to open his sacrilegious mouth against heauen to discouer himselfe to be the enemy of Christ to assaile and to his power to destroy the Sacramentes and Ordinations and the ancient rites of the ecclesiasticall Hierarchy And as he had a good tongue and knew well how to handle the people and entice men to licencious liberty he made such progresse in some parts of Gascony as now at last heere and there were Pastours to be seene without flockes people without Priestes Priests without due veneration finally Christiās without Christ himselfe To children there was none to open the gate of holy Baptisme the offeringes and suffrages of the dead were come into derision the inuocation of Saintes Excommunications Pilgrimages the building of Churches the keeping of Fasts the consecration of Oyle and summarily all the institutes and traditions of the Apostolike discipline were had in great despite and abominatiō At such vnhappy newes a Legat being sent from Rome to those partes in passing by Clareuallis lead S. Bernard along with him who being receaued by those people with incredibie deuotion he began to fructify among them abiding particulerly in the citty of Tholouse and euen in those very places where the Minister of the Diuell had made his most abode and done most hurt there S. Bernard being assisted by the right hand of God with Sermons and preachinges with euident miracles besides in a very few dayes made a notable purchase in catechising the rude confirming the doubtfull reducing the erring resisting repressing the authour◅ and instruments of the malignity in so much as in very deed they durst not appeare before him much lesse oppose and stand against him Henry himselfe at the arriuall of the Legate fled presently away after he had hid himselfe heere and there for a good while was at last apprehended and bound and so deliuered into the hands of the Bishop of Tholouse Thus was remedy put to the infernall pest which otherwise had spread and dilated it selfe through all those Prouinces S. Bernard settles peace and concord among Princes and states and particularly betweene the Citty of Mets and the neighbour Countryes Chap. 19. FRom such paynes and trauailes suffered by the Labourer of Christ in curing and recouering of Heretikes may euery one imagine how much care and study he employed in preseruing and helping Catholikes So as it would be ouer long and tedious to recount how many great Princes and other persons of ech state quality he instructed with great patience in Christian vertues and from the vanityes of the world conuerted to the loue of heauenly thinges How many Churches at variance and discord with their Pastours how many Chapters and Colledges not without most grieuous scandall disunited from their head and in themselues with his sweetnes and authority hath he reduced to peace and amity To how many afflicted and distressed soules hath he giuen counsayle succour and comfort How many fires already kindled of open warre betweene mighty Lords and neighbour-people with like zeale and prudence hath he extinguished To which purpose we are by no meanes to passe ouer in silence the accord which he concluded with so great trauaile betweene the inhabitants of Mets in Lorayn and some Neighbour-Princes thereabouts by whom that noble Citty being prouoked with some iniuryes sent forth to reuenge the same a great number of Citizens in armes but with ill successe because they being taken on the sudden through the exceeding disaduantage of the place betweene the straits of Montefred and Mosella a famous riuer assailed by the enemy though inferiour in number and put to flight were about two thousand of them lost partly by sword partly in the waters partly also by their owne confusion smoothered and crushed to death in the presse Whence the Princes on the other side being rich with the spoiles and proud of the victory returned home with triumph Nor yet lost the citty a whit of courage while they seemed to be vāquished more through inequality of the place then by the valour and skill of the aduersaries They prepared then anew on all sides and doubtles there hung a cruell mortality and a miserable wast ouer all those countryes When the Metropolitan Archbishop of Treuers for the fatherly care sollicitude he had of his people after he had tryed many meanes in vayne he recurred for the last refuge to S. Bernard the great seruant of Christ and being come to Clareuallis in person prostrating himselfe very humbly at the feete not only of him but of all the Monks also besought coniured him withall to vouchsafe to apply some remedy to so great mischeifs and euills since for such an office of piety in the world besides was no other person found to be sufficient S. Bernard at that tyme approached neere to the end of his dayes and being ouercharged as well with old age as infirmityes kept his bed yet notwithstanding most benignly promised his help and as we haue sayd aboue is wont to happen in like cases his forces being suddainly recouered for this affayre he went his wayes in company of the Archbishop When they arriued they found the two opposite armyes who attending on the banck side of the riuer were expecting an occasion to come to a fresh battayle From so great a hazard and so much hurt sought S. Bernard with prayers and exhortations to deliuer the Christian armies but wordes auayling litle with the efficacious force of stupendious miracles he filled those fierce and obdurate harts with such religion and horrour as being finally mollifyed like wax were all the controuersyes by common consent remitted to the arbitrement of the man of God Whereupon he hauing brought the Procuratour of ech part vnder publique safe conduct to a Parley in an iland of the Riuer hauing now well vnderstood the beginning of the strifes betwene them prescribed them conditions and articles of peace the which without rigour were accepted and in signe of accord the Procuratours gaue ech other their hands with louing imbraces and those dark cloudes and dreadfull lightnings of warre were soone turned into a goodly calme of tranquility and concord And since we haue already often made mention of Miracles of the Saint and sometymes also according to occurrences declared some of them you must vnderstand this matter affoards an infinite store of narrations forasmuch as among other Authours the venerable Gaufrid Monk of Clareuallis who was companion Secretary of S. Bernard affirmes for certaine and notorious that in a village of Constance called Dominge in one and the selfe same day with the only imposition of hands in presence of a multiude of spectatours he gaue sight to eleuen blind healed ten maymed and eyghteene cripples and in Colonia Agrippina in three dayes he reared twelue cripples cured two lame gaue speach to three dumbe and hearing vnto ten deafe men So as certaine pious men hauing begun to note downe all such wonders of his being after oppressed with the
more when they â—…rought them to the vniust Tribunall And heere is the manifest â—…rouidence of God to be noted that as he had destined him to the â—…ouernment and example of Religious and in truth many beâ—…g inuited only with the example aspect and manners of the man â—…f God renounced the world so he neuer suffered the Tyrant to lay â—…ands vpon him True it is that hauing once vnderstood he was in the Citty â—…nd succoured the Christians he made an Edict that no Monke â—…ould approch to the prisons and that all should depart from Alexandria But yet the valourous Confessour was not terrifyed with this but rather on the day appointed for the wicked Execution and at the publique Act of Matrtyrdome while the other Monkes were a hiding themselues he alone accompanyed the combatants to the scaffold exhorting them alwayes to perseuere inuincible and couragious From hence to the end to be more easily seene or rather to draw the eyes of the Prefect himselfe vpon him being clothed with a garment which was very conspicuous he gets vp on a place of aduantage somewhatneere vnto the scaffold and there stood confideÌ„t to the very end of al with a holy Emulation for the Crownes which the faithfull of Christ seemed to purchase by their deaths declaring thereby the promptnes and fortitude which in such occurences they are to haue who are truly Christians In so much as the Prefect descending from the Tribunall with all his Guard passing by S. Antony remayned astonished at the grauity and fortitude of the Saint Who since he saw himselfe not without griefe to bâ—… thus deceiued of the hope returned afresh to the prisons and caues to serue and comfort the Confessours of Christ as he was wont vntill such tyme as the blessed Bishop Peter being martyred the rage of the Persecutours came finally to cease Vpon occasion wherof S. Antony retiring to his Monastery there gaue himselfe to participate as well as he could of the Palmes of the Martyrs with bitter austerityes abstinence and voluntary punishments not wearing any other within but Cilices and skins without and neuer washing his body nor so much as his feet but when he chaunced on the way to wade ouer any water And it is held most certayne that vntill his buryall he was neuer seene to be stript or naked S. Antony dispossesseth one of the Deuill and heares a voyce from heaâ—… which directs him what to do Chap. 10. NOw S. Antony being thus recollected with purpose not to be seene of any for a tyme a certayne Captayne called Martinianus with a daughter of his very shrewdly tormented by the deuill and with a great troupe of people approached to the Cel there stood knocking and beseeching S. Antony with a lowd voyce to come forth in publique and to pray to God for the Mayden To which cryes hauing now stopped his eares for a pretty while he came at last of meere compassion to a litle chinck of the wall and said Hola Who do you call for I am yet mortall If you belieue in that Lord â—…home I serue go your wayeâ—… and pray to him and according to your faith â—…hall the grace be done you The Captayne shewed not himselfe to be any thing backe-ward to such aduises but immediately conuerting himselfe from Paganisme began to inuoke the name of Christ and on a suddayne the daughter of that Captayne was found to be safe and sound After this many other aswell Lunatique as infirme persons who could not come to haue any audience of the Saint lay prostrate at the doore and there recommended themselues so long to his intercessions as they came thence wholy cured At which meruayles and at the concourse of new troupes of people was S. Antony sore molested fearing in his mynd some motion of Pride or at least the world might come to frame too high a conceipt of him Making then mature deliberation herupon â—…he determined to leaue that Cell and to coâ—…ueigh himselfe secretly into the vpper Thebais in