communicate some Priest was called for of the neighbour Villages so rare was Priesthood in those dayes and held in the esteeme it ought to be And as for S. Pachomiâ—… he suffered not any of his disciples to â—…spire to such a dignity or any other honours or degres at all affirming that from like desire doe grow emulations sâ—…rifes and contentions and added that as a least sparckle of fyre falling in a barne if not speedily oppressed will vnluckily consume the whole yeares haruest so Ambition or the thought of a Clerkship with what pretext soeuer it enter once intâ—… Cloysters and be not suddenly extinguished will come to put all the Religion in tumult or ruine rather and vtter destruction Notwithstanding afterwards if any one being a Priest already should offer himselfe to follow the Rule Pachomius would not refuse to accept him and with such quality of persons so carryed himselfe as how much more respectfull he shewed himselfe towards them for the sacred Orders sake which they had taken so much more humble meeke would they become through the Vertue and example they saw in him Besides that he was full of Piety to all especially towards thâ—… aged and infirme persons To young men likewise he would vse discretion dexterity and longanimity to saue their Soules wherof he was meruaylously zealous sollicitous And because not fat from his Conuent was a certayne Village without a Pastour and consequently depriued of the word of God and the holy Communion he dealt very charitably about the same with Aprion Bishop of Tentiri in whose Diocesse the sayd place was and with his consent set vpon the building of a Church where afterwards a Parish was appointed And he in the meane time not fayled to go thither with some companions to instruct theÌ„ in the Christian doctrine performing that exercise with such deuotioÌ„ with â—…o much grace composition of body and mynd as to the Seculars it seemed they â—…eard and saw an Angell and no mortall man nor were the â—…aythfull only confirmed by this meanes but many Infidels likewise conuerted to the Fayth And as S. Pachomius receyued those who belieued in the Ghospell with extraordinary ioy so for the â—…osse of the obstinate and incredulous persons he would seele exâ—…reme dolour and for the same be sheding of continuall teares At that very tyme the great Athanasius had taken possession of the Bishoprique of Alexandria being gone in progresse as a good Pastour in person to visit the Churches of Egipt especially of the â—…pper Thebais and Siena by that occasion he was likewise to passe by Tabenna when S. Pachomius knowing some part of the trauailes and persecutions which the holy Bishop had suffered for the Catholique sayth went forth to meete him in company of all his Monkes with iubiley and festiuity of Psalmes of Hymnes and Canticles True it is that hauing vnderstood before hand how meanes was made by the Bishop of Tentiri to Athanasius for his promotion to a higher state for not to be seene nor knowne by him he hid himselfe of purpose in the throng Whether he spake with him afterwards or no is not found written any where But as this Chanpion of Christ was a great friend and much deuoted to the Catholique Prelates so could he not suffer so much as the name of Arrius and Meletius and the other Heretiques and Scismatiques to be mentioned of any by name and for their writings he could not endure them by any meanes to be had oâ—… read of his Monkes He was likewise very cautious in forbidding them to murmur at all especially against the Clerks and Prelates of the church and if by chance they had fallen into such a default he would suddenly oppose himselfe against them in ciâ—…ing some verses sentences out of the holy Scripture to that purpose together with the example of Mary the sister of Moyses so seuerely punished by God for hauing murmured against her Brother And finally by how much more sweete and plyable he was to all in that which lawfully he might so much more rigid and inflexible he shewed himselfe where it stood not with the least point of the honour of God or the Neighbour S. Pachomius is visited by his Sister who afterwards retires herselfe inâ—… Monastery Chap. 7. SAint Pachomius kept himselfe wholy from the conuersation familiarity of his Parents except when he had good hope to help them in Spirit And therfore lastly being visited by a Sister of his 〈◊〉 sent her answere by the porter in thes words Behold thou hast heat I am yet aliue Go thy wayes then and take it not ill that I let thee not see me I will promise thee that if thou wilt happily imitaâ—… this manner of life of myne to obteyne together with me pardon Mercy of our Lord some fit dwelling or other shal be assigned thee in a conuenient place to liue in peace and silence and by that occasion peraduenture it may happen