The theater of Iaponia's constancy in which an hundred and eighteene glorious martyrs suffered death for Christ, in the yeare of our Lord 1622. Also, a briefe relation of the many, and wonderfull miracles, it hath pleased God lately to worke, by the merits and intercession of S. Ignatius, founder of the Society of Iesus, at Munebrega a towne in Spayne, in the moneths of Aprill and May, of the yeare 1623. Both faithfully translated out of Spanish originalls, lately printed at Madrid.

THE THEATER Of Iaponia's Conſtancy: IN WHICH An Hundred & Eighteene Glorious Martyrs ſuffered Death for Chriſt, in the yeare of our Lord 1622. ALSO A briefe Relation of the many, and wonderfull Miracles, it hath pleaſed God lately to worke, by the Merits and Interceſſion of S. IGNATIVS, Founder of the Society of IESVS, at Munebrega a Towne in Spayne, in the Moneths of Aprill and May, of the yeare 1623. Both faithfully Tranſlated out of the Spanish Originalls, lately printed at Madrid.

printer's device of the English College at Saint-Omer, featuring the seal of the Jesuites or Society of Jesus, a sunburst containing a cross over the letters IHS over three nails IHS Mirabilis Deus in Sanctis ſuis. Pſal. 67.

Permiſſu Superiorum, M.DC.XXIIII.

THE THEATER OF IAPONIA'S CONSTANCY.

THE cauſe of the enſuing ſo ſtrange and cruell Martyrdomes, ſuch as were neuer heard of in the Kingdom of Iaponia, ſince the Perſecution againſt the Chriſtians there began, was this as followeth.

Whereas the Emperour of Iaponia ſome yeares paſt, had forbidden, by Proclamation throughout all the Prouinces of that Kingdome, vpō paine of death, that no Sayler or Mariner ſhould bring any Chriſtian Religious man into Iaponia; which was a thing very eaſy to be done, in regard that Manila the chiefe Citty of the Philippine Ilands is ſo neare, and where there is ſo great trafficke betweene the Spanyards and Iaponians: Notwithſtanding ſome there were both Chriſtians, and Catholike Marriners, who ſtyrred vp with zeale of Gods Honour, not regarding the threats and penaltyes of the lawes, did bring at ſundry tymes from Manila into Iaponia, many Religious men, in ſecular apparell, to cultiuate and manure that new-planted Vineyard of this new-found Chriſtendome.

Amongſt the ſayd Marriners there was one more famous thē the reſt, Captayne of a ſhip, called Ioachim, who as he ſayled from Manila towards Iaponia, carried with him two very Reuerend Religious men, the one wherof was called Father Pedro de Zuniga of the Order of S. Auſten, and the other, Father Lewis de Flores of the Order of S. Dominicke, whome he could not tranſport ſo ſecretly, but they were betrayed by certayne Hollande s, who euen vpō the very ſhoare of Iaponia, inuaded and robbed Ioachims ſhip, and alſo accuſed him before the Emperours Officers, for bringing the ſayd Religious men with him into Iaponia, contrary to the Emperours Proclamation: And for this cauſe was Ioachim preſently caſt into priſon at Firandum, togeather with the ſayd two Fathers, and all the other Marriners that were Chriſtians.

There was at that tyme in the ſame Citty reſiding another Religious mā of the order of S. Dominick who went about to deliuer the foreſayd Father Lewis out of priſon; which indeed he had almoſt effected, togeather with the deliuery of many more Chriſtians that were in the ſame Priſon; but becauſe he could not breake open the priſon doores without great noyſe, nor bring to paſſe what he had determined, with that ſecrecy he deſired, his plot was ſoone diſcouered, and all the Priſoners brought backe againe into priſon.

When the Emperour heard of this, he tooke the matter ſo heynouſly, and was ſo inraged againſt the Chriſtians, aſwell in regard of the new comming of thoſe Religious men into his Kingdome, to preach the Chriſtian fayth, as alſo, becauſe they had broken his Maieſties priſon; that without delay, he commā ded the Gouernour of Nangaſachi preſētly to repayre to Firandum, and there put to death firſt of all Ioachim the Captayne, and afterwards the two Religious men that he brought with him, as alſo all the other Marriners, that were Chriſtians. Moreouer he commanded, that all other Religious men, whether they were of Europe, or of Iaponia who were impriſoned in diuers Cittyes ſhould be put to death. And the like puniſhment he charged to be inflicted vpon all Widows, and Orphanes, whoſe Husbands, or Parents had in the former Perſecution of late yeares, ſuffered death for the fayth of Chriſt.

The Gouernour with all ſpeed, at the Emperours commaundment, came to Firandum, where calling for the priſoners, he began to examine and aske them many queſtions; as, whether they were Chriſtians? From whence they came? Of what Nation they were? And when, and where they were baptized? Nor he did forget, now and then to exhort them to renounce their Fayth, promiſing them their liues, if they would ſo do; & affirming that he had full power and Commiſſiō from the Emperour, for what he promiſed.

But to this laſt, one and the ſelfe ſame moſt conſtant Reply was made by all; That nothing in the world ſhould cauſe them deny their fayth, nor breake the promiſe they had made to IESVS CHRIST in Baptiſme. Vpon which anſwere and firme reſolution, the Gouernour preſently pronounced ſentence, and condemned the Captayne Ioachim, and the two Religious Fathers Pedro de Zuniga the Auguſtine Friar, and Father Lewis de Flores the Dominican, to be burned aliue, & the reſt of the Marriners, who were twelue in number, to be beheaded.

Now theſe holy Confeſſours of IESVS CHRIST hauing receaued this doom, the more to increaſe their ioy and aſſurance of dying for Chriſts ſake, demanded of the Gouernour, for what cauſe he adiudged them to death? And they receiued this anſwere in very plaine tearmes: to wit, that the Religious men muſt dye, becauſe they had againſt the Emperours decree, entred into Iaponia to preach the law of Chriſt; and the reſt for that they had brought the ſaid Preachers into the Countrey to that end. Which plaine declaration was an exceeding ioy and Iubily of heart vnto them all, when they ſaw themſelues condemned to death for the fayth, and loue of IESVS CHRIST.

The place appointed for the execution, was out of the Citty of Firandum, where there was a faire and large plot of ground, like vnto an Amphitheater, all incloſed round with woodden rayles. Hither were the holy Cōfeſſours brought forth of the Citty, with infinite multitudes of people, and the three foremoſt placed ech one at a pillar, or ſtake, whereunto they were bound, with great aboundance of fagots, and wood layd round about them. But before the fire was kindled, the other twelue Marriners heads were ſtrokē off within the foreſaid place, before the eyes of the Holy Confeſſours, that ſtood now ready at the ſtake to be burned.

Heere now the good Captayne Ioachim made knowne the force of Chriſtian Eloquence, being not only permitted, but alſo commanded by the ſayd two Religious Fathers his Companions (who by reaſon of the ſhort tyme of their abode in Iaponia, had not yet learned the language of that countrey) to profeſſe the fayth of Chriſt in the name of all the reſt. Of whome, ſuch as did both ſee and heare him, do affirme, that he ſeemed rather to ſpeake like an Apoſtle, then an ordinary Preacher, much leſſe a poore Marriner; ſuch was the feruour, ſuch the courage wherewith he preached IESVS CHRIST, in the very middeſt of the fyre and ſmoke. And by how much more the barbarous Gentils endeauoured aſwell by often interrupting him, as by threats, to make him hold his peace; ſo much the more did he cry out, and ſay, that it was meet he ſhould rather obey God then Man. Neyther, can I be terrified (ſayd he) by your threatninges: for what more cruell, or more grieuous torment can you deuiſe, then that which I now indure in burning heere aliue? And this he ſaid out of the middeſt of the burning fire, as if it had bene out of a flaming pulpit, with an admirable feruour of ſpirit, being indeed inflamed with the loue of IESVS CHRIST. Nor did he leaue darting out ſuch fiery words, vntill himſelfe, togeather with his two moſt bleſſed Companions, with wonderfull conſtancy ended their liues, and that in ſo quiet a manner, as if they had been altogeather immoueable, and wrapt in heauenly contemplation.