some part where he might not be known of any liuing body To this effect being departed with some loaues of bread to the shore of Nilus while he was sitting there expecting commodity of passage he heard a voyce from Heauen which with a cleare tone pronounced these words Antony whither 〈◊〉 thou going and wherfore And he not being troubled thereat as being already acquainted with such things made answere These people will not let my rest whereupon I am resolued to passe into the vpper Thebais as well to eschew the sayd disturbances as principally also for not to be requested in things which exceed my power The voyce adds Although thou goest thy wayes hence to Thebais and endeauourest to hide thy selfe as thy designe is among the sheapeards Cottages there Yet know thou shalt thence but purchase to thy selfe a double trauayle Whereas if thou wilt find true rest indeed thou must go into the hart of the Desert And S. Antony replying who shall shew mee the way thither to some place to the purpose since I my selfe was neuer there when presently was shewed him a squadron or to say rather a company of Saracens who comming to Egypt for traffique sake were now in their returne into Arabia and were bound to trauaile iust that way Then S. Anthony approching to them intreated them fayrely they would be pleased to take him along for a pretty way with theÌ„ and so they did as if they had had commandment from God and at the end of three dayes and three nights they arriued at a very high mountayne at the foote whereof went gliding a fresh and christall water and nor farre from thence certayne trees were to be seene of sauage and wild palmes At the discouery of such a sight S. Antony did exceedingly reioyce and sayd within himselfe that same was surely the seate appointed for him So as taking his leaue with a thousand thankes of the Saracens who gaue him moreouer some of their bread he remayned there alone in the Mountayne tooke it as his deere habitation susteyning himselfe with waâ—… and the Dates thereby and with the now supply which the Sâ—…cen passengers from tyme to tyme admiring so great a vertue diâ—… afterwards affoard him Vntill such tyme as the Monkes at last being come to the knowledge of the place tooke vpon them the care to prouide for him howbeit the holy man perceyuing by this 〈◊〉 casion they were like to be troubled much and forced to take a great deale of paynes for his sake was resolued to spare that laboâ—… causing some plough-â—…ons to be brought vnto him with a litle seed corne he beganne to till and sow a plot of ground so as euery yeare he reaped sufficient to liue on being much comforted the while that he was heerby no whit offensiue or troublesome to any person of the world being a thing to his power which he had euer auoyded But seeing afterwards for all this that Ghests
Auxentius the Head of the Arrians who aftermany outrages and persecutions finally expelled him the Citty Whereupon S. Martin being thus molested on euery side falling into the company of a certayne Priest a great seruant of God determined for that tyme to hide themselues To this end they retired into a litle desert Iland in the Tyrrhen sea called by the name of Gallinara Heer while the Man of God liued in great abstinence of rootes and herbes it chaunced vnawares that he eate some Hellebore which is a medicinable herbe yet such notwithstanding aâ—… that if the quantity be not moderate and the simple well prepared and corrected through the great purgatiue it hath with it it comes to be poysonous and pestiferous as de facto it had beene to S. Martyn if being brought to extreames therewith he had not made his recourse to prayer and with this remedy had not suddenly expelled all dolour and daunger After this it was not long ere he knew how S. Hilary hauing souÌ„d grace with the Emperour Constantius returned into France At which newes being exceeding ioyfull he trauayled towards Rome to meete with him there and to accompany him to his Church But S. Hilary being now past by already he met him neerer and with great iubiley being receyued by him erected out of the Citty of Poytiers a poore Monastery for him and as many as followed him Among these there was a certaine Catechumen who falling sick of a violent feuer while S. Martin was farre off for three dayes only about certaine affayres of the diuine seruice beyond all expectation departed this lyfe and that which was worse without Baptisme The Conuent was sensible of this case and S. Martin at his returne finding now the Exequies prepared very sorowful and sad thereat approched his body Heere now conceiuing in his pure mind new feruour of spirit he makes them all go forth of the chamber and the doores being shut stretches himselfe like another Elizaeus vpon the cold bones of the deare Brother and so hauing made a feruent prayer and very soone perceiuing already through diuine vertue how the vitall spirits were vpon returne standing something vpright agayne with his eyes fixed on the face of the dead man he stood couragiously expecting the effect of his prayers and of the diuine clemency There were not yet two houres of tyme past when he saw the dead to moue his lymmes by litle and litle and panting to open the eyes and to recouer the vse of his senses Then S. Martin giuing thankes to our Lord cryed out so lowd as they who expected without being moued with the noise therof came rushing in and all perceiued to their infinite astonishment the corps to respire and take vigour agayne which euen now they were ready to carry to buriall After so great a benefit had the Cathecumen delayed not a whit to receiue the holy Baptisme whereunto he suruiued many yeares after and was wont sincerly to recount of himselfe how being departed from the body he was presented before a Tribunall and by sentence confined to darkesome place among the baser sort but how at the same instant two Angels relating to the Iudge how it was he for whome S. Martyn had besought to them was then CoÌ„mission giuen to restore him to life agayne and to make a present of him to the seruant of God This was the first wonder S. Martyn shewed forth in those parts whence it followed that being now held for holy he begaÌ„ afterwards to be esteemed also as a man very powerfull with God and a person truly Apostolicall Not long after this passing through the fields of one Lupicinus an honourable rich man there met him a troupe of people all full of laments and teares telling him how one of the seruants of Lupicinus had hanged himselfe so miserably had ended his dayes S. Martin heere with being moued to compassion without delay intred into the chaÌ„ber where the vnhappy Wretch was deposed and so from thence also dismissing the people distending himselfe in like manner on the corps made he his prayer which was no lesse efficacious then the other since that his hart now cold already resuming the naturall heate began by litle and little to yield to the arteryes their pulse agayne and motion to the nerues so as the dead with stretchâ—… forth armes taking S. Martin by the right hand arose on his feete and accompanyed him to the gate of the house in the presence of all that multitude who replenished both with wonder and ioy ceased not to glorify in S. Martin the immense goodnes and omnipotency of the Creatour S. Martyn not without great contradiction of many is chosen Bishop of Towers Chap. 5. AT the very same tyme the Church of Towers being vacant 〈◊〉 Martyn by the vniuersall consent of the people there was destined to that dignity But he not being so easily to be taken fortâ—… from his Monastery a certayne Citizen being called Ruritius his wife faygning to be grieuously sick cast himselfe at the feere of the Saint and coniured him so much as he made him to come forth to blesse her With that pretext a number of persons being couertly set in opportune places S. Martyn was taken by them and with a good guard brought into the Citty where was already asseÌ„bled togeather a great concourse of people of all sorts being met according to the vse of those tymes to passe their suffrages for the election of a new Prelate nor was there any person great or liâ—…e that desired not to see S. Martyn installed in that seate esteeming the country happy vnder the care of such a Pastour Some Bishops only of the Neighbour-diocesses being called â—…o the consecration and some other principall persons stood earnestly against it alleadging him to be a Person meane of no Presence with ill clothes worse put on and in summe vnworthy to be nuÌ„bred among Bishops With such oppositions did these men seeke to alienate the people from the deuotion and sauour of S. Marâ—… But the matter fell out quite contrary with them because the same obiections as they were held of the people who had the sounder iudgment for the prayse and reputation of the Seruant of Christ so on the other side they came with litle edification to discouer the enuy and malignity of the Prelats Whence they began also by litle and little to relent one only excepted more blind and obstiâ—…e then the rest who coÌ„tinued in vesistance till such time as by diuine prouidence a notable Iudgement was shewed vpon him as we shall now declare This Prelate in the Church of Towers had the tytle of Defender â—…y reason of that dignity was known of all Now he being one day with the people in the Church at the hower of diuine office it happened that the Lectourer being not able to presse through the great â—…rung of people which was there to approach the Quire one of the Standers by in the meane
