When night was come, they went all to visit the dead body of
Master Chappelet, where they used an especiall and solemne Vigill; and
on the morrow, apparelled in their richest Coapes and Vestiments, with
bookes in their hands, and the Crosse borne before them, singing in
the forme of a very devoute procession, they brought the body
pompeously into their Church, accompanied with all the people of the
Towne, both men and women. The Father Confessor, ascending up into the
Pulpit, preached wonderfull things of him, and the rare holinesse of
his life; his fastes, his virginity, simplicity, innocency, and true
sanctity, recounting also (among other especiall observations) what
Chappelet had confessed, as this most great and greevous sinne, and
how hardly he could be perswaded, that God would grant him pardon
for it. Whereby he tooke occasion to reprove the people then
present, saying; And you (accursed of God) for the verie least and
trifling matter hapning, will not spare to blaspheme God, his
blessed Mother, and the whole Court of heavenly Paradise: Oh, take
example by this singular man, this Saint-like man, nay, a very Saint
indeede.
Many additions more he made, concerning his faithfulnesse, truth,
and integrity; so that, by the vehement asseveration of his words
(whereto all the people there present gave credible beleefe) he
provoked them unto such zeale and earnest devotion; that the Sermon
was no sooner ended, but (in mighty crowds and throngs) they pressed
about the Biere, kissing his hands and feete, and all the garments
about him were torne in peeces, as precious Reliques of so holy a
person, and happy they thought themselves, that could get the smallest
peece or shred of any thing that came neere to his body: and thus they
continued all the day, the body lying still open, to be visited in
this manner.
When night was come, they buried him in a goodly Marble tombe,
erected in a faire Chappell purposely; and for many dayes after
following, it was most strange to see, how the people of the Country
came thither on heapes, with holy Candles and other offerings, with
Images of waxe fastened to the Tombe, in signe of Sacred and solemne
Vowes, to this new created Saint. And so farre was spread the fame and
renowne of his sanctity, devotion, and integrity of life, maintained
constantly by the Fathers of the Convent; that if any one fell sicke
in neede, distresse, or adversity, they would make their Vowes to no
other Saint but him: naming him (as yet to this day they do) Saint
Chappelet, affirming upon their Oathes, that infinite miracles were
there daily performed by him, and especially on such, as came in
devotion to visit his shrine.
In this manner lived and died Master Chappelet du Prat, who before
he became a Saint, was as you have heard: and I will not deny it to be
impossible, but that he may bee at rest among other blessed bodies.
For although he lived lewdly and wickedly, yet such might be his
contrition in the latest extreamity, that (questionlesse) he might
finde mercie. But, because such things remaine unknowne to us, and
speaking by outward appearance, vulgar judgement will censure
otherwise of him, and thinke him to be rather in perdition, then in so
blessed a place as Paradice. But referring that to the Omnipotents
appointment, whose clemencie hath alwayes beene so great to us, that
he regards not our errors, but the integrity of our Faith, making
(by meanes of our continuall Mediator) of an open enemy, a converted
sonne and servant. And as I began in his name, so will I conclude,
desiring that it may evermore be had in due reverence, and referre
we our selves thereto in all our necessities, with this setled
assurance, that he is alwayes ready to heare us. And so he ceased.
THE FIRST DAY, THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREIN IS CONTAINED AND EXPRESSED, THE LIBERALITY AND
GOODNESSE OF GOD, EXTENDED TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
Abraham a Jew, being admonished or advised by a friend of his,
named Jehannot de Chevigny, travailed from Paris unto Rome: And
beholding there the wicked behaviour of men in the Church, returned
backe to Paris againe, where yet (neverthelesse) he became a
Christian.
The Novell recited by Pamphilus, was highly pleasing to the company,
and much commended by the Ladies: and after it had beene diligently
observed among them, the Queene commanded Madam Neiphila (who was
seated neerest to Pamphilus) that, in relating another of hers, she
should follow on in the pastime thus begun. She being no lesse
gracious in countenance, then merrily disposed; made answere, that
shee would obey her charge, and began in this manner.