This firſt Pageant was repreſented vpon the one and twentith day of Auguſt, in the yeare of our Lord 1622. in preſence of an infinite number of Chriſtians, who by continuall acclamations and crying out, and calling vpon God to aſſiſt them, endeauoured by all meanes poſſible to encourage the holy Martyrs to ſuffer death patiently, for the loue of IESVS CHRIST.

The Executioners, as ſoone as they perceyued that the Martyrs were dead, went, and expoſed the heads of thoſe which they had firſt ſtroken of, vpon a very high Table, to the greater feare, and terrour of all that ſhould behold them. But the bodyes, aſwell of thoſe that were beheaded, as of thoſe that were burned, they layd them all vpon a heape togeather, within the place of execution, well guarded round about with railes of wood, as alſo with ſouldiers, vntill further order were giuē what ſhould be done with them.

The concourſe of the people that came thither both night and day to worſhip thoſe Holy Reliques, was wonderfull; notwithſtanding the many and grieuous blowes, yea and wounds which they receyued of the ſouldiers who were commanded there to watch, that no Chriſtian ſhould take away any of the ſame. But yet all they could do, was not inough to preuaile againſt the good deſires of the Chriſtians, but that ſome of the more principall ſort, what by their owne Induſtry, and what by bribing of the ſouldiers, with pious deceyt ſtole away ſome of the bodyes. Amongſt which they had a particular care to take away the whole body of Father Pedro de Zuniga, with intention to conuay it firſt to the Citty of Manila, & frō thence to ſend it into Spaine, where the Honour of ſo worthy a death, and the ornaments of ſo glorious a Triumph, due not only to the excellency of his Vertue and Piety, but alſo to the Nobility of his bloud and birth (his Father being Marqueſſe of Manrique, & ſometymes Viceroy of Hiſpaniola, or new Spaine) are expected to be celebrated with all due Reuerence and Solemnity.

The Gouernour of Nangaſachi, after he had beſtowed the crowne of Martyrdome vpon theſe victorious Champions, ſent his Officers to Omura to fetch thoſe other Chriſtians, of whome we made mention before, who lay there in priſon, deſiring and longing for nothing ſo much as to ſee that happy houre, wherin they might come to ſhed their bloud for the loue of IESVS Chriſt.

Behold now heere, I beſeech you (Gentle Spectators) behold heere a conflict, nay rather an admirable Combate, and ſuch a Combate as the like was neuer ſeene before in all Iaponia. Fiue and fifty valiant Champions of IESVS Chriſt, vpon one and the ſelfe ſame day, obteined the victorious Palme of martyrdome, in manner as followeth.

Of theſe moſt happy Warryours of Chriſt, fiue & twenty were taken out of priſon at Omura, wherin, though ſome longer then others, yet all in generall, as young ſouldiers they had bene trayned vp in this priuate Fencing-Schoole, with ſo hard, and miſerable a vſage, as barbarous Heathens are accuſtomed to entertaine ſuch gueſts withall. For, there was made vnder the ground, a moſt horrible and filthy Caue, ſcarce large inough for twelue ordinary matt-beds of bulruſhes, to lye one by another. Heere ſometimes thirty priſoners, ſometimes more, three and three to a matte of eight palmes long, and three in breadth, were conſtrained to lodge both night and day, without hauing ſo much as one foote of roome more to ſtir vp and downe in: & which is more (and of it ſelf alone had bene inough to diſpatch them all in ſhort tyme) in the very ſame roome, they were to giue place vnto the neceſſity of nature. And as for their dyet, the daily pittance allowed them, was a little diſh of blacke Ryce, with a few broyled Pilchards, or as it chanced now and then a ſuppe of broth, wherein Radiſh leaues had bene boyled.

In the meane time, whileſt the Officers were taking theſe couragious Chāpions out of the foreſaid miſerable dungeon, to be conueyed to the place of execution, the Gouernour called for thirty men & women alſo out of the priſon of Nangaſachi, whome he determined to put to death togeather, with thoſe that were to come from Omura. And when he had giuen ſentence of death againſt them, commanding that the ſame ſhould be put in execution the next day, he ſent them backe againe vnto priſon: who albeit they went chayned all togeather, like malefactours, worthy to dye for moſt notorious crymes; yet they departed frō the Iudgment ſeat with great Ioy and Iubily of heart, euery one holding vp a Crucifix, or other Croſſe in his hand, as high as he could, in ſigne of Tryumph.

The troupe of couragious Women marched firſt; amongſt whome one more eminent, as Captayne, went before the reſt, with a banner of Chriſt IESVS crucifyed diſplayed in her hands. After her followed all the reſt in māner of proceſſion, ſounding forth the prayſes of Almighty God, with all honour, and magnificence, and contempt of the Idols with all ſcorne and reproach: wherof many of the woman lifted vp in their armes towards Heauen, their little ſucking Chriſtian Babes, as Sacrifices ready to be offred vnto God together with themſelues.

After the women followed the vndaunted band of mē, putting likewiſe thēſelues in ſuch order of proceſſiō, that affoarded a moſt worthy & pleaſāt ſhew vnto the eyes of God, & to all the Chriſtians that beheld the ſame; who not contented with the only beholding therof, but inflamed with an holy emulation of their hapines, went alſo in great nūbers accōpanying thē, & following their ſteps with great reuerēce & deuotion.

Not long after this, entred into the Citty the foreſaid Priſoners that were ſent for from Omura, in number fiue and twenty, amongſt whome one and twenty were Religious men of diuers Orders: Whom when the Chriſtians of Nangaſachi beheld, what flocking made they (thinke you) to come to ſee, and to ſalute them? Who is able to recount with what teares and ſighes euery one now entertained his ghoſtly Father, by whome he had bene baptized, and regenerated in Chriſt IESVS? Who can expreſſe with what weeping and lamentation they deplored their owne moſt lamentable caſe, that theſe their ſpirituall Fathers, Tutours, and Maiſters, ſhould now be depriued of life, by whoſe meanes the life of grace had not only bene ſo long nouriſhed and conſerued, but euen firſt of all infuſed into their ſoules? In the meane tyme, the ioyfull Fathers ceaſed not to comfort their afflicted children, bidding them be of good comfort; & encouraging them to put their truſt in the Fatherly protection of Almighty God; aſſuring them that his Infinite Goodnes would neuer let them want other Fathers and Maiſters to nouriſh, and increaſe their good deſires. And ſo finally exhorting, & animating them to perſeuere conſtantly in the ſincere and true fayth of IESVS Chriſt, euen vntill death, they tooke their laſt farewells.

Being now come vnto the place of execution, the Officers aſſigned euery one a pillar or ſtake, wherat he was to be burned; which euery one of the holy Prieſts, before they were bound vnto them, falling downe vpon his knees, with great reuerence imbraced, and ſaluted with a thouſand kiſſes: The like alſo did the lay Religious Brothers, being moued therunto by the pious example of the Prieſts. The ſight wherof was a cauſe of great admiration to the Beholders, and ſtirred vp in the harts of many ſo great feeling of deuotion, that they could not refraine from teares.

In this meane tyme, whileſt thoſe thirty priſoners, which (as before we recounted) had bene ſent backe with their ſentence of death to the priſon, in the ſame Citty, were coming towards the ſame place of execution; the officers were buſied in binding to their ſeuerall pillars the fiue and twenty before named, all whome they bound but very looſely in order following.

Vnto the foure firſt pillars were bound foure Men, condemned for no other crime, but only becauſe they had ſometimes entertained and lodged in their houſes with great charity ſome of the ſayd Religious Fathers. Next vnto theſe ſtood the one and twenty Religious men, ſome of Europe, and the reſt of Iaponia. The firſt place amongſt theſe, was allotted to the Reuerend Father Charles Spinola, an Italian Prieſt of the Society of IESVS, borne in Genua, and deſcended of the renowed Bloud and Family of the Spinola's, greatly reuerenced and accounted of amongſt all men, by reaſon of his Birth, but much more in regard of his excellent Vertue, his rare parts, and ſingular endowmēts both of mind and body; as alſo for his exceſſiue and continuall labours & paines, employed in cultiuating the vineyard of Chriſt IESVS in Iaponia, ſo far from his Natiue Country, which he, and all the reſt of thoſe who were of Europe, had forſakē for the loue of God, to gaine ſoules in India.