the diuine will shall put the things in execution which now thou proiectst in mynd and he shall be a King and be of the number of those whome God hath predestinated first to a temporall crowne and then likewise to an eternall In the meane while shall come to thee a perfonage with spirituall embassies See thou receiue him honourably and haue him in much veneration and giue thou full credit and perfect obedience to his aduises and exhortations Gheisa being astonished at this vision and considering the same with himselfe made his Domestiques acquainted therewith and being humbly prostrate with infinite thankes and abondance of teares recommended himselfe and his states togeather with the sonne he was to haue to the care and protection of him that neuer sleeps nor shuts his eyes After which remayning in much suspense of mynd about the aforesayd Embassadour behold the newes that S. Adalbert Bishop as then of Prage which came afterwards to be the Metropolis of Bohemia was coming to him to proc◅ the conuersion saluation of soules This newes was of great consolation to those Neophites when without delay the Prince with all the Court went to meete with the Man of God and receyuing him with al honour shewed himselfe most prompt and ready to an entire and fillall obedience This Prelate was of great fame of the illustrious bloud of Bohemia of science no lesse then zeale as one who hauing twice in person visited the Mother of all Churches and humbly adored the Bishop of Rome had among other emprouements from thence suckt sorth the pure milke of Apostolicall doctrine and further obteyned a most ample leaue in case his Bohemians should obstinately resist the Ghospell to passe into any country of the Infidels to announce the kingdome of Heauen It cannot be then explicated while he saw through the goodnes of God so great a gate set open to him vnto the Hungars with how much feruour and with what industry he suddenly applyed himselfe to all the ordinary meanes requisite to the eternall saluation of his Neighbours the secular Power for in part concurring likewise to the same as hath beene sayd the which euery one sees of what moment it is for the happy progresse of the Ecclesiasticall S. Stephen appeares in sleepe to Saroltha the Princesse deliuered afterwards of a Sonne by name Stephen to whome his Father in his life ty◅ surrenders his Kingdome Chap. 2. IN those dayes Saroltha the wife of Geisa being now somewhat neere to her childbirth for the greater confirmation of the heauenly promises there appeared to her in sleepe euen he who had the glory to be the first that shed his bloud for Iesus Christ in the habit of a Leuit called to her with a sweet countenance saying Be of good cheere Saroltha and know for certaine thou shalt haue a Sonne who shall bring into thy howse the title and crowne of a King and as soone as he is borne see thou impose my name vpon him at the sacred Font. At these words full of wonder and consolation the Woman demaunds of the Saint who he was and how he was called whereto hauing answered that he was S. Step◅ the Protomartyr without any more he vanished away This happened about the yeare of our Lord 969. in the Citty of Strigonium where within a few dayes after the child was very happily borne being baptized with due rites in the lauer of water by the hands of S. Adalbert according to the precept of the vision Crowne that attēded him had the glorious name of Stephen imposed on him There liued as then in those parts an Italian Knight thurst out of his Coūtrey by Ciuil warres by name Theodatus San-seuerinus who by nobility of bloud and much more through his valour dexterity was risen to a high degree both of reputation fauour with Geisa This was a wise discreet Baron and the Princes Godfather at his entrance into the Christian warfare and then after his Mayster and Tutour in behauiour and therefore after the Italian manner with a childish simplicity holding him to be his Father he would salute him by the name of Tara Theodatus in memory of so pleasant a word founded a towne Monastery of Religious men hard by Danubius which being afterwards increased by the great Matthias Coruinus with stately buildings gardens lakes fishpōds euen to this present day is called still by the name of Tara And as the pious child was very diligently brought vp by San◅euerinus in princely manners so in the elements of the Christiā faith and in those vertues which are most gratefull to the eyes of God he was instructed with great care by S. Adalbert in such sort as that hardly was he weaned frō the beast but he brought forth the name of Iesus before that of bread and in his childhood together with the Grāmar he became very expert in the Catechisme and being now entred into his adolescency with his acts gaue not only a noble example of Christian piery but euen also in publique meetings he would euer speake with merueilous efficacy of the deformity of vice of the beauty of vertue of the feare of God of humility of charity and of all iustice seeking by all meanes possible to mollify the natiue fiercenes of the Hungars and to reduce them through di◅ine assistance vnto a feeling of humanity and to the vse of right reason And was so enflamed with the loue of equity and amendment of the people that as occasions happened he would not stick ◅o accuse and sometymes also to reprehend in conuenient manner his very Father himselfe yea and to supply now and then at his request with the singular approbation of al the principall cares in gi◅ing audience dispatching of publique and priuate businesses in ◅dmitting of the Embassadours of Princes giuing them answers with all satisfaction that might be So that Geisa being now weary with trauailes and worne out with yeares acknowledging with his infinit contentment very able sufficient qualityes in the yong man for an ample gouernemēt wished nothing more then to discharge himself of the weight and to lay the burden on his shoulders and forth with to behold him with his eyes inuested in the throne which he well deserued And to that end hauing called a generall diet he had no great difficulty to perswade the States to dispose themselues to honour his sonne before hand by substituting him in his place being now already spent and wholy vnable admitting him to be their lawfull Prince and Lord and affording him all prompt subiection and assured oath of fidelity At so earnest exhortations and iust request of Geisa the mind of the multitude remayned so enflamed as that without delay in the eyes of the old man which euen for joy were powring forth teares Stephen was with great applause proclaymed not Duke or Vayuod but lawfull King on the shoulders of the great men lifted vp to the
himselfe awhit behind to go forth to meete him with great vehemency and with equall hope of victory The encounter endured many houres not without a great slaughter betweene them still with vncertayne and doubtfull euent the King himselfe went heer and there very manfully vp and downe the troups encouraging the doubtfull inciting the valiant hartening the cowards and very readily sending still succour where greater necessity appeared and aboue all neuer ceased he to inuoke the diuine aâ—…nce in a cause 〈◊〉 iust and his prayers were not cast into the winds because that Vencellinus who had the right wing in charge perceiuing himselfe to be secretly renforced as it were with new breath after he had â—…ought a good while with his eye vpon the disloyall Capa finally knew him and went suddenly to meete him while they both were buckling together hand to hand the King perceyuing the encounter with a good number of choyce horse made â—…ast to succour him wheÌ„ approching neerer he sees Vencellinus hauing now vnhoâ—…sed his enemy to be cutting of his head with his owne hands the which to the great ioy of the Christians was put on the point of a speare and being carryed heer and there did giue great terrour to the Rebels for without more adoe they fell into route and direct flight while our men pursued them with hoat executions and with the same violence entring into the enemies trenches neuer gaue ouer from cutting in peeces as many as they found therein vntill S. Stephen who grieued at the effusion of so much bloud caused the retrayt to be founded The Captiues as guilty of high treason escaped not without coÌ„uenient punishmeÌ„t one quarter of Capas body in terrour of the rest was affixed on the gate of Vesprinio another of Strigonium the third at Gauerino and the fourth at Alba Iulia the principall Citty of Transiluania And if S. StepheÌ„ in chastizing had vsed iustice he shewed it no lesse in largely rewarding his Captaynes and souldiours according to the dignity and deportement of ech one but his principall study was amidst such prosperous euents to shun vayneglory and to shew forth that piety and gratitude which he owed to the Authour of all good and the Court of Heauen And to that end deuout processions being made with solemne masses he began from the very foundations a magnificent Temple to S. Martyn his Protectour in a scite which is called the holy Hill where is sayd the great Seruant of God was wont to remayne in contemplation for the litle tyme he abode in that Country and besides the applying of the third part of the spoyles to the fabricque he assigned for all the Priests that should inhabite there the whole Tithes of corne wine of cattell and moreouer of the children themselues of the inhabitants of the Citty and territory of Simigia And the rest of the goods which he might well haue put into the Fiscall he deputed part to the maintenance of the poore part to the increase of the diuine worship And being inflamed with new feruour of charity he neuer left crauing of the Highest at all houres somtymes in sackcloth ashes the grace to see before his death all Hungary conuerted vnto the fayth as forseing for certayne that being so it should come to be as it fell out afterwards a perpetuall and strong bul warke for the Church of Christ agaynst the violence of the Barbarians Many difficultyes seemed to crosse this pious desire of his but none greater then the want of sufficient Cathechists Preachers while the number of them who had come to those parts in the tyme of Geisa through diuers accidents was much diminished Whereupon in imitation of his Father with ample patents and very liberall offers he sent to al the religious Orders of Christendom to inuite the good and learned vnto him In somuch as many Monkes and Priests repayred thither partly moued at so honest a request and partly also of their proper will Among which was one Astricus a Benedictin Abbot called Anastasius by another name with some disciples of his who in the lower Hungary receyued some wounds for Christ. From Polony resorted two famous Hermits Andrew and Benet whereof the one was famous for miracles the other honoured with sacred martyrdome By meanes of these others who came to that worke the King attended to instruct the Gentils in the principles and manners truly Christian alluring them with sweetnes of words and workes and likewise when need required constrayning theÌ„ by mayne force to forsake the impious worship of the Idols Nor euer ceased he from the worke vntill such tyme as he had purged all those lands of their profane rites and abhominable filth of the Diuells And to the end that all might proceed with due forme and that the fruit of these labours might be durable he takes in hand with mature consideration with the counsayle of the wise to ordayne in fit places with sufficient rents Parochiall and Collegiate Churches diuers Conuents of Monkes and diuided the Kingdome it selfe into ten Bishoprickes declaring the Citty of Strigonium the Mother of them all choosing Prelates of honourable fame for ech one and such as were apt with the word to feed the flocke and to lead them with good workes King Stephen sends to Rome an Embassadour to submit himselfe and his Kingdome to the Sea Apostolique marryes with Gisâ—…a of the house of Bauary Chap. 5. THe rumour and applause of these so heroicall actions of S. Stephen immediately ran through all Europe and there was none who vnderstood the noble proceedings and spirituall conquests of the new King that deemed him not worthy of eternall prayse and royall Maiesty Yet he alone could not satisfy himselfe nor euer repute that Hierarchy Canonicall or the Title acceptable to God vnles the free assent and full confirmation of the Pope were added thereunto who in those dayes was Benedictus VIII Some foure yeares then after the death of Geisa the Rebels for the most being suppressed the publique affayres put in good order and the faith dilated now as farre as Danubius he sent Embassadour to the Citty of Rome with a goodly and decent pompe the aforesaid Anastasius by him named already Bishop of Coâ—…otz who after kissing of the feet and tender of obedience and a full relation of what had happened in Hungary in these latter yeares was humbly to beseech his Holyâ—… for three things First that he would daigne to blesse and admit that new Christianity into the my sticall body of the faythfull The second to ratify with his supreme power what S. Stephen had al ready disposed about the Bishopriques Metropolis The third to approue and declare valid the name of King wherewith he had beene voluntarily honoured by his subiects to the end that the iudgment of the vicar of Christ concurring thereunto he might with so much the greater authority seeme to promote the diuine seruice whereto only had
