by way of Commentaries and Illustrations on them hee composed many Volumes therein following Origen of whom he was a diligent admirer and imitator Hee flourished under Constantine the Great and Constantius about the yeere of our Lord 320. And after a long and studious life hee surrendred his soule into his Makers hands His Life was written by Accacius his Successour and Eusebius Bishop of Emesen His Apologie is to be found in his Workes sacr a lib. 2. hist. there collected Now appertaining to the understanding of the divine Scriptures are these Works following 1 All the Canonicall Books of the old Testament translated into Greek 2 Of Hebrew places one Book 3 Of the description of the Holy Land one Book 4 Of the doctrine of the Ancients and another of collections of Divinitie 5 Learned Commentaries literally and mystically on the whole Psalmes 6 Fifteene Bookes of Commentaries on Isaiah the Prophet 7 Thirty Volumes in defence of either Testament opposed by Porphyrie in fifteen Books 8 Of Evangelicall preparation five Books 9 Of Evangelicall demonstration twenty books 10 Of the dissonance of the Evangelists one Book 11 Of Evangelical Canons one Book 12 Commentaries on the first Epistle to the Corinths An. Christi 330. L. Caelius Lactantius Firmianus LACT FIRMIANVS I Doe not finde any mention of the parents Countrey or education of this Father nor is his fame and reputation therefore diminished seeing that hee is registred and numbred amongst the ancient Pillars of the Church for his Pietie and Learning and hee is sufficiently praysed by those pens whose worth and veritie have been approved in all ages It is no small credit to be enrolled amongst a cloud of so divine and pious Fathers I finde by the testimony of Saint Ierome that hee was the Scholer of Arnobius who in the Reigne of Dioclesianus the Emperour was together with Flaviâ—s the Grammarian cald to preferment and that hee publikely taught Rhetorick in Nicomedia Hee addicted himselfe to writing Bookes amongst other his workes Saint Ierome speakes these words of his Treatise of Gods Anger Edidit Lactantius librum qui inscribitur Grammaticus pulcherrimum de Ira Dei that is Lactantius set forth a booke called the Grammarian and another beautifull and faire piece of Gods Anger and indeed his subjects which hee treates of and the stile in which he writes are both excellent divine and fluent savouring of a minde that was truly mortified and intended to bring his Auditors to a resolved course of sanctification and pietie For piety and holinesse is the true knowledge of God it was never yet saith hee rewarded with punishment or shame For true piety preserveth and defendeth every vertuous man from shame The party to whom he dedicates the most of his Workes addes no small testimony to his parts and learning for most of them were inscribed to no lesse person than to Constantine the Great an Emperour whose fame doth and will for ever flourish in the Church if for no other cause than even for his pietie and studie to preserve the professors of the Gospell and for his bounty and liberality to the Bishops of his time as also for his building of Churches for divine worship and his valour and heroicke constancie in opposing Hereticks and Schismaticks who began to grow potent And Saint Ierome leaves him not thus but proceeds further in his divulging his prayses in the translation of Eusebius under Constantinus the Emperour in these words Lactantius quasi quidam fluvius Eloquentiae Tullianae Crispum filium Constantini Latinis literis â—rudivit vir omnium suo tempore eruditissimus that is This Lactantius flowed with Eloquence and was as abounding as Tully himselfe and as famous for his stile of Latine Hee was Tutor to Crispus the sonne of Constantine and learned him the Latine tongue A man in his time of all others the most learned and dexterous for the education of Princes and well and deeply seene in the points of Divinity and againe Lactantium propter eruditionem hic legendum that is Lactantius therefore is approvedly read for his singular Learning Quis mihi interdicere potest ne legam institutionum ejus libros quibus contra Genies fortissimè scripsit quos silegeris stylum Ciceronis excerptum reperies that is who can forbid me to reade his Bookes of Institutions which with such a noble and valorous resolution Lactantius published against the Heathens which if you doe reade you shall finde a pure elegant and eloquent phrase no whit inferiour to that of Cieero Platina gives this Lactantius also a faire commendation in these words and to the same effect His verò temporibus floruisse Firmianum Lactantium constat Arnobii Discipulum c. that is about these times flourished Firmianus â— actantius Arnobius his Scholler who taught Rhetoricke in Nicomedia who upon some disturbance left that profession betaking himself to writing in which hee was so excellent that next to Cicero he bore away the name from any other Writer Hee writ many famous Treatises full of judgment and discretion so that in his old age hee was for his rare parts appointed to be Tutor to Crispus the sonne of Constantinus the Emperour a place of great weight and estimation and of no lesse carefulnesse and wisdome which arguâ—â—h this Lactantius to be able in his parts or else hee would scarce have beene admitted to a place of that dignity Saint Augustine and Ierome in severall places are not sparing to commend this Lactantius the latter of them speakes that although his parts were great and his preferments eminent and large yet he died very poore and so lived not gaping or greedily pursuing worldly preferments of honour and riches but as one who was willing to count all as dung and drosse so that hee might gaine the eternall inheritance For a quiet and peaceable life ought to be preferred before all other things and should be the chiefest study and care of every man so that hee might passe his life time in joy and tranquillitie that his soule might bee free from anguish and trouble at his death For it is impossible for that man to be excellent both in riches of this world and in the practise of godlinesse Honour and riches are the occasions of all kindes of mischiefs for they doe draw and seduce a man out of the right way In the time of the great persecution of the Church of Christ under Dioclesianus the Emperour begun against the Christians as Eusebius relates it in the nineteenth yeere of Dioclesian in which there was cruell demolition of Churches and sacred Temples burning of holy and godly Books inhumane tortures and torments inflicted against the Christians so that where any were found that were pious and Christian they were fetcht and most severely martyred for the truth as Cardinall Baronius averres and indeed all other Ecclesiasticall Historians that though the Tempest raged horribly yet this worthy constant Father retain'd his piety and
Tome 4. 1 Of Lying two books 2 Of Faith and Works one book 3 Questions 10 books 4 Of the consent of the Evangelists foure books 5 83 Questions one book 6 21 Sentences one book 7 Questions to Simplicianus two books 8 To Dulcitius one book 9 Questions 65. 10 Questions of the old and new Testament 11 Of the care for the dead one book 12 Of Catechising the rude one book 13 Of the word incarnate two books 14 Of the Trinity and unitie one book 15 Of the Essence of the Divinitie one book 16 Of the Faith of Invisibles one book 17 Of the substance of Love one book 18 Of Continence one book 19 Of Patience 1 book 20 Of the good of Widdowhood one book 21 Of true and false repentance one book 22 Of wholsome documents one booke 23 Of Friendship one booke 24 Of the Lords Sermons in the Mount two bookes 25 Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans 26 Exposition of some propositions on the Romans one booke 27 Exposition on the Galatians 28 Annotations on Iob. Tome 5. 1 Of the City of God 22 bookes The occasion was by Romes devastation under Alaricus King of the Gothes 25. Tome 6. 1 Of Heresies I Book 2 Aspeech of 5 Heresies A Sermon to the unlearned 3 Against the Iewes 4 Of the Church and a Synagogue 6 Of the profit of Faith 1 book 7 Against an Epistle 1 b. 8 Of the 2 soules 1 b. 9 Against Fortunatus 1 b. 10 Against Adimantus 1 b. 11 Against Faustus 33 b. 12 Of the passages with Foelix the Manichee 2 b. 13 Against Secundinus 1 b. 14 Of the Nature of God 1 b. 15 Of Faith against the Manichees 1 b. 16 Against an adversary of the Law and Prophets 1 b. 17 Against Priscilianists and Origenists 1 b. 18 Against the Arians 1 b. 19 Against Maximinus 1 b. 20 Against Felicianus 1 b. 21 Against Jovinian 1 b. 22 Of holy Virginity 1 b. 23 To Polentius 2 b. 24 A Tract of Epicures and Stoikes 25 Of that saying I am that I am a Tract Tome 7. 1 Against Donatus 1 b. 2 Against Parmenianus 3 b. 3 Against Petilianus 3 b. 4 Against Cresconius 4 b. 5 Again Gaudentius 4 b. 6 Against the Donatists 7 b. 7 Against Petilianus of Baptisme 1 b. 8 Of the Churches unity 1 b. 9 Briefe Discourses of Donatists 1 b. 10 Of Emeritus passages 1 b. 11 Against Fulgentius 1 b. 12 Of pardon of sinnes 3 b. 13 Of Nature and Grace 1 b. 14 Of the grace of Christ and of originall sinne 2 b. 15 Of Marriages 2 b. 16 Against the Pelagians 4 b. 17 Against Julianus 6 b. 18 Of the soule 4 b. 19 Of Perseverance 1. b. 20 Of Predestination 1 b. 21 Of Grace 1 b. 22 Against the Pelagians 6 b. 23 Against Caelestinus 1 b. 24 Of the Acts of Pelagius 1 b. Tome 8. A Tract upon al Davids Psalmes Tome 9. 