the diuine Goodnes will oâ—… some other women likewise to do pennance with thee since in 〈◊〉 there is no other consolation on earth then for one to do well to serue God With this answere the good woman was so compunct as sâ—…e brake forth into plaints and without more ado determined to obey the counsayle of her Brother who according to promise caused cer tayne Lodgings to be built for her not farre from the Monastery very apt for the end pretended wherin she exercising her selfe according to the directions and orders of S. Pachomius it was not long ere there came many other women likewise to her for the same purpose who increasing continually in number she was elected to be the Mother Abbesse of them Whence he attended with more sollicitude then euer to instruct them well and to conduct them safely to a good Port. A certayne venerable and discreet Father called Peter had the superintendency ouer that Conuent by commission of S. Pachomius who at his tymes would visit and exhort them to Perfection and if it happened now and then to any Monke hauing some kinswomen there to haue occasion to go to any such he was accompanied thither by some ancient and graue person or other of approued vertue nor could he speake with such a one but in the presence of the Mother and some of the principall of the Monastery To giue or take any thing with them or els to eate or drinke in that place vnder any pretext whatsoeuer was wholy prohibited When any of the Sisters came to dye the others very decently composing the corps would depose it with Psalmes in a determinate place neere â—…to the conuent Whence after the Monkes wold conuey the same 〈◊〉 manner of procession and bury it with deuout prayers accuâ—…omed Canticles in the hill neer at hand Through the fame of â—…ese things a certayne yong youth among others of some fourâ—…ene yeares old by name Theodore a Christian of noble Bloud beâ—…ag moued gaue
himselfe likewise to the discipline of S. Pachomius â—…y the occasion which I shall presently tell you The history of Theodore and how he and his Mother entred into the discipline of S. Pachomius THeodore once on a festiuall day beholding the riches the delights and the ornaments of his owne house felt himselfe sudâ—…enly to be interiourly moued by the diuine grace began to disâ—…ourse with himselfe in this manner saying What shall all these â—…ases contentments and momentary pleasures auayle me Wretch â—…s I am if I come to be depriued of the Eternall Forasmuch as â—…one for the present can attend to these and in the future enioy the â—…thers and fetching suddenly a great sigh retyred himselfe into a â—…ore secret place of the house where prostrate in teares he sayd 〈◊〉 Lord who seest the secrets of harts thou knowest I prefer not â—…ny thing of this life before thy loue vouchsafe then to illumine â—…e so as I may be able to vnderstand thy will and that perfectly â—…xecuting the same I may glorify and prayse thee foreuer After this refusing the commodityes and the cherishments of â—…is Mother he began to giue himselfe seriously to abstinence and â—…astings with other mortifications and asperityes wherin hauing â—…xercised himself for some two yeares together he recollected himâ—…elfe in the company of some Seruants of God One of which the â—…espers being ended discoursing according to the custome amoÌ„gst â—…hem of spirituall things he entred in to speake of the Tabernacle â—…nd of the Saencta Sanctorum of the ancient Law interpreting the exteriour Tabernacle as that which was of the manner of manufacture to signify the first people of the Iewes but that of the Sancta Sanctorum should figure the vocation of the Gentils as hauing a more sumptuous and mysticall entry with it whence in the place of Sacrifices of beasts and insteed of the Thurible of the Table of the Arke of the Candlesticke of the Propitiatory and of all those other ancient symbols for our saluation hath succeeded the diuine word it selfe who assuming our human flesh hath taken vs from the paynes of our sinnes through the holy light of the Ghospell and with the satisfaction of his infinite merits This said he confessed he had heard this interpretation from the great Pachomius himselfe who had lately gathered togeather good number of Monks in the Iland of Tabenna and gouerned them with merueilous discipline and I hope added he that the mentioÌ„ of this Man of God now made by me may impetrate for vs some indulgence of our sinnes The good Monke had scarce finished his discourse when Theodore was enflamed with the relation made with an exceeding desire of knowing S. Pachomius by sight and to giue himselfe wholy to be gouerned by him In so much as a vertuous and good Old man called Pecusius being come thither from Tabenna for to visit that Congregation there was by Theodor