the present calamityes shall cease and the wished redemption shal come to this peoplesince his eternal goodnes hath already destined a man according to his hart and wholy at his deuotion who being placed through my help in the royall Throne with the infinite consolation of the subiects shall abate the forces and bridle the Danish fury and who after he hath many wayes raysed and aduanced the Church being deere to God very acceptable to his friends and dreadfull to his enemyes shall termine his glorious life with a most holy end From this so benigne an answere together with the sight of him there promised the Bishop tooke new courage and stuck not to enquire of the Oracle it selfe of the posterity and successours of Edward To which demaund with obscure and dubious words the Apostle replyed no more but that God was Lord and after this he would prouide another according to his good pleasure Edmund with his Children are put to the sword Alfred is made away S. Edward prayes and makes a vow to God and S. Peter and Canutus with his children dying is recalled into England agayne Chap. 2. THe English troubles continuing still with ciuill discord among themselues being ioyned at last with externe warres came to be so mischeiuous and pernicious as that despising all law of fayth all vicinity of bloud all obligation of friendship al things were full of fraud factions and iealousies And euen malice proceeded so farre as that the Nobles themselues forgetting their oath shamefully renouncing their lawfull Kings and putting Edmond to the sword with his children at Nurse they continually prepared tragedyes Canutus with a wicked marriage possessing the Widdow the Wife of Edmond left nothing vntryed to confirme himselfe in the vnlawfull vsurpation of the Kingdome Wherein he had so fast a hold that Alfred for the quieting of tumults in some manner too boldly passing ouer from Normandy into his Country was with extreme cruelty made away as well by the Danes as English and at the same tyme the desolate Queene Emma dyed in her Fathers house Then Edward being depriued of all human succour on earth and fearing euery houre his last ruine from others amidst many troubles and anguishes prostrating himselfe most humbly before the diuine presence prayed in this sort Behold Lord how I haue now no more help in me and my neerest friends are farre of from me my friends and neigbours are all become my aduersaryes I haue neyther Father nor Mother in the world my Brothers and Nephewes are betrayd and slayne the widdow my kinswoman is become our aduersaryes wife So as I am left without all stay they seeke moreouer to take away my lyfe But I O Lord poore wretch am left to thee and thou shalt succour the orphan as heeretofore in a meruailous manner thou hast done to King Edwin enuironed on euery side Thou that madest S. Oswald the ornament of England of an exile to be King and by meanes of the signe of the Crosse didst subiect to him all those that hated him If thou shalt be with me and through thy protection remit me into my Fathers kingdomes thou shalt be alwayes my God and the blessed Apostle Peter shall be my especiall Protectour whose most holy reliques I do promise to visit in the Citty of Rome with his direction With this Vow S. Edward felt himselfe exceedingly reuiued and replenished with no vayne hopes For that Canutus in few daies dyed and his children also of tender age not long suruiued By occasion whereof the English as a wakened out of a dead sleepe very suddenly tooke vp armes and shaking of the yoke of intruding tyranny recalled the desired Edward into the land agayne and receyuing him with all the honour possible with one accord they placed him in the royall throne At the comming of S. Edward all good arts and Christian vertues did returne from banishment The vacant Seas were soone replenished Churches and Monasteryes repayred and the diuine seruice in short tyme brought to its auncient splendour agayne Hence through welcome peace ensued the tillage of the wast and desert champaynes and the Iudgeâ—… and Magistrats being kept in their duty more through example of the King then feare of punishments attended to administer vpright iustice to all sorts of persons The iubily and content of the present felicity was much augmented by the fresh memory of the miseryes past insomuch as not only the reasonable creatures with prayses and thankes-giuing but euen the land it selfe with extraordinary fruitfulnes the ayre with fayre and serene weather the sea with still and quiet waues and smiling countenance seemed to acknowledge him and the Cittyes daily to multiply in laudable customes riches and multitude of inhabitants Two notable examples in S. Edward of contempt of Riches With his vow of chastity maintayned in the state of Matrimony Chap. 3. IT was not long ere the fame of so great prosperity extended to the Prouinces beyond the Seas And from all the Potentates the Dane excepted for they left not their pride came very honourable Embassages from tyme to tyme to congratulate to make leagues of freindship and to establish some good correspondence with S. Edward And he the while not puffed vp with pride nor dissolute with vayne triumphs hauing alwayes the diuine Maiesty before his eyes with an euen tenour of life carryed himselfe very meeke to his domestiques reuerent to Priests gracious to the people compassionate to the afflicted and aboue all things a great Almoner a strange neglecter of money insomuch as once among the rest lying on his bed his priuate Treasurer Hugoline by name hauing vnawares left open a chest of mony in that chamber a groome of the place being inuited through the commodity of the purchase and the seeming sleepe of the Prince approaching boldly tooke away from thence a good quantity therof put it vp in his pocket and being glad of so happy a successe returned againe a second tyme and so a third When as the King who had feigned till then perceiuing Hugoline to be comming brake silence and with friendly voyce said to the wretch Get thee gone for the Treasurer comes who if he chaunce to catch thee once will not leaue thee a faâ—…thing of all thou hast At this voyce the fellow fled assoone and scarcely had got his feete forth of one doore but Hugoline entred by the other and finding so great a summe of treasure to be wanting he was euen ready at first to faynt for griefe then entring into a rage with himselfe began to rent the ayre with cryes and sighes When S. Edward arising from his bed still dissembling the matter quietly demaunded the occasion of so great a heauynes and hauing heard it Hold thy peace man said he perhaps he who hath taken it away had more need thereof then we Much good may it do him the rest I hope will serue for vs. With such quietnes he passed ouer that act Whence may
force into the pallace of S. Iohn Lateran being the ordinary residence in those dayes of the Popes of Rome yet for all that had he not the desired contentment to behold things pacifyed and quiet Because the Anti-pope being obdurate in malice and continually accompanyed with armed men kept himselfe in hold and allwayes well fortifyed in Towers and more eminent places of the Citty from whence with sudden incursions and stratagems without euer entring into open battaile or once seeking to come to a parley with Lotharius he neuer left infesting both day and night the freinds and defenders of the Pope Whereupon the Emperour being now growne weary of the excesse charge and small fruite returned into Almany agayne and Innocent fynding no better remedy for so great mischeifes went out of Rome the second tyme and assembling togeather another solemne Councel in the Citty of Pisa among other things publiquely declared Pierlonio excommunicate of which censure the miserable man was neuer absolued Heere also S. Bernard through obedience assisted the cheife Bishop and was not only a helper and partaker of the whole affayres and counsells therein but may be sayd more an arbiter and vmpier in the busynes Which affayres being once dispatched it seemed good to the Pope to send him to Millan where the poyson of the Anti-pope hauing got in the whole people were found to be in a most inextricable trouble and discord among themselues Nor was heere likewise the arriuall of the man of God in vayne He soone reunited the whole Citty agayne and reduced it to the deuotiō of the true Pope From hence passing ouer the Alpes he returned to Clareuallis and being receaued by the Monks there with infinite iubiley at their instance transferred he the Monastery into a more ample situation wherof the fame being spread through out there immediatly concurred so great almes from Princes and Prelates and from other deuout persons as in very short space the building adorned withall commodityes was brought to perfection to the great increase of the diuine seruice At the same tyme the Country of Gascony and especially the Church of Bourdeaux was fallen as it were into some afflictions and calamityes from whence the citty of Milan had beene deliuered but a little before Of th◅e mischiefs Gerard Bishop of Angolesme was the principall occasione who with ambitious promises hauing gotten of the Antipope the Legacy of Gascony had drawne to their wicked designes not only a good part of the Cleargy but euen many also of the Nobles yea the Prince himselfe Lord of those Countreys