Concerning what he saith to _Henry_ the II. it is certain he maketh use of that Language as much by a motive of Truth to conceal that Grace which he had received from God, as of Humility. By a Motive of Truth, because effectually; because all the _Nostradamus_’s had some tincture of Prophecie, and his Son the Capucin acknowledgeth it himself. By a Motive of Humility; because acknowledging himself to be a miserable sinner, and seeing that this gift of Prophecie was not ordinarily granted but unto Saints. He chuseth rather to attribute his Prophecies to his Genius, than otherways to procure a Fame and Authority to his predictions. In confirmation of what we have said, _That he was often in that transport_, many years before his death he made the Stanza of the Century, in which is contained all the great Works of the Philosophers, and foretelleth, that a great Divine shall attain to the perfection of that great Work, which Divine is called, the _Divine Verbe_, turning into _French_ the Word θεολογος, which signifieth Divine Word or Verb. Nevertheless he never wrought himself at that Work, but got his living Honourably by his practise of Physick, by which we may see, that he did write some things which himself understood not, unless they were such general ones, as might be read in the Heavens. CHAP. XII. _Elogies given to ~Nostradamus~ by several Authentical Authors._ If several Authors either by envy or ignorance have defamed our Author, others of no shall repute have taken his defence in hand. D’_Aurat_ one of the most excellent Poets of _France_, living at the same time as _Nostradamus_, made a few explications of his Prophecies, which as the report goes, did please the Readers. I am sorry I could not get them, it would have been some ease to me; for it is easier to add than to invent. The first Volume of the Lord _la Croix du Main_, maketh honourable mention of him, the same saith, that his Motto was _Felix Oviam prior Ætas_, Happy the first Age that was contented with their Flock, shewing by that, what esteem he had of frugality and sincerity of manners, and what aversion he had against the Vices of his Age, the unruliness of manners, and cousenage of men. _Ronsard_ the Prince of the _French_ Poets singeth his praises: The Lord _Boucher_ in that great Volume, intitled the _Mistical Crown_, in favour of the future _Croisade_, doth vindicate our Author from _Calumny_, and expoundeth some of his Prophecies pretty happily. I will not relate here what his Son _Cæsar Nostradamus_ writeth modestly of him in his History of _Provence_, under _Lewis_ the XII. _Henry_ the II. and _Charles_ the IX. his Evidence may be suspected, because of the Consanguinity. One of the greatest Wits of this last Age, who desireth to be nameless, giveth him this Character. First, That God Almighty hath chosen _Michael Nostradamus_ among the common sort of Christians, to impart unto him the knowledge of many prodigious and extraordinary future things.