intreated at his returne with great affectioÌ„ he would be pleased to conduct him with him to the blessed Pachomius as he did with a very good will and being arriued at the holy place the youth not being able to conteyne himselfe from teares of Ioy was receiued by him with a great deale of charity and numbred with the others when in a short tyme he profited so much in all manner of vertues as S. Pachomius himselfe did wonder at it There was afterwards an occasion presented to make the constancy and feruour of this Nouice more renowned In reguard the Mother being now become a widow and not brooking the absence of her sonne came to Tabenna in person bringing letters froÌ„ the Bishops with expresse order to haue him restored her agayne Heere now she being receiued by the Nuns as a guest she speedily sent the letters to S. Pachomius vrging the execution therof When the seruant of Christ hauing called Theodore to him said to him in this sort I vnderstand thy Mother is come to see thee behold the Letters of the Bishops which she hath brought me for that end Go thy wayes then and comfort her especially for the Prelates sakes who haue recommended it to me Theodore answered Do you giue me security then Reuerend Father that this little edification which I shall giue vnto others with such an enteruiew be not imputed to me at the day of Iudgment Forasmuch as if in the tymes before grace the children of Leui did quite forsake their Parents howbeyt most deere vnto them for to serue the Lord God wholy how much rather should I that haue receyued so great mercy and light from the â—…ame Lord God keep my selfe from preferring in any wise the affection to flesh before the loue and seruice of his diuine Maiesty seeing our Sauiour hath sayd openly to vs He that loues his Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me Then S. Pachomius declared himselfe better vnto him with saying If it seeme not expedient to thee my Sonne I will not vrge thee to it but rather confesse the other to be of more perfection because indeed the Monke is to fly al worldly commerce and be louing with an ordinate affection without passion all those who through fayth are members of Christ. And if any would seeme to oppose that he may not desist from wishing well to his owne bloud let him note that saying of the Scripture That euery one becomes the slaue of him that vanquitheth him By this manner of speach the good Youth being now confirmed more and more would by no meanes shew himselfe to his Mother And it pleased our Lord through this austerity of his that she remained so astonished and moued to deuotion as she determined likewise herselfe to leaue the world and with the approbation of S. Pachomius was receiued into the number of the Seruants of Christ. Whence may be gathered that things being done to the greater glory of God howbeit in the beginning sometymes they may seeme perilous and bitter yet neuerthelesse through diuine disposition do they produce many tymes most sweet fruites The Griefe which S. Pachomius tooke for the lapsed Togeather with this Discretion and Patience in all occasions Chap. 9. FRom these and other such like successes looke how much consolation S. Pachomius tooke in our Lord so much griefe and sorrow felt he for the ill proceeding of some who tyred with labour to much giuen to carnall prudence would neuer throughly renounce themselues nor be desployed of the old man The holy Man would seeke to help such by all meanes possible but in vayne Because they partly not knowing how to deny their proper will partly affrighted with the difficulty of vertue and with the examples of the pennances and Mortifications which they saw in others finally being vanquished by the spirit of pusillanimity and vayne feare did suffer themselues to be caryed from the port into the daÌ„gerous tempests of the world Yet this departure of theirs was not altogether vnprofitable to others since the field of
commended to S. Martyn expecting with a kind of ambition to receiue it afterwards from his hand But the great Prelat hauing tasted therof drank to his Priest giuing to vnderstand therby in that assembly was none more worthy then he to pledge him esteeming he had done ill if eyther the Emperour himselfe or his chiefest Fauourits or neerest to him had beene preferred by him before that poore Seruant of God They receiued all much edification heerat being slighted in that case tooke it so much the better as the most of the other Bishops in Court were subiect to base flattery and with much indignity sought the grace and fauour of the Officers and Ministers of Cesar. True it is that this liberty and confidence of S. Martin had not been so conuenient and fit for all not hauing equal splendour of life nor such diuinity of miracles as he Wherof though we haue