After Father Spinola, followed the Reuerēd Fa. Angelus Ferrerius of the order of S. Dominicke; Fa. Ioſeph de S. Iacintho of the ſame Order; Fa. Iacinthus, alſo of the ſame. Then followed Father Sebaſtian Quimura of the Society of IESVS, a Cittizen of Firandum borne in Iaponia, who had liued there thirty yeares in the Society of IESVS, of which he had bene Prieſt for the ſpace of twenty; being himſelf the firſt Iaponian that euer tooke vpō him the holy Order of Prieſthood, wherin he ſhewed himſelfe a moſt worthy labourer in the vineyard of his Country, a mā endowed with ſingular Vertues, and an excellent Preacher in the Iaponian language.

Then followed the Reuerend Father Peter de Auila of the order of S. Francis; Father Richard de S. Anna of the ſame Order; Father Alfonſus de Mena of the order of S. Dominicke; Father Francis de Morales of the ſame.

They that were not Prieſts, were placed in this order: Vincentius, a Religious Brother of the order of Saint Francis borne in Europe: Anthony Fugia a Iaponian, of the Society of IESVS: Gonſaluus Fuſay of the ſame Society and Countrey: Petrus Zampo of the ſame both religion and Countrey: Michael Iaponenſis of the ſame Order. After theſe againe followed foure other of the order of S. Dominicke: And laſt of all were brought three of the Society of IESVS borne in Iaponia, to wit Thomas Acaſgin, Ludouicus Cauarato, who were likewiſe bound to their pillars, and Iohn Chacoco, who alone amongſt thoſe fiue and twenty that were condemned to the fire, for want of a pillar whereat to be burned, was beheaded preſently; and firſt of all obtayned the crowne of Martyrdome by the ſword.

So as to reckon them ouer againe there were of ſecular men Foure, that were cōdemned for receiuing of the Religious Fathers into their houſes, Nine religious men of the order of S. Dominicke, Three of Saint Francis, and Nine of the Society of IESVS, all which being put together, do make the full number of fiue and twenty Crowned-Martyrs. The Executioners had ſcarce made an end of placing and binding theſe vnto their pillars, when behold that other new troupe of thirty glorious Confeſſours which were condemned to be beheaded, were brought to the ſame place, who as ſoone as they ſaw the religious men, they fell ſodainly to imbracing, and ſaluting them with many teares and ſighes.

Amongſt the reſt, a certaine Matrone called Iſabella Fernandez, came running to the pillar wherunto Father Charles Spinola was bound, to giue him the laſt farewell. She was the wydow of a moſt noble Martyr who for hauing entertained the ſaid Father in his houſe had vnder gone a glorious death. She had a little child called Ignatius, ſcarce fiue yeares old, whom ſhe moſt deerely and tenderly loued. When ſhe was euen now ready to lay hold vpon the pillar, and Father Charles ready to ſalute her, he cryed out vnto her, ô Iſabella, Iſabella, vbi eſt tuus Ignatiolus? vbi est? vbi eſt, inquam, filiolus tuus? Where is your little Ignatius? where is, I ſay, your little Sonne? Iſabella hearing this, as ſhe had her hart all inflamed and ſet on fire, and to the end ſhe might make anſwere no leſſe by deedes, thē by words, made no more a doe, but ſtraight fetching forth her little One from amongſt the throng of people, tooke him in her armes, and lifting him vp towards Heauen, preſented him before the Father, ſaying: Behold heere (my deareſt Father) behold my little Sonne; behold heere I bring you my little Ignatius; I offer you my little ſonne, that he may be ſacrificed vnto God, and become a martyr, togeather with his mother, in this your Company.

When Father Charles ſaw, and heard the Mother vtter ſuch reſolute ſpeaches, cōcerning her little ſōne, it is incredible what comfort, and ſpirituall ioy he conceiued in his ſoule.

Now approached the happy houre ſo much longed for of all this couragious Troupe: now was the fuell all ſet ready round about the pillars; but before the fire was put vnto it, the Executioners, with moſt barbarous cruelty, cut off the heads of thoſe thirty men and women, as alſo of twelue young children, the eldeſt whereof was not yet full ten yeares old. And when it was demanded of them, Why they beheaded theſe before they had burned the others, that came firſt to the ſtake? They anſwered, they did it, to terrify and diſanimate them, that they might haue little courage to vndergoe the tormēt of the fire. And to the end they might better accompliſh what they did pretend, they tooke vp the heads of thoſe whome they had ſlaine, yet warme, and all-imbrued with their owne innocent bloud, and bowled, & tumbled them vp and downe before their eyes.

But when they ſaw that the holy Confeſſours could not be daunted, or diſcomfited with this, they kindled the fire. The fuell now, which on euery ſide enuironed the fiue and twenty Holy Martyrs, began indeed to flame, and burne vehemently: But (as many with particuler diligence obſerued) there was a great ſpace left betwixt the fire, and the Religious men; and as ſome, that were more curious then others, and tooke the meaſure of it, ſay it was no leſſe then three yards diſtant frō them on euery ſide. And this was alſo done of ſet purpoſe, that they might be tormented & conſumed by little and little, with a ſlow & lingring fire; and therfore the Officers were ſtill ready at hand to quench the flame when it burned too faſt, for feare of diſpatching them too ſoone.

But for what end did they this? For no other ſurely, but that ſuch as would forſake their faith, and woorſhip their falſe Gods, might the more eaſily eſcape. And for this purpoſe alſo they left their bands ſo ſlacke, that they might themſelues eaſily vntye thē, and he that would yeild to the Preſidents offer before mentioned, might therby ſaue his life. And for the ſame cauſe likewiſe they ſet the gate of the place of Executiō wide open, that whoſoeuer would, might caſt downe his crowne of Martyrdome, and eſcape both fire and ſword.

But there was not found one amongſt all theſe Glorious Confeſſours, who did not in the very middeſt of the ſcorching flames reioyce and triumph in our Lord: Who did not fixe his eyes vpon Heauen, with all hope and confidence in God: and who did not finally indure the burning fire with a quiet and cheerfull heart, and with his whole body ſo immoueable, Ac ſi dura ſilex, vel ſtet Marpeſia cautes. As if he had byn as hard as flint, Which Iron cannot feele; Or harder then Marpeſian rockes, That blunt the ſharpeſt ſteele.

Neither was it for any ſhort tyme, that this admirable Conſtancy of the valiant Champions, remained ſtill inuincible, and vndaunted in the middeſt of the raging flames: For there wanted not ſome (whoſe diligence is greatly to be commended) who hauing of purpoſe brought hower-glaſſes with them, to note the tyme, affirme, that moſt of theſe holy Martyrs endured with incredible courage and magnanimity, this horrible tormēt, for the ſpace of an hower and a halfe, and ſome others for the ſpace of two whole howers. Nay (which is more) concerning the bleſſed Martyr F. Sebastian Quimura of the Society of IESVS, they do conſtantly report, that they ſaw him broyling aliue in the fire for the ſpace of three whole howers, diligētly noted by the hower-glaſſes, to the wonderfull aſtoniſhment of the Barbarous Gentils, who for many dayes after did talke of nothing elſe, but of this holy Martyrs ſo long ſufferance, & that not without great wonder, and admiration.

One thing there was, that amongſt the reſt, was a chiefe and ſpeciall cauſe of the great courage and conſtancy of theſe noble Champions, I meane the ſo extraordinary and great concourſe of Chriſtians that were preſent, which could not chooſe but be ſo much the greater, by how much they had notice of the time & place long before, by meanes aſwell of the Proclamation, as alſo in regard of the deſire they had to ſee ſo many famous Religious men, both of Europe and Iaponia, and ſuch venerable Prieſts, who had ſo long laboured and taken paines in the Vineyard of Iaponia, ſome for twenty, ſome for twenty fiue, yea and ſome for whole thirty yeares togeather.

But that we may make ſome gheſſe at the number of the ſpectatours, it will not be amiſſe to call to mind what Father Iohn Baptista de Baeza of the Society of IESVS, Rectour of Nangaſachi, who hath dwelt in Iaponia now full foure and thirty yeares, doth teſtify in his Letters ſent from thence to Manila, that there were to be found in that one only Citty of Nangaſachi, and in the Territory of the ſame, aboue fifty thouſand Chriſtians: ſo as there were preſent an infinite number of the ſaid Chriſtians, to ſee, and with great ioy and comfort to behold, how cheerfully theſe holy Martyrs all ended their liues in the midſt of burning flames; and how ſome of them as they were moſt pittifully broyling, humbly falling vpon their knees, dyed moſt ſweetly, imbracing and kiſſing their ſtakes which now togeather with the Martyrs, were halfe conſumed by the fire.

