had some doubt by reason that both were stricken in yeares but especiallie Cilinia could not be induced to belieue it Be thou assured quoth Montanus thou shalt be a mother giue suck vnto thy sonne with thy owne milke wash mine eyes therewith and I shall thereby recouer my sight All things happened euen as the holie monke had said for Cilinia conceaued and brought forth a sonne that was called Remigius she gaue him sucke with her owne brests and washed the eyes of Montanus with her milk and he therewith recouered his sight as he had foretold The vertue of this sainct did shine so cleerely in his childhood that euen in the day break of his life he plainelie declared how great would be the day-light of his perfect age He was sent to schoole where in a short space he did not onlie profitte much in knowledge and learning but allso in holie and vertuous life making learning to serue as a light to guide him in the path of vertue vertue by alaying the stormes of passions further him in the course of learning when he came vnto the age of 22. years Bennadius the Archbishop of the city deceasing the people assembled for the election of another pastour and fixing their eyes on that holie Saint there present sayed there was not any more fitte them Remigius to succeed in that dignity The holy yong man being there was troubled much in mind made many excuses saieng that soe eminent a degree was full vnseemely for one of his age and conuersation that the vsage was not to elect beardles youths to an office conuenient only for men well stricken in years or of a consistent age Vnto these allegations they made aunswere that his vertues supplied the defects of his age and therefore they had determined that he should be their Pastour and prelate Whilst the people and Remigius were thus at variance there descēded on a sodein a great light from heauen like vnto a beame which rested on the head of S. Remigius The wonderfull maruaill of the celestiall election and confirmation of S. Rimigius in the prelacy proceeded further for beside the light his head was found to be washed with a heauenly dewe or liqour and all they which were present felt the most fragrant and sweet smell that might be comming from the same All the people beholding this wonder with one voice praised God and gaue him thanks that he had vouchsaued to shew plannely that the election they had made was acceptable to him S. Remigius durst not make any further resistance least it should seeme that he withstood and gaine said the will of God So he was made priest and consecrated Bishop by the other Bishops that dwellt there about Assoone as he had accepted this high function he made euident demōstration that he was of sufficient ability to exercise the same he shewed him self to be an almose giuer vigilant deuout curteous perfect in doctrine and charity his conuersation was celestiall his words were all kindled with the fier or Gods loue He was affable and alwais pleasant in countenance but with grauity his preaching was of that which was necessary for saluation of soules what he preached in words he practised in works He moued them that looked on his face earnestly to deuotion for in him did shine clearly the liuely portraiture of santity His sight was dreafull and awfull vnto the presumptuous and proud but very mild and gratious vnto the lowly and humble Toward goodmen his aspect was louing and pleasing as S. Peters was but to the wicked his countenannce was grimme and stern like vnto S. Paules The riches of his soule were so great that notwistanding they could not be seen with corporall eies nor expressed in words yet were they manifested by his externall works He fled Idlenes and worldly pleasures were to him displesant on the other side trauaile was to him best pleasing and he had a delight to be contemned In his sermons he did especially reprehend the vice of carnallity and willed his hearers not to account their owne wifes foule or to think the wife of another man faire or beautifull He was in diet temperate and he sometimes because he would not seeme hautey or proud called some of his poor kindred and freinds to his table Sometimes the litle birds were seen to flye in at the windoes and to sit on the tables side or on the platter and he gaue them some what to eate and when some flewe away others came back At this S. Remigius took occasion to giue spirituall refection vnto the guests that sate at his table saieng See these bitle birds do not sowe nor reape nor haue no granaries wherin to conserue their goods and yet God doth not abandon them but prouideth for them day by day how much more will he prouide for man for whose sake he shed his precious bloud and lost his life ought not man therefore endeuor to do the will of God and be vnto him obedient as these litle birds be He said also This meat was not dressed and ordained for these litle birds euen so the goods which our fore fathers haue left vs or that we haue gotten by our labour and traueill we ought to bestowe part thereof cheerefully among poor men to the end God may make vs partakers of his glory in his kingdome out of the which the deuills were cast for their offence This good Prelate visited oftentimes his Bishoprik in person and committed not the same vnto any other It happened that on a time he came vnto a place called Calmaciacum there was a man possessed of an euill spirit which made him also blind from the time of the first entrance into him S. Remigius praied for him and the foule fiend departed the man recouered his sight and was free from all euill for which cause he gaue vnto God infinite thanks Another time the good Bishop being in the city of Rheimes lodged in the house of the Church of S. Nicasius martir sometime B. of that city there befell a great fier which burned a great part therof Notice herof came to S. Remigius who first praied and then went unto the place where the fire was raging and burning with such fury that all thought it would haue consumed the wholl citty The Blessed man made the signe of the Crosse against the fire which approched toward him and it fled from him and he followed it so long vntill it came to be like a great boule drew back to one of the gates of the city and issued out of the same to the great amazement of all the beholders In the Church of S. Iohn Baptist in the same city he cast a deuill out of a damosell which at his departure did so afflict her that he left her for dead S. Remigius made his oraisons for her restored her vnto life At that time Fraunce had suffered many afflictions by diuers tirants that made warre vpon it one of
barbarous natured man to the end that he should draw them to offerre vp sacrifice or put them to most grieuous torments Besides that in this he also had another respecte to haue Sergius the more auiled and disgraced by hauing appointed for his judge Antiochus aman that in former times was one of his followers and had bin preferred to the dignitie of Gouernor of Prefect of the East by the meanes of Sergius The holie Saincts were brought before him and he committed them first to prison where they spent they re time in prayer and deuotion beseeching oure Lord to graunt them strength and affoord them succoure in they re battaile Afterwards Antiochus fending for them vsed all meanes to winne they re willes to offer vp sacrifice to his Idolls But they answearing that his Idolls were diuells and no Gods he commaunded foure lustie and merciless fellowes to whip and scourge Bacchus with the toughest and hardest finewes of Oxen. This torment was so terrible and the lashes so cruell tearing his fleshe and wounding him so deepely that heerewith the martyr ended his lyfe and yielded vp his spiritt to God He afterward appeered vnto Sergius shining with glorie ad heauenly brightnesse he declared vnto him the endless reward which he had receaued for those short torments and encouraged him to vndergoe what paine soeuer was prepared for him to the end that as in they re punishment they might be partners in they re victorie and triumph Antiochus earnestlie to make Sergius more plyant and reduce him to his opinion but seing all he could doe was in vaine led by his fierce and cruell nature and desirous to satisfie the Emperoure he commaunded a paire of shoes all bestudded and thick sett with points of sharp nailes to be putt on his feete so to runne before his chariott and after this manner he did driue him nine miles to the excessiue paine of the holie martyr our of whose feet ranne streames of bloud But the night next ensuing an Angell did come and cherish him and so healed his feet as yf he had suffered nothing at all The iudge attributed to Magicke this fauoure of God and being therewith more enhardened did commaund him to endure againe the same torment Then seeing nothinge would auaile nor worke the martyr to his will he commaunded that his head should be stroken of Sergius kneeled downe vpon his knees and made his prayer to allmightie God beseeching him to accept the loss of his lyfe as a sacrifice to pardon those that did persecute him and graunt them knowledge of his light and his trueth He heard a voyce which inuited him to the kingdome of heauē did congratulate his victorie wherefore stretching forth his necke he was streightwaie beheaded the 7 of october in the yeare of oure Lord 306. God did honoure Sergius from Heauen with miracles and on earth he was honoured with great gyfts of Princes For Cosroes king of Persia though a pagan and Infidell did send to his temple a most riche Cross of gold with other precious gyftes in token of preat fauours receaued at his hands as childen by his wyfe queene Sira and safetie in manie great daungers and perilles Iustinian the emperour built two fayre churches in his name one at Constantinople the other at Ptolemaida At Rome a churche with the title of a Deacon Cardinall is dedicated vnto them And the verie citie wherein S. Sergius was put to death was called by his name Sergiopolis Of these two Saincts there is mention made in the second Nicene councell actione 5. in the Roman martyrologe and manie famous authors The life of SS Marcellus and Apuleius martyrs ON this self same dai the 7. of Octob. the Churche doth make a commemoration of Marcellus Apuleius martyrs They had bin disciples of Simon Magus but seeing by his disputations with S. Peeter that he was nothing but a false deceaver they forsooke and left him astonied at the wondrous works miracles of the glorious Apostle receaued his doctrine were made Christiās followed him all the dai of his life After his death thei liued according to his heauenlie doctrine vntill they came to be so happie as to shed they re bloud for that Faith and religion which they had learned of so good a maister They were putt to death and martyred by the commaundement of a Consull called Aurelian in the raigne of Domitian and in the yeare of our lord 93. the 7. of October and were buried without Rome neere the walles of the cittie The life of S. Dionise Areopagite and others SALOMON in the booke of wisdome saith that God disposeth all things sweetlie ordaining most conuenient meanes to obtaine such ends as he intendeth This was the reason why in his birth he vsed a starre to guide the three Eastern Kinges to adore him For they being Magi that is men skillfull in Astrologie by seing a starre of so new a fashion so different in place in course and motion from all other starres would be the more easilie wonne and allured to seeke the author and cause of that starre as they did effectuallie finding and adoringe IESVS CHRIST To conuert S. Dionise the Areopagite a great Philosopher and Astrologer God vsed the like propertionable meanes and it was that rare and singular Ecclips which at the time of oure sauioures death happened beyond the course of nature For Dionise marking the strangeness there of and maruailing at such a neuer seene wonder noted the yeare the day and houre and after vnderstanding by S. Paule the true cause and misterie of that Ecclipse he was conuerted to embrace that religion which was established by his death who was principall author and only motiue of that wonder which surpassed nature The life of this Sainct with Rusticus and Elutherius his fellow martirs collected out of Michaël Singelus priest of Hierusalem out of Suidas and Simeon Metaphrastes is as followeth THE cittie of Athens was famous in all Greece for that it was the chief place of learning the wellspring of knowledge and mother of Wisemen Dionise the Areopagite was borne therein of a riche and honourable familie and of parents morallie iust and courteous louelie to strangers and liberall in his youth he gaue himselfe to learning wherein he became so eminent that aswell for his knowledge as for his Nobilitie he had the chiefe place amonghst the Magistrates which gouerned the cittie He was most eloquent in the Attick tongue a most skillfull Rhetorician a rare man in the doctrine of Stoicks Epicureans and other Philosophers But aboue all he was accounted a iust man and vertuous in exercising his office not fauouring the riche nor oppressing the poore not cōdemning the innocent nor leauing the culpable without due chastizement He went into Egypt to studie the better vnderstand the course of the heauē the force influence of the starres and all that knowledge of Astrologie Being about the age of fiue and twentie and residing in the cittie
of Heliopolis in companie of one Appollophanes an Athenian and a famous sophister he did behold that strange Eclypse which happened at the death of oure Sauioure when viewing the creator of al things the author of lyfe and fountaine of all light so darkned soe ecclypsed so ignominiously suffering death the Sunne as one ashamed to behold that spectacle did hide an whollie loose his beames in the midst of the day S. Dionyse as a man that was skillfull in learning did quicklie perceaue this Ecclypse was against the course of nature by reason it lasted aboue the naturall periode but much more bicause the Moone was at the full and whollie opposite to the sunne so that supernaturallie running a violent course she alltogether couered the sunne and keeping him so for the space of three houres returned againe to her former place of opposition He wondered at so rare a miracle that neither was heard nor seene before and being amazed said to Appollophanes and others Either the God of nature doth suffer or els the wholle frame of the world doth perish and is dissolued He noted the yeare the day and the houre in which this strange noueltie and wonder succceded which was so deepelie imprinted in his minde that he neuer forgot it all his life He returned to Athens and liued in his owne cōmon wealth with great moderation and reputation the Athenienses honouring him as a most wise Philosopher and vprighte Iudge They made him president or chiefe of the highest courte of Iustice that was in all Athens This courte was called of the Areopagites who tooke theire name from a place where the court was kepte which was in a streete or litle hill called in Greeke Pagus dedicated to Ares that is to say Mars and the Iudges of this court were so graue vpright that in ancient times to call a Iudge vnspotted seuere vncorrupted vnflexible either for loue or feare or flatterie or briberie they would call him an Areopagite It came to passe that about this time S. Paule did preache the Ghospell in Athens He disputed sundrie times with the Epicurean Pithagorean Academicall Stoicall Peripateticall philosphers and laboured to reduce them to the faith of IESVS CHRIST and draw them from theire Idolatrie He told them of an other life of resurrectiō of the bodies of a generall Iudgement of a supernaturall reward or punishment according to eache mans good or bad works These Philosophers hearing a matter of such consequence and fearing the daunger of new religions and thinking it a thinge of greatest importance brought him before the chiefe court of Areopagites and theire supreme Iudge Dionisius For allthough the Romaines were in actuall posession of the wholl world in a maner and Lords of all Greece yet the Lacedemonians and the Atheniens were permitted to liue in their auncient liberty gouerned by theire owne Lawes officers magistrats freely elected by themselfs When S. Paule was brought before Dionyse the other magistrats in the presence of the philosophers who had before giuen informatiō of him he with a Retorique more diuine then humain meaning not to exasperat so wise and learned a nation by telling them he was come to teach them a thing wherin thy were ignorant and to giue them notice of gods that they knewe not of all which they would hardly haue disgested or els taken in euill part said thus vnto them You men of Athens I haue sene by experience that you be a very superstitious people more addicted to your gods then the other Greeks for you labour to haue more honoure them more then all the rest as you haue more knowledg and be more learned thē the rest Now I walking through your city and beholding the many temples which be therin I sawe one vpon whose altar there was this Inscriptiō To the vnknowen god That same God whom you doe honor vnknowen is he whom I doe preach vnto you and wish you to honor carefully He is not for from you nor from any mortall man since as one of your owne poets said very well we liue in him by him we moue and remain in him of him we gaue oure being oure motiō lyfe Then speaking against the multiplicitie of God he tould them at last of the day of iudgement and of the resurrection of the dead The answere they gaue him was this that they would giue him audience some other day and so dismissed him These fewe words of the Apostle were so full of misteryes that they put all these wise lerned mē to silence yea and astonied and amased them The Apostle departed but not empty handed for he caught in his net the chief magistrat Dionise with whom he had conferēce in priuate and in the end the Apostle gaue him prefect and full notice of our faith He preached vnto him IESVS CHRIST God and man his death passion resurrection and ascēsion vnto heauen And bycause the Apostle made particuler mention of the eclipse which happened at the time of our Sauiours death S. Dionise was desirous to know that wonder assone as it was laid open vnto him he yielded forthwith and said he would be a Christian It might seeme a lightness in S. Dionise to giue creditt so soone vnto a strāger in a matter of suche importāce as it is to renoūce the gods so lōg time adored by his forefathers and to receue a newe God that was crucified and the more for that he was so lerned and was therefore more obliged to consider very well thereof before he altered his opinion in a matter of such cōsequence Vnto this I aunswere by the same reason S. Dionise because he was wise and learned resolued vpon an honorable and worthy matter so soone For euen as he and all other wisemen of the Paynims were reprouable to adore them for gods whom thy knew had bene infamous wycked men so they desired to find some that should giue them knowledge of another God more worthy to be worshipped then they were They knew likewise by the light of nature that there ought not to be many gods but one God only So that Dionise hauing this desire and S. Paule coming to incounter him he fled not from the combat but did rather holpen by God follow the Apostle with out resistaunce and by Baptisme was made a Christian There were others also conuerted but S. Dionise did surpasse them all in vertuous and holy works for which cause the Apostle made him priest and also Bishop of that city S. Dionise was the first Bishop that Athens had and that was great glory vnto the city bycause it had brought vp and giuen learnyng vnto her first pastour This holy saint had priuate frendship and conuersed a long time with the Deuine Hierotheus a Spaniard borne after the opinion of many Autors who was instructed in like maner by S. Peter in deuine letters and ther vpon he was called Diuine S. Dionise confesseth that he was his instructor and that of