mentioned some already notwithstanding of an infinite number of others yet remayning we shall not spare to set downe some few which without preiudice to the Reader and in some manner without iniury of the Saint himselfe may not well be let passed How S. Martin miraculously escaped burning Chap. 18. SAINT Martyn being gone in the midst of winter to visit a place of his diocesse a lodging was prepared him by his Clerks in the precincts of the Church and to ayre the chamber there wâ—… a great fire made vnderneath and insteed of a bed was strewed a good quantity of dry litter and straw whereon S. Martin at night reposing and setling himselfe to sleepe and being accustomed as we haue said to lye on the hard ground could not away with such softnes and as it were displeased therewith immediately putting the straw aside returned to his ordinary manner of lodging but aâ—… the flore was broken and full of cleâ—…s it happened that the force of the fire piercing through them by little and little it came to enkindle the straw and furiously to burne Whereupon S. Martyn awaking and seeing himselfe sudenly in so great a danger without hauing tyme or to say better aduertence to call vpon the diuine ayde with a naturall motion which he had got vp on his feete ran in hast to open the doore but it pleased God he found it so bâ—…red as that while he laboured and toyled himselfe to put back the bolt the fire approaching had now taken hold of his Cassock Then finally S. Martin returning to himselfe and perceiuing that his remedy consisted not in flying away but in crauing ayde from heauen taking hold of the sheild of fayth and prayer 〈◊〉 himselfe on his knees in the midst of the flames which euen heeâ—… likewise sudenly as it were affrighted thereat withdrew themselues while he stood immoueable still pursuing his prayers In the meane tyme the Monks who were companions to the Saint â—…emayning in the next Chamber being awaked with the noyse and terrifyed at the chance by force and not without some delay difficulty brake open the doore and thinking by that tyme to haue found the blessed Father consumed and dead they saw him beyond all hope amidst the flames both aliue and entire and comming boldly vnto him tooke out his body from thence The blessed man confessed afterwards not without sighs his owne fault For that he hauing among other his spirituall employments an ancient custome in awaking alwayes before any other thing to lift vp his mind to God and to sanctify with the perfume of prayer the Aultar of his hart and so to shut vp the Temple of his soule that no vncleane or hurtfull beast of euill thoughts might seeme to put â—…heir foote therinto yet howsoeuer at that tyme eyther out of human feare or subtility of the enemy being quite as it were besides himselfe and wholy vnmindfull of his good custome he had first made his recourse to visible remedyes then to the inuisible affirming for certayne that he was in extreme danger of burning being alone while he laboured with a troubled mind to open the bolt But that after he had betaken himselfe to the armes of the holy Crosse and prayer the flames were on a sudden as he sayd so contracted within themselues as they left him vntouched through diuine power How Euantius was cured of a grieuous sicknes by S. Martin and what other notable things he wrought besides Chap. 19. ABout this tyme a certayne honourable person and a man of much piety by name Euantius fell mortally sicke and being now as it were despaired of by the Phisitians with a great deale of fayth called for S. Martyn who without all delay went his waies thither An admirable thing he was not yet gone halfe way when the sicke man felt the benefit thereof and hauing suddenly receiued health came in person to meete with him and to entertayne him as a Ghest And S. Martin being willing to depart the next day with humble intreatyes and much importunity he was enforced at last to remayne a while with him In that interim a Page of the house was stung with a venemous Serpent so pestiferous indeed as he was now euen ready to giue vp the last breath When lo the same Euantius taking him on his shoulders with great confidence carryed him to the feete of the Saint And now was the euill already spread through all his lymmes when you might haue seene the skinne to swell in euery veyne and the vitall parts to stretch like a bladder till S. Martyn which his blessed hand feeling them heere there at last with his finger touched the wound it selfe At the point whereof might cleerely be seen the poyson retyring it selfe to runne to the fingars end and thence by the narrow mouth of the wound with long spinning to gush forth mingled with bloud like the milke which sprinkles from the teaâ—… being hardly wrung Wherewith the youth arose vp â—…ound and the standers