Pamphilus hath declared to us, by his Tale, how the goodnesse of God
regardeth not our errors, when they proceede from things which wee
cannot discerne. And I intend to approove by mine, what argument of
infallible truth, the same benignity delivereth of it selfe, by
enduring patiently the faults of them, that (both in word and worke)
should declare unfaigned testimony of such gracious goodnesse, and not
to live so dissolutely as they doe. To the end, that others
illumined by their light of life, may beleeve with the stronger
constancy of minde.
As I have heeretofore heard (Gracious Ladies) there lived a
wealthy Marchant in Paris, being a Mercer, or seller of Silkes,
named Jehannot de Chevigny, a man of faithfull, honest, and upright
dealing; who held great affection and friendship with a very rich Jew,
named Abraham, that was a Merchant also, and a man of very direct
conversation. Jehannot well noting the honesty and loyall dealing of
this Jew, began to have a Religious kinde of compassion in his
soule, much pittying that a man so good in behaviour, so wise and
discreete in all his actions, should be in danger of perdition
thorow want of Faith. In which regard, lovingly he began to intreate
him, that he would leave the errors of his Jewish beleefe, and
follow the truth of Christianity, which he evidently saw (as being
good and holy) daily to prosper and enlarge it selfe, whereas on the
contrary, his profession decreased, and grew to nothing.
The Jew made answer, that he beleeved nothing to be so good and
holy, as the Jewish Religion, and having beene borne therein, therein
also he purposed to live and dye, no matter whatsoever being able to
remove him from that resolution. For all this stiffe deniall,
Jehannot would not so give him over; but pursued him still day by
day, reitterating continually his former speeches to him: delivering
infinite excellent and pregnant reasons, that Merchants themselves
were not ignorant, how farre the Christian faith excelled the Jewish
falshoods. And albeit the Jew was a very learned man in his owne
Law, yet notwithstanding the intire amity he bare to Jehannot, or
(perhaps) his words fortified by the blessed Spirit, were so
prevailant with him, that the Jew felt a pleasing apprehension in
them, though as yet his obstinacie stoode farre off from Conversion.
But as he thus continued strong in opinion, so Jehannot lefte not
hourely to labour him: insomuch, that the Jew being conquered by
such earnest and continuall importunity, one day spake to Jehannot,
saying.
My worthy friend Jehannot, thou art extremely desirous, that I
should convert to Christianitie, and I am well contented to doe it;
onely upon this condition: That first I wil journey to Rome, to see
him whom thou sayest, is Gods general Vicar here on earth, and to
consider on the course of his life and manners, and likewise of his
Colledge of Cardinals. If he and they doe appeare such men to mee,
as thy speeches affirme them to be, and thereby I may comprehend
that thy Faith and Religion is better then mine, as with no meane
paines thou endevourest to perswade mee, I will become a Christian
as thou art: but if I finde it otherwise, I will continue as I am, a
Jew.
Jehannot hearing these words, became exceeding sorrowfull, and sayd
within himselfe; I have lost all the paines which I did thinke to be
well employed, as hoping to have this man converted heere. For, if
he go to the Court of Rome, and behold there the wickednes of the
Priests lives, farewell all hope in me, of ever seeing him to become a
Christian. But rather, were he already a Christian, without all
question he would turne a Jew. And so going neerer to Abraham, he
said. Alas my loving friend, why shouldst thou undertake such a
tedious travel, and so great a charge, as thy journey from hence to
Rome will cost thee? Consider, that to a rich man (as thou art)
travaile by land or Sea is full of infinite dangers. Doest thou not
thinke, that here are Religious men enow, who wil gladly bestow
Baptisme upon thee? To mee therefore it plainely appeareth, that
such a voyage is to no purpose. If thou standest upon any doubt or
scruple, concerning the faith whereto I wish thee; where canst thou
desire conference with greater Doctours, or men more learned in all
respects, then this famous Cittie doth affoord thee, to resolve thee
in any questionable case? Thou must thinke, that the Prelates are such
there, as heere thou seest them to be, and yet they must needes be
in much better condition at Rome, because they are neere to the
principall Pastor. And therefore, if thou wilt credit my counsell,
reserve this journey to some time more convenient, when the Jubilee of
generall Pardon happeneth, and then (perchance) I will beare thee
company, and go along with thee as in vowed Pilgrimage.
