The History of the Holy War, Book 5 · Chapter 10
Chap. 10. Of superstition in miracles in the Holy warre, ranked into foure sorts.
BEsides superstition inherent in this Holy warre, there was also superstition appendant or annexed thereunto, in that it was the fruitfull mother of many feigned miracles. Hitherto we have refrained to scatter over our storie with them; it will not be amisse now to shovel up some of them in a heap.
*M. Paris. in anno 1099.One Peter (not the Hermite) found out the lance wherewith Christ was pierced: & to approve the truth thereof against some who questioned him herein, on Palm-sunday taking the lance in his hand, he walked through a mightie fire without any harm: but it seemeth he was not his crafts-master, for he died soon after.
*Idem.An image of our Lady brought from Jerusalem, but set up neare Damascus, began by degrees to be clothed with flesh, and to put forth breasts of flesh, out of which a liquour did constantly flow: Which liquour the Templars carried home to their houses, and distributed it to the Pilgrimes which came to them, that they might report the honour thereof through the whole world.
*M. Paris.A Sultan of Damascus who had but one eye, chanced to lose the other, and so became stark-blind; when coming devoutly to this image, though he was a Pagan, having faith in God, and confidence therein, he perfectly was restored to his sight.
Infinite are the sholes of miracles done by Christs Crosse in Jerusalem; insomuch that my *Roger Hoveden, in anno 1187.Authour blamed the Bishop of Acon, who carried the Crosse in that battel wherein it was lost to the Turks, for wearing a corselet; and therefore (saith he) he was justly slain: because his weak faith relied on means, not on the miraculous protection thereof.
When Conrade Landt-grave of Thuringia was inrolled in the Teutonick Order to go to the Holy warre, and received his benediction (as the fashion was) the *Nauclerus, Gen. 42.Holy Ghost visibly descended upon him in the shape of fire. The said Conrade received of God as a boon for his valour in this service, the rare facultie, *Chron. Pruten.That by looking on any man he could tell whether or no he had committed a mortall sinne, yea, at first sight descrie their secret sinnes.
But the last miracle of our Lady in Palestine is the Lady of all miracles; which was this: In the yeare 1291, when the Holy land was finally subdued by the Turks, the chamber at Nazareth wherein the Angel Gabriel saluted her with joyfull tidings, was wonderfully *Spondanus, in anno 1291.transported into Sclavonia. That countrey being unworthy of her divine presence, it was by the Angels carried over into Italie, anno 1294. That place also being infested with theeves and pirates, the Angels removed it to the little village of Loretto; where this Pilgrime-Chappel resteth it self at this day, and liketh her entertainment so well, it will travel no further.
But enough: for fools meat is unsavourie to the tast of the wise. I have transgressed already: two instances had been sufficient (as Noah preserved but two of all unclean creatures) the rest might be lost without losse, and safely be drowned in oblivion. How-ever, we may observe these millions of miracles are reducible to one of these foure ranks:
1. Falsely reported, never so much as seemingly done. Asia the theatre whereon they were acted, is at a great distance, and the miracles as farre from truth, as the place from us. And who knoweth not, when a lie is once set on foot, besides the first founders, it meeteth with many benefactours, who contribute their charitie thereunto.
2. Falsely done; insomuch as at this day, they are *Miracula, si piâ utilitate aut necessitate careant, de facto suspecta sunt & rejicienda, Gerson.sented amongst the Romanists. Who would not laugh to see the picture of a Saint weep? Where one devout Catholick lifteth up his eyes, ten of their wiser sort wag their heads.
3. Truly done, but by the strength of nature. Suppose one desperately sick, a piece of the Crosse is applied to him, he recovereth; is this a miracle? Nothing lesse; how many thousands have made an escape after Death in a manner hath arrested them? As therefore it is sacriledge, to father Gods immediate works on naturall causes; so it is superstition, to intitle naturall events to be miraculous.
4. Many miracles were ascribed to Saints which were done by Satan. I know it will non-plus his power to work a true miracle; but I take the word at large: and indeed vulgar (not to say, humane) eyes are too dimme to discern betwixt things wonderfull and truly miraculous. Now Satan, the master-juggler needeth no wires or ginnes to work with, being all ginnes himself; so transcendent is the activitie of a spirit. Nay, may not God give the Devil leave to go beyond himself; it being just with him, that those who will not have Truth their king and willingly obey it, should have Falshood their tyrant to whom their judgement should be captivated and inslaved.