the houses & walles, whence they might behold the House of Loreto, that they might delight their eyes and mindes, with the admirable beautie of that heauenly flame: which euery yeare was seene (as it was reported) vntill the time of Pope Paul the third: Riera in Annal. Laur. Ambro. Noui. Fast. l. 9. so that among all the wonders of Loreto there is scarce any more notable than this: which not only historiographers set downe in writing, but also Nouidius a famous Poet, recorded it in a notable poeme, which he dedicated to [Page 85]Pope Paul the third, which we thought good to insert in this historie. Wherfore thus he writeth, extolling the B. Virgin with worthy praise.

VVhen the towne of Loreto was go­uerned by lawes, the Cittizens of Recanati inuironed the Sacred House with a Church. CHAP. XVIII.

THE Cittizens of Recanati be­ing mooued with these hea­uenly signes, Bap. Mant. Hiero. Angel. determined to defend & adorne the House of Loreto with their vtter­most endeuours. For when the towne of Loreto was daily more and more frequen­ted, by reason that many came thither frō all places to dwell, either vpon deuotion to the B. Virgin, or els for desire of traf­fique, the Cittizens of Recanati thinking it most conuenient to order them by lawes and statutes, The tovvn of Loreto hath a Go­uernour giuen vnto it. set them downe lawes and gaue them a Magistrate for execution of Iustice. Hauing disposed matters in the towne, they turned their care to thinges a­broad. For certaine necessitous and noto­rious wretches allured either with a fit oc­casion [Page 87]of robbing, or els with the sweetnes of the prey it selfe, spoiled many straying and wandering Pilgrimes, setting on them among bushes and woodes adioyning to the high way; which seeming to concerne the dignitie and reputatiō of the Cittizens of Recanati, they charged the gouernour of the Cittie, that with a great companie of souldiers, he should make the waies that went to the House of Loreto, secure from theeues. And as their counsaile was godly, so had it good successe. For the Gouernour him selfe most diligētly searching the most hidden & lurking places of the wood, put the malefactours to death, & in short space purged all that countrey with great com­mendation: whose praise redounding to the Cittie that made him Gouernour, from that time the Cittie of Recanati was surna­med the Most Iust. Shortly after a new cala­mitie of those times, and the neglect of sa­cred thinges, S. Anto. Par. 3 Plat. in Clem. 5 The Ponti­ficall sea is transla­ted into France. made the pietie of the people of Recanati very famous. Whiles these things were done in Picene, Clement the 5. the third Pope after Bonifacius (for Benedict the 11. the successour of Bonifacius was Pope but a few moneths) the 5. yeare of that age transla­ted the Apostolicke Sea into France, to the great detriment of Italy, and almost of all [Page 88]the Christiā comon wealth; which doubt­les the casuall burning of the Laterā Church at that time, did portend to the Cittie of Rome. For whiles Clement the Roman Bi­shop established a new Sea at Lions, the La­teran Church at Rome being the ancient seat of the Roman Bishops was set on fire, whe­ther by malice or by chāce, it is not known. Neither was the state of Italy much better vnder Iohn the 22. who succeeding Clement, established the Pontificall Sea at Auinigon, nor vnder Benedict the XII. nor the rest of the Roman Bishoppes, who afterward through Iohns exāple sate at the same place. But the pietie and deuotion of the people of Recanati did flourish in building of a new Church to our B. Lady this most distressed time, both of all the Christian, and speci­ally of their owne common wealth. For of late, that is to say, the yeare of our Re­demption 1322. the Cittie of Recanati was throwne downe by commandment of Iohn the XXII. because it had reuolted from the Pope, Ioan. Villar. lib. 9. and the Cittizens compelled to prouide them dwelling in an other place. But when they had made their agreement with the Pope, and built their towne in that place, where at this present it stan­deth, their wealth was almost consumed, [Page 89]either with the ouerthrow of their Cittie, or els with bulding this new towne. Yet notwithstanding their deuotion to our B. Lady their Patronesse prouoking thē, they intēded to build a Church about the Chap­pell of Loreto. For when the adioyned cloi­sters could neither containe the Pilgrimes, their tablets, nor votiue Images, by reason that they, and their donaries daily increa­sed; the Bishop of Macerata, in whose Dio­cesse Recanati was, with great approbation of the people of Recanati, wēt about to build a Church about the most sacred Chappell. For which purpose easily obtaining a great space of ground lying there about, he pul­led downe the Cloisters, and at the com­mon charge built a new Church from the foundation, low indeed for the greatnes, The sacred House is inuiro­ned vvith a Church. but wide and large inough: wherunto he adioyned larger houses for the Priestes and ministers to dwell in, and for the hospita­litie of the better sort of Pilgrimes; there also shortly after erecting an hospitall for the reliefe of poore Pilgrimes.

VVhen Benedict the XII. had ador­ned the new Church of Loreto with Indulgences, it was fre­quented with greater deuotion. CHAP. XIX.

WHEN the Church was fini­shed, a greater ornament was done vnto it. For the Citti­zens of Recanati making hum­ble request to Benedict the 12. to grantremissiō of sinnes to all that right­ly visited the Church of Loreto, Hero. Angel. The In­dulgences of Bene­dict the XII. easily ob­tained it. From which time so great fer­uour was enkindled in the hartes of the people of Recanati, that most of thē would not be hindered almost by any busines, to go euery day three miles to visit the House of Loreto, for so far is it distant from their towne. Moreouer euery morning assoone as the little children came out of their chā ­bers, their parents and nourses taught thē ­to turne them selues straight towardes the natiue House of the B. Virgin, & deuout­ly [Page 91]to acknowledge and salute the mother of Loreto. But old and sicke folkes being hin­dered with age or sicknes, not able to go to the Church of Loreto as the custome was, procured that the Image of our B. Lady of Loreto, expressed in colours, should be sett vp in the market place: about which, buil­ding a Chappell and an Altar, they obtai­ned of Benedict aforesaid, a Breue ingrauen in golden letters, wherin was granted re­mission of sinnes, to them that prayed at the said Altar. Hierome Angelita one of the Magistrates of the Cittie of Recanati (who flourished about 70. yeares agone) affir­meth that himselfe hath seene the same Bre­ue, defaced with rottennes and antiquitie. Moreouer the Bishop of Macerata (who at that time was also Bishop of Recanati) thin­king it good to deliuer to Posteritie the true relation of the House of Loreto, tooke order that a litle booke might be published, wherin was cōtained the admirable com­ming of the most sacred House into Italy, her triple transmigration in the territories of Recanati, and the chiefest wonders and miracles of our B. Lady of Loreto. And be­cause the people of Recanati had a speciall desire to imprint in the hartes of tender yeares great deuotion towardes the B. Vir­gin [Page 92]of Loreto, they made a Decree that all schoolemaisters in teaching the first prin­ciples of learning, should first inure chil­drens eares and mindes with such discour­ses, and by little & little should accustome tēder age to the reading of that little booke; which ingraffed in them an exceeding de­uotion & pietie towards the natiue House of the B. Virgin.

The state of the House of Loreto, whiles the Roman Bishops sate at Auinigon. CHAP. XX.

BVT what deepe impression the religion of the House of Loreto made in the harts of the Picentians at that time, this one thing may shew, that being nothing almost furthered by the Roman Bishops, it flourished of it selfe. For about that time, as before hath bene said, the Roman Sea passed into France. And because the Pope was absent from the Cittie, and from Italy it selfe, the House of Loreto wan­ted many ornaments & furderances, which [Page 93]now it hath, and then also had had, but that this most sacred House ennobled with so many miracles and signes, was so far frō the sight and intelligence of the Popes. But euen in that state, she wāted not their Pon­tificall ornaments, albeit the Pōtificall Sea was the onely cause, that she was not so much adorned, as not neglected of the Ro­man Bishops, whiles they sate in France. For when Benedict the XII. had graced the House of Loreto with a gift of Indulgen­ces, Clement the VI. his Successour being absent from the Cittie (for he sate at Aui­nigon) published and kept the celebritie of the secular Iubiley, S. Anto. par. 3. Plat. Cle. vt. reducing it to the 50. yeare: wherby the multitude of people which came from all places to Rome, was almost incredible, wherof many, to wit the Inhabitants of Flaminia, and Emilia, came out of their way to go to the House of Lo­reto most illustrious with fame. But short­ly after a horrible plague begining at Rome it selfe (the head Cittie of the world) wa­sted all Italy almost with funeralles, & con­tinued three whole yeares, at which time euery hundredth person scarce remaining aliue, the Citties of Italy were reduced euen to waste and desolation. Which infinite calamitie (as I may terme it) in very deed [Page 94]inforced many Italians to implore the helpe of our B. Lady of Loreto, that in so horrible a tempest and storme, they might be pro­tected with the shadow of heauenly helpe. About twentie yeares after, Vrbane the V. succeeding Clement, at last reuisited Rome, but not so much to recall thither the Pon­tificall Sea, as to compose the affaires of the Cittie, and the troubles of Italy. But soone after his returne from the Cittie into Frāce, he departed this life. After whome Gregory the XI. receiued the Popedome: who was so mooued with the miseries of Italy, and with the worthy prayers of S. Catherine of Siena, a virgin of admirable sanctitie, that at length he returned the Pontificall Sea to Rome, about 70. yeares after it was translated into France.

The continuance of Schisme depri­ueth the House of Loreto of many benefites of the Popes. CHAP. XXI.

SHORTLY after Gregory be­ing taken out of this mortall life, Vrbane the VI. was crea­ted Pope, against whom the French factiō subrogated Cle­ment the VII. a false Pope, who opposed his Auinigon seat, against the Sea of Rome, which he would haue to be called the Ro­man, wherby the Church was troubled and diuided into two partes. But what hinderance the absence of the Roman Bi­shop was to the ornament and commodi­ties of the House of Loreto, was well per­ceiued euen at that time by his presence. For though Vrbane the Pope was molested and disquieted with schisme, The In­dulgences of Vrbane the V I. and with the armes and treacherie of schismaticall Prin­ces: yet in the midst of so many troubles and cares, he had some regard to adorne [Page 96]the B. Virgin of Loreto. For being acertai­ned of the heauēly flames wont to be seene ouer the House of Loreto, the 6. of the Ides of September; he applied his mind to ho­nour the heauenly Queene, and with Pon­tificall giftes frō the Vicar of God, thought good to adorne the natiue habitation of the B. Virgin, beautified with heauenly signes from God him selfe. Wherefore to them that visited the House of Loreto, the day of the B. Virgins natiuitie, he granted most bountifull remission of their sinnes, the 90. yeare of that age, in very fit time. For Bonifacius the IX. succeeding Vrbane, did not only by example of his Predecessour adorne the House of Loreto with new In­dulgences, but also kept the celebritie of the Iubiley, which according to the insti­tution of Bonifacius the VIII. fell in the yeare of our Redemption 1400. And as the Pontificall Sea recalled againe to Rome, and a desire to see the Pope, drew an innu­merable multitude from all partes to the Cittie, to visit the Churches of the Apo­stles, so also the fame of these heauēly flames and Pontificall Indulgences excited many of them to visit the Cell of Loreto, chiefly in the month of September, and ther to ce­lebrate the natiuitie of the Blessed Virgin. [Page 97]About the same time, Hier. Ang. the Cittizens of Re­canati (that also in the winter time people might haue free passage to the most sacred House) tooke order that the way which went to Loreto should be paued and borde­red with bricke; by which they erected little oratories of like distance from ech o­ther, as instigations to increase deuotion and to succour the Pilgrimes in stormie weather. This example of the people of Recanati, prouoked the people of Picene to imitate that pious worke; wherby the wayes which went to Loreto from the bor­dering Citties, and townes, began straight to be paued: and from Ancona, Auximo, Monte­santo, and Firmo, were brought euen to Lo­reto it selfe. Also bridges were made ouer the Riuers, which ranne through Pecene, that they might giue secure and speedy passage to the Pilgrimes. But the conti­nuall disturbance of the Christian state, did no lesse hinder the ornaments of the House of Loreto then the aboad of the Ro­mane Bishopps in France had donne. For that long and variable schisme (wherof the like hath neuer bin) troubled many Popes for fortie yeares togeather, S. Anto. par. 3. vntill Martin the V. with the great liking of all, was created Pope in the Councell of Constance, [Page 98]who at last brought peace and concord to the Christian world. And truely as that foule tempest of discord, oppressed the Church and the Popes with many euills; so in like maner it depriued the House of Loreto of no small heape of commodities, & that the times ensuing did well declare.

Martin the V. adorneth the House of Loreto with Indulgences and faires. CHAP. XXII.

HITHER TO I haue rehear­sed many things not very ma­nifest, not only for their an­tiquitie and the disquiet of the whole world, but also for that they were badly committed to wri­ting in good part of the time, which hap­pened from the translation of the House of our B. Lady out of Galiley, till she was set­led at Loreto, and began to be more & more frequented, in this great varietie and di­sturbance of the Christian state. Also if there were any thinges, in the recordes of Recanati, or in other publicke or priuate [Page 99]monuments, which might giue light to this Historie, for the most part they peri­shed (as we said before) when the Regi­stry, togeather with the Cittie was consu­med with fire. But the industrie of the Dalmatians supplied the want of the Citti­zens of Recanati; For the Flumentians borde­ring on Tersact, Hier. Angel. in time of Pope Leo the 10. did giue no small light to the first begin­ning of the historie of Loreto, sending those things to the people of Recanati, signed in writing, which they found in the ancient Chronicles of their forefathers, concer­ning the first remoouall of this most sacred House into Dalmatia, their inquisition, re­uerence, & the miracles of the same. Wher­of the Cittizens of Recanati certified Leo the Pope, as witnesseth Hierome Angelita, who at that very time, was Secretarie to the Cit­tie of Recanati, and afterward dedicated his historie of Loreto (where he deliuered these thinges to posteritie) to Clement the VII. Cosin-german to Leo, and partaker of his secrets. So hauing followed Angelita, an authour of no small reputation and credit, out of the chronicles of Sclauonio, we haue collected the first part of this historie, ad­ding therunto out of the proper monumēts of Recanati, what the mercilesse fire left vn­consumed. [Page 100]But hereafter all that we are to relate, will be more euident and copi­ous, because greater diligence was vsed not only to deliuer them to posteritie, but also to preserue thē by record, that they might come safe to our age and handes. The Indul­gences and benefits of Martin the V. Martin therfore bringing peace and quietnes to the Church, desired nothing more, then to leaue the House of Loreto (famous for mira­cles and wonders) graced with some gift of his: wherupon granting many & great Indulgences to the most sacred House, he inuited all to visit & reuerence the Chap­pell of Loreto, chiefly in the moneth of Sep­tember. Moreouer about the 20. yeare of that age, this benefit he augmented with an other, instituting solemne faires at Reca­nati, to the praise, glory, and honour of the B. Virgin of Loreto (as in the Apostolicke Breue he de­liuereth) ayming at that which prooued true, that by propinquitie and neerenes of the places the celebritie of the mart of Recanati, would also increase the celebritie of the House of Loreto: seeing the choise of wares might draw the bordering people, and Indulgences of sinnes, those marchants to reuerence the sacred House: which In­dulgences he granted for three monethes, answerable to the mart of Recanati, so that [Page 101]in any part of Septēber, October, and No­uember (all which the mart of Recanati was to be held) these Indulgēces might be gai­ned at Loreto by them, that with due deuo­uotion went to visit the House of the B. Virgin. Afterward many Popes follow­ing the example of Martin, as Iulius the 2. Xystus the 4. and Leo the 10. (as in due place shall be said) confirmed the mart of Reca­nati by their authoritie, and graced the Church of Loreto with Pontificall benefits. But vnder Martin the V. not only the cele­britie, but also the ornaments of the House of Loreto had good increase. For the goodly buildings (now called the Chanonry) were raised on the south side, for the Priestes, which voluntarily came to serue in the House of Loreto. And also a Pallace and an Hospitall were then built, to en­tertaine as well the noble as the poorer sort of Pilgrimes.

The wealth of the Church of Loreto in time of Pope Eugenius the IIII. CHAP. XXIII.

EVGENIVS succeeded Martin, but he was so troubled with the garboiles of the Cittie, and with the wicked decrees of the Coūcell of Basill, now cor­rupted, and also with the schisme of Felix V. the Antipope, and so solicitous for the Councell of Florence, which him selfe had summoned, that he had almost no leisure to thinke of adoring the House of Loreto. Not­withstanding Flauius Blondus Secretarie to Eugenius, The testi­monie of Flauius Blondus. and no obscure historiographer of those times, performing as it were the, Popes duetie, graced the Cell of Loreto with these eloquent wordes.

Betwixt Recanati and the Adriaticke Sea (sayth he) a litle from the Riuer Musion, in an open and vnsensed towne, is seated the most famous Chappell of the glorious Virgin MARY in all Italy, called our Lady of Loreto. In which that the prayers of suppliants are heard of Almightie God, by the inter­cession [Page 103]of his B. mother, this is a great and a most certaine argument, that they, who haue obtained their vowes, haue hung vp donaries of gold, siluer, wax, cloth, linnen & wollen, of great estimation and worth, filling almost all the whole Church, which the Bishop preserueth vntoucht, to the glorie of God, and of his B. Mother. Whereby it well appeareth, what fame, what religion, and what celebritie the House of Loreto was of, & also what va­rietie and plentie of donaries it had, Eugenius the fourth being Pope, that is to say, about the yeare of our Redemption 1450. which being famous and memorable for the Iubi­ley, increased the celebritie and the wealth of Loreto, as it was wont to do. About the same time, by the instigation of Philip Vice­count, Duke of Milan, Blond. lib. 5. Dec. 3. Sabel. l. 2. En. 10. Francis Ssorza making warre against the Pope, and bringing Picene by force and policie into his power, the victor purposed to visit the most illustri­ous Church of our B. Lady of Loreto. But Iohn Vitellescus Bishop of Recanati, Iohn Vitellescus Bishop of Recanati. an actiue & a wise man gouerning Picene with great command, and fearing lest the Chappell of our B. Lady (very wealthy by reason of so many donaries) might be ransackt by a souldier puffed vp with victorie, went a­bout to remooue the occasion of auarice, and conueying the chiefest ornaments of [Page 104]the Church of Loreto secretly into a shippe prepared for that purpose, he himselfe spee­dily transported them first to Venice, & then to Rauenna, to take away the occasion of sa­criledge, and to preserue the sacred dona­ries in safetie; and after that tempest was asswaged, brought them backe againe to Loreto. But the protection of the B. Virgin was not doubtfull in defending her owne House in time of these stirres. For when so many armies of Ssorza, of the Pope, and of Alsonsus King of Naples wandered freely vp and downe all Picene in this long and cruell war, and so many Captaines of bāds came to Loreto; yet in the ransacking of so many townes and Citties, a village vnfor­tified, and famous for the wealth of the Church, (as then things stood) remained alwayes vntoucht and vndefiled: so much either the sanctitie of the place, or els the protection of the B. Virgin to­wardes her owne state, preuailed with mor­tall men.

The House of Loreto is enriched with Indulgences by Nicolas the V. and fortified against the force of the Turkes. CHAP. XXIIII.

AFTER the death of Eugenius, The bene­fites of Nicolas the V. Nicolas the 5. receiued the Pope­dome, who not to be ouercome by Martin in honouring of our B. Lady, Hiero. Angel. graced the Cell of Lo­reto with Pontificall giftes. For knowing that the festiuall day of the B. Virgins salu­tation by the Angell, was most famous and memorable in that House (because God him selfe put on humane nature the same day in that very place) he adorned the most ioyfull light, in which was layd the foundation of mans saluation with an anniuersarie Indulgence: wherby the Church of Loreto (as the memory of so great a mysterie well deserued) yearely on that day began to be exceedingly reuerenced. And when Nicolas had adorned the House of Loreto with these Indulgēces, he thought [Page 106]good also to prouide for the wealth of the same, straitly ordaining that the donaries of Loreto should not be alienated nor sold, suspending the Bishop of Recanati from his function in the Church, if hereafter he pre­sumed to diminish the lest iote therof, or turne them to other vses. And if he did not recouer them already sold and disper­sed within the space of a moneth, he should be put out of his Bishopricke. Also in the same Breue he gaue commandment to the Cittizens of Recanati, both to recouer and defend the donaries of Loreto. Not only in peace but also in warlike tumult, the wor­thie pietie of Nicolas the Pope was very no­table towardes the House of Loreto. For a­bout that time Mahomet king of the Turkes, S. Anto. p. 3. The Turks do take Constanti­nople. hauing slaine Constantine Paleolagus the Em­perour of the East, and taken Constantinople by force, and filthily spoiled it, translated the seat of the Turkish Empyre into Europe, the yeare of our Redemptiō 1452. wher­upon as soone as it was spread abroad, that Constantinople, the fortresse of the Christian Empyre was taken by the Barbarians: that the Emperour him selfe, with the nobili­tie, was slaine, and that the Emperour of the Turks, pussed vp with so great a victo­rie, neere at hand insulted ouer Greece, and [Page 107]also threatned destruction to Italy it selfe, truely so great terrour was striken into the Christian forces, that all Italy trembled. Wherfore Nicolas hauing great care of the House of Loreto, fortified her against the in­uasion of the Barbarians with strong defence, and prepared to rise against them with all his forces, to represse their furie.

The House of Loreto is fortified a­gainst the Turkes, by Callistus the III. and putteth the Barbarians to flight, much frighted with a great ouerthrow. CHAP. XXV.

NICOLAS departing this life with griefe in the very prepa­ration and meditation of the Turkish war (as it is reported) Callistus the III. succeeded; S. Anto. par. 3. Plat. in Call. 3. who, because it was giuen out, that the Turkes (hauing conquered P [...]loponesus and subdued part of Epyrus) were bent into Dal­matia, The bene­fites of Calli [...]tus the [...]. and into Italy it selfe with great furie and madnes, desired nothing more, then to [Page 108]defend the House of Loreto; not doubting but if she were safe, all the rest of Italy would be in safetie, by the protection of the mo­ther of God. Wherupon he committed his forces to Rodericke Borgia his brothers sonne, and to Lord Iohn Milianus his sisters sonne, with the office and title of his Legates, out of hād sending the one into Picene, to whose speciall charge he committed the House of Loreto, and the other to Bolognia. Both these Legates comming to Loreto with their ar­mies, and intreating peace and pardon of Almightie God and his B. mother, streng­thened the House of Loreto (void of walles and fortifications) with rampiers & other fortresses made vp in haste and vnorderly. But though the B. Virgin contemned not the good will of the Pope & his Captaines towardes her, yet she her selfe defended her owne House, taming, and turning the fu­rious Turkes an other way. For at that time the Popes nauie (albeit not very big) spoiling the coastes of Asia with happie ad­uenture and successe, Anton. p. 3. Sabel. A [...]ne. 10. lib. 6. and vanquishing the huge forces of Barbarie, vnder the gouerne­ment of the Patriarch of Aquileia, ouercame the Turkish nauie in battaile, and tooke most of their Gallies. Moreouer by the in­stigation of Calistus Vsumcassanus King of Per­sia, [Page 109]roading into the borders of the Turkes with a strong armie, obtained famous vi­ctories of the most insolent enemie, not so much by humane force (as him selfe con­fessed in his letters sent vnto the Pope) as by heauenly ayde. And much about the same time, Iohn Humatez President of Hun­garie setting on the Turkes as they besieged Belgrade (a famous towne of Hungarie) with great forces & strength, made great slaugh­ter among thē with a few souldiers, which seemed not to be the worke of man. For when Iohn Capistranus a holy man of the fa­milie of S. Francis, brought in the signe of Christ Crucified, the Barbarians were put to flight and slaine, and Mahomet their Em­perour was wounded; which doubtles did proceed from the goodnes of God: for the Captaines them selues acknowledged that so notable a victorie was gotten by hea­uenly fauour. Wherfore hauing obtained so many and so great victories of so mighty an enemie by heauenly aide, as all confes­sed, it animated the Christiās to hope well of their common cause. And shortly after, no small thing to be spoken of, increased their godly hope, and carried the name of our B. Lady of Loreto, into all the Christi­an world.

By restoring of health to Pius the se­cond, the House of Loreto began to be far more reuerenced and famous. CHAP. XXVI.

PIVS the second a wise and a vertuous man was elected for Callistus, Plat. in Pio. 2. who not only by his letters and Legates, but also by his owne presēce & words animating Christian Kings and Princes to the Turkish warre in the Councell of Man­tua, with the labours of his iourney fell in­to a long and a dangerous sicknes, this most distressed time of the Christian common wealth. For great part of the sacred soul­diers, who had receiued the Cruzado, and giuen their names to the sacred war, were to meete at Ancona by Pius his commandmēt, and there to expect his comming, as was agreed vpon. But a burning feuer and a most vehement cough, did so afflict the a­ged and ouer-wearied body of Pius in this most aduerse time of the Christian state, [Page 111]that he was not only, not able to go, but euen out of hope to come to Amona, as he had appointed. Therfore relecting the hope and helpe of the Phisitians, he impso­red the assistance of our B. Lady of Loreto, whose worthy power in curing of diseases was miraculous as he vnderstood, not so much desiring to seeke a remedie for his present sicknes, as for his iourney to Ancona. And doubting not, but that his prayers were heard, forth with he gaue and dedi­cated to the B. Virgin, a golden Chalice very notable for workmanship & weight, wherin the Pope him selfe caused this wri­ting to be incised, for a monument of his vow and gift.

His gift was so pleasing to the B. Virgin, that the hope of Pius the Pope deceiued him not any iote at all. A wonder to be spokē: For he had no sooner made his vow, but the heat of the feuer began to relent, the cough to diminish, and strength to returne to his diseased body almost consumed with [Page 113]sicknes and age. Wherupon Pius vnwilling to delay the time (though he had not yet recouered perfect strength) vndertooke his iourney towards Ancona, Pius the 2. doth Visit the B. Vir­gin of Lo­reto. by the way to per­forme the vow which he had made to vi­sit the B. Virgin of Loreto. Many Cardinalls and Peeres of Rome went with him, riding in a horse-litter, whom partly the chari­table and reuerend respect they bare vnto him, as also the fame of the miracle, and partly the desire they had to see the sacred armie caused to accompany frō the Cittie it selfe. In this iourney the neerer the Pope came to the House of Loreto, the better he felt him selfe, that it might plainly appeare how he recouered his strength: For when he came to present him selfe before the B. Virgin his Patronesse, he was perfect well: and well remembring the helpe which he had receiued in the Cittie, and likewise in they way, he performed his vow with great deuotion, wherby the maiestie of Loreto did appeare more then euer at any time before. For at the same instant, you might haue seene many Cardinalls and Peeres of Rome, at­tending on Pius, and many famous Cap­taines of the warre which came from Anco­na to meete the Pope, and the high Priest him selfe praying with feruent deuotion [Page 114]before the B. Virgin of Loreto. And when Pius had religiously performed his vow, he went to Ancona with all that cōpany wai­ting on him. But the delay of the Cap­taines of the sacred warre, was the only hinderance, that he receiued no such bene­fitt as he desired, by the vow which he ob­tained by the intercession of the B. Virgin of Loreto. For being more and more im­paired with age and feeblenes, and fitting at Ancona in all the summer heates, expecting the Venetian fleet, and other confederates of the warre, he began to pine away, either ouer-wearied with their delay, or els with old age oppressing his feeble body, wher­with falling into a gentle and a continuall feuer, he was at last consumed, and depar­ted to heauen to receiue the reward of his labours, & of that most worthy endeuour, the 66. yeare of that age, deseruing worthy remembrance as well for his notable giftes of mind, as for his pietie and religion. Neither is it to be reckoned amōg the least of Pius praises, that such a man recouering his health by the helpe of the B. Virgin of Loreto, and so many Princes and Nations reporting it abroad, greatly increased the worthie name and reuerence of the House of Loreto. For vntill that time (very neere [Page 115]a hundred and sixtie yeares from her com­ming into Italy the fame of the House of Loreto) did not much passe the boundes of Picene: so that a certaine obscure or doubt­full rumour therof scarce came into the bordering or into remote Countreys: that none may thinke it strange, that newes of the transportatiō of the sacred House from Galiley into Italy, had neither pierced to S. Vincent Ferrier in Spaine, intangled in the schisme of Auinigon, and busied in the religion of Mont-Seratto, nor to S. Antoninus, nor other Tuscane writers of former times in Tuscane, all miserably vexed and diuided with Ciuill warres. Which truely was the cause why S. Vincent in a certaine ser­mon, following the ancient report, affir­med that the B. Virgins House was then in Galilie: and S. Antoninus and other ancient Historiographers of Tuscane, made no men­tion at all of the House of Loreto, as igno­rant of her memorable translatiō and com­ming into Italie. Yet Blondus the Histori­ographer, almost equall with the aboue mentioned, being the Popes seruant, and hauing sufficient knowledge therof, left (as we shewed before) a worthy testimo­nie of the sacred House of Loreto. And of her miraculous transportation, therfore [Page 116]peraduenture ancienter Historiographers made no mention at all, lest they might seeme to haue reported a vaine and an in­credible thing, specially seeing so vnusuall a miracle, neuer heard of from the begin­ning of the world, was not as yet confir­med by the Popes authoritie. But assoone as Pius the Pope, readie to dye, in the sight of the Cittie, and as it were of the whole Christiā world, was restored to his health by so euident a miracle, at the intercession of our B. Lady of Loreto; it so meruailously increased her religion & honour, that from that time the House of Loreto filled the re­motest Countreis with the fame of her name: and out of the fardest part of the world inuited Pilgrimes to Loreto; where a few yeares before the diuine prouidence had prepared a very conuenient refuge and succour for all.

The sacred House is endowed with goodly possessions by the Bishop of Recanati, for the reliefe of poore Pilgrimes. CHAP. XXVII

NICOLAS ASTIVS a man famous for sanctimonie and learning, Hier. Angel. being Bishop of Re­canati, by reason of his excee­ding deuotiō to the B. Virgin of Loreto, Out of the Bull of Iulius the second. purposed to augment and main­taine her honour, with his vttermost ende­uour. For a great multitude of poore Pil­grimes resorted daily to Loreto either to per­forme their vowes, or els to gaine the In­dulgences, whom the treasurie of Loreto ve­rie bountifully relieued for her abilitie, be­stowing large portions to euery one. And lest the fountaine of this benignitie might in time decrease, the Bishoppe of Recanati thought good to increase it with the reue­nues of certaine landes. For hauing many pleasant and fruitfull possessions, neere to the House of Loreto, he gaue and dedicated [Page 118]them to the B. Virgin mother of God, the 58. yeare of that age. The Charter of which Donation, we thought good to in­sert in this place, that all might not only know the exceeding pietie or Nicolas the Bishop towards the B. Virgin of Loreto; but also how much money the House of Loreto bestowed on poore Pilgrimes, The libe­ralitie of the Sacred H [...]use to the poore. when she had no possessions at all. And thus it is: Nicolas Bishop of Recanati and Macerata obtaining the gouernment of the Church of our B. Ladie of Lo­reto in the Diocesse of Recanat [...], by dispensation of the Sea Apostolicke; and [...]onsidering the continuall de­uotion and sincere loue, which he alwaies had to the a [...]ores [...]id Church of our B. Ladie, the great multi­tude of Pilgrimes and of other people w [...]i [...] came thi­ther to per [...]orme their vowes, and to gaine the Indul­gences, and o [...] many feeble and poore men, who daily resorted to the said Church of our B. Ladie ( [...]esides the festiuall d [...]ie of the aforesaid most glorious Virgin Marie) AND ALSO THE EXCEEDING GREAT ALMES, VVHICH CHRISTES POORE RECEIVED OVT OF THE HOVSES OF THE AFORESAID CHVRCH, AND NECES­SARILIE MVST RECEIVE, & the rest that fol­loweth. Which is so much the certainer, for that it was committed to writing by him, who by reason of his office and function, must needes best know the state of Loreto. [Page 119]And the house of Loreto being enriched with these reuenewes, increased her liberalitie to the poore, in such sort that the fame of this bountie ioyned to her religion propagated the most comfor­table name of the House of Loreto farre and neere, inuiting the people of all nations to visit the House of Loreto. For assoone as the poore Pilgrimes of the remotest countreys (Who had beene partakers of that necessa­ry reliefe) returned home; they did no lesse prayse the liberalitie, then the religion of the B. Virgin of Loreto; which stirred o­thers to experience that, which they heard thē report. And very opportunely, a small thing to be spoken of, did not alittle in­crease this report beginning to be much spread abroad in Cit­ties and forraine Countreys.

The summe of the Historie of Loreto is set vp in the Church by Tere­man the Gouernour. CHAP. XXVIII.

PETER GEORGE TERE­MAN the Gouernour, a man of great integritie and wis­dome, hauing gouerned the House of Loreto many yeares, Hiero. Angel. after the death of Nicolas Astius, was also made Bishop of Recanati: who in time of Pius the second, about the 60. yeare of that age, in fauour of the Pilgrimes, set vp in the House of Loreto, the summe of that historie (gathered out of that little booke which in time past, as we shewed before, was pu­blished at Recanati) that all might haue meanes to know it; which he caused to be set downe in a simple and a plaine stile, comformable to the vnderstanding of the Communaltie, that it might be an accep­table and gratefull repast to the Pilgrimes not altogeather vnlearned, and no small ornamēt of the House of Loreto it selfe. And this endeuour of Tereman was so allowed by [Page 121]posteritie, that as often as that writing de­cayed with antiquitie, they repaired it a­gaine. For indeed the Historie it selfe, is repeated from the first remembrance of the people of Recanati; and the religion and di­ligence of Tereman did not a little authorize the thing it selfe: who demanding it by oath of the witnesses which then were li­uing, desired to haue so great a thing testi­fied as much as might be. Wherupon he alledgeth two sufficient witnesses, Paul Ri­nalducius, and Francis surnamed Prior, both Cittizens of Recanati, good men and of ap­prooued credit. And first Rinalducius often witnessed before Tereman the Gouernour (as he him selfe deliuereth) that he had heard his grandfather sundry times report, how he saw the House of the B. Virgin when the Angells carried it on high ouer the sea, and placed it in Recanati wood: and that he had also gone sundry times vnto it with many Cittizens of Recanati, whiles it stood in the wood. And also Francis Prior often heard his grandfather, being a man of a hundred & twentie yeares of age, and hauing the perfect vse of his senses, report (as for his testimonie he deliuereth) that he had gone very often with many others to the sacred House, whiles it stood in the [Page 122]wood, and that in his remembrance it was translated into the hill of the two Brothers. Moreouer Hierome Angelita, continuall Se­cretarie to the Cittie of Recanati, in his Hi­storie of the B. Virgin of Loreto doth deli­uer; that Paul Kinalducius and Francis Prior vp­on their oathes ministred vnto them by Tereman the Gouernour, who was not only Rector of the Church of Loreto, but also Bi­shop of Recanati, did testifie those things to be, euen as Tereman the Gouernour had re­lated them. Wherby it may sufficiently ap­peare, that Tereman the Gouernour, when he rightly tooke their testimonie of this so great a miracle, was as well Bishop of Reca­nati, as Gouernour of the House of Loreto. And lest any should doubt of Teremans since­ritie, Nicolas Astius Bishop of Recanati, in the booke of his Donation (which we menti­oned before) doth set downe a worthy te­stimonie of his sinceritie and religion in these wordes. Considering the gratefull offices of deuotion, the sincere fidelitie, & the verie great dili­gēce, which the Venerable & circumspect men, Sig ^or. Pietro Giorgio Rector of the Church of S. Sini­deus of Teramo, Gouernour of the sacred House, & also Sig ^or. Antonio &c. Priests, Residēts in the said house, for a long time haue bestowed in spirituall mat­ters, & in other affaires & temporall businesse of the [Page 123]same Church, & of the beloued house, and yet saile not daylie to bestow & exhibite, with diligent & vigilant care, with prudent endeuours, & solicitude: and the rest that followeth. Wherefore the approo­ued religion and authoritie of such a man, must needes make much for the credit of this short Historie, and from that time, either the health of Pius restored vnto him by miracle, or the fame of her liberalitie towardes poore Pilgrimes, or els the pub­lication of the Historie of Loreto, made the B. Virgin of Loreto fa­mous and illustrious among all na­tions.

POPE PAVL THE SECOND being cured of the plague, goeth about to beautifie the house of LORETO with a new Church, & to adorne it with his Decrees. CHAP. I.

HEREAFTER I will continue and go for­ward with the mira­cles and ornaments of the House of Loreto re­nowned and illustri­ous, in all the Christi­an world: for that their fame hath now [Page 126]filled mens eares and mindes. After the de­cease of Pius the Pope; the Cardinalls who accōpanied him to Ancona, determining to go to Rome, to the election of the new Pope, a horrible plague began at Ancona, by rea­son of so great an assembly of people (as commonly it happeneth) being much dis­tempered, with the exceeding heates of of the summer; which at the first, infected the communa [...]tie, but then the nobilitie and Peeres them selues. Therfore, the ter­rour of the present danger hastened the de­parture, or rather flight of the Fathers; though truely the flight it selfe, deliuered not one of them from the sicknes, Hier. Ang. to be an occasion of glorie to Loreto. Peter Barbus Car­dinall of S. Marke (remarkable amōg the rest, for yeares, wisdome and experience) being infected with the sicknes, began to be grie­ued in mind, The Car­dipall of S. Marke is cu [...]ed of the plague in the House of Loreto. to see the dreadfull shape of imminent death before his eyes. But Pope Pius the second, was a fresh example of the helpe of Loreto. Calling therfore to mind, how Pius was miraculously restored to his health, forthwith he gaue commandment, that he might be carried to the Church of Loreto. Whither assoone as he came, the multitude was remooued, and he him selfe was brought into the sacred Cell of the mo­ther [Page 127]of God; where with great deuotion, lying downe on the ground, he put all the hope of cure (next after God) in the B. Virgin, craued remedy against the danger of imminent death, and hartily recōmen­ded the Christian common wealth, depri­ued of her Bishop, to God and the B. Vir­gin. Neither in vaine: For as he was in prayer, a certaine gentle and sweet sleepe came vpon him, in which (as it is repor­ted) the mother of God appeared vnto him, in a certaine heauenly shape: who bidding him be of good comfort, told him that his prayers were heard; that e [...]soones the sicknes should be taken away, and that ere long, through the prouidence of God, he should be created Pope. The euēt shew­ed that the vision was vnfained. For when he awaked, the sicknes was gone: and by vertue of his vow, he recouered strength both of body and mind, beyond all expe­ctation. Wherof being exceeding glad, and ioyfully acknowledging the manifold be­nefites of God and his B. mother, he gaue hartie thankes to them both, and came safe and sound out of the sacred Chappell, lea­uing all that were priuie to his sicknes, amazed and astonished, with the admira­tion of the thing. And being put in good [Page 128]hope of the high Priesthood, by the pro­mise of the B. Virgin, and also well remē ­bring the benefit, which he had receiued, he cōmanded the Gouernour of the House of Loreto forthwith to be sent for. To whō he openly declared, how he purposed to build, a most magnificent Church, in ho­nour of our B. Lady of Loreto; out of hand in his name, and at his cost, willing him to prouide lime, morter, and other stuffe, sufficiēt for such a worke. Departing thēce to Rome, to the election of the new Pope, he him selfe was created Pope, taking on him the name of Paul the second: Paul the 2. doth build a nevv Church a­bout the House of Loreto and hauing scarce entered into his Popedome, he de­termined to begin the Church of Loreto; as not vnmindfull by whose helpe, he obtai­ned not only health of body, but euen the highest dignitie that may be. And foresee­ing alreadie in his mind, the greatnes of that place in time to come, assoone as the old Church was taken downe, he occupied great space of the ground adioyning, with goodly foundations, & speedily went for­ward with the worke it selfe. That a great part of the Church of Loreto was built by Paul the second, Baptista Mantuanus doth te­stifie, by whom in his Poeme Agelariorum, that is, Of the Shepheards, the Gouernour of [Page 129]the shippe, speaketh this to Antonie, a prin­c pall man sayling along the Picene shore. Bapt. Mant. lib. 6.

And a little after.

Wherby we may cōiecture, that he brought the Church of Loreto, almost vnto the roofe. And whiles the Church was forwarded with all expedition, the Pope did not only adorne the House of the mother of God with buildings, The In­dulgences of Paul the 2. but also with letters and Pontificall gifts. For to them that visited the House of Loreto, all the festiuall dayes of [Page 130]our B. Lady, and the sundayes of the yeare ben [...]ides, he granted full remission of their sinnes. It seemeth a thing worth the labour, to insert the beginning of both his Breues, that all may see the worthy testimonie of the high Bishop, cōcerning the great san­ctatie of the House of Loreto, and a monumēt of his owne health restored vnto him by miracle. The testi­ [...]ie of Paul the 2. Hauing therfore spoken a few things, according to the ancient vse of the Roman Bishops, thus he writeth. Though for the Greatnes of the graces which by the intercession of the glorious Virgin MARIE, the Mother of his Sonne, the Almightie, dailie worketh to the faith­full, making their godlie Vowes vnto her, holie Chur­ches, dedicated in honour of her name, are to be re­uerenced with great deuotion; notwi [...]hstanding that honour is to be exhibited more carefullie ton ardes those, in which by the intercession of the said B. Vir­gin, the Highest worketh greatest, and most euident miracles: as the experience therof is manisest at the Church of our B. Ladie of Loreto in the Diocesse of Recan [...]i, where miraculouslie was placed the true Image of the B. Virgin her selfe; and whither deuout people assembled frō diuers parts of the world, by rea­son of the great, of the wonderfull, and innumerable miracles, which there are wrought by the helpe of the glorious Virgin: AND VVE IN OVR [Page 131]OVVNE PERSON HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME, The b [...]e [...] [...]. and the rest that followeth. Moreouer with these Indulgences, he granted singular pri­u [...]edges. The House of Loreto S. [...]p­ted frō [...] iurisdict [...]ō o [...] the Bi­shop of Recana [...]i For he ex [...]mpted the House of Loreto, togeather with her ministers, and all things therunto belonging, out of the iu­risdiction o [...] the Bishop of Recana [...]i, recei­uing it into his, into the protection of the Sea Apostolike, and of the holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul: and graunted most am­ple [...]acult [...]e to the Priestes of Loreto, to ab­so [...]ue Pilgrimes, from sinnes and offences, reserued to the Bishop, An other testimonie of Paul the 2. or to the Sea Apo­stolike. I thought good also to set downe the proeme of this [...]ater Decree, in which he maketh very honourable mentiō of the House of Loreto, as followeth. Seeing to the Church of our B. Ladie of Loreto, seated on one side the walles of the Cittie of Recana [...]i, in which through the great clemēcie of God (as credible persons haue deliuered) the House and the Image of the glo­rious Virgin her selse was placed by the handworke of Angells, and to the which, for the often & the won­derfull miracles, which by the meri [...]es and interces­sion of the same glorious Virgin, the Almightie wor­keth on all that recurre vnto her, and with humilitie implore her helpe, daily out of diuers, euen the re­motest [Page 132]partes of the world, multitudes of people being deliuered by the aide of the said glorious Virgin, do flocke & assemble: and the rest that followeth.

Iames a Franciscan is deliuered frō an incurable disease, and from the assaultes of Diuells. CHAP. II.

CERTAINE miracles of this time are deliuered, which are not to be omitted. Iames of Pi­cene, a holy and a learned man, of the familie of the Francis­cans, being a worthy preacher of the Gos­pell, Chron. Franc. li. 6. c. 3. et 4. about the 70. yeare of that age, was taken with an incurable disease, which did much disquiet his mind: for so great was the force of his sicknes, that the very name therof, tooke from him all hope of helping people, by meane of holy sermons: wher­upon despairing of humane helpe, he tur­ned his hope and his vow to God and his B. mother; & forth with, notwithstanding his infirmitie, comming to Loreto in man­ner of a Pilgrime, in the sacred Cell of the [Page 133]B. Virgin, in time of the dreadfull sacrifice­with flowing teares he earnestly besought the Queene or heauen, that through the mercie or Iesus her sonne, she would obtaine for him hearth of body, which peraduen­ture might be to the saluation of many peo­ple, by preaching his holy Ghospell. With­out delay our B. Lady appeared vnto him, bidding him aske of her some other thing, for that which he requested was already granted. And Iames in cōtinent perceiuing, that he was restored vnto his health, gaue hartie thankes vnto the B. Virgin, and re­turned home, not so much ioying his owne happe, as theirs whose saluation he tender­ed. Neither in this onely, was he made par­taker of the helpe of our B. Ladie of Loreto. For certaine yeares after, being long and much vexed with the importunate feinds, he made haste to Loreto, the most certaine solace of his euills; where as he was celebra­ting at the Altar of the B. Virgin, with much greife and sorrow of minde, he be­sought her experienced helpe, and intrea­ted that at last his trouble some and dange­rous combat might haue an end. His pray­ers were heard: For as he was feruent in prayer, our B. Lady appeared vnto him againe, and sayd: Sonne be of good com­fort, [Page 134]and be thankfull to the giuer of all goodnes: the end of thy combat is at hand, and a celestiall Crowne remaineth for thee the Conqueror. And the euent approoued the predictiō. For not lōg after, the sorces of the cūbersome enemies were vanquished, ioyfull peace suddainly followed, and then was he called into heauen to be rewarded with celestiall blisse

Pope Xystus the fourth increaseth, and graceth the old Decrees, with new-ones. CHAP. III.

NEITHER was Xystus the fourth the successour of Paul inferiour to him in adorning the B. Vir­gin of Loreto. Hier. Angel. Bern. Cyril. For he granted new Indulgences vnto the old, & confirming the priuiledges of Paul with his authoritie, he freed the Priestes of Loreto from paying of tithes, and increasing their number, gaue thē facultie to dispence with vowes. Moreouer the 75. yeare of that age (memorable for the celebritie of the Iubi­ley) with Pontificall authoritie he ratified [Page 135]the Donation of Nicolas Astius Bishop of Re­canati (wherof we spake before) and wit­nessed his hartie affection and pietie to­wardes the B. Virgin of Loreto in the begin­ning of a certaine Breue in these wordes. Being desirous that the Church of Loreto, to the which we beare speciall affection of deuotion, should be frequented with due honour, and that faithfull peo­ple may more willingly recurre thither for deuotion sake, we confirme; and the rest which follow­eth. Neither doth it a little redound to the praise of Xystus, and to the dignitie of the House of Loreto, that when the Carme­lites had vndoubtedly acertained him, that all the holy places of Palestine (and among thē the natiue House or the B. Virgin) be­fore the Saracēs tooke thē by force of armes, were credited and committed to them, in their fauour, he witnessed the same in A­postolicall writing: which was the cause, Hierome Cardinal Roboreo is made Patron of the House of Loreto why afterward the gouernmēt of the most sacred House was redeliuered vnto the Carmelites, as in due place we are to de­clare. Besides Xystus committed the patrō ­ship of the House of Loreto, together with the Bishopricke of Recanati, to Hierome Cardi­nall Roboreo his sisters sonne, to no small good of the sacred House it selfe. For what at his vnckles request, and his owne godly [Page 136]disposition, he finished the Church which Paul the second had begunne, and increased the celebritie therof, with sacred orna­ments, with selected Priestes & Quiristers.

A great armie of Turkes readie to spoile the wealth of Loreto, is put to flight by miracle. CHAP. IIII.

ABOVT that time there hapned a great storme, to shew both the wealth and religion of the House of Loreto. Hier. Aug For when Ma­homet the Turkish Emperour, had assaulted the Iland of Rhodes in vaine, he sent one of his Captains with his nauie into Italie: who about the 70. yeare of that age, cōming on the suddaine to the noble towne Otranto, in the prouince of the Salentines, got euen the key of Italie: And hauing ran­sackt the places ther-about, he was readie to spoile the other maritime coastes of the Adriaticke sea. Wherupon the people of Re­canati (albeit much terrified with newes of imminent danger) without regard of their owne Countrey, purposed to defend the [Page 137]House of Loreto with all their might, and putting a strong garrison into the towne, kept watch day & night. And lest a vaine hope of getting the wealthy prey might al­lure the Barbarians to assault the sacred House of Loreto, they resolued to conuey the cheefest Donaries of Loreto into safe cu­stodie: so taking them out, and recording them as the manner is, by certaine men they were brought to Recanati, and laid vp safe in the Castle, being then estimated at six thousand Crownes. Among which there was a siluer statua of Laurence Medices (the sonne of Peter, who was nephew to great Cosmo) which kneeling, was aboue a Cubite high; and peraduenture the short inscription therof (wherin was Laurence P. F. Medices) deceiued Angelita, to interprete that Laurence Per-sancis, which signifieth Pe­trifilium, that is to say, the sonne of Peter. Truely I beleeue that when Laurence was so pressed with the Armes of Xystus the Pope and his Colleges, that he was constrained to fly to Ferdinand King of Naples his deadly enemie, he vowed that gift, and when the warre & danger was past, he either brought or sent it to the B. Virgin of Loreto. But the godly resolution of the people of Reca­nati, and the remoouall of the sacred gold [Page 138]and siluer out of danger, hindered not the Barbarians from assaying their mische [...]e. For comming with their nauie to the castle of the hauen of Recanati, to ransacke and sposse, and neglecting small preyes, they made haste to the prey of Loreto, which they vnderstood to be most wealthie, not know­ing that it was transported thence: The Cittizens of Recanati defended the House of Loreto, as we haue said, but to small purpose truely against so greate an armie of Barba­rians, puffed vp with victorie, vnlesse the Gouernesse of the place, had beene the sase­guarde of her owne house. For at the ve­rie sight of the Sacred House, such terrour came suddainlie on all the Turkish armie, that most vnwillinglie it caused thē forth­with to retire, all together dismaying them, and making thē to confesse that God him­selfe did protect & defed that sacred House. Neither was their sacrilegious attempt long vnpunished. For soone after the most proud Tyrant, was taken away by suddaine death, Otranto recouered by the Christians, and the Turkes driuen out of Italy. And this very danger moouing Card. Roboreo Pa­tron of Loreto, to fortifie the Church of Lo­reto, with the intended fortifications, soone after the Church it selfe was fenced in mā ­ner [Page 139]of a Castle, against the suddaine incur­sions of the enemie.

Pope Innocentius the VIII. doth honour the sacred House with gifts, and committeth it to the gouern­ment of the Carmelites. CHAP. V

AFTER Xystus, Innocentius the eight was chosen, whose raigne was so molested with his owne and with the trou­bles of the Cittie, and so in­tangled with the Neapolitan warre, that he had almost no abilitie nor leisure, to de­serue well of the Church of Loreto: yet he was not altogeather without this praise. For Innocentius sent to the B. Virgin of Lo­reto for a gift a golden tablet of great beau­tie adorned with the armes of his gentrie, Cod. Laur. to hang about her necke, as a token of his deuotion towardes her; an ornament of veluet for the Bishop (called a Cope) set forth magnificently with excellent flowers of gold, well imbrodered and glittering [Page 140]with pearle, and tapestrie made of silke and golde. Bapt. Mant. In whose Popedome Cardinall Robo­reo, as well Patron of the House of Loreto, as of the amilie of the Carmeli es, calling to mind how those Fathers had vndoubtedly acertained Xystus the IIII. his vnckle, that the sacred house before it departed out of Galiley, was committed to their gouern­ment, by the Popes authoritie, he appoin­ted them to gouerne it againe: who many yeares agone being driuen out of Asia by the Barbarians, filled Europe no lesse with good examples then with Monasteries; and in Italy latelie reformed their discipline with new rules by little & little decaying. Also out of their whole number, they sele­cted thirtie fittest for the gouernment of Loreto, wherof Bapt. Mantuanus, Vicar gene­rall of the congregation of Mantua was one, who wrote the Historie of the House of Loreto, and dedicated it to Card. Roboreo, the same yeare that he came to Loreto, which was 1489.

The testimonie of Baptista Mantuanus. CHAP. VI.

BAPTISTA MANTVANVS a deuine and an excellent Poet, The testi­monie of Baptista Matuanus. in the beginning of his histo­rie doth set downe a worthy testimonie of the House of Lo­reto, which shall not be amisse to insert in this place. VVhen of late (saith he) I came to the sacred House of the most holy Virgin Marie, and saw how great and wonderfull miracles Almightie God did work there, as most manifest signes of his ver­tue and clemencie; a horror came suddainly vpon me, and me thought I heard the voice of our Lord saying to Moyses; approach not hither, but put of thy shooes, for the place in which thou standest, is holy earth. And soone after he deliuereth, that in the Church of Loreto he had read a table, faste­ned to a wall, defaced and spoiled with moisture & antiquitie, wherin was writ­ten the historie, how, & by what meanes, that place came to be of so great fame: ha­uing, I say, spoken thus, he addeth. The Historie therfore contained in that table was thus: [Page 142]The Church of the B. Mother of God at Loreto, was sometime the Chamber of the B. Virgin herselfe, where she was borne, brought vp, saluted by the Angell Ga­briell, and ouershaddowed by the Holy Ghost. And he relateth the rest which Tereman the go­uernour deliuered to memorie, and sett vp in the Church of Loreto, that it may plainly appeare, that he tooke them out of the Ta­ble of Tereman. Finally beginning to praise this most maiesticall House, he doth not onely compare it to the earthly Paradise, where Eue was framed of Adams side; To the mount Sinay, where the law was giuen; To the Temple of King Salomon, ennobled with the speciall presēce of Almighty God; To the denne of Bethleem, the birth place of our Sauiour; To the mount Thabor, where Christ our Lord inuironed with most beautifull brightnes appeared talking with Moyses and Elias; To the mount Oliuet whence he triumphantlie ascended into heauen: but also preferreth it much, and far be [...]ore the most sacred Sepulcher of Christ, then the which, nothing on earth, is accompted more holy: Specially because God himself taking vpō him our humanitie in that Sa­cred place, laid there the foūdations of mās saluation. Of which praise this truly is a­worthy and a fruitfull conclusion. But why [Page 143]proceed I to say more of the ineffable dignitie of this most Sacrea House? For I may well conclude with the saying of the Patriarch Iacob: This place is terrible here is nothing els but the House of God, and the gate of heauen. And assoone as the Historie of Lo­reto was committed to writing, by Mantuan a most famous man, (vntill that day deli­uered by word of mouth) it was straight published with great increase of deuotion to Loreto, & good of mortall men. For this Historie wherof I speake, being spread a­broad in a litle volume, and being greedily and euerie where read, stirred manie to vi­sit and reuerence the sacred house of Loreto. But this verie yeare is not onlie memorable for the historie of Mantuan, but also [...]or the gift of a moste noble Prince. Stephen Bathori­us Prince of Transiluania (whome they call the Vayuode) sent to the B. Virgin of Lore­to for a gift, a siluer Image of our B. Ladie, The gift of the Va­uode of Transyl­uania. almost a cubite and a halfe, of excellent workmanship, and curiouslie inlaied with gold. At whose feet the Vayuode him selfe being all in armour is expressed in a siluer Image as if he were praying, which the Inscription of the base declareth to be a vot [...]ue gift.