The fire was no ſooner out, but the Chriſtians inſtantly with great violence brake into the place of Execution, to reuerence and gather vp the ſacred Reliques. The Barbarous Guard begā at firſt to oppoſe themſelues againſt them, laying about them as hard as they could with their weapons: but when they ſaw they could not preuaile by this meanes, they inuented another, that therby both themſelues might ſeeme to depart with victory from the holy Bodyes; and alſo that there ſhould not remaine the leaſt iote, or ſigne of the ſacred Reliques, in memory of the Martyrs.

The Preſident therfore commanded a huge deepe pit to be made in the ground, and in the ſame a very great fire of wood, and all the bodies of the bleſſed Martyrs, togeather with the pillars and ſtakes whervnto they had byn tyed, to be caſt into the ſame, and there burnt to aſhes, and laſtly all the aſhes very carefully put in ſackes to be carryed in ſhips farre out of the ſight of Nangaſachi, and there to be ſcattered, and caſt into the mayne ſea.

The day next enſuing after this moſt illuſtrious Martyrdome, which was the eleauenth of September, was beheaded M. Gaſpar Cotengan-doxico, who was wont to accompany Father Camillus Conſtantius of the Society of IESVS, the Apoſtle of Iaponia; and who by trauailing vp and downe diuers parts of the Country did greatly aſſiſt him in the conuerſion of the Infidels. There were alſo beheaded with him two children, that were the ſonnes of Martyrs, one wherof was but ſeauen, the other a little aboue nine yeares old.

Another Chriſtian alſo as he was gathering vp ſome ſmall Reliques or aſhes of the ſacred bodyes of the burned Martyrs, which were kept with watch & ward, within the forſaid place of Execution, was in the night apprehended, and brought before the Gouernour; Who when he vnderſtood that he was a Cittizen of Omura, ſent him thither preſently as priſoner, where the Gouernour of that Citty, as ſoone as he arriued, put both him, and all his family to death; and ſo for the fayth of Chriſt they all obtayned a crowne of Martyrdome.

The twelfth day of September there was at Omura a famous Martyrdome of the R. Father Thomas de Summarega, one of the moſt auncient amongſt thoſe of S. Dominick Order, that had laboured in the vineyard of Iaponia; and of the R. Father Apollinaris Franco, none of the laſt, or leaſt of the Iaponian Apoſtles, of the Order of S. Francis; and alſo of diuers other Iaponians, who were all conſumed by fire, for the fayth and loue of IESVS Chriſt. Amongſt theſe was a certaine Woman whoſe admirable piety and deuotion deſerueth euerlaſting memory: for that after ſhe had beene found by the Officers amongſt the ſacred Reliques of the fornamed holy Martyrs, and had already giuen ſufficiēt teſtimony, both by praying & cōmending her ſelfe to their merits, what ſhe was; being demanded what ſhe was doyng, & whether ſhe were a Chriſtiā, or no, anſwered very couragiouſly, that they might eaſily ſee, if they had eyes, by what ſhe did, that ſhe was a Chriſtian. And what, (ſaid ſhe) will you haue any thing elſe with me? For this her reſolute anſwere they made no more a doe, but inſtantly in the ſame place cut off her head, and caſt her body vpon the heape of the reſt of the Martyrs, which together with hers, do in all make the number of fifteene more.

Ten other holy Martyrs alſo, togeather with Auguſtine Onda of the Society of IESVS, who were all companions to Father Camillus Constantius of the ſame Society, were put to death at Yquinotima, a Towne of Iaponia nere vnto Firandum, for the fayth of Chriſt, being all burned aliue, and conſumed to aſhes.

But the happy death of Father Camillus fell vpon the fifteenth day of September at Firandum, who there obteined a Crowne of Glory, ending the courſe of his Martyrdome by fire: where the concourſe of people was exceeding great, by reaſon that there were then lying in the Hauen at anker by Firandum, thirteene Engliſh and Holland ſhips well fraught with merchā dize, and conſequently no ſmall ſtore of paſſengers, Marriners, ſouldiers, factours, and the like, that came to ſee this ſaid ſpectacle. Father Camillus was an Italian, borne in Romagnia, who could ſpeake the Flemiſh tongue well, and diuers other languages beſides. He was a man of an Apoſtolicall ſpirit, of which he gaue ſufficiēt teſtimony by preaching in diuers Countries, wherby he greatly moued the peoples hearts, aſwell by reaſon of his rare Eloquence, as of the vehement feruour of his deuotion. In this Amphitheater where he was to be conſumed by fire, from out the pile of wood, as from ſome chaire or pulpit, he made a ſpeach vnto all the ſpectatours. But the Epilogue, or Concluſion therof he conuerted vnto the Iaponians themſelues alone, of whoſe cuſtomes and ceremonies he had got no ſmall knowledge: in which he moſt efficaciouſly proued, and concluded, that the fayth of IESVS Chriſt was both true, neceſſary, and ſecure. And whilſt be ſpake thus, he did ſo rauiſh the Iaponians hearts with the ſweet harmony of his Eloquence, that they would not ſuffer the fire to be kindled ſo ſoone, as otherwiſe it ſhould haue byn, that they might not be ſo ſoone depriued of that ſweet fruite of his diuine ſpeach. Neyther was the heat of the fire able to ouercome that heat of Charity which burned within his breſt. For euen after that the wood was all ſet on fire round about him, he ſtill caſt out fiery words on euery ſide vnto all the beholders, and could neuer make an end of ſpeaking, vntill he made an end of liuing.

The ſecond day of October, Nine other noble Martyrs illuſtrated the Citty of Nangaſachi with their glorious deathes, wherof three little children died mā fully for the fayth of Chriſt. But that which happened to one of the nine is admirable to recount: For being in moſt cruell manner tortured for the ſpace of ſeauen dayes vpon the Racke, becauſe he refuſed to betray, and diſcouer certaine Religious men: notwithſtanding all their racking, they were not able to wreſt from him any other words then Ieſus Maria, O Ieſus Maria! O what an ardent and burning deſire haue I to enter into the Glory of my Ieſus! with ſuch other like exclamations. So as the Executioners now perceiuing on the one ſide, that they laboured in vaine, and on the other ſide, being aſhamed to acknowledge themſelues to be ouercome by a Chriſtian, they opened (O moſt barbarous or rather inhumane cruelty!) they opened, I ſay, a hole in the fleſh of his ſhoulder, and therin poured boyling lead: Notwithſtanding all this, the valiant Champion of IESVS Chriſt remained ſtill ſo inuincible, that the Executioners quite deſpayring of the victory, with all rage and fury caſt him, together withall his family, into the fire, and when there was nothing elſe of them left but aſhes, they gathered them vp, and threw it into the ſea.

The 23. of September fiue other Chriſtians did conſecrate their liues to God, for hauing entertained and hidden in their houſes, the holy Martyr, Father Hyacinthus a Religious man of the Order of S. Dominicke, wherof three, to wit, the husband, his wife, and their Child, were burned, and the other two beheaded.

The 27. day of May, fower miles from Firandum two other Chriſtians were put to death for the loue of IESVS Chriſt; the one for hauing lodged Father Camillus in his houſe, the other for hauing carryed him in his Barke to diuers places, to and fro, to preach the holy Ghoſpell of Chriſt.

Not long after this, happened a moſt rare Martyrdome of a very Venerable man of foureſcore and fiue yeares old. This man was caſt headlong into the ſea, hauing tyed vnto his feet two ſo huge great ſtones, that one of them would haue bene inough to load foure luſty ſtrong fellowes; who inſtantly, and as it were in the twinckling of an eye ſunke downe to the very bottome: but behold a very ſtrang thing, as if both he, and the two great ſtones alſo had beene made of the lighteſt Corke, he came gliding vp againe to the very top, where ſwimming aboue the water, like the ſwan he began to ſing before his death, and with a moſt ſweet & pleaſant voice, he repeated thrice this mellifluous ditty Ieſus Maria, Ieſus Maria, Ieſus Maria, and then by the weight of the ſtoones being drawne downe againe into the ſea, neuer appeared more.