1 On Saint John 124 bookes 2 On the first Epistle of John ten bookes 3 On the Apocalyps 18 bookes 4 Meditations 1. love of God 1. Soliloquies 1. a Mauâ—el 1. 5 Of Christian Discipline one booke 6 The sinners looking-glasse 7 Of the praise of Charity 8 Of Pastors 9 A Psalter to his Mother 10 Of the Tree of good and evill 11 Of the profit of Fasting 12 Of the fight of the soule 13 Of the destruction of the City Tome 10. 1 Of our Lords Words Hom. 64. 2 Of the Apostles Words 35. 3 Fifty Homilies 1. 4 Of Time Homilies 256. 5 Of Saints 51. 6 To his Brethren in the Wildernesse 76. 7 Of Clergy mens lives two bookes 8 Sermons newly printed 128. These are the fruits of this Fathers labour he who desires to know which are truely Saint Augustines and which are suspected for adulterine let him read Cardinall Bellarmines observations de scriptoribus Ecclesiastiâ—is in the life of Saint Augustine but these doe shew what a painfull labourer he was in the Vineyard of the Lord. He dyed in the yeare of Grace 430. An. Christi 432. Sanctus Cyrillus Alexand. S CIRILLVS ALEXAND THis eminent Father of the Church was Bishop of Alexandria a Grecian by Nation famous for his actions done in the Church As for his parentage no doubt but that also was in some sort suitable to his breeding for Theophilus the late Archbishop of Alexandria was his owne Uncle whom also hee succeeded in that See but not without opposition Some stood for one Timothy then Archdeacon of Alexandria others came in for this Cyrill partly because of his neere alliance to this former Archbishop who they esteemed highly and reverenced for his sanctitie and holinesse of life but chiefly because this Cyrill was a generall Scholer and one well qualified with all temporall vertues much adoe there was on both sides yet at three days end this good man obtained it and was conducted to the Episcopall Chaire with greater state than ever any Bishop that was at Alexandria He was vir doctus sanctus a learned and a holy man of life by Pope Celestines injunction he â—ate President in the Councell at Ephesus amongst two hundred Bishops in which with a great deal of learning and judgement hee absolutely confuted and condemned those two arch disturbers of the Churches peace Nestorius and Pelagius hee was admirably experienced in the holy Scriptures he flourished chiefly under the raigne of Theodosius the yonger â—Ì„ one gives him this faire Encomium Nestorii omnia occulta venena refellit he discovered all the secret poison of Nestorius There are some who have related that hee was a Monk a Carmelite as Tritenhem but Baronius the Cardinall doth absolutely hold that to be a ridiculous opinion for these are Baronins his own words Facessat igitur ejusmodi fabella de Moâ—achismo Cyrilli in Carmelo that fained fable of Cyrillus being a Monke of Mount Carmel falls to the ground and indeed it is strange that St. Hierome Palladius Euagrius Cassianus Theodoret with others that often mention the Monks that liv'd in Palaestine at that time yet not so much as once remember this great Father of the Church and indeed I doe much wonder that the Great Cardinall Baronius would condemne that Tenet if there had been but probabilitie of truth in it it making for their cause But to proceed this famous Cyrill was so admired for his singular piety eloquence and wit that Gennadius reports that the Grecian Bishops got some of his Homilies by heart and so recited them to the people with wonderfull delight and approbation and truly besides many other things which are reported of him to his praise let this also be one that Iohn the third King of Sweden gives him when as hee was sent into England by his brother Ericus then King When the Commentaries of Saint Cyrill upon the holy Gospell of Saint Iohn were delivered to his hands and hee had read them hee plainly and ingenuously confest that many new Writers had much swayed him but
from al the parts of the Christian World No generall Councell for a long time after wherein the very name of Cyrill was not precious as in that of Chalcedon after the repetition of the Nicene Creed they all cryed out This was Saint Cyrils Doctrine thus he beleeved this is true faith indeed and thus wee all believe blessed bee the memoriall of Cyril of Alexandria Yet the perfidious Nation of the Iewes dwelling within this City grew very tumultuous upon this second blow where after many mutinous uproares much slaughter having drawn a great party to their side to maintaine their tenents they tooke a Christian Boy and in derision of Christ they hung him on a Crosse mocked at him spit on him buâ—ffeâ—ed him and at last cruelly whipped him to death the Christians hereupon made head against the Iewes and the good Bishop himselfe all on fire with zeale for the Name of Christ leades on to their Synagogues where some of them were put to the sword the rest banished and all the spoile of their goods divided amongst the people and yet this is not all sedition and privy conspiracy of the Iewes false Doctrine and Heresie of the Novatians and Anthropomorphites being thus removed hee looked more neare home by reducing those Christians that were any way dissolute into better order by information of the simple by comforting the afflicted and by relieving the poore and needy as may appeare by his Sermons to the people upon severall occasions This and much more not unlike a Ship in the midst of a tumultuous Sea was the state of this reverend Prelate during the first foure yeares of his government at Alexandria So we may perceive that his paines were great and his care for the Churches good deserves perpetuall commendation And who shall read his Workes will finde them well stored with all sorts of Learning And here I can but observe two passages worth observation first that the Devil doth at all times strive to destroy the Church of of God and labours to sow Heresies and Schismes in the midst of it Secondly that it hath alwayes pleased GOD to stirre up at all times and upon aâ—l occasions some men who have resisted the malice of all opposers and have proved themselves resolute Champions in the truths cause so Athanasius against the Arrians so this Saint Cyrill against Nestorius and Pelagius Magna est Veritas praevalebit Hell gates shall not prevaile against it this House the Church being the Pillar of truth shall stand because it is builded on a rock which rock is Christ. After forty two yeeres government this Noble and Orthodoxe Father this great starre of Alexandria began at last to twinkle and yielded to death having sweat hard and laboured extraordinary for the space of twenty two yeeres in that Vineyard hee received the earnest peny of salvation in the yeere of Christ 448 and in the Reigne of Theodosius the younger Cyrillus his Sayings Cyrillus Alexand. de Fest. Pasch. Homil. 16. Wee must as it were graspe any occasion of doing well in both our hands nor let slip those precious opportunities wherein wee may doe good If a Seaman lose but the opportunity of a good gale hee is cast behind in the Voyage if the Husbandman neglect the season of the yeer he may sit at home and pick straws and if any who hath a Christian calling shall be a cunctator in Religion and procrastinate those more speciall employments I judge him fit for all reprehension and to undergoe such inconveniences as shal be conducible to such a negligent and carelesse condition Idem in Fest. Paschal Homil. 27. Admiration the Rich man wanteth in the midst of his abundance is more tormented with care than other taketh up the beggars note and cryeth out O what shall I doe yea rather how shall I dispose of my goods Where shall I lay them I have a plentifull crop this yeere and there is now a world of labourers in my harvest my Vineyard swels with store of Grapes and the Wine presse runs over with abundance here 's all things in plentifull manner yea but then life fails him what becomes then of his goods nay what becomes of himselfe better had it beene to have made the bellies of the poore his barns succoured the fatherlesse and needy to have laid up his treasure in heaven that so he might have beene received into everlasting habitations Idem adversus Anthropomorphitas cap. 2. Where the Scripture wants a tongue of expression we need not lend an eare of attention we may safely knock at the Councell doore of Gods secrets but if we goe further we may be more bold then welcome Idem de vita hom justificati The divell runs with open mouth upon Gods children seeking to devoure them they manfully resist him he thinketh to weaken their faith and they by his assaults are made so much the stronger he fights against them but they gain ground upon him and so by this meanes whatsoever he intendeth for their destruction ful sore against his will makes for their advantage Idem contra Julianum lib. 3. The great Creatour of all things forcing what would come to passe steps in betweene life and death how hee nips one in the bud newly grown ripe for heaven there an other to prevent the evill to come this man he frees from the miseries of a sinfull life that man hee suffers to goe on that he may fill up the measure of his wickednesse thus to God the Lord belong the issues of death but thanks bee given to God that affordeth us this comfort through Jesus Christ our Lord. Idem de Fortitudine quae in Christo est lib. 5. Hee that 's taken up with the pompes and vanities of this wicked world is one of the Devils Champions not worthy to bee listed under the Regiment of Christ Jesus the Captain of his salvation As for his Writings they were such as the whole Christian World at that time approved in so much that the Grecian Bishops got his Homilies by heart and so repeated them to the people his name became memorable for the Eastern and Western Churches have made room for it in their Calenders with this adjunct The Champion of the Catholike Faith But his Writings have the more eterniz'd him such as were printed at Paris 1605. Tome 1. 