which others would haue raken as a reproach th'emperour and all they that were at the table commended Th'emperour Valentinian the second being restored vnto th' empire after the death of Maximus who put him to flight did not behaue himself so for 5. Martin commyng one day to visite th'emperour who had a wife infected with the heresy of Arrius and therfore an ennemy vnto S. Martin shee requested th'emperour not to doe him any honour and he yeelded ro her desire The blesled prelate came into the roome where th'emperour was who stirred not from his seat The holy saint came neerer vnto him yet th'emperour stirred not nor made any signe of kindnes or curtesy It was surely the will of God that the seat where th'emperour sat fell a fier of it self and burned and flamed out When Valentinian felt the fier he rose in hast and stumbled hauing already burned his clothes and scorched his skinne and considering what the cause was he went toward S. Martin and did vnto him very great reuerence and before the holy saint sayd any thing graunted vnto him what soeuer he came to demaunde Another time S. Martin went to visit a holy damosell and it is good to make memory of her for the example of others to the end the may be aduised that if they shutt their gates against apparant wicked men they should not always open their dores vnto them that seme to be good There was in a litle village a damosell who hued secret and priuat whose good report was diuulged thorough the chiefest cities of Fraunce aswell for her beauty as for her verruous liuers so that their house seemed to be a monastery S. Martin being told of her was desirous to see if the report made was true and though he was estranged from the conuersation and visiting of women yet one day passing neere vnto the village he desired to see that yong woman All the people as the vse was in all places where the holy man went came out to meet him as if he had bene one of the Apostles so much they reioiced to see him The holy saint turned out of the way to go to the house of that vertuous damosell who being certified that S. Martin came to visit her and being fully resolued not to alter her determination she sent one of those women who kept her company vnto s. Martin to excuse her and to alleadg a reason why shee came not out to meet him The blessed man accepted it for very good as well done and praised exceedingly the yong woman and said that her vertue surpassed the report that went of her S. Martin being gone vnto anot her towne the damosell sent vnto him a present which the holy saint receiued with a cheareful countenáce though it be not knowne that euer he receiued any guift of any woman but that in all his life and when he receiued it he said it is not fit a priest should refuse the present sent by a damosell that was more vertuous in her life then many priests This good pastour went sometimes to visite his diocesse and at one time among others he came vnto a samll village Because it was wynter they prepared his lodging in the vestry of the Church in which place they made him abed and a fire also They holy saint went to rest yet because he was not vsed to lye but on the ground the bed was trouble some vnto him And being desirous to throw the couerlet of him by chaunce he cast it on the fire and perciued it not at last he fell on sleep and the couerlet began to burne and set fire on the roome The flame being now gotten to the toppe of the house S. Martin started vp and ran to the doore but he was so troubled that he could not open it His priests and monks were without in great care and grief for that they knew not how to help him or saue the house At last the holy saint determyned to fall to his prayer as the generall remedy in all his daungers and so he did wherby it came to passe that the fier was extinguished and he was deliuered from all daunger in a moment He was often in daungers by sondry persecuitions of the Arryans who neuer permitted him to be attepose or quiet as appeared in many Councells in which the holy saint was present wherein they outfaced menaced adn vsed reprochfull and opprobrious words of him yet the holy man preuailed and continued a constant and valyant defender of the Catholique Romane Church vnto which he was always subiect as an obedyent sonne ought This good prelat bare such a reuerence in the Church that he was neuer seene to sit therein but either did kneele or stand on his feet and being asked the cause he said know you not that God is present in this place Finally being nowe old and tired with these conflicts with the deuill and his mynisters the fiend oftentimes appearing vnto him and sometimes by threats and other whiles by craft and surrlery seeking to do him harme and the time of his death approaching which he knowing by reuelation being at Candacense a place in his dyoces he asembled his disciples together and certefied them that the hower of his death drew neere This newes putting them in great sorrowe and grief they said vnto him deare father why wilt thou leaue vs vnto whom doest thou recommend vs behold the hungry wolfs will assaile thy flocke and there wil be no meanes to repaire the losse when then shepheard is gone we knowe thou defirest to be with CHRIST and we know also that thy reward remayneth sure and certein in he auen and that it is not lessened though thou stay with vs a litle space Haue pitty on vs that shall be left alone and abandoned S. Martin heating these words was moued to pitty and compassion and shedding teares his eyes fixed also toward heauen said Lord if thy people haue yet need of me I refufe not the paine and the trauell but thy will be done Thus this glorious father was distracted bettewne loue and hope and knew not which to elect It greued him to leaue his disciples and he was not willing to stay any longer from enioying the presence of God vnto whom he remitted all O man rightly to be called valliant who was not ouercome by trauell and paine much lesse by death he feared not death and refused not to liue His feuer encreased and his disciples seing his end to approach and that he lay on the earth and ashes which was his vsuall bed requested him then to permit cherishing and comfort to be done to him And he aunswered A Christian should not dye but on haire cloth and ashes then it is more fit that I doe so who am your master and prelate and am therefore obliged and bound to giue you good example Then they requested him to turne his head a litle on the one side and not to hold it always vpright to looke
endured great and extream thirst for that they were to bring their water from a place distant farre from them This blessed and holy saint strook the earth in a place where our sauiour in the figure of a lamb appeared vnto him and there sprang vp a plentifull fountein of water pure and cleare with the which all the distressed Christians were recreated and conforted The life of this holy Pope was written by Damasus Simeon Metaphrastes and other graue Authors in this maner SAINT Clement was the sonne of Faustinus and borne in Rome in the region called Caeli-montana Where at this present is the Church of S. Iohn La eran This holy saint did helpe the Apostle S Paul in his preaching as he writeth thus philip 4. that thou help the persons that trauell with me in the Ghospell with Clement and my other coadiutors whose names are written in the book of life Yet S. Dorotheus Bishop of Tyrus saith that Clement of whom S. Paul speaketh was Bishop of Caria and was disciple vnto the same S. Paul and that he was one of the first that receiued the faith by his preaching among the Greeks The most common receaued opinion is that this Clement of whom we now treat was the Pope and went with S. Paul for a time neuerthelesse he was after the disciple of S. Peter S. Clement was not only a man of very holy life but also verie learned wrot many things which haue bene lost by antiquity of time There are extant yet his fiue epistles the first of which is most elegant being al repleat with learning and a true Apostolicall spirite which some of the Popes his successors do alleage in many places He wrot likewise the CanoÌ„s of the Apostles the eight books called Apostolique Constitutions which ordeine that in the seuen regions of Rome should be seuen Notaries to write the deeds and martirdome of the Christians He commaunded also that vnto them that were Baptised should be giuen the Sacrament of Confirmation assoone as they had learned the principles of the Christian faith He also ordeined that the Bishops Chaire should stand in a publique and eminent place This holy saint preached thee word of God with such feruour and so great courage that manie Gentills pagans were conuerted vnto the faith and many that were already conuerted not content with the obseruation of the precepts of the Ghospell did keep also and obserue the counsells thereof As a holy damosell did called Domitilla who was niece vnto the Emperour Domitian as daughter to one of his sisters and to Flauius Clemens the Consull which holy virgin was by this Pope consecrated and veyled for a Nunne He also conuerted vnto the faith Theodora the wife of Sisinius a man great and potent in Rome This man desirous to see what the Christians did in their oratories where they vsed to pray and whither his wife vsed to go went thither one time very secretly but by the permission of God he was strook blind This blindnes of his body was an occasion vnto him that he recouered the sight of his soule for the prayer of S. Clement caused the recouery of his corporall sight his holy words and admonitions were the cause that he was Baptised and recouered there with the sight of his soule Sisinius being Baptised many noble men of Rome moued by his example receued the faith So that for this and manie other miracles the holy Pope did he was much malliced by the ministers of the Idolls and other lewd people whom the diuill vsed as instruments and meanes to disturbe the increase of Christianity and to dispatch out of the way Clement who did him much scath and harme These moued a mutiney and vproare against him though there were some that took his part and defence Some accused him at the iudgment seat of Mamorâ—inus gouernour of the city and others defended him saieng that Clement did not any euill or hurt to any person but did rather good vnto them in curing the sick reliuing the necessity of the poore that he quieted controuersies and made atonement betwene many men They that accused him said he brought in a strange relligion and persuaded men to adore for God a man that had bene crucified and did what he could to annihilate the adoration of the auncient Gods that he caused many maides that they maried not to them vnto whom they were espoused making the title of relligion an excuse and collour for the same The Gouernor of the city hearing all this caused Clement to be brought before him vnto whom he said I vnderstand that thou art borne of an honorable family in this city and that thou art of the Roiall bloud therefore thou art more obliged not to transgresse the customes and lawes of thy forefathers Tell me I praie thee what strange relligion is this thou preachest and what is that crucified man whom thou wouldest haue adored for God to the notable despite and disgrace of the knowâ—n Gods adored by out elders S. Clement made this aunswer Most prudent Iudge I desire thee not to be ouer-ruled by the speechs of the vulgar people who are ignorant and malicious but to giue eare vnto me and if of that wherof I am accused I do not with iust reasons defend my self then condemne me without any fauour Mamertinus said I will present thy cause before th'emperour Traiane where thou maiest if thou canst excuse thy self and iustify thy cause for I will neither condemne thee nor absolue thee When the Gouernouâ— sawe time conuenient he made relation of the mutiney raised against S. Clement and what was the cause also vnto th'emperour to the end he might sett downe what should be done therin the person accused desiring to make proofe of his Inocency in showing that the faults imposed vpon him had no sufficient ground Traian decreed that Clement should sacrifice vnto the Gods or els be banished into Chersona Mamertinus hauing this direction laboured all that he could to bring Clement to sacrifice vnto the Idolls and he on the other part endeuored to drawe him to be a Christian to let him knowe that the banishment which he was to suffer for professing CHRIST should be vnto him pleasaunt and acceptable It pleased God to giue such efficacy and grace vnto the words of the holy saint that Mamertinus yelded and shedding many teares for compassion of Clement and his vexations said vnto him The God whom thou adorest help thee in this tribulation which thou art to suffer for his loue Then he prouided him a bark and of things necessary for the voyage and sent him into exile There went many voluntarily in the company of the blessed Pope who being arriued and come in saffly vnto the Island found there more then 2000 Christians who by the sentence of th'emperour had bene condemned to digge stones out of the quarries These holy confessors of CHRIST among their other mollestations had one which vexed them much in that