This Miraculous ſight and Martyrdome fell vpon the 2. of Iune, to the great admiration of all the beholders, and particular ioy and comfort of innumerable Chriſtians, that were preſent, and did ſee the ſame.

Vpon the next day after, which was the 3. of Iune another Chriſtian man, and companion of Father Camillus Constantius of the Society of IESVS, was likewiſe put to death, for hauing aſſiſted him in Eccleſiaſtical functions and miniſteries. And vpon the 8. day of the ſame Moneth, another alſo ſuffered death, for the ſame cauſe.

Vpon the 28, of Iuly were three other Chriſtians, put to death, for a very ſtrange cauſe: for that (forſooth) they would not lend their horſes to carry the holy Martyrs to execution; for indeed the Chriſtians did piouſly belieue, and perſuade themſelues, that it was a ſinne for any of them, ſo lend his horſe to help forward the execution of ſo barbarous a Cruelty.

Two others alſo, that were Twinnes by birth, were put to a cruell Martyrdome, only for animating and encouraging of other Martyrs, that were ſtrugling hand to hād with death in a grieuous agony. And another likewiſe, in another place, was crowned with Martyrdome for refuſing to lend his horſe to carry the Martyrs to their death.

Neyther is he to be paſſed ouer with ſilence, who though his Name, and the manner of his Martyrdome in particuler be not knowne, yet was he put to death for the fayth of Chriſt in the Suburbes of a little town neere vnto Firandum, where certaine Husbandmen haue a few cottages for their habitation.

This moſt illuſtrious and glorious Combat of purpled Martyrs, died in their owne bloud, ſhall be cloſed vp and concluded with the death of that renowned Apoſtle of IESVS Chriſt, the R. Father Paulus Nauarrus of the Society of IESVS, whoſe memory in Iaponia will liue for euer, where himſelf gaue his life for his flocke which he had for the ſpace of 3 • yeares, like a good Sheepheard moſt carefully fed, & amongſt ſo many rauenous wolues moſt ſtoutly defended. He was cōdemned to be burned aliue for hauing come out of Europe into Iaponta, againſt the Emperours lawes, to preach the Chriſtian fayth, therby to ouerthrow the worſhip of their Idols, and falſe Gods. When he had receiued this ſentence, all repleniſhed with ioy and cō fort, he was brought vnto the ſtake, or pillar; wherto after he was bound, and the fire kinded about him, he began to preach IESVS Chriſt with his Apoſtolicall ſpirit, and ſo continued euen vnto the laſt gaſpe, when he rendred his bleſſed and pure Soule into the hands of his Creatour, and receiued the Crowne of his glorious Martyrdome, vpon the firſt day of Nouember, and feaſt of All-Saints.

Neyther did he enioy this happy Crowne alone, but had for his Companions, and fellow-ſouldiers in Chriſt IESVS, two Brothers of the ſame Society of IESVS, to wit, Dennis, and Peter Sandaye: from whoſe company we muſt in no caſe exclude another Chriſtian, that was both companion and guide to Father Paulus Nauarrus, to direct him the way vp and downe the country, and therfore deſerued in like manner to be made worthy of his bleſſed death, in requitall of his kindneſſe, and togeather with him, to obtaine a glorious Crowne of Martyrdome.

THE CONCLVSION.

Farewell! Adieu moſt noble Champions! Let them who dye th •• • iue for euer! Let them triumph, let thē, I ſay, liue: let them triumph for all Eternity! Let vs reioyce! This Glorious Tragedy is ended? What applauſe can be ſufficient for ſuch Noble Actes? for ſuch admirable Scenes, as you haue heard? An hundred and eighteene moſt ſweet Holocauſts ſacrificed for the loue of Chriſt, whereof fourty and ſix were offered vp by fire, all the reſt by ſword! O happy Soules! I honour you all. I reuerence your ſacred Names & Memory: but eſpecially you, (you I meane) who being deuout Religious men, and of ſo many Sacred Families, to wit, of S. Auguſtines one, of S. Frā cis fiue, of S. Dominicks ten, and of the Society of IESVS fourteene, haue thus manured, & tilled the Iaponian barren ſoyle by your great labours; and carefully watered the ſame, with the ſweat of your deareſt Bloud!

Many other notable things haue happened in the Martyrdome of theſe glorious Saintes, which we hope will very ſhortly come to light. In the meane tyme, read here the ſumme of what we haue receiued from vndoubted Authority. Almighty God in the booke of life, hath no doubt, made another reckoning. He hath ſet downe the number, not only of their heads, but euen of the leaſt hayres therof, though now conſumed to aſhes. He (I ſay) hath ſet them downe, becauſe he meaneth to crowne them. We prayſe thee, O God, who art ſo glorious in thy Saints. We beſeech thee, Sweet IESVS, vouchſafe to make vs partakers of ſo glorious a Triumph. Amen.

GENTLE READER.

This former Relation, or briefe History, was wrytten from Nangaſachi and Firandum (two principall Citties of Iaponia, where moſt of the foreſaid Chriſtians ſuffered death) vnto Manila, the Chiefe Citty of the Philippine Ilands, by ſuch as were preſent at the Martyrdoms themſelues; and from thence very authentically ſent into Spaine, to diuers perſons there of Credit and Authority: VVhere the ſame was firſt published in print at Madrid, & afterward at Seuill, & other places; and ſince tranſlated into Latin, and printed at Bruxells in Brabant; and alſo into French, and printed in diuers Citties, both of France, and the Low Countreyes, with licence and approbation, requiſite for the Truth of ſo notable and remarkable an Accident.

FINIS.

S. IGNATIVS HIS TRIVMPH. OR A briefe Relation of ſome of the many Miracles, which God hath pleaſed to worke at Munebrega a Towne belonging to the Territory of the Citty of Calatayude, in the Kingdome of Arragon in Spayne, by the merits & interceſsion of S. IGNATIVS de Loyola, Founder of the Society of IESVS, in the Moneths of April and May, of the yeare M.DC.XXIII.

VPON the 17. day Aprill, in the yeare of our Lord 1623. which fell out to be Munday in Eaſter Weeke, Father Valerius Piquer of the Society of IEEVS, after he had preached the whole Lent in Munebrega, a towne belonging to the Commandry and Libertyes of Calatayude, 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉 a Citty of Arragon in Spaine, and ſcituate two Leagues diſtant thence; propoſed to the people, and deſired, that a certaine Picture of S. Ignatius, which then hāged priuately in the Sacriſty, or Veſtry of that Church, might be more publikely expoſed vpon ſome Altar, where Maſſes might be ſaid, and the people pray, and doe their deuotions before it.

So iuſt a petition being condeſcended vnto, the Vicar, and the Cleargy of that Pariſh Church, with the aſſiſtance of the greater part of the Inhabitants, Euenſong being ended, after the ſolemneſt manner they could, remoued, and placed the ſaid picture of S. Ignatius de Loyola vpō an altar dedicated to S. Blaſe; & hauing ſong the Ant-Hymne, and Prayer of S. Ignatius, Father Piquer aforeſaid, made a Sermon for the ſpace of an hower, in honour and praiſe of the Saint, and therin recounted ſome of the Miracles, which by his interceſſion God had vouchſafed to ſhew in diuers places of Europe.

Vpon this, a Vertuous and Venerable Matrone called Mary Guaſcon, of the age of 50. yeares, wife to Hierome Ladron de Gueuara, dwellers of the ſame town of Munebrega, who was ſo lame of one leg that ſhe could not go a ſtep, without the help of ſome other perſon to aſſiſt her, hearing of the miracles which the forſaid Father had recounted in his Sermon, commended her ſelfe to S. Ignatius in the beſt māner ſhe could, imploring ayd of Almighty God, through the merits and interceſſion of the Saint; and ſuddainly feeling a heauines to come vpon her, fell into a quiet ſlumber, & by & by awaking, found her ſelfe well & ſound, & the lameneſſe of her Leg wholy departed from her. At which ſhe greatly reioyced, and forthwith went without any help, or ſtay of any, towards the Church, to giue God, and S. Ignatius thankes for her deliuery from that infirmity, to the great admiration and aſtoniſhment of all that dwelled in the towne, who knew full well her long and troubleſome lameneſſe.