A noble woman of France being pos­sessed with seauen Diuells is deliuered. CHAP. VII.

AND the same yeare is memo­rable for a worthy miracle. Bapt. Mant. Hier. Ang. Pe­ter surnamed Argentorix, a noble and wealthy Cittizen of Gre­noble, hauing Antonia his wife, a woman of like nobilitie possessed with seauen horrible Diuells, was so solicitous for her deliuerance, that when he had left nothing vnexperiēced in France, he brought her into Italy, where solemne exorcismes were vsed to litle auaile: first at S. Iulius in the territorie of Nouara, then in Modena, at S. Geminian, and lastly at the sacred Pillar in Rome, God reseruing the honour of this womans deliuerie to the B. Virgin of Lo­reto. Wherby Argentorix getting neither re­medie for her, nor knowing what course to take, despaired of his purpose, and thought to returne into his Countrey: but meeting with a knight of Rhodes of his acquaintance [Page 146]who knew very wel what cures were done by the helpe of the B. Virgin of Loreto, he perswaded him to bring her thither with great confidence, the 89. yeare of that age. Whither assoone as they came, the woman striuing with great force, was lifted vp by ten strong men, who bringing her into the most sacred Cell, presented her before the Image of our B. Lady. Stephen Francigena a Cham [...]n of Osimo (a man of approoued ho­nestie and vertue) being then keeper of the most holy Chappell, began to coniure the most troublesome Diuells, with exorcismes a the manner is; and at his command they confessed their names, but obstinatlie refu­sed to go forth. Yet the constancie of the Priest, & doubtles the power of god, ouer­came the obstinacie of the diuells. A posses­sed vvomā [...] deliue­red from Diuells For in the vertue of God, and in the name of the B. Virgin of Loreto, foure of thē being dri­uen out one after an other, filled the sacred house with great roring. The three which remained were more obstinate then the former, whome Stephen encountering with greater feruour, pressed to cast them out, often calling on the name of our B. Lady. Whereby not long after, the fift (whose name was Heroth) being wearied with the torments, went his waie, as by the signe [Page 147]was vnderstood, and speaking to Stephen said vnto him; Mary hath cast vs out, and not thou. Shortly after the sixt breaking forth cried with mornfull plaint, Marie, Marie, thou art to cruell against vs. When the rest were cast forth, the last named Ar­ctus, more stubborne thē all the other, with sorrowfull lamentation and howling be­gan to say: M [...]ie thou art to potent, spe­cially in this place, where thou doest thrust vs out of our possession most vnwillingly. The Diuell making such honourable men­tion of that place, put into Stephen a desire, to question with him ther-about. Wher­fore to wrest the truth out of a liar, he was fully determined neither to cease to demād of him, what manner of place it was, nor to desist to commaund him, in the name of God and his B. Mother to tell the truth. Neither in vaine: for Arctus being constrai­ned by vertue of the exorcismes, at last cō ­fessed that it was the Chamber of the Mo­ther of God, where the conceiued Almigh­tie God by the foretelling of Gabriel; adding withall that Almightie God enforced him to tell him the truth. Which enkindled in Stephen a desire to know where the An­gell stood, when he saluted the B. Virgin; and where the B. Virgin prayed, when [Page 148]she was saluted by the Angell. Therfore to wrest the truth out of the father of lies, he was most diligent to compell him with so­lemne exorcismes, to shew both places out of hand. Who at last compelled by diuine power, declared, that indeed the B. Virgin praying to Almighty God, in the angle of the sacred Cell, a little beyond the place where the Gospell is read being on the right hand of the most sacred Chymney (where at this present standeth a footstoole to kneele vpon) was there saluted by Gabri­ell; and that the Angell stood right against her in the cōtrary angle, on the right hand of the window, that it may easily appeare, the Angell for reuerence of the B. Virgin, sought out the remotest place, within the walls of the sacred Cell. And when Arctus had declared these things, he was at last for­ced out of the body of the possessed womā, leauing her without sense: who not long after, comming to her selfe, and arising frō the floore, where she lay prostrate, togeather with her husband, gaue manifold thankes to the B. Virgin of Loreto, and deuoutly per­formed her vow. There is scarce any thing of this kinde more notable, and better wit­nessed. For many of the magistrates of the Cittie of Recanati were present, amongst [Page 149]whome was Iohn Francis Angelita, his father that composed the history of the B. Virgin of Loreto. Antonie Bonsino Asculanus, he that wrote the Decades of the Kingdome of Hungarie was there, and also Iohn Baptista Mā ­tuanus, as in his Historie of Loreto, he him­selfe deliuereth; who to that which we haue said, addeth this. That the said Ar­ctus being rightly compelled by vertue of the exorcismes, told this also amōg the rest, that the sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, before it departed out of Nazareth, was commit­ted to the gouernment of the Carmelites. Which albeit they were declared by the ma­nifestation of the lying Deuill; yet because they were extorted in the power & name, of the true and omnipotent God, they are not to be esteemed as vaine, specially seeing they may be true, and may in­crease the reuerence of the Christian Religion.

The gift of the Cittie of Recanati, for her deliuerance from the plague. And the departure of the Carmelites. CHAP. VIII.

AFTER Innocentius the VIII. Alexander the VI. succeeded, whose Popedome was no­thing more peaceable thē that of Innocentius, because Italy bur­ned still with Ciuill & forraine warres, al­beit more memorable, for the celebritie of the Iubiley which fell in the yeare of our saluation, 1500. About which time a hor­rible plague was so fierce at Recanati, that the infection increased more and more, and consumed many of the Cittizens, daylie threatning greater calamitie to that Cittie. Wherupon by aduice of the nobilitie, the magistrates resoluing to go in solēne pro­cession to the House of Loreto, made a pub­licke vow. Neither was their hope and prayer in vaine. For presently by the vo­tiue supplicatiō, the plague was (as it were) [Page 151]taken away by the hand of God, and the Cittie deliuered out of danger. Wherfore the Cittizens of Recanati, The gift of the Cittie of Reca­nati. in due of their vowe, gathering a great summe of money towards a votiue gift, according to euery mans ability, in solemne procession carried to the B. Virgin of Loreto for a gift, a gold­en Crownet, besett with pretious Iewells, the 96. yeare of that age: which Crownet being putt on the B. Virgin, they obtained of Cardinall Roboreo, that it might neuer be re­mooued; and got the Cardinalls benefit con­firmed by the authority of Iulius the 11. and afterward of other Popes. And the exam­ple of this gratefull pietie preuailed so much with the bordering people, that hence pro­ceeded that religious custome which at this present is so much vsed, to witt that the Citties and townes of Picene, with solemne supplication and pompe, bring yearely a Crownet to the B. Virgin of Loreto. Not long after Hierome Roboreo the Cardin all per­ceiuing that the floore of the most sacred Cell was decayed partly with kneeling and partly scraped vp with mens hands (for the stones were taken thence, & wrapt in silke to be preserued for reliques) paued it very beauti ullie with souare spotted marble, which was so notable a checker worke, [Page 152]that in as great magnificence, as the Church of Loreto now is, the same remaineth yet to be seene. Neere to the porch of the Church by the Popes consent, Roboreo began to build most magnificent houses, plotted by Bramāt, an excellent Architect of that time: and al­so opened and adorned a well of huge big­nes in the Cloister of the Church, that the townesfolke and strangers might not want water: and prouiding for the welfare of the Inhabitants, and of the Pilgrimes, he put the ancient Procurators of the Church of Loreto in office againe. For the grosnes of the ayre which was then at Loreto (pro­ceeding from the woodes and ditches ther­about) hauing consumed many of the Car­melites, Peter Taruisine their Vicar Generall commanded them to forsake the gouerne­ment of the Church of Loreto, and to depart to more healthfull places about nine yeares after they came thither. In whose place the Cardinall Patron substituted certaine godlie, but hired Priestes, who continued till the raigne of Leo the 10. in whose time the gouernment came at last to Chanons.

The Decrees of Iulius the second, his workes in the new Church, and the Donaries of Noble men. CHAP. IX.

ALEXANDER the VI. being takē out of this mortall life, Pius the 4. was chosen Pope; but his raigne was so short, that it hardlie con­tinued aboue three weekes. After Pius, Iulius the second succeeded, second to none of the precedent Popes, in deuotion towardes the B. Virgin of Loreto. For the IIII. yeare of his Popedome, either by the exāple of Xystus the fourth his vncle, or els because in reco­uering the Popes dominion by war, our B. Lady of Loreto had obtained for him the helpe which he desired, he began to adorne her House to the vttermost of his abilitie. And first of all he thought good to impresse the ancient report of the sacred house more deeply in the hartes of mortall men, with Pontificall authoritie, as a thing most effe­ctuall to increase the religion of the place [Page 153]it selfe. Therfore in the beginning of his first Breue, The Bull & testimonie of Iulius the 2. recounting the Decrees of his predecessours, very honourable to the house of Loreto, of Vrbane the 6. of Bonifacius the 9. and Martin the 5. & then relating the cause of so great deuotion to the House of Loreto, he saith that it is the Chamber of our B. Lady (as it is piously belieued, and the re­port goeth) where she was cōceiued, where she was brought vp, where by the salutatiō of the Angell she conceiued and nourished Christ: which House since that time being consecrated by the Apostles, first by miracle departed out of Nazareth, then out of the wood infested with theeues into the hill of the two brothers; from thence by reason of the brothers discord, into the hill where at this present it standeth. And afterward de­claring that he was bound to adorne the House of Loreto with no lesse care then Paul the second, or Xistus the fourth (whose wor­thy benefits towards the same were well knowne to all) he confirmeth their gifts and immunities, & rceiuing the House of Loreto into the protection of the Sea Apo­stolike, The bene­fits of Iu­lius the 2. calleth it the Popes Chappell, cō ­manding that diuine seruice should be ce­lebrated there with folemne rites, in like manner, as in the Popes Chappell at Rome. [Page 154]He also priuiledged all the Ministers of the Church of Loreto, to be of the Popes fa­milie and retinue with as much preroga­tiue as the best: and ordained a Gouernour ouer Loreto to be chosen by the Pope him­selfe, to whome he gaue mixt authoritie. From which time the towne of Loreto, The tovvne of Loreto is exempted from the iurisdietiō of other Citties be­ing exempted out of the Iurisdiction of Re­canati, began to be free of it selfe. Moreo­uer he gaue cōmandment that [...]ey, which brought prouision of victualls, or other vendible thinges to Loreto, should be freed of portage and tole. And straitly ordained that none should pilfer, neither the Dona­ries, nor the money which was offered to our B. Lady of Loreto, vnder the paine of excommunication, Latae Sententiae. For a­bout that time I find that the sacred House was enriched, not only with money, but also with giftes. George Monachus of Padua, The gift of George Monachus brought for a gift a siluer Image of our B. Lady of Loreto of fiue pound weight. Car­dinall Tranensis an other of the same sub­stance & forme, but of double weight And others brought other Dona­ries not needfull to be rehearsed.

A noble woman is cured of the Palsey. CHAP. X.

THIS time was also memorable for miracles; whereof that was the chiefest which fell in the yeare 1508. The king of Na­ples had a certaine person of his Councell called Lōgus, Bern. Cyril. famous for manie notable thinges, whose wife being a womā of great accompt, & also called Longa by the surname of her husband, was so taken in all her bodie, and tormented with such bitter paine, that she lead a most miserable life, more like to death then life: who at last re­iecting the help of Physitians, intreated her husband that she might be carried to Loreto, When she came thither, she requested her sonne-in-law (who accompanied her in that iourney) to procure a certaine Masse to be said in the most sacred Cell of the B. Vir­gin, agreeable to her purpose, the begin­ning wherof is, Repleatur os meum laude: Let my mouth be filled with praise: in which is recited the gospell of the palseymā whome [Page 156]Christ our Sauiour did cure: which being assigned for the friday in Whitsō week, was not the proper of that time, seing that day was past long since; but Longa desired that votiue Masse. She had scarce giuen this cō ­mandment to her sonne-in-law, when she her self (her sonne-in-law attēding on her) was brought into the most sacred nouse, & presented before the B. Virgin, not doubt­ing but that our B. Ladies prayers, would be profitable vnto her. Behould, before her sonne-in-law could fullsill his mother-in-lawes commād, a strange Priest came to the Altar, who beginning diuine seruice with this Introite, Let my mouth be silled with praise, stroke her into so great admiration, that she remained a while dismayed therwith. But presentlie turning to her sōne-in-law (who was not yet gone to procure that Masse, but now prepared to go) stay, said she, it is booteles for thee to go, for this is the verie Masse which I desired. And when it was come to that place of the gospell, He said to the sicke of the palsey, I say to thee arise: a wōder­full thing to be spoken and seene, the Palsey womā perceiuing, that by a certaine super­naturall grace, her bodie was suddainlie cu­red, & her soule replenished with vnwon­ted sweetnes, arose presentlie out of her [Page 157]chaire with greatioy, leauing all amazed at the strangnes of the thing; with flowing teares of [...]oy made no end of thankes giuing to the B. Virgin. And when Masse was donne, went on foote to her lodging to the greate astonishment of all her acquain­tance, who were present at the miracle of so great a thing. At which time the Duke of Termero being by chance at Loreto with a chiefe company of horse-men, to go to the war of Lombardie, as Iulius the second had ap­pointed, & knowing Lōga, & her incurable disease verie well, and also seeing her go on her feete, was first amazed at the noueltie of the thing: but presentlie being moued with so euident a miracle, he ioyned with her in praysing Almightie God. And eft­soones a new wonder made the miracle it selfe most euident. For the Priest who had said Masse to Longa, being long and much sought for, was not to be found; that you may belieue, he was sent by miracle, to be the minister of the heauenly worke. And Longa hauing obtained her vow, returned to Naples, purposing to consecrate to Alm. God, her health restored vnto her by mira­cle. Wherupon building a Monasterie of sacred Virgins at Naples, she betooke herselfe to the seruice of incurable diseases, whiles Raymund Cardona was Vice-roy of Naples.

Pope Iulius the second finisheth, and fortifieth the Church of Loreto. CHAP. XI.

MOREOVER Iulius granted ma­ny other benefits, to the for­mer which are declared and set downe in a long Breue not needfull to be rehearsed. And whē he had graced the house of Loreto with these immunities, he was very care [...]ull to fortifie the same. Therfore begining the workes of peace with no lesse courage, thē he waged his huge and troublesome war, he prepared not to build vp, but also to for­tifie the Church of Loreto, which Paul the 2. had begunne; the finishing wherof was hindered by diuers accidents and misfor­tunes. Cōsidering therfore that this most sacred House (not only illustrious for her wealth, but also for the fame of her sancti­monie) was seated in an vnfenced towne, as a prey to the auarice of souldiers and Barbarians, by the aduise and helpe of Bra­mant [Page 159]the notable Architect, he beganne to forward this his intended worke by Hie­rome Roboreo Patrone of Loreto. And Hierome thinking it the office and honour of his fa­milie, to adorne the House of Loreto with all his might, built & fortified the Church in manner or a Castle: for the very Chap­pells thē selues are made like to bulwarkes; and round about in the top of the Church walles, are conueied little p [...]nnacles and passages vnder the roofe, that on euery side the souldiers may passe safelie vp & downe for defence therof. To the beholder a far of, it hath the forme, rather of a Castle then of a Church. And a little hill doth helpe the fortification therof, in the top wherof it is seated, specially on that side which standeth towardes the sea. The bo­die of the Church doth stand on twelue great Columnes, like to pillars, wherof six on each side support the vauted roofe. And the said bodie hath also on either side, as it were, two winges, in which are erected six little Chappels, answering to one ano­ther betweene the pillars Al [...]o about the head of the Church, are placed seauen grea­ter Chappells, among the which are foure Vestries, wherin all the Donaries of Loreto are reserued. Vnder the thole, which is as [Page 160]the head of the Church, the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin hath the most prin­cipall place, and on euery side perspicuous, many caire Chappells of admirable work­manship, as we haue said, erected round about.

Pope Iulius the second, is protected from a great shot, and adorneth the House of Loreto with gifts. CHAP. XII.

MEANE time by an euident mi­racle, the Pope was more enkin­dled to honour & salute the B. Virgin of Loreto: for going to Bo­logna to represse the commotion of the Ben­tiuolians he came to Loreto; and the very day of the B. Virgins natiuitie said Masse in her natiue Chappell. After Masse with solēne pompe, he went into a pulpit prepared of purpose for him, where blessing the peo­ple, who flocked thither, more then vsu­ally, by reason of the Popes comming, he graunted remission of sinnes, vnto all that [Page 161]rightly visited the sacred House of Loreto that day. Some there be, who write, that Iulius made a vow to the B. Virgin at that time, going to prosecute the Tyrants with godlie and iust war: and truly the euent therof and the donaries which he sent, for the victorie obtained, do testifie the same. Iulius therfore comming to Bologna, Vicciar. lib. 9. On. fr. in [...]ul. 2. expelled the Bentiuolians, & pacified the Citty. And when he had taken Fauentia, Foroliuio, Rauēna and other Citties and townes of the Popes Dominiōs by force, & seeing that the siege of Mirādula was prolonged by the negligēce of his captaines, by a new exāple, he him­selfe went into the Tents, to animate the Captaines and souldiers with his presence. Where, as he was consulting of the war with the Cardinall in a Pauilion, he esca­ped manifest danger by heauenly protecti­on. For an iron bullet as bigge as a mans head, being suddenly shotte out of a great brazen peece by the enemie, ouerthrew the Consistorie, but hurt the Pope nothing at all, nor any that was with him in Coun­cell. Wherupon the Pope confessed, that he was wholly bound to the B. Virgin of Loreto, for that good benefit, either because he had made a vow vnto her, when he wēt vnto the war, or els for that at the first noise [Page 162]of the peece, he inuocated the said B. Vir­gin of Loreto. Hauing therfore taken Mi­randula with honour, and gotten other vi­ctories, he came to Loreto to performe his vow, and when he had giuē hartie thanks to God and his B. mother, he commanded that the bullet should be reserued in the most sacred Chappell, for a monument to posteritie, how great danger he eschued, by the protection of the B. Virgin of Lo­reto: which was hong vp on the left wall of the Altar, commonly called the Epistle side, there now remayning to be seene. But afterward Iulius the Pope, that he might not be onely deuout, but also grate­full to the B. Virgin, began carefully to a­dorne the Church of Loreto. And thinking it best, to enrich the high Altar with sacred ornature, he sent from the Cittie an excel­lēt sute for the Altar, of tissue cloth of gold, a siluer Crosse of fortie pound weight par­cell guilt and carued with excellent work­manship; two Candlestickes of a cubite and a halfe, of the same substance & worke, of 26. pound weight. And in the round base of the Crosse, there is an inscription, for no small token that the Popes victories were gotten by the helpe of the B. Virgin mother of God.

But Iulius thinking these giftes not suffici­ent, gaue also two ornaments of blew vel­uet for the Altar, (called frontlets) ador­ned with gold, precious stones, and im­broderie: wherwith he sent ornature for the Ministers, a Myter of excellent work­manship, and other Pontificall vestments for Popes or Bishops to vse in time of Masse. Besides he gaue and dedicated to the B. Virgin of Loreto purple tapestrie to adorne the walles of the Church, and many other giftes.

A girle of seauen yeares of age, is brought to Loreto by the B. Virgin her selfe. CHAP. XIII.

MVCH about the same time that the B. Virgin of Loreto defen­ded the Pope in the war, she in time of peace, made sure to her selfe a poore girle, by an vnwōted miracle. One Sabine, of no meane village in the countrey of Picene, (called Roc­cha Cōtrada) had a daughter named Alexan­dra seauen yeares of age, who kept his sheepe not far frō the towne; & whiles the sheepe were feeding, the girle was accustomed to pray to almightie God with great deuotiō vnder trees, whereby before she was [...]ullie of age, she dedicated her self to Almightie God by miracle; & by the iustruction and teaching of so good a maister, perseuering still in her prayer to reuerence the mother of God with great deuotiō, a Ladie appea­red suddēlie vnto her in heauenlie bright­nes (without doubt it was the mother of [Page 165]God) who taking the girle by the hand, cōmanded her to follow her. A wonder­full thing to be spoken, the Queene of hea­uen herselfe brought the little maid to the House of Loreto, thirtie miles frō that place, and when she had replenished her with great ioy, at the sight of her Image and of her House, she brought her backe againe to her sheepe. Whereupon Alexandra had a great desire to see that place & sight againe (though she was ignorant what the House and Virgin was:) for whē the tasted sweet­nes of the House of Loreto, once entred into her minde, with flowing teares she neuer ceased to intreat and importune Sabine her father to bring her to that house which shined with so many lightes (for otherwise she could not describe the place) where that most beautifull Virgin dwelt. The father iested at his daughters request, ei­ther thinking it to be a childish toy, or els ignorant what place she described: but not long after it happened, that Sabine with his familie pilgrimaging to Loreto, Alexandra straight acknowledged the place, trium­phed and exulted for ioy; & turning to her father; Behold father, said she, this is the house, whither that most beautifull Vir­gin, cloathed in white brought me: hither [Page 166]I desired to returne, and this is the sight that I was so willing to enioy againe. Wherat the father was amazed, but ponde­ring in his mind the exceeding deuotion of his daughter to the mother of God, he perceyued that she was deare to the B. Vir­gin her selfe; specially seeing the mother of God drew her vnto her from her tender yeares, by a certaine vnwonted course. For which cause, he neither foreslowed to fur­ther the pietie of his daughter, nor thought good for him to cōceale this wonder. And Alexandra her selfe, when she came to riper yeares, tould it often to godlie men, who afterward related it to others, & to me my selfe. This miracle happened the 7. yeare of this age: neither in vaine. For Alexandra being trained in this Nouiceship, liued al­wayes a Virgin, and lead a most holy life, vntill she was 90. yeares of age, euery yeare reuisiting the B. Virgin of Loreto. And so great was the fame of her sanctimonie, that she was made Abbesse of a Monasterie of Virgins, in the towne Montabodo, where she flourished not onely with vertues, but also with miracles.

Neere to the Porch of the Church of Loreto, the Popes Pallace is be­gunne, by Iulius the II. and the caruing of the most sacred House is purposed. CHAP. XIIII.

IVLIVS vsing all diligence to finish and adorne the House of Loreto, was easily induced to greater expences. For when the most sacred Chappell was fenced with the walles of the Church, he thought good to ad a fortification to the towne it selfe, against the assault and sud­daine incursions of the enemie. Hierome Ro­boreo Patron of Loreto of worthy memorie, who vndertooke that worke lately depar­ted this life, hauing scarce laid the first foū ­dations therof. Therfore Iulius the Pope, prosecuting those worthy beginnings by meanes o the said Bramant (whom we men­tioned before) began the Popes Pallace [Page 168]neere to the Church, being a great and a magnificent worke, cheefly designed for the intertainement of noble men. The forme whereof is such. That part of the Pallace (where the entrance is into the square Court) being right against the Church, doth compasse it with two wings as it were with armes. The foure angles haue as manie turrets. All the whole worke doth beare the true forme of a square Ca­stle, hauing the Church for a fortresse. And at this day with the continuall labour and expēces of many yeares, the one halfe ther­of is hardly finished. Nether did Iulius, Hier. Ang. Bern. Cyril, whiles the Popes Pallace was in hand, de­sist to adorne the Church it selfe. A Quire for the singers, made for the ornament of the place, the excellent Organs of musicke set forth with statelie worke and gold, two bells notable for bignes and forme, and the foundations of the Bellfray were the worthy workes of Iulius the second. When he had adorned the Church, he pre­pared costly marble inough to garnish the most maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin on the outside: which doubtles had bene the greatest of all his workes, if speedie death had not euen then preuented his design­ments, Almightie God reseruing that ex­cellent [Page 169]praise to another. And it is not to be esteemed the least, which in this kind was the last of his mortall workes. The gift of Anto­nie Perot­to. Peter Antonie Perotto, Generall of the Siluestrines, bearing great affection & deuotion to our B. Lady of Loreto, gaue the Abbey of S. Lau­rence neere to Loreto (to wit in the territo­rie of Castro Ficardo) with all the villages, houses, meadowes, fieldes, oliueries, and woods therunto belonging, to the Church of Loreto, with the Popes approbation, the 12. yeare of this age. Wherupon a few dayes before his death, in behalfe of the House of Loreto, he confirmed the Dona­tion of that Abbey, with his Pontificall Breue, and ordained Perotto him selfe Go­uernour of Loreto, supposing (as it fell out) that he, who tooke contentment to in­crease the wealth of Loreto, would also be carefull to preserue & defend the same when it was increased.

The Queenes of Naples visite the House of Loreto CHAP. XV.

POPE Leo the X. succeeding Iu­lius not only in the Apostolicke Chaire, but also in his good purpose, desired nothing more, thē to yeeld to none in honour­ing the sacred House of Loreto. And to ma­nifest this his desire, God gaue fitt occasiō in the verie beginning of his [...]eigne. For at that time the fame of the celebritie of the House of Loreto, comming to Naples, prouo­ked the two Ioanes of Aragon the elder, and the yonger (by the commonaltie called the Queenes of Naples, because they were descē ­ded of the royall bloud) to visit the Church, which was glorified with so many mira­cles. Who with a greate traine passing through good part of the Kingdome of Na­ples, and comming by Abruzzo into Picene, were receiued of the people with great ioy and preparation, which way soeuer they went. At which time the munificence of Leo was very notable: for in all the townes [Page 171]of the Popes dominions, through which they were to passe, he cōmanded that these Queenes should be receiued with princely entertainment; not so much for their owne honour, as for the celebritie of the House of Loreto: and granted full remission of sinnes, not onely to the Queenes themselues, but likewise to all that resorted to Loreto at their comming thither, and rightly reuerenced the sacred House of our B. Lady the same day. The 14. yeare of this age, those Queenes came to visit the House of Loreto: and in Pi­cene there is extāt a famous monumēt ther­of. For the report goeth, that by this occa­sion in the territory of Mōte-Sancto (a towne betweene Loreto and Firmo) the faire beaten way was paued, which at this day is called the way of the Queenes, being so called in time past of these Queenes, in whose honour it was made.

Pope Leo the X. adorneth the Sa­cred House with ample Decrees. CHAP. XVI.

AFTERVVARD Leo comman­ded, that all the Indusgences, Immunities, The bene­fits of Leo the X. and benefittes of Iulius the second, & of the pre­cedent Popes, granted to the House of Loreto, should be ratified with an expresse Breue: which donne, he carefullie added more to more, aboundantly. For he made the Church of Loreto a Collegiate Church, giuing it the seale and other dig­nities of such Churches: where he ordai­ned 12. Chanons (out of which number the Archpriest, & the keeper of the befoued House were to be chosen) as many resident Priests (called Mansioners) and six clergy men to be adiutors in the Quyre, assigning to euery one his yearely pension, according to a rate. Moreouer to the House of Loreto, he granted all the Indulgences, which Rome enioyeth in the Stations of the Churches, that at the same time strāgers might gaine in one Church at Loreto, which at Rome [Page 173]may be gained in many. We thought good to insert the worthy Proeme of his Breue. Recalling to mind the great & almost the innumerable cominuall benefittes, The testi­monie of Leo the X. which by the intercession of the most glorious Virgin, her only bēgottē the Almightie, worketh at the Church of Loreto, to many of Christs, faithfull, in what place soeuer they are afflicted, with misfortunes and griefes, flying vnto the said Church of Loreto, with good disposition onely of mind: we hold it iust and due, to maintayne and pre­serue the aforesaid Church of Loreto vnblemished, not onely in the ancient graces of former grants, but also daily to adorne her with new giftes, liberalities, and bounties of prerogatiues. Then abrogating the summer fayers of Ancona, of Pisaurus, and of other bordering townes, he cōmanded that at Recanati onely, in the month of Sep­tember, (to honour the day of our B. La­dies birth) the mart should be celebrated and kept. Newes of the fayre of Recanati, and of her immunities being sent round a­bout, not onely to Christian, but also to barbarous nations to allure people from all places vnto it, prouoked the merchants of all nations and trades, to flocke to Recanati, to the denounced mart; as the Italians, Dal­matians, Germans, Flemings, Grecians, Armenians, Iewes and Turkes, lately expelled out of Spaine. Wherby it is euidēt that many mer­chants [Page 174]of euery sorte, either vpon deuoti­on, or els for the wonders of the place, (wherunto the neernes inuited thē) came to visit the House of Loreto. Neither were any prohibited to come vnto it, sauing Turkes and Iewes obstinate in their anciēt superstition, to the end, Margarites should not be cast before swine. Truely we vnderstood, that the Grecians and Armenians (though most of them were Schismatiks) striued with the Latines in deuotion towards the B. Virgin; for in the very entrance of the Church, many pulling of their shoes, and listing vp both handes and eies to heauen, approached in that manner to the most sa­cred House. Whither assoone as they came, they fell downe at the threshold most reli­giously; then prostrating their bodies on the ground, they adored God and his B. Mother, and to the presence of the B. Vir­gin and of the Altar, crept on their knees, earnestly inuocating the names of Iesus and Mary. And this celebritie of the mart of Recanati, commenced vnder Leo, continued afterward many yeares, with great increase of glorie to Loreto. But because he would omit no occasion whereby he might seeme to honour the House of Loreto, at last he or­dained that vowes made to visite our B. [Page 175]Ladie of Loreto, by any meanes should not be changed into other workes of pietie; wherby this vow was added, to those fiue, commonly knowne to be exempted. An other testimonie of Leo the X. And the Breue is graced with a worthy Proeme, which because it is to the excellent praise of the B. Virgin of Loreto, we thought good to relate, As it is lawfull for none, to be silent in the praises of the most glorious Virgin Mary the mother of God; so to declare them, we thinke none sufficient. For seeing there is found no surer a refuge, for the wretched, nor more effectuall for sinners in the sight of God, worthily & with all the affectiōs of soule and mind deuoutly acknowledging, that she is first to be worshipped in heauen, then to be reuerenced eue­ry where on earth: we thinke it sitt that the places dedicated to her name, should be adorned with all care, but those chiefly, which the B. Virgin herselfe, accompanied with Quires of Angells, hath chosen to herselfe, and daily in the same, worketh allmost in­numerable miracles, for the help & succour of Christs faithfull. Among which, by the consent, testimonie, and deuotion of all, her seat of Loreto, celebrated with fame, and most honoured with the concourse of deuout people, is worthily esteemed the first. For whē the most B. Virgin, by the appointment of Almightie God (as credible persons haue deliuered) translated her Image and her Chamber, from Nazareth, that she might place it, first at Flumen, a towne of [Page 176]Dalmatia, then in the territorie of Recanati, in a wooddte place, and againe in a certaine hill in the same territorie, belonging to particuler persons; last of all in the high way (where now it remaineth) she chose herselfe a seat, placing it there by the hands of Angells, where the highest worketh innumerable mi­racles by her merites. For which cause many of the Roman Bishops, our Predecessours, but chiefly Paul the second, Xystus the fourth, and Iulius the se­cond, of happie memorie, hauing great reason to be exceedingly deuoted to the sacred Virgin, to make the Christiā people more acceptable to Almightie God and his B. Mother, adorned with diuers, but chiefly with spirituall giftes, the Church of Loreto, which hath increased by so great a miracle, and daily doth increase. And the rest that follow­eth.

The sacred House is adorned with worthy ornaments and Donaries. CHAP. XVII.

LEO the Pope would not haue the House of Loreto to be more adorned with Apostolical let­ters, The orna­ments of Leo the X. then with Pōtificall rich­es: for in this meane time he speedilie forwarded the building of the Church and of the sacred House of Loreto: adorned two Oratories of the Church with turrets, which he caused to be gar­nished about with checker worke, and applied his mind to adorne the most sacred Cell it selfe: yet he thought it not good to beautifie the sacred walls on the inside, that there might be no other ornature in them, besides the very walles, which the habitatiō and touchings of Christ and the B. Virgin did inough and abundantly adorne. Ende­uouring therfore to adorne the most sacred Chappell magnificently on the outside (and the stuffe lately prepared by Iulius for that [Page 178]purpose prouoking him on) he conceiued in his mind so sumptuous an ornament, as might well beseeme the B. Virigin Mother of God, the Roman Bishop the vicar of Christ, and the maiestie and religion of the place it selfe, as far forth as the imbecillity and weaknes of man could attaine vnto. Wherupon he cōmitted the drawing of the modell of this worke to Sansouino a notable Architect & Statuarie of those times, cōmā ­ding him to deliuer his owne opiniō therof, for that he purposed to go about such a peece of worke, as in a small subiect he might happily excell all the magnificence of his time. The industrie of the wise Ar­chitect, did not faile the Princely mind of the Pope, for he drew such a forme, as was answerable to Leo his wishes, who was as diligent to finish the worke it selfe, as to desire and approue the modell. But because there was not inough of the richest marble, and the forme described required great pee­ces of the same, he commanded that they should be fetched from Carrara (which is a quarrey of white marble of most estimatiō in all Liguria) & not regarding the charges, he tooke order that Ligurian marble should be layd into vessells, to be brought about a long circuit (for it must needes be conueyed [Page 179]by the Inferū, and Superum seas, almost all the coast of Italy, as long as it is) which at last being vnladen either at Ancona, or els at the hauen of Recanati, were carried to Loreto in cartes, where they were polished with the antique worke of the Greekes and Romans, by the rarest workmen of that age, hired with great expences. Meane while Leo be­stowed no small benefit on the Church of Loreto, The gift of Leo the X. to increase the maiestie and religion of the place. For to make the representatiō of the Seate of Loreto more maiesticall, God. Laur. he made Peter Antonie Perotto the Gouernour, when he celebrated Masse, the more venera­ble not onely with Episcopall, but also with other ornature and attire: and grāted vnto him, whē he said Masse, to blesse the people with Episcopall authoritie and priuiledge. Neither was Leo more carefull to adorne the Prelate of Loreto, then the Altar with Pon­tificall gifts. Foure siluer Candlesticks of a cubite and a halfe, parcell guilt, and ingrauē with curious worke, about 50. pound weight, & a square Canopy, were the wor­thy Donaries of Leo. About the same time the House of Loreto was honoured with o­ther gifts of most noble persons. Of Anto­nie Leiua & others. Antonie Le­iua, Generall of the Spanish Armie, sent for a gift, a vestment of damaske for the Preist, [Page 180]curiously wrought with curled gold. The Queene of Hungary, her owne Image of sil­uer, as if she were praying, of XXX. pound weight. The Marquesse of Mantua, vestmēts for the Priest & Ministers sacrificing with solemnitie, made of siluer and gold. And o­thers presented other Donaries; who al­though they were noble personages: yet they desired to haue their names concealed in their gi ts, of which these be the cheifest. A siluer statua of the B. Virgin, with the Image of the most sweet child IESVS, holding a globe in his hand, of 8. pound weight. To this was added an other of e­quall weight & like fashion, differing onely in this, that Christ the little Childe doth sitt in his mothers lappe, holding a peare in his right hand. Besides there is an other Image of our B. Lady pourtraited in siluer of XI. pound weight. And also an other of like weight, with the ensignes of the Imperiall Eagle, that it may not obscurely appeare whence it was sent.

A Dalmatian Priest commeth to Lo­reto, carrying vp, with his hand, his bowells pulled out of his bellie. CHAP. XVIII.

MVCH about the same time, a wonderfull thing & more cre­dible for the infinite power of God, then for the strangenes of the fact, made the House of Loreto much more illustrious in all the whole world. A Dalmatian Priest, a man of true simplicitie, and of great deuotion to the B. Virgin of Loreto, being takē by chāce by the Turkes, and by all subtill meanes vrged to renounce his religion, would in no wise admitt such wicked persuasions, neither into eare nor mind; but greatly disdained those importunate wretches, and the more to offend them, freely called on Christ and likewise on Marie: which they stomaking, & demanding why he repea­ted those names so often; he answered, be­cause they be fixed in my bowells. Wher­upō [Page 182]the Turkes threatned, that they would pull forth his very bowells, vnlesse in con­tinent he would abiure Christ and Marie, You are deceiued, said he, my bowells in­deed you may take from me, but Christ and Marie you cannot take from me. Then in great rage, they assaulted the Priest with a drawne sword, who calling on the B. Vir­gin of Loreto, made a vow vnto her, that with the first oportunitie, he would go to Loreto, to visit her, if life would giue him leaue. Which speach did more enkindle the inraged Turkes: for compassing him about, and cutting and opening his breast, they drew out his bowells, tearing them from the vppermost partes, and deliuered them to him selfe now halfe dead, and by & by, as they supposed, ready to fall downe, scorning him in this manner. Go, make haste, & carrie thy bowells in which thou saist Marie of Loreto doth adhere, vnto her, as thou hast vowed. And albeit it exceed all credit, which we are now to deliuer: yet neither the power nor the goodnes of Almightie God. For the Priest who was readie to die (God prolonging death and giuing him sufficient strength) began to set forward, and speedilie dispatching a iourney of many dayes, came to Loreto, car­rying [Page 183]his bowells in his hand. Which way soeuer he went, great resort was made vnto him, with desire to see and to know the matter. Wherupon the Preist (but cheifly to the ministers of the Church of Loreto) shewing his open and emptie breast, & his bowells, which he held vp with his hand, declared breifly the whole matter, leauing them all amazed, with the admiration of so great a thing. And when he had giuen har­ty thankes to the B. Virgin, & armed him­selfe with the comfortable succours of Cō ­fession, & of the holy Eucharist, in the sight and imbracements of the Mother of God (as we may belieue) he yielded vp his soule. The very bowells of the Dalmatian Preist, were hong vp hard by the most sacred Cell for strangers to behold, and as soone as they were consumed with corruption, counter­faite bowells made of wood, and affiged in the same place, remained there many yeares for a monument of that miracle. But be­cause the rude people, which came to the Church of Loreto, busied their mindes in such spectacles, & reuerenced the mother of God with lesse care, thē they ought to haue donne, they were at last remoued thence. Yet in time of Pope Paul the III. by occasi­on of strengthening the pillers which sup­port [Page 184]the thole, the rafter on which they did hang, being by chance cast downe, it was decreed, that a Preist holding vp his bow­ells with his hand, and a short narration of the whole matter, should be expressed in a table, to preserue the memory of so great a miracle to posteritie, and sett vp in the Church for all to beholde, which at this day is there to be seene. And the miracle it selfe is so witnessed, that it is wickednes to doubt therof. For many do yet liue, who affirme that thē selues haue seene the bow­ells, which were made of wood, and haue heard many of the Inhabitants report, that they had seene the very bowells of the Dalmatian Priest, when they were fresh and in their naturall state.

Diuers assaultes of the Turkes are re­pelled from the House of Loreto by diuine power. CHAP. XIX.

ABOVT the same time, the B. Virgin shewed by vndoub­ted meanes, how pleasing the House of Loreto was vnto her. Annal. Laur. Rier. Selime the Turkish Emperour, and the Nephew of Mahomet, comming to spoile the euer-vnuiolated treasures of the Cell of Loreto, attempted so great a wicked­nes, with no better successe, then did Moho­met his vncle long before. For being puf­fed vp with his owne, and with the victo­ries of his ancestours, he had almost all the seas pestered with his nauies, purposing to subdue all Europe, and the fardest partes of the West, vnto his Empire. Wherupon through his command, a great nauie of Pi­rates arriued in Italy, & after they had ran­sackt the shores of Dalmatia and Apulia, they sayled into Picene, hoping to get the spoile of Loreto; where landing their men, and ta­king [Page 186]the Castle of the hauē of Recanati, they desired and defaced the houses with slaugh­ter and with fire, and seeing that none did beare armes against them, the miscreants made hast to Loreto it selfe. But they quick­ly perceiued that the Sacred House (forsakē of mortall ayde) was protected & guarded with heauenly defēdants: for the very sight of the House of Loreto, stroke so great dread into them, that out of hand forgoing their attempt, they retyred backe vnto their na­uie, nothing at all doubting, but that very House, deare to heauen it selfe, was defen­ded by the celestiall power. And Sclime the author of this attempted mischeise, not lōg after perished of the canker, miserably con­sumed by the wrath of God, with a most filthy and lothsome disease. Yet this mis­fortunate end of Sclime, did not represse the boldnesse of others: for afterwards certaine that had beene Captiues in Turkie, esca­ping by flight, and comming to Loreto to performe their vowes to the B. Virgin, re­ported that the Archpyrats whome them­selues had serued, sūdry times set forth to­wards Loreto with a furnished nauie, inten­ding to robbe and to spoile the Church. But assoone as they came in sight of the most sacred House, they were brought into [Page 187]such suddaine feare by miracle, that they were compelled to retire, cōfessing indeede, that there was some secret diuine power: wherby audacity turned to veneratiō. For when this wonder was diuulgated and knowne among the Barbarians, from that time the skulking Pyrats which robbed on the shores of Picene, durst scarce attempt any hostility, in sight of the House of Loreto, much lesse approach to ransacke the House it selfe. Once onely two Turkish Gallies presuming to take a prey out of the territo­ries of Loreto, presently perceiued, that the B. Virgin Mother of God did reuenge her owne goods. For the same day being takē by Canaletto Captaine of the Venetian fleete, they were hanged: all the prey reco­uered: & the good of Loreto establi­shed by the death of those bar­barous people.

It deceyueth the auarice of the Christian armie. CHAP. XX

ABOVT the same time by the protection of Almightie God the House of Loreto remained vntoucht, not onely from the power of the Barbarians, but al­so from the couetousnesse of Christiā soul­diers. Francis Maria Duke of Vrbine, Annal. Laur. Rier. being lately depriued of his Signiorie by Leo the X. and afterward recouering it againe by armes, voluntarily ouerranne the Coun­trey of Picene, with great spoile, to reuenge, as he gaue out, the wrong the Pope had done him. His armie was leuied of the risfraffe of many nations, among whome there was neither manners, nor common language, and a prey was more esteemed then religi­on; so that by the Dukes owne cōmand­ment, it could neither be well gouerned, nor by any meanes persuaded from cōmit­ting of sacriledge. For many of the Cap­taines and Centurions hauing long and ve­hemently desired the sacred treasures of Lo­reto, [Page 189]dealt by messengers secretly among thē serues to take them by violence, and of pur­pose stayed all night at Monte-Faltrano not farre from Loreto, purposing to ransacke the House of Loreto destitute of defence, as soone as the day appeared. The wicked design­ment of the armie was not vnknowne to the Duke, both godly and wise. For which cause he laboured hard by interpreters to auert the desperate Captaines of those bar­barous people from their wicked determi­nation, and forced to hinder their lewd purpose by his Italian companies: he did all that he could, he laboured to his vtter­most, to turne their inflamed desire of rob­bing rather an other way. But the eares of all being dease and stopt with auarice, the greater part (as many times it happeneth) ouercame the better, and sending before their scoutes, they them selues began to march forward before it was cleere day. The Duke dissuaded them againe, and in­termingling threates with faire speeches, requested them to desist from that sacrilegi­ous iourney: when nothing preuailed, he besought them (if they were resolued to go to Lore [...]o) to change their minds to the con­trary, and to go to the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin mother of God for deuotion [Page 190]sake, as all others did: If they did other­wise, he did not only threaten them with his, but also with the wrath of God, set­ting before them the late examples of the Turkes. But hauing their mindes filled with furie and couetousnes, and reiecting all good Counsaile, they went forward, ve­hemētly desiring to lay hands on the spoile, which alreadie (in hope & opinion) they had wholy deuoured. The Duke followed the Armie, which he could not rule, to mi­tigate the sacriledge that he could not hin­der. But the protection of the B. Virgin was not wanting to her most sacred Cell. For the scoutes who were sent before, ap­proaching neere to Loreto, and vaunting for ioy to see that all was cleere, suddainly a multitude of fierce wolues (that sauage beastes might represse the sauagenesse of men) rushed forth of the next wood, and as it were in battell order gaue an assault on the forerunners; deuoured and tore in peeces most of them, frighted out of their witts with the suddaine terrour; & made the rest to flie, more desirous to saue them selues, then to seeke after the prey which they went about. Who assoone as they came to the first squadron, halfe dead with feare, with running, and with wearisom­nes [Page 191]and recouering some sparkle of life, after so great feare, they opened to the fel­lowes of their wickednes, the cause of their desperate flight and terrour; aduised them againe and againe, to beware what they did: that God was the Protectour and the reuenger of the sacred House of Loreto, that so great an armie of wolues, and such huge shapes of sauage beastes, came not out of that wood, but by miracle were let loose on the robbers of that holy House: nei­ther were they to fight so much with the armie of those beastes, as with God and his Saintes. But the furious guiders of the Ar­mie, scoffing with soldier-like termes at the terrour of the scoutes, as vaine, made haste to lay handes on their intended prey. But in very deed assoone as the sacred House shewed it selfe, suddainely great feare, came on all the armie, and like distracted people all began to tremble, with the dread that God stroke into their harts. Wherby their furie was so appeased, that the authours of the wickednes remembred them selues. and either the wrath of God, or els the re­ligion of the Church so affrighted them, that at one instant they desisted from their premeditated theft. But lest they might returne againe to execute their intended [Page 192]purpose, a new miracle happened to them, before this astonishment was gone. For when much of the day (as it is said) was spent, a cloud fell suddainly from heauen, which by little and little thickening about the Church, tooke away the sight therof, when notwithstanding all the places ther­about, were bright with the sunne-shine: which once being cast before the souldiers eyes, made their mindes immooucable, and filled them with so great dread that they fell downe on their knees, and turning pre­sumption into pietie, intended to go to Lo­reto to pacifie the wrath of God, and his B. mother. Whither assoone as they came, all (and chiefly the Captaines of the Com­panies) with great deuotion went into the sacred House of Loreto, and kneeling downe besought pardon of their intended wic­kednes. Besides they honoured the B. Vir­gin with giftes, whome they purposed to haue robbed: so that they beganne their iourney with a mad attempt, but conclu­ded it with a happie ending. The Duke of Vrbine being exceeding glad at the vnex­pected issue of their wickednes, gaue har­tie thankes to God & the B. Virgin for the auerted sacriledge; and forth with in the first entrance of the most maiesticall Cell, [Page 193]hūg vp his armour, in memorie of so great a miracle, and vowed to with-draw his forces out of the territorie of Picene. Nei­ther did he faile therin. For in continent the terrible armie was with drawne, wher­by both the House of Loreto, and the Coun­trey of Picene, were deliuered from feare of ransacking and spoiling by a worthie mi­racle.

The towne of Loreto is walled a­bout by Pope Leo the X. and the worthy worke of the caruing, is hastened on. CHAP. XXI.

THE rumour of the manifold dangers of Loreto, and of the heauenly protection of the B. Virgin, excited Pope Leo to prouide, that hereafter the like dangers might be withstood & resisted by the endeuours of man, especially because thē enterprize of the Popes Pallace, inten­ded for a fortification of the sacred House, was so great a worke, that the continuall [Page 194]labour of many yeares, could hardly finish it. Therfore misliking a thing of so long expectation, and the better to resist the sud­daine incurfiōs of the enemies, he cōpassed Loreto about with ditches, rampiers, bul­warks, and walls, the XX, yeare of this age: and planted there many brazen peeces for defence of the towne, and to keepe of the enemie. So the Church of Loreto being compassed about with the fortifications of the towne, by surderance of a little hill, euen a far of, hath the true forme of a forti­fied Castle. The fame wherof did not one­ly allure Pilgrims to visit it, but also the borderers to inhabit it, and quailed the Barbarians & others, from attempting any mischeife hereafter against it. In this meane season Cardinall Roboreo Patron of Lo­reto departing this life, Cardinall Bibiana [...] made Pa­tron of Loreto. Bernard Cardinall Bibiana was made Patron of Loreto, whose substitute the Pope appointed Iulianus Ro­dulphus, the Prior of Capua; who at Leo his command (because lodging for the Nobles was already prepared) forthwith bulltan Hospitall for the poore Pilgrims. And when the fortifications of Loreto were fini­shed, the Pope caused a bell of huge bignes to be cast, to witt of twēty thousad pound weight, and called it Loreto, by the name [Page 195]of the towne. And being allwayes very mindfull of the worthy ornament, which he endeauoured to leaue about the most sacred Chappell, he was most carefull to solicite Sansouino, and the rest of the Artifi­cers with letters, rewards, and promises, to finish so famous a worke whiles he liued. The letter which Leo sent to Sansouino con­cerning that matter is yet extant, The third restimony of Leo X. the begin­ning wherof, because it maketh to the worthy praise of the House of Loreto, we thought good to relate in this place. Thus it is. For the immensiue and infinite benefits, be­stowed on mankinde, and cheisly on vs our selfe, by the immaculate Mother of the high God our Redeemer, we deuoutly and piously belieue, that the most sacred Church of Loreto (venerable throughout the whole world) was the little Cell of the B. Virgin, whiles she carried the burden of our flesh, and the place of the message of the Angelicall salutation, and of her con­ceiuing of the diuine issue, which she was to bring in­to this worlde, and in which the B. Virgin doth dayly shew her selse a very bountisull giuer of graces, spee­dily condescending to the vowes of all saith sull people: and the rest that followeth: the summe wherof is this. The most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, is worthy indeed to be had in great honour; therfore with speed and might, we must endeauour to dispatch her [Page 196]ornament with all expedition. Notwith­standing whiles Leo liued, the finishing of that worke could not be accomplished: for truly the kinde of the embosment, and the aboundance of those most excellēt statuaes, required more then one Popes reigne. Af­ter Leo, Adrian the VI. was chosen, a man otherwise godly and learned, but either the troubles of the time, or else the shortnes of his reigne (for it was scarce a yeare) was the cause, that he lest almost no signe of his deuotion towards the House of Loreto; spe­cially because he was wholly imployed in building of a sūptuous & a statelie Church at Rome, for the Flemings, (of which nation he was) dedicated to our B. Ladie surna­med Dell' Anima. But how propense his good will towards the House of Loreto was likely to haue beene, if life had permitted him, his letters written to the Gouernour of Loreto, do plainly shew, and the benefits, immunities and Indulgences of the prece­dent Popes which he confirmed. And al­though I find but few particulars of the do­naries which were giuen to Loreto at this time, because they were negligently recor­ded, yet they were not altogeather wan­ting. For there is extant a memoriall of Donaries, albeit the names of them that [Page 197]gaue them are not set downe, because (as I belieue) they them selues would haue them suppressed, that they might be more gratefull to God and his B. Mother. Not­withstanding I find the particular monu­ments of some. Iohn Baptista Caraffa of Na­ples, Iohn Caponaccia of Padua, Philip Barbo of Venice, Laurence an Hungarian, Duke of Vilaco, and Vrsino Vrsinio a Roman, dedicated euery one his owne siluer Image to our B. Ladie of Loreto, and the Marquesse of Mantua brought worthie ornaments of gold and siluer for the Priest and ministers, celebra­ting with so­lēnitie.

Pope Clement the seauenth, doth adorne the House of Loreto with Decrees, and continueth the adorning of the most sacred Cell. CHAP. XXII.

AFTER Adrian, Clemēt the VII. Cosin-german to Leo the X. was created Pope, whose Pope dome, being disquieted with domestical & forraine warres, not only the ransacking of the Cittie of Rome, but also his deuotion towardes the House of Loreto, made very famous. For in the beginning of his raigne he esteemed nothing more, then to adorne the House of Loreto with Pontificall Decrees, wherin he might both confirme the ancient, and also bestow new benefitts. In this place I cannot omitt the beginning of a certaine Breue of his, very honorable to the B. Vir­gin of Loreto, which is thus. Seeing diuers of the Roman Bishops, but speciallie Pope Leo X. of [Page 199]happie memorie our Predecessour, and Cosin-german according to the flesh, beholding the mani [...]old & great miracles, which the highest worketh daily in our Church of our B. Ladie of Loreto, & mooued with singular deuotion and pietie at d [...]uers times, granted very many pri [...]iledges, immunities, and grates to the Church it selfe, and to the Chapter, Chanons, and other persons of the said House: the who haue al­waies beene singularly deuoted towards the B. Vir­gin (vnder whose Patronage the said Church was built) and hauing speciall care that whatsoeuer hath beene granted in fauour of the said Church, should be sasely preserued. And the rest that followeth. Among the benefits of Clement one was, to take frō the people of Recanati all iurisdictiō ouer Loreto, if they had any remaining. Also it was no small benefit of his, to promote Iohn Matthew Gibert of Verona, a man famous for learning & vertue, to the Patronship of Loreto, by whom the House of Loreto was furnished and adorned with sacred orna­ture; with choise Chanons, and solemne Cerimonies. The porch of the Bishops Pallace was vaulted: the well which (as we said before Cardinall Roboreo caused to be made in the Cloister) was couered with a roose to the great good both of the inhabi­tants and of strangers. But aboue all things Clement was most solicitous and carefull to [Page 200]finish the notable ornament of the most maiesticall chappell, with like magnificēce as Leo had begunne it. Wherunto he was incensed either with the pietie, or els with the honour of his house, that the same fa­milie, which had the reputation for vnder­taking the carued worke of the House of Loreto, might also haue it for finishing he same. Therfore with great expences he hired Antonie Sangall, Raphaell Baccio, Nicolas Tribulo, and other most famous Statuaries of that time, and commanded that Raynerio Nerusio of Pisa should be ouerseer of the buil­ding of Loreto, but specially of that worthy worke, that it might be curiously finished, according to the dignitie therof. When the rich marble was for the most part carued and polished, and the rest in hand, Nerusio beate downe the bricke walls, which were built for a prop to the sacred Cell, and by miracle put of and remoued from the same (as we said before) and layd them aside for the people to beholde. Then leauing like space betweene, to be monument of the olde miracle, they thought it best to inui­ron the sacred House with new walles and to couer thē with the carued marble, that they might not onely adorne the sacred Chappell on the outside, but also support [Page 201]the new vaute to be built therupon, when the olde vaute and roose was remooued and taken downe. It pleased the Pope, that the sacred House should be vauted with stone, fearing if that the olde arched roofe, subiect to many lightes continually bur­ning should once be fired, it might bring vtter destruction to the most sacred Cell. Therfore art required, that deeper foun­dations and more firme ground-workes should be laid to make that worthie and precious worke secure on euery side from earthquakes. Wherfore lest the sacred house should receiue any alteration or detriment, by taking the earth from vnderneath, in opening the foundatiōs of the new walls, it was bound about with Carpets & ropes, as the vse is, and lifted vp with strong ca­bles, that it might hang in the aire by en­gines, vntill the trenches were filled vp, and the new foundations raised. At which time it is euident (for the thing was wit­nessed by the eyes of many) that whiles the earth for these new foundations was digged from vnder the bottome of the olde walles, Hier. Trad. Laur. the dustie and the beaten ground, and the hedge of the next close trodden downe, and other signes of the high way, where the sacred House did seat it selfe, [Page 202]were found, as new monuments of the old miracle. Which many noting and obser­uing, Hierome Angelita him selfe about the same time, set them downe in writing in his Historie of the B. Virgin of Loreto.