of the plagues that he sent vpon them was when he slew all their first borne So also when IESVS CHRIST departed from Bethleem the Bethleemits remained also in lamentation For a sure thing it is that in the place froÌ„ whence God departeth there remaineth nothing but sorrow and wayling Let vs praie vnto his diuine majestie that he alwaies remaine in our compaine that we maie alwaies be glad and ioyfull in him and that our ioy may be true and perfect enjoying it in this world by grace after in heauen by glorie Amen The Catholique Church celebrateth the feast of the holie Innocents on the 28. of December and their Martyrdome was in the time of Octauian Augustus in the beginning of the second yeere of CHRISTE according to Ioannes Lucidus The life of S. Thomas Arche Bishop of Canterbury and Martyr THE lyfe of this holy Prelat and famous martyr collected out of foure Historiographers of his tyme Wilhelmus Cantuariensis Ioannes Carnotensis or Sarisbeâ—ens Alanus Abbot of Teukesbyrie Herbert of Hosâ—ham clerke Petrus Blessensis Archedeacon of Bathe and manie epistles of Popes kinges and Bisshops is in this manner SAINT Thomas vsually called of Canterbury B. and martyr was borne in London the head cittie and royall seate of great Britanie His father was one Gilbert surnamed Becket a man inferioure to none of his cittizens for kindred and riches and superioure to most for a singular good carriage and holie conuersation This Gilbert being in the flower of his youthe voluntariely receaued the holy cross an ensigne of suche as enrolled they re names to serue against Infidells and trauailed into the holie land where as he returned from visiting those sacred places of Hierusalem he together with others was taken by his enemies that lay in ambush made prisoner to an Admirall a Prince of great account amonghst the Infidells There he remained in captiuitie the space of one yeare and a halfe wherein the only daughter of the aforesaid Admirall was so wonne with the carriage and excellente good partes and qualities of Gilbert with his discreet and weighty reasoning of matters that concerned Christian Religion and also with his noble and stoute resolution to dye for Gods honoure that he afterwards by flight hauing obteined his libertie she wounded with his loue and led with desire of being a Christian forsooke all her wealth abandoned her fathers house her countrie followed him secretly into England There being first well instructed in Christian religion and baptized in the Churche of S. Paule by the Bisshop of London with greate solemnitie in the presence of sixe Prelats she was marryed to Gilbert all but especially the Bisshop of Cicester wondring at this heauenly vocation and admirable prouidence of God and prophecying that her wombe should beare a childe whose sanctitie and holie laboures would make Gods Churche renowned and glorious Not long after was Thomas borne and brought vp by his vertuous mother in all good manners and excercises But he learned of her especially the feare and loue of allmighty God with a greate deuocion to his B. virgen mother Marie next after Christe reposing in her his greatest confidence and making her Patron and Protectriss of all the wayes and steppes of his lyfe He was first brought vp in a religious howse of Merton after was instructed in liberall sciences then sent to studie in the vniuersitie of Paris from whence returninge home he discharged with honoure and great good satisfaction some publicke offices of the cittie of LondoÌ„ And hauinge now for the space of three yeares attended vnto temporall affayres and followed courte-businesses shewing himselfe therein quicke discreete and well aduised and thereby attained greate creditt and learned much prudence and experience hauing also been carryed with affection to youthfull sportes of hawking hunting yett euer without staining or blemishing his good name with anie vice or imperfection led by the instinct of the holie Ghost more then by anie friends persuasion he retired weaned himselfe from secular affaires and betooke himselfe to Theobald Arche B. of Canterburie where his industrie diligence and well aduised managinge of matters wonne him a chiefe place and greate reputation amongst the Arche Bâ— most familiar trustie friends After his admittance into the companie of Theobalds counseloures and chiefest followers he studied at Bolognia and at Alâ—isiodorum was greatly imployed in Church affaires of greatest importance oftentimes sent for decision of weightie controuersies to Rome from whence he euermore returned with good dispatche in his busines lastly he was made Archedeacon of Canterburie a place in those dayes of highest degree in the English cleargie next vnto Lord Abbots and Bissh Muche about that time Henry duke of Aquitaine and Normandie succeeded kinge Stephen in the crowne of England Theobald fearing least the kings good nature might be abused by some of his craftie counselours and by such as vnder the cloake and pretence of publicke autoritie thirsted after the Churches reuenues and the commons spoyle drawen to some ouer sharpe course and rough proceeding desirous also that the bond of loue and amitie might encrease betweene the Prince and his Prelats and the kings gracious fauoure shine vpon his cleargie a thing most necessarie for the good and well fare of all the kingdome and well assured of his Archeadeacons sufficiencie to doe all faithfull seruice to the kinge good offices to all manner of people brought him to the courte and wrought him into the fauoure of his Maiestie from whome he receaued the office of high Chanceloure of England It might seeme in outward shew and apparance that Thomas had now forgotten quite that euer he was an Archedeacon His retinue was greate his followers men of good account his housekeeping such as might compare with yf not surpasse the greatest Earles of the kingdome his stuffe verie costlie and full of brauerie so farre forth as bridles of beaten syluer his principall care to retaine his Princes fauoure and winne all mens good will which care did also compell him sometimes to shew himselfe plyant to this Maty in his fare his discourse in hauking in huntinge and sporting aswell as in his serious affaires A table that daylie and Honorably intertained Barons Earles a house that wellcomed all needie afflicted persons a hand that bountifully bestowed large gyfts in howsehold stuffe apparail prouision plate and coyne Finally fortune did seeme to haue made him her darling and all things so flowed according to his wish his desire that one would haue Iudged him to haue laide cleane aside the verie thought of a cleargie man But this was only the outside of Thomas for inwardly he was humble and abject in his owne eyes much addicted to praier and deuotion a greate tamer curber of his owne body in so muche that manie times he would chastize himselfe with a cruell discipline lashing himselfe vpon the bare backe his zeale was greate for the good of the churche and reliefe
in the Councell of Chalcedon Some holy doctors as S. Cyrill S. Iohn Damascen S. Augustine and S. Thomas declare the maner therof The substance of that which they say is this that the blessed virgin hauing conceiued IESVS CHRIST our Lord shee was his mother for that her most chast pure and more then illustrious bloud serued for matter of which the holy Ghost by his deuine vertue formed the body of IESVS CHRIST for which cause shee became a true and veritable mother as any other mothers be Hauyng layd this foundation of truth I say that to be the mother of God argueth the great noblenes and worthynes of this holy damosell This is proued by a principle the phylosophers hold to wyt that there is not only a proportion betweene the cause and the effect but also if the cause be not empeached or hindered it produceth a like effect to it selfe euen to the Indiuiduum and the accidents as a lyon that hath spots produceth not only another lyon but also with the same spots This being graunted I say that if the naturall guifts of the wyt complexion and proportion of members naturall condition of CHRIST were transcendent and excellent in the hiest degree as it is apparant by the sacred scripture also said by the holy doctors we are by great reason to find all the same in the B. virgin as in his true and veritable mother to witt that shee was of an excellent wyt an amyable complection of an admyrable beauty absolute proportion of limmes and most goodly naturall condition So that saying that IESVS CHRIST was the fairest of all men Psal 44. v. 3. the same may be affirmed of the B virgin wherfore we may well say thus O lady vnto whom shall we liken thee what goodlines shal be like vnto thyne who is so beutifull as thou art The sonne compared vnto thee is foul and vgly the moone is dark and obscure and the starres are as clouds The Angels are far inferior and the Seraphins come not nere vnto thee vnto whom shall we liken thee but euen vnto IESVS CHRIST thy sonne will you haue saith S. Gregory a liuely pattern of the glorious virgin fixe your eys and behold IESVS CHRIST Behold the sonne in him you shall see a picture of the mother note you that there is litle difference between the mother and the sonne Such a sonne and of such and so great perfections was fit for such a mother and such a mother endued with so many graces was fit for such a sonne yee ought also to consider a heuenly workmanship betwene the B. Virgin her sonne for she gaue him one thing which was the humain nature he gaue vnto her another to wit the fulnes of grace The mother gaue vnto him that which she had to wit the humanity and CHRIST being God and fountein of grace gaue it vnto his mother Of this groweth two admirable things The one is that as the glorious virgin for his nature is his mother so is shee his daughter in respect of grace so that the mother is daughter and the sonne is father and that which other mothers say in sport to their sonnes calling them my king my prince my father and my treasor the glorious virgin might say it in truth and verity This also ariseth betwene the mother and the sonne That as the sonne for his humaine nature is made like vnto his mother so the mother in respect of grace is like vnto the sonne Shee was humble in proportion not in equality as he charitable as he obedyent as he and in her proportion full of grace as he so the Angell called her Aâ—haile full of grace The consideration of this mother and sonne Luc. 1. goeth further The virgin in his conception bestowed the bloud of her vaines of which to forme his body and in the nyne moneths that she caryed him in her wombe ouer beside the giuing vnto him her most chast bowells for his rich pallace and the couerings and pannycles of her hart to be the tapissery of his chamber shee also gaue him the very same meate shee took her self so that like a blissed doue with her bill shee put the nutriment in the mouth of her sonne After he was borne the armes of his mother was his cradell holding him vnto her brest she warmed him better then Abysac warmed Dauid IESVS being growen vp his mother gaue him her handes her care and diligence to the end all things shee had might serue him After he was dead taken from the crosse shee took him also in her armes and embraced him with tender affection All this gaue the mother vnto the sonne The sonne gaue vnto the mother grace in her conception in preseuring her from sinne he gaue vnto her the vse of reason before the ordinary time and at three yeres old he conducted her as his owne vnto the Temple Then he aduaunced her higher vntill he made her his mother most fit for such a sonne in such maner that shee is no reproch vnto CHRIST before his eternall father the Angels and all men Yea he glorieth and ioyeth to haue such a mother as Mary is IESVS CHRIST and his mother were in this as other things most faithfull louers for the presents and gifts the one had from the other liked them so well that they neuer left them IESVS had his humanity of his mother and he so firmely embraced it that as the deuines say that which he once vnited to himself he neuer last He lost his life in his passion and in the three dayes he lay in the sepulcher the humane nature was not there for his parts to wit the body and the soule were seperated asunder but the parts were neuer seperated from the diuine Suppositum It is also very cleare that the iewels with which this infant was borne and were bestowed on her in her conception were neuer lost for shee neuer commytted any mortall sinne Let vs then conclude this first tretise to wit of the nobility which accrewed and arose vnto the virgin in being the mother of God with the words of S. Augustine to wyt That to be the mother of God is so great a dignity that by it shee surpasseth not only all mankind but also all the Angels Asmuch as it is more to be the mother rather then the seruant so much is the dignity greater to be the mother of the prince then to be his seruant This reason also conuinceth it for that so much the more is a thing aduanced in perfection the more or nerer it is vnited to God who is the hiest perfection This is the daughter that is borne this day the infant whose feast the Catholike Church celebrateth a litle infant but a great Lady An infant whose graces cannot be expressed but by him that created her THis is a day of great desart a day whose memorie reioyceth both heauen and earth This is the day in which shee is
base because the too much or excesse was a thing reprouable for his person the too litle was not fit nor conuenient in respect of his function He was very merciful toward the poore and gaue them much almose of the mony which many rich men gaue vnto him very largely By these pious deeds Ciprian became in few daies so famous that among the heathen also he was renoumed and no lesse hated as one by whose meanes many left their paganisme and were made Christians For which cause they conferred among themselues howe they might take his life away and to haue a commaundement for it from Themperours Valerian and Gallien who at that time persecuted the Church most cruelly and put many Christians to death euery day God did not permit that this their purpose should come to passe as yet Because a man of such holy life and excellent learning as Cyprian was for some short time necessary to be in the church to the end he might with this holy sermons and admonitions draw many soules out of the bandes of sinne bring them vnto pennance and to the end he might exhort many to forsake the world and enter into relligion and that many damosells liuing in monasteries might keep perpetuall chastity This excellent doctor was also necessary for no preach the truch vnto the heretiks the vnion vnto the schismatiks and peace vnto the children of God He was asso necessary for the incouragement of the martirs to persuade them with a willing mind to suffer torments and death for the sake of IESVS CHRIST with hope to acquire the crowne of glorie in heauen He was likewise necessary to the end that they which only lost their goods in the persecution should be by him comforted in making them assured that they should haue them doubled in heauen This persecution being runne through diuers provinces and cities came also vnto Carthage and was put in execution with such rage and fury that it was worthy of note to see the miserable Christians to goe one this way another that way all of them in feare and dread labouring one while to saue their goods another while to preserue their liues In a short time the prisons were replenished with Christians not with thiefs or malefactors There was no offence punished but that which seemed most heinous vnto the painimes to be a Christian After certein daies expired the ChristiaÌ„s which were imprisoned were taken forth and executed in the high streets with diuersity of tormeÌ„ts Theire dead bodies lay in heapes and no man was so hardy as to touch or bury them What did the holly Bishop S. Ciprian in this time of great calamity and misery He called the Christians to him some times one and sometimes another and led them into certeine secret places where he preached vnto them telling them that the time was euen nowe coÌ„me in which it was to be clearly seen who was in deed the frend of God by perseuering in the confession of the faith by not fearing the tirants that had power to do harme only vnto their bodies and not vnto their soules but rather the more the bodies were abused the more glory should redound vnto their soules that therefore they should not hate the tirants which persecuted them but rather loue and pray vnto God for them knowing that IESVS CHRIST hath said that the difference between the Christian and the pagan is that the Christian doth loue his frends and foes also whereas the pagan loueth none but his frends He made vnto them demonstration of this verity by the example of CHRIST who praied for them that Crucified him and that therefore if they would be his true children they ought to imitate him in works Many other things said the good prelate vnto theÌ„ which if the tirants had heared they might haue bene conuerted by these words Yet they brought forth very gret fruite in the harts of the catholikes because they did much animate them not to fear the rigour to the persecution Ciprian also ordeined many things to preuent and auoid many incoueniences which happened euery day As to apoint stout and lusty fellowes who in the night at certein howers of security took away the bodies of the Martirs which lay in the streets and buried them to others he gaue in charge that the Christians which came out of prison with life yet very euill entreated with torments should be led by them vnto their houses there they should see them haue phisik with all speed He ordeined others to helpe the Christians which were designed to be taken and fled hither and thither and to prouide them sustenaunce and clothing These and such others the like prouisioÌ„s did the Blessed Bishop make in that time full of calamity and he had such a notable gift in commaunding things to be done that euery one obeied him And though they put them selues in manifest daunger yet did they performe all his commaundements The Proconsull who had the charge in Carthage to persecute the Christiants was aduertiezed of the good deeds that Cyprian did wherupon he would be informed who he was and when he heard that the people loued him and that he was of great autority with euery one he durst not arrest him to put him to death but caused his commaundement to be declared vnto him which was that he should depart from Carthage and go vnto a city called Corubitana In that place he staied about a yeare but the Proconsull deceasing he retruned vnto a place neere vnto Carthage and staied in certein gardeins which had bene sometimes parcell of his owne patrimony and which he had sold to be spent in almose But he which had purchased them had giuen restored them agein vnto him freely without any recompence And if the persecution had ceased S. Cyprian had sould them ageine and had giuen the price coming of them agein vnto the poore Remaining certein daies in these gardeins accompanied with manie priests and deacons and other friendes among whom was Pontius who wrote his life many of the city of Carthage and of other places also came to visite S. Cyprian and to confer with him of heauenly matters and at all times they found him affable and curteous Euery one was by him comforted euery one holpen and he persuaded and exhorted them all to serue God Some of his frends besought him to depart from thence and to remaine a litell further of from the Proconsul who being newly come might seek to get him into his handes and put him to death therefore staying there he was in great daunger But he who had receued a reuelation that about one yeres end after his banishment he should obtein the crown of martirdome had not the power to depart out of that place for he had a gret desire to die for the faith of CHRIST The Proconâ—ull had notice where Cyprian dwelt and howe much people came thither to visite him wherefore he sent officers to attach him