by remayned astonished confessing vnder Heaueâ—… nothing to be any awhit comparable to S. Martin Nor was the worke lesse famous that followes after There was in the Citty of Chartres a young girle of twelue yeare old so dumbe as till that time she could neuer frame a worâ—… Now S. Martin being in the company of other two Bishops Vâ—… tinian and Viâ—…us by name the sayd little girle was presented to him by her sad Father that by his meanes her tongue might be loosed when as S. Martin with much modesty began to put of that office to those two Prelates alledging that to their fayth and vertue nothing would be impossible But they on the other side vniting their intreatyes with the Suppliant began to vrge him much to vouchsafe to comfort him Whereupon S. Martin without more delay shewing no lesse piety in the prompt execution then humility in the first refusall gaue order that the multitude of people should stand off and he remayning only with the Bishops and with the Father of the child according to his custome puts himselfe
the diuine will shall put the things in execution which now thou proiectst in mynd and he shall be a King and be of the number of those whome God hath predestinated first to a temporall crowne and then likewise to an eternall In the meane while shall come to thee a perfonage with spirituall embassies See thou receiue him honourably and haue him in much veneration and giue thou full credit and perfect obedience to his aduises and exhortations Gheisa being astonished at this vision and considering the same with himselfe made his Domestiques acquainted therewith and being humbly prostrate with infinite thankes and abondance of teares recommended himselfe and his states togeather with the sonne he was to haue to the care and protection of him that neuer sleeps nor shuts his eyes After which remayning in much suspense of mynd about the aforesayd Embassadour behold the newes that S. Adalbert Bishop as then of Prage which came afterwards to be the Metropolis of Bohemia was coming to him to proc◅ the conuersion saluation of soules This newes was of great consolation to those Neophites when without delay the Prince with all the Court went to meete with the Man of God and receyuing him with al honour shewed himselfe most prompt and ready to an entire and fillall obedience This Prelate was of great fame of the illustrious bloud of Bohemia of science no lesse then zeale as one who hauing twice in person visited the Mother of all Churches and humbly adored the Bishop of Rome had among other emprouements from thence suckt sorth the pure milke of Apostolicall doctrine and further obteyned a most ample leaue in case his Bohemians should obstinately resist the Ghospell to passe into any country of the Infidels to announce the kingdome of Heauen It cannot be then explicated while he saw through the goodnes of God so great a gate set open to him vnto the Hungars with how much feruour and with what industry he suddenly applyed himselfe to all the ordinary meanes requisite to the eternall saluation of his Neighbours the secular Power for in part concurring likewise to the same as hath beene sayd the which euery one sees of what moment it is for the happy progresse of the Ecclesiasticall S. Stephen appeares in sleepe to Saroltha the Princesse deliuered afterwards of a Sonne by name Stephen to whome his Father in his life ty◅ surrenders his Kingdome Chap. 2. IN those dayes Saroltha the wife of Geisa being now somewhat neere to her childbirth for the greater confirmation of the heauenly promises there appeared to her in sleepe euen he who had the glory to be the first that shed his bloud for Iesus Christ in the habit of a Leuit called to her with a sweet countenance saying Be of good cheere Saroltha and know for certaine thou shalt haue a Sonne who shall bring into thy howse the title and crowne of a King and as soone as he is borne see thou impose my name vpon him at the sacred Font. At these words full of wonder and consolation the Woman demaunds of the Saint who he was and how he was called whereto hauing answered that he was S. Step◅ the Protomartyr without any more he vanished away This happened about the yeare of our Lord 969. in the Citty of Strigonium where within a few dayes after the child was very happily borne being baptized with due rites in the lauer of water by the hands of S. Adalbert according to the precept of the vision Crowne that attēded him had the glorious name of Stephen imposed on him There liued as then in those parts an Italian Knight thurst out of his Coūtrey by Ciuil warres by name Theodatus San-seuerinus who by nobility of bloud and much more through his valour dexterity was risen to a high degree both of reputation fauour with Geisa This was a wise discreet Baron and the Princes Godfather