The Architect presuming to worke through the sacred walles, by mi­racle fell downe as dead. CHAP. XXIII.

AT that time the celebrity of the Church of Loreto begin­ning to increase, they thought it behoouefull that the most sacred House it selfe, should haue more dores; for thē there was but one (as we shewed before) almost in midst of the wall that standeth towards the north: by which onely, all commers and goers had entrance and regresse. Therfore in so great a multitude & concourse of strangers, one pressing an other, diuers were stifled by thronging and pressing of people, because the last gaue no place vnto the first, as many times it happeneth. It was thought good therefore (which many long agoe did er­nestly [Page 203]wish, and Leo the X. had so appoin­ted it, in the modell of the outward orna­ment) that the sacred Cell should be made a through-fare, by opening of two doores at the angles of two walls. But assoone as the aduise of the Architect was noised a­broad, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. in verie deed it seemed wickednes, not only to the inhabitants, but euen to the Pilgrimes them selues, to defile those walls with iron, which the deuine prouidence had preserued safe and vntoucht for so ma­nie ages togeather. Wherupon manie open­ly pronounced and said, that whosoeuer would aduenture it, would not trulie es­cape vnpunished; therefore the feare of Gods wrath deterred the masons from vn­dertaking the worke; and the euent shewed that it was no vaine imagination. For to Nerusio the Architect himselfe (going about the same) there hapned a thing wonderfull to be spoken and seene. For when the ma­sons refused to do it, he himselfe went to digge through the sacred wall, with great­er confidence in his art, then reuerence to the place. But assoone as he had forced his hammer against the sacred wall, suddenly his hand became nummed, an vnwonted trembling inuaded the rest of his body, thē his countenance waxed pale, as a messenger [Page 204]of great euill, and shortly his hart fainting, they that were present, supported him fal­ling downe, and carried him home in their armes, like to one giuing vp the ghost, and void of all sense. He lay almost 8. houres without life, vntill his wife a godly womā, and much deuoted to our B. Lady of Loreto, with prayers and vowes had pacified the wrath of allmighty God and his B. Mo­ther in behalfe of her husband: wherby the vitall heate hauing almost forsaken all the body, was at last restored to the ioynts, & breath began to passe more freely: so that Nerusio lifting vp his eyes, and life returning vnto him by degrees, knew the standers a­bout, and comming to himselfe accused his owne rashnes and asked help and pardon of our B. Lady. Neither in vaine. For his sinne being forgiuen him and taken away by deuotion, did also take away the sicknes of the body, that the care might demōstrate the cause of the disease. Assoone as he re­couered, he aduertised the Pope of the whole matter, and asked his aduise what was best to be done: who being well assu­red that the said euill happened vnto him more through to much confidence in him selfe, then the indignation of the B. Virgin (tempering his cōmand with godly admo­nitions) [Page 205]persuaded Nerusio, that vnder the authority of the Vicar of God, and without any feare at all, he should go forward with the worke which he had begunne, and seri­ously admonished him, to digge through the sacred walls, not so much with his hammer and boldnes, as armed with fasting and ve­neration towards the B. Virgin, so at last the thing would succeed according to de­sire. For it is not to be feared, that the B. Virgin Mother of God, will not haue her House to become a through-fare, who will haue it open to Pilgrims, not only without their danger, but also for their good. But the Popes authority it self could not inforce Nerusio, much frighted allready with the late euill of his presumption, to experience that againe, which he assayed a little before, with so great danger to him selfe. At last because the Popes command did vrge, and the delay of opening these doores hindred the building of the worke; there was a yong man, who seemed nothing fearfull to do it, who relying on the Popes authoritie, and much intreated by his friendes, would aduenture the thing. He was one of the Cleargie of the Church of Loreto, and was called Ventura Perino; who arming him selfe with three dayes fast, came with his ham­mer [Page 206]very reuerently to the sacred wall. A­bout whome there flocked a multitude of strangers and of the Cleargie, these solici­tous of the yong mans confidence, those in suspence with the expectatiō of the thing. But with humble supplicatiō, Perino is said to haue spoken thus. Sacred House of the B. Virgin, pardon Innocencie, for I do not digge thee through with this hammer, but Clement the Vicar of God, desirous of thy ornament: he coueteth to haue thee adorned, he, to haue thee a through-fare: Ther­fore let it please the Mother of God, which pleaseth the Vicar of God. Hauing prayed thus, he digged through the designed place of the wall without any punishment at all. And afterward the Masons (prepared with like fasting and reuerence) followed him, itera­ting his blowes with safetie, and opened three dores, wherof two giue free entrance and regresse to the people, and the third maketh way for the Priestes to the holier part of the sacred Chappell, where the I­mage of the B. Virgin is reuerenced neere at hand. At the same time the little win­dow, being alone in the fore wall, right almost against the Image, was made wider to receiue the light, and strenghned with brazen barres, beautifully guilt. And whē the rubbish was taken out, the olde dore [Page 207]being to bigge and open in the midst of the sacred wall, was also mured vp. And then the new walles begā to be raised, to be coue­red, and vested with the notable Crust of the carued worke.

Pope Clement being holpen by the aide of the B. Virgin of Loreto, doth adorne her with great care. CHAP. XXIIII

ABOVT that time Clement vsing all diligence to adorne the House of Loreto, eschewed great danger by the protectiō of the B. Virgin Mother of God. For the Cittie of Rome be­ing taken by fraud and guile of the enemie, he retyred himselfe into the Castle of Adri­ans Forte; where the Imperialls besieging him, till he was able to withstand their forces no longer, he implored the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto, not onely by vow, but also by letters. Which was to good effect: for not long after, he escaped from amidst the enemies bullets with safetie; & [Page 208]being in great want, was relieued with three thousand Crownes of the gold and siluer of Loreto. Bern. Cyril. So that by double benefit of the B. Virgin of Loreto, Clement escaped pre­sent danger and necessitie, and at last dash­ing the imminent storme of war, brought peace and repose to his people. Being de­liuered from danger of life, and from feare of war, he thought good, not onely to giue thanks to the B. Virgin of Loreto, but also (as much as lay in mans power) to requite it. Hauing therfore inuested Charles the V. with the Imperiall Crowne at Bo­logna, and returning backe againe to Rome, he came to the House of Loreto, to salute his Patronesse and deliueresse: and perfor­ming his vow to God and the B. Virgin with harty thanks (that the grace of so ma­ny merits towards him might not be for­gotten) he resolued with himselfe by all meanes to hasten on the building of Loreto, & to solicite the Architect & masons ther­unto, hauing a speciall desire to bring the Church at least vnto the toppe. To dis­patch these workes, he repayed the money which he receiued in loane frō the B. Vir­gin, wherby in his Popedome, both the Bishops Pallace at Loreto was speedily fore­warded, and also a roofe put on the Church [Page 209]with the admirable thole, which is as high from the roofe, as the roofe from the groūd. Meanewhile it was not Clements least care to finish that worthy Crust of the carued worke, which (as the beginnings made shew) was not vnlikely to be the most cu­rious worke of the whole world.

Loreto is made more healthfull by cutting downe the woods and drying vp the lakes. CHAP. XXV.

WHILES the House of Loreto was daily more and more a­dorned with excellent works, by cutting downe the woods, & drying vp the waters neere vnto it, the towne it selfe was made more healthfull. Bern. Cyril. For at that season the aire was generally misliked, by reason of the disea­ses and death of the Inhabitants: because (for the most part) being marish and vn­wholsome, it caused such distemperature in their bodies, that a good part of the yeare, the inhabitants: were all rhewma­tike and full of fleame: were weake and [Page 210]diseased, and children cheifly were taken away with vntimely death, who for the weaknes of their bodies could hardly brooke the vnwholsomnes of the next lake, & the grosse ayre of the place it selfe. And albeit Loreto is seated on a little hill which looketh towards the South, & the sunne­rising; yet on the West and the North be­ing inclosed with wooddy fenns, and inter­posed hills, all the wholsome ayre was ta­ken from it, and contrary, being on the o­ther part open, it admitted the vnhealthfull and grossest windes. Not far of, there was a plaine, allwaies foggie, by reason of the fennes, which came by the ouer-flowing of the riuer Musion, and also slymie with the winter fludds, which by little and little gathering together, for want of motion became noisome. You may beleiue that this vnwholsome seate was pleasing to the Mother of God, that the wholsomnes of her help might more appeare in an vn­healthful place. But at last newes came to the Pope, how in the towne of Loreto, many infants and children perishing with the foggie aire before they came to mans estate, by little and little the towne it selfe would become desolate, if that the inhabitants (as they intended) departed thence to other [Page 211]places, for want of posteritie. Therfore thinking it to the glory of the B. Virgin of Loreto, to haue the towne most frequented, and the place very healthfull, by aduise of the Architects, he thought it most conue­nient, to dry vp the lakes adioyning, to cut downe the woods, to leuell the hills which ouer-looked the Church (by the in­habitants called Monte Regal and Montinorum) that by taking away the origē of the mistes, and making the heauens discouerable, the cleare and open winde might blowe into the towne with many wholsome blasts, to make the place more healthfull. Wher­upon he wrote to Iohn Antonie a Statis Gouer­nour of Loreto, and to Antonie Sansouino the Ar­chitect in manner following. Vnderstan­ding that the aire in those partes (but speciallie in the summer-time) is very vnhealthfull, partlie for that a certaine hill ouerlooking the said Chappell and Church excludeth the vplandish windes, healthfull to the place, partlie also because in a plaine neere to the said church for fiue miles togeather, manie lakes and woods almost allwaies slymie, breed much vnhealthful­nes: and desiring to make that Church (famons throughout the whole worlde for the merits of the most glorious Virgin Marie, and the multitude of people reso [...]ing thither) healthfull by taking away the asoresaid causes; we haue now ordained, that the high [Page 212]hill which ouer-looketh the Church shall be plained, the lakes dryed vp by ditches, & the woods cut downe. Wherupon the Gouernour of Loreto (euen with greater care then he was cōmanded) beginning so healthfull a worke, the 33. yeare of this age, & speedily hyring a great number of workmen by the Architect (and also intreating poore Pilgrims to sett to their helping hands) made haste to cutt downe the wood next vnto the towne, to draine the lakes by ditches into the riuer running by, or into the next part of the sea, to leuell the hill that ouerlooked the towne, which because it was a long and almost an infinite worke was then rather begunne then finished: but that very beginning brought some better health to the in­habitants for the present, and also much hope in time to come, as the worke pro­ceeded on.

Pope Clemēt sendeth 3. of his Chā ­ber into Dalmatia & Galiley, to seeke out the remoueall of the house of Loreto. CHAP. XXVI.

WHEN the dwelling of Loreto was made more healthfull, the Historie of the House of Loreto was made more mani­fest. Hierome Angelita, a Cittizē of Recanati an honour to his familie many waies, not on­ly for the nobilitie of his parētage, but also for the integritie of his life. Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. Who at that time dedicated to Clement the Pope, the Hi­storie of the B. Virgin of Loreto which him selfe cōposed. The cause wherof was this: Because about that time, as before hath bene said, out of the Chronicles of Flumen, certaine Dalmatians brought to the Citti­zens of Recanati, the relation of the trans­portation of the sacred House, from Gali­ley into Dalmatia, and from thence into Pi­cene. Therfore either by reading the histo­rie of Angelita, or at the request of his friends [Page 214]or rather being mooued by heauenly in­spiration, Clement had a vehement desire, to seeke out the remoouall of the sacred House in Galiley it selfe. And albeit he was not ignorāt that, that very thing was made euident inough, both by the Dalmatians ( Frangipane being the authour therof) as al­so by the common consent of Picene, at the suite of the Cittizēs of Recanati; yet he held it to be the speciall office of the Pope him­selfe, last of all by speciall men to seeke out the certaintie of so vnusuall and almost so incredible a thing, that the authoritie of the Pontificall Sea, might confirme other folkes endeuours, vtterly to take away all doubt out of the hartes of men, if perchāce any should remaine. Wherupon out of the number of his familie, he chose three of his Chamber of approued religion and credit, whome he commanded to set forward, as soone as he had giuen them notice what they must do, and aboundantly furnished them with all things necessarie for them, wishing them a happie iourney. Who go­ing to Loreto, and viewing and measuring the sacred House with diligent care, ship­ped them selues for Sclauonie. Assoone as they came thither, they found a little an­cient house like to that of Loreto, famous [Page 215]with the monumentes of miracles; on a wall wherof was written, that in times past the House of Loreto had beene seated there. These thinges the inhabitants them selues did shew them, and that they repor­ted no vntruth, their true teares trickling downe aboundantly of zeale was no small assurance. Wherupon the Legates laying to their measures, and finding all things exactly to agree, cōtinued on their iourney, and ariuing in Galiley, came to Nazareth: where the inhabitants shewed them the foundations of the sacred House, which viewing and measuring round about, they found all things to accord. Among these Embassadours, there was one Iohn N. of Si­enna, who thinking to confirme the truth of the old miracle with some new signe brought thence two of the stones wherof the houses of Nazareth are commonly built: which by his naturall forme is like to slate (such as in some places is digged out of quarries easie to be hewed) but markt and distinguished with yellow veines. And Iohn returning to the House of Loreto with his fellow-Legates, compared tho [...] stones of Nazareth with the stones of the sacred house and found them to be of the same kind and very like: which also did increase the cer­taintie [Page 216]of the miracle, seeing it is euident that no such quarrie of stones is in Picene, where all buildings (though very ancient) for want of stuffe & such stones are knowne to be made of bricke. Wherfore being very glad of their good successe, they made haste to Rome, and after long expectation they came at last vnto the Pope, & related vnto him all that they had found. More-ouer Iohn shewed him the stones of Nazareth, very like to them of Loreto, as witnesses of so great a miracle: which was imbra­ced with exceeding ioy of the Pope, & with speciall applause of his retinew.

Three worthie men are deliuered from danger of death. CHAP. XXVII

ABOVT the same time, the House of Loreto was ennobled with most worthie miracles. Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. Iulianus Caesarin ꝰ is cured of a very dā ­gerous di­sease. Iulianus Caesarinus one of the Peeres of the Cittie of Rome, being brought to the last cast with a grie­uous sicknes at Bologna, the 33. yeare of this age, and being also giuen ouer by the Phi­sitians, perceiued death to be at hand, but imploring the helpe of the B. Virgin of Loreto, he suddainly recouered therof. The same yeare the Vayoud of Transiluania being ouercome and taken in battaile by Abrahim the Kings Lieuetenant of Turkie (whome they call the Bassa) by cōmandment of the wrathfull Cōquerour, was to be cast head­long from a very high cliffe: but calling on B. Marie of Loreto he eschewed not one­ly present death, but also seruitude it selfe. For by chance discoursing with the Bassa of religion, he so mitigated his outragious mind by heauenly helpe, that the Barba­rian [Page 218]turning hatred into loue, dismissed him with all the Transiluaniā capitues with­out any ransome at all. And at this day there is extant at Loreto, a great Tablet, cu­riously painted, and garnished with gold, where this very thing is not onely express­ed in colours, but also in writing. The fall and gift of Ferdi­nando Gonza­ga. About the same time, a yong noble man called Ferdinando Gonzaga, managing a very fierce horse at Mantua, by his forcible stirring, was throwne against the irō grates of a Church which was hard by, but imploring the helpe of our B. Lady of Loreto (a maruailous thing to be spoken) he had no harme at all in so grieuous and so dangerous a fall: and being very mindfull of his vow, he him­selfe brought to the B. Virgin of Loreto for a gift, the siluer Statua of a horsman, and afterward as long as he liued did cōtinnally weare about his necke a siluer Image of the said B. Virgin, either for a monument of that miracle, or else as a protection vnto him in the perills of this mortall life. Nei­ther in vaine: for in great dangers in time of the battaile, the soldierlike man allwaies experienced and felt the fauourable help of the B. Virgin Mother of God. Wherfore the Pope being exceeding glad, with the newes of these miracles, and also with the [Page 219]certainty of the remoouall of the House of Loreto, from Galiley and Dalmatia, began ear­nestly to solicite Nerusio, to finish the most worthy ornament of the sacred Cell with all speed. But it seemed otherwise to God, who giuing Clement the reputation for de­siring to effect so notable a worke, reserued the honour for finishing & ending it to an other. In setting vp so famous an ornamēt, and in bringing it to perfection (as much as lay in him) not onely his diligence, but also his magnificēce was so remarkable, that not vnworthily fame doth report him the au­thor of it. And albeit the armes and en­signes of Leo are inserted in many places of the worke it selfe; yet Clement put there no monument at all of himselfe; truely a rare example, and pleasing to God, that doubt­les by his prouidēce, the glorie of so excel­lent a worke fled from him that desired it, and followed him that fled from it. When they came to the backe of the worke, which standeth to the sunne-rising, Clement being asked of the Cittizens of Recanati, whether he would haue the History of Loreto writtē on that part, he answered, it seemed better to haue it likewise carued in marble, as the rest of the workes of the B. Virgin were, both because the History would be suffici­ently [Page 220]knowne and manifest of it self, as also, because the caruing thereof would satisfie aswell the learned as the vnlearned. But it pleased Clement the VIII. and Card. Gallo Patron of Loreto, to haue the summe of the historie of Loreto, written in a mar­ble table, which was vnder the carued worke, that the monument of so great and so vnusuall a thing, might be more famous and more knowne to posteritie.

The testimonie of Friar Leander Albertus, of the house of Loreto. CHAP. XXVIII.

ABOVT that time, a new testi­monie of no meane Historio­grapher graced the house of Loreto. Leander Albertus a lear­ned and a godlie man of the familie of S. Dominicke, in the booke which he sett forth of the description of Italie, describing Picene, maketh worthie mention of the house of Loreto, which place we haue turned out of Italian into latin, almost word for word: so therfore he writeth. [Page 221]Betwixt Recanati and the Adriaticke sea, not far from the Riuer Musion, on a little hill is seated the Church of B. Mary of Loreto, most famous throughout the whole world, which togeather with the towne is fenced with strong walls: where there be manie inhabitants, to intertaine the Pil­grims with hospitality, who out of all parts of Europe, resort thither to performe their vowes at all times of the yeare, but spe­ciallie in the spring, and in the Autumne. And being to speake of so great a Church, whence I shall beginne I know not: For on the one part the exceeding religion of the place, and on the other the great we­alth of the Church doth present it self vnto my minde; so that in verie deede my forces do faile me, endeuouring to speake of that most holie and most religious chā ­ber, where the Queene of Heauen, a per­petuall Virgin, and Mary the mother of God, and a mediatrice vnto her sonne for wretched mortall men, was borne, and brought vp. Where by fortelling of Gabriell the Archangell, she was made and called the mother of God, where god himself putt on humane nature, to deliuer vs out of the iawes of the infernall dragon, and to sett open the entrance of the heauenlie [Page 222]kingdome, shutte so manie ages by the default of the parents of mankind. And (as I haue said) whence I shall beginne the description of such a place, I am ignorant: But to satisfie the godlie and the curious reader, I will say something. Therefore first of all it is not to be doubted, but that this is the very chamber, where the Quee­ne of Heauē was brought into this world: For besides most certaine monuments of writing, which witnes it to be the chāber of the B. Virgin mother of God, translated hither by Angells, there is none so barba­rous and obdurate, none defiled with so manie and so great offences and crimes, that in the verie entrāce of this sacred hou­se (being as it were replenished with the present religion of the diuine maiestie) feeleth not his hart to be so mollified, that with all deuotion doth not implore the help of B. Mary, and by her suppliantlie intreate pardon of his sinnes from Christ; and trulie me thinkes the power of God doth inforce them to this verie thing. To these are added the signes and miracles wrought there by heauenlie vertue, and the benefits bestowed on them, which humblie recurre to the mother of God for help, which not onelie monuments of [Page 223]writing do testifie to be true, but also gol­den, siluer and waxen Images, and votiue tablets, which (for the space of manie yea­res and ages also) haue beene gathered and heaped togeather. I should be long, if by number, I should rehearse, the heauenlie wonders and benefits imparted there to mortall men, which trulie are so manie and so greate, that they may seeme incredible to them, who are not easilie brought to be­lieue that God doth heare his mothers prai­ers: & trulie Leander hath not desiuered these things with more eloquence than truth.

The House of Loreto is honoured with many worthie Donaries. CHAP. XXIX.

NEVER before was the House of Loreto more honoured with votiue giftes. For I find in the bookes of the House of Lo­reto, that at these times in their supplications, almost al the Picene peo­ple were wont yearlie to bring manie sil­uer Crownets to the B. Virgin, Cod. Laur. sometimes one, sometimes two, sometimes three, and [Page 224]sometimes no lesse than seuen, Many Do­naries of diuers kindes. either vpon vow or deuotion. And because there were now Crownets good store (for they a­mounted to 70.) they borrowed thē of the Keepers of the sacred house, for which they gaue a reward. Also manie Castles, townes and Citties of Picene, in there supplica­tions presented the siluer purtraicte of their towne, whereby at that time, of Citties, townes, and Castles, there were Images of siluer, to the number of eighteene: among which the purtraicte of Firmo, of almost twentie pound weight, for fashion & value did excell. And these also, the keepers of the sacred house did lend to other people that wanted goldsmiths, to be carried in solēne processiō, who gaue monie for their lone. And either custome (towit) of Crownets, or of Images of this sort hath so preuailed, that now it is chiefelie vsed. Neither did this godlie vse conteine it self in the bounds of Picene: for at the same time the people of Pisaurus, sent a siluer purtraicte of their towne of curious workmanship. But that the pietie of Citties and Contreys might not be greater then that of Citti­zens and moble men; Ascanius Columna fa­mous amōg the Peeres of Rome for parentage and wealth, brought for a gift to the [Page 225]B. Virgin, a siluer Image of S. Rocke, of one pound weight, and a vestment of cloth of siluer for the priest, celebrating with solē ­nitie. The Cardinall of the Foure-Crowned-Martyrs, a head of siluer, of foure pound weight. The Earle Rangonto of Modena, and Iohn Francis Bossius of Milan, ech of them a sil­uer thigh, of one pound weight. Pyrrhus Gonzaga a foote of the same matter and weight. Pardus Pappacoda a Neapolitā, his own Image of siluer, of double weight to the other. Alexander Calgagnino his owne Image of siluer engrauen, of three pound weight. The Marques Tripaldo, a siluer lampe of like weight. The great Prior of the knights of Rhodes an other lampe of the same sub­stance, but in weight some thing greater. Vincent Alsano o Perugia, his owne Image of siluer, of XV. pound weight. There were also sixteene Images of siluer presen­ted by others, (whose names are not kno­wne) of 77. pound weight. But much be­fore all the Donaries of this time, was the siluer Image of Lewes Gisilardo a Cittizen of Bologna, of more than fiftie pound weight: Then also was the sacred furniture increa­sed. Cardinall Montino (who afterward was Pope by the name of Iulius the third) presen­ted for a gift, a curious vestment for the [Page 226]priest, of tissue-cloth of gold. Card. Palmerio ornature for the Altar and the priest of cloth of golde. The duke of Maestricht vest­ments of blew veluet, adorned with golde, for the priest and ministers celebrating with solēnitie. Oliuer Fagnano of Milan orna­ture for the Altar, and the priest of the same stuffe. The Marques Bitonta a vestment of Damaske with workes of golde. And others either brought or sent to the B. Virgin mother of God other ornature, for the Altar and the Priests, as Crownets of siluer, chalices and other such like, which to re­hearse were long. But this praise was not due onelie to men. A crownet of golde of one pound weight, her owne Image of sil­uer, praying to the B. Virgin, of one pound weight and a halfe, a siluer foote of one pound weight, a Casket of the same sub­stance and weight curiouslie wrought, two cruets of golde of fourteene ounces, and golden bracelets of antique worke, were the giftes of Isabell Cardona the Vice-royes wife of Naples. The Marquesse of Guasto a sil­uer Image of the B. Virgin, holding the sweete child Iesus in her lap, of foure pound weight. And also the Turks sent gifts to our B. Ladie. For it is well knowne, that the XXIX. yeare of this age, a Bassa of the [Page 227]Turks (his name and the cause is not deli­uered) sent a siluer suite, beset & garnished with pearle, to adorne the Altar of the B. Virgin of Loreto, Clement the VII. being Pope; that we may vnderstand that the B. Virgin of Loreto, is the generall Patronesse of all nations, which desire to vse her Pa­tronage.

POPE PAVL THE THIRD adorneth the Sacred House with benefittes and Decrees. CHA

AFTERVVARD Paul the III. succeeded in the Pontificall Sea, who in adorning & amplifying the state of the House of Loreto, contended euen with Clemēt himselfe: & in the beginning of his Popedome bestowed many Indulgences & [Page 229]benefits on the same. For thinking it an vnseemly thing, that the officers of the sa­cred House should hardly prouide salte for money for their necessary vses, he gaue them yearly twentie sacks of salt out of Ceruia, a benefit truly not to be contemned, whether you consider the perpetuity of the gift, or the necessity of the receiuers, or els the mind of the giuer, which doth well appeare in the beginning of a certaine Bre­ue, which we thought good to annexe. VVhen our Predecessour Pope Xystus the fourth of hap­pie memorie, among other things of his meere motion had made honour able mētion of the Church of B. Mary of Loreto, lōg agone miraculoufly founded in honour of the B. Virgin her selse, in which through the mer­uailous clemencie of God, was placed (as credible per­sons haue declared) the glorious Image of the B. Vir­gin accompanied with a multitude of Angells, and to the which for the manifold and wonderful miracles, which by the merits and intercession of the said glorious Virgin, the higehst daily worketh in that place, out of diuers, euen the remotest parts of the world, doth daylie resort a great multitude of people, receiuing cure and help, by the fauour of the aforesaid glorious Vir­gin &c. And a little after: Our Predecessour Pope Iulius the Second of happie memorie considering that in the said Church of Loreto, there was not onlie the true Image of the B. Virgin Marie; but (as [Page 230]it is piouslie belieued, and the report goeth) the Cell or the Chamber, where most B. Marie was conceiued and brought vp; and where also she herself conceiued the Sauiour of the world, when she was saluted by the Angell &c. And he also relateth other things, which Iulius the second sett downe in his decrees.

Loreto is committed to the protection of the people of Recanati. CHAP. II.

BVT Paul the Pope well kno­wing, how much good there is in a good President, had all­waies speciall care to prouide good gouernours for Loreto, the greatest gift perchance of all. Whereu­pon making Alexander Argolus Bishop of Terracina Patron of Loreto, he notablie orde­red and aduanced the state of the sacred 08 seate, placed manie learned and graue men in the Colledge of the Chanons, performed the Cerimonies of diuine prayer with so­lemne and Pontificall pompe, and finallie for foure yeares togeather, fullfilled his of­fice [Page 231]in all things, belonging either to diuine or humane seruice, with great praise of religion and benignitie. After whome suc­ceeded Gaspar Contareno the Cardinall, Card. Contareno Pa­tron of Loreto. a man famous for learning and pregnancie of wit, and also a verie good Patrone of Loreto, but of short cōtinuance by reason of death. For whiles he worthilie gouerned the state of Loreto by Galeatius Floremonius (who after­ward was Bishop of Aquino) with great ex­pectation of his vertue, he departed this life. In whose place the Pope appointed Rodulphus Pius the Cardinall of Carpa, Card. of Carpa Pa­tron of Loreto a good Patron, and of long continuance, who tru­lie for his worthie pietie, would haue gai­ned to himself the surname of Pius, though he had not receined it from his ancestours. For there was neuer anie more carefull to adorne the sacred house; as in the Church of Loreto, and in the adioyned houses may well appeare, where at this day are extant many and worthie monuments of his. This meane while, newes of the Turkish war being more and more spread abroad, which Selime the Turkish Emperour threa­tened towardes Italie, assoone as he sub­dued the kingdome of Tunis, by Ariadenus Enobarbus, Paul the Pope ioyned straight in league with Charles the Christian Em­perour, [Page 232]and with the Venetians, and bent all his care and forces against the Turks, first of all intending to prouide for the Church of Loreto: but because his treasure was wasted with preparation for the war, and scarcity of money hindered his godlie purpose, he suffered not an occasion offe­red by chance, to passe vnaccepted. For at that time the Embassadours of Recanati came to Rome to the Pope, The Em­bassage of the people of Reca­nati to Pope Paul the 3. to complaine that Loreto their ancient possession was taken from them by Iulius his Predecessour with great domage, but with greater dis­grace to their Cittie. For who would haue thought, that without a grieuous crime, the Prince of Bishops, and the Vicar of Christ, would haue taken from the people of Recanati their most anciēt possessiō of Loreto against their wills? & for what desert of theirs, should so shamefull a spot of in­famie be laid on their well deseruing Cittie? Whether because from the beginning, she carefullie maynteined, reuerenced with gists, adorned with a Church, graced with buildings, for almost two hundred and fiftie yeares, iustlie and holily gouerned the seate of the B. Virgin of Loreto? When at anie time did the Magistrates of Recanati gouerne it with auarice or pride? When was the protection of the Church, of the Inhabitants, or Pilgrims neg­lected? How often haue the waies, which were pe­stered [Page 233]with theeues, and the audacitie of way-laiers been repressed? And how often also hath the sacred house it self, beene defended from hoflilitie with grea­te forces of armed men? Beholde why the people of Recanati should willinglie recount these things: For the B. Virgin mother of God, transferring her na­tiue house into Italie, chose her self a seate, specially in our woode: and changing the same three times within sew moneths, departed not out of our territo­ries, but made three places of our liberties, famous with her footsteps. We therefore bestowed on her, suf­ficient space for a Church: we built the Church and the towne about her, and we gaue to the Inhabitants both Magistrates and Lawes. VVhich truely are of such importance, and auaile so much, that they may seeme to possesse that place by good right, see­ing they were depriued of their ancient possession without triall of their cause. But if it may be thought fitt, that the Vicar of God should restore to the people of Recanati, the gift which God and his B. Mother bestowed vpon them, indeed they will do their endeuour, that neither the Pope nor they of Lo­reto shall repent them of the protection and gouerne­ment of the Cittie of Recanati. And that both par­ties may remaine satisfied, the people of Recanati will refuse no condition, that the most iust Pope shall impose vpon them. when Paul had graciouslie heard the Embassadours, he followed a cer­taine meane, both to restore to the people [Page 224]of Recanati their right, Loreto is restored to the Go­uernment of the people of Recanati. and notwithstan­ding to preserue the benefits of former Popes, granted in fauour of the House of Loreto. Whereupon with these conditions, he restored to the Cittizens of Recanati, their towne of Loreto, (exempting onely the Church and the Gouernours iurisdi­ction ouer townes-folkes and strangers) to defend the sacred House of Loreto, against the Turkes, with a strong garrison; to re­paire the walles and fortifications as need required; to make the wayes secure from theeues, in fauour of the Pilgrims that came vp and downe. Besides to repay into the Popes treasurie, to the vse of the Turkish war, eight thousand Crownes which Leo the tenth had spent in fortifying of Loreto. So Loreto returned to the Iurisdiction and Gouernment of Recanati, the 35. yeare of this age, and about 20. yeares after it was made free by Iulius the second. But assoone as Paul the Pope saw himself deliuered from the feare of this new war, he thought good to enrich the House of Loreto with lands, being now well defended with for­tifications. Whereupon by his command, of the Magistrates Duûmuiri of Castro-Ficardo, were purchased the woods neere to Loreto, with the vineyards, meadowes and Oli­ueries [Page 225]adioyning, for which purchase he gaue six thousand Crownes out of his owne treasurie: and also purchased other landes neere to the Riuer Musion, and gaue them to the B. Virgin of Loreto.

A Fraternitie of Childrë is instituted, to sing solemne praise & laude, to the B. Virgin of Loreto. CHAP. III.

AT that time the House of Lo­reto was not onelie enriched with wealth, but also with Ministers. For Paul the Pope, verie well considering that the praiers of persect puritie were most accep­table to God and his B. Mother, instituted a Colledge of twelue children, where he appointed that the choicest and wittiest children of all Picene, should be instructed to sing seruice with solemnitie in honour of our B. Ladie of Loreto. In choosing of whome, he commanded that regard should be had to the integritie both of bodie and [Page 226]minde, and greate diligence of the best maisters to instruct them. Speciall care was vsed, that they might incline the most holie Virgin, no lesse with the cha­stitie of their manners, then with the sweetnes of their voices. Who by the Popes appointment being brought vp and taught in a conuenient place, (called the Cha­nonry) dayly at certaine houres song hym­nes to our B. Ladie in her sacred Chappell, beseeching peace and pardon of God and his B. Mother, and intreating help and fa­uour for Italie against the furie of the Turks. The Childrens pietie deceiued not the Pope, nor the B. Virgin failed not the Childrens prayers. For although the dis­cord of the leaders, made the nauie of the confederate Princes vnprofitable, notwith­stāding the B. Virgin herfelf brought peace to Italie, and vanquished the audacitie of the Turkes. For shortlie after, all contro­uersies betweene the Emperour and the King of France, were so luckilie concluded, that of sorrowfull war, ioyfull peace came by and by to Italie. Paul. Iou. lib. 41. Annal. Laur. Rier. And in the moneth of August, vnder the conduct of Ariadenus Eno­bardus, a great and strong nauie of Turkes threatning vtter ouerthrow to Italie, was beaten against the rocks of Acroceraunion & [Page 227]suffered shipwrack, almost in sight of the House of Loreto it self. By which shipwracke it is verie euident, that the greatest part of their nauie was lost, twentie thousand of the Barbarians swallowed vp in the sea, & almost all the Adriaticke shore couered with the carkasses of their enemies, with weapons, with bordes, with munition, and other signes of shipwracke. Whose armour sloting vp towards Loreto, & being knowne on the shore, almost before newes thereof could be brought, made the ouerthrow of the enemies verie notorious. Whereupon the people of Loreto and strangers reioyced, that Almightie God and his B. Mother had heard the praiers of the children and of the godlie; and that Almightie God him­self reuenging their wickednes, had also at last opened the eyes of their filthie pride. For which cause, they exhorted one an other, to reuerence such a Patronesse with speciall honour, by whose protection they saw all that coast of Italie, deliuered from the present feare of the Turkes.

The Hospitall, and the Spittle, to re­ceaue Pilgrims, are opened: the sacred House is adorned with buildings. CHAP. IIII.

AND the Pope himself being most glad of such newes, and not to be more bountifull to the Inhabitāts than to stran­gers, The Hos­pital and the Spitle. opened the Hospitall of Loreto (finished much about this time) chieflie for the cure of diseased Pilgrims, and appointed an other place without the walls, for scabbed and leaprous people, lest their infection might hurt the healthfull. Then from the sicke, turning his care to the sound, he erected an Hospitall for poore Pilgrimes, The Hos­pitalitie of the house of Loreto. where they were well relieued, for the space of three dayes; and at their departure were furnished with bread, wine, shooes, and money. It is wonderfull how much this fame of Hospitalitie and Christian Charitie, increased the deuotion [Page 229]of strangers, and the wealth of the Church of Loreto; all forraine nations allmost re­compensing the benignitie, which Loreto bestowed on their Pilgrims: wherby we may see that true liberalitie towards the poore, doth rather increase wealth than diminish it. For lest the fountaine of their bountie should be wasted, Almightie God doth make it to abound with riches, and doth graciously bestow greater wealth on bountifull giuers, that they may eftsoones the better giue vnto the needie. Whiles these offices of Christian Charitie were feruent, the workes of Loreto which Clement had begunne, were not altogeather omit­ted. For by commandment of Paul the Pope, the hurtfull woods were cut downe, the mystie lakes were dried vp, the hills of­fensiue to the Sacred Seate were throwne downe to the ground. At the same time, the Bishops Pallace was forewarded; the porch was built; the thole of the Church was couered with sheetes of lead; that magnificēt carued Crust of the most Sacred House (which was not far from finishing) was chiefelie sollicited. And now at this time, by the Popes authoritie the Architect pulled downe the old smoakie beame and the roofe; and (because the vauting of the [Page 230]sacred Chappell so required it) he also beate downe the vppermost part of the walles, adorned with semicircles and paynted potts, togeather with the tops of the bell-turret, and of the chymnie, and built a so­lide vaut thereon, supported more with the new then the old walles; which at that time was bright and beautifull, but now by reason of the aboundance of lights, blacke and smoakie. And lest the negligence of men should leese those things, which ne­cessitie had caused to be parted & taken frō the maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin, the sacred beames, the rafters, tiles, and boardes, and what els soeuer belonged to the roofe of the most sacred House, was buried vn­der the pauemēt of the same House, and re­serued there with record thereof, that being remoued out of their due place, they might chāge their place as litle as might be.

The Reliques of the Chappell of Lo­reto, are honoured with miracles: and propagate the religion of the Sacred House. CHAP. V.

THE earthen vessells and cer­taine Peeces of the vauted roofe being reserued for Sacred Reliques, as they were, partlie ministred occasion of miracles, and partlie also carried the religion of the House of Loreto far and neere. The ancient opinion is, that those earthen Vessells were found long agone by the Apostles, in the Armorie of the B. Virgin, and therfore whē they cōsecrated her natiue House they cōmaunded that they should be put in the toppe of the walles of that Chappell, not so much to adorne her sacred House, as to pre­serue a religious memorie of those things. No light coniectures do confirme this opi­nion, which seeme, to make it credible to many, that those earthē Vessells were of the houshold stuffe of the Mother of God. For [Page 232](as we may coniecture by them which at this day are extant) they do not much dif­fer from the meane sorte, and such as are commonlie vsed: and in bignes there is greate inequalitie among them, whereas indeed the ornature of the Sacred House, and the compasse of the semicircles, requi­red them to be of like equalitie; that we may vnderstand, they were not so much prouided for the ornature of the sacred Chappell, as the ornament it self accom­modated to them. But whether they were of our B. Ladies housholde stuffe, or els were prouided of purpose for the ornature of her sacred Cell onelie, being dedicated togeather with her fortunate House, with great reason they were euer religiouslie esteemed. Yet now I find manie of them to haue perished, pilfered away (as I imagin) to propagate the Religion of the B. Virgin of Loreto. Wherupon diuers of them which were left, were placed in the wall of the Church of Loreto, by the doore which is in the side, where at this day they remanie to be seene. Few of thē are reserued without some miracle or other. For I am sure that a Priest of Loreto of my acquaintance, being much troubled with the head-ach, was presently cured by applying a sacred potte [Page 233]vnto his head. And an other Priest tormen­ted with a grieuous feuer, and drinking colde water in the same, by and by had his sicknes taken away. But the reliques of the sacred boardes, carried the religion of the House of Loreto almost throughout the whole world. For being dispersed abroad and distributed from one to another, they came almost into all Countreys, who estee­ming them for sacred reliques, as reason required, they exceedinglie increased the reuerence of the B. Virgin of Loreto, with whose religion (as it may well be supposed) they were, after a certaine sort, indued. And it is verie likelie that by this occasion Oratories were erected in honour of the B. Virgin of Loreto, in diuers parts of the world, either as monuments to their people of her singular protection, or els as solaces to them, whome sicknes, busines, or other impediments hindred from going to Loreto. For it is well knowne (but at this time speciallie) not in Picene and Italie onelie; but also beyond the Alpes, and in far remote Countreys, many Chappells were erected to the B. Virgin of Loreto. To the builders whereof, what could be more wished to increase the religion of those sacred places, then to haue some reliques of the House [Page 234]of Loreto? What could be more desired, when religion forbad to take thence the sacred stones, than to intreate a particle of the roofe, which the keepers of their libera­lity would not vnwillinglie bestow? Truly much about this time, I finde that many Sacred Houses were dedicated to the B. Mother of Loreto in all places of the world, which in very deed, I put not among the least of the B. Virgin of Loreto her praises, her memorie to haue beene so gratesull & deere vnto strangers, that they would haue a perpetuall monument & an Image of her, at home in their owne countrey. And to say nothing of Picene, wherof there is no Cittie, Churches built to our B. Ladie of Loreto. nor towne almost, where there is not some Church in memorie of the B. Virgin of Lo­reto, the noblest Citties of Italie haue erected no ordinarie Churches in honour of our B. Ladie of Loreto. At Rome there is a magnifi­cēt Church of the B. Virgin of Loreto, At Rome. & wor­thie the Roman munificence, the modell wherof, as the report goeth, was plotted & drawne by Michaell Archangell Bonaroto, a most notable Architect. At Neples▪ And Naples also hath no meane Church of the B. Virgin of Loreto, and graced with an hospitall of poore Orphans. Besides (as now I vndersta [...] for certaine) in the two noblest Cit [...] [Page 235] Sicilie (at Palermo I say and at Messina) there is a most holie memorie of the B. Virgin of Loreto. At Paler­mo and Messina. And in Palermo, the Church which is dedicated to her name, is within the Cittie, but at Messina in the Suburbs. Nei­ther did this deuotion towards the sacred House of Loreto, containe it self in the boundes of Italie, but speedilie passed be­yond the Alpes. For Friar Vincent a good and a godly mā, & a deuout Priest of the Order of the Franciscans, returning from Loreto into France, In France at Laual. in the Suburbs of Laual (a towne of the diocesse of Mayin) built a litle House like to the Chapell of Loreto, and called it the B. Virgin of Loreto, which at this day is exceedinglie reuerenced, both of the in­habitants and strangers. And albeit Portu­gall be indued with most famous and reli­gious Houses of the B. Virgin mother of God; notwithstanding it imitated this deuotion towards the House of Loreto. In Portu­gall at Conym­bria. For the Cittizens of Conymbria not far frō their Cittie (to witte in a most pleasant place of the Suburbs) dedicated a Church in ho­nour of the B. Virgin of Loreto, which is celebrated with great concourse of the adioyning people. At Com­postella. At Lis­bone. At Compostella there is an other, and a third at Lisbone, most maiesti­call: which abeit it were built and magni­ficētlie [Page 236]adorned by the Italians, notwithstā ­ding the inhabitāts thēselues do religiously frequent it. Besides, I find by approued authors that manie yeares agone, two Churches were erected to our B. Ladie of Loreto in the Kingdome of Scotland; In Scotlād At Saint Iohns. At Eden­burrovv. the one in the towne Perth, otherwise called S. Iohns, the other by the high way that goeth to Missilburrow, not far from Edenburrow, the chiefe cittie of Scotland. In both places, the B. Virgin of Loreto was most religiouslie reuerenced; and that in the Suburbs of Missilburrow was most famous for the resort & concourse of Pilgrims, and the miracles of our B. Ladie, as long as the Catholicke Religion remayned in Scotland. But after Caluins pestiferous doctrine began to rage and raigne in that Kingdome (heretofore most religious) those furies destroied that sacred House of our B. Ladie, but so not­withstāding, that the ruines therof might remaine, both as tokens of their madnes, and also as manifest signes of the ancient religion of the Scottish people. And this (as we vnderstand) was the beginning of the Chappell of Missiburrow. Manie yeares agone, in the attire & habit of a Pilgrime, a Scottish Eremite came to Loreto to salute the B. Virgin, who at his departure carried [Page 237]with him into his Countrey, a small part of the sacred roofe, and begging money of godlie men, not far from the towne of Mis­silburrow, erected a litle Church some thing like to the sacred House of Loreto: which was verie famous, aswell for reuerence of the sacred reliques, which were placed there, as also for the deuotion of the people to the B. Virgin herself (whose name was illustrious among them) vntill, as we said before, the mad furie of Hereticks threw it downe.

The description of the carued-worke, wherwith the most sacred House is adorned round about. CHAP. VI.

AT that time, the reuerence of the House of Loreto, was pro­pagated abroad, and increa­sed at home. The 38. yeare of this age, Paul the Pope o­pened that most famous monument of Pō ­tificall magnificence, designed by Iulius, be­gunne by Leo, effected by Clement, but not wholy perfected (for many of the Statuaes, [Page 238]and all the brazen leaues of the dores were wanting) yet was it brought to that passe, that it might seeme as finished. Truly a worke so excellent, and so admirable, that the new and most magnificent workman­ship therof, was yet neuer equalled in like quantity, for it doth very well appeare by the books of accompt, that the sayd worke, stood in two & twenty thousād Crownes, besides twenty Statuaes, liuely wrought, & foure brazen leaues curiously ingrauen, which cost almost as much. The most wor­thy ornament which doth inuiron the sa­cred Cell of the B. Virgin is foure-square, almost all of white solid marble, & carued with admirable art; in length about 50. foote, in breadth about 30. and the height almost equall to the breadth. The whole worke is made of Carrara marble, of great beautie, and notably graced with striged Pillars, of Corinth worke, wherof six adorne the larger sides, and foure the lesser. A fascia of Lucullan marble, about a foote broad, is curiously wrought about the lowest part of this ornament, in steed of the ground­worke. Then arise the Cornisht Pedestalls, which fitlie distinguish & adorne the spa­ces. And in the spaces & Pedestalls thēselues, are placed, either the armes of Descent or [Page 239]Acquist of Pope Leo, or els memories of his vertues, in carued scutchions, some of a foot, some of a cubite, set forth with great art and skill. Vpon the Pedestalls are placed two Pillars at euerie corner, but in the longer sides two also in the middle, that is to say by the two dores, with equall di­stance from ech other. In the compart­ments betweene the Pillars are two rankes of Imagerie, inclosed within their Nicets, incrusted in Porphyry-tables of excellent workmanship; the one beneath at the bases of the holie Prophetes, the other aboue at the Architrane, of the Sybills, who pro­phesied of the birth of Christ, and of the B. Virgin Mother of God. In the wider spaces, betweene the bodies of the Pillars, are great tables of white marble, solid & whole, where the notable works of our B. Ladie, are so admirablie carued in embos­sed Images, almost of naturall stature, that all do greatly admire them. Moreouer a double Cornish doth adorne the Archi­trane of these Pillars, excellently graced with Cornish worke; the vnder spaces wher­of, two Eagles holding in their beackes, branches of fruit-workes, as stalkes of ap­ples and other fruites of admirable work­manship (with Lions faces placed here & [Page 240]there betweene) do not alittle adorne. In briefe, on the top of this worthie ornamēt, doth stād a beautifull ranke of little Pillars cornished, fitlie and orderly distinguished, with the figures or Angels embossed, which go about the whole worke, insteed of a garland: & the ornamēt it selfe hath a free walke round about, to hang vp such votiue giftes, as herafter were to be brought to the B. Virgin. I thinke it not a thing worth the labour, to describe it with more wordes, seing it may be seene. A work verily worth the beholding, whose exceeding beautie none cā cōceiue in mind, that hath not seen it before with his eyes. Wherfore assoone as it was spread abroad, that the most admira­ble ornamēt of the sacred Cell was opened, forthwith great cōcourse of Inhabitāts & strāgers, was made to Loreto. For of purpose the workmen did vse all diligence, to keepe close the frame of that curious ornament with couerings vntill it was finished, that people might behold it with greater admi­ration & maiestie, when the fresh & entire beautie of the finished worke should come newlie to their eyes. And with this incōpa­rable sight, and most excellent for propor­tion and curiositie, all men did earnestlie delight, both eyes and mind.

The Thole of the Church beginning to cleaue, is strengthned. CHAP. VII.

AS the Inhabitants were so­lacing & taking great delight in so worthie a sight, they were brought into a suddaine feare, lest in a moment, they should be depriued of that which they beheld with so great admiration and pleasure, and (which was worse) euen of the thing it self whereof that was but the ornament. The vaute of the Church (in the middle wherof, as we said before, was pla­ced the sacred Cell of the B. Virgin) stood supported on eight columnes of bricke: but either with the height of the walls built thereon, or els with too great weight of lead ouerburdening, suddainly it began to yield to the burden, and to cleaue, threa­tening vtter ruine not onelie to the new ornament of the sacred Cell, but also to the Cell it self ouer which it stood. There­fore the Pope being mooued with so dreadfull a message, forthwith commanded [Page 242] Antonie Sangall his Architect to hasten to Loreto, and by all meanes to preuent that so great an inconuenience, lest the labour of so manie yeares, and of so manie Popes, in a moment should be brought to nothing, & also lest the suddaine fall of the Church, should destroy the two chiefest wonders of the world; the one of diuine power, the other of humane art. Sangall being styrred with this fearfull charge, made hast to Loreto, and conferring the matter with Nerusio the Architect, forthwith by com­mon aduice he went about to fortifie and strengthen the Columnes insufficient to sustaine so great a burden. Wereuppon in continēt he vnderpropped the vaut with strong supporters, & speedilie digging vp the foundations round about it, he couered the colūnes with square stones, & strēgthe­ned them with foure litle arches, framed betweene euerie other Pillar, that they might be able to support the burden layd vpon them. And lest anie fortification, not onelie necessarie, but also conueniēt should be omitted, the Columes & the walls were so fastened together with great barres of yron, that the barres thēselues do neuer, or not vndecētlie appeare. Other things were so perfected, that you would haue thought [Page 243]they had not prouided for the strength, but for the ornament of the Church. And to dispatch this worke with greater speed, the diligence of the Pilgrims did not a little forward the endeauour of the masons, and of the Architects. For a great multitude of them, to preuent the imminent danger, wherein they saw the Sacred House of Loreto, striuinglie carried stones, brought burdens, and holpe about the engines, glad to bestow their endeauour and trauell, on the B. Virgin of Loreto, the holiest Cell of the world, and the refuge of all people and natiōs. Wherby the whole worke was fi­nished sooner thē any would haue thought, and the imminent danger of the Sacred House was taken away, no lesse by good prouidence, then speed.

The House of Loreto is enriched with new Donaries. CHAP. VIII.

ABOVT that time, Cod. Lau. a great mul­titude of Donaries were giuen by Noble men and Noble women. The gift of the Duke of Milan and of diuers others. Francis Sforza the la [...] Duke of Milan, sent worthie ornature of cloth of gold, flourished with costlie workes, for the Priest and Ministers celebrating diuine seruice with so emnitie. Sigismund of Est, a siluer Image of his sonne Hercules of 4. pound, and an other of him­self of the same substance, but of double weight to the other. Bassanus of Mantua, his owne Image also of siluer, of more than 8. pound weight. Honorius Sabellus a siluer Crownet, of three pound weight: Octa­uius Farnesius a golden Crosse hanging in a chaine of gold. Bonisacius Cetanus Duke of Sermoneta, a siluer Image of the B. Virgin of Loreto, and an other of his sonne, of no meane weight. Hercules Maria Sforza, two Images of siluer, both of eight poūd weight Bernardine Sanquinius of Naples two carued [Page 245]Images of Siluer, of foure pound weighte. Leonard Bona-fide, Bishop of Cortona, his owne Image of siluer of 4. pound weight. Iulius Monaldus of Mantua, such an other Image of like matter and weight. But among all the Images of this time, the solid Image of siluer of a Captaine, all in armour, and polished verie curiouslie, from Pompilius a certaine person of Bologna, more knowne to God than to men, (for his surname is not deliuered) doth far excell. Antony Pignatellus of Naples a chaine of golde: also an other from Lewis Earle of Vmbria. Leonard Venerius a Senatour of Venice, a siluer chalice, notable for workmanship and weight. Neither were the gifts of Noble women, of small value. For Marie of Austria the Emperours daughter, pre­sented a siluer hart of two pound weight. Constantia Duchesse of Amalpha her owne Image of siluer of fiue pound weight. The Viceroyes wife of Abruzzo golden bracelets of notable fashion. The Prin­cesse of Bisinia, a golden head of two pound weight. Portia the Countesse of Populo, an other head of the same sub­stance and weight. Marie of Aragon, Marquesse of Guasto, the siluer Image [Page 246]of a yong man, of three pound weight, wherin the cause is written in manner following.

MARIE OF ARAGON MARQVESSE OF GVASTO, SENT IT, IN PER­FORMANCE OF AVOVV, FOR RESTORING OF HEALTH, TO ANTONIE, A YONG MAN, MY BROTHERS SONNE.

Iulia Verona Duchesse of Vrbine, a golden hart, o [...] no small weight. Neither did Cit­ties & Townes faile to send their Donaries. A siluer Image of the towne Vico Varone, of three pound weight. An Image of Sarnano of the same substance, but of thrice double weight: and a Crowner of siluer of excellent workmanship from Macerata, were all at this time presen­ted to the B. Virgin of Loreto. More­ouer other gifts of no small value, were giuen by vnknowne persons. Six siluer Statuaes of S. Rocke, of no meane weight. Fortie Crowners of siluer, whereof the greatest part was of one pounde weight, many of two and diuers of three, for the most part from Cittes and [Page 247]Townes. Votiue Images of siluer, aboue threescore; whereof many were of one, many of two, & three pound weight. Few lesse of Chalices of siluer, and many orna­ments for the Altars and Priests, not onelie of silke, but also of siluer and golde. Trulie great humilitie appeared in diuers of the giuers. For many gifts (as appeareth in the booke of Donaries) were put secretlie on the Altar, The humi­litie of manie vvhich presented vvorthie gifts. or els deliuered by the giuers themselues, who would not by any meanes haue their names set downe in record. And many also suppressing their surnames, insteed thereof set downe the names of their Countrey: which sinceritie is like­wise seene, in the title of many Donaries, that it may sufficientlie appeare, they were vnwilling (which Christ forbad) to haue the Trumpet to sound before them, that they might not receiue the glorie and reward of their pietie from men, but ex­pect it from God, who, seeth it in secret.

The Captaine of a Band of hors-men is carried away headlong by the force of a Riuer, and deliuered from euident danger of life. CHAP. IX.