1 Explanations to the literall and mysticall sence on Genesis eleven books 2 On Leviticus 1â— books 3 On Esay five books 4 On Saint Johns Gospell 12 books 5 Sayings on the old Testament Anagogically explained Collected out of Cyrill Maximus and others 6 A booke against the Jewes with questions 7 Short explanations of those who flourished before the Law Tome 2. 1 Epistles of Saint Cyrill to divers with their answers to him 39 books 2 Homilies of the Incarnation being 10 books 3 An Apologie to Theodosius the Emperour 4 A Declaration of the twelve Anathematismes 5 An Apologeticall book for his Anathemaes 6 Another
his reigne but the ancient Martyrologies affirme that Saint Denis suffered martyrdome under Hadrianus as Cardinall Baronius hath well and judiciously obserued it And so secondly we may conclude safely that Denis lived one hundred and ten yeers His writings are extant yet not without some scruple or doubting howbeit those of the best judgment give good reason why they are his I will not rehearse any of those great Miracles which the papists doe ascribe to him however I must not neglect to recite unto you his works being so loftie and divine and relishing of a Spirit which was ruled by the Dictate of the Holy Ghost And indeed I could bee large if I should but recite the Testimonies of all Ecclesiasticall Writers who have commended this godly martyr Bellarmine saith that hee used often that saying of Ignatius of Christ Amor meus crufixus est that is to say My love and delight is crucified His Sentences follow And his Works as Cardinall Bellarmine hath registred them He used to say that hee desired of God but two things first to know the truth himselfe Secondly to preach it as he should to others No lesse observable was his speech to Timothy Hadst thou seene the Saints agonies at that time as I did speaking of their cruell persecutions of him thou couldst not but weep considering the sentence denounced against them that Peter was crucified and Paul beheaded that multitudes of the common Rabble smiting them did spit in their faces and it is worthy the remembring that at their parting after they had received the sentence of death from the Magisâ—rate Paul said to Peter Peace beâ— with thee thou Foundation of the Church and Shepherd of Christs Lambs and Sheep And Peter to Paul Go in peace thou Preacher of good things thou Mediator and Captain of our Salvation and chiefest Labourer in the Lords Harvest But at their departure saith he did follow my Master Paul And in the same Epistle Observe a Miracle my brother Timothy not to be slightly passed over I who was present at their parting after their death saw them hand in hand entring into the gates of the Citie clothed with a garment of light and wearing on their heads glorious Crowns 1 Of the Celestiall Hierarchie 1 Book 2 Of the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchie 1 Book 3 Of Divine Names 1. 4 Of Mysticall Divinity 1. 5 Epistles to Caius 4. 6 To Dorotheus 1. 7 To Sosipater 1. 8 To Polycarpus 1. 9 To Demophilus 1. 10 To Titus 1. 11 To Apollophanes 1 12 To John the Apostle 1. To confirme that these Works were his it is sufficient that they were allowed of Saint Gregory the Great in his 33 Homily on the Gospels and not only of him but of divers others who have writ of him as St. Maximus and others An. Christi 150. Iustinus Martyr IVSTINVS MARTER LOoke upon this effigies and you behold an acute Philosopher a Judicious Divine a constant Martyr a stout shield of the Christian Faith an Elegant ancient and eloquent Writer in the defence of the Truth Whom many of the Fathers have highly esteemed and deepely praised as Photius in his Book entituled the Library and Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History S. Ierom likewise reckons him none of the meanest amongst those famous Champions of the Church so Epiphanius terms him Vir sanctus Dei a man an holy man and a lover of God Anastasius Paulus Orosius in his seventh Book and fifth Chapter and Plinius secundus in his Epistles in the tenth booke But Photius doth amongst the rest give and afford him a large Eulogie it begins in these words Est autem vir ille ad Philosophiae tum nostrae tum potissimum prophanae summum evectus fastigium c. which is That this man came to a great height not onely of our philosophy but also of that which is counted prophane flowing in the copiousnesse and abundance of all sorts of learning and histories and knew very well how to beautifie and adorn his words with Rhetoricall expressions Hence was it that hee was so able to deliver his mind in apt termes and significant phrases so that those things that came from him were wonderfull emphaticall patheticall and significant and work'd much upon the souls of his Auditors Hee was sonne to Prisâ—us Bacchius hee was borne in a certain little Towne in the province of Palestine called Naples But hee tooke great delight in Rome and therefore hee chose that to be the seat of his residence where both in speech life and habit he professed himselfe a Philosopher but he made his philosophy subservient to his sacred studie of divinity and would say He kept it for use and that in his studies he found great profit by it Tritenhemius the famous Abbat of Spanheim in his collections of the ancient fathers doth give this Iustin Martyr a very good report for he cals him Christi amatorem cultorem insignem a great lover and worshipper of Christ Jesus Cardinall Bellarmine and Baronius doe both highly prayse and exâ—oll him for his Learning in their Writings especially Baronius in his Annals doth commend him because Hee was the first Champion that set himself against the dangerous Heretick Marcion His words are these Caeterum non defuerunt qui statim adversus Marcionis venena pararent antidotum praestilit id quidem omnium primus Iustinus Martyr that is There wanted not those that presently prepared antidotes against the poyson and venome of â—arcion but the first that undertooke the cause was Iustin Martyr Nay hee not onely prayses him for that according to his due merit but also for his valour and prudence in discovering the Heresie of the Valentinians he cites Tertullian adversus Valent cap. 4. 5. to utter these words Viri sanctitate praestantia Insignes Haeresiarcharum contemporales instructissimis voluminibus prodiderunt retardarunt ut Iustinus Martyr There were men famous for sanctity worth and excellencie who by their dexterous Writings supprest the Heresie of Valentinus as Iustin Martyr so that it easily doth appeare that he did not onely suffer much for his Saviours cause but also did much study and accustome himself to defend it against all oppositions in his time For custome is a second nature and when the soule takes delight in any vertue it is gain'd upon by an usuall and customary iteration He began to flourish in the Reigne of Antoninus Pius and in the time of Telesphorus as doth appeare by his Apologie which hee dedicates to the same Emperour wherein hee grievously complains against the Prâ—consul in Asia because he did with such extream crueltie persecute the poore Christians with the sword as was thought against the minde of that good Emperour who was calme and gentle towards them and would not suffer them to read any Books of the Prophets which spoke of Christ upon pain of death But this Iustin Martyr lays him open to the Emperour and saith