at his entrance into the Christian warfare and then after his Mayster and Tutour in behauiour and therefore after the Italian manner with a childish simplicity holding him to be his Father he would salute him by the name of Tara Theodatus in memory of so pleasant a word founded a towne Monastery of Religious men hard by Danubius which being afterwards increased by the great Matthias Coruinus with stately buildings gardens lakes fishpōds euen to this present day is called still by the name of Tara And as the pious child was very diligently brought vp by San◅euerinus in princely manners so in the elements of the Christiā faith and in those vertues which are most gratefull to the eyes of God he was instructed with great care by S. Adalbert in such sort as that hardly was he weaned frō the beast but he brought forth the name of Iesus before that of bread and in his childhood together with the Grāmar he became very expert in the Catechisme and being now entred into his adolescency with his acts gaue not only a noble example of Christian piery but euen also in publique meetings he would euer speake with merueilous efficacy of the deformity of vice of the beauty of vertue of the feare of God of humility of charity and of all iustice seeking by all meanes possible to mollify the natiue fiercenes of the Hungars and to reduce them through di◅ine assistance vnto a feeling of humanity and to the vse of right reason And was so enflamed with the loue of equity and amendment of the people that as occasions happened he would not stick ◅o accuse and sometymes also to reprehend in conuenient manner his very Father himselfe yea and to supply now and then at his request with the singular approbation of al the principall cares in gi◅ing audience dispatching of publique and priuate businesses in ◅dmitting of the Embassadours of Princes giuing them answers with all satisfaction that might be So that Geisa being now weary with trauailes and worne out with yeares acknowledging with his infinit contentment very able sufficient qualityes in the yong man for an ample gouernemēt wished nothing more then to discharge himself of the weight and to lay the burden on his shoulders and forth with to behold him with his eyes inuested in the throne which he well deserued And to that end hauing called a generall diet he had no great difficulty to perswade the States to dispose themselues to honour his sonne before hand by substituting him in his place being now already spent and wholy vnable admitting him to be their lawfull Prince and Lord and affording him all prompt subiection and assured oath of fidelity At so earnest exhortations and iust request of Geisa the mind of the multitude remayned so enflamed as that without delay in the eyes of the old man which euen for joy were powring forth teares Stephen was with great applause proclaymed not Duke or Vayuod but lawfull King on the shoulders of the great men lifted vp to the
surnamed the Angelicall was borne in the Citty of Aquinas in the yeare of our Lord 1224. His Father was Landolphus Count of the sayd Citty of Aquinas his Mother Theodora daughter of the Count of Thean being both of a noble and illustrious house The birth not only of the Saint but also his Religion was foretould by a venerable Hermit who liued in those Countreyes called Bonus who visiting Theodora neere her childbirth saluted her saying Be ioyfull Lady for you shall shortly haue a sonne who for his singular qualities shall be renowned through the world and shall take the habit you see heere depainted It was euen the habit of S. Dominicke the which at the foot of the Mother of God in a little image he wore for deuotion hanging about his necke Theodora answered Gods will be done After which the child being borne into the world and called in sacred Baptisme by the name of Thomas soone gaue very manifest signes of the learning and sanctity which in tyme were to shine in him Because on a day while the Nurse was making him a bath he snatching vp of his owne accord a peece of paper from the ground held it fast in the hand and the Nurse going about to take it away he began to cry and to be so troubled at it as for a last remedy she was feigne to wash him with the same in his hand Wherefore the mother being aduertised to cleere and satisfy her selfe the better of the matter opened his hand by force and taking away the paper from him they found there written the salutation of the Archangell Gabriel to the Virgin Mary and that with so much more wonder of theirs and of all the standers by as they could lesse coniecture how such a writing could come into his handes The little Child in the meane tyme with signes neuer ceased to reach after it and to cry and sob for the same vntill to quiet him they were forced to yield it him againe and he