Whereto the Jew replyed: I beleeve Jehannot that all which thou hast
said, may be so. But, to make short with thee, I am fully determined
(if thou wouldst have me a Christian, as thou instantly urgest me to
bee) to goe thither, for otherwise, I will continue as I am.
Jehannot perceyving his setled purpose, said: Goe then in Gods name.
But perswaded himselfe, that hee would never become a Christian, after
he had once seene the Court of Rome: neverthelesse, he counted his
labour not altogither lost, in regard he bestowed it to a good end,
and honest intentions are to be commended.
The Jew mounted on horse-backe, and made no lingering in his journey
to Rome; where being arrived, he was very honourably entertained by
other Jewes dwelling in Rome. And during the time of his abiding there
(without revealing to any one the reason of his comming thither)
very heedfully he observed the maner of the Popes life, of the
Cardinals, Prelates, and all the Courtiers. And being a man very
discreet and judicious, hee apparantly perceived, both by his owne
eye, and further information of friends; that from the highest to
the lowest (without any restraint, remorse of conscience, shame, or
feare of punishment) all sinned in abhominable luxurie, and not
naturally onely, but in foule Sodomie, so that the credite of
Strumpets and Boyes was not small, and yet might be too easily
obtayned. Moreover, drunkards, belly-Gods, and servants of the paunch,
more then of any thing else (even like brutish beasts after their
luxury) were every where to be met withall. And upon further
observation, hee saw all men so covetous and greedie of Coyne, that
every thing was bought and solde for ready money, not onely the
blood of men, but (in plaine termes) the faith of Christians, yea, and
matters of divinest qualities, how, or to whomsoever appertaining,
were it for Sacrifices or Benefices, whereof was made no mean
merchandize, and more Brokers were there to be found (then in Paris
attending upon all Trades) of manifest Symonie, under the nice name of
Negotiation, and for gluttony, not sustentation: even as if God had
not knowne the signification of vocables, nor the intentions of wicked
hearts, but would suffer himselfe to bee deceived by the outward names
of things, as wretched men commonly use to doe.
These things, and many more (fitter for silence, then for
publication) were so deepely displeasing to the Jew, being a most
sober and modest man; that he had soone seene enough, resolving on his
returne to Paris, which very speedily he performed. And when
Jehannot heard of his arrivall, crediting much rather other newes from
him, then ever to see him a converted Christian; he went to welcome
him, and kindly they feasted one another. After some few dayes of
resting, Jehannot demanded of him; what he thought of our holy
Father the Pope and his Cardinals, and generally of all the other
Courtiers? Whereto the Jew readily answered; It is strange Jehannot,
that God should give them so much as he doth. For I will truely tell
thee, that if I had beene able to consider all those things, which
there I have both heard and seene: I could then have resolved my
selfe, never to have found in any Priest, either sanctity, devotion,
good worke, example of honest life, or any good thing else beside. But
if a man desire to see luxury, avarice, gluttony, and such wicked
things, yea, worse, if worse may be, and held in generall estimation
of all men; let him but goe to Rome, which I thinke rather to be the
forge of damnable actions, then any way leaning to grace or goodnesse.
And, for ought I could perceive, me thinkes your chiefe Pastour, and
(consequently) all the rest of his dependants, doe strive so much as
they may (with all their engine arte and endevour) to bring to
nothing, or else to banish quite out of the world, Christian Religion,
whereof they should be the support and foundation.
But because I perceive, that their wicked intent will never come
to passe, but contrariwise, that your faith enlargeth it selfe,
shining every day much more cleare and splendant: I gather thereby
evidently, that the blessed Spirit is the true ground and defence
thereof, as being more true and holy then any other. In which respect,
whereas I stood stiffe and obstinate against the good admonitions, and
never minded to become a Christian: now I freely open my heart unto
thee, that nothing in the world can or shall hinder me, but I will
be a Christian, as thou art. Let us therefore presently goe to the
Church, and there (according to the true custome of your holy
