Now _Calumny_ saith, that this affectation of obscurity is a sign that God was not the Author of his Knowledge, seeing that by this obscurity they have proved unprofitable to the Church. I answer first, that the consequence is false; for the Holy Prophets have spoken so obscurely, that a great part of what they had Prophecied was not known till after it had come to pass. I answer secondly, that although Prophecies were not understood till after the fulfilling thereof, it doth not follow that they were unprofitable; because by their fulfilling in due time, we gather, that he who revealed them was the true God, Lord of times and Eternity, and therefore being the God of _Israel_, and of the Christians, he ought to be worshiped. By this principle _Cyrus_ and _Alexander_ knew the true God, _Cyrus_ by having seen the Prophecies of _Isaiah_, and _Alexander_ those of _Daniel_. Therefore as the Prophecies of the Saints have not been fruitless, though not understood till they were fulfilled, even so we must not infer that _Nostradamus_’s Prophecies have been useless, though they have remained in obscurity so long a while. Besides, there is no doubt but _Nostradamus_ having Prophecied so many several things that are come to pass, but that hereafter when the Heathen shall see it they shall glorifie God, and shall acknowledge a true Religion, as did _Cyrus_, who many Authors believe to have obtained Salvation. I answer in the third place, that God permitteth ordinarily that Prophecies lie long in the dark, and then raiseth the Spirit of some men to expound them, as he did that of _Daniel_ to interpret the 70 Weeks of the _Babylonian_ Captivity, Prophecied by _Jeremiah_, to incourage the faithful three ways. First, in shewing them, that if the first Prophecies have been punctually fulfilled, the rest will likewise come to pass, seeing the same God hath dictated them. Secondly, in unfolding to them the future wonders, of which they shall be partakers. Thirdly, in giving warning how they may attain to them, and shew those accidents that might be an hindrance. Thus God did permit, that for the space of 100. years _Nostradamus_ Prophecies should lie in darkness, and be contemned, but after that time God will raise some body to interpret them, whence the faithful seeing so many things foretold come to pass so exactly, will incourage one another by seing so many wonderful prodigies, of whom they shall be Eye Witnesses. As for my part I have undertaken this Work, only to authorise the wonders that shall be seen in our days, and to invite the Christian Princes to the same design. The conclusion of this discourse is, that our _Medusa Calumny_, must needs retreat in her dens, and that we ought to forgive those Authors that have spoken so ill of our Author, seing they wanted the Intelligence of his Prophecies, and that the Church did suspend the authorising of them. CHAP. XI.