IN the territorie of Reate (said to be the Nauill of Italie) there is a great Lake, caused by the Riuer Velinus, wherof it taketh the name: which running againe out of the said Lake, for a little way, doth flow gently and pleasantly, but af­terward shooting downe from a high Cliffe by rockes and stones, it falleth on a rocke beneath, with great hurrying and noise of the waters, commonly called The ruines of Pedilucus. Not far from the rocke, of which I haue spoken, by chance passed a band of hors-men, of Peter Aloysius Farnesius, who at that time was Duke of Castro, the Captaine wherof being called the Marshall, was Peter Terenatico of Sienna, who had a great desire to behold the Riuer falling [Page 249]from aboue. Therfore taking with him two horse-men, he went vnto the place, from whence Velinus falleth, with desire to see it. But his horse entring into the Riuer to drinke, and going on by little and lit­tle, carried him vnawares into the maine screame. Without delay Terenatico percea­uing himselfe to be carried by force of the water, into the dangerous place which he came to behold, and which is worse, being also cast from his horse by violence of the streame & in great danger of drow­ning, with pittifull moane he called on the B. Virgin o [...] Loreto. He prayed not to them that were dea [...]e. For in the very fall of the Riuer, the B. Virgin did protect the partie in hazard, and reaching forth her right hand, susteined him, as he tum­bled downe among the waues and rockes, & desended him vntill he came to the bot­tome: a wonder ull thing to be said, that a rocke should receiue him safe, and pre­serue him vnhurt, when he was cast head­long from the high Cliffe aboue. Wher­upon, comming presently to Loreto to per­forme his vow to the mother of God, and desiring to haue a votiue table to witnes so great: miracle, he caused the whole mat­ter to be set downe in order, which at [Page 250]this day is to be seene on a Pillar, on the right hand of the most sacred Chappell, wherin was written this which follow­eth. I Peter Terenatico Knight, and Marshall of the hors-men, of the Duke of Castro, and the rest of the hors-men going out of Picene to Vico Varone, and comming to the lake Velinus on the Ides of march, the yeare 1543. I and two other Souldiours, Tiberius de Grau [...]sco, and An­tonie Cortona, departed from the rest of the hors-men, to see that place, from whence Velinus doth fall into Nar. And watering my horse not far from thence, I and my horse fell into certaine straites of the Riuer; from which falling headlong a wonderfull way, to wit aboue a hundred Cubits, a certaine rocke receiued me with safetie, as I implored the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto the mother of God, much wondering, and amazed in my self at the thing: wherefore estsoones I performed my vow, to the most B. Virgin, whome at that time I experienced, to be present, and mercifull, as two Centurions and eye­witnesses thereof, Chiniacius Vrbiuetanus and Raymund, with the whole wing of hors-men can testifie. This inscription we haue inserted word for word, that it may the better appeare, how witnessed and cer­taine this miracle is.

Pope Paul the third, doth twice visit the House of Loreto, and hasteneth on the worke of the Popes Pallace. CHAP. X.

MEANE-WHILE Paul the Pope hauing adorned the House of Loreto with worthie workes, Annal. Laur. Raph. Rier. did also honour the great so­lemnitie of the same with his presence, thinking to make himself an example to principall men, not onelie to beautifie, but also to frequent the natiue Cell of the B. Virgin. For within three yeares he twice visited the sacred House of the B. Virgin of Loreto. First the one and fortith yeare of that [...]ge, when from the Cittie of Luca (after he had saluted the Em­perour, and also donne his endeauour to dissuade the expeditiō to Algell) he returned vnto the Cittie by Aemilia and Flaminia. Againe almost three yeares after, when after the misfortune of Algell, he went to meet the Emperour at Bologna, making hast [Page 252]to the warres in Flanders. For then the Pope passing speedilie through his owne State, that he might meet him in conue­nient time, came to Loreto, and at either time, tooke exceeding ioy, to see the sacred House of the B. Virgin, The gift of Paul the 3. and brought with him worthie Donaries: Golden Vestments for the Bishop, Priest, and A tars, in token o [...] his deuotion and munificence. Also he tooke no small contentment to see the [...]ruit of his liberalitie, as well in his other workes, as chiefelie in the incomparable forme and beautie of the most magnificent worke, wherwith the sacred Chappell is inu [...]roned on the outside. At which time beholding the difficultie of leuelling a hill, that stood against it, on the west side, and thinking it to be a worke, not onely of great charge, but also of infinite labour, & the profit nothing answerable vnto the labour, he is reported to haue said. VVe must des [...]st from a vaine worke, and imploy our selues in more profitable and certainer commodities of the House of Loreto which may correspond to the expe­ctation of men. So from leuelling the hill, he bent his care and industrie to build the Popes Pallace, appointed for the intertayn­ment of Noble men. Whereupon in short time great part thereof was finished, po­lished, [Page 253]and furnished so magnificently, that in the same, Kings and Popes themselues might lodge most honourablie. Of three partes therof, one was then finished, which being seated on the right hand of the Church, is directly extended from the setting of the sunne, which in length is an hundred Cubits, in breadth foure and twentie, and fiue and twentie in height; besides the greate ground-works added on the North side, to make the buil­ding equall. And this part of the Pallace hath a double Porch of great State, which doth consist of 15. Arches, and almost as manie great Columnes, of large compasse, as well aboue, as below. Truly a notable worke, and very excellent, both for sight and vse.

The House of Loreto is adorned with Chappels, and Heauenlie Signes. CHAP. XI.

THIS part of the building of Loreto, was not who [...]e finished by the Pope, when principall Men began to adorne the Chappells of the Church. The chiefest in that worke, was Rodulphus Pius the Cardinall of Carpa, who (as we said before) succeeded Card Contareno in the Pa­tronship of the House of Loreto: and being a very godly & vertuous man, he adorned the Chappell, which was designed to keepe, and Minister the most holie bodie of Christ, The Chap­pell of the Prince of Bisinia. Of the Archb. of Altouico. Of the Card. of Trent. Of the Card. of Augusta. with excellent pictures of marble worke, guilt: whose example stirred other great Men to imitate that ornament of piety. The Prince of Bisinia adorned the Chappell of S. Anne: the Bishop of Al [...]o-Vico the Chappell of the B. Virgin, visiting S. Elizabeth: the Cardinall of Trent the Chap­pell of the Rosarie: the Cardinal of Augu­sta the Chappell of S. Iohn Baptist, some with [Page 255]pictures, and others with pictures and im­plastered workes. Of the Duke of Vrbine. But of all in this kinde, the munificence of the Duke of Vrbine did far excell, who adorned his Chappel; not onely with white marble, carued with maruailous art, but also with most beau­tifull pictures, made by Bacorio, and Zuchero two notable Painters. Whiles the Church was adorned of mortall men with striuing emulation, it altogeather wanted not im­mortall ornaments. For at that time I find that the olde wonder, of the flames of Loreto, was renewed after a new manner. In the night time, a fierie Pillar (as it were) shyning with great brightnes, was seene to stand ouer the Church of Loreto: Annal. Laur. Rier. from whence by litle and litle, it went towards Macerata, a famous towne of Picene, 14. miles from Loreto, & at last rested ouer the Church of S. Marie surnamed of the Virgins, in the Suburbes of Macerata, which wonder the Frāciscan Capuchines (whose Monastery was in the Suburbes) very carefully and often obseruing, after the morning office of di­uine seruice, whē before day (as their man­ner was) they retired themselues into the next wood to serue God, they gaue it out, that, to their thinking, our B. Ladie did descend from heauen in likenes of a hea­uenly [Page 256]flame, vpon her Natiue House, and from thence went vnto another Church which was dedicated to her name, by that meanes to make it knowne to mortall mē, that, that Church was also deare vnto her. And the wōderfull multitude of miracles, which shortly after were wrought in the same place, seeme most manifest proofes of the heauēly signe, which did illustrate that yeare, which was memorable for the de­parture of Paul the third, who publishing the celebritie of the Iubiley, against the 50. yeare, put of mortalitie, and passed to an immortall life, leauing the care, and the praise of the Iubiley to his Successour.

Pope Iulius the III. instituteth a Colledg of the Society of IESVS at Loreto. CHAP. XII.

IVLIVS the third, according to the vse of former Popes, with his authoritie cōfirmed the Indulgences, Immunities, Annal. Laur. Rier. and Benefits of the House of Loreto. And calling to mind that deuine [Page 257]saying, The bene­fits of Iulius the 3. Holynes becōmeth thy House, O Lord, by lawes which he caused to be set downe by the Cardinal of Carpa, excited the Clergie and People of Loreto to greater perfection of life. Then from the discipline of the Inha­bitants, turning his care to the ornature of the place it self, he also caused the sacred furniture to be well increased; the marble staires in the Church Porch to be laid; the entrie to be paued with brick, for seemli­nesse of the place; diuers priuate houses to be built ouer against the Porch, whereof we haue spoken; either to grace the street, or els for benifitt of the Inhabitantes. At last the vppermost roomes, & next to the Bishops lodging, before rude & inhabitable were well fitted to dwell in, & assigned to the Societie of Iesus. For the Pope well knowing, that the amendment of corrupt manners by meane of a well ordered Con­fession, is the greatest fruite of holy Pilgri­mage, decreed to prouide fit Penitentiaries for the Church of Loreto, most famous with the Pilgrimages of all Nations. And albeit there wanted not holie & godlie Priests; yet their scarcitie, or vnskillfulnes in strang languages, made lesse profit, than indeed was requisite. Therefore the Pope consi­dering all thinges, through the exhortatiō [Page 258]of the Cardinall of Carpa, thought it for the best, to admit the Fathers of the Soci­etie of Iesus to help the Priests of Loreto: that there might be some, who with their knowledge of languages, might in­uite the Pilgrims to the expiation o [...] their sinnes, and might also imploy continuall and diligent labour, in hearing the Con­fessions of strangers. Twelue Fathers were chosen for that purpose; for whose mayn­tenāce, allowance sufficient was made, out of the reuenewes of the House of Loreto. Their dwelling was in the vppermost part of the buildings (which at that time were voide) assigned them the 54. yeare of this age. This was the beginning of the Col­ledge of the Societie of Iesus at Loreto: small truly, but to no small good of the Inhabi­tants and Pilgrims. For the greatest care of the Fathers, was to purge the soules of the Pilgrimes & them that dwelt beyond the Alpes, by confession; to instruct all such rude people as were ignorant of the myste­ries of Christian beliefe, and to excite eue­ry one to the zeale of a godly and Christi­anlike life. And how fruitfull and profita­ble their labour was, both to the Inhabi­tants and strangers, is more fitting to leaue it for others to coniecture, than for me [Page 259]to write. But that this College of the Fathers was not onelie pleasing to mortall men, but euen to our B. Ladie her self, the daylie increase and greater progresse ther­of, doth playnlie shew.

The wonder of the heauenlie flames is renewed at Loreto. CHAP. XIII.

NOt lōg after, heauēlie signes drew a far greater multitude of people to Loreto thē was wont, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. & brought them to the Fathers to be confessed and instructed. Before the yeare was expired, night-fiers like vnto Starres, were seene to breake out of the Thole of the Church of Loreto, and as it were in one streame to go sensiblie towards Monte-Filatrano, the village next to Loreto: where mouing vp & downe a little while in a round, ouer an ancient House of our B. Ladie, they retired straight to the House of Loreto, from whence they came. This wonder was first obserued by the sheepheards which dwelled hard by that Village, by whose shewing, it was afterward noted of the Inhabitants, and of [Page 260]all the people, with so great admiration, that a certaine astonishment seized all their harts. Neither was the spectacle short, or of small continuance, but durable and almost as long as the night it self: For from the second vigill of the night, it continued till the breake of day. Wherupon many coueting to see the thing neere at hand, ranne to the place, which seemed to shine with heauenlie flames: but when they came thither, by and by that admirable spectacle beheld a far of, vanished out of their sight, that desired to see it neere at hand: when neuerthelesse at the same time, it shewed it self to the lookers on a far of Newes of these heauenlie lights, being speedilie diuulgated ouer all Picene, en­kindled a desire in the bordering people to see so gratefull a sight, who lodging abroad all night, in such places as they might conuenientlie beholde them, saw the heauenlie flames shine out of the House of Loreto, and passe ouer their heads, with no lesse admiration than ioy. That they were no vaine sightes, the Miracles pre­sentlie ensuing did euidentlie shew. For it is constantlie reported, that many which came to visit that little House, by gift of God, and his B. Mother, returned home [Page 261]to their owne houses, cured of many di­seases, wherof there were lame, deafe, ruptured, and possessed people. You may thinke that these excursions of the light of Loreto to other Churches of our B. Ladie, signified to mortall men, that the House of Loreto, far excelled the rest, both in state & dignitie: sithence our B. Ladie seemed to stay with them onelie in passage: but heere, in a sort, to dwell.

Heauenly flames are seene in the Church of Loreto it selfe. CHAP. XIIII.

NOT onely abroad, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. but also within the Church it selfe, hauenly flames haue some­tymes beene seene. The yeare that next ensued, which was 1555. when one of the Fathers of the Soci­etie of Iesus, was preaching vnto the people in the Church of Loreto (as their custome is) in the cleere day-light, certaine bright fiers, salling downe from heauen rested o­uer the most sacred Chappell in the presēce of many people: which by and by spreding [Page 262]more and more abroad, went about the assembled multitude, and then presently into heauen againe, with great admiration and wonder of all the audience. It is scarce credible, what deuotion and ioy this cele­stiall sight enkindled in the harts of the be­holders. Raphaell Riera a learned and a godlie Priest of the Societie of Iesus by chance being present among the multitude, after­ward set down in writing this very thing, and also many others pertayning to the historie of Loreto, and was so astonished at the wonder & strangenes of the thing, that presentlie he fell downe on the ground for reuerence sake; and rendering due thankes to God and his B. mother, who vouch­safed to make him partaker of that heauen­lie sight, he affirmeth that he felt such a­boundance of heauenly ioy at that present, that it continued with him many daies, his hart being once inflamed with the charitie of God, and deuotion towards our B. La­die. Neither did this wonder (as he deliue­reth) happen to him alone, but also to ma­nie others, who after the Sermon, both with their speeches, gestures, and teares, witnessed that the same happened likewise vnto them: such was the vnwonted ioy and sacred dread, which appeared in the coun­tenance, [Page 263]eyes & gestures of them all. That it was no vaine sight, the iteration of the same miracle doth testifie. For two yeares after, when one of the same Fathers, accor­ding to their custome, was preaching to the Chanons, & the assembled multitude, and some hearing the Confessions of Pil­grims, others praying to Almightie God in the most maiesticall Cell of the B. Vir­gin, suddainly in the top of the thole, a hea­uenlie flame (like vnto a Comet or blazing star) was perceiued to glitter and shine, which falling downe vpō the sacred Chap­pell, stood there a little while: then going towards the multitude, made a gratefull shew to all the audience, much admiring so great a miracle and wonder: but by and by turning his course an other way (to wit, towards the place appointed to heare Confessions, called the Penitentiarie) moued vp & downe ouer the heads of the Priests & them that confessed their sinnes: And finallie resting a while ouer the Image of Christ Crucified (which is religiouslie reuerenced in the most Sacred Chappell) it mounted againe on high, replenishing their hartes with deuotion and zeale, who had seene that heauenlie vision with their eyes.

Two Capuchines are deliuered from the raging sea. CHAP. XV.

THERE wanted not other miracles at that time, Trad. Laur. Annal. Rier. wherof we will relate the most fa­mous, according to our pur­pose. About the yeare 1553. two Franciscan Capuchines, hauing saluted the B. Virgin of Loreto, set out of Ancona to saile into Dalmatia, but in the midle of their voyage a foule storme arising, threatned destruction to all the company. Therfore the Maister prouy­ding to disburdē the shippe of her weight, and casting the baggage and merch and ize into the sea, the Franciscans began to pacifie the wrath of God by praier, in an angle of the ship. But the Marchants being mad, either with the griefe of their losse, or els stirred with diuellish furie, turned their range on the Franciscans, secure from dan­ger, as they thought, saying vnto them: Seeing the storme arose by your default, by your destruction it shall be asswaged. Ex­clayming [Page 265]in this māner, they flew vpō thē, and assaulting the Innocents, apprehended them, and cast them into the sea. But the Franciscans calling on the B. Virgin of Loreto, (whome they inuocated when the storme beganne) ceased not to crie vnto her among the waues. A wonderfull thing to be spoken and seene: For by the great goodnes of God, they were holden vp so high, that their brests did appeare all aboue the water: and singing praises to God and his B. Mother, and also lifting vp their handes towards heauen, they were verie quietlie carried amidst the violence of the outragious sea. Whereby in short time by the guiding and direction of Al­mighty God, they arriued both togeather at the hauen of Ancona; and in their wet garments, as they were, returning speedilie to Loreto to render due thankes to our B. Ladie, they prostrated their bodies on the ground before her Sacred Image; and with trickling teares gaue hartie thākes to God & his B. Mother for their deliuerie. Among the Guardians of Loreto, there was one Bernardine Galiard, a man of good credit, and of long time host to the Capuchines, with whome they lodged both before they wēt to Ancona, and after they returned to Loreto. [Page 266]Who intertayning these Franciscās (of whom I haue spoken) all wet with the sea, & de­manding the cause therof, at last they ope­ned it vnto him, with this condition, that he should cōceale their names. Wheruppon Galiard suppressing their names, related it to others, as he receiued it from them.

A yong man is deliuered from the whirle-poole of a Riuer. CHAP. XVI.

BY the fauour of the B. Virgin of Loreto, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. an other eschewed nolesse dāger in a Riuer, than the Franciscans did in the sea. Angelus Autanus, a yōg mā in the Territory of Salerno, of great toward lines & pietie, went into the Riuer Vulturnus, which passeth by Capua, to wash his bodie, with a fellow and companiō of his. But his fellow going for­ward without regard, and falling into the vnknowne whirl-pooles of the Riuer, was in great danger of drowning. Whereuppon Autanus making hast to aide his cōpaniō in hazard, fell himself into the same danger, out of which he laboured in vaine to de­liuer the other. For he himself being swal­lowed vp among the whirl-pooles of the [Page 267]swift streame, but after some time cast vp againe from the bottome, in the conflict of death called on our B. Ladie of Loreto, as well as he could: and the B. Virgin whome he inuocated was presently at hand, who taking the young man out of the whirle-poole, when he was almost dead, receiued him into her lap, and carrying him ouer the riuer for the space of a mile, sett him downe in a conuenient shore. Who remay­ned long amazed, with dread of the danger and of the miracle. But assoone as he came to himself, he acknowleged the heauenly benefit, fell downe on his knees, and care­fully saluting our B. Ladie his deliueresse, with thankfullnes extolled her worthie praise, and out of hand went to Loreto, to worship the moher of God, and to publish the miracle.

A maide of Loreto is deliuered out of a well: a Cittizen of Caieta out of prison. CHAP. XVII.

NEither did Loreto it self want the held of her Patronesse, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. in like danger of her people. A yong maide cōming to draw water at a well in the Gouer­nours House of Loreto, as she was accusto­med, let downe her bucket tied fast vnto a rope, & careleslie pulling it vp againe full of water, with the weigh to the bucket tū ­bled headlong into the well, calling on our B. Ladie of Loreto. By chāce, one of the chiefe Ministers of the sacred House, standing in a window, and seeing the maid fall into the well, implored the help of the B. Virgin in her behalfe, and forth with, with the rest of his houshold, ranne vnto the well it self. A wonder to be spoken. When they saw that she was in no danger at all, but sate on the water, with ioyfull countenance, in conti­nent they let downe a great bucket fa­stened [Page 269]to a strong rope, and warning the maide what she must do, without delay endeauored to draw her vp: who sitting in the bucket, and holding the rope in her hands, was a length brought to the top of the well; but among so many hands, vn­certaine what to doo, and rashly letting go the rope, before any had holde of her, she tumbled downe the same way againe. Whereupon all that were present inuoca­ting the Mother of God in her behalf, the maid was conueyed downe againe to the water without any harme at all, though many sherds of broken potts were vnder­neath. For which cause letting downe ladders, they got her out a slower, but a safer way: and presently the maide her self tolde them, how a Lady of great beautie, did protect her as she fell into the well, in whose handes she swomme on the water, without any danger or grieuance at all. The same also happened vnto her, as she fell downe the second time, for our B. Lady receiuing her with her hands, made her to sit in her lappe vpon the wa­ter, vntill ladders were sought out and fa­stened togeather, to be let downe into the well, that she might be preserued by this double miracle, to be no small document, [Page 270]of the B. Virgin of Loreto's protection. But a man was as infallible an argument of her help at Rome, as the maide was at Loreto. A certaine Cittizen of Caeta, borne of honest parentage, but of litle courage and m [...] ­nimity, and of a tender disposition by na­ture & education, being accused of murder by false witnesses, was so frighted at the vnwonted sight of the torments, that he had rather, as often it chanceth, suffer exe­cution by confessing that which was false, than auoide the same by denying it in tor­ture. Being condemned to die, he washed away the blemishes of his soule, by sacred Confession, & by exhortation of the Priest committed his cause to the heauenly Iudge, intreating the assistance of the B. Virgin of Loreto. His prayers were heard. For with­in a while being ouertaken with a sweete sleepe, he seemed to see the B. Virgin of Loreto, who bidding him be of good com­fort, put him in hope of life and liberty. Whereuppon the innocency of the man was presently knowne by miracle, and the authors of that wickednes, & the workers of the false crime conuicted, who suf­fered the same death, which they prepared for the innocent.

A Bassa of the Turkes, being cured by the B. Virgin of Loreto, doth honour her with gifts. CHAP. XVIII.

Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. NEITHER were the Barbarians deuoid of the help of Loreto, Corcutus a President of the Turkes (whome they call the Bassa) being at Constātinople the yeare 1552. was brought into euident danger of death by a grieuous and a secret impostume of the brest. A certaine honest and godlie Christian, serued him as a slaue, who thinking the danger of his maister the occasion of his liberty, went vnto the President ready to dye, and certifying him of the admirable power of the B. Virgin of Loreto, in curing all manner of diseases, put him in good hope of recouery; and with­out great difficulty, persuaded him, to call on the B. Virgin of Loreto with him, & to make this vow: If she tooke away his disease, for her sake he would giue him li­berty, and release him from bondage. Nei­ther [Page 272]did the slaue deceiue his maister, nor Marie her godly Client. For within a while the impostume brake, and the President was cured, who giuing good testimonie therof, set his slaue at libertie, and sent him to the B. Virgin of Loreto with letters and gifts. The gifts were, a mantle of notable workmanship, great wax candles, no small store of siluer, a bow and an excellent qui­uer of arrowes, not so gratefull and accep­table for value, as because the gifts were rare and the giuer himselfe to be admired. At that time Gaspar Doctus a Venetian was Gouernour of Loreto, who putting the other Donaries on the Altar, cōmanded that the bow and the quiuer of arrowes, should be set vp ouer the doore of the most Sacred Cell, for a monument of the miracle to po­steritie. Also the partie of whome I haue spoken, being set at libertie by the Bassa, brought with him the hand-writing of his Patrone, for a testimonie of the miracle, which Gaspar translating out of Arabian into the vulgar tongue, would haue preserued for an euerlasting memoriall therof. and the same turned into latin, is this. ‘That which the great and mercifull Lord of the world would haue to happen vnto vs. A certaine thing chauncing to me my self [Page 273]from aboue, I Corcutte the Bassa (not to faile in my dutie, and to haue some monument of so greate a wonder to be extant to poste­ritie) will relate the whole matter in order. A great impostume growing in our breast, and certaine death being at hand (and al­so despayring of health by means of Physi­tians) my slaue came vnto me, and with great confidence vttered these wordes vn­to me. If you will promise me libertie, I will pray to the Mother of my God, to re­store you your former health. Out of hand, sending for the notarie, I secured him li­bertie, if he performed his promise. Where­uppon my slaue kneeling downe presently on the ground, and making certaine signes on himselse with his hand, requested me to say after him, repeating these words be­fore me, I implore the helpe of our B. Ladie of Lo­reto. Saying after, through the goodnes of God, I recouered. For which cause ma­numitting my slaue, I gaue him this testi­monie, with votiue gifts, for a monument of my Reuerence, and gratefull mind towards B. Marie, the mother of God the Almightie, who hath made vs whole.’

The House of Loreto is enriched with the Donaries of Noble men. CHAP. XIX.

THE House of Loreto was not more graced with miracles, thā with gifts in time of Iulius the third. The Cardinall of Augusta brought to the B. Vir­gin of Loreto for a gift, The gift of the Card. of Augusta, and of ma­ny others. a vestment of gold of curious worke; a neck-lace of a 150. orient pearles, notablie graced with golden stones of equall distance, and a coyne of gold hāging, beautified with gemmes and precious stones. Cardinall Cesius, siluer orna­ture for the Altar. The Cardinall of Carpa costlie furniture, of cloth of gold for the Bishop, celebrating diuine seruice with solemnitie, and an other of cloth of siluer, wrought with curled gold. Cardinall Me­dices (who afterward was created Pope by the name of Pius the 4.) a suite for the Altar, of cloth of gold. Bernardine San-Seuerino Prince of Bisinia, his owne Image of siluer to the brest, of no small weight; and orna­ture of crimson veluet, for the Priest & the Altar. Hercules Duke of Ferrara goodly or­nature [Page 275]of damaske, wrought with great flowres of golde, for the Altar, Priest, and Ministers, celebrating diuine seruice with solemnitie. Vidobaldus Duke of Vrbine, a suite for the Altar and the Priest, of cloth of gold. The Duke of Grauine, ornature for the Priest, of the same stuffe. The Viceroy of Naples, golden vestments imbrodered, for the Priest and ministers to vse in time of solemne seruice. The Marques of Mantua vestments of siluer for the same, to vse in like solemnitie. Portia Cesia a golden Cope. The Countesse of Palena in Abruzzo, a neck­lace of golde and precious stones. Constantia Leiua a Spaniard, a Crownet of gold of one pound weight. There was also a wor­thie gift sent out of Germanie; from Fer­dinand king of the Romanes; that is to say, a siluer Image of the B. Virgin of a foote & a half, of 31. pound weight, at whose feete doth lye prostrate Anne the Queene of Bohe­mia pourtured in siluer: which hath a dou­ble inscription in the base. The one before.

The other behinde.

Marcellus Ceruinus the Cardinall knoweth by reuelation in the sacred Chappell, that he should be Pope. CHAP. XX.

IN this meane while Marcellus Ceruinus the Cardinall (a man famous for learning and san­ctitie) had made his dwelling in a towne neere to the House of Loreto, Annal. Laur. Rier. The piet [...]e and deuo­tion of Card. Cer­ninus. called Monte-fano, which he ac­compted his natiue soile, choosing indeed a very conuenient place to visit the natiue Cell of the B. Virgin; from whence he came to Loreto with great zeale and deuo­tion, to say masse in the most Maiesticall Chappell of the whole worlde. After the decease of Iulius the third, there happeneda certaine thing (in sight and euent most meruailous) to Marcellus Ceruinus the Car­dinall celebrating diuine seruice at Loreto, as he was accustomed. A very white and a beautifull doue, flying peaceably vp and downe ouer his head, in the presence of [Page 278]many people, sometimes rested on the hāds of the Sacrificant, sometimes on the Missal it self; which filled them that were present▪ with great admiratiō & wōder. The Priest, who (as the vse is) assisted the Card. in tyme of the dreadfull Sacrifice, thinking it to be some ordinary doue come thither by chāce, assaied to driue her away. But the Car­dinall well remembring that here to sore in former ages, sometimes Bishops had beene designed from aboue, by the manifestation and shewing of a white doue, forbad him to disquiet her. Whereuppon he permitted the heauenly doue to rest, till the Sacrifice being ended, she flew away of her owne accorde. Shortly after, a heauenly vision confirmed the truth hereof vnto him. For Marcellus being called to Rome by a messenger of the Popes death, would not commit himself to his iourney, and to the election of the new Pope, vntill he had saluted the B. Virgin of Loreto, according to his cu­stom. And the sacred day of the B. Vir­gins Annunciation being at hand, did more inuite his godly minde. Therfore cōming to Loreto the day before, and shutting out the rude people on the Festiuall day, he began to say masse with great attention in the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin. [Page 279]And in time of the dreadfull Sacrifice, a litle after the beginning of the Canon, re­membring the Church depriued of her Pastour, and recommending her most ef­fectually to God and the B. Virgin, our B. Lady accompanied with many heauenly spirits, The re­uelation vvhich vvas she­vved to Card Cer­uinus in the House of Loreto. appeared vnto him in celestiall brightnes, as he was earnest in prayer, and replenishing his soule with diuine light & sweetnes, tolde him he should be Pope, forthwith vanishing out of the sight of his astonished minde. So admirable & so strāge a thing happening to Marcellus on the sud­daine, stroke him into such a feare, that trembling at the Altar, he could scarce stād on his feete. Whereuppon the Priest who assisted him in time of the dreadfull Sacri­fice, perceiued that something was reuea­led to the Cardinall from aboue: specially because his face seemed to shine with a certaine vnwonted brightnes, and also, all his body to be inuironed with a new light: which with great familiarity he reported to many others, & also to Raphael Riera, who set it downe in writing. Yea and the Card. himself being importuned with the in­treaty of his friends, who were present at that heauenly vision, tolde the whole mat­ter, as it happened; adding withall that so [Page 280]great an office, as that of the high Bishop, was far beyond his desert; and therefore peraduenture Almighty God would pro­uide an other Vicar for himself. But if it were the will of God, to haue such a Vicar on earth, truly the first thing that he would do, should be to preserue the Christian Common-Wealth in good state, & to pro­pagate the reuerence of the House of Loreto far and neere. Whereuppon returning to Monte-Fano, and sending for the notarie, he commāded to be set downe in publicke re­cord, what he was determined to do, in ho­nour of our B. Ladie of Loreto; to the end the publicke records might binde him to per­forme his promise to the Mother of God; & that the same (if perchāce death preuented him, as it happened) might witnes his propensiue good will towards her. The records of Marcellus Ceruinus the Cardinall are yet extant in the towne, which I haue mentioned, whereby it doth well appeare, that he purposed with himself, to increase the number of the Chanons, of the Singers, of the Ministers, and also the Priests of the Societie of Iesus, that the sacred House might be reuerēced with greater deuo­tion and zeale of the Pilgrims, which came to visit it. Moreouer he purposed [Page 281]to inlarge the circuit of Loreto, and to raise walls and fortresses about it: to build a new towne and a new Cittie: to grace it with a Bishops Sea, and with absolute and mixt gouernment: and also to make eight bordering Townes tributary vnto it. And to build this Cittie, he inuented this easie and expedite way, that is to say, to inuite the poorest families of all the Popes domi­nions, to inhabite the new Towne, partly with hope of reward, partly also with the deuotion of our B. Lady of Loreto: to diuide in common to the new Inhabitants, the next wood purchased with the Common treasure, that they might cut downe the trees, & destroy the copses, for their greater commodity and better tilling of their land: So in short time the new Citty would be well prouided of fruite, wine and oile inough: neither would Merchants (allured with hope of gaine) faile to be there: by reason that great resort would be vnto the place; whereby in time exceeding honour and reuerence would be donne to the B. Virgin of Loreto. But it seemed otherwise to God, whose iudgements are inscrutable: for it was his holy will, that he should rather set down, in writing, his worthy purposes to­wards the House of Loreto, than performe [Page 282]thē indeed. Yet assoone as Marcellus came to Rome that was easily effected, which Al­mighty God would haue to come to passe, to wit that he should be created Pope; wher by the promise of the B. Virgin was per­formed, but the Popes could not be; because within xxij daies, hauing scarce begun his Popedome, he departed this life. A Bishop more memorable for his worthy determi­nations, than his deedes; for diuers Popes imitating his godly purpose adorned the Church & the sacred House of Ioreto, with many goodly fortifications and gifts.

The Colledge of the Iesuits is enlarged by Pope Paul the IV. also the cele­brity and wealth of Loreto is increased. CHAP. XXI.

PAVL the fourth was of the number of them, who succe­ding Marcellus & following his good determinations, did not onely beginne to reforme the decayed discipline and manners of the Church; but also firmely purposed to am­plifie [Page 283]the state of the House of Loreto. Therfore in the beginning of his Pope­dome, he confirmed the ancient benefits of other Popes with a new Breue: diligēt­ly forewarded the building: increased the number of the Ministers: and finally omit­ted nothing, which he thought might per­taine, to increase the religion of the place it selfe. But this was his chiefest care, grounded on the determinatiōs of Marcellus, to inlarge the Colledge of the Society of Ie­sus. For although those Fathers, which were then at Loreto, bestowed greater labour on the Pilgrimes, then was conuenient for so small a number: yet so few were not able to deale with such a multitude of strangers, as dayly increased, specially when out of re­mote Contreys, many of different language resorted more and more vnto it, whereof diuers could not be confessed, for want of Priests to vnderstand them. The Fathers of the Society, were as sorrowfull as them­selues, that they should returne home a­gaine, frustrated of their hope and vow, which prouoked the Cardinall of Carpa, to thinke how he might increase the number of those Fathers. For being very glad that the Colledge which he had procured to be planted in the soile of Loreto (albeit yet slen­der [Page 284]and new) partly brought forth, and partly made shew of much spirituall fruite; he healt earnestly with the Pope to inlarge it, supposing that, that would happen, which came to passe, to witt, that it would bring forth a most fruitfull and plentifull haruest, when the fruites themselues were fullie increased & ripe. Wherefore the 55 yeare of this age, by the Popes approba­tion and allowance, he effected, that thirty lacking two, should be added to the for­mer number, that fortie of the Society of IESVS might be mayntained at Loreto. And the Society deceiued not the hope of the Cardinall nor of the Pope. For their Col­ledge being thus increased with Priests ex­pert in forraine tongues, was a great in­crease to the deuotion of Pilgrims, and no small benefit to the House of Loreto it self. Because from that time, the Pilgrims of most Nations, fynding Priests of their owne Contrey, with whome they might freely deale without an interpreter, by their helpe returned home againe, not only purged of their sinnes, but also instructed with Christian institutions and precepts. Likewise the Religion, and wealth of the House of Loreto increased in such aboundāt manner, that it doth well appeare, the ac­cesse [Page 285]of strangers, and the multitude of Donaries to be far greater than euer was wōt. For the multitude of Pilgrims increa­sed so much, that euerie way people resor­ted to Loreto in great troupes. So that often­times ten thousand, now and then twen­tie, and sometimes also more then thirtie thousand Pilgrims, came to Loreto, about the Natiultie of the B. Virgin, wherof many getting no repose, neither in the Church nor Towne, filled the fieldes and woodes round about.

The House of Loreto is enriched with new Donaries. CHAP. XXII.

AND with this multitude of strangers, the wealth of the House of Loreto was not a litle increased; For it is verie well knowne, that from this time forward, ten, twelue, fourteene, sixteene, and sometimes also twentie thousand Crownes, were giuen yearelie to the trea­surie of the House of Loreto. Neither did any Pope euer apply any of the said treasure to [Page 286]his owne vse, and accounting the end wher­fore it was giuen, so holie as it was. Two times onelie, Ber. Ciril. certaine money came so from thēce vnto the Popes, that within a while after, they repayed it thither againe. For to represse the spoiles of Francis Maria Duke of Vrbine, the Capitaines of Leo the X. tooke six thousand Crownes out of the Sacred Arcke, to pay their souldiours. But whē the Pope had notice therof, forthwith he toke order with the Treasurer of Picene, to repay that summe to the B. Virgin. Af­terward Clement the VII. being in great want of money at the ransacke of the Citty (as we shewed before) receiued three thou­sand Crownes in loane from the B. Virgin of Loreto; which after the danger escaped, he carefullie repaied vnto her againe: Wher­by all the money, which was put into the Sacred Arcke, was imployed on the building of Loreto, and on other vses of the Sacred House it self. But in time of Paul the 4. other Donaries were giuen with that money which appertained to the Sacred Ornature. A siluer Image of reasonable bignes of Christ our Sa­uiour Crucified vpon mount Caluary, The gift of the Card. of Carpa, and of others. with the Image of the B. Virgin and S. Iohn ex­pressed in siluer; two siluer Candlestickes [Page 287]a Cubit long, a siluer boole of two pound weight curiously wrought; worthy orna­ture for the Bishop of cloth of gold, the chie­fest grace wherof was a goldē buttō of good bignes, besett with three degrees of pearle, commonly vsed by Cardinals and Bishops, and a picture representing the birth of Christ, made of silke and gold, with admi­rable art & skill, were the Donaries of the Cardinall of Carpa. The Duke of Vrbine, golden vestmēts for the Priest & Ministers. The Duke of Albania gaue the like gift, & also the Duke of Mantua; sauing that these were made of gold and siluer. The Duke of Bouino a costlie Pix of siluer, for the most holie Eucharist, standing on the figures of An­gells, a foot long. Honoratus Caietan Duke of Sermoneta, a golden vestment for the Priest, and ornature for the Altar, of cloth of gold. Augustine Auria, a siluer head and two vest­ments for the Priest of cloth of golde. Mar­garet of Austria the daughter of Charles the V. a rich suite for the Altar and the Priest, of siluer-cloth of tissue. The Marquesse of Guasto a golden Casket of excellent work­manship of two pound weight: and an other from the Duchesse of Ariano, adorned with pillars of siluer, guilt. The Duchesse of Mantua or nature of siluer for the Priest [Page 288]and ministers celebrating with solemnitie. Finally a worthie vestment of gold for the Priest, adorned with gold and precious ie­wells, and also with a faire picture of the B. Virgin, cōpassed about with the sunne, on the backe of the vestment was the gift of the Queene of Hungarie.

The House of Loreto is honoured of the French Armie, with the salua­tion of many souldiours CHAP. XXIII.

ABOVT that time war begin­ning betwene the King of Spaine and the Pope, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. the new tem­pest of war which troubled Italie, did not a little grace the House of Loreto, The Duke of Guise being called in by the Pope, with consent of the French King, brought with him into Italie great forces of the French, to defend the Pope, and to recouer the Kingdome of Naples. At which time, the religion of the House of Loreto, and the diuine prouidence towards her, greatlie flourished. For when [Page 289]great Companies of souldiours gathered out of diuers Nations, wandered freely vp and downe all Picene, this sacred House of Loreto (famous for her wealth) permitted not any one of all those Companies to couet her inestimable treasure; such, and so great deuotion towardes her sacred House, did the B. Virgin imprint in the hartes of all these souldiours, in time of this tumultuous warre. And as long as Guise made his station in Picene, the Compa­nies of so great an army, were rather a spe­ctacle than any domage at all to the peo­ple of Loreto, by fauour of the Mother of God, who did not onely protect and de­fend her owne state, but also her Clients. For although many of this army were in­fected with Caluins heresie; yet there was no Band, nor any Company at all, which at the very first sight of the Church of Loreto (stirred as it were with deuotion towards her) came not straight to visit and reuerence her, made not vowes, presented not gifts. Whereby the Captaines of these Companies and Bands, came vnto the sa­cred House one after another, with great quietnes of their souldiours, and departed more peaceably than they came, promi­sing or performing their vowes before the [Page 290]Altar of the B. Virgin. Besides in honour of our B. Lady, they did skirmish in warlike fashion with their weapons and furniture, before her sacred House. But shortly after, the deuotion and piety of the souldiours made a more gratefull spectacle in the sight of god, and is holy Mother. For many washing away their sinnes by sacred Con­fession, rested in peace, hauing before recei­ued the most holy bāquet of the Eucharist. And certaine of the heretickes, reduced to the way of truth, and abiuring their er­rours, were reconciled to the Catholicke Church, and also purified with the Sacra­ments of Confession, and of the Eucha­rist, by fauour of the Mother of God, who turneth the perfidiousnes of the im­pious, to the worship and piety of Almighty God.

By making a vow to our B. Lady of Loreto, the Citty of Vtina is preserued from the sicknes, in­creasing round about. CHAP. XXIIII.

AT that time, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. the House of Lo­reto was innobled with many and sundry miracles. Vtina, a Citie of Carinthia, for greatnes and worth, second onely to Aquileia, eschewed great danger of sicknes by the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto. The yeare 1555. a terrible plague spreading abroad in the Territories of Ve­nice and Carinthia, made euery where great immortalitie among the Inhabitants. And the Magistrates of the Cittie of Vtina, see­ing the sicknes creepe on, and dayly ap­proach vnto them, entred into Counsell of necessitie, and resoluing to make a publicke Vow, inuocated the B. Virgin of Loreto, committing their Cittie to her protection and patronage: who frustrated not the [Page 292]supplication and praier of her Clients. Be­cause for space of two yeares (all which time the plague was very hoat, and wa­sted all the townes thereabout) the prote­ction of our B. Lady was so present vnto them, that onely Vtina remained free from the common euill. Wherefore the Citty of Vtina not more religious in making, than in performing her vow, set forward a so­lemne supplication to the House of Loreto. Three hundred gentlemen, before whome was carried a most curious Image of Christ Crucified, came all in white gar­ments, & regardable in one liuery, to pre­sent either publicke or priuate Donaries to the B. Virgin of Loreto. Who at their en­tring into the Church, with much emu­lation began to cast their bodies on the ground, and with weeping eyes to giue manifold thankes to God and his Mother, not onely in the name of their whole Citty, but euery one also for his owne particuler. Then rising vp, and imbra­cing ech other with brotherly affection, they renewed their weeping, and bedew­ed themselues with mutuall teares. And so notable a wayling springing from piety, caused the like in them that were standers by, none almost of the behol­ders [Page 293]forbearing teares in the pious la­mentation of such men. Which donne, going into the most sacred Cell, and most deuoutly saluting the B. Virgin Mother of God, they set downe their gifts before her, among which there was a votiue Ta­ble, curiously painted with this inscri­ption.

Sight is restored to two that were blinde. CHAP. XXV.

THREE yeares after, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. the B. Virgin of Loreto shewed a more admirable spectacle, both to the inhabitants and Pilgrims. A yong maide of Sienna, way­ting on no meane Matron of Venice, had her sight so decayed in the seruice of her Mistresse, that at last she saw nothing at all, and there appeared signes in her eyes, which gaue euident testimony therof. When she had assaied the helpe of Physi­tians in vaine, by commandment of her Mistresse, she was brought to Loreto by two women, not doubting, but that her sight would be restored vnto her, by the help and prayer of our B. Lady. The yong maid being brought into the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin be­tweene those two women, eft-soones kneeled downe, and with many teares, er­nestly began to call on the Mother of God. [Page 295]The Chappell was full of Inhabitants and strangers, who likewise prayed to the B. Virgin, either moued with pitty of the maide, or els in suspence with the expe­ction of the thing: And beholde, as she was praying to our B. Lady with feruent deuotion & trickling teares, vpon the suddaine she was so comforted, that she cried out; Now I see some light: And withall earnestly intreated thē that were present, to assist her with their deuout and godly prayers. All being feruent in praier to Almighty God for her, within a while the maide (ioyfull at the successe) cried out againe; Now I see the burning tor­thes and lampes before the B. Virgin: which did so vehemently inflame the burning zeale of the suppliants, that it caused teares of ioy to issue out of all their eyes. And at length the maide herself vttered these wordes with thankfullnes. Now I see the Image of our B. Lady; Now I see the Donaries which are about her. O clemencie of God, & his B. Mother! O diuine and memorable benefit of them both! As she repeated these & such like words, with teares of ioy in her thāksgiuing, all begā to weepe in tokē of thāksgiuing to god & the B. Virgin which cōtinued half an houre. And the same remayning with many of [Page 296]thē after their departure out of the sacred Chappell, filled the harts of them which came thither with like feeling & admira­tlō: specially whē those, who a little before saw that the yong maide was blinde, now perceiued that her sight was cleere & per­fect. There was scarce any thing of like qualitie, dōne in a greater assembly of peo­ple. For this wonder happened at the feast of Easter, at which time the House of Loreto is vsually frequented with great concourse of people. Raphaell Riera: who committed it to writing, deliuereth, that himselfe was present at the miracle; and I my selfe recei­ued it of others of vndoubted credit, who said that they were also present, to witt, the 59. yeare of this age, Gaspar Doctus be­ing Couernour of Loreto, who comman­ded that so euident a miracle should be set downe in publicke record. But the thing was donne with true simplicitie: For the names of the maide, & of her Mistresse were omitted, as though they nothing at all per­tayned to giue credit vnto the miracle. I be­lieue they saw the Euangelists do the like in euident miracles. Lesse famous, but no lesse admirable is that, which is rehearsed of Thomas of Parma, who being quite blinde with a grieuous infirmity of his eyes, and a [Page 297]certayne night much molested with bitter paine therof, erected himself on the bed where he lay, and kneeling downe, implo­red the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto with many teares; adding this vow vnto his prayer, if he recouered his sight, he would go to the House of Loreto to giue her thankes: and so reposed againe, putting great confidence in the B. Virgin. His hope deceiued him not. For in the mor­ning when he awaked, he saw the light with sound and perfect eyes, and giuing due thankes to the Mother of God, went to Loreto and performed his vow.

A Shipmaister of Genua is deliuered from double danger. CHAP. XXVI.

AT that time another came to Loreto bound by double vow, Annal. Laur. Rier. and fauoured with a double miracle. Paul a famous Pilot of Genua, returning from Gasconie in France to Genua, was suddainlie brought into great feare of shipwrack by a raging tempest, which inforced him to cast all the merchandize into the sea. And the storme beginning to force the ship more vehemēt­ly, all cōceiued so great feare therewith, that the Passengers and Mariners forsaking the vessell to saue themselues by swimming, he alone remayned in his shippe, desiring to preserue it in as great safetie as himself, being indeed the chiefest part of all his wealth. When he saw his vessell full of water, he trusted wholie in his vow, and inuocated the B. Virgin of Loreto for himself and his shippe. Not in vaine: For that inuocation gaue him such strength [Page 299]and courage, that he alone (assaying it with great force,) hoised vp the saile, and hoping that his praiers were heard, ende­uoured to pumpe the water out of the ship. Meane while the tempest was asswaged, & the shippe, with the winde and our B. Ladie guiding her, came to the hauen of Genua, with no lesse admiration of himself, them of others, to see a great shippe half full of water, arriue safe at the harbour, guided by the Pilot alone, executing the office of all the Mariners. But Paul hauing obtained his vow, was slower in performing it then was fitting, either expecting a more con­uenient time afterward, or els thinking to preferre other things before that busines. But his delay was not long vnpunished. For when the yeare came about, the verie same day, as he sailed in the same shippe (that the time might put him in minde both of the benefitt & also of the offence) he suffered shipwracke againe with his little sonne. Whereuppon presently the me­morie of the danger which he latelie auoi­ded by the help of the B. Virgin, and of his negligēce in performing his votiue pilgri­mage pricking his guiltie cōscience, with aboundāt teares he asked pardon of God, & intreated the experiēced help of the B. Vir­gin [Page 300]of Loreto, for himself and his sonne, bin­ding the promise of the olde, with a new vow. His praier deceiued him not. For seeking his litle sonne among the waues, he found him without any harme at all, and taking him vp on his shoulders, carried him safe to land, swymming a great way along the furious sea, all the rest of the Passengers and Mariners being ouerwhel­med & drowned, that the destruction of others might make the heauenlie gift, more notable. Assoone as he came to the shore, not more ioying his owne, then the safetie of his little sonne in the midst of such im­minent danger, he fell downe on his knees, cōmāding his sōne to do the same: & lifting vp his hands towards heauē, with flowing teares of ioy gaue hartie thankes (next after God) to the B. Marie, that she did not fru­strate the vow of an vngratefull man, that failed in his. And because doubtles the delay of performing his deuotiō, caused him this new danger, he promised that no negligēt stay, should now hinder him. Wherfore fearing if that he wēt vnto his owne house, some domesticall care might also deferre his pilgrimage, & the better to recompence the great negligence which he cōmitted in performing his former vow, he set for­ward [Page 301]towards Loreto, omitting to visit his House and Countrey: and intreating and begging victualls to sustaine himself and his litler sonne, he came to the sacred House, deseruing to be remembred, not onelie for recouering of his shipp in his first danger, but afterwards for loosing it, and finding & sauing of his sonne; & now also as much cōmendatiō for performing his vow with deuotion, as blame at first for neglecting it.

A yong man is deliuered out of prison: another twice hanged is deliuered from death and punishment. CHAP. XXVII.

ABOVT that time the B. Vir­gin of Loreto shewed her self as admirable in deliuering men from punishment, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. as in cal­ming the sea. Augustine of Rocca Valdonia (a towne of the territorie of Sienna) was accused of a salfe crime and commited to prison where the innocent man suffe­ring much torture, called on the B. Virgin of Loreto to whome he was exceedinglie deuoted. Neither in vaine. For awaking [Page 302]out of his sleepe in the quiet night, he saw the iron manacles wher-with he was fet­tered, fall from his hands of themselues, & in continēt our B. Ladie giuing him aduice and strength to flie, himself indeuouring to dig through the wall of the prison, pulled out certaine morter with his hand, and opened a hole which gaue him meanes to escape. But two dores remayned that hindered his flight, which by chance finding miraculously opē & vnguarded, he escaped with safetie, not onelie finding free egresse, but also secure defence, by gift of our B. Ladie. But this mā was deliuered frō imminēt, another from present death. Francis of Ferrara, a simple but a deuout man, trauailing through Picene the 56. yeare of this age, fell into the forces of the Duke of Guise, who waged war for Paul the 4. a­gainst Philip King of Spaine, of whom being demanded the cause of traue I and courte­ouslie intertained, he sent him to the Ge­nerall of the Popes Army, with the letters of the French Captaine & certaine Chara­cters (wherof they were agreed betweene themselues) sowed in his doublet, alto­gether ignorant therof. But being inter­cepted and searched by the watch of the aduerse Army, he was brought to Marcus [Page 303]Antonius Columna at Anagnia a Cittie of Cam­pania, who by the letters and characters of the enemy found in his doublet, thinking him verilie to be a spie, forthwith com­maunded the simple Contrey-man to be hanged. And albeit he was presentlie led vnto the place of execution, with a great troupe of souldiours, and Cittizens of Ana­gnia following him; yet he did not despaire of himself. For hauing leaue to say a few praiers, he fell downe on his knees, and first asking pardon for his sinnes, and then calling on our B. Ladie of Loreto. It is not vnknowne to thee B. Virgin Mother of God (saith he) that I dye guiltlesse, and in no wise priuie to these letters. Therefore I pray and beseech thee, to make thy sonne mercifull vnto me, that of his great cle­mencie forgiuing me my other offences (wherby I confesse to haue deserued grea­ter punishment) by some signe or other he may vouchsafe to declare my innocencie. Hauing spoken thus in a loude voice, he went to dye with a confident minde, Whereuppon the hangmā tying him to the gallowes, cast him of the ladder, pressing his shoulders with his feete, that he might leaue him for dead. A wonderfull thing to be spoken and seene: For the seelie man [Page 304]had hung but a while, but the rope brake of it selt, and he fell downe to the ground, seeming to be safe and sound. But the mi­racle was esteemed a chaunce, that it might be more notable. For the hangman tying a stronger rope about his necke, pre­sent [...]e [...]ed the poore wretch to the gallows againe, and cast him of the ladder, wre­sting his necke more forciblie them before. But beholde, by the pouidence of God and his B. Mother, the rope burst againe, and Francis falling downe to the ground, and breaking his head with the fall, lay as it were without life, Whereuppon the miserable sight of the poore Countreyman mooued the multitude there-about, and the strong rope breaking of it self, brought them into such admiration, that all re­called to minde his prayer and inuocation of the B. Virgin of Loreto, when he went to suffer. For which cause many intrea­ting pardon for the innocent yong man, & the beloued of our B Ladie, thought it wickednes to haue him made away by mortall men, who was twice preserued by the goodnes of God. And Marcus Antonius of his owne naturall disposition, & exceeding deuotion towards the B. Virgin of Loreto, pardoned him more willinglie thē he was [Page 305]requested. Also the Cittie Anagnia rightlie setting downe a testimonie of the miracle, as it happened, deliuered it to Ferrara him­self, which he, comming to Loreto to giue thankes to the B. Virgin, left there with her, for a perpetuall monument therof to posteritie.

A woman of Sicilie hauing her throate cutt, is cured. CHAP. XXVIII.

IT is nothing leffe, Annal. Laur. Rier. but perad­uenture more admirable, which now is deliuered of a woman. A yong maide of Sicilie of more beautie then honestie, (whose name we thought good to suppresse to saue her credit) being brought from Sicilie to Venice, and there many yeares together making gaine of her dishonest bodie, and heaping vp good store of wealth, at last had a desire to see her Countrey & returne home againe. Therefore turning all her wealth into money, with a familiar mate of hers she went towards Loreto, intending to [Page 306]wash away the filth of her former life by Cōfesliō, & to salute the B. Virgin of Loreto, that then she might go more ioyfullie into Sicilie. But assoone as they came to the wood of Rauenna, that good companion seeing all round about secure, and the hope of the prey greatly prouoking him, set on her vnawares with a drawne sword; vpon with a deadlie weapon, inuocated the B. Virgin of Loreto. But the thiefe (our B. Ladie deferring her helpe to haue it more notable) cast her from the horse wheron she rode with the wound of the sword, pursued her when she was downe, and gaue her many blowes ernestlie im­ploring the help of our B. Ladie. At length lest any hope of life should remaine, the cruell wretch cut her throate, whē she was halfe dead, and taking away her golde and iewells, and leauing her miserablie wounded, departed from her. Who tum­bling in her owne bloud euen readie to yeeld vp the ghost, recommended her ago­nizing soule to the B. Virgin; and in that verie instant was made partaker of the vndoubted help of her Patronesse. For presentlie with great glorie of hea­uenlie brightnes, our B. Ladie appeared [Page 307]vnto her in a white garment, and bidding her be of good comfort, gentlie imbraced her, cherished her in her lap in this her ex­tremitie, healed the wounds of her body with her touch, replenished her sorrowfull hart with heauenly ioy, and then admo­nishing her to lead a chaste life, vanished out of her sight. Wherewith the woman awaking, as it were out of a heauie sleepe, and viewing her body all ouer, saw that the scarres of her late wounds were closed vp: & feeling with her hand perceiued al­so that the deadly woūd of her throate was perfectly cured. Wherfore with exceeding ioy, she fel downe on her knees, and next after God, gaue manifold thankes to her most assured Patronesse for so worthie a benefit. Yet one thing did disturbe her great ioy, which was, to be left in the wood by the thiefe in her bloudie & torne smocke. But the B. Virgin Mother of God, was as carefull to prouide for the naked shamefastnes of the womā, as she had beene to preuēt the imminēt dāger of death. For beholde, as she was giuing thākes to our B. Ladie with great deuotion, certaine Mula­tiers passed that way by chāce, who taking compassion to see a yong woman without clothes, and imbrued with bloud, & also [Page 308]pilgrimaging to Loreto (as by herself they vnderstood) forth with clothed her with a couerlet, & putting her on a mule carried her to Ancona, in token of their deuotiō to the B. Virgin of Loreto. Whereuppō assoone as she had begged some meane apparell, she went reioycing to Loreto, to wash away the blemishes of her life by sacred Cōfessiō, & to performe her vow to our B. Ladie; euerie where intending to publish her sin­gular help, by whose benefit without all doubt (next after God) she was preserued aliue, and restored to perfect health, when she was at the pointe of death it self. To confirme the truth of this miracle, she shewed the new signe of the deadlie woūd in her throate, and by the prouidence of God, there appeared no obscure token of so great a wonder. For about her necke did glitter a golden scarre, in māner of a chaine, that you may playnlie vnderstand, that her deadlie wound was toucht and cured by the heauenlie hand of our B. Ladie. Which trulie to all that beheld it (wherof Raphaell Riera, who set it downe in writing, was one) was not onely a great monumēt of the miracle, but euen a miracle of it self. And the woman being either allured with the sweetnes of the House of Loreto, or els desi­ring [Page 309]to render due thankes to the Mother of God so well deseruing of her, preferred Loreto before her Countrey; where she liued many yeares so deuoutlie, that she would receiue the holie mysteries verie often, & then also reuisit the B. Virgin of Loreto, to excite the Inhabitants to the seruice of God and his B. Mother, with singular example of innocencie and pietie.