in the Spanish that the bodies of the aforenamed holy saints were brought vnto their city in the yeare of our Lord. 1154. The spanish saith That Procopius in the first book saith that these holy saints healed the Emperour Instinian recomending himself vnto them of a greenous infirmity and that in gratification thereof he built a sumptuous temple vnto their name The Dedication of S. Michael the Archangell THE sacred scripture reciteth in the first booke of thing that the reputation and credit of king Saul was in great perill when that proud Philistean called Golias defied him and all his army It was not fit the king should accept the battaile and yet there was not any found in his court whose hart did serue him to encounter that proud giant who was reputed valiant and strong and aunswer the challeng King Saul studied and devised howe to be freed from this dishonour and daunger At last he made a proclamation that if any man ouercame the Phylistean he should be made a noble man and be exempt from all tribute and that he would giue him an honorable office in the court and also his daughter vnto wife These promises of the king were very great yet there was not a man in all the army that was so hardy as to behold the face of the giant only the lowly litle shepherd Dauid zelous of the kings honour and of the peoples also tooke on him the enterprise to combat with the Philistean which he did and shewed such valour that with a stone which he threw he hitte him on the forhead and felled him to the ground then he ranne speedily vnto him and out of his head and returned with the same euery one making triumph for his victory but especially the damsels declared his prowesse in a song After this king Saul obserued his promise he made him a noble man and a great officer in his court and gaue vnto him his daughter Michol vnto his wife This is a perfect portraict of the battell which was in heauen between the Angels of which it is good the memory be celebrated as often as their feast is solemnished for that which they did was a famous and rare work The Philistean Golias is a figure of Lucifer who was the highest Angell and seing himself endowed with grace and guifts aboue other Angel was puffed in pride and came into the field against God pretending to be like and equall to him in some things It was not fit God should come into the field against him for then the victory would haue bene of farre lesse estimation but S. Michaell figured by the lowely shepherd Dauid tooke on him this entreprise and entred boldy into the field against Lucifer in the defence of Gods honor and behaued himself so well that with one stone which was his profound humility saieng who is as God he cast the giant to the earth that is threw Lucyfer into hell Lucifer being ouercome with all his followers S. Michaell returned victoriously from the conflict euery one making ioy and triumph for it but especially the damsels who sang of his prowesse which happeneth euery time this feast of him and the Angels is celebrated for that many blessed soules singing the victory of S. Michaell do reioice at his honorable enterprise God also performed his promise vnto him he made him a noble man and gaue him an honorable office making him Chief Iustice in his kingdome for which cause he beareth the Ballaunce and the sword in his hand when he is painted and gaue vnto him an honorable companion which was his diuine grace confirming him in the same and all the other blessed spirits also EVERY time the Catholike Church celebrateth the feast of the Angels there is red in the office of the masse a ghospell which treateth howe controuersy arising amongst the Apostles which of them should be the greatest the sonne of God called a litle child and set him in the midst of them and said If you be not humbled as this child you shall not be great in the kingdome of heauen but more then that You shall neuer come thither The vse of the Catholike Church guided by the holy Ghost is to reade this Ghospell in such like solemnities because there is mention made of the Angels for in the end therof it is said That None should contemne the lowely and humble as children be bicause their Angels see alwaies in heauen the face of God Some Authors though not in the literall sence will drawe this history to the Angels saieng that assoone as God created them he gaue theÌ„ notice of the mistery of the Incarnation and set before their eies that B. child IESVS who should giue remedy vnto the world and then said vnto them uerily I tel you if you be not humble lowely as this child and imitate him therin if in this small space in which you be viatores or trauellors and haue time to merite or demerite yee do not imitate him and be likened to this child If you do not honor and adore him you shall not be confirmed in grace you shall not enter into my glory But Lucifer seeing him felf so faire beutifull and honoured iudged it would be an abacement and vility to imitate a man and much more to adore him And labouring to drawe the Angels vnto his opinion said vnto them it would be a great basenes and shame vnto them to be humbled to adore a man and with these speechs drew the third part vnto his opinion S. Michael together with all the other holy Angels obeied God and adored the litle child IESVS and tooke vpon him the defence of Gods honor against Lucifer and the Angels that followed him The fierce warre betweene them was not of materiall weapons but of different willes and S. Michael and his company were so potent that they cast Lucifer and all his followers out of heauen Assoone as Lucifer was cast out of heauen fallen into the world there was heard a great voice which said wo vnto the world because Lucifer is fallen into it and will giue occasion of offence but more wo vnto him by whom such scandals shall come it were better for such a one to haue a millstone tied vnto his necke and that he were throwen into the sea This befell vnto the deuill because there was tied vnto the neck of his will a greate stone which was their obstinacy with which they were drowned in the bottomles pitt Then said God take heed that none make small account of these humble Angels Spa as lactan l 2. c. 9. D. Berâ—â— ser 17. super mis est Alex. 3. p. q. 74. memb 8. Nacl deoper sex dier which remaine in heauen but honor and reuerence them for I tell you true they alwais see the face of the father eternall This is that which some doctors say and I had not rehersed it here if it had not a good ground that the sinne of Lucifer was for that he
would not adore IESVS CHRIST for he thought he lost much of his reputation if he that was an Angell had abased himself to adore IESVS CHRIST a man though he was God also It is the common opinion of the doctors founded vpon holy writte that the sinne of Lucifer was pride and disobedience S. Paul seemeth to say so writing to the Hebrewes where he saith Let all the Angels of God adore him S. Iohn Chrisostome saith that this was a precept giuen vnto the Angels Hereof riseth the great malice and enuy of Lucifer against IESVS CHRIST for that he was cast out of heauen for his sake Ad hebr cap. 1. and because the cursed wretch cannot reuenge himself against him there fore he laboureth to wreak his malice against men wherupon S. Basill saith D. Bas 1. tom hom in lai that Lucifer doth after the manner of a bull who seeing a man to cast a snare or cord about his hornes is chafed and enraged against him and whilest he is in his greatest fury they vse to set before him the shape of a man against which he vttereth all his rage though it put not the cord aboute him In like sort Lucifer doth who because he cannot be reuenged on IESVS CHRIST who tied him and was the cause he was throwne out of heauen and also of his torment he hath in hell striueth to reuenge himself on men who are made to the image and similitude of god On the contrary the Angels do loue men entirely bicause they see CHRIST who is both God and man for whose cause they enioy the heuenly glory and also because they behould the deuils to persecute and make cruell warre against them Hereof it commeth that God commaunding them to be the keepers and guardians of men and to be their guides they do not scorne it yea they esteeme it honorable and take great content therat Therfore in this warre which the deuill maketh against men assisted by two lusty fellowes his seruants the world and the flesh the Angells hold on our sides helping and ayding vs As it it happened to Iudas Machabeus 2. Mach. 11. who being ready to incounter with a great army of his enemies two Angels went by his side and aided him and caused him to obteine a famous victory These holy Angels deliuer vs from many daungers into which we fall oftentimes as it befell to Loth when the Angels pulled him almost by force out of Sodome Gen 19. that he should not be consumed with fier among the other people of Sodome These Angels hold vs back and with drawe vs if we go sometimes headlong into sinne as happened to the prophet Balaam who being on the way entending to curse the people of God Nū 22. an Angell met him on the high way with a naked sword in his hand and though the prophet did not see him yet the Asse on which he rode such was the pleasure of God sawe him and afterward the Angell told him what to do and spake vnto him These holy Angels comfort vs in our troubles as befell to IESVS CHRIST in that great agony Luc. 22. which he had in the gardē when he sweate bloud CHRIST had no Angell guardyan for that he needed none yet an Angell descended from heauen which comforted him reducing vnto his mind the great good proffit that would arise of his death These B. Angells keepe vs company in all our voyages and iourneis Tobia 3. as it befell to yong Tobyas who was accompanied by an Angell in a long iourney and receued by him many graces and fauours They do defend vs and stand on our side daunting our enemies as happened to the prophet Heliseus 4. Reg 6. when the Assirians besieged him in mont Carmelo when many Angels enuironed him round in his defence These Angels guide vs in the way we are to walk as befell to the Hebrewes when they departed out of Egipt Exod. 14. for an Angell went before them as a cloud and guided them in the day and in the night directed them in the forme of a piller of fire These B. 3. Reg. 19. spirites comfort vs and prouide vs sustentation as befell vnto the prophet Elias for an Angell brought him sustenance before he went a long iourney These Angells present our praiers our sobbes and teares before God as befell vnto the beutifull Sara Toby 3. the daughter of Raguel who was widowe seauen times the diuell killing her husbands an Angell presented her praiers and teares before the face of God and shee was deliuered from that affliction These Angells finally when the soules are seperated from the bodies if they go vnto purgatorie keep them companie and comfort them with their often visitations if they go vnto heauen they go before them making triumph and ioy For which cause it is fit and iust that men who receaue these great benefits by the Angells should make great estimation of them and also honour them and be prompt and ready to do them seruice Pope Boniface the 4. who sate in the chaire of S. Peter about the yeare of our Lord 614. cōsidering seeing that in Rome there were many Churches dedicated to diuers Saints caused a Church to be builded in the honor of S. Michaell the Archangell the which was builded in Rome in a place called Circus Maximus which building was fully ended and finished on the 29. day of September And in remembrance of the building of the Church the Pope willed the feast of S. Michaell the Archangell and of all the other Angells to be celebrated through all parts of Christendome It is our duety to reioice on this day especially with them shewing our selfes to be gladsome of that they enioy the eternall felicity in heauen of which God make vs partakers for his mercies sake Amen The life of S. Hierome WE READ of the great friend of God Moises guide and captaine to the children of Israell that when he took the same people from the hands of Pharao and conducted them out of the land of Egipt the Red sea stopped him but when he stroke it with his wand it deuided into two partes so that all the people passed through drie foot the water seruing them for a wall and a defence against the Egiptians their enemies that pursued them Moyses is not only a figure of IESVS CHRIST our Lord the guide and captaine of the Christians whome he deliuered from the hand of Pharao to witte the deuill opening the way by the sea of his death passion with the wand or wood of the Crosse but also representeth the holie Doctors though not so properlie who in some sort are guides and captaines vnto the Christians Amonghst other Doctors figured in Moyses one is glorious S. Hierome for that this Doctor like vnto another Moises is the guide and meanes whereby many that were slaues and subiect to vices haue freed themselues from their miserable bondage by the
help of his doctrine and good example praiers and meritts Especiallie those who take him for their Aduocate and recommend themselues vnto him The sea which runneth betweene is the sacred scripture with is a deepe sea that hath no ende 〈…〉 yet in the red sea there was some end In this sea be drowned many heretiks euery day we see one or other drowned for that they will not take such holy doctours for their guide as S. Ierome and others Of him it may be said truly that as Moyses taking his wand did deuide the sea so this glorious saint with the wand of the feare of God opened the deep sea of the sacred scripture This is certaine that as vnto S. Gregory is attributed the principall guift in reproouing of euill behauior and disorderly liuing and vnto S. Augustine in assotling scholasticall doubts so vnto S. Ierome is assigned the praise for the interpretation and expounding the holy scriptures So that we may say that he deuided this sea and showed away for others that will follow him and all they that passe therin shall passe dry foote and the same scripture shal be vnto them a wall and defence against the Egiptians that is to say the deuills and his members which be the heretiks our mortall enemies The life of this glorious Doctor taken out of his owne writings and out of other good Authors was this SAINT Ierome was borne in the time of Constantine sonne vnto Constantine the Great in a place vpon the borders of Dalmacy and Hongary called Strâ—do which city was in a maner wholly destroied by the Gothes in his life time as he himself saith and hereupon the memory therof is vtterly lost * The Spanish saith it is at this preseÌ„t a pretty village vnder the Venetians and is called Sdrinea that therin is conserued the memory of S. Ierome His fathers name was Eusebius and he had a brother called Paulinus he had also a sister whose name is not knowen and the name of his mother is vnknowen also The brother and sister of S. Ierome entred into religion and in the same ended their lifes in blessed maner He came of noble bloud yet he doth not speak therof in all his writings though other writers report so He had also aboundance of worldly possessions and goods which he sold when he caused the Abbey to be builded at Bethlem as he saith himself And by cause his parents were Christians epist 66. ad Ruffin epist 26 ad pamach Epist 51. ad Dom. onem he was instructed euen from a child in the Christian faith and relligion At that time flourished in Rome the schoole of the liberall sciences wherfore he went thither with intention to study He first studied the Latine and Greek toungs and Donatus was his schoolemaister in grammer Then went he vnto the study of philosophy and other liberall arts and in them he profited much as appeareth by his writings In Rome he receiued the vesture of IESVS CHRIST as Pope Damasus writeth that is to say Ep. 57. 