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

faiths) helpe me to be baptized.

  Jehannot, who expected a farre contrary conclusion then this,

hearing him speake it with such constancy; was the very gladdest man

in the world, and went with him to the Church of Nostre Dame in Paris,

where he requested the Priests there abiding, to bestow baptisme on

Abraham, which they joyfully did, hearing him so earnestly to desire

it. Jehannot was his Godfather, and named him John, and afterward,

by learned Divines he was more fully instructed in the grounds of

our faith; wherein he grew of great understanding, and led a very

vertuous life.