A certaine man of Genua doubting of the House of Loreto, being well punished, repenteth. CHAP. XXIX.

ABOVT that time Almighty God established the religion of the Cell of Loreto with a fa­mous miracle, Annal. Laur. Rier. lest any hereafter should doubt therof. The yeare 1557. a certaine Genuese (whose name we conceale to saue his credit) borne of no meane parentage, but more curious then godlie, went on horsbacke from Genua to Loreto. Who in the way, by instinct doubtles of the diuell, first began to suspect, [Page 310]then also to belieue, that the House of Loreto was no ancient monument of our B. Ladie, but a new muention or superstition and auarice. But the wicked cogitation of the mad man was not long vnpun shed. For the verie same day, the horse on which he rode fell downe vpon him, and oppres­sed him so greatlie with the weight of all his bodie, that the miserable man lay bruized and halfe dead vnder his horse in the high way, without any hope of helpe, because he had none in his com­panie, to do any thing for him. His miserie gaue him vnderstanding. Whereuppon turning rashues into deuotion, he called on our B. Ladie of Loreto Neither in vaine. For being presently desiuered of the horse, he rose vp safe and sound. But the present clemencie of God, did not expell the conceiued frenzie of the mad man; who within a while returning to his wicked conceite againe, made the mi­racle more notable. For hauing gone but a little way, and the diuell tempting him more vehementlie then before, he thought with himself, that the wonders which were reported of the House of Loreto, were altogether false. But not without punish­ment. For the House of Loreto being now [Page 311]in sight, the blindenes of his minde brake out into the bodie, by a dymnesse which tooke away his sight, & presentlie strength began to faile him, not well in his witts. Therfore trembling for feare, and seeming like to one dismaied, and not able to guide his horse, by the horse himself he was brought to Loreto, which stood still at the next Inne, where almost faynting and readie to fall downe, he was supported by the host, who taking him by the hand, lead him into a chāber, & laid him in a bed: where carefullie recalling to minde the manifest wrath of Almightie God twice experienced in the same iourney; and also fearing greater punishment by the present losse of his sight, he began to weepe bit­terlie. This feare was his health. For being assisted by the grace of God, he repented, and hoping that a penitent might haue safe reguge, by the fauour and clemencie of the B. Virgin, he besought pardon of God and his B. Mother: promised and vowed, that he would neuer after, otherwise be­lieue of the Cell of Loreto, thē the Christian world belieued. A wōder to be spoken: The sight of his eyes came vnto him with the light of his mind. Wherupon going to the House of Loreto, & wyping away the ble­mishes [Page 312]of his life by sacred Confession, he entred into the most Maiesticall Cell, and deuoutly saluted the B. Virgin, reioy­cing to see her with those eyes, which of late he lost by offending her, and now by pleasing her, receiued againe.

The Violatours of the most sacred Chappell are punished by miracle for their rashnesse. CHAP. XXX.

SHORTLIE after Almighty God did euidently punish the Violatours of the most sacred House. Annal. Laur. Rier. For about the 58. yeare of this age a certaine Noble & a wealthy person of a chiefe Citty of Italy (the name of the man and his countrey is passed in silence, because he himself would haue it concealed) came to visit the House of Loreto, and to be a document, that the rashnes of them which aduenture the like, is not vnounished. Who at the same time taking a litle stone out of the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, reserued it at his [Page 313]House, with all honour and reuerence: Yet that reuerence mitigated not the wrath of God. For Almighty God rustly reuenging the iniury of his B. Mother, that miserable mā paied for his sacriledge, with the depri­uemēt of his children, & the losse of all his goods, & also begā to be troubled & vexed with a disease more continuall then dan­gerous. Therefore being a man otherwise prudent and graue, at last he opened his eyes, and perceiued that Almighty God did punish him for some wickednes, which he had committed. And though he saw all things happen vnto him, in such sort, as they might playnly set before him the wrath of Almighty God; yet by what de­fault of his it came, he saw not. Therefore being much disquieted with heauines both of body & mind, he endeuoured to miti­gate the wrath of God with all his might. But the occasion therof, remayning with him, albeit ignorant therof, made all in vaine. Thē an other hope (this prouing of no [...]orce) came vnto his minde: which was the B. Virgin of Loreto, to whome he was meruailously addicted, whose aduice and he [...]pe, he deuoutly implored. Without de­lay, by our B. Lady herself he was certified, that the stone which he had takē out of the [Page 314]House of Loreto, was the cause of the heauenly wrath, which in no wise could be pacified, but by restoring the sa­cred stone thither againe. Then with flowing teares, the poore man besought pardon of God and his B. Mother, for his religious boldnes, as he thought, and desi­red himself to bring backe to Loreto, that which he had taken thence. His praiers were to good effect: For this also the Mo­ther of God forgaue him, as soone as he acknowledged his fault, whereby the di­sease was taken away, and he going cheer­fully to Loreto, restored the stone, and per­formed his vow. At that time there hap­pened another, not much vnlike to this. A woman of the Territory of Picene, being lōg married & hauing no children, was great­ly troubled in mind, how she might seeke euery where for remedy against her baren­nesse. Therfore, I know not who said vnto her, to gaine the womans fauour, there was no presenter remedy against sterility, then the reliques of the House of Loreto, preserued with pious and Religious re­spect: if she tooke neuer so little thence, she was promised to be a Mother in short time; which was as foolishly belieued as pro­mised. But by the manifest wrath of God, [Page 315]reuenging her bolde acte, she carried home the stone which she had taken thence, with an ague on her. And the sicknes of the body did molest & trouble her minde so much, that she was not more tormented with the burning of the feuer, then of her Con­sciēce. Neither was she deliuered from that disquiet, vntill she sent to Loreto for a Priest, powering out manie teares, in token of true repentance, restored the stone which she had taken from the sacred House: wher­by she obtained not onely pardon, but also perfect health. The like boldnes cost the Sclauonian Merchants deerly, who buy­ing corne in Picene, priuilie hidde in their shippe, a stone which they had stollen out of the sacred Cell of the Mother of God. But albeit they deceiued men; yet they could not deceiue God, the reuenger of their sacriledge. For as soone as they were gone out of the hauen, a foule storme of tempestuous weather by and by arising, brought them into so great feare, that with trembling it enforced them to cast their Merchandize into the sea: and when they saw themselues in danger of drowning, at last they preceiued that Almighty God did punish them for his B. Mothers sake. Then weeping and holding vp their handes to­wards [Page 316]heauen, all at once began to intreate and craue pardon of God. And the wrath of God being mitigated with their praiers and teares, did also asswage and calme the sea. Whereuppon assoone as they were de­liuered out of this danger, they returned backe to Loreto, to restore the sacred stone to the B. Virgin, & then sailed into Dalma­tia with good successe. Sicknes also (as if it were the executioner of Gods iustice) cha­stised diuers of the Pilgrims, who at their departure had taken with them some par­ticle of the sacred stones, or of the morter of the beloued House, which left them not, vntill they returned backe againe, and with teares confessing their teme­rity and rashnesse, restored to the Mother of God, that which they had stollen & ta­ken from her.

The robbers of the Sacred Chappell are apprehended by miracle, and put to death. CHAP. XXXI.

BVT the Iustice of Almightie God shewed it self more gen­tle to those whome some co­lour of religion deceiued, and more grieuously punished the boldnes of others, whome auarice prouo­ked to commit a most wicked act. About that time certaine Officers of the House of Loreto, of purpose conueyed away the sa­cred treasures, which they ought to haue defended from such as went about to steale them. But Almightie God speedily cha­stised their hainous sacriledge, with deser­ued punishment. For assoone as they had hid all that they had stolne, in a ship which was in the harbour, they made hast to steale away. But as they sailed along the shore of Picene, foule weather brought them back to the place, where they shipped them­selues: [Page 318]wherby falling into the hands of the Officers of Recanati, they were ap­prehended in their manifest theft: and for examples sake (lest others should ad­uenture the like) were presently hanged before the House of Loreto, paying for their wicked sacriledge, with that igno­minious death. But others hoping to es­cape shortly after, were prouoked and tempted to assay the like mischiefe. For a certaine forlorne wretch hauing a great desire to rob the most sacred Chappell, and getting a fit companion for his sacrile­gious attempt, prepared engines to open the lockes of the dores, and of the chest where the money is kept: and when he had prouided all things for that purpose, craftily hid himself in the sacred Cell of the B. Virgin. Whereuppon going about to execute his sacrilegious desire in the dead of the night, he gathered the sacred Donaries of gold and siluer into one place; And when he had opened the Arcke and the doores of the sacred Chappell, he also assayed to burst open the leaues of the Church-doore it self: which as­soone as he had broken open, he began to looke about to seeke the complice of his wickednes; who at that very houre (for [Page 319]so they had agreed) was to be in readines in the Church porch, to hide the sacred gifts, and the money in an appointed place. But beholde whiles he intentiuely looked about, he saw a companie of armed people at hand (a multitude of heauenly spirits, as it was supposed) watching the House of the B. Virgin, whose vnexpected presence stroke him into so great feare, that he spee­dily shut to the doores, & hid himself, thin­king they sought his life. But the vnhappy man hauing escaped that danger (as he thought) and auarice egging him on, be­gan to aduenture the thing againe. Wher­uppon opening the dores of the Church againe, and the third time, to seeke out the complice of his mischiefe, allwaies that heauenly company met him in armes, and with all speed forced him to fly againe in­to the Church. Hauing thus spent the night betweene hope and feare, at last he was more sollicitous of his life, then of the prey, and determined to depart without his purpose. For the morning being ready to approach, he assayed to get away by a back doore of the Church; but still being frighted with the encounter of that hea­uenly watch, which we haue mentioned, he fled back againe into the most sacred [Page 320]Cell, where remained manifest signes of his attempted sacriledge, that, the place which was the witnes of his wickednes, might also manifestlie declare the same. And the keepers of the most sacred Chap­pell, comming vpon him vnawares, and finding the dores broken open, and the sa­cred Donaries gathered into one place, began easilie to suspect his intent and pur­pose. And the lewd fellow himself trēbling with a guiltie cōsciēce, seeming to discouer his intended wickednes, was straight ap­prehended: and being examined, confes­sed the whole matter. Wherefore with the partner of his filthie sacriledge, he suf­fered deserued punishment, to be no small document of the prouidence of Almightie God, towards the well-fare and good of the sacred House of Loreto.

Two yong men are deliuered from the seruitude of the Diuell. CHAP. XXXII.

MOREOVER other wicked, and almost forlorne men, were reduced to an honest life, and to the way of saluation, by the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto. There was a certaine yong man, as noto­rious for his birth, as for his wicked life; who in a quarrell receiued a grieuous wound in his knee, for offending Alm. God; for which cause he could not cure the wound, vntill he began to mitigate the wrath of God. For hauing wasted good part of his substance in physicke and surgerie, the cure was more likelie to bring him into feare of greater incōuenience, thē any good hope of recouerie, Annal. Laur. Rier. wherby he mightilie feared speedie death, or at least perpetuall lamenesse. For which cause re­iecting help of Surgeons, he put all his hope and trust in the B. Virgin of Loreto, and repenting with teares (the truest signes of pennance) began to pacifie the wrath [Page 322]of God, and to implore the help of his B. Mother, making this vow vnto her, if he escaped this danger, he would go to the House of Loreto with gifts, to giue her thankes. A wonderfull thing to be sayd. Speaking these wordes with great repen­tance of minde, the wound was presentlie cured, and he recouered perfect health of bodie. But health restored to an vngrate­full and dissolute man, was almost his de­struction: who quite forgetting so great a benefit, thought it not inough to neglect his vow, vnles he also abused the benefit of his recouerie, with the licenciousnes of his former life. For being inclined to worser things, at last he came to that passe, by giuing himself wholy to lust, that he had scarce the grace to repent: So much were his later workes, worse than his former. He had beene vndone, if Alm. God had not looked on the out-cast man, and by heauenlie fauour brought him againe into the way of salua­tion. For shortlie after, he seemed to heare a silent voice, bidding him go to Loreto, and speedilie performe the vow, which he had made: and then (lo) he obeyed, and went to Loreto, to worship the Mother of God with gifts. But no small thing to be spokē of, pre­uented the fruite of his votiue pilgrimage. [Page 323]For lust had so thralled him vnto her, that still sticking in the same filth, he refused to go to Confession, though Alm. God rea­ched forth his helping hand. Yet because his conscience pricked him, and permitted him to haue no rest, first he began to go round about the sacred House of the B. Virgin, and the place appointed to heare Confessions; then leasurelie to view the forme of the Church, and the votiue ta­bles hanging about the walles: within a while by impulsion of the wicked diuell he also departed out the Church it self, but presently by heauēly grace returned thither againe. You would haue thought he had beene mad, and distracted in minde, so far did it repēt him, sometimes of his purpose, sometimes of his pēnance. And being scarce well in his wittes, he was so disquieted in mind and in bodie, that he could nei­ther abide the sight of the Priests, nor the remorse of his owne conscience. And also being in great perplexitie, and doubtfull what to doe, he remayned three dayes in these cogitations: But at last through the goodnes of God and his B. Mother, new zeale of saluation was enkindled in him. For by chance being present at diuine ser­uice, he seemed to heare a voyce frō heauen [Page 324]blaming his delay, & commanding him to go to one of the Priests there prepared, and to disburden his soule of his offences with purpose of better life. That voice pierced and bowed his obstinate minde, and so at last being ouercome, or rather ouercōming all impediments, he peesentlie changed his minde [...], and did as he was commanded. Whereby getting happilie out of the sinke of lust, he washed away all the blemishes of his life with great aboundāce of teares, and reioycing with heauenlie ioy, as men are wont to doe, gaue manifolde thankes to God and his B. Mother, that he was twice deliuered from imminent danger of bodie and soule, by her protection and fa­uour. There was the like condition of an other yong mā, & the euēt not vnlike, who being wholie giuen to lust, & those things that follow it, in short time spent all his Fathers substance in wickednes & filthines of life: & whiles he striued to bring himself to all naughtines & dishonestie, at last the matter came to that passe, that he was a scorne, not onelie to mortall men, but euen to the mōsters of hell. For the diuells appea­ring vnto him in horrible shapes, & cōtēp­tuously beating him with stripes as their slaue, did not onely insult ouer the body, [Page 325]but also ouer the soule of the vnhappie yōg man, threatning to lay vpon him more grieuous & horrible punishment (I belieue) to the end he might despaire with the grie­uousnes of his tormēts; so cruell & incessant is the gouerment of the diuell ouer wicked men. And the wretch being thus oppressed with misery on euery side, was euen now almost ouercome with desperation. But as he was thus tormēted in himself, & looking to & fro, a light appearing suddainlie vnto him, put him in hope of saluation, and brought him in mind of the B. Virgin of Loreto, of whose power & benignitie, he had heard many wonderfull things. Wher­by his guiltie soule being trulie penitēt for the impuritie of his former life, with flo­wing teares he began to inuocate the Mo­ther of God, that by her fauour he might pacifie Almightie God, & turne from him his heauēlie wrath. But forthwith that in­fernall companie resisted him, going about to imbrace this wholsome determination; who turning contēpt into hatred, & ming­ling threats with stripes, indeauoured to frighten & withdraw the poore man from his good purpose. But at last Christian constancy ouercame the importunitie of the diuells, & by the fauour and protection [Page 326]of the Mother of God, the yong man de­termined to perseuere in his purpose well begunne. Therfore prostrating his body and mind before his most benigne Patro­nesse, with all hope and confidence he im­plored her aide against those infernall fu­ries; beseeching her to take from his necke, the yoke of that most miserable bondage, that being once deliuered and freed therof, he might go ioyfully to Loreto, to purifie his soule from sinne, and to giue due thankes to her his Deliueresse. His hope & praier was not in vaine. For out of hand Alm. God gaue him great hope of heauenlie help, and replenished him with no small ioy, driuing those troublesome tormentors far away, whose noise & roring was so ea­silie perceiued, that they confessed (though with much vnwillingnes) that they could do nothing against Marie. Wheruppō scarce his owne mā for ioy, he went presentlie to Loreto as he vowed, & washing away all the blemishes of his life in the Sacramēt of Cō ­fession, gaue hartie thākes to God & the B. Virgin; & to certaine Priests (wherof Ra­phaell Riera was one, desirous of such newes in few) he ioyfullie declared the heauenlie benefit, which he had receiued by the fauour of the B. Virgin of Loreto.

She also deliuereth a yong man whome the diuell had brought into bondage, by restoring vnto him a writing of his owne hand. CHAP. XXXIII.

MOREOVER the Patronage of the B. Virgin of Loreto saued another yong man, Annal. Laur. Rier. whome raging lust drew headlong to vtter perdition, For being of desperate affection, desire and audacitie; he gaue himself wholy to forbiddē pleasures; and ouercomming many matrons with his dishonestie, he burned with the excessiue loue of a certaine woman, whome seeing he could gaine, neither by increatie, nor money, nor force, nor deceite, he deter­mined to experience the most desperate course of all. Making meanes therfore to the diuell by Art-magicke, he reouested to be made partaker of his desire, shew [...]ng himself ready to condescend to all, to enioy that which he so ernestly sought. Wheruppon by cōmandmēt of the diuel, he forsooke Christ, [Page 328]and gaue and deliuered himselfe wholy to him, and which is more, did also sweare vnto him by prescript wordes, and bound himselfe vnto it by hand-writing: so far doth the loue of pleasure blind impure mindes. But when he had obtained his desire, satietie (as it happeneth) bred loath somnes, and by the goodnes and grace of god, he weighed the greatnes of his of­fence with mature consideration. And be­ing truely penitēt for his wicked sinne, and conceiuing some hope of pardon, he began to seeke for heauenly help, and to call on Almightie God, and his B. Mother, Meane time the B. Virgin of Loreto, and the Priests of the sacred House (endued with most ample faculty to release sinnes) comming to his mind, without delay made him to go to Loreto A mightie God being the au­thor and guid of his iourney; not doubting but there to find remedy against so many euills. His hope deceiued him not. For as­soone as he came thither, making meanes to confer with a discreet Priest, he declared vnto him his mournful state, and asked him, whether he might haue any hope to be saued. And first the Priest remayned some­what am [...]zed at the grieuousnes of the of­fence, but thē declaring vnto him the great­nes [Page 329]therof; he put him in hope of saluation, if by praier, fasting and voluntary punish­ment of his body, he would wholy giue himself to pacifie Almighty God. When he refused no punishment at all, the Priest pro­mised him, if he did what he was commā ­ded, he would willingly heare him, and by the grace of God, would also take away so great an offence. At parting he exhorted him, to punish his body with fasting, with hair-cloth & stripes, for the space of three daies, to implore the help of the B. Virgin, and by her, to aske humble pardon of Al­mighty God for his grieuous sinne; and he also promised to say Masse for his saluation all that time; whereby there was good confidence on either side. The three daies being so spent, before he gaue him absolu­tion, the Priest thought good to wrest his hād-writing from the diuell, that he might haue no right nor interest at all in him. Therfore he exhorted the Penitent to re­tire himself into the most Maiesticall Chappell, and ernestly to importune the Mother of God with praier and teares, vntill he got his hand-writing, out of the diuells hands. He obeyed, very desirous of saluation and security, with vndoub­ted hope to obtaine it by the intercession [Page 330]of the B. Virgin Mother of God. Wher­uppon prostrating his body before the B. Virgin, with flowing teares he ear­nestly besought her, that she would vouchsafe to get him his wicked hand­writing, and to worke his saluation and health. By a great Miracle he had his desire. For as he repeated these verses with all deuotion,

He saw the hand-writing fall suddenly in­to his hands, and scarce crediting himself for the vnexpected ioy therof, with new teares he gaue manifold thankes to the B. Virgin. Wheruppō departing presently out of the sacred Chappell, he went ioyfully vnto the Priest, and shewed him his hand­writing gotten againe by the benefit of the Mother of God, which was stuffed with so many horrible execrations and curses against Christ, & himself that wrote it, that it may easily appeare to be dictated by the euerlasting enemy of mankind. Notwithstanding the power of God, more potēt than all diabolical deceipt, loosed so [Page 331]great a band, wherby that sinnefull soule giuē by vow to hell it self, by fauour of the Mother of God, was set in the liberty of the childrē of God, that no wicked nor desperate man should despaire of saluation (if he himselfe will not perish) nor doubt of the clemencie of God, who hath freelie giuen his B. Mother, a Patronesse to of­fenders for their saluation.

The care of Pope Pius IIII. and of the Car­dinall of Vrbine, in adorning the House of Loreto. CHAP. I.

THIS meane while Pius succeeded Paul the IV. whose Popedome, Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. as it was more ioyfull to Italy by reason of peace, so was it more notable in adorning the House of Lerote. For Pius built most of the higher [Page 333]porch of the Bishops Pallace; The bene­fits and giftes of Pius the 4. made the old hospitall more conuenient and commo­dious, by adding new building vnto it: & exempting the House of Loreto out of the Iurisdiction of the people of Recanati, made it a free State, the 65. yeare of this age. The cause wherof was, for that they were ac­cused to be negligent in execution of Iu­stice, and suffering the walls to decay in many places. Wheruppon the towne of Loreto, was restored to her former liberty by Pius the IIII. about 30. yeares after Paul the III. had committed it to the Gouern­ment of the Citty of Recanati; who also commanded the Gouernour of Loreto, to repay eight thousand Crownes to the Cit­tizens of Recanati, albeit they should refuse it. But the piety of the good Pope, was not more notable in augmenting the State of Loreto, then in adorning the B. Virgin herself. For he supplied the number of the Chanons, and of the Officers not a litle diminished; with his Pontificall Breue established the Colledge of the Society of IESVS, which Paul had inlarged, and also increased it with reuenewes. About which time, the Cardinall of Carpa depar­ting this mortall life, he gaue the Pa­tronship of Loreto to the Cardinall of Vr­bine [Page 334]who in piety and care towards the B. Virgin of Loreto was inferiour to none of the former Patrons. For first he com­mitted the Gouernment of the House of Loreto to Pompeius Pallanterius; by whose dire­ction he caused the Thole of the Church to be adorned on the inside with costly mar­ble worke. Also at the foote of a hill which is neere to Loreto, and in the high way that goeth to the hauen of Recanati, he made a commodious and well adorned fountaine for Pilgrims, and afterward by other Go­uernours, did many more notable things as in due place shall be sayd.

The care of the Picentians in defen­ding the House of Loreto against the Turkes: & the protection of the B. Virgin towards her owne House. CHAP. II.

AT that time the terrour of the Turkish nauy comming to Loreto, Annal. Laur. Rier. did manifestly shew the deuotion of the Picentians to our B. Lady, & likewise the beneuolence of our B. Lady towards [Page 335]the Picentians. Word was brought by the Scoutes, that a great nauy of Turkes (in which were a hundred & fifty galleys) had set out of Epyrus, intending to assault Ancona assoone as they had spoiled the Church of Loreto. And within few dayes, a speach of their nauy being seene vpon the coast of Italy, caused the Picentians to assemble them­selues with great strength. Among the first multitude, the flower of Recanati flocked to Loreto, to defend the Sacred House with fortifications and armes, who (neglecting their Countrey and friends) fortified Lo­reto with rampiers & bulwarkes. And other people of Picene, filling all the shores round about with armed men, hasted thither with no lesse emulation, chiefly to defend the Sacred House of Loreto, with all their might, against the Barbarians: for with all willingnes they desired (if necessity requi­red) to dye a glorious death for her, and in her sight. To these forces of armed men, were conioyned cruell weapōs against the outragious Barbarians, to wit, the conti­nuall prayers of the godly. For all the Priests and deuout people of Loreto, and of the bordering townes round about, ceased not to pacifie Almighty God by praier, & by supplication to inuocate the B. Virgin, [Page 336]that she her self would vouchsafe to defend her owne House and Clients. Their praier and vow had effect. For the B. Virgin mo­ther of God, did not onelie keepe the force of the Barbarians from her natiue House, but also from the Territorie of Picene it self. Because the Captaines of the Turkish nauy suddainlie changed their determination of attempting Ancona, and turned their fury on the maritime people of Abruzzo; where setting their men a land, and taking Ortona, Guasto, Francauilla, and other no meane townes of Abruzzo by force, they destroied them with fier and sword. Hauing for the most part ransackt Abruzzo, yet they durst not touch the bordering Countrey, wholy exposed to their prey; euen so present was the protection of the B. Virgin of Loreto vnto her owne people. Whereuppon the Pope himself, being most glad, that the House of Loreto, was deliuered out of such imminent danger by heauenlie prote­ction, thought it also his dutie to prouide, that heereafter it might not onelie be far from danger; but euen from any feare therof. For which cause by aduise of the Architects, he determined to fortifie the hills neere to the towne (whence the enemy might easilie assault the sacred [Page 337]House) with walls, fortresses, ditches, and rampiers; to the end that it might not onelie be able to withstand their suddaine incursions, but also notablie sustaine a siege. But one care after another put of this holie determination of the Pope; & finallie, vntimelie death wholie dissol­ued his holie and godlie purpose.

The Bishop of Conymbria, being taught by his owne harme, resto­reth a stone which he procu­red to be taken out of the House of Loreto. CHAP. III.

THIS time was not without miracles and Donaries. Annal. Laur. Rier. For neuer before in so few yeares, did there happen a greater number better witnessed, and more knowne among all people, wherof this was most famous in all the Christian world. The 61. yeare of this age, Iohn [Page 338]Suarez Bishop of Conymbria (a man famous for learning and pietie) going to the Coūcell of Trent sūmoned by Pius the IIII. came out of his way to go to Loreto, about the Natiuitie of the B. Virgin: where duti­fullie making his prayer and performing his vow, he had a great desire to build in his Bishopricke, a litle House like to that of Loreto, for which purpose he desired to take some one stone out of the House of Loreto it self. But the Gouernour of the place, and the Patron withstood it, me­nacing him with the Popes inhibition: Yet Suarez, making honourable shew to propagate the reuerence of the B. Vir­gin of Loreto in Portugall, obtayned his desire of the Pope by an Authenticall Breue, which by Francis Stella his Chapline (for he himself was gone to Trent) he sent to the Gouernour of Loreto, who at that time was Pompeius Pallanterius. But assoone as it was reported abroad, that a Priest of the Bishop of Conymbria was come, authorized with the Popes Breue, to diminish the wall of the most Maiesti­call Cell, in verie deed the thing see­med verie vnfitting, not onelie to the Go­uernour and Chanons, but also to townes­folkes and strangers, & no lesse pernicious, [Page 339]for the present domage, then for future example. Whereupon euerie one pronoun­ced, that there would be an end of the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin: For if once they began to take away the stones of the sacred House, in short time not so much as one would be left. Notwithstan­ding because the Popes authoritie did vrge, after diuine seruice and a solemne proces­sion, the Chanons and the Priests of Loreto assembled themselues into the sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, rather to suffer, then to do that which was comman­ded. For all resolutelie refusing such a ser­uice, with a fit instrument, Stella himself pulled and tooke the stone out of the wall, all the keepers of the sacred House saying confidently vnto him, that it would be but short ioy vnto his Bishop, that the Minister of sacriledge might take that from God and his B. Mother, which doubtlesse by the manifest indignation of them both, he would shortlie bring back againe. It was a Prophesie. For these wordes seeming to come from heauen, pierced the brest of the audacious man, and filled it with anxious cares. Whereuppon vncertaine what to do (albeit the command of his Bishop did vrge) he staied eight whole [Page 340]daies at Loreto, and spent all that time in vaine to pacific Almightie God. For how could he asswage the heauenly wrath, who suffered the cause therof to remaine about him? At last on the Calendes of December he began his iourney, much troubled in minde with a certaine religious dread & sollicitude. And coming to Anconae with­out any inconuenience, and holding on his iourney without feare of ill successe, he presentlie perceiued that Almightie God did punish him for his rashnesse. Because from that time he was alwaies so mole­sted with raine and tempestuous weather (yet perseuering still to go whither he in­tended) that euerie moment he escaped many and great dangers of life. For most of the waies were almost vnpassable by reason of lakes and streames which hinde­red him. Also furious waters encounte­ring, threatened him destruction. Likewise the horse on which he rode being not able to stand, fell downe; and he himself tum­bling after, was so moiled in the lakes, that he was enforced to change his horses, but he had no better successe with any. And thus diuers accidents hindering his vnluckie iourney, he came at length to Trent, in the end of the moneth of Decem­ber [Page 341](hauing passed many inconueniences and dangers) and deliuered the sacred stone vnto the Bishop, telling him how deerlie he had bought it. But the Bishop being made nothing more circumspect therby (hauing space strangelie giuen him to repent) nor willing to learne by an others perill, was taught by his owne. For about the end of Februarie, inclo­sing the sacred stone in a siluer case and preparing to send it into Portugall, he was suddainlie taken with an extreme burning feuer, and began to be misera­blie anguished and molested therwith; which brought with it a more grieuous and cruell disease, to witt most bitter paine of the groine, which permitted him to take no rest at all. Forthwith Phisitians are set aworke, who applying all things in vaine (because his sicknes comming to him as a punishment from God, the cure therof might verie well surpasse their skill) they constantlie pro­nounced, that the force and cause of his griefe, seemed not to them any humane thing. Therefore it was best for him to consider, whether peraduenture Almighty God might not inflict that horrible pu­nishment vpon him, for offending him: [Page 342]And so fearing vnfortunate euent of the cure, they departed, despairing of his re­couerie. Wheruppon the Bishop was verie sollicitous and much perplexed in himself, whether for any secret offence, Alm. God had inflicted such horrible pu­nishment on him. And being thus forsaken of the Physitians, he began to be tormen­ted more in minde then in bodie, to looke diligentlie into himself. And because he was troubled with a scruple about the stone which he procured from Loreto, he ceased not to mitigate the wrath of God by all the meanes he could, and with sighes and feruent praier, to aske pardon of the B. Virgin of Loreto, if perchance he had offended, by violating her sacred House, and to confesse that he was ready to cōdescend to all to make satisfactiō. His praier was not vnheard, assoone as in some sort he acknowledged and detested his fault. For within a while, he seemed to heare a silent voice (as it were from hea­uen) commanding him to restore the stone which he had taken from the B. Virgin of Loreto. But fearing leste it might be the vaine immagination of a weake minde, both because he had gotten it by the Popes authoritie, and also for that he [Page 343]would not defraud Portugall of so great a good, now obtained for her; he remay­ned doubtfull what to do. In this meane while some weekes were spent. Wherup­pon by commandement of his Lord, at last Stella carefully recommended the Bishop verie dangerously sicke, to two holy mo­nasteries of sacred Virgins in the Cittie of Trent. And within two dayes, one of the chiefe of either Monasterie brought an­swere, if that the Bishop would be cured, he must restore that which he had taken from the B. Virgin of Loreto. when Stella heard what they said, he was amazed, admiring how Virgins shutt vp in their Cloisters, could know of the stone of Loreto, which truly at Trent besides himself & the Bishop none knew, because he commanded the thing to be concealed with all care, Not doubting therefore, but that the whole matter was shewed vnto them by a heauenlie signe, he tolde his Lord what he had heard. Whereat the Bishop remained like one astonished; and woun­ded with remorse, gaue many sighes. And by and by with his elbow lifting himself vp vpon the bed where he lay, and holding vp both hands & eyes to heauen, with trickling teares, he ernestly intreated [Page 344]pardon of the Mother of God. That the mercifull Mother would vouchsafe to par­don his pious errour: that she would for­giue him, acknowledging his fault. For he would keepe nothing of the House of Lo­reto, against her will; he was resolued & de­termined forthwith to restore that, which he had receiued thence, and mistrusted not but to recouer health by her meanes, as­soone as he had restored the sacred stone vnto her; that she would therfore help him, who had giuen him this hope. He failed not in his promise, nor the B. Virgin his hope. For presently Suarez commanded Stella himself (who brought it) to recarry it backe to Loreto, with all the speed he could. Neither in vaine. For he was scarce gone out of the gate of the Citty on a horse of good speed, but the Bishop began to feele himself better, and out of hand sent after him, another Post, to charge Stella to make as much hast as might be. Wheruppon ta­king fresh horses, and little regarding his owne rest, he posted speedily day & night, making hast to come to Loreto. A wonder to be spoken. The neerer he came to Loreto (as afterward by conferring togeather the times was vnderstood) the b [...]tter the Bi­shop felt himself: So that at the self same [Page 345]time, the sacred stone was restored to the B. Virgin, and health to the Bishop. This seemed not to be without miracle, that Stella in taking away the sacred stone, had no harder and troublesome a iourney, than facile and expedite, when he brought it backe againe. For it is euident, that he posted from Trent to Ancona (which is but xv. miles from Loreto) within foure daies; so much did not the speed of horses, as a certaine prouidence of Almighty God for­ward his returne. And all this, euen as I haue related it, Stella himself reported to Raphaell Riera, who was then at Loreto. And in good sooth for the eui­dence of the miracle, all men do speake of it.

The Sacred stone is put into his place, & reuerenced with great solem­nity and concourse of people. CHAP. IV.

STELLA comming to Loreto, Annal. Laur. Rier. in the beginning of April, forth­with related the whole mat­ter to the Gouernour, & with the letter of his Bishop, deli­uered the sacred stone, in the Siluer case, as it was: wherof as soone as the Priests of Loreto had vnderstanding (who foretold ill hap to them that would aduenture such a thing) euery one pronounced, that the B. Virgin of Loreto, iustly reuenging him for his rashnes towards her natiue House, at last had made him to see his owne folly; & lest others should aduenture the like, had gi­uen a worthy example to mortall men. As­soone as it was published abroad, that the sacred stone was brought backe by an eui­dēt miracle; all the townes-folkes & stran­gers made hast to the gate of the towne to [Page 347]see it, whither comming in solemne pro­cession, the letter of the Bishop of Conym­bria (which declared all the matter in or­der) was openly read, and the sacred stone (graced with this worthy miracle) was put into a gorgeous tabernacle, and by the Go­uernour, Chanons, and Priests, was carried about with as great pompe as might be, and put into his owne place, with more than two thousand people following it. Whereunto was added a double holde of iron, to be a monument to posterity, that it was taken thence by the rashnes of men, and restored againe by the pro­uidence of God. And the letter of the Bishop was sent to Pius the Pope, in to­ken of the miracle, which at this day is reserued at Rome in the Castle of S. An­gelo with other letters of the Popes, whence we had a coppy, which we thought good to insert in this place. And the let­ter translated word for word into latin, is thus. ‘ To the Gouernour of Loreto, Iohn Bi­shop of Conymbria S. D. (that is to say) sen­deth greeting. By reason of my deuotion to the B. Virgin of Loreto, with all dili­gence and trauell, labouring to get a stone of that sacred house (as it is not vn­knowne to you) at last I obteined of the [Page 348]high Bishop, to be free from the Cen­sure of the Pontificall inhibition, the Cardinall of Carpa, Patron of Loreto not vnwilling thereof. But God and his B. Mother shewed me by manifest signes, that I should send back to Loreto, the stone which I had taken thence. For both an vnusuall disease, did by miracle disquiet my prosperous health, and also by the admonition of holy men, accepta­ble to Almighty God, I perceiued that this was the cause of my sicknes. There­fore without delay, intreating pardon & peace of God and his most holy Mother, I commanded that the most sacred stone should be brought back by the same Francis Stella of Arezzo my Chaplin, who tooke it thence. I request and beseech you, to receiue the sacred stone which is sent vnto you, with such deuotion and solemnity as is fitting, and to put it into his own place, togeather with the mor­ter, which likewise is sent back vnto you. One thing I entreate you, to keepe the siluer case wherein it is inclosed, as witnes of the miracle for euerlasting me­mory to posterity. You shall also do a thing very gratefull vnto me, if you certifie the Cardinall Patrone, and the Pope himself of [Page 349]the whole matter, that they may ratifie & confirme the Ecclesiasticall Cēsures against the Violatours of the sacred House of Loreto, least hereafter any part therof should be ta­kē thēce. Also with all the deuout Priests of that sacred House, I request you to pray to the B. Virgin of Loreto, that whether this offence be of errour or default, that she would mercifully vouchsafe to pardon me. Dated at Trent, the VI. of the Ides of April, the yeare. M.D.LXII.’ The fame of so cer­taine and so witnessed a miracle being pre­sently diuulged in Picene, and in all Italy, greatly increased the Religion and reue­rence of the sacred place, and from all parts prouoked a great multitude of Pilgrims, to come to visit & reuerence the House of Lo­reto with Donaries. For it is well knowne, that within the space of one moneth, aboue fifty thousand strangers came to Loreto, to see and to kisse this famous sacred stone, at which time, there was no­thing more spoken of among deuout people.

Manie are deliuered from very great danger. CHAP. V.

AT that time the B. Virgin Mo­ther of God, Annal. Laur. Rier. shewed by eui­dent tokens, that she did no lesse respect the health & safe­ty of mortall men, than the good of her owne House. Troylus Ribera a Gentleman, comming to Loreto vpon vow, trauelled on horsbacke among brokē rocks (called the Cripts) not far from the mari­time Castle of Picene; where his horse stum­bling, Ribera himself tumbled downe from the steepe rocks on horsbacke, to the shore of the dangerous sea below; often calling on the B. Virgin of Loreto: And hea­uenly help did not faile him. A won­derfull thing to be spoken and seene. For the horse and the man who were throwne downe from the Cliffe, stucke fast in the way by the sea side, and albeit he had his sword and dagger buckled a­bout him, notwithstanding he escaped safe, [Page 351]and hurt in no part at all: and so went to Loreto ioyfull and glad, to performe his dou­ble vow. Such, and the like danger, by help of the B. Virgin of Loreto, eschewed Sal [...]stius the Captaine of a Band of horse­men, or Pius IIII. who as he trauelled o­uer a highe Cliffe of Vmbria, fell downe headlong likewise on hors-backe. But the B. Virgin of Loreto (whome heretofore he had visited) cōming to his minde in this imminent danger, with flowing teares he called on her, who doubtles was with him in his fall, speedily bringing him desired help. For although he tumbled downe to the bottome of the hill it selfe; yet he esca­ped without any harme at all. And the height of the Cliffe whence he fell, was al­most a hundred Cubits, least any should exempt it from miracle. Ioseph of Monte-Feltrio found the like fauour, by the help of the B. Virgin in like danger, who climing vp to a high Tower, to settle there a peece of timber, fell downe headlong mistaking of his footing; but calling on the B. Virgin of Loreto, forth with he seemed to himself to be sustained by a certaine heauenly vertue, seeming, as it were, a hād, & by litle & litle to be let downe without any grieuance or danger, so that he came to the ground, not [Page 352]onelie sound in bodie, but also in senses, This is more admirable. Augustine of Cremona was at Catara a Cittie of Dalmatia, the yeare 1563. in the beginning of Iune; at which time a great earth-quake swallowed and ouerthrew good part of the Cittie, oppres­sing Francis Priulus the Gouernour, and his whole familie, with a destruction altogea­ther as miserable, as any wise memorable. Wherby Augustine being partaker of the common danger, implored the help of our B. Ladie of Loreto. Neither in vaine. For although he was beaten downe with the suddaine fall of a wall, yet his clothes onely were torne, & his skinne some thing brui­zed. Wheruppon all thinking him to be dead, by and by, by the protection of our B. Ladie, he was safe and sound; whose pre­seruation, the foule and miserable death of others, who were in like danger, made more notable.

A Sailer loosing his ship, is saued by the help of the B. Virgin. CHAP. VI.

THE power of the B. Virgin of Loreto was as notable in cal­ming the sea, Annal. Laur. Rier. as in deliuering men from the earth-quake. A certaine man of Sardinia a skill­full and discreete Pilot, bringing a ship laden with wares from Constantinople, the 60. yeare of this age, in the Vigill of S. Andrew the Apostle; & being in sight of Mi­letus a Cittie of Asia minor, the vessell was suddainlie tossed with so vehement a tempest, and beaten so furiouslie with waues, that she began to leake. There was no hope of recouering harbour: and when the Pilot and Mariners saw that the keele it self began to cleaue more and more, and to let in water aboun­dantlie, they despaired of humane help, and suppliantlie inuocated the B. Virgin of Loreto. They praied not to them that were deafe. For although the ship be­gan [Page 354]to sinke by little and little, till she was readie to be swallowed vp in the sea; yet suddainlie in the darknes of the night, a heauenlie light shined to the sailers and passengers, crauing pardon of God and striuinglie imploring the help of his B. Mother, which gaue both courage, and shewed the way of health to them in hor­rible feare. For seeing a boat stand almost immoueable amidst the waues, prouided, as it were, by miracle for their safetie, all speedilie went into it, and followed the heauenlie light going before them, as the guide of their way, thinking it to be the B. Virgin of Loreto. And hauing sailed but a little way, they looked backe to see what was become of the ship which they had forsaken, which by and by they saw swallowed vp in the sea. Wheruppon all the companie doubling thankes and laudes to God and his B. Mother, by conduct of the heauenlie light, came safelie sayling into the Adriaticke sea; and speedilie sayling along the coast of Italie ariued at the hauen of Ancona, the verie festiuall day of S. Andrew the Apostle. When they came to land, the speed of their iourney was held for no lesse a miracle, then the benignitie of their guide. For it is euident, that within [Page 355]the space of a few houres, the boate sailed more then a thousand miles. Wherefore out of hand going to Loreto, and rightly pu­rifying their soules with the sacred myste­ries, they performed their Vow to the B. Virgin Mother of God, and declared and published this worthy miracle.

Two men are deliuered from lighte­ning: Also two barren women are made fruitfull. CHAP. VII.

THE protection of our B. Lady of Loreto, Annal. Laur. Rier. was as powerable against lightening, as against the raging sea. Antony de San-Stephano of Castello in the Ter­ritorie of Luca, in time of a horrible tem­pest, went vp to the steeple to ring the bell, as the custome is: but behold lightning falling suddainlie frō heauen, ouerthrew the Tower together with Antony, who being blasted with the lightening, and beaten downe with the fall of the steeple, lay foure houres without life, couered in a great [Page 356]heape of stones. But at that time his kins­folkes and friends made many vowes to the B. Virgin of Loreto, for his preseruation and safetie, which proued not in vaine. For when the heape of stones was remooued, Antonie was found aliue and well, who, in short time recouering strength, came to Loreto the yeare 1565. to performe his vow to the Mother of God, and most willing to publish her singular fauour towards him. And about the same time there happened an other like vnto this. Marcus Antonius Feci­nus of Monte-Feltrio, Curate of the Parish Carpenia, going vp to the bell-fray to ring the bell to Masse, was suddainlie stroken with lightening, but calling on the B Vir­gin of Loreto, with a little scorching of his shoulder, and burning of his clothes, he escaped safe by the vndoubted help of our B. Ladie, and out of hand making hast to Loreto to performe his vow to the Mother of God, he left behinde him a faire votiue table to witnes the miracle to posterity, And at the same time also, two noble wo­men getting help for their sterilitie, did as much illustrate the B. Virgin of Loreto, as the former did. Iulia Roborea wife of Alfon­sus of Est, hauing liued many yeares with her husband in wedlocke without issue, [Page 357]determined to reiect all physicall remedie, & to turne herself to heauenlie aide. Wher­uppon cōming to Loreto, and rightlie puri­fying her soule, she besought the B. Virgin, to obtaine for her, issue male; making this vow with her praier, if she had a sonne, she promised to returne to the House of Loreto with gifts, vnles she were hindered by some mischance, which notwithstanding she would performe by godlie men, whome she would send in her roome with the Do­naries. When she had made her Vow, she returned home, and conceiued issue; and being happilie deliuered, brought forth a goodlie child. And not to be vnmindefull of her Vow, out of hand she sent to the B. Virgin of Loreto for a gift, the Image of the infant curiouslie wrought in a plate of sil­uer, of eight pound weight: Whereunto was added this inscription in token of the benefit receiued.

ALFONSVS OF EST, THE SONNE OF ALFONSVS, NEPHEVV OF ALFONSVS DVKE OF FER­RARA, BORNE THE IDES OF NOVEMBER THE YEARE OF OVR LORD M.D.LX.

[Page 358] Such another confirmed the certaintie of this miracle. Bernardine San-Seuerino Prince of Bisinia (the Father of him that now is) liuing many yeares with his wife, had no children by her. And being long frustrated by the hope of Physitians and physicke, he was grieued not onelie for want, but also because he had no hope of issue, whome he might leaue heyre of so great a Signio­ry. At last that which nature denied, he thought good to beg of God and his B. Mother by praier. Wheruppon making a vow, he and his wife came to Loreto, where both praied deuoutlie to our B. Ladie, in­treating desired issue. The B. Virgin did not long prolong their hope. For before the Prince departed from Loreto, by mani­fest signes he perceiued his wife to be with child: and in short time it appea­red, that she cōceiued this issue, when she made her vow at home. But I know not by what chance that benefit was short, and of small continuance. For within few yeares after he became a Father, the Prince was depriued of his onelie Sonne: yet the B. Virgin did not frustrate his hope and vow. For within a while he had another sonne, who suruyuing his Father, now gouerneth the Signiory of Bisinia.

Many despayring of their recouerie are cured by miracle. CHAP. VIII.

Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. ABOVT that time, health was restored to many by miracle, the Phisitiās despairing ther­of. Cardinall Morono being molested with a dangerous sicknes, suddainlie recouered by calling on the B. Virgin of Loreto, and forth with came thither to giue due thanks to our B. Ladie, and to performe his vow, greatly desiring to haue a monument of the heauenlie be­nefit to remaine there: Wheruppon he left behind him, a votiue table with this in­scription.

[Page 360] Another more admirable, Iulianus Cesarinus is deliue­red from danger of death. but a litle more ancient. Iulianus Cesarinus one of the Peeres of Rome (of whome we spake before, the 60. yeare of this age) lay pining away with a dangerous and a long bloudy flux, whose strength being taken away with voiding of bloud, not only the Physitians, but euen his domesticalls and friends, belieued that he could not possibly escape. But Iulianus well remembring what fauour and help, he had found heretofore at Loreto, called on the Mother of God, and forthwith was deliuered out of danger, leauing all amazed at the wonder of so great a thing. For the neerer he was to his death, the more eui­dent was the miracle. Here followeth an other vnlike in kinde, but like in certainty. Iohn Baptista Asculanus was troubled many yeares so grieuously with the goute, that he was not able to go alone. Therfore hauing no hope to recouer by physicke, he implo­red the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto, and without delay came to Loreto on horsbacke. Assoone as he came thither, he was carried into the most Maiesticall Cell by two of his seruants, where as he was praying de­uoutly to our B. Lady, he presently reco­uered his former health, in such sort, that by himself alone he went on foote to the [Page 361]Inne, whence, immediatly before, it was well knowne that he was carried into the most sacred Cell, lame of the goute.

Two possessed persons are deliuered from the tormenting Diuells. CHAP. IX.

OVR B. Lady was as fauou­rable in expelling of Diuells, as in curing of diseases. Soone after Paula a Sclauonian wo­man being long and much vexed with a company of wicked diuells, wherewith she was possessed, was the oc­casion of a meruailous & frequent spectacle, both to the Inhabitants and Pilgrims of Loreto, For hauing assaied to small effect, other humane and diuine remedies, she de­termined to come to the B. Virgin of Loreto, the most certaine refuge of all that be in misery. But the Diuels hindered her whol­some determination and iourney with all their might: and first with roaring and horrible noise, endeuoured to make her to desist from the iourney which she had vn­dertaken to Loreto: Then seeing that she would go forward, they cast her on the [Page 362]ground with a kind of obstinacy: & other­times incensed her so fiercely against them which went with her, that by striking and biting, she might fright them all our of her company. But at last either the piety of men, or els the goodnes of God, ouercame the Diuells deuices. For (albe it with much resistance) a strong and coura­gious company of men brought her by force into the sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, and prouided for her a godly and a discreet Priest in such affaires, by whome, the Di­uells being commanded to depart by the Word made flesh in that most holy place, at last they went their waies, leauing her without sense. But when she had reco­uered strength, & giuen due thankes to our B. Lady, they assalted her againe not far from Loreto, as she returned home. Wher­uppon being haled backe to the House of the B. Virgin, she began to vtter certaine wonders, to diuine, to disclose the secrets of many hartes, and to speake in strange ton­gues. They that were present first wōdered at the suddaine alteratiō, but presently tur­ning admiratiō into compassiō, with many teares they implored the B. Virgin in her behalf; who speedily expelled the wicked Diuells wherwith she was tormented. Yet [Page 363]assoone as the woman set her foote out of the gate of Loreto, by and by those trouble­some fiends were at hand, who entred in­to her againe, as into their ancient posses­sion. Which when it happened the second and third time, at last the woman percey­uing that out of Loreto, she could not be safe and secure from those monsters, resolued with her self to lead her life at Loreto, that she might hide herself vnder the shaddow and protection of the B. Virgin, and dedi­cate herself wholy to her seruice; where spending some yeares in such things, she ac­complished her last day with a happy end. About the same time, there happened an other not vnlike to this. Alexander Galiardino of Bologna an Inne-keeper of no small ac­compt, had his dearest daughter miserably vexed with foure terrible diuells. Therfore with great hope and confidence, he recom­mended her to the fidelity and protection of the B. Virgin of Loreto. Neither in vaine. For within a while, those troublesome tor­mentors were cast forth, & he receiued his daughter free and in good health. Hauing obtained his vow he brought her to Loreto, to giue due thankes to the B. Virgin Mo­ther of God, & to witnes the help, which she receiued from our B. Lady of Loreto.

Sight is restored to two blind-men. CHAP. X.

AT the same time sight was restored to blind-men. Annal. Laur. Rier. Peter Romanius a yong man of Fa­uen [...]ia, being depriued of both his eyes, and many yeares leading a sorrowfull life in perpetuall darknes, at la [...] by newes of the miracles of the B. Virgin of Loreto comming to Fauentia, he conceiued some hope of recouery. Wher­uppon with much confidence he implored the B. Virgin of Loreto. A wonderfull thing to be said. As he was praying to our B. Lady with great hope, the darknes was suddenly taken away, and he recouered his desired sight. The thing is well witnessed. For he came to Loreto the yeare 1564. and brought with him the letters of Annibal Cassalius the Protonotary Apostolicall & Vicar of Fauentia, in witnes of the miracle.

The B. Virgin cureth two that were dumbe, restoring to the one, the vse of his tongue, and to the other, his tongue when it was cut out CHAP. XI.

THE B. Virgin was not more bountifull to the blind, Annal. Laur. Rier. then to the dumbe. A little boy of Iohn Vbaldus of Padua, a famous Captaine in the warr, was so troubled with the falling sicknes, that it tooke from him the vse of his tongue. And ha­uing layne three yeares both dumbe & sicke, the father of the child despayring of help by meanes of Phisitians, implored the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto, in behalf of his sonne: and his prayer was heard. For in continent the child did not only recouer his former speach, but also health of body by miracle. Whereupon his father brought him to Loreto, the yeare 1563. that both might giue due thankes to the B. Virgin [Page 366]Mother of God, and performe their vow; who related the whole matter to the Go­uernour of Loreto, and to many others. But this is most admirable. The president of Abruzzo comming to Loreto, went out of his way to go to Cluitella, where he appre­hended a wicked man vsing now and then to vtter impious speeches, against Alm. God, & the B. Virgin of Loreto. Wherewith the Presidēt being incensed to great wrath, for example sake, presently reuenged his fil­thy [...]āguage, by cutting out his sacrilegious tongue. And not contenting himself with this, he deliuered him ouer to prison, com­manding him to be carefully kept, vntill he returned from Loreto, that then he might determine, whether he deserued to be pu­nished with greater torment. But the poore wretch being in great paine with the in­flicted punishment, and also solicitous for that which was past, at last repēted, & tur­ning wickednes into reuerence, vsed all di­ligence both day and night to mitigate the B. Virgin of Loreto, by silent prayer, & vow, beseeching her to asswage the Viceroyes anger against him, & to giue him meanes to cleanse his soule of sinne by sacred Confes­siō. The praier of the wicked man repēting and detesting his fault, did not mislike the [Page 367]B. Virgin of Loreto. For within a while the Mother of God appeared vnto him in his sleepe, bidding him be of god comfort; for in short time he should be deliuered out of prison, that he might go to the House of Loreto, and there confesse his sinnes by means of a new tongue. The euent ap­proued the prediction. When he awaked, a certaine tongue (as it may seeme) began to grow againe, by which he vttered the conceite of his mind, without any diffi­culty at all. And the Viceroy returning from Loreto, and vnderstanding of the matter, thought good to pardō him, whom the B. Virgin herself had pardoned. Ther­fore in cōtinent he set him at liberty, here­after aduising him to be wiser by his owne perill, and giuing him letters to the Penitentiaries, in token of the miracle, he sent him to Loreto to performe his vow. When he came thither, not only the Vice­royes letter, but also the thing it self wit­nessed the miracle to all. For when he opened his mouth (a wonderfull thing to be seene) they saw that his tongue was cut out, and that a certaine little tongue did grow vnderneath in place of the other, wherewith when he himself would (al­beit with stammering) they heard him [Page 368]speake. This was not all. For returning home and receiuing the sacred mysteries twice or thrice, a new tongue increased by a new miracle, to the iust bignes. Wherup­pon comming againe to Loreto, to giue due thankes to the Mother of God; to the very same, who a little before had seene his tongue cut out (wherof Raphaell Riera, who set it downe in writing, was one) he she­wed it growne out againe by the immor­tall gift of our B. Ladie to the admi­ration and wonder of all, extolling the B. Virgin for so notable, and so worthie a miracle.

A Iew is deliuered out of prison by the B. Virgin, and bapti­zed at Loreto. CHAP. XII.