58. ad Dam. he was Baptised It was the vsage of that time to be Baptised when they were of years of discretion and they that were baptized for certaine daies did weare a white vesture in place whereof when infants are now Baptised they put on their head a white cloth Ep 41. ad Ruf. lib 2. cont Iouin and that is called the vesture of IESVS CHRIST S. Ierome departed then from Rome with a desire to learn deeper studies he went into Gallia or Fraunce traueiling diuers waies seeking after wise and discreet men or lerned and good books and where he found any of these things there he staid some time The books he found if he liked them he endeuoured to buy or els he took paine to coppy theÌ„ out or to translate them Writing to Florentius he saith that he coopied out with his owne hands Ep. 6. in the city of Triers a great volume in which were written certaine Sinods collected by S. Hillary he found a man of good life he conuersed with him and lerned of him all the good he could and the same he did when he mett with any rare or singular lerned man by this meanes he was enriched not in temporall possessions but in vertue science After some time thus spent he returned vnto his countrey and from thence vnto Rome He thought he was not secure in Rome and the staieng also in his owne countrey pleased him not for there he had manie kinsfolk of whom he could receaue no help neither could he satisfy their desires And in Rome he thought would be too many occasions of pleasures and delights dangerous for yong men as he was at that time He determined therfore to passe the sea and to go into Greece where he entended to study and to conuerse with wise and learned men of whom there was store in that countrey at that time Knowing that Gregorie Nazianzen was Patriarch of Constantinople who for his excellency was surnamed the Deuine he went thither and though he might well be a maister instructor vnto others for his learning yet would he be disciple to that learned and holy Bishop that he might say and vaunt he had learned Diuinity of Gregorie Nazianzen Then visited he the holy land and trauelled through all the places therof which moued him to great deuotion and was a great content vnto his mind There was not a thing in all Pallestina whereof meÌ„tion is made in the holy scripture but he sawe it with his owne eyes which help him much as he saith himself to vnderstand the same There had he also maisters In coment Esay 6. Item â—ep 99 ad as sellam in ep 2. ad nepotiaÌ„ who taught him the Hebrew toung and likewise the Chaldean which he vnderstood best though he could not speake it The other he spake aswell as he vnderstood it He also conuersed with the people of Siria by that meanes learned many things of their language and speech and though he trauelled thus to get sondry languages yet he did not pretermit his first study of the Latine toung yea he so much delighted therin that becaused he would not omit the reading of Cicero and other eloquent authors therof he spent therin that litle time he might haue spent in more profitable studies so that I wonder that any man will make doubt that he was chastised of God for it Isid in quodaÌ„ himno Brevi ipsius since he writeth in himself S. Isidorus reciteth the same words who perhaps might feare to haue the like chas tisement since he likewise spent his time in the same study S. Ierome writing to Eustochium in that epistle which beginneth Audi filia saith these words I wretched sinner tooke paines in reading of Tullyes works and his eloquence was very delightfull vnto me and if then I took into my hands a book of any of the Prophets and read it their
earth though they be all holie persons the reason is this they which be in heauen cannot fall any more but they that be holie on earth may fall againe and so do many and often tymes Before Queene Vasty kept this feast she gaue vnto her damosells to eate sometimes of one kind of meat sometimes of an other yet moderately and in measure but on the festiuall daye she gaue them all kind of delicacies most freely So also the Catholique Church maketh ready her table daily for all faithfull beleevers yet diuersly some dayes with one ind of meat somedaies with another Sometimes she maketh a feast and giueth meat to all them that haue been good all the time of their liues and this she doth in celebrating the feast of S. Iohn Baptist Another day she dres seth a dinner for great sinners presenting vnto them a Mathew a Marie Magdalene which for a season offended God by their wicked liues She also maketh a feast for religious men on the day of S. Benedict S. Dominik S. Francis and such others as they be She maketh a feast to the religious recluses on the day of S. Clare of S. Catherine of Siena and such others To the maried people when she celebrateth the feast of S. Ioseph Vnto Kings and great Lords on the daie of the Epiphanie when the feast of the three kings is celebrated vnto Bishops and Prelates on the daie of S. Ambrose S. Martin S. Nicholas of such like Vnto virgins and damosells on the day of S. Agnes S. Lucy and many others But the day of all Saints signifieth the day that Queene Vasty made the feast and prepared the royall banquet vnto all her ladies damosells because on this day the Catholique Church doth prepare and dresse meat for all manner of people when she celebrateth the feast-day of all the saints in heauen who be a patterne and example for all men in the world that by imitating them they may reforme their liues and amend all loose and lewd behauiour DIVERS and sundrie reasons haue been diuersly alleadged why the Church of God doth celebrate a feast of all the saints together One reason is the dedication of a temple which was consecrated in Rome in the name of all the Saints Ado Bishop of Vienna and those authors that write the liues of the popes and Emperours relate it in this manner In chro aetat 6 ano 604. About the yeare of our Lord 608. Boniface the 4. being pope there raigned in Constantinople Phocas the Emperour who though he be noted to be couetous and cruell yet was he a Catholique prince very affectionate to the Church of Rome and a priuate friend vnto Pope Boniface There had been built in Rome a most sumptuous temple in honour of Cybele that false goddesse mother of all the Gods and in the name of all the other Gods also This was built by Marcus Agrippa a noble man of Rome who called it by a greek name Pantheon that is to say the habitation of all the Gods The temple is round and hath no other windowe but one great hole in the top thereof which giueth light to all the temple It is said Agrippa caused it to be built in that fashion for that he would not shew himself partiall toward the Gods in setting one in a more honorable place then another but to make them all equall and by the iudgment of those that haue skill in Architecture it is held the most artificiall building that is in our knowne world Of this temple with the consent of the Emperour Phocas because he had iurisdiction and comaunded in Rome and a great part of Italy Boniface made a Church consecrated it to the mother of God and of all saints His reason was that euen as the pagans in this temple had adored the diuells and all the crew of their heathenish Gods with Cibele their mother so from thence forth there should be honored in the same place the Blessed mother of the true sonne of God and all the whole court of heauen with the holie martirs also For at that time they did not so ordinarilie celebrate in the Church the festiuall daies of the Confessors The Pope called this feast S. Mariaad Martires and willed it should be kept on the ninth day of May. Afterward Pope Gregorie the 4. who liued in the yeare of our Lord 827. after the opinion of Onuphrius Panuinius translated the feast vnto the first of Nouember because of the infinite number of people that resorted to Rome to sollemnise that feast Wherefore he thought it more conuenient to transferre it vnto a season wherein the fruits of the earth were inned and brought into the barnes that there might be sufficient store therof and no scarcity for the pilgrimes and strangers as there was wont to be and is ordinarilie in the month of May. At this present that Church is called S. Maria Rotunda the daie is called the daie of all saints On the first of Nouember it is celebrated with great sollemnitie and marueilous concurse of people to the honour of the B. virgin Mary and all saints And this may be one of the reasons why the Catholique Church celebrateth this sollemnity Another reason is for that the Church endeuoureth to satisfie in honoring all saints in common since it is not possible so to do in particuler feastes The holie Ghost by whom the Church is ruled and gouerned apointeth some feast daies of saints to be kept festiuall besides those daies which are kept holie in the honour of CHRIST his B. mother and the Apostles The reason why feast day of one faint is celebrated more then another may be because they were martired in Rome which is the head of the world and the perpetuall sea of the vicar of CHRIST as long as the world endureth as S. Laurence S. Agnes and others Or for that their bodies haue been translated thither from other countries as S. Anastasius and S. Gorgonius Or else for that they haue been renowned martirs as S. Vincent of Valentia the Spaniard and S. Catherine of Alexandria or it may be for some other such like cause The reasons of them all are not knowne but secret As of the saints which the same Church putteth into the Canon of the masse Sup Canon Leâ—â— 32. lit K. for though they imiâ—ate liuely as Gabriell saith the passion of CHRIST yet it seemeth there be saints of more fame which might haue beene set in that most rare singuler place as well as other that be there as S. Sebastian S. Georg many others Yea as the same Gabriell saith it hat beene knowne that some men in particuler Churches haue taken some saints out of the Canon put others in their place it hath beene found that they that haue beene blotted out haue beene put in againe and they that were newlie written were cancelled and blotted out So that it seemeth there is in it some misterie
like occasions and assembled a Councell of 105. Bishops in the Church of S. Saluator neere vnto S. Iohn La'eranne And the question of the aforementioned errors being againe disputed certein Canons were published by which all the auncient heresies and this also being lately reuiued were condemned and anathematised and with them Peter Cirus and Sergius their Patriarchs deceased accursing detesting and depriuing Paulus the Patriarch now liuing and all his followers and adherents of what state condition dignity or function so euer and depriuing them also of all offices and benefices ecclesiasticall And to the end this holy Councell and all the decrees and Canons of the same should be diuulged and published through the world Pope Martin caused many coppies to be sent into most parts thereof Th'emperour CoÌ„stans vnderstanding what the Pope had done in the Councell tooke such indignation therat that he determined to apprehend if he did not kill the Pope in reuenge of this iniury as he estemed it For this purpose he sent into Italy in which at that time the Emperours of Constantinople had some cities and countreis one Olimpius a noble man of his chamber but an heretike as he himself was and gaue vnto him the title of Exark or Regent with secret instructions what to do Olimpius arriued at Rauenna which was the ordinary place of residence of the Exarks and hauing amassed and gathered huge forces as he could went toward Rome where he endeuored to make a schisme in the Churche of God But not being able to compasse and effect it because the Bishops of Italy and the Clergy of the city were of one accord and held together in the defence of the faith and of the Pope he then diuised meanes to entrap the Pope and to take him prisoner But finding it hard to be effected because he could not get him out ' of Rome where he was well beloued and had many frends he lastly determined to kill him For the effectuating of this deuise he agreed with one of his seruaunts an auncient souldier and told him he had procured the Pope to say Masse the day following in S. Maria Maior where he would require the Pope to giue him the B. Sacrament and as he communicated this desperate fellow should come nere and stabbe the Pope with his dagger The souldier promised so do The next day came and the Pope said Masse and Olimpius like another Iudas came vp to communicate yet lingered till his man came that should do this treacherous deed but our B. God altered all this for he caused the man to loose his sight and though he was hard by the Pope yet he sawe him not which thing he confessed many times after with solemne oths By this meanes this infernall sacriledg was not committed and the holy Pope escaped free from this trecherous inuention Aftetwadrs the Sarracens inuaded the Island of Sycile in the which they made great spoile and by cause at that time it was subiect vnto th'emperour Olimpius was obliged to go and defend them and so he did being first reconciled to the Pope and making vnto him a relation of the true causes of his comming into Italy Olimpius fought with the Saracens in a pitcht field vanquished them yet so great was the toile he took in the battaile that a few dais after he deceased When th'emperour was aduertised of his death he sent in his place as Exark Theodorus Calliopa who had bene there before and had behaued himself so well that he was beloued in Rome and all Italy Euery one reioiced at his coming but at the end euery one was deceiued and deluded for th'emperour had drawne him vnto his opinion and had enioined him that assoone as he had imprisoned the Pope he should send him vnto th'emperour with a strong guard And because he had no assured confidence in him he ioined with him in commission for the affaires and busines with the Pope only one Paulus Pallurius a seruant of his of whom he had this opinion that he would not faile to performe what soeuer he should command him Calliopa and his associate arriued at Rauenna and with outlong stay went vnto Rome where he staied some fewe daies treating with the Pope about many and seuerall businesses but all that he did was in deceit The Pope who was a plaine meaning man had no conceit of the treachery which Calliopa entended toward him So that Calliopa one day fained being in the lodgiing of S. Iohn Laterane to go and visite the Pope but in steed thereof he laid blowes on him and the Pope being vnable to defend him self from that violence was put in prison Calliopa sent him incontinent in bonds vnto Paulus Pellarius who conueied him withall speed vnto Rauenna and from thence vnto Constantinople The wicked emperour Constans reioiced exceedingly that he had gotten the Pope into his hands and endeuored with flattery and faire promises to drawe the good Pope to fauor his error but finding him stedfast in his faith he banished him vnto the city of Chersona which is in the outmost borders of the sea Euxinus a very cold country almost inhabitable There the good Pope was so afflicted and euill entreated that within fewe daies he died very patiently as a glorious martir of IESVS CHRIST Pope Martin the first of that name after the most certain account died in the year of our Lord. 654. on the. 12. day of Nouember and on the same day the Church celebrateth his feast His body was after this brought to Rome and buried in the Church dedicated vnto him and S. Siluester God did many miracles by the meanes of this saint who was his vicar in earth 6. yeares one moenth 26. dayes He gaue holy orders twice in the month of December in which he ordered 11. priests 5. deacons and 33. bishops The life of S. Gregorie Thaumaturgus HE that beleâ—ueth in me saith CHRIST Iohn 14. shall do the works and miracles that I do and greater also This sentence was most plainly verified in S. Gregorie Bishop of Neocaelarea which is the same that is now called Trabisonda Of him it is written that by his prayers he made a huge great rock as bigge as a hill to go from one place vnto another And also that he made a lake which caused discord betweene two brethren to drie vp and he stayed a great riuer that it should not ouerflowe to hurt the inhabitants by the bankes thereof We do not read that our Sauiour CHRIST did any of these thinges we doubt not but he could haue done them yet he did them not that his words might be fullfilled when he said that his faithfull seruants should do greater miracles after a certaine manner then those that he did And because it was euident in this holie saint he had the surname of Thaumaturgus that is a doer of marueilous things giuen vnto him His life was written by S. Gregorie Nissen in this manner SAINT Gregorie surnamed Thaumaturgus