called Count VVilliam through whose forces and other ill practises of his owne he had brought thinges into those tearmes as that against all those that would not consent and subscribe to the election of Anaclete they openly proceeded with banishments confiscation of goods and with other inuentions and examples of fierce and barbarous cruelty One of the chiefe of those that were persecuted was VVilliam Bishop of Poytiers a man well qualifyed and exceeding constant in defence of the Catholike Religion This man with many iniuryes was expelled from his Church and a Schismaticall and wicked one put into his place The same happened in the Diocesse of Limoges where insteed of a Catholicke Prelate was placed one Abbot Ranulfus who through diuine iudgment payed full soone the punishment of his impious boldnes since in a plaine and euen way being fallen from his horse he pitcht his head so shrewdly on a stone which lay in the way that dashing out his braynes he dyed suddenly S. Bernard hauing excommunicated Duke William he submits himselfe with the iust iudgement of God shewed on the schismaticall Bishop of Angolesme Chap. 15. AS soone as Gaufrid Bishop of Chartres had notice of so great disorders and inconueniences to whom the Legacy and euen spirituall gouernement of Gascony was committed by Innocent he was hartily sorry for it and layng other busynes asyde determined to succour those Churches as soone as he could which were in extreme daunger and for that he knew well how noble an instrument of the diuine prouidence the Abbot of Clareuallis was for such effect he intreated him very earnestly to accompany and assist him in such an enterprize And the man of God made no resistance thereunto But only required they might passe by the way of Nantes where Ermengarda the Countesse had founded a Conuent of his Monks and it was necessary for him to passe that way to giue order as he would quickly doe to the affayres belonging to the sayd Monastery Gaufrid and S. Bernard then put themselues on the way with an honourable trayne of Prelates and other Catholiques and the matters being dispatched which were to be done in the Citty of Nantes they entred into the cōfines of Gascony where Gerard already with consent of the Count William had intruded himselfe into the administration of Bourdeaux and possessed the two Churches at once of Bourdeaux and Angolesme Now the Count vnderstanding of the comming of the Bishop of Chartres and of the Blessed Bernard as also of other Bishops and Religious with him to treate with him in the affaires of Ecclesiasticall matters he thought it not fit for many respects to refuse that parly They were all then assembled togeather by agreement in a place which was named Pertinaco whereby the Seruants of God had fit oportunity to expresse their mindes to the full and it was proposed among other thinges how vnseemely it was that all France being now at the deuotion of Pope Innocent Gascony should only diuide her selfe from the common communion and accord cause so great and so miserable a separation and defection in the people of God how he could not but know that the Church of Christ is but one only and whatsoeuer out of it as found out of the Arke of Noe must of necessity sincke and perish They likewise reduced to his memory the dreadfull euent of Dathan Abiron who for no other cause then for making disunion were swallowed vp aliue in the earth To this they added other examples of manifest vengeance and wrath of God against seditious persons and Schismatiques Count VVilliam being moued with these exhortations menaces partly became flexible thereunto offering himselfe to accept Innocent for lawfull Pope and partly shewed himselfe obstinate and hard being not willing by any meanes to restore the Catholike Bishops againe so violently deposed and sent into banishment and that not so much through occasion of the publique cause as for some particuler grudges which he had against them This article was disputed a good while in two assemblyes the second tyme S. Bernard perceauing that nothing could be concluded by way of wordes he straight recurred to more efficacious and potent meanes as in such occasions he was wont to do Wherfore breaking off the discourse he goes directly to the Altar and prepares himselfe for Masse Those only entred in who were not forbid to assist at that dreadfull sacrifice
his head went by night to seeke out S. Bernard who hauing louingly reprehended him and made him to lay downe the ornaments vsurped led him with his owne hands to the feete of Innocent from whom benignly receiuing absolution he was admitted into grace And from thence began the Pope to giue dispatches without disturbance to attend to reformation and to take away the abuses introduced in tyme of the discord For so ioyfull successe next vnto God they all gaue the glory and honour to the Abbot of Clareuallis not without reason since trauayling in the enterprise into diuerse parts of the world for more then seauen yeares togeather finally in the Citty of Rome with the diuine helpe most happily concluded the same But the true disciple of Christ being not able to endure the human prayses applauses the extraordinary veneration wherein he was held of the whole Court and Citty within the tearme of fiue dayes and no more hauing got leaue of the Pope with all importunity he suddenly went his wayes towards Clareuallis And for asmuch as his Holines required some of his Monks to inhabite neere to Rome he made choyce of them and sent them at that tyme vnder the care of one Bernard of Pisa a good Religious man a person much honoured in the world who not long after Innocent being dead and his successours Celestin and Lucius was with much approbation made Pope by a new name called Eugenius and to him S. Bernard wrote those most learned bookes Of Consideration In this manner then did S. Bernard cary himselfe in repayring the torne coate of our Lord and reuniting to their head the members of the Church with most wicked example so seuered and disioyned And no lesse vigilancy and sollicitude shewed he in oppressing and rooting out heresyes which discouered themselues in his tyme as shall presently appeare S. Bernard refutes and confounds Abaylard a famous Heretike with other heresyes arising at that tyme. Chap. 18. THere flourished in those dayes with great fame of much knowledge one Peter Abaylard a person of an exceeding sharpe wit but proud and haughty withall This man as it happens often with the proud being deceaued by the Father of lying began to disperse writings full of new doctrine and of pestiferous opinions wherof S. Bernard hauing notice through his accustomed goodnes and benignity performed the office towards him of fraternall charity endeuouring that without preiudice and infamy of the writer those blasphemyes might be amended And truly Peter himselfe for the present through the words and Charity of the Saint shewed himselfe to be so changed and compunct as he promised to remit al to his censure and correction But a little after being vanquished through the blind loue vaine persuasion of himselfe he not only brake his word but euen also taking his aduantage of the tyme he went to the Bishop of Sans in whose Church was presently a great Councell assembled and before him very insolently complayned of the Abbot of Clareuallis as of a slaunderer and detractour and made instance the Councell being opened he might be cyted to yield account of the obiections and calumnies giuen out against his bookes shewing himselfe to be prompt and ready to defend in publique whatsoeuer was contayned therin Nor did the Bishop refuse him the tyme being come he cites the Man of God to the Synod to iustify the sayd oppositiōs There came likewise thither Peter full of pride founding himselfe in sillogismes and his dialectical art but well it appeares how vayne human meanes are against the diuine power Because the designed day being come for discussion of those articles S. Bernard in the presence of all those venerable Prelates and Doctours produced the volumes of Abaylard and with very strong reasons and cleere testimonyes of Scripture and holy Fathers went manifesting and refuting one by one all the propositions which digressed from fayth and the Apostolique traditions And such was the spirit which in that Session also spake in the mouth of S. Bernard as that Abaylard loosing in a moment his memory and discourse full of shame and confusion with the wonder of all was strooken dumbe There was giuen him space notwithstanding and election eyther to deny those writings or humbly to amend himselfe or els to answere if he coud to the obiections made But he very hard to repent himselfe to gaine as they say more tyme resolued with himselfe to appeale to the Sea of Rome howbeit that sacred Congregation stucke not to reproue the doctrine though forbore the person and a little after came the sentence of the Pope which declaring Abaylard to be a manifest heretike condemned him to silence and his workes to the fire This disorder being thus remedyed after some yeares againe there appeared another through the fault of VVilliam Perretta Bishop of Poytiers a man much versed in the diuine Scriptures but temerarious arrogant in so much as he had the boldnes to medle with the mystery of the most holy Trinity with many capriches subtlityes neuer heard of before and that with so much the greater common perill as he was more pregnant and dexterous to couer the senses with artificious and obscure wordes in such sort as the poyson had much spread it selfe before any could easily perceaue it To these snares S. Bernard did most valorously oppose himselfe in the Councell of Rhemes celebrated by Pope Eugenius wherein disputing continually for two dayes togeather against those impious dogma's what with quoating and comparing places one with another dispersed and disioyned heere and there with determining of equiuocations distinguishing ambiguityes inserting of consequēces and deducing of corolaryes he draue out of darknes caues that whole antiquity and exposed it so to the light as there remayned no more any place for doubt And because notwithstanding all this diligence some fauourers of VVilliam hindred that the processe could not he finished against him S. Bernard with his great authority caused a congregation to be assembled of purpose where with the consent and subscription of the Fathers of ten Prouinces and of very many Bishops and Abbots he framed and added a new symbole as opposite to the noueltyes of VVilliam with such means very easily wrought that these peruerse opinions should be vtterly prohibited though no chastisement otherwise were inflicted on the Authour since he was in the mind to enter into that dispute with this condition and protestation that in case his sayinges were not excepted and approued by the sacred Councell he would be ready without pertinacity at all to reuoke them quite and so being demanded if he gaue his consent to the sayd condemnation answered Yea and in full session retracting and detesting the etrours he obtayned mercy No lesse horrible and pernicious about the same yeares was the impiety of a certaine Precursour of Martin Luther called Henry a most vile Apostata also and euen possessed wholy with the like spirit of blasphemy so as he doubted not