THE B. Virgin of Loreto did not onelie make the Chri­stians, Annal. Laur. Rier. but also the Iewes par­takers of her benignitie and help. A certaine Hebrue of Nazareth (a man in other respects graue [Page 369]and wise) dwelled at Nazareth in the ver [...]e street where (as we said before) the im­pressions of the House of Loreto, were yet in the ground to be seene: who by neernes of the place (of which by report he had heard many admirable things, had gotten some sparkle of religion. For knowing that the Christians did reuerence Mary his Cittizen with great deuotion and respect, he also began to honour her, and for the same cause, was not far from belieuing in Christ himself. But, as they are a kinde of people hard and peruerse, he continued in the old superstition wherin he was inured from his Childhood by continuall vse. But at last extreme miserie bowed his obstinate mind. For at 60. yeares of age, he being apprehended by the Turkes (for what wickednes I know not) and con­demned to perpetuall imprisonment, he pined away with miserie, and despayring of bodilie health, began to thinke of his soule. And hauing a great care and zeale of saluation inspired into him from aboue, he prayed suppliantlie for pardon, to God the Cre [...]tour of the world, whereby obstinacy was ouercome by myserie, and heauenlie light shined to his blinded mind. There­fore with great deuotion he called on [Page 370] Iesus the Messias of the Christians, & on Marie the Mother of the Messias. When he had solli­citouslie dōne so, he wēt to bed full of hope and confidence: and his hope was not in vaine. For the same night Christ appea­ring vnto him in his sleepe, & the Nazaren knowing him by the similitude in which the Christians did worship him, he con­fessed him to be the true God & the Messias of the world, and suppliantlie adored him in his sleep. And presentlie the likenes of a Virgin of exceeding beautie and maiestie was also represented vnto him, by whose cōmand, an other Virgin her cōpanion, vn­loosed him out of the irons, wherwith he was fettered; and opening the doores of the prison brought him to the hauen, yet fast asleep, but seeing in his dreame what was donne in verie deed. Then the more powerfull Virgin seeming to be the others Mistresse, shewed him a boat in readines, and said vnto him: Now thou art free, therfore be mindefull of thy Deliuerefle, for beholde I haue prepared thee a meane to escape; neither will I faile to helpe thee, as thou fliest away. [...]or thy part go to Loreto, which is a Towne of Picene in the Prouince of Italie, there receiue Christian Baptisme, and offer vp thy self [Page 371]at the Altar of Mary, with purpose of bet­ter life. And the Iew giuing thankes to both, but chieflie to her, who seemed the worthier, prayed his deliueresse, to vouch­safe to tell her name. And when she had said, that she was Mary of Loreto, and her companion Lucie, presentlie with her Com­panion she with-drew herself out of his sight. Wheruppon the Hebrue a waking, per­ceiued that the representation of the thing shewed him in his sleep was true, and much admiring so great a wonder, and making no end of thanksgiuing to the B. Virgin of Loreto, the boat into which he entred by persuasion of our B. Ladie, of it self sailed along the seas with wonder­full speed; and so by heauenlie conduct and aide, he arriued at Ancona within two daies. When the miracle was published abroad, he was curteouslie intertained by the chiefest of the Cittie, who vrging him to be baptized there: Nay, said he, Marie the Mother of Christ commanded me to be baptized at Loreto. Wheruppon the Gouernour of Ancona dismissed him with letters of commendation, and sent him straight to Loreto, where being suffi­cientlie instructed in the mysteries of Christian religion, he was baptized to [Page 372]his owne great ioy, and also others, the 60. yeare of this age, declaring the whole mat­ter to Riera. and to many others by an In­terpreter.

The chiefest gifts brought or sent to Loreto, Pius the IV. being Pope. CHAP. XIII.

THis time which was so graced with miracles, Cod. Laur. was not without Donaries. The Card. of S. Praxedes presented his owne Image of siluer to the brest, The gift of the Card. of S. Pra­xedes, and of others. of fiue pound weight. Francis Caietan a noble man of Rome, golden orna­ture for the Altar. Cardinall Arigonio another of siluer imbrodered, and besett with pearle. Others of lesse accompt, brought to the B. Virgin, other meaner gifts, not needfull to be rehearsed. Also the pietie of noble womē was not of small regard. For Iulia Roborea presented to the B. Virgin of Loreto for a gift, a vestment for the Priest of cloth of siluer, magnificentlie imbro­dered. [Page 373]The Duchesse of Grauine ornature for the Altar, of tissue-cloth of gold. The Duchesse of Mont-Alto, a Cope of cloth of gold. Clelia Farnesia, another of satten, garnished with golden lyllies. Happily at no time before in so few yeares, were worthier gifts presented from Citties and Townes. Spello a Towne of Vmbria, sent a siluer Image of three pound weight. Another from Sarnano in Picene of ten pound weight. Another from Arezzo in Tuscany of eight pound weight. Also an other siluer Image, from the Citty of Firmo of xxij. pound weight, for about 30. yeares before, she had sent an­other, whereunto now at this very time, she adioyned a third, notable for bignes and weight, to wit of xxxiij. pound weight, the inscription wherof doth make the votiue gift more gracious; thus. IN PERFORMANCE OF A PVB­LICKE VOVV THE CIT­TIE OF FIRMO

DEDICATED THIS SILVER I­MAGE TO OVR B. LADY OF LORETO, FOR THE RE­COVERY OF HER COM­MON VVEALTH.

[Page 374] And these be the chiefest miracles and Do­naries of the Chappell of Loreto, which I finde set downe in writing, whiles Pius the IIII. was Pope.

The testimonie of Pius V. of the House of Loreto: and the workes of Robert Sax­atellus, whiles he was Pope. CHAP. XIIII.

AFTERVVARD Pius V. was aduanced to the Apostolicke Chaire, Annal. Laur. Rier. whose singular piety in all things, concerning the honour of our B. Ladie of Loreto, was very notable. For desiring nothing more then to grace the sacred Cell with some speciall gift, in the very begin­ning of his Raigne, he gaue worthie testi­monie of the House of Loreto in a monumēt of his. Who being to consecrate Agnus Dei (as the manner is) commanded that the figure of the House of Loreto, The testi­mony of Pius V. supported [Page 375]on the shoulders of Angells, should be imprinted in many of them, with this poesy: THE TRVE FLOVRISH­ING HOVSE, VVHICH VVAS IN NAZARETH. Which testimonie of such and so great a Pope, is to be esteemed so much the more, for that it was carried into most partes of the Christian world, with the figures of those sacred Agnus Dei. And not contenting himselfe with this, he carefullie committed the protection of the House of Loreto to the Cardinall of Vrbine, seriouslie exhorting him to omit nothing, which he thought might adorne and grace the same. And the good Cardinall being prone thereunto of his owne disposition, by instigation of the Pope, wholie imployed himself in that care. For when Iohn Baptista Maremontius, the successour of Pallanterius, had beene Gouernour of Loreto six monethes; and after him, Vbaldus Venturellus (who also after a few moneths departed this life) the Cardinall of Vrbine, performing the command of Pius the Pope with like greatnes and pietie of minde, appoin­ted Robert Saxatellus, Robert Saxatellus. an actiue and a wise man, to gouerne Loreto with great authoritie. Whose worthie in­dustry [Page 376]deceiued, neither the Cardinall nor the Pope. For he made a speciall choise of Priests and Chanons, to increase the Maiesty of the Church of Loreto, and euery where sought out the chiefest Quiristers with great expences, that he might haue a Quire of Musicke inferiour to none. Also with the sacred ornature, with tables cu­riously painted, and with the tapestry which he bought, Maiesty to the Altar; beauty was added to the Church. And these were the chiefest ornaments of the most Maiesticall Cell. Tvvelue Images of the Sybils. Twelue images of the Sybills of Ligurian Marble of costly worke, placed in their Nicets: foure bra­zen leaues distended on the doores, Four bra­zen leaues for the dores of the Church en­grauen with admirable art, by Hierome Lombardo, a notable Statuary and Caruer of that age: two Images of the Princes of the Apostles of siluer, of a cubit and a half, Tvvo Ima­ges of the Apostles. of rare worke, to be an ornament for the Altar on high festiuall daies. More­ouer to carry the most holy Eucharist honourably and reuerently to the sicke, to bury the dead with solemnity, to maintaine due deuotion to the Names of IESVS and MARIE, he instituted foure Sodalities, to wit, of Corpus Christi, of Mercie, of The name of IESVS, and of the [Page 377] Rosarie of our B. Lady; appointing to euery one their proper Chappell, their sacred ornature, their place of meeting, and their speciall lawes: by which Sodali­ties, great good came to the people of Loreto, and honour to the Church. But the care of Saxatellus did not containe it self within the limits of the Church. For he furnished a common Library with all sortes of bookes, cut downe the hurt­full woods which remained, wholy dried vp the lakes therabout; and turning the channell of the Riuer Musion (running vn­der the walls) another way, made the dwelling at Loreto far more healthfull. Then, to make free and expedite accesse for the Pilgrims which came to visit the sacred House of Loreto, he repaired all the waies that were worne out, or much de­caied with long vse, partly with bricke, and partly with grauell. But albeit most of these workes were begunne vnder Pius V. yet they were finished vnder Gregory the xiij. And last of all Saxatellus made a goodly Barke to fetch great peeces of stone out of Dalmatia for the building of Loreto, & procured great store therof to be brought thither, with which the notable fore­front of the Church of Loreto began to be [Page 378]couered with antique worke, by Iohn Baccalino a famous Architect of those dayes.

The Hospitality and Almes of the House of Loreto. CHAP. XV.

SAXATELLVS vsing all dili­gence to adorne the Church, The Hos­pitality of the House of Loreto. the towne, and the waies of Loreto, omitted not the offices of charity and Christian be­nignity. For first he dayly relicued an hun­dred, then two hundred, and sometimes al­so more then three hundred poore Pil­grims, intertaining them with good Ho­spitality. And because the old Hospitall was assigned for men, and the multitude also of women dayly increased, he built & furnished a new Hospitall for thē. The ho­nester sort of poore Pilgrims, whome shā ­fastnes did let to aske almes openly, he re­lieued by secret means. Principall mē he in­tertained curteously & very boūtifully, that [Page 379]you might thinke the B. Virgin of Loreto was the receiuer of all Nations, and almost of all sortes of people. Happily at no time before, did Allmighty God more concurre in helping the benignity of men: for there was such aboundance of almes and votiue money, that they did not only suffice so many & so great offices of piety and Chri­stian benignity, but also far exceeded them. Whereby we see that wealth bestowed for Gods cause, by his goodnes doth returne more aboundantly. Therfore Saxatellus the onely Steward wholy bent to increase the State of Loreto, with the money which a­uaunced (that the fountaine of this beni­gnity might be perpetual) purchased good­ly and fruitfull groundes. Of the Earle Bona­rello in the Territory of Recanati, he bought the Mount-Vrsus for ten thousand Crownes: for as much more, Tuscion in Osimo, and also other lands in Castro-Ficardo, a notable peece of ground (called Aqua-viua) for two thou­sand and two hundred Crownes, and the vineyards for three thousand. And lest the meadowes & wooddy groundes should be voide and vnoccupied, he filled them with heards of Oxen, Mares, Buflers, flocks of sheep, goates, & other cattell. Out of which, aswell other commodities, as an yearely re­uenew [Page 380]of almost three thousand crownes, came to the House of Loreto, to be no small furderance to her bounty, and the seruice of Almighty God. And most of these things were purchased with the money, which auaunced whiles Pius V. was Bishop. For truly that which was bountifully giuen vnto the poore, was restored with so great increase, that you would thinke God stri­ued with men in liberality. Moreouer, as much as lay in him, Pius the Vicar of God, The De­cree of Pius V. did also furder this prouidence of All­mighty God. For neither the loue, nor the intreaty of any, could euer mooue him, to turne any thing falling to the profit of the House of Loreto, into other workes of piety: so resolute was he, that vowes made to our B. Lady should be performed where they that made them receiued benefit by them; specially seeing that their votiue gifts could no where be better imploied, then in the ornaments & Hos­spitality of the House of Loreto it self.

The Donaries of Pius V. and of other Princes. CHAP. XVI.

AND Pius the Popereceiued no small grace and reward of his merit towards our B. Lady of Loreto. Annal. Laur. Rier. For bewailing Mi­chaell Bonello the Cardinall of Alexandria, The vovv & gift of Pius V. & of others. his sisters sonne, brought to the point of death with a grieuous and dan­gerous sicknes, he made a Vow to the B. Virgin of Loreto in his behalf. Neither in vaine. For presently the praier of the godly Pope was heard, health was restored to the Cardinall ready to die; and Pius ob­tayning this vow and fauour of our B. Lady, was correspondent to the speedi­nes of the heauenly benefit, with like speede of deuotion. For which cause as soone as Michaell was able to performe that iourney by reason of his weaknes, he sent him to the B. Virgin of Loreto with a votiue gift, that he himself might witnes his miraculous recouery. The Do­nary [Page 382]was an excellēt suite of siluer cloth of tissue, for the Altar, & the Priest; the wor­thier, for that it was sent for the health of a worthy Cardinall, and from Pius. V. the Pope. Neither at any time heretofore in so few yeares, did the rest of the Cardinalls send more gifts to the sacred House of Lo­reto. The Cardinall of Mantua presented or­nature for the Altar of cloth of gold. The Cardinall of S. George a Vestment for the Priest of the same stuffe. Cardinall Montino a suite for the Altar of cloth of gold, double curled. Cardinall Riario or­nature for the Altar and the Priest of Damaske, with an Image of Christ, and siluer Candlestickes, a Cubit long, of very costly worke. Cardinall Mont-Alto (who afterward was Pope by the name of Xy­stus V.) double ornature for the Altar, and single for the Priest and Ministers celebra­ting with solemnity, of Damaske beau­tified and finely flourished with great golden flowers. Cardinall Sittico ab-Altempts, a Vestment for the Priest wrought with gold and siluer, like net-worke, imbro­dered. Cardinall Perusino furniture for the Priest well imbrodered: another all­most like to this of the same stuffe and worke from Cardinall Paceco. Finally [Page 383]Cardinall Vinerio gaue a worthy Cope, and golden Vestments, for the Priest and Mini­sters celebrating diuine seruice with solem­nity, garnished with great flowers, curled gold and imbroderie. Neither wanted there gifts frō Citties & Townes. The peo­ple of Camerino brought to the B. Virgin of Loreto for a gift, a Cope of cloth of gold. The people of Fabriano a siluer Chalice, nota­ble for bignes and weight. The people of Viterbo ornature for the Altar made of gold & siluer. With these also came other Dona­ries from worthy, but from vnknowne per­sons, whose memory hath perished I know not by what mischance. There is a Statua almost a Cubit long of solid gold, represen­ting a naked Child, wrought with meruai­lous art, the giuer whereof and the cause is not expressed. Diuers deliuer it in diuers manners. The more cōmon report is, that it was a votiue gift of the Prince Asculano, one of the Peeres of the kingdōe of Naples: who hauing a sonne to succeed in the State of his Ancestors, was deformed with contraction of hands and feete. But his parents inuo­cating the B. Virgin of Loreto, and making a vow for the recouery of their Child, the vse of his feeble members was restored vn­to him by miracle: and truely the shape [Page 384]& fashion of the Statua it self doth fauour this report. Besides there are other such like gifts, whereof there is no memory in the monuments of Record, for ought that I know. For the booke of the Donaries of this time, comprehending almost ten yeares, either perished or els came not to my hands. Therefore of those gifts, which were giuen in the end of Pius V. and in the beginning of Gregory the xiij. I can make no mention, because I neuer receiued any me­mory of them, but the rest I haue deliuered with fidelity, as I receiued them out of their monuments of Record. Therefore now at this time, as I imagine, the siluer Images of Ascolo, Recanati, Monte-Santo, Bo­logna, Milan, and others (at this day to be seene in the Vestries) were dedi­cated to the B. Virgin of Loreto.

Some are deliuered from the inunda­tion of a Riuer: others from tempest of the sea, and from theeues. CHAP. XVII.

MANIE miracles of this time are deliuered. Trad. Laur. Annal. Laur. Rier. Dominicke a Ca­stro-Florentino a Contrey-man, dwelt in a cottage not far from the Riuer Elsa, with two companions of his. Which on a cer­taine night breaking ouer the bankes with great aboundance of rayne, began to ouer-flow the next fieldes far and wide; and flowing thence with great violence, carried away floting with it, whatsoeuer it met. Wheruppon Dominicke awaking out of his sleepe with the noyse of the ra­ging streame, and putting his head out of his cottage, beheld the fields round about, ouerflowne with water, and the floud ready to come vpō him. So fearing lest the present deluge would make an end of him, forthwith he and his fellowes climbed vp to the toppe of the Cottage, and there remained, the danger still increasing, often [Page 386]calling on the B. Virgin of Loreto. The cottage was built of wattles and straw, and [...]ood on postes not verie deepe in the ground, which the swift water raising vp from thence, carried cleane away, with those three sitting on the top of it. And the implored help of our B. Lady did not faile them. For the cottage running to and fro, with force of the wandering streame, for the space of two mile, came at last to a great tree, which they esteeming a heauenly benefit, let go the cottage, clim­bed into the tree with speed, and stayed there vntill the violence of the water ceasing, and the floud it self decreasing, returned into the channell againe: Wher­by they were all saued, not so much by help of the tree, as by the B. Virgin, next after God. Furthermore by double benefit of the B. Virgin of Loreto, others were deli­uered from imminent danger of Pirats, and from a great tempest. A ship of Ancona loa­den with merchandize of Alexandria, being espied by many Pyraticall Pinnaces, as she returned to Italie, was presently beset round about, and cruellie assaulted with Ordinance and weapons. And albeit the Christiās were much vnequal in num­ber and strength; yet they sustained the [Page 387]assault of the Barbarians in hope of hea­uenly alde. Meane while by mutuall exhor­tation, all at once called on the B. Virgin of Loreto, and made their praier more effe­ctuall with a vow. A maruailous thing to be spoken. Forthwith such courage and strength was giuen to al their companie, that renewing the fight, they notablie resi­sted the force of their enemies, and by sa­uour of the B. Virgin were deliuered out of present danger. But hauing escaped this danger of the Pirats, & sayling along with a prosperous winde, without any feare at all, suddainly by change of weather, they were brought into greater danger by the sea it self. For not far from the towne Aulon, situated by the Acroceraunion Rocks (which, by corruption, the Inhabitants call Velona) a foule tempest threatned them present destruction, and made them all so fearefull, that they made a vow to our B. Ladie of Loreto, and resolued to go thither in pilgrimage, as saylers are wont to do. Wherby the tēpest was presently asswaged, and the shippe returning to her course came to Ancona without any harme at all; the speed wherof was such, that within the space of six houres, she sailed from Aulon to Ancona. Wherfore all the Pas­sengers [Page 388]and marriners came cheerefully to Loreto to performe their Vow, and to diuulgate and witnes this double mi­racle.

Many are deliuered from the Capti­uity of the Turkes. CHAP. XVIII.

THESE were deliuered from the danger of the Turkes, Annal. Laur. Rier. but others from their captiuity. Michaell Boleta no meane Citti­zen of Catara, being taken by the Turkes in the towne Cabala, remay­ned captiue not far from Galipolis, and when he had serued fiue yeares, he was so wearied with captiuity, that he began to long for liberty, and with two fellow-Captiues consulted about their flight: who finding an empty vessell in the har­bour without a keeper, went into it as they had agreed, and speedily thrust it from the shore. But their flight was not vn­knowne to the Turkes, who out of hand with two swist and well furnished Pirats [Page 389]barks, made hast to pursue their slaues flying away; and there wanted not much, that Michaell and his fellowes had not beene taken and brought backe againe by the Barbarians, to be punished with great torture and paine. Wheruppon by his per­suasion, all besought pardon and helpe of God and his glorious Mother, the B. Vir­gin of Loreto. A strange thing to be spokē & seene: For by & by a foule tempest so in­raged the sea & the wind, that it droue the Barbarians ships far away. And the thing it self well shewed that it was sent on the enemies by miracle. For at the self same time, and in the same course of the sea, the Turkes were tossed with the furious waues, and the Christians sailed on with great quietnes of the sea, & with a prospe­rous gale: Who looking back to see how far of the Barbarians were, as by the Turbants of their heads (which the Turkes vse in steed of hattes) which sometimes seeing to be tossed vp, then to fall downe againe, they perceiued that their enemies were tumbled with the furious waues, and striued with the aduerse weather, not so sollicitous for the flight of others, as for their owne safety, so greatly did the terrour which Almighty God cast into them by miracle, auert their [Page 390]mindes from pursuing others, to care how they might escape with their owne liues. Wherby not onely with the winde, but also with the help of our B. Ladie, the Christians came to Catara with incredible speed; and being very mindefull of their vow, and of the heauenlie benefit, went spedily to Loreto, where righty receauing the Christian mysteries, they gaue manifold thankes to the B. Virgin, and recounted her exceeding benefit.

A man who was hanged is deli­uered from death. CHAP. XIX.

EVEN life it self was restored to others, Annal. Laur. Rier. when they suffered ca­pitall punishment. Thomas a Venetian, being Captaine of a Band of souldiours in the gar­rison of Zebenico, was not able to order the rude souldiours; who being frighted with newes of the Turkish nauy comming to assault that fortification, ranne all away, and Thomas seeing the garrison forsaken, out of hand with one souldiour his com­panion [Page 391](which onelie remained) went to Iadera, commonlie called Zara, to declare to the Generall of the Venetian Fleete the escape of the souldiours, and the danger of Zebenico, thinking nothing of his owne perill. But the Generall being prouoked to anger by such a message, forthwith commanded that Thomas and his compa­nion should be hanged; yet giuing time to prouide for their soules, as the manner is. Wheruppon Thomas hauing rightly puri­fied his soule by sacred Confession, inuoca­ted the B. Virgin of Loreto, and making a vow, put his necke into the halter, with vndoubted hope of heauenly help. The rope was fastened to the end of the yard of a shippe, and the yard was lifted vp with Thomas hanging therō, hauing great weight of iron tied to his feete. Wheruppon the hangman hoysing vp the vard, & suddainly letting it fall againe of purpose three or foure times, squatted the body of him whome he was executing: whereby all thinking him to be dead, (for he had hung foure houres) he was taken downe from the torture to be buried. But albeit this which we are now to deli­uer may seeme to surpasse all credit; yet trulie neither the power of God, nor his [Page 392]B. Mother. For he who was thought to be dead, was found aliue and lusty, when the souldiour who was his companion in pu­nishment and vsed in like manner of tor­ture, had giuen vp the ghost. Thomas there­fore leauing all astonished with the admi­ration of so great a wonder, went forth­with to Loreto, to giue due thankes to God and the B. Virgin, by whose immortall be­nefit, he was preserued in this mortall life. And the thing remayneth well witnessed among the Priests of Loreto. Knowing many more not vnlike to this, I passe them ouer, because they seeme not so well witnessed, as to be deliuered to me­mory by him, who will set downe nothing with­out good ground.

Two are deliuered from very great danger of death. CHAP. XX.

BVT this is well knowne and witnessed, Annal. Laur. Rier. though seldome heard of from the time of the Apostles, that the old exam­ple of Peter the Apostle deli­uered out of prison by miracle, in a sort should be renewed in our time. The yeare after Christs Natiuity 1570. a certaine per­son, Noble both by bloud and deedes (Au­thors deliuer not his name, I thinke that himself would haue it suppressed) was de­tayned in irons, by one of the chiefest Pee­res of Italy, and charged with false crimes before a wicked and a wrathfull Iudge. Therefore without doubt thinking that he should be put to death, he called on the B. Virgin of Loreto, beseeching her that be­fore he departed this life, he might haue opportunity to visit the Cell of Loreto. And the godly prayers of the innocent, were pleasing to the Mother of God. For in [Page 394]the night, sound sleepe came vpon his body oppressed with anxiety of mind, and in his sleepe a beautifull shape of our B. Lady of Loreto was presented vnto him, who mollified his mournfull hart with great ioy, and presently breaking of his fetters, and opening the dores of the pri­son by miracle (& that which was donne out of sleepe, was shewed to him that was a sleepe) compelled him to go out of the prison, admiring the wonder of so great a thing; and after he was set at li­berty, brought him to the next street of the Citty, yet fast a sleep, and then in con­tinent vanished out of his sight. Wherwith the man awaking, and seeing himself deliuered out of irons and prison it self, perceiued that no vaine imagina­tion was shewed him in his rest. Ther­fore giuing harty thankes to the B. Vir­gin, and exulting with ioy after so great sorrow, he aduentured to go vnto his owne House. But knowing that he should be sought with great diligēce by the Offi­cers of the Prince, to be punished more cruelly as a fugit [...]ue, calling againe on the B. Virgin of Loreto, he did a memorable act. Betimes in the morning (hauing before armed himself with heauenly confidence) [Page 395]of his owne accord he went vnto the en­raged Prince, who was greatly astonished to see him, and related vnto him the whole matter in order as it happened. Neither did the B. Virgin faile to help her Client in so great danger. For the Prince thought it sacriledge to hurt him, whome the Mo­ther of God would haue to be saued; sup­posing that it was no small token of his in­nocency, and being assisted with heauenly grace: Seeing, saith he, the B. Virgin of Loreto hath deliuered thee by so great a miracle, I also by my sentēce do deliuer thee: Go ther­fore, and make hast to that most maiesti­call Cell, as thou hast vowed, and remem­ber to make the Mother of God fauorable vnto vs. The innocent man being bound by double vow, came to Loreto, to wash away his offences by Cōfession, where he ioyfully performed his vowes to our B. Lady, & re­lated so worthy a miracle to Riera the Pe­nitentiary, who deliuered it to writing for euerlasting memory to posterity. At that time a Gentleman of Spaine (whose name we suppresse to saue his credit) being condemned to die for a wicked fact, wher­of he was guilty, was kept in prison, hour­ly expecting execution. In the meane time, the B. Virgin of Loreto comming [Page 396]to his minde (of whose wonderfull vertue, he had heard much talke long since in Italy, by report of others) made him to conceiue good hope of life and liberty, and to be­seech pardon of God & his B. Mother, and to intreat mercy & help of both; making this vow with his praier, assoone as possi­bly he might, out of Spaine (where then he was) he would go a foote to the House of Loreto, & liue by almes like a poore Pilgrim. An incredibile thing to be said: within three houres, the iudges being reconciled to the delinquent by miracle, reuoked and dis­anulled the sentence, and deliuered the of­fender from punishment and prison. But hauing made this vow in his feare, in his security he was so vnmindefull therof, that he had almost forgotten so great a benefit with long delay, had not Allmighty God, iustly reuenging him for his irreuerence, punished his delay and his forgetfullnes. For as he was shooting of an hargabuse, the iron barrell breaking in his hands with­out any harme at al, put him in mind both of the present perill auoided by heauenly protection, and also of the old benefit and vow. Whereuppon in continent true de­uotion, & the dread of God offended with him, entring into his hart, without furder [Page 397]delay made him to set forward towards Loreto as he had promised, to performe his Vow to the Mother of God, where he him­self declared the whole matter to the said Riera, euen as I haue related it.

The manifold help of the B. Virgin of Loreto, in the victory got­ten of the Turkes by sea. CHAP. XXI.

AT those times in the extreme danger of the Christian State, the power and help of the B. Virgin of Loreto was most no­table. For whē Selime the Tur­kish Emperour had taken Cyprus by force of armes, he threatned destruction to the rest of the State of Veni [...]e, and of the Christian world. Therfore Pius V. thinking to with­stand the common danger with common forces, ioyned with the Venetians, and with the King of Spaine against the Turkish war, [Page 398]and began to make great preparation for it. Duke Marcus Antonius Columna most illustri­ous among the Romanes for parentage & fame, being Generall of the Popes Nauy, was commanded to set forward against the Turks with all speed. Whose wife, Felix Vrsina, a woman of like Nobility, fearing that she might be depriued of husband and children, thought it her safest course to re­curre to the B. Virgin of Loreto, in so many aduentures of war by sea. Whereuppon she came to Loreto with an honourable traine, not doubting but by the intercession of the Mother of God, the King of Heauē would be merciful to her husbād. After she had re­ceiued the sacred mysteries, she remayned deuoutly all night in the most sacred Cell, hūbly beseeching pardon & help of God & his B. Mother for her self & her husbād. And assoone as she had reuerēced the B. Virgin with feruent deuotion and votiue gifts, in honour of our B. Lady, she was God-mo­ther at Baptisme to a yong man of the He­brew nation, on whome bestowing a chaine of gold, she receiued him into her family. Neither was her supplication and fauour vnrewarded. For within a short time, she obtained her vow, & receiued her husband not only safely returned from so [Page 399]cruell a battaile with victorie, but also with great ioy, beheld him triumphing with notable pompe in the Cittie of Rome, after the ancient manner of the Ro­manes. But in the same warre, Pius the Pope receiued as certaine help from the B. Virgin of Loreto, in behalfe of the pub­licke cause, as she did in the priuate mat­ter. For he commanded the Christian na­uie to be in readines, and verie carefull about the battaile, knowing verie well that the Christian State did depend ther­of. Meane time Pius V. the Pope (pious indeed) vsed all diligence to pacifie Al­mightie God both by publicke and priuate prayer: speciallie in the most maiesticall Cell of Loreto he cōmanded that continuall prayer should be made vnto the Mother of God, that in the extreme danger of their State, the godly Mother would vouchsafe to assist and aide the Christians. The hope of Pius the Pope, and of Godly men deceiued them not. For when the bat­taile at sea was begunne, a thing not so much of humane, as of heauenly vertue & fauour was seene. For the winde turning for the Christians (which before the bat­taile was against them) and beating the smoake of the ordinance, and the muskets [Page 400]of the enemies on their owne heads, a most famous victorie was gotten of Barba­rians: most of the enemies were slaine, their shipps sunke or taken, a great prey, a multitude of Captiues, aboue ten thousand Christians were deliuered from their seruitude, wherof trulie the far greater part, came afterward to Loreto to performe their vowes. And it is cer­taine, that the very day of the fight, before the trumpets sounded, the Christian slaues whome the Turkes had condemned to the oar, made vowes to our B. Lady of Loreto for their liberty; and the like also did many Captaines and souldiours of the Christian Nauy for life and victory, that none may doubt, but next after God, so worthy a victory was due to the Mother of God. Wherefore not onely the slaues of the Turkes which rowed, but also many souldiours and Christian Captaines came to Loreto to giue due thankes to God and our B. Lady, and to performe their vowes. And both the one and the other would haue monuments of the heauenly benefit to remaine there. Annal. Laur. Rier. For some left with their Deliueresse, the chaines wherewith they were fettered to the oars; and others dedi­cated vnto her, as author of the victory, the [Page 401]spoile which they got from the enemy. And this was the last, and I know not, whether the greatest of all the humane workes of Pius Quintus.

The sacred House is adorned by Gre­gory the xiij. with Indulgences and notable wayes. CHAP. XXII.

GREGORIE the xiij. succeeded Pius: Annal. Laur. Rier. who as in the longnesse of his raigne; so in deuotion towards the B. Virgin of Loreto, and in greatnes of minde, he passed the former Popes. For he had no­thing in greater estimation, then most mu­nificently to adorne the most famous Church of the whole world, not onely in confirming the Indulgences of former Popes by his authority, but also by his wisdome augmenting them, & giuing re­mission of sinnes to all that rightly visited the sacred House of Loreto. Moreouer he in­creased the authority of the Penitentiaries, and gaue them faculty to absolue all reli­gious persons from reserued sinnes. This [Page 402]truly was a worthy fauour of Gregory, who publishing the celebrity of the Iubiley, for the 75. yeare of this age, & suspēding all the Indulgences of the whole world in fauour of the Cittie, as the manner is, thought it good to exempt this one House of Loreto, which, no lesse then in other yeares, he would haue to enioy all her Priuiledges this holy yeare of the Roman celebrity, lest the frequencie to Rome should diminish peoples deuotion and reuerence to our B. Lady of Loreto. Also when the yeare of Iubiley was ended, he granted that very Indulgence, which was at Rome to the Church of Loreto, which many gayning at Rome, might get againe at Loreto, if they performed the conditions. And shortlie after, Gregory began a magnificent worke worthy such a Pope, and the Maiesty of Loreto it self. For well knowing that euen in many places of the Popes Dominions, the waies which went to Loreto were so difficult and strait, that they scarce affoarded free passage to horse or man, and thinking it would be glorious to B. Mary of Loreto, to haue them so broad & so repaired, that it might easilie & securely be gone vnto with coaches; he opened and playned the chiefest wayes through [Page 403]Rockes and Cliffes, with such Princely cost, that they may be compared to any munificent workes of the anciēt Romanes in this kind. For in the very toppe of the Apennines, the way is so broad, that wagons meeting togeather, may passe without any danger at all. Whereby the Pope effected (which vnles we saw donne, none would belieue could be donne) that with Cha­riots & Coaches here might be free passage ouer the Apennine Mountaines frō the Citty, not onely into Picene, but also into Aemilia, Lōbardy, Polony, & Germany it self. So that now out of the remotest partes of the Christian world, many come in wagons & Coaches, to visit the sacred House of Loreto, the commodity of the way inuiting those, whome before the difficulty therof did hinder. Meantime by the cheefest wayes about Loreto (already couered with grauell or stone) Saxatellus made goodly fountaines, to be no small ornament to the Pil­grimage of Loreto, and com­fort to the Pilgrims themselues.

The celebrity of Loreto in the yeare of Iubiley CHAP. XXIII.

IN the meane time, whiles these waies were in hand the yeare 1576. which was remar­kable for the celebrity of the Iubiley, without the Cittie, such a multitude of people resorted to Lo­reto, as the like was neuer remembred. In very deed the pompe was so notable, that it will be memorable to all posterity. Euery day, seauen, eight, and sometimes ten Cit­ties, little Townes and Villages, came in seuerall Companies to Loreto, bringing to our B. Lady siluer Crownets, great tor­ches of wax couered with siluer and golden coine, sacred vestments, Chalices, & other gifts. And the order and ornature of them that came with this solemnity, be­tokened great piety and religion. For the holy Sodalities themselues, were graced with seuerall Companies & Ensignes, and euerie company adorned their Society, not [Page 405]onely with notable Crosses glittering with gold and siluer, but also with curious Ban­ners, & with Images of Angells & Saintes. Likewise in all the said Companies there were some that went barefooted, others that with disciplines did beat their naked and bloudy backs, & others that song de­uout hymnes and praiers to God and our B. Lady with great solemnity. But among all, the Sodalities of Picene did excell; who represented the sacred Histories both of an­cient and later times, by speciall persons, orderly placed here & there amongst them, and with great grace of the Actors, shewed most gratefull spectacles, to heauen and earth, in the Cloister of the Church of Lo­reto. There is a towne in Picene of no small reputation and fame, which hath chosen S. Genesius (of a stage-plaier a Martyr) for her Patron, whose name she beareth. Who with godly zeale and religious emulation imitating the ancient praise of her Patron, deserued the chiefest commendation, for holie spectacles & sacred pompe, of all the Sodalities that came to the House of Lo­reto. For about a thousand people of this towne (besides women and the disordered multitude) comming to the sacred House of Loreto with singular deuotion, were, as [Page 406]it were, a wonder to them that met them. Their solemnity was this. Many went before in the habit of Penitents, carrying the figures of the torments and death of Christ our Lord, who attiring themselues in sackcloath, went in a long and a well disposed companie, sprinckling their heades with ashes, barefooted, and beating their backs with continuall stripes. After whome followed three most adorned So­dalities, garnished with diuers liueries and colours, and euerie company was gra­ced with Crosses and Banners, which glittered with gold & siluer. All the Com­panies a like did shine with the burning torches of their fellowes, & sounded far & neere with worthy Quires of musicke. Next went, as it were, three Bands of men. The first carried the ancient figures and myste­ries of the sacred Historie which they re­presented: Annal. Laur. Rier. the other, worthie documēts of vertue, out of the Gospell, & Ecclesiasticall Histories: the third, the glorie of the Mar­tyrs & of the militāt Church, & the noble victories, which they got of their persecu­tours. The Image of the persons & thing re­presented, were expressed so liuely, that they seemed not to be shewed, but to be donne and acted, so in very deed, that you would [Page 407]thinke that those spectacles had not beene fained for the present, but that they had beene true indeed, and donne in their very times. A pageant of the triumphant Church set forth with Ensignes and ornaments of euery kind, and with meruailous variety of the things and persons represented, did conclude the last Companie. Christ our Sa­uiour rising from death to life, was repre­sented with great Maiesty in a triumphall Chariot; who sitting ouer the globe of the world, shyned on euery side with glorious brightnes, and lifting vp his right hand, seemed to blesse the people that met him. About whome, little children with in­struments, representing the countenances of Angells, delighted all with their most sweet and pleasant melody. And a great multitude of Martyrs, and Saints of euery order and kind, of men, of women, of Vir­gins, followed the Chariot in Crownes of glorie and with Ensignes of victory, inui­ting the multitude of the beholders, to the like glorie by their happy example. Truly all the action was not only a spectacle, but a great instigation to piety and deuotion.

The notable piety of Don Iohn de Austria in visiting the House of Loreto. CHAP. XXIIII.

Annal. Laur. Rier. THE House of Loreto was not more reuerenced with these spectacles of the people, than with the presence of Princes. Don Iohn de Austria, a man most worthily deseruing so noble a Father as Charles the Emperour (though not more famous by his Fathers glory, than his owne vertue) by reason of a vow came this yeare to visit the House of Loreto; The piety and deuo­tiō of Don Iohn de Austria & his gifts. who fiue yeares before being to fight a­gainst the Turkes in a battaile by sea, had made a vow to the B. Virgin to vi­sit her sacred House, if he were liuing, when the victory was gotten of the Bar­barians. But hauing obtained this vow, publicke affaires one after an other hin­dered him, that vntill this time he could not performe his promise. Now therfore [Page 409]being at Naples with a little more quiet­nes and freedome of minde, neither the horrour of the sharp winter, nor the care of publicke and priuate busines, nor the in­treaty of the Nobility and people, could make him to giue ouer this iourney to the House of Loreto in the depth of winter, whē the waies were couered with ice & snow, and riuers for the most part, ouerflowen. And foule tempestuous weather, made the piety of the good Prince more notable. For passing on horsbacke by the Port of Reca­nati, and beholding the House of Loreto a far of, with great deuotion, he put of his hat, to salute and reuerence the B. Virgin Mo­ther of God: and setting aside all care to­wards himself, he turned it to the venera­tion of the heauenly Queene. For neither the raine, nor the sharpnes of the weather, could once moue him to couer his head, so greatly had he deuoted himself, and his head to the B. Virgin, by whose prote­ction (as he belieued) he was preserued aliue and well. Assoone as he came to the sacred House, he washed away all the sinnes of his former life by Confession, & gaue manifold thankes to our B. Lady, of­fering a great summe of money when he performed his vow, & both by word and [Page 410]example stirred his companions to like de­uotion. And after he had dutifully perfor­med this vow, he returned to Naples, car­ryng with him great loue and affection to the B. Virgin of Loreto.

The singular pietie and munificence of Ioane de Austria the great Duchesse of Tuscanie. CHAP. XXV.

AT that time most Noble Womē did not yield to Prin­ces in piety & deuotion to­wards the B. Virgin of Loreto. Foure yeares before (for it behooueth him that followeth the course of things & persons, some times to neglect the order of the times) in the entrance and beginning of the Popedome of Gregory the xiij. Ioane de Austria the daughter of Ferdinād the Emperour, and wife of Francis the Great Duke of Tuscany, came to Loreto, intending to satisfy her lōg desire of seeing the B. Virgin. Wheruppō by the Popes cōmandement, she was receiued with Princely intertainmēt in [Page 411]all his Dominions, by Paul Odescalco Bi­shop of Atria and Pena; who for that pur­pose was sent from the Citty by the Pope himself, that he might accompany her to the most desired House of the B. Virgin. Vnder the walls of Recanati, the godly wo­man beholding the House of Loreto a far of, forthwith came out of her Coach, and kneeling downe, reuerently saluted the Mother of God: from whence performing the rest of that iourney on foote, all her traine followed the example of their La­dy, who came into Loreto in a white and a plaine garment, shewing therby the great purity of her mind. Her modesty was al­so very singular. For being brought into the most sacred House of the B. Virgin by two Bishops, without regard of Cushins or Tapestry, she fell downe on her knees on the bare floore; deuoutly worshipped the King and the Queene of heauen, in time past the Inhabitants, but now the Go­uernours of that House: with flowing teares besought pardon for herself and her hu [...]band, and by praier intreated peaceable wedlocke and issue-male. Soone after de­uoutly receiuing the sacred Mysteries, she spent all the night following in praier, with humble supplication before the B. [Page 412]Virgin, doing also the like the two daies and nights that followed: such strength did her feruent deuotion and piety bring vnto her. And at her departure, The vvor­thy gifts or the great Du­chesse of Tuscany. she hung vp two harts of gold in golden chaines, to be a monument, that she was either most deare to her and her husband, or els that the B. Virgin, the author of concord, would make her nus­bands hart such a one vnto her, as she knew hers to be vnto him. And not cotēting her­self with these Donaries, she departed fully determined to honour the B. Virgin of Lo­reto with some yearly gift, which as lōg as she liued, she did more carefully thē she pur­posed. A worthy Image of siluer of Christ Crucified, with a great Crosse of Ebony, foure curious Candlestickes of siluer, of a cubite and a half, ornaments for the Bi­shop, Priest, Ministers, and the Altar, made of gold and siluer, double curled and im­brodered, a golden garment for the B. Vir­gin made with meruailous art; also other furniture for the Altar and the holy Cha­lices, beautified with imbrodery, iewells, gold, and siluer, were the worthiest gifts of Ioane de Austria: whose praier and Donaries obtained her desire. For soone after this Pilgrimage to Loreto, she had issue-male by [Page 413]her husbād, a patterne of his Mothers piety, borne in expectance of his Fathers, and al­most of a Kingly State; who a while sur­uiuing his Mother, erected the mindes of his people to the hope of vndoubted feli­city. But afterward the Mother dying, and by the secret iudgment of God, the yong child also following his Mother, filled Tuscany with sorrow and lamentation. And Ioane de Austria did not onely adorne the House of Loreto with her act, but also with her example. For not long after Margaret de Austria (that out of the same family exam­ples may be shewed, not only of vertue in men, but also of piety in women) the daughter of Charles the V. and wife of Octa­uius Farnesius Duke of Parma, came to Loreto with a great company of Noble mē: where rightly receauing the mysteries of Confes­sion and the most holy Eucharist, for the space of three daies, she was allwaies pre­sent in the Church at diuine seruice, and in the most Maiesticall Chappell it self praied to God & his B. Mother, not so long, The gift of Margaret de Austria. as de­uoutly: and last of all putting a great quan­tity of gold into the arke, honoured the B. Virgin with gifts wor­thy such a woman.

The Duchesse of Loraine being brought to Loreto sicke of the Palsey, is cured by Miracle. CHAP. XXVI.

THIS praise was not proper to the women of Austria and Italy. Annal. Laur. Rier. Victo. Brigant. Christerne or Christine the daughter of the King of Den­marke, and of the Emperours sister, Charles the V. being Duchesse of Lo­raine, and a woman of manlike valour, ex­ceeding piety, great age, and much hinde­red with age and the palsey determined to come to Loreto to performe her vow: who at the intreaty of her friends, would neuer giue consent that the Pope him­self should exchange that vow into other workes of piety; so feruent was her de­sire to see the B. Virgin of Loreto. There­fore assoone as she and her most Princely traine came into Italy (but specially into Picene) she made hast to the place, whether [Page 415]she was bound, well hoping to recouer per­fect health, by the help of our B. Lady. Wheruppon in the very entrance of the most sacred House, her soule was not only replenished with heauenly ioy, but also her body restored to perfect health. And per­ceyuing that the vse and strength of those members (wherin she was molested) was restored vnto her by miracle, first beyond her custome she stood on her feet by her self alone, to make triall of her strength: then seeing the thing succeeded well, without any help at all, she went ioyfully about the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, all her familiar friends admiring the miracle, and greatly extolling the worthy benefit of God and his B. Mother. But Christine, whome that thing did most concerne, en­tring againe into the most Maiesticall Chappell, with flowing teares of ioy, fell downe before the Queene of heauen; made no end of praising the diuine benefit, no end of thanksgiuing; and dedicated her self and all hers to God and his B. Mother. And afterward that a monumēt of so great a benefit might euer remaine at Loreto, in sight of the B. Virgin, she hung vp in a chaine of gold, a great hart crowned with solid gold, which for that purpose she [Page 416]brought with her from home: which donne, she layd out Princely gifts, a Crow­net of vnions and orient pearles, a Car­kanet of precious stones, siluer vestments of very curious damaske-worke for the Altar, Priest and Ministers sacrificing with solemnity: and last of all, she increased these Princely gifts with a great summe of money. Neither did she depart thence vnrewarded. For Pope Gregory the xiij. sent vnto her from the Citty a most ample Iu­biley, which she with her whole traine (in which were almost fiue hūdred people) rightly receiued. But the sorrowful message of the death of Sebastian, King of Portugall (her sisters sonne) did not a little trouble her hart being made most ioyfull with these heauenly gifts: yet in so great and suddaine a griefe, the worthy vertue of the coura­gious and godly woman was not a little manifested: because from mourning for the King her Cousin, she imployed her self to help his soule, and celebrated his funeralls with the greatest pompe that might be; but so, that in the House of Loreto it self she pro­cured very many masses to be said for him. And finally being inflamed with Chri­stiā charity, she her self did twice visit the hospitall of Loreto, bestowing on euery sicke [Page 417]body two Crownes in golde, with no lesse praise of humanity then liberality.

Two, throwne very dangerously from their horses, are deliuered from death. CHAP. XXVII.

IT is lesse admirable if you consider the persons, Annal. Laur. Rier. but if the things themselues, more meruailous, which happe­ned few yeares before. The Lady Susan Tha­inonio is deliuered from death The Lady Susan wife of Iames Thainonio a worthy Knight of Cordauella, being throwne to the ground by the horse wheron she rode, came to exceeding danger by so great a fall: For she lost all sense, by the breaking or disioyn­ting of her bones, and by little and little the vitall heate forsaking all the body, the skillfullest Phisitians despaired of her life. Wheruppon the Priest recommending her (as the vse is) to God and his Saintes, and now and then sprikling her with holy water, prouided for the saluation of her soule, being ready to depart. Meanwhile Iames much grieuing the misfortune of his [Page 418]most deere wife, entred into the next Church, where kneeling downe, and lif­ting vp both eyes and handes to heauen with many teares he deuoutlie inuocated the B. Virgin of Loreto, promising & vow­ing to go to the House of Loreto, if she pre­serued her by her helpe, whome no hu­mane helpe could saue. His vow had good effect. For he had scarce made this promise, but the woman began to be better, and in short time recouered, hauing her bones and lymmes cured by miracle. And be­cause the Knight would in no wise neg­lect his vow, he and his wife came to Loreto the yeare 1576. (famous and me­morable for the Iubiley) and brought to the Mother of God for a votiue gift, a sil­uer plate, with the Image of the B. Virgin of Loreto, by which on the one side, the Image of the man, on the other the Image of the woman prayin deuoutly: And the plate it self hath a short inscription which doth briefly relate the miracle, for a monu­ment therof to posterity. About the same time there happened such an other. Nicolas Pauonius is also de­liuered from death Nicolas Pauonius a worthy Cittizen of Catana, ma­naging his horse among his companions, was cast headlong on the ground by the horse falling in his swift course; where he [Page 419]lay without life with the bruize of his bo­dy, & the bursting of his arme all to peeces. Forthwith his seruants tooke him vp like to one giuing vp the ghost, and carried him home, hauing little vse of reason, and also sent presently for Surgeons, who being ouercome with the greatnes of his dan­ger, pronounced that there was no way but one. Wheruppon by persuasion of his friends, Pauonius called on our B. Lady of Loreto, with this vow, if he recouered his health, he promised to go to the House of Loreto, to giue her thankes. And soone after, a most pleasant sleepe came vpon him, in which a glorious forme of the B. Virgin of Loreto was presented vnto him, who with the touch of her hand presently cu­red his grieued members. And the euent shewed that it was no deceitfull dreame. For Nicolas awaking out of his sleepe, and fynding that his lymmes were cured by miracle, lept ioyfully out of his bed, made hast to Loreto and performed his vow.

A certaine person, who was taken out of the hands of his enemies, when he had receaued twelue deadly wounds, is cured by miracle. CHAP. XXVIII.

HERE followeth another in another kind, Annal. Laur. Rier. of speciall admiratiō. Iohn Philip Ambrose, a Neapolitā, a mā of small sub­stance, but greatly deuoted to the B. Virgin of Loreto, the 79. yeare of this age, going vnarmed amongst his armed enemies, was most tumultuously circum­uented and wounded to death. For being thrust in with many wounds, how could he be far from his end, whē he had none in his cōpanie to aid him? & they were so in­raged, that they would not cease to wound him, vntill they saw him throughly dead. Wheruppon Ambrose being at the point of death, deuoutly called on the B. Virgin of Loreto; & his praier was to good effect. For [Page 421]he was presently taken out of the hands of these furious men, & by heauenly protectiō escaped present death. He himself (as af­terward he reported) perceiued that he was carried miraculously from thence about an arrowes flight, The pre­sent help of our B. Lady at the houre of death. where his friends receauing him, conueyed him hom lan­guishing and half dead. But for all that he had not escaped the danger of death, vnles he had gotten new helpe from our B. Lady in the said perill. For his enemies had giuen him no lesse then twelue woundes, wherof many were deadly, which the Physitians beholding, vtterly despaired of his life. But the sicke man calling to mind the heauenly helpe, which he had lately obtained of our B. Lady, belieued that so great a miracle, was to some great purpose. Therfore whence he receaued help against the weapons of his enemies, thence he be­gan to hope for cure of his woundes. And behold a new miracle. For presently the B. Virgin, whome he deuoutly inuocated, making heauenly salue for his sores, made him who was held for a dead man to arise out of his bed safe and sound, and to go in continent to Loreto, to performe his vow, and to be a worthy document of the help which he had receaued from Loreto: For [Page 422]twice at the same time, he was deliuered from death it self, and by knowne and vn­knowne, was no more called Iohn Philip, but Lazarus reuiued.

The Mother and the Daughter are deliuered from death, others from other diseases. CHAP. XXIX.

Annal. Laur. Rier. ABOVT the same time the B. Virgin of Loreto was as fa­uourable in curing of diseases as wounds. There was one Melido a Cittizen of Guasto in Abruzzo, whose wife and daughter were afflicted with so grieuous & long a feuer, that being in great extremity, and hauing hallowed Candles burning at their heads (as the vse is) both at once were vpon departing. But Melido, who loued them both entirely, purposing to trie the last re­fuge of all, with great sorrow sell downe on his knees, and with gushing teares im­plored the help of the [...] Virgin of Loreto, making a vow with his pra [...]er, and put­ting [Page 423]great cōfidence in her benignity and help. His hope deceaued him not. A mer­uailous thing. Suddainly his wife & his daughter were deliuered out of danger, and in few dayes perfect well; & being brought to Loreto by Melido himself, the yeare 1579. they performed to the B. Virgin Mother of God, the vow which he made for their re­couerie. The yeare following Iohn Peter of Florence hauing a daughter by Anne. Bassa of Verselli, his wife, blind in both her eyes, as­soone as she was rightly baptized, Anne her Mother deuoutly inuocated the B. Virgin of Loreto with this vow; If sight of one eye onely were giuen vnto her child, she promised to bring her to Loreto with the first conueniencie. It appeared straight that her vow was pleasing to our B. Lady. For by and by, without the helpe of man, A blind infant is restored vnto her eight. the blind infant began to see with one eye. And the Mother being very carefull of her vow went spedily to Loreto, carrying her one eyed daughter in her lap, to be an occasion of a new miracle, and not onely a witnes of the olde. For the neerer she came to the House of Loreto, the better the girle saw, so that when she entred into the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, to giue her due thankes (which was on the 3. of the Nones [Page 424]of May the 80. yeare of this age) the child saw perfectly with the right eye, and in­stantly also began to see with the left; so much doth God and his B. Mother surpasse the vowes of godly people. Here followeth another in a different kind, but peraduen­ture no lesse a miracle. Angelus Bernardinus, A childe doth get vp a bone that stucke ouer­thvvart in his throte. of Aemilia, had a litle sonne, who as he was eating, had a bone (of meate, as I ima­gine, for it is not related) stucke ouer­thwart in his throate: so that by no hu­mane help it could be pulled forth. And the swelling of his throate, bringing with it an ague, tormented the child so pittifully, that he liued in litle hope of a­mendement. But the Father beholding his most deere sonne at the point of death, with flowing teares suppliantly implored the B. Virgin of Loreto for his recouery. And without delay, the child coughing vp the bone, was deliuered from the immi­nent danger by miracle, and out of hand was brought to Loreto by his Father, and presented before our B. Lady; where, as he was performing his vow, the ague which came with the other griefe was also taken away, that the benefit might be doubled. There is another more vsuall, but yet not to be omitted. Peter Maria of Florence [Page 425]pyning away with lōg paine of the goute, The gout is cured. was so taken in his feete, that without the helpe of crutches, he was not able to goe: who at last reiecting the help of Physi­tians, earnestly inuocated the B. Virgin of Loreto. His praier had effect. Forth with the disease was miraculously taken away, and he recouering the vse of his feete, went to Loreto to giue harty thankes to the B. Vir­gin, and in token of the Miracle, before her most sacred Chappell, hung vp the very Crutches whereon he was accustomed to layne, when he was sicke.

Three Citties are deliuered from the plague. CHAP. XXX.

Annal. Laur. Rier. AT those times the B. Virgin of Loreto did not only impart pre­sent help to particular Citti­zens, but euen to whole Cit­ties, in time of their distresse. A great sicknes spreading much abroad the 77. yeare of this age, and going almost [Page 426]ouer all Sicily, wasted her most noble Cit­ties with continuall funeralls, to shew dreadfull spectacles to them that remained aliue. Palermo is deliuered from the plague. Whereuppon the Citty of Palermo seeing the sicknes still encrease, and doing what she could to appease the wrath of Al­mighty God, by vow and inuocation of the B. Virgin of Loreto happily escaped that danger, and faithfully performed her vow. At this day there is extant a great siluer plate of 9. pound weight, wherein is ex­pressed the purtraite of our B. The gift of the Cittizens of Palermo Lady of Loreto, sitting on a House: vnder which is a worthy figure of the Citty Palermo, with this inscription, in token that she was de­liuered from the sicknes by heauenly pro­tection.

THE HAPPIE CITTIE OF PA­LERMO METROPOLITAN OF TRINACRIA, DEDICATED IT TO THE B. VIRGIN OF LORETO FORESCAPING THE PLAGVE, BY HER PROTECTION, THE YEARE OF OVR SALVATION M.D.LXXVII.