who strive to corrupt the Christians by their Idolatrous shews then Tertullian wrote his learned Treatise de spectaculis wherein hee handles the case to the full And at the same time how did hee stop an Heresie arising in Affrick called the Apelletians from one Apelles which worke is desired but not as yet enjoyed In the fifteenth yeere of the Emperour Severus did hee not famously write against that great Heretick Marcion and set forth his Book De Resurrectione Carnis And presently after wrote his Booke De Carona Militis worthy here to be spoken of a little upon a Triumph all the Emperours Souldiers for the greater pompe were to weare Crowns made of Bayes but one Christian there was who when he had his Crown given held it on his arme but would not weare it whereupon being demanded why hee alone had refused to set forth the pompe of that day he did boldly answer Non decet Christianum in hac vita coronari A Christian ought not to be crowned in this life a true and a worthy answer And so upon this Tertullian wrote his Book so entituled I read not after this that Tertullian did write any thing for the Church but against it The more is the pitie so great a Scholer should fall so fouly There are many Fathers who have discoursed what might be the cause of this Tertullians revolt Some as Saint Ambrose say it was Envie Vincentius Lirinensis makes a good application of it It was saith he a great tentation and triall The Lord saith Moses tries us whether wee love him or not when there ariseth up one of these false prophets or teachers or dreamers Saint Ierome gives him a great praise for his wit but laments his losse Saint Cyprians phrase was when hee would read Tertullian to say Da Magistrum Give me my Master Trithemius terms him Tam in divinis quà m in saecularibus Scripturis doctissimum The most learned in sacred and secular affaires And that hee taught Rhetorick at Carthage a long time Gloriosè saith he with great glory and credit and againe scripsit Latino sermone penè c. That hee wrote almost infinite Workes in Latine wherein he hath most judiciously confuted and overthrown all the Heresies hee wrote against licet in aliquibus c. and though saith he he erred in some things yet he wrote profitably in many other his Books Hee lived till hee was old and decrepite and so yielded up his spirit after that he had painfully and learnedly studied the Word of God and carefully and discreetly answered all those that proved Hereticks to the Truth I have here not followed Trithemius Catalogue nor yet Bellarmines concerning his Works but as Pamelius hath registred them in the Collen Impression Anno 1617. Hee hath a learned commendation set under his Effigies wherein as Tullius was the Pillar and praise of Rome so Africk glories in her Tertullian His Oratory was famous and Tertullians speech was sweeter then honey as may appeare by some of his Sentences Tertul. de poenitenia If thou be backward in thoughts of repentance be forward in thy thoughts of Hell the flame whereof only the streame of a penitent eye can extinguish and first so thinke on the greatnesse of the punishment that thou mayst not doubt of getting a remedy against it Idem de fuga in persecutione The Legion of Devils could not have conquered a Herd of Swine if God had not given them power farbe it then the Devill should have power over Gods owne Sheepe I may say That even then the bristles of those Swine were numbred before God and much more are the haires of his Saints De Fide Ex personis probamus fidem an ex fide personas Doe wee try mens faith by their persons we should try their persons by their faith Idem de Oratione The remembrance of Gods precepts chalkes out a way for our prayers to Heaven the chiefe of which precepts is That we come not first to make our atonement with God on his Altar before wee have made our atonement with our brother in our hearts For what profit is it to come to the peace of God without peace to come for remission of debts without remission of debts How can he appease his Father that is angry with his brother Idem de Oratione Let us not approach unto Gods holy Altar before wee have made peace with our offended brother for to what end should wee come to the God of peace without peace for the remission of our own sinnes without any intention to forgive one another How can hee that is not pleased with his brother thinke to please the God of his brother seeing that God commands him not to be angry at all but forgive him Hee that then prepareth himselfe on earth shall be sure of his reward in Heaven Tertullians houres of prayer They were the third the sixt and the ninth houres for they are saith he the more eminent part of the day to distribute and distinguish the publike affaires of men so have they beene accounâ—ed the most solemne times for Prayer and Divine Duties in the Church of God For at the third houre were the Apostles met together at their Devotions and were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost GOd Almighty who is the protector and defender of Kings grant to your Sacred Majesty along life a happy Reigne a secure State and habitation a strong Army a faithfull Senate or Councell and a Royall people These were the solemne Prayers of Tertullian for the Emperours and used by the ancient Church De Sanctorum Passione Tertullian saith that Paul thought himselfe unworthy to suffer for his Saviour because hee had no more lives to lose for his sake For hee that lost his life for us that wee might live deserves our lifes and all to bee laid downe for him Whence it is that the Saints have rejoyced in their sufferings not counting their life deare that they might winne Christ. Yea to mee saith Saint Paul in his Epistles to live is Christ and to die is gain And elswhere he saith I beare in my body the marks of the Lord Iesus And indeed the sufferings of the Saints though for the present grievous and hard to bee borne bring forth an hope of reward exceeding great and glorious while wee looke not at the things temporall but at the things eternall And this should encourage us for Christs Name sake to passe through bad report and good report setting before our eyes the example of the Saints and not onely so but with cheerfulnesse to sustain all injurious dealings of men though they deprive us of livelihood and life it selfe for Christ and his Truths sake knowing that it is a good thing to suffer in a good cause and that this shall make our Crown to be glorious and enstate us into blessednesse with eternity to have a period De Christo VERBO Tertullian upon occasion taking a
cum Clementis doctrinam vitae sanctitatem ut par est laudaverint qui cum esset presbyter solummodo talis fuit c. When such shall as it is equall have praised the doctrine and sanctiâ—ie of Clement who was onely a Priest but such an one that if our times did afford but many such it would goe prosperously and happily with the cause of Christianity This Clemens is wonderfully commended by Eusebius Nicephorus and Hierome and Photius himselfe speaks of some of his Works especially of that which hee cals his Pedagogue which doth give directions for manners and life containing three Sections in which saith he Dictio est florida quaeque assurgit in Majestatem cum suavitate conjunctam in quibus etiam est eruditio multa decens that is The Language is flourishing and ariseth into certain Majestie joyn'd with sweetnesse wherein is very much Learning comely adorned and set forth so that as Eusebius and others testifie those blemishes that were cast upon his Works and Writings were done by the Easterne Heretikes and Alexander Bishop of Hierusalem gives him a sufficient testimony for Life and Learning Trithemius terms this Clement virum devotum doctum eloquentissimum that is a Religious Devout Learned Eloquent Father and that faire Encomium which is extant of him in Saint Ieromes Catalogue I thought good to insert here made by Alexander Bishop of Hierusalem and sent to the Antiochians Haec vobis Domini Fratres scripta transmisi per Clementem Beatum Presbyterum virum illustrem probatum c. that is These Writings Brethren have I sent to you by Clement that blessed Priest a man famous and tried whom you know and now will know better who since hee did come hither by the sending of God and his providence hath mainly confirm'd and encreas'd the Church of God Origen was his Disciple and succeeded him in his place at Alexandria Saint Hierom gives him this phrase Clemens meo judicio omnium eruditissimus nihil indoctum c. This Clemens in my judgement was of all others the best Learned and his Workes full of sacred Philosophy c. His Sentences are these He used to say of such as adorned themselves with gold that hee or shee that thinke themselves bettered by the addition of gold unto their attires are worse then gold And they that are inferiour to gold are not Lords of it as all men should be Out of the depth and bowels of the earth hath God discovered and shewed gold unto men and they have made it the occasion of all mischiefs and wickednesse Gold saith hee to many men is more dearer then either faith or honesty For the love of it makes some men so covetous as if they were to live here for ever And some others are so prodigall as if they were to die instantly Avarice is not the vice of gold but of man that useth gold ill and wickedly The dayes of that man must needes be happy and long that hateth and abhorreth the love of gold for lucre sake His Workes 1 His Stromata or his books of Varieties 8 books 2 Against the Gentiles 1 book 3 His Paedagogue 3 books 4 Of Easter 1 book 5 Of Fasting 1 book 6 Of Disputation 1. 7 Of the salvation of the Rich man 1 book 8 Of Slandring 1. 