choice young men which as at the beginning we mentioned S. Bernard in the citty of Chalon purchased to our Lord were almost all of them in worldly wisedome the disciples of one Stephen of Vitreo a person very famous in those dayes and Country thereabouts Now being come to Clareuallis while they were yet kept by the man of God in an Inne as it were in their first probation and instructed by litle and litle in the rules of the diuine seruice comes in Stephen of Vitreo beyond all expectation and demaunds to be likewise receiued into monasticall discipline It is the manner of those who haue newly left and forsaken the secular hopes and affayres to feele incredible iubiley of hart when they behold some others to doe the like whether it be through that new zeale which the beginning of spirit subministred to them or els for that they take delight to haue their election approued by the iudgment and example of many so as at the vnlooked for appearing of no ordinary subiect but euen of their owne so famous a Maister it cannot be told what great contentment those good Brothers tooke and what ioy they made both priuate and publike But the mind and iudgment of the wise Abbot in this point was so farre otherwise Who by diuine aduise knowing suddenly the quality of his vocation first sighing held his peace then in the presence of all he sayd This man is sent hither by the euill spirit he comes without a companion and without a companion he shall goe his wayes againe At this speach of his they were astonished and amazed who euen now could not containe themselues for ioy neuerthelesse not to scandalize those tender plants S. Bernard was content to admit Stephen vpon tryall especially making large promises to obserue very punctually the rule and to execute with all promptnes whatsoeuer should be ordayned him But it was not long ere being ouercome with the tediousnes of silence and of solitude being affrighted with the rigour of the obseruance weary of the exercises and mentall labours he was seene to be drawne forth of the Oratory by a vile Black-more as heeretofore was that Monke of Cassin From hence after some six monthes were passed repenting himselfe of the good begun he endeauours to attempt and to stirre vp others according to the manner of Religious men ill grounded mutable who being resolued to leaue the banners of Christ and to returne to the leekes of Aegypt thinke to couer their shame with the multitude of companions and to diminish the infamy by communicating the fault but neither he nor he that set him a worke could effect the same Because all those soules through the preseruatiue infused into them by the faythfull prudent Steward still remayned where they were firme and immoueable and according to the protestation of the holy Pastour that vnhappy Stephen de Vitreo did but trauaile in vayne He entred alone and alone went forth againe Nor was the prophesy which followes much vnlike Three yong men hauing taken the habit together in Clareuallis one of them through instigation of the deuill within a litle while after returned to his vomit againe Whereupon the Fathers being so much more anxious for the health of the other two in their presence treated of this matter with the holy Abbot Then he looking in the face of both those Nouices answeared plainely This man shall neuer haue temptations of moment That other shall haue many but shall finally preuayle The one then with a prosperous gale went allwayes forward in religion The other being encompassed with tribulations and assayled with perillous assaults after he had wauered more then once and turned his back as it were yet being sustayned by diuine grace and through the memory of the Saints promises victorious at last was crowned with perseuerance Of these kind of Oracles this same that followes was so much more famous as it was published vpon a greater occasion and in a place more notable and with persons more illustrious Lewes the old King France being greiuously offended with some Bishops of that kindome suffered himselfe to be led so farre into p◅sion as to expell them by force from their Churches and Cittyes Whereupon S. Bernard wrote many letters to him to appease him whose coppyes are yet kept to this day It chaunced the while the seruant of Christ being present that many of those Bishops to mollify the Kings mind prostrate with all humility on the ground and imbracing his feet were not all able to moue him to pitty The man of God touched with this spectacle and full of a holy zeale stuck not the day following to giue a free and stout reprehension to the King himselfe for hauing in that manner despised the submission and prayers of the Preists of Christ and clearely made protestation of that which was reuealed to him that night This thy obstinacy shall cost thee the death of Philip thy eldest sonne and sworne Prince I haue seene thee in company of thy yonger sonne fall prostrate at the feete of those Bishops whom but yesterday thou madest so small accompt of Collecting thence that soone thou shalt loose Philip and for substitution of this other thou shalt sue to the Prelates whome now thou vsest so hardly Which was not long ere it came to passe Philip dyed and the Father being humbled wrought by al meanes with the Ecclesiastical state that Lewes the second borne might be accepted for Successour and be annoynted with accustomed ceremonyes And so much may suffice of matters sayd or done by this admirable man aboue all force or terme of nature of which subiect notwithstanding though perhapps by vs too sparingly and scantly handled yet it is much harder for vs to find an end then how to beginne The great Humility of S. Bernard in auoyding worldly prayses and hhnours and the pious shift he vsed to acquite himselfe thereof Chap. 26. OF all that which we haue hitherto written or left vntouched two things doe most astonish me The one how S. Bernard amidst so great variety of vniuersall businesses mainetayned himselfe allwayes as Lord and Maister of himselfe without neglecting euer the custody of his hart and continuall examine of his actions and alwayes walking therein so vigilant and prouident as if euen then from the shade of the Nouiciate he had past forth into the dust sunne of Christian warfarre The other wonder is how among so many fauours from heauen and applauses of men he neuer abandoned the confines and center of holy Humility and this seems to me to be the principall cause why continually from the diuine hand were showred vpon him so excellent guifts and so rare and incōparable graces because that euen as there is nothing which of its part more dryes vp the fountaines of the diuine benignity then Pride and Arrogancy in whose company Ingratitude goes hand in hand so is there not a nearer and more apt disposition to become capable of
together an infinite number of people from all parts of Christendome as Greeks French Almans Spaniards English and of other nations by all which the blessed S. Antony was heard to preach at once ech one in their proper language as in the Citty of Hierusalem heeretofore the Apostles were heard on the solemne day of Pentecost that supernaturall effect being renewed with the astonishment of as many as heard the same In Arimini the Citty being full of Heretikes S. Antony endeuoured cheifly and not without much trauayle to reduce the Heresiarcke Bonuillus or as some would haue it Bonellus to a better mind who for thirty yeares continuallly had persecuted the Church of Christ and after his amendment notwithstanding many others yet remayning most peruerse in their obstinacy and shutting their ears vnto the truth after that S. Antony with many prayers in vayne had inuited them to a Sermon there being a great number of them as then forth of the wals where the riuer called Marechia discharges it selfe into the Sea with great cōfidence in our Lord he begins to call the Fishes vnto the word of God since men of reason redeemed with his precious bloud would by no meanes seeme to harken to him And incredible thing had it not been euident he had scarce giuen forth the commaund when an innumerable multitude of fishes of sundry formes and bignes were seene to appeare on the waters of the Sea and riuer which euen of their owne accord came in by sholes and with heads erected accommodating themselues to listen to him in so much as the lesser put themselues neer to the bancks side and then the greater and bigger in order with so goodly and fayre a dispose as a more pleasing sight could not be seen To these squadrons so well ordered the blessed S. Antony lifting vp his voyce began to vnfold vnto them the benefits vouchsafed them from the Creatour the guift of swiftnes and colours and of their beauty in particuler the medicine subministred from them by Toby the tribute and food of our Lord himselfe the mistery of the Resurrection represented in the Prophet Ionas For which reasons with many others besides did S. Antony exhort them to yeild God thanks To which aduise of his those Marine troups since they could not by words with sundry motions at least did signify their obedience stooping with the head sporting with iubily and shewing a will to honour the messenger of Christ. Nor would they depart from the place vntil they were licēced thence through his holy benediction And so in the meane tyme the concourse of spectatours being now continually growne greater the man of God taking then occasion vpbrayded those obstinate and peruerse men of their malice and impiety since in acknowledging the high Creatour admitting so his holy law they would so manifestly suffer themselues to be vanquished by beasts whereupon the Heretikes at last remayned confounded and the Catholikes continually more confirmed in the holy doctrine and veneration of the Sea Apostolike Other miracles which S. Antony wrought in the sight of Heretikes to the conuersion of many and confusion of others Chap. 13. MOst famous was that which happened in the exequyes of a certaine publike Vsurer now buryed allready at which exequyes it belonging to the blessed S. Antony to make the sermon he tooke for text that saying of our Sauiour Vbi est the saurus tuus ibi est cor tuum To which purpose with accustomed liberty he inueighed against the disordinate loue of gold and siluer and weighed the inestimable