The ſame day, Mary Pariente wife to Alonſo Bueſſo, who hauing no vſe at all of her left arme, after ſhe had ſought and applied many remedies without any good ſucceſſe, but rather greater harme, ſeing that inſteed of curing her, the Chirurgeons had broken the bone of her arme, & that the Phiſitians had now abandoned her as one deſperate & incurable: And calling to mind what had paſſed with Mary Guaſcon aforeſaid, prayed thus deuoutly into the Saint: O bleſſed Ignatius, if God through thy merits, would be pleaſed to cure me, I would ſhew forth his praiſes and thine, to my vttermoſt power. And euen at that inſtant, ſhe felt in her left arme, a great conuulſion of the bones and ſynewes, and preſently after found her ſelfe well, and her arme perfectly recouered. Wherfore with a loud voyce ſhe vttered theſe words, I am whole, and cured by the fauour and merits of S. Ignatius: and ſhe ſtirred vp and downe her arme, as if it had neuer bene any way annoyed before.

Within a while after Mary Santijus wife to Paſqual Bueno de la Muda, who being almoſt blind, and could only diſcerne but the bulkes of bodies, without knowing any perſon; comming to the Chappell where the foreſaid picture was newly ſet vp, made her prayer, ſaying: O holy Ignatius obtayne for me, I humbly beſeech thee, my perfect ſight, if it ſhall pleaſe Almighty God; and I heere faithfully promiſe, to procure a Maſſe to be ſaid at thy Altar, in ſigne of gratitude and thankefulnes. At that very inſtant it ſeemed to her, that her eyes gaue a turne in her head, & ſhe remained with a cleare ſight, knowing diſtinctly and perfectly all that were preſent, and ſo continueth ſtill, enioying this benefit and fauour, which God, for S. Ignatius ſake, hath granted vnto her.

Bernardina Benedid of the age of 31. yeares, wife to Philip Gomez, dwelling in Munebrega, had for the ſpace of eight yeares bene tormēted with diuers diſeaſes, as hauing one vlcer in the liuer, and another in the ſpleene, togeather which a defluction from the Head to the Lungs; and ſometimes alſo there grew a kind of impoſtume in her ſtomacke, which breaking made her vomite much putrified matter, and bloud; by which meanes ſhe came to haue ſo great weakenes and debility of ſtomacke, that for ſix yeares togeather ſhe could not retaine any kind of meate, but was fayne preſently to caſt all vp againe; & whenſoeuer ſhe vſed any force to hold it in, it would breake through her noſtrills: & in caſe there remained any thing behind, cleauing to ſome parts of the ſtomacke, it bred ſuch ſtore of bloud, that neceſſarily she was driuē to be let bloud twice or thrice euery other moneth, for feare of being choaked; by which meanes alſo ſhe fell many tymes into fits of ſwoundings, and at laſt was brought ſo low and feeble that ſhe ſeemed nothing els but skin and bones, being vnable either to ſtirre her ſelfe, or ſuffer that others ſhould ſo much as touch her, for feare of increaſing her great paines. Now by reaſon of theſe ſo many and grieuous indiſpoſitions of her body, the Phiſitians and Chirurgeons, after diuers Conſultations had about her, gaue her ouer for incurable. At which Philip Gomez her ſonne, much grieuing and lamenting his mothers pittifull caſe, told her, that he would carry her to the Church where S. Ignatius had wrought ſo great miracles: and her husband being by, byd her offer 9. Maſſes to be ſaid there in his honour. She anſwered that, that was euen to carry her thence to her graue, by reaſon of her weakenes. Preſently after came in Father Valerius Piquer, & ſayd vnto her: Haue confidence in God, and in his Saint: and withall gaue vnto her a Relique of S. Ignatius, which ſhe reuerenced with much deuotion, beſeeching him to obtayne health for her at the hands of God Almighty. Vpon this ſhe fell into a ſwound, and extraordinary ſweate: but when ſhe came to her ſelfe againe, ſhe cryed out; I find my ſelfe throughly well, let me go to the Saints Picture in the Church. And within halfe an houre after (for before ſhe could not get away from the people which came ſo faſt into the houſe to ſee her) ſhe roſe vp from her bed well and ſtrong, and went alone downe the ſtayres: but the people not permitting her to go any further a foote, would needes carry her to the Church doore in a chaire, from whence ſhe went her ſelfe on foote to the Chappell, and gaue thankes to God, and to S. Ignatius.

And after ſhe had ended her prayer, ſhe returned home to her own houſe a foote, & ſupped with the reſt of her family, like vnto one that was in as perfect health as any of the reſt, without changing any thing afterward of the common dyet of the houſe, or ſuffering any indiſpoſition euen vnto this preſent day. The next day after ſhe went againe to the Church, where ſhe made her Confeſſion and receiued the bleſſed Sacrament with great deuotion and thanksgiuing, ſtill remaning in good health & perfect ſtrength of body.

Paſchalis Gabrerizo an honeſt poore inhabitant of Munebrega had bene for the ſpace of 12 yeares diſeaſed, and ſo benummed in his feet, that he was not able to go without one crutch at leaſt; beſides, he had no vſe of one of his armes, and did almoſt continually ſuffer extreame paine of the Goute, togeather with a great palpitation of the hart. He now ſeing the miracles which S. Ignatius had wrought, with deſire to recouer his former health, conceiued great deuotion to the Saint, and hauing made vp a Ryall in money, which he had gotten by almes of good people, (for he was very poore) procured therwith a Maſſe to be ſaid at the Altar of S. Ignatius, whereat he was preſent, & deuoutly recommended himſelfe to God and the Saint with great confidence of his recouery. The Maſſe being ended, he roſe vp with his Crutch to go backe towards his houſe, and at the Church doore he found himſelfe wel, and free from the lameneſſe of his leggs: ſo as caſting away his Crutch, he very nimbly and ſpeedily went vp and downe, praiſing God and S. Ignatius for the cure; nor was he only cured of his feet, but alſo of his arme, and of the troubleſome paſſion of his Hart. This miracle was ſo publicke & notorious to all the towne of Munebrega, that moſt of the people leauing their ſhops and houſes repayred and flocked to the Church to admire the ſucceſſe; and the poore man was there found amongſt them giuing thanks to God and the Saint: in whoſe Chappell he hanged vp his Crutch for a perpetuall memory.

A little child called Mary Pardo daughter to Dominike Pardo, and Magdalene Ximeno, dwellers of Munebrega, had ſome two yeares before fallen into the fire, and burnt her left arme, eſpecially about the Elbow, wherby the ſynewes were dryed & ſhrunke vp in ſuch ſort, that ſhe had no vſe at all of that arme. Peter de Villar, a Religious man of S. Augustines Order, & Bachelour of Diuinity, came to the houſe, and annoynted the childs arme with ſome of the oile of the Lampe that burned before the picture of Saint Ignatius in his Chappell; which being done and the Girle feeling her arme a little more pliable then before, he willed her mother to annoynt it daily wherwith; which as ſhe was doyng the next day, ſhe ſayd: Daughter lift vp thy arme; and at the inſtant ſhe heard as it were a certaine ruſhing of the bones togeather, & perceiued that the arme grew ſomewhat greater, & amended; whervpon continuing to annoint it, after the ſame manner, ſome two or three dayes more, her daughter was perfectly cured.

Mary Corriz, wife to Pedro Bueno dwelling in the towne of Munebrega, hauing a foule Canker in one of her legs wherby ſhe was in dāger to haue it cut off, cauſed a Maſſe to be ſaid at the Altar of S. Ignatius, and there annoynting the diſeaſed part, with the oyle of his Lampe, the Canker was healed, and leauing there behind her the Crutch which before ſhe vſed, ſhe ioyfully returned home.

Mary Mun̄oz wife of Michael Marina, inhabitants of Vijueſca, had one of her Legs ſo dried vp and conſumed away, that ſhe could not ſtirre or mooue the ſame. The Phiſitians deſpairing of all humane remedy, her friends would needs conuay her to Belmonte, to a famous Chirurgeon of that place. He looking vpon, and conſidering well the diſeaſed part, ſaid, that there was no meanes poſſible to cure it; & that it were good ſhe recommēded her ſelfe to S. Ignatius, who wrought ſo many miracles at Munebrega; for other humane help ſhe might aſſure her ſelfe there was none. The good woman followed the Chirurgeons counſayle, & went to Munebrega to viſit the Chappell of S. Ignatius, where hearing Maſſe, & recommending her ſelfe with great deuotion to the glorious Saint, preſently found her ſelfe free from her diſeaſe, and was able to go her iourney backe on foot, to her owne houſe at Vijueſca.