virgine Mary might be kept on the 21. Nouember The life of S. Cecilie ONE of the vertuous excercises that the holie matrone Iudith vsed in the seruice of God and to please him was that she wore a course haire-cloth by which she tamed her flesh and brought it in subiestion This was the cause that she had the victorie ouer her flesh and that she liued many yeares a continent and chast life and was freed from all danger and brought home an honorable victorie at such time as she was in the handes of Holofernes We maie saie the same of the glorious virgin and martyr S. Cecilie who amongst many other her pious and vertuous excercises wore continually a haire-cloth and she was deliuered from a danger like vnto that of Iudith for she was preserued a virgin though she were espoused and brought her husband to be a Christian and to keep perpetuall chastitie with her which both of them obserued during their liues The life of this holie saint was written by Symeon Metaphrastes after this manner MANY and great were the graces and fauours that IESVS CHRIST bestowed vpon men discending from heauen vnto earth and deliuering them with his owne death from eternall death ouercoming thereby him that had power in the world and then guiding them by his doctrine vnto heauen Many men acknowledging this good done vnto them by our blesses Sauiour followed him The first were the Apostles then the martyrs Confessors priests virgins wydowes and maried people and those that excercise themselues in all vertuous workes To conclude his diuine maiestie calleth euerie one by the meanes of his euangelists saying Come vnto me all you that be wearied and afflicted and I will refresh you I will lighten the waight that lyeth so heauen vpon you This comfortable saying was heard by S. Cecilie a virgin of Rome who was beautifull of bodie noble of bloud and ritch in posessions Shee beleeuing the Gospell caried it alwaies about her reading often thereon and praying vnto God continually Her father had espoused her to a verie goodlie gentleman of Rome called Valerian who being inflamed with the loue of Cecilie desired much the wedding daie At last the daie came and the glotious virgin though she were in rich apparrell of silk and gold conformeable to her owne birth and the estate of her husband yet vnder her said apparrell next to her skinne she wore a course haircloth Three daies before the apointed tâ—me of the wedding she fasted wept and prayed continuallie desiring God to preserue her virginitie for that this mariage was not by her desired neither should it be by her will since she had giuen herself whollie to IESVS CHRIST and offred to him her virginitie And that her praier might the rather be heard she desired the Angells Apostles martyrs virgins and all the court of heauen to make intercession for her The time at last being come that she and Valerian were to be priuate in their chamber alone she spake to him after this manner My honorable Lord and deare loue I will discouer vnto you a waighty matter if you will promise to keep it secret Valerian forth with promised and then Cecilie said vnto him The secret is this I haue an Angell of God in my companie who is iealous of me and guardeth my bodie verie dilligentlie If he see thee so hardie as to come neere or touch me with carnall or lasciuious loue he will chastice thee rigorously but if he see that thou loue me with pure and chast loue he will loue thee as he loueth meâ— and will bestowe the like pretious fauours as he bestoweth on me Valerian hearing thâ—se words was some what troubled and fearefully said If thou my dearest Cecilie desire that I beleeue thy wordes let me see the Angell If I see him not I shall thinck it is some person that thou louest in dishonest sort which is a wrong to me that am thy husband And if I find it so I wil not faile to kill you both To this S. Cicilie answered If you desire to see the Angell you must be Baptised beleeue in one God eternall and Omnipotent Creator of heauen and earth The conclusion of their long speech was they agreed that on the next daie Valerian should talk with the blessed Bishop Vrban who at that tyme sat in the Chaire of S. Peter and by him Valerian being first instructed in the faith was Baptised Then returning home and coming into the chamber where Cecilie was he found her at prayer and an Angell by her in the shape of a beautifull yongman from whose face came a glorious brightnes The yong man had two garlands in his hand made of Lillies and fresh odoriferous Roses The one he gaue vnto S. Cecilie and the other vnto Vallerian When he deliuered them he said I haue brought these garlands for you wrought with flowres gathered in paradise and in signe I saie true they will continew allwaies fresh and smell verie sweet and maie not be seene but of them that endeauour to liue chast as you do And because thou Valerian hast giuen credit vnto thy spouse and hast receaued the faith of CHRIST the same IESVS hath apointed me to tell thee from him that demaund what thou wilt and he will grant it vnto thee When Valerian heard this he kneeled on the ground and rendred thanckes vnto God for the great benefitt bestowed on him and said I desire this fauour that my brother Tiburtius whom I loue most hartelie maie be conuerted vnto the faith I shall not shew the loue that I beare him if I being now deliuered from the blindnes of Idollatrie wherein I liued do not help to deliuer him also out of it if it be in my power To this the Angell answered with a cheerful countenance Since thou hast demaunded so iust a thing God doth grant it vnto thee And as Cecilie thy spouse hath bene the meanes of thy saluation so shall she also be a meanes for thy brother Tiburtius All came to passe as the Angell said for Tiburtius coÌ„ming by hap into the chamber and feeling a sweet smell of lillies and roses and seing none demaunded of them whence the fragrant smell came that he felt Valerian told him that it came from two garlands which he and Cecilie had on their heads and had bene brought vnto them from heauen Valerian took occasion hereupon to giue him knowledg of IESVS CHRIST and told him also that he himself was Baptised Then leading his brother Tiburtius to Vrban the pope he instructed him in the faith and Baptised him also It befell afterward that the two brethren excercising themselues in good works and especiallie in burieng the Christians that were martyred information was giuen of them to a gouernor called Almachius who imprisoning them and tormenting them in diuers manners as is written in their liues on the 14 of Aprill they were beheaded for the profession of the faith of CHRIST and S. Cecilie buried their bodies
yielded vp her spirit vnto God in that torment on the second day of December on the which day the Church celebrateth her feast This befell in the year of our Lord. 364. in the time of Iulyan the Apostata The body of S. Bibiana was buryed by a priest called Iohn in the city of Rome in a place neere vnto the palace of Licinius The life of S. Barbara virgin and Martyr THE prophet Ezechiel recounteth a vision Cap. 40 saying that he sawe a man who measured the temple and the house of God who had in his hand a rod wand to measure which was sixe cubites long and one handfull The Gyant Golyas with whom Dauid sought and cut of his head was also sixe cubites 1. Râ—g 17 and one handfull hiâ— It is not without mistery that these two measures are alike It may be by the man whom Ezechiell sawe to measure the temple is signified our Lord God And by the Gyant Golyas is ment the deuill In that he was of the same measure that the rod of the other was sheweth that the deuill to the vttermost striueth to be likened vnto God And omitting many other examples I will speak of one seruing our purpose God commaunded Abraham to sacrifice his own sonne Gen. 22 who incontinent prepared himself to doâ—yt and had performed the same if God who bad him had not hindered and let him by an Angell Out of this act of Abraham redounded very much honor vnto God it being thereby seene hat he had such a faithfull seruant that to do him seruice he was willing to kill his owne sonne The deuill to be like vnto God in this persuaded one of his seruants called Dioscorus to kill his only daughter who was called Barbara a blessed damosell to do seruice to the same deuill The life of this holy saint was written in this maÌ„ner by Symeon Metaphrastes and Ado. Arch. B. of Treuers IN the time of Th'emperour Maximian there was in the city of Nicomedia a man very rich in worldly posessions and of a noble family but in relligion he was an Idollater and was called Dioscorus This man had one only daughter who was to be his heyre whom he loued dearely This damosell was very beautifull and witty and in religion which is the thing most to be regarded shee was a Christian and very vertuous though her father was ignorant that shee was Baptised Dioscorus doubted lest the yong woman lyuing alone in the house and being so faire should be sued vnto in some inconuenient manner by one or other which to preuent and auoid he inclosed her in a tower of his pallace It was no grief vnto the holy damosell to be so shut and mewed vp there since shee might bestowe her self wholy by this meanes in the seruyce of God as she did spending her time in prayers and meditations the inspirations of the holy Ghost recreating her soule There was in that same tower a faire hall and many chambers furnished shee might also goe downe from the tower into a garden for her recreation her father for her better contentment made therin a bayne or bathing house with two wyndowes to giue it light The work was not yet finished when Dioscorus was occasioned to go on a long iourney wherefore he gaue directions vnto the master work men and departed By happe Barbara went one day to see the labourers as they were working on the two wyndows and bad them make three The men sayd they durst not do so for Dioscorus had commaunded them to make but two Barbara said I would haue you make three in any case and if my father be offended therewith tell him that I bad you and I will yield him a reason why three be made So the workmen made three wyndowes as shee bad them The work being furnished Barbara weÌ„t vnto the Baine and in seeing the three wyndowes shee contemplated the mistery of the B. Trinity It befell one day shee meditating the misteryes of the passion and death of IESVS CHRIST and shedding teares from her beutifull eyes which like pretious perles drapped into the fountein and were mingled with the pure and christalline water shee came vnto a piller of marble out of which the water issued and on the same with her finger shee made the signe of the Crosse A merueillous thing to recount the marke made in the marble with the finger of the virgin continued as if it had bene imprinted by some seale into waxe The signe remayned there and after that the holy saint was martyred many came into the baine and looking on it deuoutly calling on the name of the holy Saint were deliuered from many infirmityes When the holy damosell had made the Crosse shee kissed it deuoutly many times casting aside her eyes shee sawe some statues of the Idolls her father adored which he had caused to be set there for the more ornament of the place It grieued her very sore and caused her to sigh and lament for compassion of them that adored such Gods and moued with indignation against them shee spit in their faces sayeng Let all them that adore you and seek for help at your hands be like vnto yow hauing done this shee returned vnto her tower and spent her life in fasting and prayer her mynd being always fixed vpon God Her father came home and went to visite his daughter and also to see his newe baine hauing the master workmen with him When he sawe they had made three wyndows and he had apointed them to make but two he asked them the cause therof and they told him again that his daughter charged them to do as they had done So he sayd no more at that time Afterward being alone with Barbara he said vnto her daughter what was thy meanyng to cause them to make three wyndows when I apointed theÌ„ to make but two The holy damosell without any feare answered father I caused them to make three because it was more conuenient and agreable to reason How so said Dioscorus Barbara replied for that three lights do illuminate euery man that cometh into this world The good virgin spake this with an intention to signify the high mistery of the B. Trynity Her father was somewhat troubled at her words and sayd Explaine these your speeches a litle better What is the meanyng that three wyndowes illumynate euery man that cometh into this world Then Barbara said Come with me and you shall vnderstand my meanyng They went to the Bayne and being neere the piller the holy damosell shewed him the signe of the Crosse which shee had made therin with her finger and sayd vnto him My father the thâ—re wyndowes signify the three persons viz the father the sonne and the holy Ghost by this light euery creature is illuminated to the end the high and souereigne mistery of the holy Crosse vpon which IESVS CHRIST dyed may be beleeued There was neuer bull bayted by dogges or wounded shewed such rage
the Virgin Mary Why then hauing bestowed so great a benefite on her should he deny her the grace of preseruation which was fitting and conuenient for her He exempted and priuiledged her from the paines of child-birth and from being turned vnto dust which be generall lawes was it not also reason that he should exempt and set her free from originall sinne Eua who was the cause occasion of all our euill as S. Anselme saith was created in grace is it meere then that Mary by whom we haue had so great good should be thought to be conceiued in sinne Moreouer they which be conceiued in originall sinne be called by the Apostle children of wrath and slaues to the deuill and to say so of the most B. virgin is a thing most inconuenient Further a good sonne ought to doe to his mother all the honour that he can and in not doing of it it seemeth he doth not intyrely fulfill the precept of God to honour his father and mother Our Lord IESVS is the true Sonne of the glorious Virgin and it is fit he should do that for his mother that any other good sonne would doe to his mother And though the B. Virgin was preserued from it therefore cannot we say that CHRIST was not her Redeemer for that in preseruing of her she was more deeply redeemed for there be two manners of redemptions one preseruatiue and the other subleuatiue or restoring The first is more excellent then the secoÌ„d for it is euident that one shall be more obliged and beholden to him that sustaineth him that he fall not into the durt and myre then vnto him that lifteth him vp out of it and then wipeth his cloths Likewise if God caused a Temple to be builded the most sumptuous and stately that euer any was in the world wherein to set the Arke of the testament which for that it was to conserue the Manna the table of the law and the wand wherewith Moyses did the miracles was to be couered with most fine Gold within without to be made of incorruptible wood more iust it was that God should giue rare and soueraigne perfections vnto the bowells and wombe wherein he would inclose his sonne and where his diuinity should inhabite in a manner ineffable If God commanded the children of Israel to be sanctified when they desired to come and talke with him it shall be then very iust that she who was to be the mother of God and cloth him with his humanity should be adorned with singuler purity God conserued the garments and shoes of the Hebrews in the desert for the space of 40. yeares so that they were neuer torne which thing he did for his honour much more fit was it he should preserue the soule of his mother to the end she should neuer fall out of his fauour or be without grace Ioseph made all the land of Egipt tributary vnto King Pharao except the land of the Priests signifying that our Lord redeemer ought to exempt from the tribute of originall sinne the B. virgin with whose flesh the true Priest after the order of Mâ—lchizedech should be clothed Our holy forefathers though they spoke many great commendations and praises of the B. Virgin yet said they not that she should not be conceiued in originall sinne neither hath any ancient Counsell made any decree or said their opinion in it This came to passe because God hath not declared all thing together at one time vnto his Church nor vnto the faithfull neither was it conuenient to be so Therefore he said vnto his Apostles after he had declared great matters vnto them at his last supper as S. Iohn writeth I haue many things to say but yet you are not capable of them your vnderstanding is not able to conceiue them the holy Ghost shall reueale them vnto you This was true for when the Holy Ghost came he declared all things that were fit for that time and continually doth declare and manifest things Those which are now laid open doe not contradict that which was discouered before yet are not all things which were before hidden and darkned with a cloud discouered and opened all together for some Counsels of our times doe declare some things belonging to faith which our forefathers did not And so the saying that the mother of God was conceiued without sinne was hidden and secret many yeares which was a thing not without cause The reason might be this That the common people was ordinarily so deuote to her that if it had bene published and affirmed in former times when things were not so well declared and when that they which had erred could not so well haue bene instructed and reformed as it is fit they should in such a case it might haue bene that the B. Virgin should haue bene adored for God To auoide this inconuenience it seemeth good reason this secret should be kept close At this present time the Church hath opened this secret in giuing leaue that we may hold and beleeue that the glorious Virgin was conceiued without sinne And when the Church graunteth this licence is it not necessary for vs which be so much obliged to her and trauell to serue her to seeke out such reasons and meanes how it should be And so much the more for that beside the former reasons alleaged there be many more which ought to enforce any curious person or man of an indifferent vnderstanding The first is that though the ancient fathers say not in plaine words that the B. Virgin was conceiued without sinne but rather seeme to infer the contrary for it was conformable to their time yet is it most sure that if they had written in our time they would haue said and written otherwise then that they now write for all that I say they all namely S. Bernard giue a note touching the Virgin saying that whatsoeuer is honorable and and can be said in praise of any saint ought to be attributed vnto her with surplusage and aduantage But being so as it is said that many saints after baptisme sinned not mortally as S. Nicholas S. Bernard S. Thomas Aquinas and others If it be said which is an Article of the Catholicke faith that S. Iohn Baptist and Ieremie were sanctified in their mothers womb it is apparant by the rule giuen that this and much more may be said and beleeued of the B. Virgin Then shee was not only sanctified in her mothers womb but also preserued from all sinne He spoke not much from the purpose that said That when IESVS CHRIST said by S. Iohn Baptist that among the sonnes of women there was not a greater arose then Iohn Baptist though the Greeke text saith no prophet yet the Latine text from which it is not lawfull to appele saith none borne of a woman theÌ„ the B. Virgin being greater and more holy then Iohn Baptist as all confesse and graunt when our Sauiour saith none arose she is excepted for she