9 Against those that turn to Judaisme 1. book 10 Of Ecclesiastical Canons 1 book Hee set forth likewise many Treatises and Epistles whose Titles cannot be knowne and this Father lived in the Reignes of two Emperours Commodus and Severus In a word hee is generally approved of and to shut up all with that registred in Eusebius of one Alexander who was familiar with one Pantenus and this Clemens Nam illos beatos patres qui ante nos sedulo viam virtutis instituerunt cognovimus Pantenum beatum sanctum Clementem Dominum meum qui muâ—tum mihi saepe commodavit We knew saith he those blessed Fathers who before us followed diligently Vertue to wit blessed Pantenus and holy Clemens who profited me much Origenes Adamantius S. ORIGEN THis eminent Writer who was Scholer to Clemens Alexandrinus was called by two names some call'd him Origen some Adamantius which sirname was not given him as some other of the Fathers had given to them as Saint Basil for his admirable wit was called Magnus Saint Chrysostome was so called for his sweetnesse of speech Gregorius Nazianzenus was termed for his wonderfull knowledge in sacred Writ Theologus that is the Divine But Origen had this sirname from his first growth and progresse The first of his names was given him for his sublime and divine speculations who by sweet and mellifluous Allegories carries his Readers affection from terrene to celestiall contemplations his second name he had from the nature of that precious stone called the Adamant whose lustre and hardnesse gives it renowme such was this Fathers noble and generous minde not daunted or affrighted with any afflictions but in all states and conditions kept his resolution and integritie so that as Erasmus who wrote his life speaks of him in these words Quem nec vit ae austeritas nec perpetui labores nec dura paupertas nec improborum pravitas nec suppliciorum terror nec ulla mortis facies à Sancto instituto vel tantillum dimovere potuit that is whom neither austerity of life nor perpetrated labours nor dejected poverty nor wicked mens policies nor terrour of punishments no nor yet death it selfe could any whit displace or remove oh admired patterne to succeeding ages There is not much written of his Country but most do conclude him to be of Alexandria because there his Father suffered his imprisonment and Martyrdome and there left his Wife and Children It makes not so much where wee are borne as of whom this Origens Father and Grandfather were Christians though Porphyrius relates that his parents were Heathens his Fathers name was Leonidas a honest devout man and well learned who after imprisonment lost his head under the persecution of Severus the Emperour leaving this Origen with sixe other brethren in great want and penury for his goods and estate were confiscated to the Emperour Some report this Leonidas to have been a Bishop as Eusebius and Saint Ierome This Origen was very famous and so little feared Martyrdome that had not his mother prevented his intents he had made himself a pattern to his Father For shee in the night got away his cloathes so that hee could not goe abroad but however while his Father was in prison he wrote a worthy Letter to him not any wayes to shrinke under the suffering for any respect in which he useth this phrase Vide pater ne quid mea cansa secus facias Look to it oh my Father that you do not change your resolution for my sake Hee was of that undaunted spirit that hee would comfort the Christians in their Martyrdomes and
Commentaries on some Psalmes 21 Another apologie of David 22 Of Davids interpellation Bellarmine allows not of these apologies to bee Saint Ambroses Tome 5 1 On the Gospel of St. Luke ten books 2 Commentaries on all St. Pauls Epistles 3 Of the Resurrection 4 Holy Prayers 5 Hymnes holy 6 A Song of the Saints by Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine that begins Te Deum laudamus Some of the Commentaries on Saint Pauls Epistles are doubted not to be of Saint Ambrose his Writings and as Bellarmine sayes well not without cause First because Saint Augustine against the Pelagians useth the authority of S. Ambrose and yet doth not use any out of these Commentaries So having done such famous things for the truth his memory will ever be sanctified and at the day of the Resurrection will be gloriously rewarded by our Lord Jesus Christ. An. Christi 380. Sanctus Gregorius Nyssenus S. GREGORIVS NYSSENVS THis famous Father of the Church was Brother to St. Basill the great he is called Gregorius Emisseâ—â—s by Honorius and Trithemius his Life Studies Actions and Sufferings though mentioned all by severall Writers yet by way of History none have compleatly done them but those things which Gregory Nazianzen remembers of him in His Epistle to him are so many great and large that they may serve in place of 〈◊〉 History Theodoret so Cratos Suidas Nicephorâ—s and the Roman Martyrologie with some later Writers as Volateranus Trithemius Possevinus have written most Honourably of his Life Doctrine Eloquence accounting of him as a Father of Fathers Gregory Nazianzen doth speake of Him in severall places with great commendation and approbation and did write many Epistles to him as his 34 35 36 37. 42 43. 95. 142. But if there were nothing else to set forth his praise and to cause him to be worthily ranked amongst the great Fathers of the Primitive Church it is enough that hee was sent into banishment by the Arrian Hereticks under the Emperour Valens and this Emperour dying he was appoynted the onely man by the Antiochian Synod to goe and settle and order the Easterne Churches had he not been eminent and faithfull the Fathers of that Councell would not have employed him in so weighty a charge for it is a labour full of difficultie and must be undertaken with a great deale of wisdome and patience and this honourable charge was not onely imposed upon his shoulders but also the Oecumenicall Synod of Constantinople under Theodosius the Emperour destined this man as most fit to visit the Churches planted in Arabia so that for these his actions hee is worthy to be accounted amongst the chiefest Champions of the Church this Father was likewise admired for his Eloquence and Rhetoricke by those that have the knowledge in the Greeke Photius sayes of him that hee alone carried away the Bell from all men for his elegant stile and eloquent expressions One calls him a learned man pervigilom Antistitem the faithfull and vigilant Prelate He was the elder brother of Basil the Great hee embraced a Monasticke life highly respected in those Primitive times and so joyning Theology to his other indowments he proved in short time an eminent Pillar of the Truth he did read the Scripture with all diligence reverence and strictnesse having a speciall regard to the genuine sence of it at all times so being made Bishop of Nyssa of which City he tooke name he did for a while surcease the reading of the old and new Testaments and addicted himselfe to the study of Rhetorique insomuch that Gregory Nazianzen in his 43 Epistle to him seemes a little to reprehend him for his time of comming to his Bishoprick it was under Valens when Gregory Nazianzen had the Bishopricke of the Sasimes allotted him by St. Basil This Gregory did as Theodoret relates it succeede his brother Basil in the Bishopricke of Caesarea which some have questioned for an improbability Well he was a man meriting commendation and so you shal heare what report the Ancients doe afford him Saint Hierome speakes of him thus Gregorius Episcopus Nyssenus c. That is Gregory Bishop of Nissa brother to Basil of Caesarea not long since reade to mee Gregory Nazianzen his learned bookes against Eâ—nomius who is said also to have written many other famous Treatises Nicephorus in his Ecclesiasticall History describes him in these tearmes Basilius habuit fratres c. That is Basil had brethren of whom Gregory Bishop of Nissa was one the light and ornament of the Nyssen Church a man answerable to his brother for Life Manners Learning Piety Faithfulnes Courage who though he was married yet he did not any waies neglect the care of soules He writ his book called Hexameron after his brothers death and also against Eunomius and Apollinaris he is greatly praised for his indefatigable labour and study especially for that funerall Oration in praise of Gregory Thaumaturgus Socrates also describes him by praysing his parts and abilities saying Basilius autem duos fratres c. That is Basil had two famous brethren especially this Gregory who finished the booke not perfected by his Brother called the Hexameron not without demonstration of singular learning and piety Theodoret writing of him prayses him for his strictnesse of life and purity of learning Photius in his Bibliotheca makes mention of this Gregory in these words Lectus est similiter Gregorii Episcopi prâ— Basilio adversus Eunomium liber That is we reade and approve of a Booke of St. Gregory Bishop of Nyssa for St. Basil against Eunomius he uses a stile that is so full of Eloquence and Rhetoricke that it doth even ravish the mindes of the Readers and captivates the eares of the Auditors Hee doth methodically beate downe Eunomius He is more concise than Theodore more copious than Sophronius full and abounding with Enthymemes and examples of all sorts so that I may truely pronounce it that as farre as Gregory for comelinesse splendour and pleasantnesse excells Theodore so farre doth this man surpasse in copiousnesse and confluence of vailed arguments and illustrating examples and the same Photius in another place goes on in his praise in these words Lectum est Alterum Gregorii Nysseni opus That is there is another worke of Gregory of Nyssens read of the same matter in which grappling with Eunomius he armes himselfe with all sorts of arguments dextrously so that overthrowes him by maine force of wit and learning and pulls downe and defaces all the said Eunomius tottering ill-grounded Conceits and fancies but the gracefulnesse of his speech and the lustie joyned with sweete pleasure doth manifestly shew it selfe in every line and amongst many others that testimony which Suidas doth yield unto him is not to be slighted or neglected it begins thus Gregorius Nyssenus Episcopus c. that is Gregory Bishop of Nyssa brother to Saint Basil of Caesarea a man excellent for his qualification being compleatly furnished