Almost two yeares after, Puy no meane Citty of France, distant three daies iourney from Lions, was made partaker of the like [Page 427]help of the B. Virgin of Loreto in greater danger. For being wasted of her inhabi­tants and Cittizens with a long and a ve­hement plague, she seemed not far from vtter desolation. Therfore the Cittizens (whome the sicknes had spared) being frighted with so cruell & desperate and euill, thought it most conuenient, to pacity the wrath of Alm. God by the intercession of his most B. Mother. Wheruppon by com­mon consent, making a solemne vow to the B. Virgin of Loreto, and prostrating them­selues euery where in their Churches, by humble praier they intreated pardon of their sinnes, and an end of that sicknes. Nei­ther in vaine. For assoone as they had made this vow, their Citty was deliuered and restored to her former state. Whereuppon certaine men brought votiue gifts to Loreto, The gift of the Citty of Puy. with publicke testimony, to be a monu­ment of the vow of the Cittizens of Puy, and of their deliuery from the sicknes, by the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto. Lions a chiefe and a noble Citty of France, The Citty of Lions is deliuered from the plague. was nei­ther free from the common calamity, nor deuoid of the protection of Loreto. A great plague consuming housholders, rich and poore, made the Magistrates (void of hu­mane help) to turne peoples harts & vowes [Page 428]to God & his B. Mother. So by a publicke vow, which they made for deliuerance of their Citty, they implored the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto: whose praier was presently heard, the infected cured, and the plague taken away. The gift of the Cit­ty of Lios. Whereuppon the 81. of this age, the gratefull Citty sent a votiue gift to the B. Virgin, neither vnbeseeming the deuotion of the Cittizēs, nor the mag­nificence of the Citty it self; to wit: a Cha­lice of siluer, engrauen and guilt, excelling others, aswell for workmanship as greatnes, and other gifts of no small price, in token of the help which they receiued from Lo­reto, and of their deuotion to the B. Virgin herself. In the meane season, Robert Saxatellus being created Bishop of Pisaurus, Iulius Amicus was elected Gouernour of Loreto, who al­beit he had no ioyfull times by reason of the plague of Lombardy; yet in his time the sacred House it self, was not only well a­dorned, but also the sacred furniture and ornaments therof had good increase. The Princesse of Venusia preseted certaine eyes of gold, & a Crownet of siluer. The dona­ries of o­thers. Sforza Pallaui­cino a siluer Galley of 5. pound weight. Card. Sittico Ab-Altēps for health restored to a child his neere kinsmā, his Image of siluer, of ten pound weight. Delia Sanseuerina Countesse of [Page 429] Briatico, a worthy lampe of siluer hanging, of xxij. pound weight. The Cardinall of Est, a golden hart. The Marquesse of Guasto a Casket of siluer, about xvj. poūd weight. The Princesse of Sulmo, a siluer bason and ewer, of no meane workmanship and weight. Card. Riario, a golden Crosse, notable for fashion and valew. All the lesser I omit, as a thing not worth the labour to recount.

The gifts of the Cardinall of Vrbine, and of other Princes. CHAP. I.

THE death and piety of the Patron, Cod. Laur. Vict. Brig. augmented the wealth of the House of Loreto. For the Car­dinall of Vrbine (to be no lesse liberall to the B. Virgin of Loreto at his death, The gift of the Card. of Vrbine. than he had beene in his life) giuing most of the sacred ornature of his Chappel, [Page 431]which was very rich and costly, to our B. Lady by his will; his Executors sent a goodly Crosse of siluer, two Candlesticks of notable workmanship, two Pontificall vestments of cloth of gold, as many for the Altar and the Priest of cloth of gold, linnen for Altars, veiles & holy Chalices, wrought with gold and siluer; a moueable Altar, (called the Altar-stone) well set with pre­ [...]ons stones, certaine Chalices of gold, two Cruets of siluer with their ewer, richly en­grauen, and other such like, in token of the Roborean munificence. And to the Cardi­nall of Vrbine in the Patronship of Loreto, succeeded Card. Morono, who appointed Vi [...]uent Casale (a man of approued piety and e [...]t) to gouerne the State of Loreto. In [...]hose times, the ornaments and furniture therof had no small increase. A curious lampe of siluer, with the bowle of the same substance, of xv. pound weight, and a sil­uer Censer for perfumes, were the gifts of the Marquesse of the Holy Crosse. A peece of gold from Charles the Archduke of Austria, with his name written therein. Maximiliana daughter to the Duke of Bauaria, a Crownet of rich amber▪ adorned with gold and pre­cious stones, vsed rather in banketting than in deuotion, a goldē Crosse garnished with [Page 432]pearle and workes engrauen, and besides those, other iewells. Albertus Marques of Aquauiua his owne Image of siluer, as if he were praying, of ten pound weight. Albertus Duke of Bauaria a great Crosse of [...]meralds, garnished with gold and Carbuncles, and set as it were in a mountaine of Christall, which, as they say, is thought to be worth twelue thousand Crownes. And this no­table gift, the cōueyance of the giuer made more notable. For it is very euidēt, that this Princely gift was wrapt in ordinary linnē, and brought to Loreto, by an obscure man, who by no meanes would tell who sent it; wherby the giuer of so worthy a gift, was a long time vnknowne to mortall men. But by the prouidence of Almighty God (to whome not onelie so worthy a gift, but also the singular disposition of him that gaue it, was very acceptable) the giuer himself was at last disclosed, with no lesse praise of Christian modesty, then of Prin­cely munificence. Amadeus a Noble man (sonne of Emanuell Philibertus the Duke) his owne Image in plate of siluer, set in gold and precious stones. Virginia Sabellia Vi [...]ellia, a votiue Image a plate of gold, inclosed in Ebony, and couered on the inside with veluet. Constantia Caretta a golden Crowne, [Page 433]adorned with precious stones and orient pearls. Cardinall Madruzzo a great golden button (such as Cardinalls and Bishops are wont to vse in their Pontificall robes) beautified with three ranks of pearle in knotts. The Cardinall of Austria a Crosse of gold, standing in a golden mountaine, a­dorned with most precious iewells. And these were the worthie gifts of Noble men and Noble women. Other ordinary dona­ries were sent from meaner men, which is not our intēt to rehearse. Notwithstanding I can not conceale one of this kind, not so much worth for the value, as for the prayer of the giuer. A gold ring enriched with a faire Emeralde, being the gift of a man vnknowne to mortall men, though well knowne to heauen, was found in a Chalice, with these words written in a schedle.

The solemnity of the Church of Lo­reto is more graced CHAP. II.

MEANE time according to his office, Annal. Laur. Rier. Casale the Go­uernour burning with zeale of the dignity of Loreto, vsed all diligence to enkindle the deuotion and endeuours of the Chanons, and of all the Cleargy. For sometimes by exhortation and intreaty, he excited ech in particular, then all in generall to performe their Offices and duety with diligence and care; who not onely with wordes, but also (which is the effectuallest kind of persua­sion) with deed and example, mooued them to imploy their diligent trauell in that most maiesticall Cell, in behalf of God and his B. Mother. For when the Gouernour himself was the first, that performed all the offices of the Chanons, either in singing of diuine praier, or els in hearing of Con­fessiōs, shame did not a litle excite the Cha­nōs & others to do the like. And albeit their labour was doubled, yet all did willingly [Page 435]imitate his vertuous example, none with­drawing himself from that worke, which he vndertooke. Wheruppon Casale vsing the oportunity of their diligent and faithfull trauell, delt and effected with the Pa­trone and with the Pope himself, seeing the the labours of the Clergy of Loreto were increased, that their pensions might like­wise be amended; which made them all more diligent and carefull. Hauing pro­uoked the Chanons to mayntaine the so­lemnity of the Church with hope of this new liberality, he adorned the Peniten­tiaries with surplisses and silke labells (cal­led stoles) wherby as great grace was donne to the Church it self, as to them that vsed them. Thē to twelue boyes, which himself had instituted to helpe at Masse, he gaue for habit the red garment. And because the old Quyre was too straight for the Priests and Quyristers not a little increased, The Prince of Bysinia doth gar­nish and adorne the Quire he made and adorned a new one far more large and commodious at the cost of the Prince of Bisinia: which being beautifully vauted and adorned with curious pictures drawne in tables, and with seates, is now vsed. Moreouer for solemne ornature of the Altar, he made the siluer Image of the twelue Apostles of a Cubit and a half, of [Page 436]excellent workmanship; which (as it is said) were all made of the votiue Images of siluer, defaced and spoiled with antiquity, being euery one about 60. poūd in weight. Wherby we may coniecture, what plenty there was of such Images in those daies, which made the summe of seauen hundred and twenty pound weight; and also what aboundance and multitude there is at this present of such kinde of gifts. This doub­tles was a worthy and a frutifull inuention of Casale, Vict. Brigant. that the strangers of all nations might haue meanes to know the history of Loreto, the summe wherof being long a­gone set out by Tereman the Gouernour, The histo­ry of the house of Loreto is s [...]t forth in the Church in 8. lan­guages. he procured to be translated into the eight chiefest languages, to wit, Greeke, Arabicke, Spanish, French, Dutch, Sclauonian, Latin, Italian and causing the same to be curiously set forth, in as many great tables, he placed them in the midst of the Church, thinking it no lesse decorum to our B. Lady of Loreto, to haue her History published in all languages, then her House honoured of all na­tions.

A Colledge of Sclauonians is in­stituted: and Pilgrims (spe­cially of the better sort) are bountifully inter­tained. CHAP. III.

BVT Pope Gregory not forgetting that which he determined in the beginning of his Pope­dome, that is to say, to am­plify the State of the House of Loreto, and of the Christian world, as at Rome, and els where, of diuers Na­tions: so at last he determined at Loreto to institute a Colledge of Sclauonians, that it might be a great solace and aide to that afflicted Nation. Wheruppon he gaue com­maundment that three hundred yong men should be instructed there in lear­ning and good manners, not onely to be a glory to the Sclauonian people, but also an ornament to the House of Loreto it self. To whome he allowed sufficient mayntenance [Page 438]out of the treasury of Loreto, and certaine houses, where the hospitall was before, building a new hospitall in an other place. These Sclauonian students were ap­pointed to be present in the Church, on festiuall daies in their surplisses, to assist and serue at high Masse: and to be in­structed and taught, were committed to the Fathers of the Society of Iesus. Meane while the Pope vsing all dili­gence to increase and beautify the sa­cred ornature of the Church, set vp an other paire of Organes, of great va­riety and curiosity, garnished with gold and paynting. From which time the Church of Loreto hath had two no­table paire of Organes, to witt, them of Iulius, and of Gregory, that great variety of musicke might grace the solemne ser­uice. Cardinall Morono departing this life, the Pope preferred Cardinall Vasta­uillanus, his sisters sonne, to that dignity, Vitalis Leonorius Gouernour of Loreto. who assoone as Vincent Casale was elected Bishop of Massa, appointed Vitalis Leonorius (a man not to be misliked) to gouerne Loreto; who, being a very industrious man, with carefull manuring of the ground, increased the reuenewes of the House of Loreto, and nothing at all [Page 439]diminishing her benignity to poore Pil­grims, The hospi­talyty of the House of Loreto. prouided to intertaine Noble men very liberally and bountifully. For which purpose he magnificently adorned the new and goodly parlour, lately built in the Popes Pallace, where he intertained prin­cipall men very carefully, prouiding for them whatsoeuer belonged to good hos­pitality. Wheruppon all returned home full of ioy and comfort, reporting that they were very liberally vsed and intreated at Loreto; which was as profitable to the sacred House, as honourable to our B. Lady.

The piety and munificence of Duke Ioyeuse, and of the King of France. CHAP. IIII.

NEVER before did more Peeres of diuers Nations honour the House of Loreto, Vict Brigant. with their presence and gifts, as wit­nesseth Victor Brigantius (who being a godly Priest and Resident at Loreto, wrote an Appēdix of the History of Loreto) [Page 440]affirming that now at this time many prin­cipall men came to visit the sacred House of Loreto, and to present most worthy gifts. Duke Ioyeuse comming out of France to Lo­reto to salute the Mother of God, and she­wing no lesse singes of deuotion then of li­berality, spent eight whole daies in the ser­uice of our B. Lady, and in admiration of the House of Loreto, within which time he thrice receaued the heauēly banquet in the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin, and at his departure put foure thousand Crow­nes into the arke with memorable munifi­cence. But not contenting himself with this gift, as he returned by Florēce from Rome from reuerencing the Pope in dutifull sort, he sent the like summe of gold to the B. Virgin fo [...] a gift, adding thereunto two siluer lamps of great weight, which burne continually before the B. Virgin, in token of the notable and almost Princely mu­nificence of Duke Ioyeuse. This money built good part of the lodgings which were appointed to intertaine principall men, to wit, those which at this day do stand right against the Church of Loreto: which albeit they were quickly brought vnto their full height; notwithstanding they remaine rude and vnperfect. Neither [Page 441]did the King of France himself yield vnto the Princely munificēce of a Duke of Frāce. A vvorrhy gift of the King of France. For when by reason of publicke affaires, Henry the iij. could not himself visit & ho­nour the B. Virgin of Loreto with gifts, in his place he sent vnto her a Princely gift by a Portugese, one of the chiefe Peeres of France, the yeare 1584. which was a wor­thy Cuppe, to obtaine by the intercession of the B. Virgin, issue male for the King and his Kingdome; a gift for substance and worke most excellent. For the Cuppe it self is of a hollowed gemme, at this day called the Azure-stone, ancient writers call it a Saphire (as some thinke.) It is also very big and intermingled with golden veines, the couer wherof is of turned Chrystall set in gold, and adorned with many ex­cellentiewells. In the toppe of the couer an Angell of gold doth hold in his hand a lilly of Diamōdes, the armes of the King­dome of France; which lilly doth consist of three Diamondes ioyned togeather in the gold with admirable art. The foote of the Cuppe being Emerald is bound about and supported with gold, which is notably adorned with precious stones & rich oriēt pearls. In the bottome of the Emerald foote, which we said to be of gold, the [Page 442]giuer, and the cause of his gift, is engrauen in manner following.

But by the secret iudgment of God, som­times that effect is not giuen to our praiers, as we wish, that they may be heard for our good: The gift was accepted, but the vow not obtained.

Other gifts of the Nobility of France. CHAP. V.

AFTERWARD the Duke D'Oaumale one of the chiefe Princes of France, Vict. Brigant. came to visit the House of Loreto, where rightly receauing the sacred mysteries, he spent almost foure daies in the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin very deuoutly in praier, and at his departure he­noured the Mother of God with gifts. Shortly after, a worthy gift of the Duke of Espernon was brought to Loreto, The fall of the Duke of Esper­non. graced with a notable miracle. The Duke of Espernon going from Gascony to Lions, to Henry King of France, in the way met the Duke of Ioyeuse traualling to the same place. Who after mu­tuall salutations, began to trauell together, and comming to a narrow way among steepy hills, the horse of Espernon began to fling, which turned to the danger of his Maister. For as he ernestly endeuoured, to stoppe his horse from yearking and plun­ging, he was cast headlong from a high [Page 444]rocke, where his seruants taking him vp for dead, carried him speedily to the village next vnto Lions. Of all others, Espernon was most deere to the King, and the King him­self being moued with this dreadfull mes­sage, made haft vnto him, and there passed all the night, procuring remedies to be ap­plied to his most deere friend with all di­ligence. For whome also Ioyeuse being very solicitous, made a vow to the B. Virgin of Loreto, for his recouery, and to good effect. For within few houres, breath beginning to passe more freely, Espernon lifted vp his eyes, and by litle & litle comming to him­self, knew his friends about him. Wher­uppon Ioyeuse seeing him of vnderstanding (for the vehemency of his paine was some­thing abated) and perceiuing that he felt the greatnes of his danger, he came vnto him, and bydding him be of good comfort, persuaded him to haue great confidence, that our B. Lady of Loreto would help him, to whome a litle before, he had made a vow in his behalfe, asking him whether he would ratify it; which seeing he could not confirme by wordes, he signified by the becke of his head. An admirable thing to be said: within few houres he receaued all his senses, to geather with his voice, and in [Page 445]few dayes arose out of his bed in perfect health. Wherfore being very mindefull of so great a benefit, he sent a certaine man to Loreto, to performe the said vow with re­uerence. The gift of the Duke of Espernon. By whome he dedicated two An­gells of a Cubit, of solid siluer, which shine continually with burning lights on ei­ther side the feete of our B. Lady, to be a monument to posterity, that the vse of that light was restored vnto him, by the intercession of the B. Virgin of Loreto. Clau­dia of Turnon imitating this piety of the French Princes, sent a siluer figure of the Castle of Turnon, either as a votiue gift, for the preseruing of her Castle, or els as a voluntary, to obtaine the protection of the B. Virgin for the same: wherin was written. THIS IS THE FIGVRE OF THE CASTLE OF TVRNON.

The worthy gifts and piety of Wil­liam Duke of Bauaria, & of other Princes of Germany. CHAP. VI.

AS SOONE as the constant fame of so euidēt a miracle in a most noble Prince, Vict. Brig. was published and knowne in Germany, many of the Nobility were stirred to visit & reuerence the House of Loreto with gifts. Of whome VVilliam Duke of Bauaria deserued the first praise and commenda­tion, a man for wealth and piety, with­out controuersy the chiefest of the German Nation; who taking no small ioy for the recouery of the Marques of Baden his kinsman, & also well remembring his Fa­thers munificence to the B. Virgin of Loreto, sent and brought to Loreto, donaries of Princely munificence. Among the gifts which he sent were a most excellent [Page 447]horse; a plate of siluer inclosed in Ebony, which doth represent our B. Lady carrying the sweet child IESVS in her lappe, with S. Ioseph, the companion of her slight into Egipt; a siluer Candlesticke hanging, very notable for weight and workmanship. For the weight is eighty pound, and the worke such, that foure and twenty branches, as it may seeme, shoot out of the same stēme, all so exquisitly and orderly disposed, that they may distinctly hold so many wax candles; which doth hang continually in the sacred Cell of the B. Virgin before her glorious Image, as a very worthy gift of the Duke of Bauaria. But in this it is more notable, that he hath also endued it with a yearly pension. For by name of a dowry, the Duke sent with it a perpetuall stipend, that euery yeare vpon forty festiuall and solemne dayes, the same might burne be­fore the B. Virgin, with foure and twenty white Candles of wax. Soone after the Duke himself followed his gifts, and foure onely accompanying him to Loreto, with fresh horses he posted thither vnknowne, the yeare 1585. The exceeding modesty of so great a Prince, made his piety the more notable. For contemning humane deli­cacies, that he might tast the diuine more [Page 448]aboundantly, he esteemed the publicke and magnificent lodgings assigned for the inter­taynment of Princes, lesse then a priuate and meane hospitall. For insteed of the trouble and state of a Princely Court, desi­ring to giue himself to religious quietnes, he went very familiarily to the Fathers of the Society of Iesus, of which order he hath deserued great honour, and lodged with them certaine dayes, being very well con­tented with ordinary fare and intertayn­ment. But so great vertue could not long be kept secret. For the Gouernour of Loreto, vnderstanding of the comming of the Duke of Bauaria, came presently vnto him, and very curteously inuited, requested, vr­ged, importuned to giue him intertaynmēt; but at last seeing that he refused it with a most resolute mind, he departed frustrated of his desire. And the modesty of the Duke was as notable in the Church as in his lod­ging. For a footstoole to kneele vpon, and a chaire to sit in, being prepared for him with Princely state, he so contemned them, that he did not so much as looke at them, because he came not to seeke sumptuousnes, but piety and deuotion in the House of our B. Lady of Loreto. Further in the most maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin, his chri­stian [Page 449]humility and piety was so notable, that others may admire it. For he prayed among the multitude, with such submis­sion of mind and body, as that you would haue taken him for one of the people: be­cause he did often (as I belieue) recall to mind the humility of the Sonne of God, who when he was in the forme of God, there exina­nited himself, taking the forme of a seruant. He was so long in praier, that he might seeme to dwell in the sacred House of the B. Vir­gin, and at his departure left behind him, as notable signes of his munificence, as of his piety and deuotion. The vvor­thy gift of the Duke of Bauaria. His chiefest gift was a little booke of solid gold, which being diuided three manner of wayes, in foure leaues, seemeth to containe beautifull pictures and Images wrought in precious stone. The couer wherof is made of gold, orient pearle and rich iewells, with admi­rable art, and hangeth by three chaines of gold, comming through a gold ring to be fastened in a great Saphire. This gift is said to be worth eight thousand Crownes: and there is scarce an other to be found among all the donaries and Treasure of the House of Loreto, which strangers behold with more delight, and desire; so greatly doth the ornature, & the exceeding beauty [Page 450]of the inward pictures and Images them­selues, delight the eyes of the beholders, art seeming to contend with the value of the thing it self. He also gaue a golden Image of Christ our Lord, representing his glo­rious Resurrection and his comming out of the Sepulcher, which doth glitter with diamondes & Carbuncles. This exceeding piety of the Duke of Bauaria, was an exam­ple to many great men of Germany, to salute and reuerence the B. Virgin of Loreto with gifts, whose cōming happened afterward, in the Popedome of Xystus. V. Notwithstan­ding the Duchesse of Brunswicke brought siluer attire for the B. Virgin imbrodered with gold, The gift of the Du­chesse of Brūsvvick. and goodly furniture for the Altar, shyning with pearle, diamond, and Carbuncle, Gregory the xiij. being Pope. Also after his Embassage to Rodulph the Emperour, Cardinall Madruzzo presented to the B. Virgin of Loreto for a gift, The gift of Cardi­nall, Ma­druzzo. a siluer Crosse (being the ensigne of such Le­gates) in token of his Legacie hap­pily performed by her pro­tection and help.

The piety and gifts of the Princes of Italy. CHAP. VII.

AT that time the piety and li­berality of the Nobility of Italy was very notable. Vict Brigant. Iohn Piccolhomini sent a siluer plate representing two mules car­rying a horslitter, The gift of Iohn Pi­colhomini and of many others. wherof the one doth strike with his heeles a man lying on the ground, no doubtfull argument of danger eschewed by the help of the B. Virgin of Loreto. Iohn Baptista Duara Gonzaga siluer fetters, insteed of the yron-ones, wher­with he was fettered, in token that he got his liberty by the fauour of our B. Lady of Loreto. Lewis Martinengo of Bressa, foure Chalices of siluer, guilt. The Marquesse of Est, her owne, and the Image of her sonne praying to our B. Lady in plate of siluer, of 14. pound weight. The Duke of Atria, two Images of Angells, of a Cubit and a half, of excellent worke, of xxxvj. pound weight, which are placed before [Page 452]the B. Virgin on the Altar, and present continually burning lights, which the inscription engrauen in the base, doth shew to be votiue gifts. The Duke of Ter­ra-Noua, a siluer lampe hanging, of xxij. pound, very notable both for work­manship and weight. Emanuell Philibertus Duke of Sauoy his owne Image, adorned with a Crowne and a scepter, made all of pure gold in manner of a suppliant, of ten pound weight. Cardinall Columna the Le­gate of Picene, a siluer Cuppe of excellent worke, of no small weight. Cardinall Arigonio a golden Chalice of great price, by reason of iewells and pearls; a Chry­stall Crosse with the Image of Christ of gold, and foure siluer Candlesticks of great beauty. Cardinall Riario ornature of da­maske for the Altar and the Priest. Augu­stine Cusano (who afterward was admitted into the Colledge of the Cardinalls) fur­niture for the Priest and the Altar of gold and siluer; And Pope Gregory himself much reioycing, that the sacred House of Loreto was thus reuerenced and adorned with gifts, desired to haue a speciall gift of his owne, to remaine there for euer. The fourth Sunday of Lent (called Dominica Laetare, of the Introite of the Masse) of [Page 453]an ancient & solemne custome, the Romā Bishops do consecrate a golden Rose: The stemme or plant wherof is of flourishing roses of gold, which being put into a gol­den Cuppe, & standing on a triple foote of gold, is more thē a Cubit & half in height, said to be worth a thousand Crownes. And this Pontificall gift, wont (for the most part) to be presented to Queenes, Gregory sent to the B. Virgin of Loreto, as Queene of Heauen and earth. And in the midle of the Cuppe, there is a godly in­scription, for a remembrance of him that gaue it. About the same time Nicolas Caietan, the Cardinall of Sermoneta, honoured the House of Loreto with a new kind of gift: who either for the generall deuotion of his family (for he was of the House of Boni­face the eight, whose Popedome the com­ming of the most sacred Cell into Italy made very famous) or els of a certaine priuate affection, was wholy deuoted to the B. Virgin of Loreto. For being well and in good heath, he chose a place for his se­pulcher in the Church of Loreto, not far from the Cell of the Mother of God, and caused it to be beautified with magnificent worke. The forme wherof is very notable and large, adorned with sundry sorts of [Page 454]marble, and graced with a brazen Image of Nicolas the Cardinall of great curio­sity and beauty. The marble stone vnder­neath hath this Epitaph.

NICOLAS CAIETAN THE CAR­DINALL OF SERMONETA, OF THE FAMILIE OF POPE BONI­FACIVS THE 8. CALLING TO MIND THAT THIS MOST SA­CRED HOVSE VVAS SEATED HEERE BY THE HAND-VVORKE OF GOD, ABOVT THE TIME THAT HE ENTRED INTO HIS POPE­DOME, AND THAT HIMSELF HATH OBTAINED MANY THINGS OF ALMIGHTY GOD, BY THE PRAIER OF THE B. VIRGIN THE MOTHER OF GOD, AND ALSO HOPING THAT HER HELP VVIL NOT FAILE HIM AT HIS DEATH: ALIVVE, AND IN GOOD HEALTH, HATH PROCVRED THIS MONVMENT OF MARBLE TO BE MADE FOR HIM; THAT HIS BODY MAY BE BV­RIED IN IT, VVHEN HE SHAL DEPART THIS MORTALL LIFE: [Page 455] BEING NOVV 54. YEARES OF AGE. HE DIED ALMOST AT THREESCORE, THE YEARE OF OVR SALVATION M.D.LXXXV. IN THE MONETH OF MAY.

And Nicolas departing this life, was brought from Rome to Loreto, where his fu­neralls were made with great honour and solemnity; and the Sepulcher being fini­shed long agoe, his body was laid into it, and a stone put ouer it with this title.

HEERE I VVIL DVVELL, BECAVSE I HAVE CHOSEN IT

At this day in the Church of Loreto, there is a great Hearse of cloth of gold, bordered about with a great border of black Veluet, in some places magnificently adorned with the armes of the Caietan family, and in other, with golden Crosses, in token of his stately funeralls.

The rashnesse of those, which tooke a­way small peeces of the stones, and the morter of the most sacred House, is punished from heauen. CHAP. VIII.

THE same yeare, to wit 1585. by a new Miracle, Almighty God shewed what care he hath of the sacred House of Loreto. For a particle of one of the sa­cred stones was brought backe out of Sicily, long after the fault was committed and punishmēt suffered therfore. Aboue twen­ty yeares, a Cittizen of Palermo comming to Loreto, & secretly taking a litle stone out of the sacred Cell of the Mother of God, by no shew of piety in that rash deed, nor the ignorance of the Pontificall inhibition, by any meanes could be deliuered from the wrath of God. For assoone as he returned home, forthwith he was troubled with a grieuous sicknes. And lest the cause of his suddaine griefe might be doubtfull, yearly [Page 457]about the same time, that he committed the fault, he suffered punishment for it. Wheruppon strēgth suddainly fayling him, in the moneth of September or October, he was molested with a grieuous feuer, and by iudgment of the Physitians, there could be no naturall cause therof; and he acknow­ledged not his fault, coloured vnder the name of piety. But it continued 20. yeares. all which time there was neither cause nor end of his incurable disease. And at last, when no other cause of the sicknes (still re­turning by course) could be found, Reli­gion entred into his heauy mind, & being much tormented with a guilty conscience, he opened the wound vnto a Priest; who told him that the cause of his sicknes, was his rash piety, earnestly exhorting him to restore the sacred stone, if he would make sure way for his health. It was spoken to no deafe eares. For the sicke man being commanded as it were by a heauēly voice, deliuered him the sacred stone, to be sent backe to the place from whence he had taken it long agoe. Assoone as it was re­stored, he recouered his former health. The thing is well witnessed. Iohn Baptista Carminata, Superiour of the Society of IESVS in the Prouince of Sicily, sent the [Page 458]sacred stone, with letters declaring the whole matter, to Rome, to Cardinall Vastauil­lano Patron of Loreto, who sent it straight to Leonorius Gouernour of Loreto, with the letter which he receiued out of Sicily, com­māding that it should be carefully put into the place where it was before. Wheruppon assoone as it came to Loreto, Leonorius com­manding a solemne procession, and going to the gate to meet it, recarried it to the most sacred House, with the greatest pompe that might be. A meruailous thing to be spoken and seene. It was scant brought vn­to the fortunate House of our B. Lady; when by and by (as if God had shewed it) the voide place appeared, whence it was euident, that fragment was taken twenty yeares agone; and assoone as it was put into his owne place againe, a remem­brance was made in token of the mira­cle, to represse the boldnes of other Pil­grims. About the same time, the new rashnes of mortall men, gaue God occa­sion to shew new example, in the lesser pee­ces of stones. I finde many exāples of many, who aduēturing the same, quickly smarted for their folly, vntill they had learned by their owne harme, to restore that which they had takē frō thence. But we will omit [Page 459]them, lest many things of one kind should breed tediousnes. Neither did Almighty God seeme to be more carefull to preserue the sacred stones, thā the morter, wherwith the stones themselues are ioyned togeather. Alexandria is no meane Citty of Lombardy, built and so called by the Confederate Cit­ties, in fauour of Pope Alexander the third. A Cittizē of which place comming to vi­sit the House of Loreto, stole a litle morter out of the most sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, and returning home bruized it, and put it into a siluer case, togeather with an AGNVS DEI. But his foolish piety was nothing pleasing to God and his B. Mother. For assoone as he hung that case about his wiues necke (for what cause it is vncertaine) the Prince of Diuells entred into her, with no small company of his attendants: wherwith the vnhappy womā being miserably vexed for the space of nine yeares, to her husbands great griefe, at last, God of his goodnes sent her remedy. Iohn Baptista Vauninus a Priest of the Society of IESVS, preached at that time to the people of Alexandria, as the manner is. Who vnderstanding of the matter by her husbād (the author of so wicked a thing) forth­with exhorted him to restore the sacred [Page 460]dust; if he did, no doubt, but in short time his wife would be deliuered from diuells wherewith she was tormented. He was ea­sily persuaded. For taking the sacred morter out of the siluer case, he himself deliuered it to Vauninus, beseeching him to send it to Loreto with all speed. Their hope deceiued them not. For within few daies, three of the tormenting diuells, were expelled out of the body of the possessed woman, not so much by vertue of the Exorcismes, as by the praier of our B. Lady. Wheruppon Vauninus putting the said morter into a case, sent it presently to Loreto, to the Rector of the So­ciety of IESVS, intreating him by letter, with all speed to restore it, to the sacred House of our B. Lady, whence it was ta­ken, and to intreate peace and pardon of the B. Virgin for that miserable woman, that by expelling the rest of the tormēting diuells, she would vouchsafe to restore vn­to her, her former health; which afterward was found to haue happened as he desired. And assoone as the morter was brought backe to Loreto, it was reserued in a conue­nient place, to be a document to mortall men, not to aduenture the like. Also the letter of Vauninus dated on the third of the Ides of Nouember, the yeare of our Re­demption [Page 461]1579. is preserued likewise there in token of the miracle.

A ship of Epidaurus is deliuered out of the hands of Pirats by a worthy Miracle. CHAP. IX.

WITH a notable and a famous Miracle, we will conclude the most worthy and most illu­strious Popedome of Gregory. About that time a shippe of Epidaurus being laden with rich merchan­dize of Constantinople returned to Epidaurus, by the Commonalty called Ragusa. Which in the mid-way, suddainly sustained such quietnes and calme of sea, that for want of wind she could not mooue out of the place. Wherby many sculking Pirats were presently at hand, who spreading round about, began to assault the destitute ship withall their force. And albeit the Chri­stiās were fewer in number; yet at first they notably withstood the assault of the Bar­barians; but at last being ouercome with [Page 462]labour and woundes, they failed, as equall vnto them, neither in courage nor strength. Wheruppon being in great danger of ta­king by the Barbarians, and deuoutly calling to mind the manifold fauours of our B▪ Lady of Loreto, all called on her with humble supplication, and vowed, if she deliuered them out of that imminent danger, they would carry a goodly Cha­lice to the House of Loreto for a gift, and withall would there wash away the ble­mishes of their sinnes by sacred Confession. Their praier and vow proued not in vaine. For by & by a thicke mist arising, so obscu­red the light with her darknes, that it tooke from the Pirats (greedily desiring so weal­thy a prey) the sight of the ship of Epidaurus. For which cause the Christians acknow­ledged the help of the Mother of God, and exulting with ioy amidst their feare, gaue deuout thankes to God and his B. Mother. Contrarily the Barbarians ra­ging and grieuing to see the prey taken out of their handes, endeuoured what they could, to recouer the ship which they had lost. But in vaine. For a certaine night, as it were, hanging ouer the sea, tooke from thē the sight of the vessell which they pursued, & they thēselues wandred euen as men in [Page 463]darknes. Meanwhile a prosperous winde blowing in the cloud, carried the ship along, which escaping all danger by fauour of our B. Lady, arriued safe at Epidaurus, whence the Marriners and Passengers came to Loreto, to performe their vow. And this was almost all that happened at Loreto, whiles Gregory was Pope.

Loreto is made a Citty by Xistus V. and adorned with a Bishops Sea. CHAP. X.

AS Xystus V. the emulator of Gregory, would not seeme his inferiour in other things; so would he be accounted more forward and diligent in aug­menting the state of the House of Loreto. For being borne in Picene, he thought good to adorne the chiefe Patronesse of the Picen­tians with all care. Therfore as it were to execute the determination of Pope Marcellus the secōd, he gaue Loreto the title of a Citty, adorning her with a Bishops Sea, & assig­ning [Page 464]certaine townes there about to her Iurisdiction. The first Bishop of Loreto was Francis Cantucius a Cittizen of Perugia, fa­mous for learning and sanctimony: who endued that new feate with worthy insti­tutions and examples. But that Loreto might not haue the name of a Citty in vaine or impertinently, Xystus bought the hill next to Loreto (by the inhabitants called Monte-Regal) and purposed to leuell it, that he might make more space on that side, to en­large the new Citty. And for furnishing the same with building, he gaue com­mandement to all the Citties of Picene, that euery one should build there, their seuerall houses, which they willingly obeyed. Meane time, not onely with force but also with money and good policy, the Pope pacified Picene, and the rest of his owne dominions infested with theeues. For incensing the theeues themselues, & the banished men against their fellowes, with hope of impunity and reward, he procured the Captaines to be slaine, and many of their followers, to be either killed by their owne fellowes, or els reduced, by reason that their associats were destroied & made away. For which cause the Citties of Picene erected a worthy Statua of brasse [Page 465]of a Picene Pope, well deseruing of their people, and of the House of Loreto. At which time, the sacred house of our B. Lady wanted not her ornaments. For the Pillars, which (insteed of Columnes) sup­port the vauted roofe, and the vaut it self of the Church, was adorned with marble worke, at the charge of Cantucius the Bishop. One of the bigger Chappells was adorned by Cardinall Arigonio, The chap­pell of Cardinall Arigonio with notable pictures, expressing the worthy deedes of S. Thomas of Aquine, in pariecting and guilding. And the greatest of all the Chappells (desired by the Dukes of Tuscany and Bauaria) to take away cōtention was adorned by the Cōmonalty of Picene, The chap­pell of the Cōmonalty of Picene. with curious workes both of paynting and plaistering, and also garni­shed with much gold. This meane while Leonorius the Gouernour, vsing all dili­gence to adorne and augment the State of Loreto, by means of Lactantius Ventura a no­table Architect, brought the forefront of the Church almost vnto the top (a worke for the most part finished by Gregory) and built good part of the Bishops pallace ouer against the Church. The gift of the Arch­duke of Austria. Also Ferdinand Arch­duke of Austria, hauing vnderstanding of the building of Loreto by the Duke of Ba­uaria, by his persuasion gaue great store of [Page 466]timber out of his woods, to the B. Vir­gin of Loreto; which being put into a ves­sel, and sent by the Adriaticke sea, by fauour of our B. Lady, came safe to Loreto, among which was such aboundance of huge beames and boardes, as were thought to be well worth three thousand Crownes.

Cardinall Ioyeuse recommendeth his Protection of France, to the B. Virgin of Loreto. CHAP. XI.

ABOVT seauen Moneths after Cantucius the first Bishop of Lo­reto entred into his Bishop­ricke, Vict. Brigant. he departed this life, leauing behind him great loue of all towards him, specially of the poore, whose Father he was accompted. So great fame of sanctimony is related of him, that it may easily appeare to be true, which is holden for a Prouerbe, that the first Bishop of euery Citty must be a Saint. After Cantucius Rutilius Ben­zonius [Page 467]a Cittizen of Rome (famous for learning and zeale of Ecclesiasticall dignity) was elected Bishop of Loreto; Rutitius [...]enzonius Bishop of Loreto. who graced the house so notably with holy sermons, and worthy institutions, that now for sacred pompe and Maiesty, she is inferiour to none of the holiest Churches. About that time, Cardinall Ioyeuse the new Protector of France, com­ming out of France to Rome, and turning to Loreto with a traine of Noble men, was brought to the most sacred House by Mat­theucius Archbishop of Ragusa & Gouernour of Ancona, by Octanio Bandino President of Pi­cene, and by Rutilius Benzonius Bishop of Lo­reto, who went to meet the Cardinall, as he was cōming thither. And when Ioyeuse had said Masse very deuoutly in the sacred Cell of the B. Virgin, he said that he seriously determined, to recommend his Protection of France, to the most certaine Patronesse of mortall men. For which cause he pro­cured the solemne praier of the Forty Houres: whose godly endeauour the Bishop of Loreto did not onely approue by his au­thority, but also with a worthy Sermon, After the Sermon, a solemne procession was performed with great zeale of all the people, aswell of the Cleargie and townes­folkes [Page 468]of Loreto, as of a good company of Capuchines, which Ioyeuse had brought with him for that purpose. And the Cardinall yielding to none, in that wherof him­selfe was the Author, was an example of piety and modesty, to his, and all the rest.

The worthy indeauours of Cardinall Gallo Patron of Loreto, to­wards the B. Virgin. CHAP. XII.

BVT this yeare was not so fa­mous, as lamentable for the affaires of Loreto. Vict. Brigant. Two daies after the publicke praier, Leo­norius the Gouernour of Loreto, then the Cardinall Patron Vastau [...]lano him­self, died one after an other, of a pestife­rous disease. Card. Gal­lo Patron of Loreto. Francis Gallo Go­uernour of Loreto. Wheruppon the Patronship of Loreto was giuen to Antonio Maria Gallo, the Cardinall, then Bishop of Perugia (now of Auximo) who preferred Iohn Francis Gallo his Vncle, to the Gouernment of Loreto. [Page 469]And shortly after by the Popes command­ment, Cardinall Gallo the new Patron cōming to Loreto, and being receiued with great ioy and gratulation of all sortes, set downe Lawes and Decrees to the Citty of Loreto, for creating of magistrates, they yeare of our Redemption 1587. Also this very yeare the brazen Statua of Xystus V. the Pope, made most curiously by Bernardine, was set vp on the staires of the Church, with great gladnes of the people of Loreto, and of all the Picentians; and also with great concourse of borderers and strangers And whiles Iohn Francis Gallo was Gouer­nour of Loreto, The fore­frōt of the Church of Loroto. the forefront of the Church was at last finished, to be a most notable ornament to the sacred House of our B. Lady. For it was magnificently set forth and curiously ended, and all made of Istrian stone, exactly squared, (which being brought from Istria, doth seeme like to that of Tybur, in old time, and also at this day much vsed by the Ro­manes) and also finished with such art, that you would say so great a worke, were almost all one stone. In the midst of this forefront, the great Gate (being as it were the mouth therof) is adorned with striged Pillars of marble, and with an [Page 470]arched Coron. Also the sides haue two lesser dores, with Pedestalls and Pillars, called Ionickes, on which the forefront it self doth stand. Ouer the great Gates, was set vp a brazen Image of our B. Lady imbracing her little sonne, polished most curiously by Lombardo the Statuary. Vnder the roofe of the forefront a great window (being as it were the eye of the worke) adorned with striged Pillars and workes engrauen, doth giue light vnto the Church. Ouer the window, the Title of the House of Loreto is engrauen in Lucullan Marble with golden letters, THE HOVSE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, VVHERE THE VVORD VVAS MADE FLESH. Meaner windowes were made to the lesser dores, to giue light to the wing of the Church. And aboue both these windowes, there is a particu­lar inscription, engrauen also with golden letters, in such kind of marble. The one is, XYSTVS V. THE POPE, A PICENTIAN, OF A COLLEGIATE, MADE THIS A CATHE­DRAL CHVRCH, ON THE XVI. OF THE CALENDS OF APRIL, THE YEARE OF OVR REDEMPTION M.D.LXXXVI.

THE FIRST YEARE OF HIS POPEDOME The other, [Page 471] XYSTVS V. THE POPE BEING BORNE IN PICENE, AND ADORNING THE HOVSE OF LORETO VVITH EPISCOPAL DIGNITY, MADE IT A CITTY THE YEARE M.D.LXXXVI. THE FIRST YEARE OF HIS POPEDOME.

The worke was all finished, but that there wanted staires to ascend into the Church. wheruppon with great magnificence and compastle inough, Hierom Gabutio the suc­cessour of Iohn Francis Gallo, did finish the new staires, which he had begun with Istrian stone, & put an excellent lanterne on the hemisphere of the Church, made also of the same stone, & of pillers of eight or nine foote of Ionicke worke. The spaces wherof haue eight arched windowes, aboue which are 8. more equall in breadth, but lesse in height. And ouer the said windowes is a Corone, which doth support the vppermost worke, diuided, as it were, into eight quar­ters, which togeather with [...]e hemisphere of the Church, being couered with sheetes of lead, is seene far & neere. And his owne piety and deuotion moouing him therun­to, assoone as Card. Gallo had adorned the sacred House of Loreto, he prouided to re­lieue the poore. For with a great summe [Page 472]of money which he collected, he made a Banke of piety at Loreto, whence he appoin­ted that money should be lent to the towne gratis, lest they should be enforced to be at the mercy of Vsurers. But this was a most memorable gift of Xystus V. the Pope (others attribute it to Gregory the xiij.) to procure the brazen leaues of the Church of Loreto, to be engrauē for forty thousand Crownes. For the leaues of the three dores shall be of brasse, where a representation of all the sacred History is to be engrauen with ad­mirable art: verily a great worke, and of many yeares, and (as by the beginuings it may be coniectured) very notable and ad­mirable, so indeed, as they who haue seene both, may worthily compare them to the most excellent leaues of the Church of S. Iohn Baptist at Florence which all do hould for a wonder. Truly it will be a worthy ornament to the Church of Loreto, & a most pleasing spectacle to Pil­grims.

Donaries brought or sent to the B. Virgin of Loreto. CHAP. XIII.

MEANE time, Cod. Laur. the House of Loreto prouiding for the well­fare of the poore Inhabitants, wanted not the gifts of Pil­grims. The gift of the So­dality of the Smiths of Bologna The Sodality of the Black-smiths of Bologna, for their Donary, brought a great Cādlesticke of copper, very notable both for workmanship, and also for the vnusuall greatnes and weight. Ca­therine Medices Queene of France, and Mother of Kings, The gift of the Queene of France & of others. sent to the B. Virgin of Loreto, a siluer lampe, notable for weight and work­manship, with a pension to haue it burne continually. The Duchesse of Cleeue golden attire for the B. Virgin, imbrodered with siluer, and her owne Image in a siluer plate praying to our B. Lady of Loreto; but this later is an ordinary Donary of many. A daughter of the Duke of Parma two; Frede­ricke Tomacellus, and Antony Spinellus Neapoli­tans; Alfonsus Vice-count a Milanese; the [Page 474]Marques Carpucius, & the Bishop of Eugubine, euery one his owne Image, suppliātwise in a plate of siluer, of foure poūd weight. Also at the same time the Marques of Guasto pre­sented his owne Image in a golden globe, shyning round about with litle diamondes and Carbuncles. And that many of them were votiue gifts, the title of the plate of Eugubine doth shew, THY PRAIER IS HEARD. But these sent their owne, others presented the votiue Images of their friēds. The Prince of Stiliano dedicated to the Mo­ther of God a siluer Image of his sonne, as if he were praying. Liuia Pignatella a Neapo­litan the Image of her husband offering to our B. Lady a litle child purtured in sil­uer, of foure pound weight. The Prince of Amalpha an infant of siluer in his swath­bands, in weight, half as much more. Phi­libertus Emanuell Duke of Sauoy the wor­thiest gift in this kind, to wit, the golden Image of an infant of iust stature, wrapt in his swath-bands, for a sonne borne of late wedlocke, by the intercessiō of our B. Lady. The Citty Corneta, the purtraiture of her Citty, in a plate of siluer inclosed in Ebony, with a worthy title below, CORNETA THY FAITHFVLL CITTY. Also others presented goodly ornature for the Church & the Altar. [Page 475] VVilliam Duke of Mantua sent to the B. Vir­gin, two Candlesticks of siluer, of a Cubit and a halfe, and a worthy Image of gold, on a golden Crosse, representing the Cruci­fying of our Sauiour, all made with admi­rable workmanship & art. Not long after, the Prince of Mantua, emulating his Fathers piety, brought votiue gifts for receiuing of issue by the fauour of our B. Lady, furniture of siluer for the Altar, Priest, and Ministers sacrificing with solemnity, adorned with imbrodery, precious stones and gold. Ferdi­nand Cardona, a siluer Chalice curiously wrought. Iohn Spinota, Hippolitus Bensinotus, and Octauius Peregrinus a Neapolitan, besides euery one his Chalice of siluer, brought also two crewers with little ewers of the same sub­stance. Peter Demetrius Prince of Valachia a golden Chalice and a Paten. And Auria Marques of the Empire, for his singular de­uotion to the B. Virgin of Loreto, to his gol­den Chalice, added a triple lampe of siluer, notable for weight and workmanship, which he endued with a certaine stipend, that it might burne in the midst of the sa­cred Chappell, on chiefe festiuall daies. Heere also hangeth an other siluer lampe of excellent worke, beautified with three di­uisions, said to be the votiue gift of Mar­ques [Page 476] Lippeo of Milan. The Earle Oliuarus (Em­bassador for the Catholicke King with the Pope) cōming with his wife to Loreto, pre­sented to our B. Lady for a gift, a siluer lampe and ornature for the Altar and the Priest, glittering with gold and siluer, of curious Portugall worke; which Donaries he increased with a great summe of money. The Viceroies wife of Naples a casket of sil­ner guilt, and engrauen with very curious worke. Portia Vitelia a golden Image of Christ Crucified, inclosed in Ebony. The Cardinall of Austria, two Candlestickes of solid Ebony, adorned with precious stone & gold. Hierome Grimaldus of Genua as many Candlesticks of siluer, a Cubit high, of xv-pound weight. And many siluer lampes of no small weight and workmanship, were presented by such as were vnwilling to haue their names knowne. One of gold in steed of many, is the gift of Francis Maria Duke of Vrbine, not only notable for sub­stance and beauty; but also for workman­ship. For the lamp it self is supported on the shoulders of three Angels, holding in their hands, boughes of an oake (the armes of the Roborean family) all made of solid gold with admirable art, thought to be about ten pound weight, & therfore chiefe place [Page 477]is assigned vnto it, for the speciall worth therof, hanging in a golden chaine amidst the siluer lampes, that it may allwaies burne before the face of our B. Lady. Marques Roboreo, Benedict Card. Iustinian, and Camilla Peretta sister to Xystus V. gaue euery one a single suite of gold for the Altar, and Ca­milla also brought worthy attire for our B. Lady, wrought with gold and worke imbrodered. The Duchesse of Bouine, an honourable Lady, sent other ornature of violet satten, adorned with margarites & pearles, after a Princely munificence, but for the shortnes therof. Also Iustus Iusteius Earle of Verona consecrated to our B. Lady (as author of the victory) an ornature of cloth of gold, faced with precious skinnes, being the prize of the Tilters, gotten at the games of Florence. Others also sent other Donaries to our B. Lady, the most part from women. The Duchesse of Cleeue, a woman of great piety, presented to the B. Virgin for a gift, a chaine of gold, no­table for weight and workmanship; gol­den bracelets beset with Carbuncles and diamonds, and a gold ring of great worth by reason of a notable iewell. Vidobonus the knight and Steward of the Duke of Bauaria, in his owne name and his wiues, [Page 478]two gold rings ioyned in one, adorned with diamond and Carbuncle, wherin is written, VVHICH GOD HATH IOY­NED, LET NOT MAN SEPARATE. Lewis George of Papia, a chaine of gold made of curious worke, of one pound weight. Marchius Antonius Blanchettus of Bologna, a Crownet of precious stones featly faste­ned in gold. The Princesse of Castel-uetrano a round peece of gold, like vnto a great coyne, glittering with diamond, Emerald and pearle. But this following is not only memorable for value; but also for the order and manner how it was presented. Antony Martinengo the Earle, hauing contended many yeares with a daughter of Marques Carata, about a Crosse of precious stones of small quantity but of great value, and seeing no end therof could be had by law, they agreed betweene themselues, that the Crosse in controuersy, should be adiud­ged to the B. Virgin of Loreto. And the euent shewed that their gift was gratefull to the Mother of God. Hieronyma Columna Duchesse of Monte-Leone had that Crosse in her custody: And by a certaine proui­dence of Allmighty God it chanced, that Martinengo comming to the sacred House of our B. Lady vpon deuotiō, in the beginning [Page 479]of May, at the same time and on that very day, Hieronyma also came, altogether igno­rant of the comming of Martinengo. Ther­fore seeing him on the suddaine at Loreto, at first she was arnazed therat; but then salu­ting ech other, she said vnto him: In very good time I haue brought with me the Crosse adindged to our B. Lady; for the solemne day of the in­uention of the Crosse of Christ is now at hand. Wherfore admiring the wonder of the thing ordered from aboue, they went both together to the most sacred Cell, and dedicated this Crosse of Iewells to the B. Virgin, on the festiuall day of the holy Crosse: that you may say, she required her depositum in due time. At this day, the said Crosse doth hang at the girdle of rewells of the B. Virgin, as a chiese grace of her worthy ornament: for it is made of nine faire diamonds beautified with three oriēt pearles, as big as cherries, valued at foure thousand Crownes.

An Irish Bishop doth twice escape the hands of Hereticall Pirats: A yong man is deliuered from present shipwrack. CHAP. XIV.

AT that time the House of Loreto as not onely honoured with gifts but also miracles. For Edmund an Irish-Man, Bishop of Ardach, came to Loreto, to performe his double vow. The cause wherof was this. Being driuen into banishment for religiō, by Elizabeth Queene of England, he fled into Scotland with certaine trustie seruants. But where he sought suc­cour, was his danger. For at the intreaty of the Queene of England, the Nobility of Scotland commanded that he should be cast into prison. But Edmund vnderstanding of the matter, secretly shipped himself, and very prudently eschewed the snares of the Queene. Wherby escaping that manifest peril, soone after he fell into an other hid­den danger, which was not casuall, but by sufferance from aboue, as doubtles both the time of the danger, & the heauenly help [Page 481]sēt thē in due time did manifestly shew. For as Edmund sailed towards France, he fell into the hands of one Drake an Archpirate of En­gland, the day before the Natiuity of our B. Lady, which the Bishop & his seruants kept with great reuerence and deuotion. And a vision shewed to one of his company in his sleep, put them all in good hope of security. For the night before they met their ene­mies, as he was asleep, one of his seruants seemed to fight naked with heretickes in a great assembly of men: and being ashamed of his nakednes, a Lady of great beauty came vnto him in a white garmēt, whome he earnestly intreating to couer his na­kednes, curteously and willingly she coue­red him with her cloake. When he related this vision vnto the Bishop, with common cōsent they agreed, that the Virgin whome he saw in his sleepe, was the Mother of God, by whose protection they should be all defended. Wheruppon assoone as the nauy of the enemies approached, Edmund and his seruants seeing no humane meanes to escape, implored our B. Lady of Loreto, whose Natiue day put them all in good hope of safety, making this vow with their petition: If they eschewed the hands of their enemies, they would go to the [Page 482]House of Loreto, and there for the space of three daies, would giue themselues to prai­er. Their praier and vow had effect. For the Maister of the shippe, wherin they sayled, albeit in shew an Hereticke; yet at that instant shewed himself a fauourer of Catholicks. For seeing the English nauy at hand, and supposing (as it was) that the Catholicks whome he transported, were sought, for their destruction, he hid the Bishop and his seruants, in a most obscure place of the pumpe, and far out of sight. The ship was taken by the English, and brought in to England, & the seruāts of God lay close eight daies in the pumpe, the Maister secretly conueying them victuals once a day; all which time the English Py­rats did not negligently search the vessell which they had taken. For euery day with great rage, they searched euery corner, hoping to finde out the Bishop and his company, of whose flight and escape they had notice. So at last reuiewing all places carefully with lights, they happened on the pumpe, and came to the secret place. But the more present that their danger was, the more euident was the help of the Mother of God. For apprehending the Priest, who had seene the aforesaid [Page 483]vision in his sleep, they drew him vnto the next decke to seeke out the rest, but euen at that very instant they perceiued, that Al­mightie God did protect the Catholicks with heauenly help. For the Priest (of whome we speake) escaping out of their hāds by miracle, was neuer after to be foūd. Therefore hauing searched eight whole daies, till they were wearie, at last they gaue ouer to seeke after the Bisshop, and dis­missed the shippe, that she might returne vnto her course. But behold one danger after an other. In the same voiage to France, an other Nauy of Pirats met them, more cruell then the former, who by the instiga­tion of Queene Elizabeth, sought Edmund the Bishop for his destruction: and out of hand taking the shippe wherin he sailed, they boarded her, ouerturned all the Merchan­dize, and with lights searched all places with diligent care: wherby they came to the secret place, & at last apprehended the Bishop himself. They had preuailed, if the present protection of our B. Lady had not quailed the rage of their enemies. For be­hold as they were about to draw forth their prisoner, they were striken with suddaine blindnesse, and began to wander like blind men. Wheruppon being frighted with the [Page 484]vndoubted wrath of God punishing their wickednes, they let go the vessell which they had taken, and she holding on her course, by fauour of our B. Lady arriued at the desired harbour, hauing twice in few daies escaped these exceeding dangers. For which cause the Bishop and his retinew, being very mindefull of their vow, forth­with from the place where they landed, came to Loreto on foote, the yere 1586. where the Bishop rightly performing his vow, left the whole matter set downe in writing in the House of Loreto, in token of the double help of our B. Lady in his double danger. The yeare ensuing, the B. Virgin of Loreto, by as great a miracle deliuered another frō the raging sea, as she had donne these from the wicked Pirats. Iohn Baptista Capra a Monte-Albodo (the name of a towne in Picene) a good & a godly yong mā, sayling in a Galcot to­ward the coast of Calabria, and comming in sight of the Iland Vulcana (which lieth ouer against the Ilād of Si [...]ilie) was brought into imminent danger, by a suddaine tempest. For the oars were broken, the saile was lost, and the little vessell being tossed to & fro with the waues, was in great danger of drowning. But he conceiuing good hope of safe deliuerance, and inuocating the B. [Page 485]Virgin of Loreto, cried vnto her: As the An­gells brought thy House into Picene, where at this present it remayneth; so thou B. Virgin Mother of God, bring this litle vessell to the harbour. A meruai­lous thing. The tempest ceased as if it had beene controulled or bridled by his prayer, and presently a prosperous wind begin­ning to blow, made the Galcot ariue with safety, that you may thinke the B. Virgin fauoured her Client, and the report of the transportation of her sacred House, by the hand-worke of Angells.