There was another woman in Munebrega, a widdow and very poore, who had a grieuous ſoare in her right foote, and both her legs greatly ſwollen, which made her perforce go with crutches. Being thus priuy to her owne miſery and affliction, & ſeing the wonders which God did worke by meanes of S. Ignatius, ſhe went to his Picture, & recōmended her ſelfe very earneſtly vnto him; & before ſhe departed the Church, ſhe recouered her perfect health, and left there her Crutches, being very well able to walke home a foot. But firſt of all ſhe forgot not to render her beſt thankes vnto God, and the Saint for ſo ſingular a benefit.

Agnes Cauallero wife to Martin de Huerta Inhabitants of Nueualo, being blind, in ſuch manner as that ſhe could not go a ſtep without a guide, hauing alſo a foule Canker growing ouer one of her lips; and hearing of the miracles which S. Ignatius wrought, determined to go to Munebrega, to viſit his Chappell, and pray vnto him for remedy of theſe her infirmities. She was led thither, & for the ſpace of 3. dayes made continuall prayer with great deuotion and confidence in his Chappell, & annoynting her lip and eyes with the oile of the Lampe that burned before his Altar, obtayned perfect recouery both of her lippe & eyes; & euer ſince her eye-ſight hath bene ſo good, as ſhe is able to threed a very ſmall needle.

Antony Franco inhabitant of Castejon vpon Alarua in Caſtile, hauing bene abroad, came home to his houſe with a burning feuer on his backe, and an impoſtume alſo, riſen through heate, in his ſtomacke, which cauſed him extreme payne. The Phiſitian came vnto him, and ſeing that his ſicknes was mortall, bad him diſpoſe of his ſoule, and temporall eſtate, for he could not aſſure him aboue twelue houres of life. Now the fame of the miracles which our Lord had wrought by the interceſſion of S. Ignatius in Munebrega being ſpred abroad far & neere, & come vnto this place; the friends of the ſicke Patient, fomented his ſtomacke with ſome of the oyle which they had gotten of the Lampe that burned in the Chappel of the Saint at Munebrega aforeſaid: and the ſicke man himſelfe, with all the reſt inuocating S. Ignatius for ayde with great deuotion, in a moment he felt himſelfe fully well, and forthwith, in all gratitude and affection, aroſe and went to Munebrega on pilgrimage, to giue God thāks, at the Chappell of the Saint.

Franciſa Locano, wife of Dominicke Marco Inhabitant of Valtorres, who hauing one of her breſts greatly ſwolne with two great hard bunches, which made her often fall into a ſwounding; vpon the fame of theſe miracles, reſolued to viſite the Chappell of S. Ignatius and to recommend herſelfe vnto him with great deuotion, although ſhe had receiued the Sacrament of Extreme Vnctiō but three dayes before. Being brought therefore to Munebrega, and recommending her ſelfe in moſt deuout manner vnto the glorious Saint in his Chappell, preſently her breſt began to ſweat, with much eaſe of her payne, and ſo continuing to viſit the Chappell for 9. dayes together, ſhe found, at laſt, her ſelfe prefectly cured of the foreſaid ſwellings, and the colour of the ſweat of her breſts turned into the colour of bloud. She had endured the payne and trouble of this diſeaſe for nine yeares continually; and now at laſt through the merits of S. Ignatius, receiued perfect cure and remedy, by her prayers and deuotions of nine dayes, which ſhe daily powred out before his Altar; and ſo came ioyfully home to her owne houſe at Valtorres.

Matthew Pola, of the age of 20. yeares inhabitant of Ateca, hauing a continuall palſy in one of his armes and legs, being not able to mooue, or ſerue himſelfe with eyther of them in any occaſion; cauſed himſelfe to be conueyed to Munebrega with great confidence to obtaine remedy by the mediation and merits of S. Ignatius. When he arriued thither, for nine dayes ſpace togeather, with much deuotion, he determined, and began to annoynt euery day his legge and arme with ſome of the oile of the lampe that burned before S. Ignatius Altar; but vpon the eight day he found himſelfe ſound, and ſo perfectly recouered, as if he had bene neuer troubled at al in thoſe parts of his body with any infirmity whatſoeuer.

Peter Garzia Inhabitant of Tortuera, an old man of the age of 74. yeares, had ſo great an impediment in his tongue, that he could not ſcarce pronounce one word perfectly to be vnderſtood. Hearing others make mention of the miracles which S. Ignatius did worke at Munebrega; he went thither in all laſt to viſite his Chappell, and recommending himſelfe very earneſtly and deuoutly vnto his merits, and annoynting his tongue with the oile of the lampe aforeſaid, ſpake very cleerly and diſtinctly, and ſo continueth to this day, through the Goodnes of God, and interceſſion of the Bleſſed Saint.

A certaine woman of the Citty of Calatayude, hauing ſuch a benumming in her hands, that they ſerued her to no vſe; and her leggs alſo being benummed in the ſame manner, would neyther beare her vp, nor ſuffer her ſo much as to kneele, did moſt earneſtly and deuoutly recommended her ſelfe to S. Ignatius at Munebrega, and without any other remedy ſhe recouered her entire and perfect health.

Another woman, a wyddow of the ſame Citty, hauing a daughter of ſome 6. or 7. yeares old, who by reaſon of a great weakeneſſe and other infirmityes in her leggs, was not able to go vp or downe any ſtayres; hearing of theſe miracles, and iudging that S. Ignatius liked well, that widdowes (according to the manner of Spaine) ſhould liue retired at home in their owne houſes, made this prayer vnto him, in a moſt effectuall manner: O glorious Saint, it doth not ſuite well with my ſtate of Widdowhood, to make iourneyes abroad, in the ſight of many people, no not although it be to go on pilgrimage to viſit your Chappell of Muncbrega; the power of Curing which you can do there, I doubt not, but that you are able alſo to worke heere; and the graces and fauours which you ſhew in that place abroad to others, you can as well ſhew in this, to my little daughter heere at home; Let it pleaſe you then (O bleſſed Saint) to cure her. A little after this her prayer, ſhe ſaw her daughter going vp and downe the ſtayres of the houſe ſo readily, as if ſhe had neuer had my impediment, or defect in her leggs before.

A little ſonne of Don Iohn Perez of Nueros, ſtanding by his Fathers Coach, which was ready at the doore for him to go abroad, & playing with the wheels, the Mules vpon a ſuddaine began to run away with the Coach as being feared with ſomthing that paſſed in the ſtreet; & ouerthrowing the boy vpon the ground, one of the wheels paſſed ouer the very middle of his face. A Gentlewoman which ſaw it, cryed out, and ſayd: S. Ignatius, S. Ignatius ſaue the Child; and euen at that very inſtant the Mules ſtopt, and ſtood ſtill, & drawing away the child, they found that he had no other harme at all, but onely that the markes of the nayles were ſeene, which the wheeles had lightly left imprinted vpon his face.

A Venerable Father of the Order of S. Francis, of the Monaſtery in Calatayude, who had byn lame, and gone halting a long tyme together, determined for remedy therof to go on foote, by little and little, to Munebrega, to viſit the Chappell of S. Ignatius. He was ſcarce gone a quarter of a league with great paine and trouble, when he begā to diſtruſt of being able to paſſe any further, and ſo ſate himſelfe downe; and taking out his Breuiary, began to ſay his Mattins in honour of S. Ignatius, which when he had done, he found himſelfe animated and encouraged to proſecute the reſt of of his iourney. Going therfore forward, the more he went, the better he felt himſelfe, and when he came to Munebrega he found himſelfe wholy cured; ſo as giuing thankes in the Chappell of the Saint, he returned backe ioyfully, & in very perfect health to his Monaſtery.