blasphemiae that name of blasphemy How did he wisely stop the fury of the Longobards and reduced them to peace by writing his book to Theudalinda the Queene in a word having with great care and piety amongst a world of troubles governed the Church thirteen yeers six moneths and ten days in the spight of all oppositions he died quietly and comfortably rendred up his soule into the hands of his Maker in the second yeere of Phocas the Emperour and was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Peter in which Leo Simplicius Gelasius and Symmachus were formerly interred with a large Epitaph in commendation of his labours and studies His Deacon is highly to be praysed for preserving some of his Workes from the fire even to the hazard of his owne life Heare but what a man he was by the testimony of Paulus Diaconus Iisdem diebus sapientissimus ac beatissimus Papa Gregorius Romanae urbis Episcopus c. that is In these dayes that most wise and blessed Father Saint Gregory Bishop of the City of Rome which when he had written many things to the profit of the Church composed foure famous bookes of the lives of the Saints which he called his Dialogues which books he sent to Theodelinda the Queen whom he knew to be a Protector of the faithfull and which did much good to the Church for shee perswaded her husband to give meanes and Revenues to the Church and caused those Bishops which were in misery and cast out to be restored and peace was by her meanes procured to Gods people Sabinianus was the man that did succeed him in his Bishopricke and as one testifies there was a great dearth the next yeer after his death and hee saith debuit enim mundus famem sitimque pati c. The world must needs suffer a famine and thirst when such a Doctor as was both spirituall food and drink to their souls was taken away He wants not divers to afford him commendations and indeed there was a cloud of Witnesses who doe extoll him Isidore cals him timore Dei plenus humilitate summus that is full of the feare of God and chiefe for Humility endued largely with the gifts of the Holy Ghost and saith thus in conclusion Foelix tamen nimium foelix qui omnium studiorum ejus possit cognoscere dicta that is Happy is hee nay thrice happy that can know all his Works and Sayings Honorius Augustodunensis termes him no lesse then Organum spiritus Sancti c. that is The Organ of the blessed Spirit Incomparable for his wisdome who writ many things more precious than the refined Gold Trithemius cals him Theologorum princeps splendor Philosophorum Rhetorum lumen vitâ conversatione integer sanctissimus c. the Prince amongst Divines the beauty of Philosophers and the light to Rhetoricians of life and conversation most upright and holy And to shut up all heare but what Ildephonsus of Toledo saith of him Vicit sanctitate Anthonium Eloquentia Cyprianum Sapientia Augustinum that is he exceeded Saint Anthony in Sanctitie Saint Cyprian in Eloquence and Saint Augustine in Wisdome and so heare onely what Cardinall Bellarmine relates of him who calls him Doctorem eximium meritò magnum that is a most egregious Doctor and well deserving the name of Great Hee died in the yeere of Christ Iesus 604. Sentences out of Gregory Magnus Of Poverty Hee is poore whose soule is void of grace not whose coffers are empty of mony the contented poverty is true riches Of the holy Scriptures The holy Scriptures are direct and right for admonition lofty for promises terrible for threatnings Of God God is never absent though the wicked have him not in their thoughts where he is not by favour he is by punishment and terrour Of conversion to God Every convert hath a beginning a middle a perfection in the first there is sweetnesse to allure him in the second bitternesse to exercise him in the third fulnesse of perfection to confirme him Of the Incarnation Will you observe our Saviours motions hee came from Heaven into the wombe from the wombe to the cratch from the cratch to the crosse from the crosse to the Grave from the Grave to Heaven On the Crosse of Christ. Christ shewed patience in his passion commended humility fulfilled obedience perfected Charity those were the four Jewels that adorn'd his Crosse. Charitatis Humilitatis jubar These are onely true riches which make us rich in vertue therefore if thou desire riches love true riches If thou aspire to honour seek the Kingdome of Heaven If thou affect glory strive to bee enrolled in the high Court of Angels Hee that loves this present pilgrimage in the midst of sorrow knows not how to shew sorrow for the words of a just man are full of sorrow for in regard of present sufferings his speech and sighs aspire to heaven He is most perfect in piety that doth most perfectly feele anothers misery The best eloquence and expression is to declare the mind by good action for conscience doth not check the speaker when his life is better then his speech Hee that lives obscurely and doth not profit others by his example is like a burning coal but hee that imitates holinesse shewing the light of uprightnesse to others is like a lampe burning to himselfe and shining to others True Faith doth not onely consist in verball profession but in actuall operation The fortitude of the Just is to overcome the flesh to contradict the will to forsake the delights of this life to love affliction for an eternall reward to contemne prosperity and to overcome adversity Joy doth discover the mind but adversity as it doth outwardly oppresse so it doth inwardly suppresse the thoughts and make us more close and cautious Gregory Magnus would say of himselfe that hee could never reade those words in the Scripture which Abraham spake to Dives Sonne remember that thou in thy life time receivedst good things without horrour and astonishment lest having received such good things of this World meaning such dignities and honours as he had he should be excluded from having any part and portion in the happinesse or good things in the world to come Of Gods Word Saint Gregory saith and wishes all men that heare the Word of God to taste the Word of God with the palate of their hearts Not to have a slavish feare Feare not man who must die nor feare the sonne of man who is but grasse Of godly Desires Our desires saith this Father do sound more powerfully in the secret eares of God than our words Againe the more earnestly God is desired of us the more sweetly is he delighted in us Saint Paul saith Hee that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the minde of the spirit Rom. 8. I have here set downe his Works as they are set
till hee was very old and in this his old age he did with abundance of teares lament and bewail the vanities of his life still desiring God to pardon his sins to omit his errors to make him one of those of whom it is said Come yee blessed children of my Father c. all his desire was to be loosed from the Tabernacle of corruption so that it appeares he had hopes of a better possession in that Citie whose builder and maker is God So in fulnesse of dayes after many tedious labours and travels hee was struck with a Fever of which he died with great expressions of joy and comfort that at the day of accompts hee should rise to live with the just and upright men made perfect I have here set downe his Workes as they are registred before his books printed at Mentz in the yeer of our Lord 1631 in two Tomes Tome 1. Commentaries of the Works of the sacred Trinitie in fortie two books 1 On Genesis nine books 2 On Exodus foure books 3 On Leviticus two books 4 On Numbers two books 5 On Deuteronomy two books 6 On Josuah one book 7 On Judges 1 book 8 On the Kings five books With the Psalmes annexed 9 On Esay two books 10 On Jeremiah two books 11 On Ezekiel one booke 12 On Daniel one booke Haggay Zachary Malachy being added 13 On the foure Evangelists one booke 14 On the Works of the Holy Ghost nine books 15 Commentaries on the twelve lesser Prophets one and thirty books 1 On Osee five books 2 On Joel one book 3 On Amos foure books 4 On Abdiah one booke 5 On Jonah two books 6 On Micha three books 7 On Nahum three books 8 On Abacuck three books 9 On Zephaniah two books 10 On Aggee one book 11 On Zachary five books 12 On Malachie one book 13 Of the Canticles of the Incarnation seven books 14 On Ecclesiastes one book 15 On Job one book These are of late annexed Tome 2. 