and succoure of the commons vndergoing for this cause manie encounters and afflictions manie calumniations slaunders and snares armed to entrap him by such as in court know not how to rise but by others ruines Nay sometimes as farre as Majestie and duetie would permit it he gently and with greate respect reuerence withstoode euen his Prince who liked therein his constancie and tooke it in good part and not as proceeding of anie disloyaltie for why he did finde him most faithfull in all his proceedings aduised discreete in counsaile prouident vn appalled in doubtfull businesse and in aduersitie valiant and magnanimous in puritie of mind chastitie of bodie euermore vnspotted and vndefiled manie greate trialls hauing bin made to proue his honestie And for most of that which we haue rehearsed let this one thinge serue as a sufficient witnesse There was in Stafforde a beautifull yonge woeman whom the Prince greately fauoured She as often as the Chanceloure came that way did send him manie tokens and fauoures Her guardian misdoubting that all this kindnesse proceeded from some lewd intention and seing the yonge fresh beautifull yeares of Thomas and the neerenesse of theyr lodginges did encrease his suspicion he needes would be acertained thereof In the dead of the night by a secret way and with a close lanterne in he goeth to his chamber and findinge his bed with our anie print of his bodie or once being touched was strongly confirmed in his suspicion but lyfting vp his lanterne and looking some what further he found that after longe kneeling vpon his bare knees in prayer he was fallen fast a sleepe vpon the grounde in a verie incomodious manner whereupon altering his opinion he verily deemed him a saincte whom before he suspected to be dishonest Not only in this of Chancelour but also in manie other offices Thomas did the kinge good seruice for being made tutour to the yonge Prince Henry his care was greate to bringe him vp with the sonnes of manie Lords of the court in learning ciuilitie all manner of courtly and Princely knowledge and behauiour Moreouer he serued the kings Majestie in his warres of Fraunce with a choyce band of seueÌ„ hundred souldioures of his owne familie besides manie others with whome alone after the kings departure he obtained a worthie victorie yea another time he himselfe in person vnhorsed a frencheman called Enguerranus de Creya a most hardie souldiour and most renouned in all deeds of armes and chiualrie And with his good example he so encouraged all his followers that in all the kinges armie the ChaÌ„cellours souldiours were esteemed the verie flower and the valiantest These and manie other vertues made him honoured eueÌ„ amongst his foes the Peeres and Prince of France and greately beloued amongst his friends Especially the kings Maty of England sometimes after hunting sometime after riding would vpon a soddaine without anie biddinge come the Chancelours house when they were at dinner and somewhiles dine with him other whiles sitte by him to see the order and heare the discourse which was at his table whereof manie things were spoken with admiration It fell our the Theobald Arche B. of Canterbury dyed newes there of came beyond sea to the kinge who weighing well the great sufficiencie of his Chanceâ—lour whome euen then he had in his companie after some deliberation turninge about comaunded him to prepare himselfe to goe on a iourney and hauing now receaued his instructions concerning manie other affaires comming to take leaue of his Maty and goe forward on his iourney Nay soft quoth the kinge you know not fully yet what you must goe aboute My pleasure is to haue you Arche B. of Canterbury The Chancelour first starting and afterwards smiling vpon the king and shewing him his riding suite full vnfitt and vncomely for suche a calling said Oh! and loe heere how religious and how sanctlike a man youre Maty will place in so holy a seate in the coÌ„uent of so manie blessed MoÌ„ckes If euer I haue done your Maty anie seruice let me craue and obtaine this as a reward that this charge be not imposed vpon me For I certainly know that yf I vndergoe it you will quickly with drawe your fauoure from me and turne it into deadly hatred enuious people will neuer be wanting whoe vpon some exactioÌ„s of your Maty in Ecclesiasticall affaires and some resistance wich I must of dutie and necessitie make as Primate of England will wholy alienate youre royall harte affection from me and extinguishing all the former grace enkindle suche flames of enemitie as neuer will be anie more alayed These words of the Chanceloure so litle tasting of Ambition so plainely disclosing a constant resolution did more enkindle the kinges desire Wherefore ioyning others in his coÌ„panie to effect his purpose he called to the chiefest of theÌ„ Richard Lucie coÌ„maunding him to effect as diligently the promotion of the Chanceloure to the sea of Canterburie as he would the succession to the crowne of his sonne Prince Henry in case that the kinge himselfe were deceased To the same effect he like wise spake to Henricus Pisanus Cardinall and legate of the Pope who at last brought Thomas to accept that dignitie He was chosen at London at westminster by the whole consent of all the Bishs. of the Realme only London exepted and by the voyce of Canterburie monkes and after was presented vnto prince Henry who by the authoritie of his Father committed vnto him for this effect freed the Chanceloure from all former debts accounts and obligations of court or exchequer in his full libertie restored him vnto his cleargie who receaued him with great ioy and spirituall canticles After his election at London he went to Canterburie where in white sonday-weeke he was made priest vpon the satterday hitherto he was but Deacon and consecrated Bishop vpon Trinitie sundaye Prince Henry heire apparant of the crowne fourteene Bishops and manie other greate Peeres of the realme being present at the solemnitie Streightwayes after Alexander 3. Pope of Rome did send him the Palle which he receaued with vnaccustomed deuocion going barefoote and lying prostrate on the ground Hauing now receaued that sacred vnction he was changed into an other man He gaue not himselfe to a vaine loose ftately wide free maÌ„ner of liuing as many accustome after dignities obtained but rather obserued greater abstinence watched more prayed more preached often vnto his flocke iudged he neuer could rule well others yf first he did nor rule and maister himselfe His outward apparail was of a Bishop vnder a fryers weede next to his skinne a course roughe heâ—re cloth like an Hermit Hauing done his office streight after the cocke-crowing he serued thirteene poore men at the table waiting on them in person washinge allso they re feete not only with water but with his owne teares crauing most earnestly theyr prayers giuing eache of them foure pence in monie in the
morning verie earlie twelue more were serued by the Arche Bs. almoner about nine of the clocke a hundred poore men called Prebens on whome two monkes of the conuent attended The Bisshop hauing discharged his parte reposed a litle to refresh his senses bestowed all the time he could steale from his rest without great disparagement of his health in prayinge weeping and holie meditation When he was to celebrate the most dreadfull oblation then he did seeme to poure out his hart with teares and sighes and sobbes that cames as often as his words He was somewhat speedie in discharginge this office fearinge distractions yett all wayes attent recollected without vaine addinge of more then the churche appointed performing the communion with suche deuotion and teares as yf he did visibly behold the wounds of our sauiour IESVS CHRIST Not only his owne but also the hands of all his household were so free from receauing bribes that an Abbot comminge to his courte with important busines and desiring to winne his officers good will with gold and not findinge anie that would receaue it he himselfe notwithstanding receauing great satisfaction in his suite cryed oute at his departure I haue founde a court more golden then euer I could haue belieued or imagined for not onlie it walketh not after gold but also scorneth despiseth flyeth from gold Semblable to these were all his other vertues so vpright a Iudge that no might nor meanes could with-drawe him right so good a father to the poore that none departed from him without reliefe soe bountifull in giuinge almes that he twice doubled the vsuall allowance giuen to the poore by all his Predecessoures so zealous a prelate that no vice especially no schisme or errour could take roote with in his Iurisdiction so addicted to learninge that his conuersation at table vpon the way was allway of learning so prouident in giuing orders that he neuer impossed his hands vpon anie without mature and diligent examine whither he had sufficiencie enough in meanes in learninge and vertue least anie of these three being wanting priesthood should turne into scandall derision and beggerie so greate a fauourer and Patron of learned men that his moste especially be friended followers were the most especiall learned men of those dayes of English men Ioannes Salesberiensis afterward B. of Carnotum Robert Foliot afterward B. of Hereford William Glauile aftewards B. of Rochester Gerard Mayde afterwards B. of Couentrie of stranger Hughe Dantinant a Norman Archedeacon of Oxeford afterwars B. of Couentrie Herbert of Woscham afterwards Cardinall of Rome Arche B. of Beneuentum Humbert of Lumbardie afterwards Arche B. of Milan his natiue countrie and lastly Pope of Rome by name of Vrbanus tertius these were his followers of greatest name besides manie others of a lower ranke in dignitie though inferioure to none in learning and vertue Finallie his watching in meditation his teares in praying his puritie of life his modestie in speeche his vprighteousnes in his workes his trueth in his word his compassion of the poore care of the commons goode and welfare did spread his fame so wyde that it made the Kinges Maiestie hartilie to reioyce for the good election he made of so holy a prelate More ouer he was renowned in forraine countries where coÌ„ming to the Councell of â—owers in Fraunce he was so ioyfully receaued by Pope Alexander 3. all the Cardinalls and Prelates that all of them sauing the Pope and two Cardinalls who stayed to accompanie his Holines went oute of the towne to meete and well-come the Arche Bishop Hitherto he might seeme to haue had a prosperous course and nauegacion but God would haue him also tryed in aduersitie and therefore suffered a storme of persecution to be raised against him First certaine men of greate account oute of whose hands he had wrested churche-liuings which they had wrongfully vsurped began to calumniate him with his Maty alleaging that his royall fauoure emboldned the Arche B. to such attempts and wrongs which he had and did offer vnto manie yet they could not impaire the good opinion which the kinge entertained of the Arche B. Then followed his renouncing the office of Chanceloure which somewhat exasperated the Kinge next some resistance in a matter belonging to the Exchequer But lastly that which enkindled his Matys indignation was in this manner The friends of a certaine man that was slaine accused a priest for coÌ„mitting the murder he being apprehended and brought before his Bisshop so denied the facte that his aduersaries could not sufficiently conuince him by reason they re information was weake neyther he Canonically cleare himselfe He therefore remaining thus infamous and branded with suspicion his cause was referred to the Arche B who depriued him of all Ecclesiasticall benefice and shut him vp in a Monasterie commaunding that he should be perpetually recluded and made doe hard penance all dayes of his lyfe About the same time one Philip de Lidrois a Canon had contumeliously abused one of the Kings Iustices of peace the complaint being brought to the Archebishop he commaunded the Canon should be publiquely whipped for certaine yeares depriued of all Ecclesiasticall benefice and office These punishments esteemed rigorous enough could not quyet the rage of some of the laitie for laying some few mens faults vpon all the cleargie and pleading that priests and clearks presuming on their priuiledges that they were not put to death committed manie outrages offences and vilainies they made a great vproare and commotion in all the countrie The Kings Majestie as zealous of the peace and quyet of the commonwealth as the Archebishop of the Churches liberties and being informed by some of the cleargies enemies how their manifold offences daylie encreased presuming vpon their priuiledges he made an assembly of all the Bishops of the Realme and cleargie of London demaunding that all such Priestes as committed anie offence should enioy no priuiledge of the Church but deliuered ouer to the secular Iustice be punished with corporall paiue the only meanes as he said to stop the course of their wickednesse who building to much vpon their order stained shamefully debased the renoumne and glorie of their order For the higher one is seated in dignity the fouler is his crime and more exhorbitant the more scandalous his example and of greater consequence to draw meaner people into sinne and therefore such deliquentes ought to feele the smart of more heauie punishments To this demaund the holie Prelate mildly and constantly replied That sacred Canons and Generall Councels and holie Popes and glorious Kings Emperours had so ordained that cleargie men should be iudged and chastized by none but only their owne superiours and Prelates That when crimes were such as deserued death the Church did not winke at her ministers faults nor foster enormous offences with priuiledges but first degrading them from their order abandone and forsake them as none of hers and then turne them ouer
