Admiration and joy were general; all praised God who had bestowed so great a favor, and conversed approvingly and with holy envy of the merits of the saint who had obtained them. This miracle had also for witness, brother Nicolas d'Andrea of Sienna, of the Order of the Friar Preachers; he yet lives, and accompanied me on that day. Those who were resident in the house, pupils, priests, and more than twenty persons besides, saw what I have related.
Such as have not had their hearts touched may perchance say: what is there astonishing in the cure of a malady, even though it be serious ? does not that happen naturally every day ? I will respond to them by asking them: Why the Gospel recounts that our Lord healed Simon's mother-in-law, who was ill with a fever? Do we not continually see men relieved of violent fevers ? Why then does the Evangelist cite this fact as a miracle ? Let him who sees nothing beyond the letter, give attention to what the sacred writer has deigned to observe "He approached her," says he, "he commanded the fever, the fever immediately left her, rising instantly she served them." (Luke iv. 39) The proof of the miracle lies in the sudden disappearance of the fever, at the sole command of the Saviour, and without any natural remedy; she who had been so long sick and bed-ridden, arose without any exterior help; therefore, in what I have said, the eyes must be closed voluntarily, if the truth is not perceived. That God who had healed the mother-in-law of Simon, dwelt in Catherine; she did not approach, but afar, she commanded fever and pestilence, and without remedy and without delay. Father Matthew was delivered. Open, therefore, the eyes of the mind; be not incredulous but believing.