1 On Saint Matthew of the glory of the Sonne of God thirteen books 2 Of the Trinity nine books 3 On Saint John thirteen books 4 On the Apocalypse twelve books 5 Of the victory of Gods Word thirteen books 6 Of divine Offices twelve books 7 Of the misery of his Monastery one book 8 Of the meditation of death two books 9 The life of Heribet Archbishop of Collen To these now are added 1 Of the losse of Virginitie one book 2 Of the Divine will one book 3 Of the Omnipotencie of God one book These are the demonstrations of the Labours of this man which are large enough to prove him an eminent man and so I end and shut up my discourse of him desiring those that reade his Life or his Works both to imitate his Learning and Holinesse that they with him may receive comfort at the second comming of our blessed Saviour Happy are they then when our Lord shall come shall be found so doing An. Christi 1130. Sanctus Bernardus S. BERNARDVS IT is not fitting that this great Light which God did set up should be hid under a bushell but that his pietie and vertues should be celebrated to all posteritie Hee was borne in those parts of Burgundie in which his Father held much land and large possessions His parents were noble and religious His Fathers name was Tecelinus a great Souldier and such a one as Saint Iohn wish'd others to be laid violent hands on none but kept himselfe within the bounds of civility and sobriety and so followed his Commanders here that hee did not neglect his chiefe Commander in Heaven his mothers name was Aleth sprung from a Towne not farre from the mountaine called Barrus shee following the rule of the Apostle was subject to her own husband and ruled her family with wonderful care and religion shee bare to her husband six sonnes all devoted to God and religion and one daughter which was also addicted to pietie all these shee lovingly did give suck to from her own brests the third of these was this Bernard whose Life I will now set forth In his minority hee was very obedient and dutifull to his parents wonderfull apt to learn and quick to conceive of an admirable memory accute wit ready apprehension ingenious of nature flexible to discipline of an excellent feature comely personage sweete behaviour courteous meeke all these shewing what a rich Harvest this Spring would produce when he was young he was troubled with a great pain in his head which a woman having long time used that way was brought to him who said she would remove that pain by certain verses by way of enchantment but when shee came before him hee utterly rejected her and her devise rather being willing to endure the hand of God then the hand of the Devill and God in short time after in great mercy did acquitt and free him of this pain and did comfort him and confirme him as he did Samuel in Shiloe being put forth to learning he was not onely as forward as the rest but exceeded and even in his youth did learne to mortify his head-strong affections he was as well by education as nature addicted to a solitary life hee was also full of charity for if hee had any money hee would privately give it away to the poor his master dyed in his youth and was honourably interred this Bernard was to be admired for his chastity and for quelling of lustfull thoughts so that hee did often use that speech of Iob I have made a covenant with mine eyes not to looke upon a maid which will appeare if you consider those two eminent demonstrations of it the one was thus by the instinct and suggestion of the Devill there was a young beautifull maid laid in bed which thing when Bernard perceived though then in height of bloud and she an object to incite him to violate his chastity yet hee never so much as tooke any notice of her but lamenting her impudencie lay on the other side remote from her and so kept himselfe continent to the astonishment of that bold intruder And the other passage is this It so fell out that Bernard with some other of his associates should lodge at a Matrons house but the woman being overcome with tentation viewing the comely countenance of Bernard and the beauty of his eyes and graceful deportments of his person when night came did prepare a more sumptuous Chamber for him than for the rest and shee burning in lust towards him in the middle of the night came to his bed which thing Bernard suspecting suddenly cried out as if there had beene Thieves in his Chamber so the people awaking and the woman fearing to be taken fled well they all goe again to rest but the woman not being daunted with this approached the second time but he as before cryed Thieves so the houshold rose again but found non nay shee was so impudent that shee adventured the third time but being by
death by a contrary comparison For as death is violent in destroying so love is violent in preserving Of Corporall Exercise Corporall exercise as Fasting watching and abstinence which bridle the flesh are little profitable unlesse piety be added thereunto for it makes us shunne vices and so to be excusable for some vices but not for all but piety and good workes are gratefull unto God Of Christs Love There came one without sinne that saved us from sinne for the Sonne of man came to seeke and to save sinners because he came in love as he was man and was from eternity as he was God The instruction of words is not so powerfull as the exhortation of workes for if those that teach the truth well doe neglect to do well they shall hardly profit their audience For workes perswade more than words The Writings and Bookes of Peter Lombard may bee knowne by the Epitaph on his Sepulcher which is in Saint Marcels Church in Paris where these words may be read Here lies Peter Lombard Bishop of Paris who composed the Booke of Sentences Commentaries on the Psalmes and Saint Pauls Epistles Moreover there are foure bookes of Sentences which are the chiefe works of Master Peter The first containeth sentences of the Fathers concerning the Trinity and Unity of God The second of the Creation of the World and especially of Angels and men and of the grace of God The third of the incarnation of the Word and of vertues and vices The fourth of the Sacraments and of the last things the Resurrection and Judgement An. Christi 1245. Alexander Hales ALEXANDER HALES THis Irrefragable Piece of Learning was borne in England in a place called Hales in Norfolke where having had liberall and free education bestowed on him by his friends he wholly addicted himselfe to literature it seemes hee had not onely an excellent wit but as forward a will to study for he proved famous in a short time which argues that he was wondrous painfull in his studies and so gained the height of learning by his indefatigable care and labour And although England bred him yet hee travailed into other Countries and was as famous abroad as hee was at home for as it is testified of him Magno tempore Parisiis legit id est He read a long time in Paris He it was that made the summe of Divinity and divided it into foure parts which he performed so accurately profoundly judiciously and learnedly that hee was called in Paris Fons vitae the Fountaine of life So likewise others termed him Doctor Doctorum the Doctor of Doctors But the most generall Title of worth that was given him was this that he was Doctor irrefragabilis Sixtus Senensis saith that for his knowledge in all the liberall Arts and for his wisedome in Schoole-Divinity he was not onely not inferiour to any but indeed did farre excell all others so that he may wel be termed the guide of Schoole-Divinity Another entitles him Virum in Divinis Scripturis eruditissimum in seculari Philosophia nulli suo tempore secundum ingenio subtilem clarum Eloquiâ— id est a man most absolutely experienced in the Scriptures and inferiour to none of his time for Philosophy most acute in Wit most renouned for his Eloquence Possevinus saith of him that he writ the summe of Divinity Ea Methodo quam anteà nemo unquam attigerat id est in that dainty Method which never any before had done But abâ—ve all the pens that have writ in his praise Petrus Rudolphus hath gone the highest whose Encomium of it selfe is sufficient to cause this Author to be esteemed And since he was so famous a Writer I cannot let his name and fame dye without adding something of mine own knowledge to perpetu ate him to posterity There be three or foure remarkable things in him which praise him sufficiently as first his general Learning secondly the Scholars of note that hee was Tutor unto thirdly the various Workes that he writ fourthly the honest and sanctified life that he alwayes led and lastly his death For the first who can suspect his ability for any kinde of Learning when as hee is rather admired of all than yet equallized by any Who that is of solid judgement but doe allow of his authority who but subscribes to his Conclusions Who desires not to register his undenyable Sentences Who but spend themselves at the Lampe to have resolution of difficult points from his Treasury What Case doth