domages which grow from thence finally to let them see with their eyes themselues the truth of that sentence turning himselfe to the neerest parents of the dead Go your wayes sayd he by and by to the chest of the miserable wretch and there within shall you find his very hart it selfe which they did without contradiction and to the great terrour of them and of the whole land in the midst of his monyes they found the said hart as yet not wholy cold We shall now ad another of no terrour awhit but of meere consolation S. Anthony being Custos at Limoges after he had passed through France still preaching heere and there chaunced to discourse with the inhabitants of Burges But the presse was so great of such as came to heare him as that the Canons of the Church putting themselues in procession with the whole Auditory went forth of the gates of the towne into the open fields where while the man of God puts himselfe to discourse in an eminent place behold there gathered togeather very blacke clouds in the ayre which threatned a terrible ◅pest for feare wherof the people flying from thence beginning to shift for themselue S. Antony sayd with a loud voyce Bee of good cheere my maysters stirre not a foot there shall not a drop of water light vpon any of you The people obeyed and behold suddenly a mighty storme of hayle and rayne to fall from heauen which enuironing the Auditory as a wall did not wet the breadth of a palme in the whole circuit but left the people dry vntouched Whence followed many prayses vnto God and extraordinary credit and reuerence to S. Antony And now to speake something likewise of meruails succeeding in his disputations with Heretikes It is reported for certayne how the diuine man being at Arimini on a tyme or as others would haue it in the Citty of Tholouse a malapert minister of Sathan of the Sect of Berengarius being not able to maintayne himselfe in a controuersy of the most holy Sacrament agaynst the reasons alleadged by S. Anthony sayd finally vnto him Thou confoundest me with words as more learned then I but not because they haue more foundation of truth But let vs come to some more cleere experiences in effect Whence I may be certifyed indeed that God is really present in the consecrated host and I promise and sweare vnto you when it shall succeed that I will confesse to be vanquished and belieue this article in the manner as you teach it S. Anthony accepts the condition nor doubts awhit to put the quality of the tryall to his owne choice Let vs do it then in this manner replyed the Heretike This day will I beginne to keep my Mule without meate after three dayes againe shall I bring him forth so hungry into the market place togeather with a pecke of oats for the purpose And at the same tyme thou likewise come thither with thy azime or host and if the beast in presence of the one and other shall forbeare to eate the oats and turne to bow vnto thy bread I am content also to adore the same without more adoe In the name of God sayd S. Antony let the matter be published through the Citty The third day being come both parties repayre to the market-place with such a thronge of people as euery one may iudge Heere S. Anthony sacrificeth vpon an Altar set vp
his death he afterwards was chaunged agayne more then once while the same fragrancy continued still as before as well to make he sepulcher more magnificent as also to affoard others some part of the holy Reliques One of his hands was graunted to his Sister in whose Oratory remayning a while it was carryed to Salerno The head was giuen to the Fryars Preachers of Pipern It being after vnderstood that a wicked man went about to rob and to sell away the rest the Count of Fondi preuented it by taking it into his owne custody after that at the instance of his wife who was therefore in sleepe very greiuously reprehended by the Saint he consigned it to the conuent of Preachers in the same Citty of Fondi The Monkes of Fossa-noua resented the iniury and for the same hauing made many tymes complaints to the Sea Apostolike Pope Vrban the V. at last to put an end to so great quarells and contentions caused it to be transported from Fondi to Thoulouse in France to the end that Vniuersity there newly founded by the Pope might continually prosper vnder the shaddow of such a Protectour And this last Translation was the most noble and solemne of all as well for that now after a full and exact information he was canonized by Pope Iohn the XXII as also for the great number of miracles which in that Translation there followed anew The greater part of the Bishops there and Lewis Duke of Angiou being the Brother of the King of France with an infinite number of people came to meet with and receaue the sacred Pledge by all which with great preparation and exquisite pompe it was decently reposed at Thoulouse in the yeare of our Lord 1370. It hath preserued that Citty euen to these dayes from many perills of body and soule FINIS B. ANDREW B. THE ARGVMENT THE very Starre that 's placed neere the Line That parts vs from the other Hemisphere Through interposed vapours cleare doth shine When in our Zenith dimme it doth appeare Blinded we slight heau'ns ioyes which we might gaine As well as earth and with an equall paine I this perceyu'd and learn't to rayse my hart And farre aboue such fain'd contents to soare I with the World and with the Wolfe did part And tooke the Lambe whome I contem'd before And borne by zealous loue ascend the skies In fiery Carre to my Elias flyes THE LIFE OF B. ANDREVV BISHOP OF FESVLA Written by Francis his Successour and others Of the Parents of B. Andrew with the miraculous presage of his Birth and first beginnings Chap. 1. AMONG the noble families of the renowned Citty of Florence is Corsina worthily named for one spread as we find in other parts of Italy Of this bloud Nicolas and Peregrina being conioyned togeather with the holy band of Matrimony as they were both timorous and fearing God and much frequenting Churches the sacred offices had a great desire to offer vp to the high Creatour and the most B. Virgin the first-borne of their Progeny to imitate in this point also the piety of the ancient Patriarks so much celebrated in sacred Scriptures Nor did any thing hinder them from fullfilling their vow then sterility or want of fruit to present from which being deliuered through the intercession of the same Virgin they at last had a sonne in Baptisme called by the name of Andrew for being borne on the feast of that glorious Apostle But the day before his natiuity for a cleare presage as it were of thinges to come it seemed to the Mother in sleep that she was deliuered of a Wolfe which turning into the Church was by little and little transformed into a Lambe At which apparition though Peregrina remayned in some feare yet made she no kind of demonstration thereof but kept it secret vntill the tyme we shall speake of anone In the meane tyme the faythfull parents trayned vp the child in learning and much more in manners with that care as was fit for the yssue now dedicated already to the seruice of the Queene of Angells But soone might be gathered in him without doubt how prone to ech vice is human kind without the particular ayde and stay of celestiall grace Scarcely was he arriued to the vse of reason when being enflamed within by the ardours of concupiscence and by the incentiues of the false Angell and outwardly allured by sensible obiects and lewd companyes he began from the straight and direct way of saluation to bend to the spacious and large way of perdition to abhorre vertue to fly his studyes to serue the belly and dishonest pleasures to follow the dissolute to giue himselfe to pompes to handle partly cards and dice partly also his sword and armes prohibited to moue often quarells and to challenge now this man and now that into the field to wast the goods of his family and to put himselfe continually into dangers both of body and soule These manners of his euen pierced the Parents to the hart seeming very vnfit for one so conceiued through prayers brought vp for the seruice of the Mother of God In the meane while they sought now with allurements and now with menaces and agayne with reasons to pull him back from the precipices he ran into without stay but all in vayne The fierce youth had now shaken off the yoke he champed the bridle he scorned the rod finally became euery day more rebellious and refractary then other Yet for all this the diuine Clemency would not suffer so ill a bud of so good rootes should eternally perish but through meanes vnexpected reformed him on a sudden in the height of his debaâ—…shments Because hauing once among other tymes answered not only with contempt and contumacy to the holsome aduises of them that loued him so deerely but euen also with iniuryes and outrages very impiously turning his back towardes them Peregrina remembring her ancient dreame Thou art surely sayd she to him that infamous wolfe which in vision I seemed to bring forth into the world when thou wast borne At the sound of which words B. Andrew as awaked through diuine operation as it were from a deepe letargy and returning to himselfe stood still and with voyce and countenance altered turning himselfe to Peregrina I beseech you sweet Mother replyed he not to hide from me longer that monstruous prodigy which you now intimated to me whence how beyt on the one side I find my selfe terrifyed astonished as stroke with a thunderbolt yet me thinkes on the other I doe feele my selfe to burne with so ardent desire to know the full truth as I shall neuer be at rest vntill you giue me a faythfull and distinct notice thereof Then the disconsolate Matron being moued from the bottome of her hart and now brought into some hope of amendment in her Sonne Know thou sayd she my beloued Sonne that after my espousals I liued many yeares without yssue but with so great desire