any countenance The day next ensuing wherein the Archbishop in the presence of Pope and Cardinals was to deliuer the state of all the controuersie hauing first related the glorie wherin he liued before the exceeding great fauours which his Maiestie had shewed him the respect which all the kingdome did beare vnto him how all thinges flowed euen according to his will vntill the time of his Maiesties indignation hauing furthermore declared how easily he could yet be reconciled and winne the Prince his fauour againe and be admitted into as great grace as euer before and that without any bodies mediation in case he would swarue from his constant resolution and subscribe to that which the king demaunded Hauing also shewed how although he abounded not in witte yet he was not so destitute of common sence as to leese matters of such weight for only trifles Lastly hauing told them how that for the same cause for which he had lost all other temporall goods he would most willingly sacrifice the verie last drop of his bloud But whether quoth he rashly and vnaduisedly led by curiositie and ambition or discreetly and vertuously moued thereunto by a well grounded resolution let these serue for witnesse and euidence And with that he drew forth the originall coppie of those Articles which his Maiestie would haue established as auncient and royall Prerogatiues Which Articles being read not only the Pope but also those Cardinals who before were offended with the Archbishop did now with teares thanke almightie God for giuing him grace and constancie to withstand such pernicious constitutions so oftentimes reprooued condemned by Generall Councels and sacred Canons And all of them with one assent concluded that to helpe the Archbishop was in his person to succoure the vniuersall Church of God There Thomas would haue resigned his dignitie and drawing to that purpose his ring from his finger and offering it vp most humbly besought his holinesse to prouide a more fit and worthie Pastoure to rule his flocke It seemed not conuenient to the Pope to condescend vnto his requests nay rather he confirmed him in his dignitie to the end other Prelats should not in like cases slacken in their duetie and feare in future times to withstand Princes willes in matters that were damageable to the Catholique Church seing one that had so valiantly fought in her defence depriued of the dignitie of Archbishop And promising him to doe his best endeuoure to reconcile him vnto his king he commended him to an Abbot of a monasterie called Pontiniacum of the order called Cisterciensis which flourished with renoune of sanctitie There S. Thomas liued with an admirable peace and quietnesse of minde amidst all his troubles giuing himselfe wholely to reading to prayer and meditation chastizing his bodie with extraordinarie rigour and penance His dyet was certaine vnsauourie rootes and herbes other grosse meates which he himselfe eate though priuately bestowing all other daintyer dishes vpon the sicke the needy Next to his skinne he euermore did weare a long rough haireshirt that couered all his bodie from the necke to the knees His disciplines were vsuall and verie cruell and sometimes for a greater mortification he would standnaked in a cold ycie riuer vntill such time as he was almost frozen And accordingly to this his life did seeme a continuall death All which austerities though he did couragiously vndergoe them with a cheerefull countenance at length did cast him into such a sicknes that he was euen at the point of death But none of these things did afflict him at all in comparison of the griefe which he receaued by the banishment of his friends For the king first confiscating all the goods of the Archbishop proceeded in like manner against all his kindred and such as by familiaritie or any other title had dependance of him and afterwards neither sparing age nor sexe nor qualitie nor condition banished them from out of all his dominions compelling such as might for age to sweare they would goe vnto the Archbishoppe wheresoeuer he was and complaine of him as of the sole cause of their miserie losses ruine and destruction The calamitie of so manie innocent people banished for his sake yet without his fault did greatly grieue the good Archbishop he offered vp these troubles commended their cause to God and his friends who so bountifully prouided for the banished that in a short time none did feele any want and many found that plentie in forraine countries which they had lost for Gods sake in their owne The king moued thereunto by his officers did not desist to further molest the Archbishop For writing to the Generall chapter of the Cistercienses he threatned all their order with grieuous punishments if they kept his enemie any longer in their monasterie S. Thomas vnderstanding this lest those good religious men should suffer any damage for his sake departed from thence of his owne accord and with licence of Lewes king of Fraunce who appointed him a Princely allowance out of his owne Exchequer went to make his aboade in the cittie of Sens where hee was most ioyfully and honorably welcomed by Hughe Archbishop of that citty and all his cleargy The Kings Maiestie of England endeuoured also to cast him out of Fraunce and to that purpose did send an Embassage and write his letters complayning against Thomas sometimes Archbishop of Canterbury who like a Traitour had fled out of his cuntrey desiring King Lewes not to relieue him nor permit him to abide any longer in his countrey Thomas sometimes Archbishop of Canterbury quoth the King And who I pray you hath deposed him Certes I account my selfe as absolute a King with as full authority as the King of England yet neither may I nor can I depose the meanest priest of all my kingdome Tell your King that he will not suffer those which he calleth auncient prerogatiues to be abrogated nor any wayes impaired although as men say they be not so conformable to the law of God Much lesse reason theÌ„ haue I to ouerthrow this auncient custome hereditary to the crowne of Fraunce which euen from time out of memorie hath vsed to cherish relieue and defend all that are distressed and exiled especially for iustice Wherefore following herein my auncestoures most royall steppes and trusting to the protection of God I will not diminish one iotâ—e of this accustomed fauour to my Lord of Canterbury at the intreaty or suggestion of any person Many strange meanes were vsed also to withdraw the Popes affection from S. Thomas and winne his good will to fauoure the King against the Archbishop and with cunning dissimulation close vp the matter so that the King should admitte the Archbishop into his fauour and restore him peacebly to his Sea but with this addition sauing the dignitie of his kingdome and Thomas should promise to obserue the royall Prerogatiues without adding this clause Sauing the liberty of the Church And surely some of the Cardinals had
confidently denied to do it saieng he was a Christian and that he would not sacrifise vnto any but vnto IESVS CHRIST Themperour being wroth at this answer commaunded that Eustachius his wife and two sonnes should be put to death and to effect it he bad that they should be put in a place where a fierce Lyon should tear them in pieces The Lyon was let out against the holy martirs but he lay downe at their feet and did them no hurt at all Themperour seeing the same commaunded to make a gret bull of brasse hollowe inward With in this concauity he caused S. Eustachius his wife and sonnes to be inclosed and then to sett fire vnder it and in this torment the glorious saints rendered their soules vnto God The Bull was opened and their bodies were found with out any blemish but that they were dead and had not burnt one heare of their head which astonished the Pagans and much edified rhe Catholiks who tooke those blessed bodies and buried them honourably The martirdome of these holy saints was on the same day the Catholik Church celebrateth their feast to wit on the. 20. day of September in the yeare of our Lord. 118. The seuenth generall Sinode Dam. l. 3. de imag Nicep lib. 3. ca. 29. S. Iohn Damascen and Metaphrastes make mention of S. Eustacius Nicephorus Callistus recounteth his life in particuler and the mistery of the Hart and the Crucifixe also Beside the sayieng of this Author the vniuersall picture of the wholl Church is an important proof for that this holy saint is alwaies painted on his knees before of Harte which hath the Crucifixe between his hornes which was that which spake vnto him The life of S. Mathevv Apostle WE READ that the prophet Elias considering howe few the men were that serued God in his time 3. Reg. 13. Eccles 48 Iac 5. and the multitude of them that offended him being desirous to to correct them that they might amend prayed that it might not raine God graunted his request and in three years and a half there fell no raine The people dyed of famine and yet they did not amend their wicked lifes Helias also remained firme in his purpose that God should not permitt it to raine God said to him as S. Iohn Chrisostome supposeth Behold Helias it troubleth me to see so many peâ—ple dy with famine if thou wilt that all be good get thee into heauen for there be all good and let me remaine here vpon the earth that I may make prouision for the necessities which my people and creatures suffer and endure I would not haue thee think that they haue vtterly abandoned me for I haue yet 7000. men who haue not bowed their knees vnto Baal Among others there is Heliseus 3 Reg. 19. who is following twelue yoke of oxen go and call him bid him leaue all and come with thee and be thy disciple Elias obeyed strait and went to the place where Eliseus was and said to him Come and followe me Heliseus also obayed incontinent only he requested 3 Reg. 19. to go and take leaue of father and mother kinffolk and frends The Prophet was content went with him wher vpon Heliseus made a solemne banquet took leaue of them all entending to followe the prophet Elias Perhaps his father and friends said this to him Heliseus mark well whom thou meanest to followe consider that he is a poore man hath no cloths to his back but only a garment of camells skinne he fasteth much he is much persecuted by Queen Iezabel and many others who desire his death These words were in vaine for he was resolued to followe Elias and it was euident that this his resolution was good for afterward being his disciple 4. Reg. 2. when Elias was taken away from him he did more greater miracles then euer Elias had done This figure fitteth and agreeth to S. Matthew the Apostle and Euangelist for Elias being a figure of IESVS CHRIST was much displeased to see so many offend God and so few to serue him Elias praied God that he would not let it raine that men might dy but IESVS CHRIST did not so Math. 9. for he was by nature mercifull and full of compassion and to see his creatures perish was vnto him a most greuous torment yet went he to seeke out some that might serue God who though they had not done it before time yet might they doe it in the time to come Elias found Eliseus while he plowed so IESVS CHRIST beheld S. Matthew with the eyes of his mercy not plowing but at a worse trade for he lent monie vnto vsurie yet the plowing and sowing hath some similitude with lending to vsurie He that soweth alwaies gathereth more then he soweth So the vsurer alwaies receiueth more then he lendeth out Helias called Eliseus and he fellowed him but he would make a banquet to all his kinsfolke and frends Luc. 5. Marc. 2. So also when CHRIST called Matthew and he fellowed him he made first a banket in his house where IESVS was present with his fellow publicans and toll-gatherers frends vnto S. Matthew These men might say to S. Matthew the same that the kinsfolke of Eliseus said to him or in this maner Matthew wilt thou forsake and leaue all thy goods and money and go with a poore man one that is persecuted as this man is what thinkest thou to get in his company it may be if the Scribes and Phariseys determine once to put him to death they will do the same to thee also for his sake for ordinarily the disciples speed as bad as their maister These words sturred not S. Matthew froÌ„ his good purpose to giue ouer al follow CHRIST The going in CHRISTES company was fortunate to him for he made him his Apostle and Chronicler and gaue vnto him an admirable spirite like the spirit of Eliseus and after the Ascension of our Lord into heauen he did many miracles The life of this glorious Apostle is collected out of the Ghospell and other good Aucthors who do make mention of him SAINT Matthew was a Galylean Iohn 3. borne in Cana where IESVS CHRISTE conuerted the water into wine He was a PublicaÌ„ tollegatherer a vsurer which was the most infamous trade that could be among the Hebrews Math. 9. they reputing it the most heinous oppressioÌ„ that could be Luc. 5. Marc. 2. for the Emperour of Rome to enforce them being the elect people of God to pay tribute and tolles And all though they paied yet they alwais protested that vyolence and force was offered to them their aggreeuances were encreased by the letting out the tributes and tolles to farme which is the cause that the publicans who were they that rented them and moreouer lent money vpon vsury were counted by the Iewes worse then the Pagans and heretiks for which cause the sonne of God conformable to their opinion when he instructed
S. Peter how to correct his brother Math. 18. said vnto him that the sinner should be reproued first secretly the second time before two witnesses and that at the third time he should deuounce it to the Church and if he did not then amend he should be reputed as an Ethnick or Publican As if he would inferre Repute him then as an Ethnick account him as a Publican tolle gatherer or vsurer Which among the Iewes was a name of surpassing reproach and infamy One of these was S. Matthew Syea Metaphrastes saith he was the head of them all for he was a man expert practicall and of a good in sight It fell out then Luc. 5. that Matthew being at the receit of custome IESVS CHRIST passing that way looked on him called him and said Followe me Assone as Matthew hard these words presently he left his books his writings money and other things and followed him Herein there are two considerable things One is that IESVS called Matthew and the other is that Matthew followed him In CHRIST calling of Matthew may be considered his exceding gret mercy for he called him being a pullik sinner to be his disciple Nowe who though neuer so great a sinner will feare to approch come neere vnto CHRIST seing how he did wellcome Matthew If IESVS call Matthew the Publican what sinner will he driue away from him but perhaps the sinner will say I am content IESVS CHRIST shall not driue me away from him yet if I should not come vnto him I wishe that he would behold me as it pleased him to behold S. Matthew and to call me as he called him To this I answer that it is true God calleth not euery one with such efficacy and doth not behold all sinners as he beheld S. Matthew for that was a speciall grace done to him to fewe others yet is it most true and certain that God doth behold and call euery one and if they will amend and dispose thmselues to a better life he conuerteth them to him and maketh them holy saints we see some times that a lodging hath the windowes shut and the sunne beateth at them and cannot enter if the sunne do not enter in to the lodging it is not his fault but of the man that doth not open the windowe Open thou the window and the sunne entreth in The same doth the sunne of Iustice Apoc. 3. v. 20. our Lord God he saith he standeth at the dore and knocketh let the dore be opened to him let the sinner be disposed and do his duety as he ought and God will not faile for his part He saith not only that he standeth at the dore but saith also that he knocketh and calleth And in deed he saith the truth for he doth neuer any other thing but call and that all men might heare him speak he mounted vpon the tree of the Crosse To that place euery sinner may look and see that IESVS is euen hoarse with calling so much He shall see his two eyes are become two founteins and for that he seeth fewe people come to his side he doth not shew himself sterne or fierce against them that haue offended him but rather kinde and louing He standeth with his armes abroad to embrace them that resort to him He boweth his head to giue thē the kisse of peace he sheweth his pierced side that they may enter into his hart He calleth not the Christian to take of the croune of thornes and to put it on his owne head He would not be spoiled of his beatings and load him He would not haue him drink the gall and vinagre which was giuen him He would not haue him nailed to the Crosse in his company To conclude he doth not call him to take life away from him but to giue life vnto him He calleth him to come into his company and to continew in ioy and gladnes Yet true it is that he would haue the sinner do penance Math. 22. and not lay it wholly on CHRIST back But let the pennance be neuer so great if that which CHRIST hat suffered for the sinnes of other men be considered who will think the pennance done for our owne proper sinnes to be ouer great In this maner CHRIST IESVS calleth euery one and repelleth none from him yet fewe there be who are so called that go after him To such as these be happeneth the same that before to Samuell being yet a child for God called him he went to Heli being an old man and neere to his death 1. Reg. 3. CHRIST calleth many also and they childishly runne vnto the world and to vanity Such as these be do not imitate S. Matthew who was called but once by our Sauiour incontinent he followed him S. Matthew did not say I will first dispatch my busines and summe vp my acconts nor sought for excuses as many sinners do prolonging their conuersion vnto God but he left euery thing at an instant S. Ambrose saith he that first took away other mens goods nowe left and forsook his owne When a wand is crooked if one would streighten it he must draw it the other way So Zacheus who was another publican Luc. 19. said if he had deceiued any man he would restore it foure fold But the good S. Matthew not only satisfied the deceit done with part of his goods but left all and followed IESVS CHRIST You ought also to vnderstand that the same S. Mathew reciting his conuersion saith that he made a feast forthwith vnto our Sauior which he did not so much to honour him as that he might conuert many of his kinsfoolk and frends that came to the banquet This is true charity when one is not content to serue God himself only but procureth and enduceth others to serue him also The Scribes and Pharisies who were a people malignant and enuious against CHRIST and sought to find faults in his doings and speeches being certefied of this banquet thought they had gotten a iust occasion to reproue him and forthwith they came vnto his disciples and said why doth your maister eate with Publicans and sinners as if they would say Come hither you ignorant and base fellowes Is it possible that you dare keep company with a man that is a frend to Publicans and sinners Eccles 13. and that eateth and drinketh with them Haue you neuer heard the words of Salomon that he that toucheth pitch shal be defiled with the same and that he that keepeth company with the vitious shal be vitious Take heed lest his behauiour do taint you also and that if he be once punished you be also punished as accessaries Therefore let him go and come no more into his company These malicious foes sought to diminish the reputation of our Lord and persuaded the Apostles to abandon him When IESVS vnderstood this nothing being vnknowen vnto him he congregated all the Apostles together and perhaps they who vsed those words