hee leave unresolved what Science doth he not handle Is hee not absolute for Grammar fluent for Rhetorique deepe in Philosophy expert in Metaphysicks made up compleat for Divinity Who almost can reckon up the number of his scholasticke Questions with their wise and learned Answers satisfies he not any man in any poynt or head of Divinity Is not hee the Garden that 's variously decked with most sorts of sweet Flowers and wholsome Herbes so that while some have endeavoured to bee eminent in this or that Science and with great difficulty have scarce attained their desired perfection is not he made up of all as though Natures endowments and graces blessings attended him and did both strive to the utmost to enrich him And then secondly doe not those worthy Instruments of learning who proved such solid Scholars afterwards speak this Alensis praise especially those two more eminent Lights to wit Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure the one being for his admirable parts stiled Doctor Angelicus and the other for his rare knowledge in Divinity is called Doctor Seraphicus of the first it is said Tolle Thomam dissipabo Ecclesiam take him away and the Church will bee weakned and take away both and how will the Schooles be darkned and their glory eclipsed and were not both these by their own confessions instructed and tutored by this Alexander of Hales the Master sure was an able man who gave learning in such a measure to two such Champions And thirdly doe not his numerous unparalleld Workes sufficiently renowne him Did not all the chiefe Divines and Masters of Paris to the number of sixty approve and seale to the allowance of his summe of Divinity Did not the same Alensis decore and illustrate the old and new Testament with Marginall Notes which Worke was called Postills on the whole Bible Are there not in Manuscripts in foure Tomes Expositions and Commentaries of his upon Saint Marke Saint Luke and upon all the Epistles of Saint Paul Did not his pen set forth the summe of vertues Hath not hee writ likewise on the Pentateuch Commentaries on the Booke of Iosuah on the booke of Iudges on the bookes of the Kings as also on the Psalms hath not his labour set forth Annotations on the lesser Prophets Are not those his Commentaries on Aristotles Metaphysicks knowne by the name of Alexander ab Alexandria Did not he write learnedly likewise on the foure bookes of the Master of the Sentences hath not he
any desire or bent to follow the one or the other to whom Thomas readily and shortly replyed think me not good Sir to bee so backward or negligent to follow vertue lay you downe the method and rule and I will presently though through many dangers and hazards follow you Whereupon this Ioannes did goe to the Master or Father of his order which at that time was called Thomas Lentinus to whom he said Good Father make no delay but give ad-admittance to a young man which is endued with all parts requisite for study you need not doubt him take him upon my word he will in short time prove the mirrour of your house To whom Thomas Lentinus replyed that hee was much ingaged for bringing him such a rich Jewell to bee of his Societie so presently all things being rightly ordered as Thomas Aquinas was admitted into his sacred way of life As soone as hee was entred hee slighted all worldly desires and ruminates with himselfe which was his best method to make a faire progresse in divinity so he resolved to reade the writings of the fathers in which hee was watchfull and to hear others wherein he had an excellent retentive faculty for hee did seldome forget any thing which hee saw was profitable and excellent but he aimed to get one grace above all the rest and that was humility for hee was suspicious of himselfe for feare as hee said that the Devill should poyson all his good gifts by making him proud of them a common infection and by him well prevented and secondly he said 't was not fit for yong men to rule but to obey the precepts and commands of Superiours and therefore hee strove to demeane himselfe modestly to others Judgment so that hee thought nothing was to be spoke done or meditated which had not beene by holy men in former times practised To these hee joyned a third grace and that was Sobrietie giving himselfe daily to fasting and in the night to watching at all times to prayer for these said he are the conquerours of all lusts and pleasures of the flesh it is impossible for a man to please God if his lusts be not subdued and conquered These were the primordiall exercises of this hopefull youth But in a short space his name being up so it came to passe that either some of his familiar friends or some other comming to Aquinum told his Mother where hee was and what a worthy Divine he would prove she bearing a good minde to Religion and now remembring the words had been told her by the Monke of Rocca before intended to goe to visit him but they who kept Thomas fearing lest by the sight the teares and speech of his mother his mind should be altered from his good intendments secretly convayed Thomas away from that place to Rome and from thence to Paris Shee finding their policy turned angry and presently went for Rome but missing her sonne there likewise sends to her other sonnes which were souldiers in Tuscany under Fredericke that they should beset all ways and passages and if by any means they could recover their brother Thomas and bring him to her they desiring to please their mother being commanded by Frederick to do so at last find him sitting all weary by a fountain they presently apprehend him and bring him along with them whom when his Mother saw she received him with teares and withall saw him put into that defenced Castle called Racca intending to tempt and trye what he intended and there were no small complaints urged against his brethren with the Roman Bishop shewing what an ill example of such violence to a religious man might produce and urging that if such insolencies went unpunished there would not want them who would rob and injure the consecrated Cloysters and moreover that it was not fit his brethren should bee strictly dealt withall for their fact But now his Mother having his person sure set upon him with a learned deepe grounded and eloquent Oration mixt and parenthized with teares and all to draw him from that course and when she saw she could not prevaile shee set her two Daughters to perswade him which used all their power to alter his minde but they were unable to effect what they were sent for nay they were rather perswaded to follow a religious life themselves when they heard the divine exhortations that came from their brother To bee briefe his brethren Bore him great spight and as much as they could strive to lay plots to shame him insomuch as they hired a young Câ—urtezan of a singular feature to go to him to see if she could entice him to her desired lust which she endeavoured to have done but this divine instrument of Chastity shunned her allurements and when shee saw her hopes lost she departed made relation to his brothers of his constancy and integrity and Thomas afterward gave himselfe to prayer intrearing God to pardon his frailty of nature and to give him grace and power against such forcible tentations that he might keepe his body and minde holy cleare and undefiled that so hee might present them with comfort to his Lord at his second comming He continued two yeares in this Castle imprisoned in which time he gave himselfo to divine Contemplations and Prayer and spent the rest in reading and writing for he read the whole bookes of Sentences and the word of God diligently But when his Mother saw that shee nor her Daughters could divert him fearing lest shee might seeme to strive against God sent to some of his brethren that they should fetch him away privily which they did and carryed him to Naples so to Rome and for the more safety to Paris but he stayed not long there but went from thence to Collen desiring to heare that renowned Albertus Magnus He had two Masters Iohn aforenamed and this Albertus which because he saw a kinde of unwillingnesse in Thomas for disputations called him Bos mutus the dumbe Oxe but when he had heard him twice or thrice in his publick exercises said of him that his lowing would one day be heard through the whole world He taught the Sciences principally in foure places in Paris Rome Bononia and Naples and that with abundance of wit and plenty of reading and when hee was publickly allowed by Albertus and Hugo Cardinalis yet he never exercised his pâ—rts before he had fitted himselfe by prayer fasting and watching and that God did blesse him in his Labours appeares for as it is said of him acutè graviter copiose dilucide eruditè disputarit that is he disputed smartly gravely copiously clearely learnedly semper er at saies my Author inter Libros Disputationes Meditationes veratus that is he was alwaies either at his Bookes Disputations or Meditations Insomuch that supping at Court with Lewis the French King while other Lords were discoursing of pleasant matters Thomas was so high at his thoughts of disputation that hee forgetting himselfe strooke the