Two Priests hauing stolne a little mor­ter out of the House of Loreto, by their owne harme, are taught to restore it thither againe. CHAP. XV.

Vict. Brigant.THE report of the History of Loreto is confirmed by the for­mer miracle, but the religion of the most sacred House is established with this. The same yeare, two Priests of Placentia tooke alittle mor­ter [Page 486]out of the sacred walls, with intent to carrie it about them, as a monu­ment of the B. Virgin of Loreto, and as a defence vnto them in the perills of this mortall life. But protection sought against the will of God, turned to their danger. For assone as they returned into their Con­trey, they were punished with a terrible & a cruell feuer, wherewith being much vexed for the space of three moneths, at last they repented. And calling to mind the late example of the Bishop of Portugall, who albeit by the Popes permission had taken a stone out of the House of Loreto; yet God was so offended therwith, that he was punished with a cruell sicknes, and reco­uered not, vntill he restored the sacred stone to the B. Virgin. Therefore with com­mon consent, both determined to restore to our B. Lady, that which they had ta­ken from her, earnestly requesting her to pardon their folly, and to restore them their former health, when she receiued her owne againe. Wheruppon presently putting the morter into a silke purse, and witnessing the miracle by their letters, they deliuered it to the Pilgrims, which came to Loreto, and so recouered their health. And the morter remay­ning [Page 487]in the silke purse (as it was) was brought to Loreto by the Pilgrims of Placen­tia to Rutilius Benzonius the Bishop, who as­soone as he read their letter, gaue credit to the miracle, and published it abroad; to re­presse the boldnes of others by their ex­ample.

Our B. Lady appearing to two, in the same forme wherin she is reuerēced at Loreto, restoreth them their health despaired of by Physitians. CHAP. XVI.

Vict. Brigant. ABOVT that time the B. Vir­gin did shew by euident to­kens, that her Image in the House of Loreto, was as deere vnto her, as her natiue House it self- Tiberius Delphinus a seruant of the Duke of Mantua, being deere vnto him many waies, & consuming with a grieuous & a long ague, by vehmency of the sicknes was vpon departing. Wheruppon as the Priest [Page 488]was carefully recōmending his soule (ar­med with christian mysteries) to the prote­ctiō of God & his Saints, the House of Lo­reto innobled with many famous miracles, came to the mind of him that lay a dying, which whiles he was in health, he could not visit by reason of busines. And soone af­ter a representation of the same House, and of the B. Virgin appearing vnto him in his rest, stirred him to make a vow to the Mo­ther of God, and to hope well of himself: which was to good effect. For he, who euen now lay void of all sense, beginning to reuiue, and opening his eyes, spake more cheerfully to them that were present, & told them how he had made a vow to visit the B. Virgin of Loreto, leauing them all dis­maied at the wonder of the thing. Within few dayes he throughly recouered, and as­soone as by any meanes health permitted him to performe the iourney of his votiue Pilgrimage, he went to Loreto before he had gotten sufficient strength, so feruent was his desire to be free frō the vow which he had made. And assoone as he came thither, with harty thankes to God & his B. Mother, he performed his vow, & nigh at hand behol­ding the most religious Image of our B. La­dy with diligēt care: Truly (said he) in this [Page 489]very likenes and similitude, I saw our B. Lady in my sleep when I was at the point of death: that it may playnly appeare the Image at Loreto to be most like, or els most deare vnto her. Soone after, this miracle was confirmed by an other of the same kind. Iohn Raffrede a yong man of Lasturo, a Village of the State of Venice, lay sicke not far from Bergamo of an incurable disease: and the anguish of his infirmity, wher­with he was most miserably vexed, brought with it cruell, and almost perpe­tuall paine in all his members. Therfore despayring of help by Physitians, he inuo­cated the B. Virgin of Loreto, giuing himself wholy vnto her by vow: which if he ob­tayned, he promised to performe with all speed. His vow had effect. Being giuen ouer by the Physitians, he did not so much wrestle with the disease, as with death it self. But suddainly in the very agony he had present help. For our B. Lady (as it were vnlooked for) appearing vnto him in the same shape, wherein she is reuerenced at Loreto, which before that time he neuer saw so much as in picture, and bidding him be of good comfort, replenished him with great ioy and comfort. Wheruppon out of hand for deuotion sake, the sicke man ende­uoured [Page 490]to kneele downe on his bed as well as he could, and with great confidence in this exceeding dāger of death, began to im­plore the assistance of the Mother of God. And she, with a meeke & a motherly coun­tenance, said vnto him: Sonne, put away feare, thou shalt not dy of this sicknes; be thankfull & mind­full of thy Vow. For which cause calling to his houshold, that they might hasten thither, to reuerence the Queene of Heauen with due deuotion, our B. Lady went suddainly out of his sight. And the promise was per­formed on both sides. For the sicke man re­couering a litle after, came to Loreto to per­forme his vow, the 90. yeare of this age; where leasurely viewing the Image of the Mother of God, he affirmed to those, to whome he related this miracle, that the B. Virgin appeared vnto him in his sleep, in that very forme & attire: that you may thinke that shape and habit was pleasing to our B. Lady.

A Knight of Flanders being deli­uered from his enemies by an euident miracle, dedicateth a wax-candle of huge bignesse, to our B. Lady of Loreto. CHAP. XVII.

Vict. Brig.ABOVT the same time a Knight of Flanders presented to the B. Virgin of Loreto. For a gift, a votiue candle of huge bignes, to wit of 300. pound weight, in token of a miracle almost incredible. The cause of his vow & gift was this. The said Knight (his name is not set downe, for he himself would haue it concealed) escaped manifest perill of life in Flanders by help of our B. Lady: who by commandment of the Prince of Parma going on improuidently with eight horsemen to view the coast, fell into the ambush of the enemy. The enemies were about eight hundred, some horsmen some footemen, who quickly spreading themselues abroad tooke from thē all hope [Page 492]of escape. Notwithstanding the Fleming wanted not courage. For inuocating our B. Lady of Loreto, and animating his fel­lowes therūto, they valiantly fought with them, their confidence in the B. Virgin pre­uailing so much with them, that it easily put away the cogitation of so great danger: Such was the courage and strength which was giuen to that small company, by the vertue of the heauenly help which they besought, not failing them in their fight. For when on euery side they were assaulted with so many handes and weapons of sun­dry sortes, by the protection of the Mother of God, they sustayned the violence of their enemies & the multitude of their weapons so long, till the Spanish forces came to rescue them, and then the danger turned on their enemies themselues, wherof many were slayne or taken. And that there may be no doubt at all of the vertue of the hea­uenly help, neither the Knight himself, nor any of his fellowes, nor yet any of their horses were hurt the least iote in so cruell a fight, which held for the space of two houres; that you may thinke they fought vnder the protection of God, who fighting for them made them to ouercome. In regard wherof the Knight desiring to [Page 493]haue a perpetuall monument of so wor­thy a miracle to remayne at Loreto, sent the wax-candle of huge bignes, wher­of I haue spoken, with intent, that on certaine festiuall daies it should burne be­fore the Maiesticall House of the B. Virgin. And it is said, that he also gaue a certaine stipend, that when the same was consu­med, an other candle of like bignes should be put in his place, for euerlasting memory to posterity.

A deafe-man recouereth his hearing. CHAP. XVIII.

THIS which I am to relate is not so meruailous, Annal. Laur. Rier. Vict. Brig. but better witnessed. Erasmus Deane of the Cathedrall Church of Cra­couia in Polonia, being deafe in either eare, heard almost nothing at all, so that they must deale with him not so much by wordes as by signes. But before his hearing was taken from him, by re­port [Page 494]he had heard many admirable things of the B. Virgin of Loreto: and seeing he could get no help by means of physicke, and that the heauenly vertue of the House of Loreto came often to his mind, much grieued and perplexed with the infirmity; it stirred him to come to the sacred House of our B. Lady, that with great confidence he might say Masse in the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin, and implore her help, where he found most present remedy for his griefe. For assoone as he had ended Masse, he perceiued that his left eare was opened and cured; and the next day saying Masse in the same place, he likewise reco­uered the vse of his right: Whereby he, who came to the most sacred House halfe deafe, or rather deafe indeed, within two dayes departed thence full glad to haue reco­uered the perfect vse of hearing. Andrevv Bētiuoglio Gouer­nour of Loreto. He himself told the whole matter with teares of ioy to Rutilius Benzonius the Bishop, & to Andrew Bentiuoglio Gouernour of Loreto, on the Nones of Aprill, the yeare of our Redemption 1590. At which time the new Citty of Loreto being built with great speed on the inlarged space, was suddainly in­terrupted by the vntimely death of Xystus, assaied also by other Popes to small pur­pose. [Page 495]For Monte-Regal was pared about and left half plained: the new Houses which were crected without the old circuite, be now insteed of Suburbs, wherof many re­mayne vnfinished, that you may thinke, the renowme of a Citty was not pleasing to our B. Lady of Loreto, who chose her self a seate in a desert place, lest the fame of the Citty, rather then the Religion of the place, should inuite the Pilgrims to visit her. About that time, Andrew Bentiuoglio departing this life, Fuluius Paulucius Gouer­nour of Loreto. Fuluius Paulucius the Protonotary Apostolicall succeeded in the Gouernement of Loreto, whose vertue, troublesome times did both exer­cise and illu­strate.

Donaries brought or sent to the B. Virgin of Loreto, in the trouble­some time of Gregory the XIIII. CHAP. XIX.

SHORTLIE after in the same yeare of our Redemption, to witt, 1590. in the moneth of September, Vrbane the vij. was created Pope, who was as me­morable for the shortnes of his Popedome as the loue of all men towards him. Gregorie the 14. a good and a godly man was chosen after Vrbane, but being weake and sickly most of his raigne, he sate but twelue mo­neths. This time was most miserable and wicked, and no kind of mischiefe was wanting. For the Bandites which reuolted in the later time of Xystus, ranged freely vp and downe in troupes, much infesting the wayes of the Popes dominiōs with armes. Besides there was a penury with great dearth. Aboue all, a grieuous mortality, the companion of extreme famine, spread al­most [Page 497]ouer all Italy, among all degrees and ages. Neither was this yeare onely, but also the next as fatall to Italy, wherwith the fields were almost depriued of husbandmē, the Citties of Cittizens, and townes and villages of inhabitants, not so much with sicknes, as (which is most miserable) with hunger and famine. Wherby there came fewer Pilgrims and Donaries to Loreto, then were wont, but more vowes to visit and adorne the House of Loreto, as the yeares ensuing did well declare. Yet not­withstanding this very time, which wa­sted so many Citties of their Cittizens, and townes and villages of their Inhabitants, did not wholy depriue the House of Loreto of gifts. The gift of Lelius Pig­natellus and of others. Lelius Pignatellus of Naples dedicated to the B. Virgin a siluer lampe of two pound weight. Cardinall Sfondrato nephew to Gregory the 14. the Image of our B. Lady of Loreto, purtured in a plate of siluer, of three pound weight. Hercules Sfondrato the Earle such an other siluer Image of our B. Lady of ten pound weight, with a siluer plate of like worke, but of different weight, and two Crewets of siluer. Al­fonsus Coroneus a goblet of iewells of great price, which being turned of one entire hollowed gemme, seemeth to be a kind of [Page 498]Achates, commonly called an Agat. Dio­nyse Delphinus a Venetian, worthy ornature of cloth of siluer, for the Priest when he sacrificeth. N. Pernestaina sister to the Vice­roies wife of Boeme, a golden Pall, curiously and richly adorned with siluer flowers, like vnto starres, which made goodly or­nature for the Bishop. This gift is most memorable, aswell for profit as bounty. Peter Tyrannus Calliensis, The inhe­ritance of Peter Ty­rannus. a very rich and a wealthy man, by his will made the B. Virgin of Loreto the sole heire of his patrimony. The chiefest of his inheritance was Falconaria a rich Farme, which being very fruitfull both for corne and wine, is situated most conueniently, to wit, not far from Ancona and the sea, that from thence the commodities and fruites may be conueyed to Loreto by boate. The whole inheritance, is thought to be worth about three score thousād Crownes, which must needes be a very great fur­derance to supplie all the necessities of the House of Loreto, either present or to come. And truly the great dearth and scarcity, which at that time afflicted Italy, exceedingly increased the huge expences of the House of Loreto, and for the most part [Page 499]hindered the commodity of her Almes and donaries. For besides 800. Crownes, which the Treasury of Loreto payeth yearely to the Bishop, she disburseth six thousand Crownes to twelue Chanons, to twelue mansionary Priests (as they call them) to six Cleargy men, Coadiutors of the Quyre, to diuers Quyristers, and many other Of­ficers of the Church, besides prouision of wax, oile, and other necessaries for the sacred House it self. Also it mayntaineth all the companie of the Gouernour of Loreto, a great family of Artificers, of husband­men and sheepheards: wherunto are added two Colledges, the one of the Society of Iesus, the other of Sclauonians, which when the times were better, receiued almost fiue­thousand Crownes out of the reuenewe [...] of the House of Loreto. In the hospitall and spittle, many Pilgrims both sicke and poore are cherished; to religious men ad Priests, diet is giuen for three dayes: to other poore strangers, bread is publickely destributed. Bishops, Cardinals. and other principall men, are curteously and boun­tifully intertayned; and the sumptuous and honourable building of our B. Lady, is neuer allmost intermitted. Whereby these so great and huge yearely expences are said [Page 500]to exceed twenty thousād crownes, which seeing the wealth of Loreto did with diffi­culty discharge in the aboundāce & plenty of things, at those times the expences must needes be much increased. And the scarcity of victualls continued almost foure yeares; all which time the reuenewes of the Land, and of the Treasury, were double or triple lesse then was wont; and yet the charges were almost doubled. Wherefore the in­heritance of Calliensis did relieue the neces­sities of Loreto in very fit oportunity, but not more for the present, then for the time to come. Shortly after a small thing to be spoken of, did not a little illustrate the re­ligion of the House of Loreto. Marcus Sara a famous Captaine of the Bandites infesting the popes dominions with armes, VVhat re­spect Mar­cus Sara vsed to the most Sa­cred House and comming into Picene with a great company of wicked confederates, was euen ouer­come by the respect which all do com­monly beare to the B. Virgin of Loreto. For passing by Loreto, and comming to a conuenient place, he saluted our B. Lady with a ioyfull peale of shotte of all his cō ­panies, and was so far from violating the treasures of Loreto, as that he reuerenced the sacred House with gifts. Being kept our of the Church and the Citty it self, he [Page 501]sent a certaine man to Loreto with a gift, that money might be liberally giuen to the Mother of God by them, who by violence and murder are accustomed to get it: God of his godnes mitigating such stony hartes in fauour of his B. Mother. Meane-while albeit there was great dearth and scarcity of corne, neuerthelesse Paulucius the Gouer­nour dayly distributed great quantity of bread to the poore Pilgrims; a gift most gratefull vnto them, because the famine which they sustained was very great.

The chiefest Indulgence of Clement the VIII. CHAP. XX.

INNOCENTIVS the ix. sit­ting about two moneths, succeeded after the one yeares raigne of Gregory the xiiij. who hauing donne many wor­thy things in the beginning of his raigne, frustrated the notable hope of all good men, being quickly taken away by sud­daine death. After whome Clement the [Page 502]viij. succeeding, deserued worthy remem­brance for his Fatherly prouidence and solicitude. For in the beginning of his Popedome with all diligence he lessened the dearth of corne, increased by the wic­kednes of men, and putting the theeues to flight, opened the wayes which they had besieged, with great good of the pilgri­mage of Loreto. Who by reason of his excee­ding piety to the B. Virgin Mother of God, graced the House of Loreto with so wor­thy a gift of Indulgences, that now no­thing may seeme to be added therunto. For knowing very well that many Pilgrims did resort to the sacred House of Loreto at all times of the yeare; and also consi­dering that the Indulgences of former Popes were restrayned to certaine times, he thought it an indignity, that so many deuout people ouercomming great labours and perills of trauell, euen in the winter time, should depart from the B. Virgin of Loreto, without the benefit of Indulgences: specially being a knowne custome, that nothing is more vsed in the Pilgrimage of Loreto, then carefully to pu­rifie their soules by sacred Confession, and afterward to lead a new life. Therefore Clement the Pope thinking it for the best, [Page 503]and for the honour of our B. Lady to haue none to depart sorrowfull from her, most bountifuly granted remission of sins to all that rightly visited the Cell of the B. Vir­gin of Loreto at all times of the yeare: And also commanded that the day of the Trans­portation of the sacred House into Picene, should yearely be celebrated on the 4. of the Ides of December. In the meane time, multitudes of strangers resorting thither from all places, the ancient grace and beauty of the Maiesty of Loreto began to be renewed, not onely by zeale of peoples hartes, but also by votaries & gifts increa­sing in these difficult times. Cardinall Sfon­drato Legate to Bologna, comming to Loreto and deuoutly saluting the Mother of God, The gift of Card. Sfondrato and of others. had a great desire to behold the Image of Loreto neere at hand. Wheruppon setting to a ladder, and going vp with great deuo­uotion, after he had well viewed the pro­portion of the B. Virgin, he priuately tooke of a ring of great worth (the ensigne of his Cardinalty) and at his comming downe dedicated it to our B. Lady, either as a pledge of his deuotion towards her, or els as a token of her Patronage towards him. The ring is of gold, enriched with a pre­cious diamond, estimated at fiue hundred [Page 504]Crownes. But this is the chiefest praise of Cardinall Sfondrato, who in the compasse of two yeares visited the B. Virgin of Loreto three times, and reuerenced her with three excellent gifts; such sweetnes did his soule find in the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin. The same yeare returning from Bo­logna to Rome, and comming to Loreto to sa­lute his Patronesse, he would not shew himself in her sight without a donary. For he dedicated to the B. Virgin a Crosse of gold, adorned with beautifull Emeralds, said to be worth foure thousand Crownes: which hangeth at the most rich chayne of precious stones of our B. Lady, as a notable ornament therof. The next yeare after, Car­dinal Sfondrato going to Milan, reuisited the B. Virgin of Loreto againe, and for a gift gaue her a gold ring with a rare diamond. The diamond is bigger than the nayle of a mans hand, which being put on the finger of the sweet child IESVS, with the refle­ction of the lights, doth shine like vnto a star, a gift so much the more to be esteemed, because it is well knowne that he bought it for that purpose, for two thousand Crownes. Antony Pallauicino of Cremona brought an other diamond in a gold ring, with peraduenture the like minde, but not [Page 505]of like price, for it is worth but a hun­dred Crownes. Also the Cardinall of LORAINE sent diuers gifts of Princely munificence by certaine men: A chrystall Crosse with the Image of Christ of gold, a golden Chalice standing on a foote of chrystall, two Candlestickes and two Cre­wets with their ewer, a Cup and a sprinkle for holy water, a Pix and a Pax, all of excellent chrystall, gold, and amber, esteemed at two or three thousand Crownes. The heires of Cardinall Cae­sius an Image most excellently wrought, representing the B. Virgin of Loreto, sitting on a House with many Angells attending round about her. The worke it self is most notable, all wouen with silke and gold, euery way almost three Cubits broad: and the Images of the Mother of God and of the Angels, are made with so great are, as they seeme to haue life. Cardinall RVSTICVCIO, furniture of siluer for the Altar and the Priest, beautified with an Image of the B. Virgin of Loreto, and the armes of his family. VICTORIVS LABDAMARVS LAVDENSIS Worthy ornature for the Altar, of siluer-cloth of tissue, garnished with great flowers. The Prince Venusinus other ornature for the Altar, [Page 506]of tissue-cloth of gold. Iason Villanus a Cit­tizen of Bologna, a Vestment for the Priest of tissue-cloth of gold; adorned with the armes of his family. Bernard Strozzio a Flo­rentine, double furniture for the Altar, and as much for the Priest, glittering with gold and siluer. Marques Riano siluer vestments for the Priest and Ministers ce­lebrating with solemnity, set forth with silke flowers of equall distance; and or­nature for the Bishop of the same stuffe and worke. Luke Turregianus of Florence furniture for the Altar and the Priest of cloth of siluer, flourished with great golden flowers of curled worke. Ferdinando Gon­zaga an ornament of gold for the Altar imbrodered and beset with pearle. Scipio Spinelli Duke of Seminario two standing pots of siluer a Cubit long, wrought and en­grauen with rare art, and adorned with Images and acts of our B. Lady: wherof the one doth hold a great lilly of sil­uer, the other a golden bough of flou­rishing roses, placed on each side the feet of the B. Virgin. Marcus Germanus Baron of Valcassano, a Crownet of pearle and iewells, seeming like vnto Roses, featly fastened in gold. Iohn Baptista Cigola of Bressa, a siluer plate with his owne Image [Page 507]as if he were praying. Maximilian Archduke of Austria his owne Image of the same fa­shion and substance, but of far greater beauty. The Duke of Terra-Noua a Prelate praying to our B. Lady, engrauen in a gol­den plate, and a Chalice and Paten of gold. The wife of Virginius Vrsinius of Nomentana the siluer Image of a suppliāt, about two pound weight. Luke Turregianus of Florence a siluer Image of himself and his wife in manner of suppliants of no small weight. Finally others dedicated other Images purtured in plates of siluer, of two and three pound weight, wherof this is the worthiest. Peter Lomellinus of Genua presented a siluer infant of naturall stature wrapt in his swath-bāds, said to be about ten pound weight, which we may easily cōiecture to be a votiue gift. But these without doubt were votiues. A mans head of gold of reasonable bignes & weight, from Iohn Iacob Grimano. A iaw with teeth of siluer, adorned with two diamonds and three Carbuncles from Francis Deitristan, neerest to Clement the Pope in his Chamber. And many siluer lampes were presented, notable for workmanship and weight, But one doth excell among them all. The gift of Iohn Charles Imperialis of Genua, adorned, as it were, with three armes of Imagery, gi­uing [Page 508]light in ech therof, being about thirty pound in weight. There is also an other worthy gift in another kinde from Ferdi­nando Medices Great Duke of Tuscany; to wit, a siluer Galley two Cubits high, furnished & set forth with oars, and all manner of tack­ling, about 40. pound weight: which the wordes engrauen in either side of the oar declare to be a votiue gift.

FERDINAND MEDICES GREAT DVKE OF TVSCANY, DEDICATED IT TO THE B. VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, FOR PRESER­VING HIS GALLIES FROM THE PLAGVE, THE YEARE M.D.XCIII.

And the gift of Cardinall Mont-alto was no­table for value and weight, who dedicated to the B. Virgin of Loreto, a siluer Image of himself and his brother of great beauty, and of a hundred and fifty pound weight, with this deuour inscription.

ALEXANDER PERETTO CARD. MONT­ALTO VICECHANCELLOVR OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHVRCH, THE NEPHEVV OF XYSTVS V. BEING MINDFVLL AND GRA­TEFVLL TO OVR B. LADY OF LORETO, FOR PRESERVING HIM AND MICHAEL HIS BROTHER, GAVE IT FOR DEVOTION SAKE, THE YEARE M.D.XCIV.

[Page 509] The worke is said to haue stood in more than two thousand Crownes.

The gifts of Noble women. CHAP. XXI.

The gift of the Vice­royes vvife of Boemia & of other Noble vvomen. AT that time the liberality of noble womē was very nota­ble. Polixena Pernestaina the Viceroies wife of Boemia, pre­sēted to the B. Virgin of Loreto for a gift, the head of S. Geriō, Captaine of the Thebeans, inclosed in a worthy case, which being parcell guilt and curiously wrought, frō the brest representeth S. Geriō in armour. The armour it self is adorned with gold & siluer, and on the Martyrs head doth stand a Crowne of precious stones, vnder which a base of Ebony & siluer sheweth the reliques of the Thebean Martyrs inclosed in chrystall: which Polixena sent as a votiue gift to our B. Lady, for restoring of health vnto her husband. The Princesse of Vastalla dedicated to the B. Virgin two golden Images, the one of her self, the other of her husband, with two hartes of gold, the whole of six [Page 510]pound weight. Mary Boadilia, a Galley in a plate of siluer, with a high Image of our B. Lady of Loreto. The Princesse of Castro-ue­trano a Crosse of gold, litle truly for quan­tity, but notable for substāce, for it is ador­ned with six diamonds, set in gold. The Duchesse of Niuers presented by her hus­band two siluer Candlesticks of costly worke, of eight pound weight. Hieronyma Spinula ornature for the Altar of violet da­maske, wrought with gold, & two Crewets of siluer with their ewer curiously & richly engrauen. Violanta Farnesia two siluer Can­dle sticks of good worke. Salustia Crescentia a Roman, siluer attire for the B. Virgin flou­rished with golden starres. The Princesse of Bisinia, a golden Dragon beautified with iewells, valewed at 700. Crownes. Iu­stina Vice-Count ornature of needle-worke, of gold, siluer, and silke, flourished with admirable and new worke. For the worke it self being laid on no ground nor directiō, is wrought with the needle, with continued & intermingled threeds of gold, siluer, & silke of diuers colours, void spaces left betweene, commonly called A point in the aire. A worke of secret skill, and almost of infinite labour. For the ornature wher­of we speake, being made for the Altar, [Page 511]and also of the said worke, contayneth the xv. Mysteries of the Rosary of our B. Lady, very curiously expressed within square spa­ces; wherof euery other is adorned with great flowres, as it were of Checker-worke, and that these voide spaces might not be vnfilled, all the ornature is stitched with twisted siluer: which truly (if we belieue the report) was not only the gift of Vice­count, a most worthy Matron, but also her owne worke; which may very well be, cō ­sidering that there are many gifts of other noble women, which themselues did also worke, specially veiles for Chalices, & at­tire for our B. Lady. Isabell Cosen-German to the Duke of Sauoy, and wife of the Lord Siluester N. sent a worthy gift, wrought (as they say) with her owne hands, to wit, or­nature for the Altar, Priest and Ministers, celebrating with solemnity, made of silke and gold, with new and admirable worke. Iacoba Duchesse of Cleeue sister to the Mar­ques of Saltzthurg a chayne of gold, adorned with a hanging globe of carbuncle & diamond.

The comming, and gift of Christine wife to the Great Duke of Tuscany. CHAP. XXII.

THE comming of Christine wife to the Great Duke of Tuscany, was very memorable, for many tokens of piety and munifi­cence: who setting forth to­wards Loreto with a most Princely trayne, brought with her great gifts: and not for­getting Christian modesty and holy S. Fran­cis, put on a plaine garment of ash-colour, & laid aside gold and iewells, that in such simple attire, she might delight the eyes of the heauenly Queene, whome she knew allwaies to loue pouerty. And the example of the deuout Lady, preuailed so much with her maids, matrons, seruants, and the guard of her person, that all that did accompany her in this pilgrimage did imi­tate her modesty and attire. Neither did Clement the Pope faile to forward her worthy piety. For as she passed through the [Page 513]townes of the Popes Dominions, which way soeuer she went, intertaynment was giuen her after a Princely sort, when not onely the playnesse of her attire was holdē for a wonder, but also her exceeding piety for an example, specialy after she approa­ched neere to Loreto. For assoone as she came out of Recanaty, and beheld the Church of Loreto a far of, forth with she made hast out of the horslitter wherin she rode, fell downe on her knees, and in the very way saluted the B. Virgin, none of her traine refusing to do that worke of piety, which their Lady performed. Going thence afoote to Loreto with certaine Bishops, and the rest of her retinew, she went straight to the House of our B. Lady, and contemning cushions and all other Princely furniture, kneeled downe very deuoutly in the Porch of the most sacred House. But the Bishops & Card. Gallo him­self ernestly persuading her to come into the sacred Cell of the Mother of God, she answered, that it did not beseeme her to passe that most Maiesticall threshold, and to present herselfe before the most holy Virgin, vntill she had cleansed her sinnes by sacred Confession. Neither could their intreaties make her to alter her determina­tion; [Page 514]such singular deuotion did her de­uout soule shew, towards the B. Virgin of Loreto: Wherefore at last hauing rightly pu­rified her soule, and receiued the heauenly banquet, she entred into the most sacred Cell, the feruour of her piety (as it happe­neth) much increasing by delay: For this meane while hauing a more feruent desire to see and reuerence our B. Lady, she knee­led downe very reuerently, and spent many houres deuoutly in prayer: which she did not once onely, but three dayes together for so long she remayned at Loreto. All which time she was so conuersant in the Church, and attentiue to diuine prayer, that you would haue thought, she had dwelt in the Church. Like magnificence corresponded to these tokens of piety. For at her depar­ture, she sent children into the Church with gifts of Princely munificēce: Among which were ornaments for the Altar, Priest & Ministers, celebrating with solemnity curled three manner of waies with gold & siluer, of admirable workmanship and art: Lynnen for the Altar of most excellent stuffe, & worke: For it is wrought all-ouer with excellent pictures of the Prophetes, Sybills, Apostles and Euangelists, curiously inserted amōg boughes & flowers with such [Page 515]admirable needle-worke, that I dare af­firme, scarce any thing in this kind, euer to haue beene more curious, more precious, more admirable. For it well appeareth by her owne hand-writing, that the price a­mounted to eight thousand Crownes. No­table veiles for holy Chalices, and other such like, were also presented with her other gifts.

The testimony and gift of a Spanish Priest, honoured with a miracle. CHAP. XXIII.

ABOVT that time, Alfonsus Sancius a Spanish Priest both learned and godly, hauing lately returned from the East, and the Ilands of China called the Philippines, came to visit the House of Loreto. And before he departed thence, I my self found him admiring the religion of the place, and familiarly asking the cause of his wonder, he answered me with admiration. O good God! what manner [Page 516]of thing is this! Truly I neuer felt the like vnto this; nor neuer found God more present in all my life; so doth a certaine heauenly sweetnes flow into my soule, in this most sacred House. He also recoun­ted vnto me, how he had beene at Vada­lupe, Monte-Seratto, and other notable Houses of the B. Virgin in Spaine, but ne­uer felt the grace of God so present; for there seemeth to be the barke, but heere in­deed the marrow it self. And obtayning of the Gouernour of Loreto by means of Car­dinall Caietan, in whose company he came, to remayne all night in the holier part of the sacred Cell, he passed the same in watching and prayer, and afterward repor­ted to his familiar friends, that in all his life he neuer spent a more pleasant and more blessed night. In regard whereof he desired to grace the most Maiesticall Cell of the B. Virgin with some gift of his: and hauing brought with him (euen from China it self) a white damaske vestment, with this he determined to beautify the Nicet of the B. Virgin Mother of God, and the Image of Christ Crucified, which came with the sacred house. A taylour therfore was sent for, who spreading abroad and measuring the damaske, first denied that [Page 517]there was stuffe inough for both those purposes. But Sancius vrging him to mea­sure it againe with more diligent care, he staied a while; and when he had often turned it to and fro, he began to affirme, that at last he had found a meanes to effect that which he desired, but so, that those ornaments would be some­thing shorter, then was fitting. Go to therefore, said Sancius, and follow this course, if any thing, be wanting, our B. Lady her self will supplie it. He obeyed, and lest there might be any su­spition of errour, he had the old ornature of the Nicet at hand, according to which he determined to make the forme of the new, and so cutt it out, Sancius him­self looking on, and tooke it with him to his shoppe. But the next day assoone as it was light, the tailour came vnto him crying out like one dismayed: Without doubt our B. Lady hath wrought a mi­racle in her ornament. For the new furni­ture of her Nicet, which yesterday was too short, is now longer by a handfull. Sancius followed the man into his shoppe, to belieue his owne eyes and not his wordes, and found that he reported no vntruth, neither could he deuise any [Page 518]thing to hinder it from a miracle. For he saw that the veile of the Crucifix (which he caused to be made) was iust and no­thing at all diminished: and the damaske was made of a certaine strange worke, that the deceit of adding such as ours is, could not deceiue one skilfull in such things: al­beit in such things, no feare is to be had of adding, but rather of diminishing. Sancius himself, with many others, stood by the taylour when he measured, and cut out the vestment, that it may be euident no errour was committed by improuidence: wher­fore by him and others it was holden for a Miracle: but we will leaue the thing indif­ferent.

Bracelets which were offered to the B. Virgin, do fasten themselues on the hands of Christ her little Child. CHAP. XXIV.

BVT this is not so meruailous for the gift it self, as for the euent therof. Beatrice Gazea a Matron of great delicacie and riches, was married to a most worthy Cittizen of Rome; who for deuotion comming to Loreto in the moneth of May, the 93. yeare of this age, forthwith went into the inward part of the sacred Cell, where the most religious Image of the B. Virgin of Loreto, holding the sweet child IESVS in her lap, is scene and reuerenced neere at hand; which is adorned with a most precious garment, and decked in magni­ficent sort. Praying there with feruour to Christ and his B. Mother, Gazea had a great desire to behold the countenance and ornature of the B. Virgin with more atten­tion: And blaming the imperfection of [Page 520]her sight, requested the keeper (who at that time was Papyrius N.) to shew her the Image of the Mother of God, more exquisitly with the light of a torch. He willingly condes­cended vnto it. For with a burning torch, he shewed her the B. Virgin, and at her in­treaty told also who gaue all the donaries that were about her. Among the rest, there was a frōtlet of oriēt pearle of good bignes and beauty, dedicated to the B. Virgin by a Matron of Rome, who being giuen to many delightes and pleasures, lately departed this life, albeit of a cruell kind of death, yet very Christianlike and godly. Beatrice hearing this woman named, and knowing her fa­miliarly, forthwith burst into admiration. Behold the cause, why she by the grace of the B. Virgin, had so godly an end of her delicate life! Then turning to the keeper: And I (said she) would willingly dedicate these bracelets (then the which I esteeme nothing more) to Christ and his B. Mo­ther, if I thought that the gift of a wicked woman, would not be vngratefull vnto them. The keeper animated the woman seeming too fearfull, saying that Christ was the Sauiour, and Marie the Patronesse of the wicked. Wheruppon in continent she pulled of her bracelets made of antique [Page 521]worke, of iewells and gold, and gaue them to the keeper to be offered to Iesus and his B. mother. And presently the Keeper tooke a little forke prepared for such vses, and put theron both the bracelets, to direct them to the most sacred Statua, intending to hang them on the erected singers of the right hand of the sweet child Christ Ie­sus, for at that present there was no fit­ter a place. But as he was drawing backe the sticke, he obserued that one of the bracelets remained on the forke, and that the other hauing passed the singers of the sweet child Iesus, was fastened on his hand, so fitly, that fitter it could not be. A meruailous thing. Though the Keeper saw it, yet he thought it might be donne by chance. But afterward put­ting the sticke thither againe nothing mo­ued out of his place. To hang there also the other bracelet, there happened another vndoubted miracle. For by little and lit­tle drawing the forke towards him, think­ing that the gifte remained on the same hand of Christ, on which he left it, sud­dainly he saw the bracelett remooued from the right to the left hand (the gol­den globe which he held in that hand, laid downe in the B. Virgins lap) and [Page 522]the said bracelet fastened theron so fitlie and so elegantly, that by setting of lad­ders, with leisure and of purpose, it could not be done more aptly & seemely. Wher­upon the Keeper being suddainly stroken with a certaine sacred dread at the admira­tion of the thing, said to the woman: And Christ himselfe doth shew, that thy gift is very gratefull vnto him; for he hath put both thy bracelets on his owne hands, whiles I was doing another thing. Wher­with the woman (heauenly grace assisting her) sighed; and whether for the riot of her former life, or els for the late token of the diuine beneuolēce, in her sighing pow­red forth such aboundance of teares, that the sighes and sobs of her weeping, were heard of them that prayed in the other part of the sacred Chamber. Which moouing diuers of the company, they came straight to the holier part of the sacred Chamber, to see the woman ouercome with teares & deuotion, and the Keeper himself admiring the wonder of so great a thing: Who af­terward with many others told me this very thing as it happened, which seemed wonderfull to all that considered the order and euent therof; and was much spoken of both by word and writing of many. Also [Page 523]at this day the sweet Child IESVS doth weare the said bracelets on his hands, for a monument of the Miracle.

Two are deliuered from danger of death. CHAP. XXV.

BVT to many, peraduēture, this may rather seeme a wonder then a miracle, but it is an euident miracle. The same yeare Bartholomew Meliorinus, no meane Cittizen of Genua, being at Placemia, from altercation (as it happeneth) fell to blowes. He was alone. The contention began in the House of a Merchant of Flo­rence, with the maister of the House him­self. Wheruppon the houshold running at the first noise therof, layd hands on their weapons to help their Maister. In the fray Meliorinus receiued a grieuous wound in the shoulder; and to make it more grieous, the dagger being thrust in with great force, brake in the midst. At the intreaty of others the quarrell was ended. Meliorinus was car­ried [Page 524]home dangerously wounded. Forth­with Surgeons are sent for, who wyping the wound looked on it, and found that the dagger being thrust deep into the bone stucke so fast, that it could not otherwise be gotten out, then by launcing & making the wound greater, that they might haue meanes to come vnto the broken weapon. When they had cut the flesh foure waies about the wound in manner of a Crosse, they assaied to pull out the peece of the dagger with pinchers. When that preuailed not, they inuented a new and a paynfull remedy to bring it forth, by beating of his brest on the contrary side, which did much increase the most bitter payne of the woūd it self. After the dagger was both beaten and drawne with the pinchers, & mooued nothing at all, they constantly pronounced that he could not liue, vnles God tooke mercy on him. Wheruppon newes of his death comming to Genua, his friends la­mented him as dead. But he thinking to adde diuine to humane help, implored the aide of the B. Virgin of Loreto. A wonder­full thing to be spoken & seene. The dagger mooued so easily out of the place to follow the pinchers, that you may playnly per­ceiue it came not out so much by the en­deauour [Page 525]of man, as the goodnes of God. And the sicke man obtaining his vow, and recouering of that wound, came to Loreto this very yeare 1594. euen as we were committing these things to writing; and giuing manifold thankes to the B. Virgin, left with her the peece of the dagger, in to­ken of so great a benefit. About the same time Iohn Baptista Iudex, a yong man of the same Citty, noble for descent and wealth, came to Loreto in performance of a Vow. Who being at Venice the yeare before, and falling into a grieuous and troublesome ague, was so cruelly afflicted therwith, that it brought him to the last cast, and being forsaken by the Physitians, he had no hope at all of recouering his health. But being verie much deuoted to the B. Virgin of Lo­reto, he confidently implored the help of his patronesse in this extremitie. His trust deceiued him not. For though the Phisiti­ans despaired of the sick-mans amend­ment, and thought verily that he could not liue; yet being called vnto him againe by his houshold, to feele his pulse, they were presently put in so good comfort by signes of health, that they conceiued great hope of his recouerie, and deliuered the like to the sick-man and his frends. Their [Page 526]hope deceiued them not. Because from that time, he began to be better euery houre, and almost euerie moment, vntill the ague quite forsooke him, that in few dayes he throughly recouered, and the yeare after came to Loreto to performe his vow, where as I was committing these things to wri­ting, he himselfe told me the whole matter, as I haue related it.

A notorious wicked man was miracu­lously debarred from comming into the most sacred Cell, before he had made his Confession. CHAP. XXVI.

ALSO at this very time Al­mightie God shewed by new miracles, what care he hath of the sanctity of the House of Loreto. A certaine Pilgrime came to Loreto loaden with all kind of wickednes, and exceedingly giuen to an vngodly & a desperate life. Before whome, as he presumed to passe the threshold of this [Page 527]most sacred Cell, in the very entrance was presented a certaine ghost of horrible shape, which deterred the desperate bold wretch, and draue him backe againe with excee­ding feare. Wheruppō being touched with remorse for his sinnes, he went vnto the Priest to purge his soule. But to remember the sinnes of so many yeares, much time was requisite, and great feeling of repen­tance. For he came to Confession nothing prepared, nor thinking therof. Wherfore the Priest persuaded him, to retire him self into the most sacred Chappell, to implore the help of God and his B. Mother, to looke diligently into his former life, and then to come to Confession better prepared. When the Priest had dismissed him, he went about that which he was cōmanded, but wicked custome did prolong true pennance, and sorrow of his shame, rather then of his sinnes, did molest and trouble his mind. For which cause the said ghost, appearing vnto him, as he went backe to the sacred Cham­ber of the B. Virgin, forbad him entrance againe: which made him exceeding sor­rowfull, to be twice kept out of the most maiesticall Cell and sight of the Mother of God, as a most wicked and defiled fellow. Wherby true griefe and sorrow for offen­ding [Page 528]God was giuen vnto him, assoone as he was truely compunct for the loath­somnes of his wicked and filthy life. Wher­fore after diligent examination of his con­science, he returned vnto the Priest with weeping eyes to wash away his sinnes aswell with teares, as by Confession: and at last hauing rightly purified his soule, he went to the Maiesticall Cell of the B. Vir­gin, shamefastly and fearfully. A wonder to be spoken. The entrance which was shut vnto his impudency, was opened to his shamefastnes.

A certaine man intending to commit murder in the House of Loreto, by miracle is changed to the contrary. CHAP. XXVII.

ABOVT the same time there happened an other not vnlike to this. An honest and a rich Cittizen of Ascolo, hauing a sonne, the seauenth moneth of his new marriage, committed him to a [Page 529]Nourse to be brought vp; and because he was his onely child, and borne before the time, he did often visit him with great sollicitude and care. But it chanced that suddaine death tooke away the weake child without the Nourses fault. Who well knowing what danger she was likely to incurre by the father of the Child, a man of fierce disposition, forthwith fled secretly to Loreto, putting great confidence in the Mother of God. Her hope deceiued her not. For when he saw his onely child dead, he was so enraged with griefe and wrath, that he began to blaspheme God and his Saintes, and to seeke the Nourses death. But when she appeared not, he tur­ned his wrath on her husband, whome he left for dead, hauing giuen him many dangerous woundes. Neither did his fury, being once imbrued in bloud, stay it self heere. For knowing of the Nourses flight, forthwith he tooke his weapōs, made hast to Loreto, and rusht into the Church, with intent to kill the Nourse, euen in the most sacred Cell it self, before the B. Virgins face. When he had searched euery corner of the Church in vaine, he came to the Cell of the Mother of God, where a little before, the Nourse hauing washed away [Page 530]the blemishes of her soule, very deuoutly implored the assistance of our B. Lady, hyding her self vnder her protection and shaddow. But this cogitation came into the mind of this furious man, wholy bent to do murder. If that he entred into the sa­cred Chappell, without doubt his hart would be so mollified therewith, that he should thinke no more of reuenge. There­fore turning an other way, he began to seeke all the corners of the Church. But behold as he went to and fro like one di­stracted, vnawares he passed by the Altar famous for the title of the Annunciation of our B. Lady, which is without the most sacred Chappell vnder the window wher­at Gabriell the Archangell is said to haue entred. And by chance seeing the lights through the window (wherof many burne continually before the B. Virgin) he was so mooued with the present religion of the place, that he fell downe on his knees. A meruailous thing to be said. The fierce and hardned man was presently so mollified that he changed his mind to the contra­ry, wēt vnto one of the Priests, laid aside his weapō, fell downe at his feete, & told him how he desired to turne a iorney which he had vndertaken for the destruction of [Page 531]others to his owne saluation. And in this the protection of the Mother of God was very apparant, that he went vnto the same Priest, to whome the nourse had gone a little before. Wherby the Priest hauing sufficient notice of the whole successe of the matter, as soone as he had heard the Confession of the Cittizen of Ascolo, easily persuaded him, being now well pacified, to pardon the innocent woman, and made him faithfully to promise, and to shew, that in good sooth he was friends with her. His deedes were more bountifull than his wor­des. For assoone as the woman returned home, he preferred her to gouerne his hous­hould, and her husband (whome he cha­ritably cured) ouer his husbandry: wher­by the danger turned to their good, by the help of the Mother of God. About the same time it was determined to remooue the Scla­uonian Colledge to Rome, that the students might more diligētly be instructed in good disciplyne. Wherfore by commandment of Pope Clement the eight, the Collegialls being called to Rome, and put into the Ro­man Seminary, in their part do mayntaine the right and title of the Sclauonian Col­ledge. This remoouall happened the yeare 1594. which is the last of our History, that [Page 532]it may comprehend the full three hundred yeares of the House of Loreto. And these we haue chosen among many, and almost in­numerable things, to commit to writing, being content to admonish the Reader, that the aboundance of the matter and miracles of Loreto is so great, that so many and so great can be related by none, but many more and greater may remaine to be re­hearsed.

The Celebrity and Maiesty of the House of Loreto. CHAP. XXVIII.

TRVELY I thinke I may do a thing worth my labour, to cō ­clude this History of Loreto with a short rehearsall of the incredibile Celebrity and Ma­iesty of the House of Loreto it self. There passeth no time of the yeare, no moneth, no day, in which the Cell of the most B. Virgin is not reuerēced of many strāgers. This cō ­mendation of piety, is not proper to the Pi­cētians & Italians, but cōmon to the Trāsalpines, & thē that dwell beyōd the seas, specially to [Page 533] Sclauonians, French and Flemings. Neither do Spaniards, Portugals, Polonians, or Germanes faile therin. Notwithstanding two times of the yeare are of speciall respect, for the con­fluence and celebrity of all people and na­tions, the Spring, and the Autumne; wherof to the one, the sacred Conception of God, to the other, the Birth of the B. Virgin Mother of God, do giue beginning to the solemnity. And ech doth continue three moneths; all which time the House of Lo­reto is almost dayly honoured with great concourse of people. For there is no Citty, no Towne, no Village, nor no Streete of the Territory of Picene, which doth not yearly in troupes and multitudes, visit the B. Virgin of Loreto. Whose example doth inuite the borderers therabout, to wit, of Abruzzo, Vmbria, Flaminia, Aemilia, and the rest of Italy to deserue the like praise of pietie. Their manner of comming, for the most part, is thus. The Sodalities go before, euery one both beautified & distinguished with their speciall Ensignes and Banners: Wherof diuers (besides the Image of Christ Crucified) do carry before them the Image of the Mother of God, and of other Saintes excellently represented. The moderators of these Sodalities, and the Priests, with the [Page 534]musicke of ech company, be the last of the assembly. Then follow their Donaries, sil­uer Crownets, Chalices, Cādles beset with money, rich clothing, siluer Images of Cit­ties & townes & votiue tables betokening the diuine benefitts, which they haue obtay­ned by the intercessiō of our B. Lady. Many times men like vnto Angells, and some­times also like to the Prophets and Sybills, prophesying of the B. Virgin, are gra­ciously placed among them, with other persons singular for the presentation of their attire. And last of all the disorde­red and confused multitude of the people, doth many times follow this solemnity. In the way, they sing solēne praise to God, to his B. Mother, and to the Saintes by turnes; and when they passe by any Citty, they excite the Inhabitants therof, to the religion and reuerence of the B. Vir­gin of Loreto, by the vertuous example of their piety. But assoone as they be­hold the House of Loreto (which is seene a far of being seated on a hill) forthwith all prostrate their bodies, and with flowing teares of ioy, salute the Mother of God. Then ordering themselues and going in disposed Companies, they sing Lytanies and Hymnes. Neither are they [Page 535]without some, who spedily put of their clo­thes, to put on sack-cloth prepared for that purpose, & follow their fellowes discipli­ning their naked backes. The Priests of Lo­reto go in surplisses to the gate of the Towne, to meete these Sodalities of the Pilgrims, & bring thē into the Church with ringing of bells, and Musicke. When they come to the Porch of the sacred House, with prostrate bodies all the Pilgrimes salute the B. Virgin, with so great feruour and compunction of hart, that they who are present, are so molli­fied with their deuotiō, that they are com­pelled to weep for cōpany. But assoone as they come into the sacred Cell of the Mo­ther of God shyning with torches and lampes, and beginne to behold & view the Image of our B. Lady, it is incredible to say, what plaints, what sighes, what teares, are euery where heard. You would easily belieue, that Almighty God himself were present among them. Further, many are re­plenished with such heauenly dread & vn­wonted ioy & do so adhere to those sacred walls, that they can scarce be pulled and drawne for thence. And whiles with great deuotiō they behold the Altar of the Apost­les, the sacred Armory, the dore mured vp, & the chymney, whiles the B. Virgin, doing [Page 536]any thing in these places, doth occurre to the mindes of thē that do meditate, they would make no end of beholding, nor no end of kissing those sacred things, if the fer­uour of many coueting to do the same, did not hinder thē. This in effect is the manner of the bordering people. But the Pilgrims of forraine Nations, come thither in great troupes, some on foote, some on horsbacke, or els in Coaches, most of thē remarkable in the habit and signes of Pilgrimes: Yet not­withstāding their different habit, the reue­rēce which they vse to the House of Loreto, is the self same to thē all. This is almost cō ­mon to all, to be fed at the Heauēly Table, after the expiation of their sinnes: wherof many do enrich the Altar of the B. Virgin with money & precious Donaries. How­beit the worthiest gifts are vsually deliuered to the Keepers of the sacred Chappell, that they may be recorded in the bookes of Lore­to, that memory, both of them, & of the gi­uers may be knowne to posterity. The Altar of the Apostles, but specially the Image of the Mother of God, is allwaies magnificētly adorned with iewels & other gifts accor­ding to the variety of the time. And the sa­cred Chapel it self doth allwayes shine with white wax-candles, & many siluer lampes; [Page 537]and for the most part soundeth continually with Musicke & instruments. And (which is chiefe of all) doth allwaies abound with the present grace of Almighty God, which floweth into the hartes of the Pilgrims, that come to visit it: In such sort truly, as it replenisheth the goldy with a certaine vn­wonted ioy, the wicked with horrour, to the sicke it giueth remedy, cōfort to the sor­rowfull, spirit to theslow, aide to the distres­sed, health to the forlorne. But the greatest concourse to the Chappell of Loreto is about Easter, Whitsontide, & the Natiuity of the B. Virgin. For besides others innumerable, which come to Loreto, about Easter on foote, on horsbacke, or in Coaches, out of Lōbardy, Venice, and Dalmatia, many come in great multitudes to Ancona by shipping, whence (for the most part) all go afoot to the sacred House of Loreto. And the day after Easter (in which is read the Gospell of the Pil­grims going to Emmaus) most of them at­tyre themselues in the habit of Pilgrims, & after the Benediction of their Prelates, be­gin to set forward by the direction of their Priests, the Keepers of Innocency: of which Pilgrims there is such a multitude, as they may happily exceed twelue thousand: who receiue an incredible concourse of people [Page 538]from the adioyning Villages, Townes, and Citties, and oftentimes many and great companies of haruest folkes and mowers. But specially the Natiuity of our B. Lady is illustrated with far greater multitude of strangers; almost all Picene (to say nothing of other Coūtreys) resorting to Loreto. For it is well knowne, that in those two dayes, aboue two hundred thousand people came of late to the House of Loreto: & therfore ne­cessity doth inforce the keepers of the most sacred Chappell, at that time to compasse the inward part therof on the outside with railes, that they may easily admit, or exclude whome they will, and keepe of the multi­tude. Likewise at all times of the yeare, Bands of souldiours and Troupes of Hors­men going to the war, come to Loreto, and when they haue receiued the holy Myste­ries, they honour the B. Virgin with spor­ting-shewes in warlike fashion. And this incredible confluence of strangers hath made the waies which go to Loreto to be most frequented with Innes, the opportu­nity wherof (ioyned to the commodity of the wayes themselues) yieldeth no difficult Pilgrimage to footmen, howbeit delicate and feeble. Moreouer the sayd wayes are so much frequented, that diuers troupes of [Page 539]Pilgrims do euery where meete: which is so great an instigation to piety, and ease of trauell, that Marcus Antonius Columna himself (to say nothing of others) a man famous for riches and warlike affaires, was able to per­forme his votiue Pilgrimage to Loreto on foote. And in very deed when at lēgth they come thither, & behold & see the Mother of God, all receiue so great cōfort of heauenly ioy (Alm. God replenishing their godly har­tes therwith) that they cōfesse they haue re­ceiued a very great reward, though their Pilgrimage were difficult & paynefull vnto thē. What should I heere relate how many make vowes to the B. Virgin? How many performe them? How many come out of the sinke of wickednes? How many free their soules from the vnexplicable snares of incestuous delectations? How many forget old enmities, and long continued hatreds? How many despairing of saluation, & ma­king league with Hell, are pulled out of the ia­wes of Hell it self? For by how much the soules are worthier than the bodies; by so much, more and greater miracles of the B. Virgin of Loreto are manifestly seene, in cu­ring the soules rather than the bodies of men. But because it is the endeauour of man, to explicate by wordes, these & other [Page 540]things which we haue recounted, seeming to measure the manifold fauours of Alim. God (which do very specially appeare at his beloued Loreto) by humane imbecillity; ther­fore I thinke it fitter to yield to the burden, than to goe about to say more of those things, which I should but impayre and lessen by my discourse. But this I dare bold­ly affirme, that the Celebrity & Maiesty of Loreto is so great, as they, who haue not seene it with their eyes, can not conceiue it in their mindes: so that, if hereafter you con­ferre that which you haue heard, with these things which we haue rehearsed, you shall find the fame to be much lesse, than the thing it self. So much by her incredible Ma­iesty and dignity, doth one Loreto on earth, not only surpasse all credit, but euen very fame it self, which is wont to declare & explicate all things to the vttermost.

To the greater glory of God, and of our B. Lady of Loreto.