At Pardos, a village of ſome 40. Houſes, a yong girle of twelue yeares of age, became ſo ſtopt vpon a ſuddaine with the increaſe of aboundance of bloud in the ſpring ſeaſon, that within a little tyme ſhe fell ſicke and dyed, and remayned foure houres dead and cold. Her mother much afflicted therewith, recommended her to S. Ignatius, with ſo great fayth and perſeuerance, that all thoſe foure houres ſhe ceaſed not to beſeech the Saint, that by his merits, he would intreat of God, that her daughter might returne to life againe. S. Ignatius hard her prayer, and the Child returning to herſelfe, ſayd vnto her mother; O mother, now I am well, S. Ignatius hath raiſed me vp from death, and commanded me to preſent my ſelfe in his Chappell at Muncbrega; and ſo preſently ſhe was carryed thither, and the next day after ſent into the feild to keepe ſheepe, which ſhe was wont to do, by reaſon of her pouerty.

The Phiſitian which dwelleth at this day in Munebrega, had an Infant ſome 2. or 3. monthes old, that being fed with certaine ſops, was choaked on a ſuddaine, and as his Father iudged, and ſince proteſted ſtarke dead, in ſo much that he gaue order for his buriall; but the mother with more fayth and deuotion, annoynted her little babe with ſome of the oyle of the lampe of S. Ignatius, making deuout ſupplication to the Saint for the recouery of life againe in her ſonne, and therwith all ſhe offred him to S. Ignatius. At that very inſtant the child came againe to himſelfe, and began to cry, and by the fauour and merits of the Saint, continueth ſtill in perfect health.

¶ This foreſaid Picture of S. Ignatius, which God Almighty hath made the meanes of ſo many, and ſo wonderfull miracles, ſome ſixteene yeares ſince was, by Don Rocque de Villar Chanon of Calatayude, firſt ſet vp in the Sacriſty, or Veſtry of the Pariſh Church of Munebrega, togeather with other Founders of Religious Orders amōgſt the pictures of diuers Cardinals, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Maiſters of the Order of Knighthood of Malta, Vicechancellours, Iuſtices, Councellors of Eſtate, Iudges of his Catholike Maieſty, and of other worthy and famous Perſons, which had bene ſometimes promoted from this place to theſe dignities; and being compared with many other pictures of the ſame Saint, ſeemeth to differ from them all, as ſhewing, ſomewhat ſuperiour, and extraordinary, for the maieſty it carrieth in the Face.

Vpon the firſt Friday, after it was placed vpon the Altar, being the 21. day of Aprill, hauing bene kept alwayes before in a dry place, it began to ſweat on the right ſide vnder the arme, and ſo continued for the ſpace of 4. howers; which ſweat was an extraordinary kind of liquor, much differing from water, although it ſeemed ſo in colour, as alſo from oyle, or any other running liquor; but it came out ſwelling, like certaine full & thicke drops; and as faſt as it was dryed vp, preſently the ſame liquor began to flow out againe; all which was gathered, and drunke vp with two great linnen Towlls, and is yet there kept.

Vpon Friday alſo a fortnight after, being the 5. of May, the ſame ſweat began againe to flow forth, for the ſpace of two houres. Witneſſes of theſe ſweatings were many Eccleſiaſticall, and Religious perſons, who ſaw them, & the R. Father Friar Peter Villar of the Order of S. Auguſtine, and Bachelour of Diuinity, did wet two handkerchers therwith, which are kept vntill this day.

Some few dayes after, a certaine woman of the towne of Alarua, hauing heard of the miracles of S. Ignatius, out of a deſire to find remedy againſt a dangerous great ſwelling which ſhe had in her breſts, to her extreme griefe and payne; came to Munebrega and recōmending her ſelfe deuoutly to the Saint, in his Chappell, preſently ſhe felt certaine drops of water to run downe her breaſt, as if it had bene ſome ſweat of that ſwelling, which much eaſed her paine, and which began to grow leſſe. Vpon this, one of the Towells wherwith the ſweat aforeſaid of the Picture had byn dryed vp, was applyed vnto her breſt, and the ſwelling preſently reſolued it ſelfe into great aboundance of water, & by and by after the woman remained wholy cured.

Many other famous miracles haue bene wrought there, by the Merits and Interceſſion of S. Ignatius, which do exceed the number of an hundred; all which haue byn wrought within the ſpace of one month, and are moſt notorious to all the Inhabitants therabout. Amongſt which, beſides thoſe aboue mentioned, there haue byne foure blind reſtored to their ſight, many Cripples, many deafe, and many ſicke of diuers infirmityes perfectly cured. So that it would be ouer long to recount them all heere in this briefe Relation, ſince there ſcarce paſſeth any day, wherin ſome one miracle or other is not wrought, and ſome dayes three or foure. Therfore it is no meruaile if vpon the certaine fame of ſo many, and continuall miracles, there be ſo great concourſe of people, from all parts of Arragon, and other places of Spaine, vnto this Chappell of S. Ignatius.

Alſo many Cittyes, Townes, and Villages do daily repaire thither in ſolemne Proceſſion; in ſo much that continually the Church of Munebrega is full of Pilgrims, ſome blind, ſome lame, ſome with vlcers, others with other diſeaſes, who daily through the merits and interceſſion of this glorious Saint do receiue health, and moſt ſingular fauours at the hands of God. And if the Church of Munebrega were ſix times larger thē it is (and it is of a reaſonable good bignes:) yet would it be too little for all commers, who ſtriue to be there early in the morning, yea, and many tymes remayne there all night, to occupy, and preuent the getting of a good and commodious place.

Moreouer, it is iudged for a thing certaine, that there is no one holy Place or Pilgrimage throughout all Spaine, more frequented at this day, then is the forſaid Chappell of Saint Ignatius in Munebrega. Wherfore the ſayd towne of Munebrega hath choſen this Saint Ignatius, for their ſpeciall Patron, and vowed to celebrate his feaſt yearely with all ſolemnity poſſible. Alſo in Maluenda, Villaroy, and other places within the Precincts, and Territoryes of Calatayude, they haue lately dedicated diuers Chappells and Altars vnto S. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of IESVS.

That which moſt of all ought to be pondered, cō cerning this famous place of Pilgrimage, is the great fruite, and the notable conuerſions of many loſt and damnable ſoules, which vpon this occaſion hath byn wrought by generall Confeſſions; beſides the wonderfull changes in many from moſt wicked and deſperate, vnto vertuous and godly liues. And without all doubt, this is that, which principally S. Ignatius pretendeth by the working of ſo great Miracles. For although in his life tyme, he alwayes exerciſed himſelfe in Corporall workes of Mercy; yet principally did he practiſe the Spirituall, with all poſſible endeauour, as moſt gratefull, and pleaſing to the diuine Goodnes.

THE CONCLVSION.

This Relation hath bene gathered, and taken from many Examinations, and Depoſitions receiued authentically by an Apoſtolicall Notary, & fiue others of the Kings Notaryes, in preſence of the Magiſtrates of the Towne of Munebrega; and from the letters which the R. Father Peter Villar of the Order of S. Augustine, and Bachelour of Diuinity; Father Hierome Alagre Rector of the College of the Society of IESVS in Calatayude; Father Valerius Piquer, and Father Francis Perez de Culla of the ſame Society, and diuers others, haue teſtified, and authentically wrytten to many principall Perſons in Madrid: where this preſent Relation was firſt publiſhed, and printed by Lewis Sanchez, Printer to his Catholike Maieſty, with ſpeciall Priuiledge.

Let vs then be ſo happy, as not to want the powerfull interceſſion of this Glorious Saint, to the end we may not only obtaine at Gods hands, health and Commodities of the Body; but much more the Health, Saluation, and Eternall good of our Soules: & let vs all deuoutly ſay with Holy Church, as followeth:

The Prayer of the Church, to S. Ignatius.

DEus qui glorificantes te glorificas, & in Sanctorum tuorum honoribus honoraris; concede propitius: vt qui Sancti IGNATII Confeſſoris tui glorioſa merita colimus, eius pia patrocinia ſentiamus. Per Dominum noſtrum Ieſum Chriſtum filium tuum, qui tecum viuit & regnat, in vnitate Spiritus ſancti Deus. Per omnia ſaecula ſaeculorum.

IN ENGLISH.

O God, who glorifieſt thoſe that glorify thee, & art honoured in the Honours of thy Saints; Grant graciouſly, that we who reuerence the glorious merits of thy Confeſſour S. IGNATIVS, may be made partakers of his pious Patronage. Through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt thy Sonne, who liueth & raigneth with thee, in vnity of the Holy Ghoſt, one God, for euer and euer. Amen.

FINIS. Laus Deo, B. Virgini Mariae, & Sancto Ignatio.