not to haue it taken away any more putting it in his mouth on a sudden swallowed it vp This same as we say was held of the wise and of men of good vnderstanding for a great and certaine presage of celestiall knowledge and of the rare vertues which in progresse of tyme were to ripen in Thomas it being not likely that a child in the swath-bands without diuine operation could be so enamoured with the words which were the beginning and fountayne of all the mysteryes of the new law and of Christian piety Nor this signe only of future fruites was seen in that noble bud but as often as a booke or ought els but like to a booke was presented to his sight with childish endeauour he would reach after it and take it in his hand turning it vp and downe and looking on it without end so as to comforte him when need was and to still him and dry his teares there was no more efficacious way then to put a paper or booke into his hands to play withall A midst such hopes being now arriued to fiue yeares old that he might be the better conserued in purity and vertuous manners he was according to the laudable customes of those tymes giuen to the venerable Monks of Monte Cassino to be trayned vp vnder whose care were likewise many children of Lords and Princes besides Not had the Maister any difficulty at all to direct this happy plant vnto immortall and diuine things since the child of his owne accord shewing himselfe to be aliened from base thoughts and from all curiosity whatsoeuer did euen tyre him with high and profound questions whereof one was to demaund often what God was Besides that keeping himselfe from company of the lesse modest deuout he would voluntarily recollect himselfe with the wiser more prudent sort and more addicted to spirit yea it is affirmed for certaine that euen at that tyme he would spend two houres of the day in sundry deuotions and yet not fayle to be at schoole or to do whatsoeuer the Maister appointed him besides In breife out-stripping his yeares by many degrees with his iudgement he became a patterne of industâ—…y of obedience and of all goodnes Whereupon the Abâ—…ot of Monte Cassino for feare least Count Landolph Theodora should transferre him from the arts of peace to those of warre as they had allready done with the other two elder sonnes of theirs very instantly perswaded them that they would not smother such a wit in the tumultuous exercises occupations of chiualry and depriue the world and the Church of so great a help as such beginnings without doubt seemed to promise them Great was the authority of the Abbot with all men nor lesse efficacious were the reasons alleadged by him Thomas his age which as yet not passed ten yeares afforded a large field for great designes The neighbour Citty of Naples being the auncient and gracious receptable as Strabo testifyes of sublimer witts and 〈◊〉 the liberall arts being in loue with so great a Student seemed as it were ambitiously to stretch forth the armes to inuite and entertayne him All these occasions through diuine disposition concurred together to mantayne Thomas so studious of speculation and learning so as being coÌ„ueighed from the Country to the Metropolis from graÌ„mer to the grauer studyes vnder famous Doctours he studyed the Mathematikes Logike and Philosopy with such profit as in short tyme his name began to resound through the whole Vniuersity extolling with the lustre of his Bloud and splendour of his parents the singular qualityes and rare ornaments of his person At which glory afforded him was yet the wise and chast youth not puffed vp a whit but rather endeuoured he with all force to stand firme in the knowledge and meane esteeme of himselfe and amidst what varieties so euer of human accidents to hold his intention fixed and centered in God only and by how much more knowledge he got of the Creatour by the meanes of creatures and from Tyme learned Eternity from transitory things the stable and eternall so much greater desire was enkindled in him to sequester himselfe from the vulgar and with a generous contempt of the world of purpose to attend to the contemplation of the first cause to cultiuate wholy that part of himselfe which he knew to be more worthy and more like vnto God Such was the end scope of the good youth but in the election of the meane he could not yet resolue but remayned in the same perplexity vntill a cleare day was added to the vncertaine light of the passed inspirations through the occasions we shall presently declare How S. Thomas enters into the Family of the Dominicans and how he beares himselues therein Chap. 2. THe sacred Order of the Fryars Preachers now flourished in those dayes that was founded by the glorious Father S. Dominicke and there were euen at that tyme also as euer after haue been many men of excellent