Andrews care diligence of the corporall necessityes of his flocke and vpon these foundations of well knowne goodnes did after securely arise the celestiall building of soules because he had gotten so much credit and authority with those carriages of his as to reclayme and pull away ill liuers from their lewd life one word or becke of his had more moment with it then the longe and premeditated disswasions of others How B. Andrew reconciled most deadly emnityes and debates and how his death was mir aculously foretould him Chap. 9. THough B. Andrew had great efficacy with him in ech kind of spirituall remedyes yet shewed he to haue a particuler talent in contracting honest friendships in taking vp quarells in composing controuersies and so much the more willingly laboured he in these thinges as the Holy Ghost had giuen him to vnderstand that in mutuall fraternall loue consists the whole summe of the Christian Law The honourable fame now of all these noble actions dilating it selfe through all parts Pope Vrban the V. tooke particuler contentment therat and for some dayes gaue a large field vnto so eminent vertue to exercise it selfe in The Citty of Bologna in those dayes was enflamed with perilous tumults and discordes nor was there any remedy of that euill to be found through the inueterated hatreds disordinate passions and obstinate pertinacity of the partyes The common Pastour being worthily anxious and sollicitous for it after many cares and diligences in vayne vsed about the same resolued with himselfe to make vse of the person of the Bishop of Fesulae for that busines and with an ample power sent him as his Nuntius to the Bolognians nor was he awhit deceaued in his opinion because B. Andrew being arriued thither began immediatly to mitigate the exasperated woundes of their mindes and with the didiuine help had so lucky and dexterous a hand as he shortly recouered them reducing the nobility and people without new noyse to a desired peace and tranquility And some few more stiff and obstinate then the rest by diuine iudgment being strook with a greiuous and sudden infirmity and agayne through the merits of the Saint deliuered thereof did willingly yield themselues likewise and he with the like contentment of Citizens and Pope Vrban also and with the vniuersall applause of all Italy returned home agayne to his residence Where besides the mayntayning and nourishing as we haue sayd with great charity the bodyes and soules committed to him he tooke likewise particuler accompt of the sacred buildinges and among other restaurations sumptuously repayred the Cathedral Church which was euen threatning ruine With these passages being arriued to the 71. yeare of his age while he was celebrating solemne Masse on the most happy night THE LIFE OF B. LAVRENCE IVSTINIAN THE FIRST PATRIARKE OF VENICE Written by the Honourable Leonard Iustinian Of the parentage infancy minority of B. Laurence and what a strange vocation he had Chap. I. BLESSED LAVRENCE was borne in the Citty of Venice of the Magnifico Bernardâ—… 〈◊〉 and of Quirina his wife both of a high and noble linage in the yeare of our Lord 1380. He was left a child with other Brothers of his by his Father who dyed very soone His heauy and disconsolate Mother being yet but yong macâ—…rating her body as well with fastings and vigils as with a sharp cilice and a brazen girdle kept viduall state not without a prosperous and perpetuall same of purity nor attended she with lesse sollicitude in the meane tyme in bringing vp her children in learning and that which more imports in Christian manners and though they all gaue much â—…ope not to degenerate awhit from their Ancestours notwithstaÌ„â—…ing a particuler towardnes of a great spirit and generous thoughts went discouering itselfe in the B. Laurence since that in those his first yeares scorning and loathing the sports and other leuityes which are permitted to that age with a certaine sage maturity he conuersed with men of stedder iudgments and of thinges indeed not childish in so much as this manner of proceeding of his was attribured by some to an ouermuch desire of greatnes of glory Yea his owne Mother fearing he would giue vp himselfe as a prey to Ambition as most commonly the nobler wits are wont of purpose sayd to him on a tyme Goe to Laurence leaue this manner of thyne this thy pride euen sauours of Hell Where to he smiling metâ—…y made answere Doubt not Madame you shall yet see me a great seruant of God Nor was the prediction awhit in vayne because he being now come to nineteen years of age when as man commonly stands vpon the point of taking the good or ill bent in vision there appeared to him a woman more bright then the Sunne who with a pleasing and gratefull countenance spake to him in this sort My beloued youth why distracts thou thy hart into diuers parts and seekest rest forth of thy selfe now in this thing and now in that Looke what thou wishest for is in my handes and I promise to affoard it thee if thou wilt take me to thy Spouse At which wordes B. Laurence being at first astonished and taking after more courage to demand her name and what her condition was the Virgin replyed I am the Wisedome of God who for reforming the world heeretofore haue taken mortall flesh Which the happy Louer hearing soone yielded his assent and she reaching him a chast kisse of peace very suddenly vanished At this vision now B. Laurence being stirred vp to new cares feeling vnwonted flames of fire to burne within his breast yet could not fully interprete the inuitation made him nor to which to betake himselfe aboue others It is true that inwardly he found himselfe to be much enclined to a religious and perfect life but as yet not â—…ing to his owne iudgment he went for counsaile to a certaine Cousin of his Mother called Marinus who leading a monasticall life in S. Georges of Alga of the Congregation of Celestines was held in great opinion of learning and sanctity He now vnderstanding the inspiration and motiues of the yong man more maturely to examine the whole exhorted him first ere he entred into Religion or changed the habit he would secretly make some experience what he were able to suffer in a strict life To which aduice B. Laurence did very promptly obey and among other industryes began insteed of a soft and downy bedde to ly in the night vpon crabby and knotry wood And with all to make his accompts the better he endeauours of purpose one day to contemplate on the one side Magistracyes Honours Wiues Children riches sundry sorts of pastimes and sports and all the pleasure besides which the world may afford and on the other abstinencyes fasts vigills pouerty incommodityes heat cold the abnegation of himselfe with perpetuall seruitude and other difficultyes besides which present themselues in the narrow way of more perfect vertue and diuine seruice Heereupon as
them any enterprize of moment eyther in publike or priuate without hauing recourse to the prayers of this great seruant of God Lastly he neuer likely went forth of doores but the people would runne to him as to an Angell descended from heauen while euery one held himselfe happy but only to beho◅ld him much more to treate with him and to receaue answeres or aduices from that Oracle All these and many other thing besides which for breuityes sake are passed ouer being apt to puff a man vp how wise and wary soeuer and to put him quite besides himselfe yet were not able to disseuer the B. Laurence from the loue and feare of God and from the knowledge and contempt of himselfe The great talents which B. Laurence had in deciding causes as Iudge and of the blessed end which he made Chap. 8. VVHat shall we say of the manner which B. Laurence held in giuing audience and dispatch of causes touching his tribunalls Wherein he had such light so great dexterity withall as howbeit it he gaue the most part of his tyme to all other things yet he seemed to be as borne only and created for this He would stand amidst the cryes and clamours both of clients and pleaders as firme as a rock and after he had listned to the partyes what sufficed discouering now and then with more then human vnderstanding the secret traces and frauds which lay often hid he would breifly then giue sentence but with such iudgement and equity as among other things in the Court of Rome they were allwayes held in a high degree most iust and irrefragable Nor left he those awhit lesse satisfyed who came to visit him in priuate since to be admitted to his presence there was no need of wayting or attending more fit opportunityes For whether he studyed or wrote or made his prayer suddaynely cutting of the threed of the present occasion he would receiue all with such peace and benignity as he seemed not to be subiect to troubles or clothed with flesh but with all loue all sweetenes all spirit By these wayes now approaching to the terme of his pilgrimage hardly had he finished the Treatise intituled The degr◅es of perfection when being now some 74. yeares of age he was surprised by a burning pestilent feauer Whereupon his domestikes preparing him a bed according to his infirmity the true imitatour of Christ being troubled at it sayd to them What then doe you make ready feathers for me My Lord was not layd vpon feathers but stretched on a hard and cruell bat And doe you not remember that which S. Martyn protested in his last article that a Christian should dye vpon ashes and clad in cilices Finally there was no meanes to lay him otherwise then vpon his wonted straw Perceyuing afterwards to cure his malady there was no neglect had of trauayle or costs being angry as it were against himselfe A◅ sayd he what paynes is taken and how much mony cast away vpon a vile sack when the poore of Christ haue no food the while nor fire nor any remedy for their necessityes Heereupon presaging his owne death he recollected himselfe more seriously and the two contrary affects Feare and Hope as it happened in the like case to the blessed Hilarion began to goe come with him So as now with a cheerefull and smiling countenance forbidding teares to the standers by he exclaymed Behold the spouse let vs go and meere him and added with eyes cast vp to heauen Good Iesus loe I come And now agayne with iust a ballance weighing the diuine iudgements he would shew forth signes of Feare insomuch as a freind of his saying to him with tender eyes How willingly my Lord may you goe to the palme which is now ready prepared for you he answered with a graue countenance this palme my Sonne is giuen to the valiant combatants of Christ not to the base and cowards as I am And yet taking courage at last from his owne conscience much more from the merits and Passion of our Sauiour he goes about to declare his last will And heere now I could wish them present who do greedily amasse vp treasures and rents of the Church conuerting the stocke of the poore vnto their priuate vse and with diuers slights continuing the sacred benefices in the same family The faythfull dispensour of Christ had not any thing to leaue hauing allwayes been so great an enemy of all propriety as that being a person otherwise so addicted to learning of purpose not to seeme to possesse a booke he had euer studyed in volumes stiched vp only His Testamēt was then to exhort his followers to true vertue and very often to ordayne expressely he might be buryed at S. Georges without any pompe in the sepulcher of the Monks there In the meane while the rumour was spread of his last extremes through the whole Citty Whence hastened a world of people to behold him vpon whome hauing for two continuall dayes togeather most deerely stretched forth his handes the doore being open to all amidst holsome aduices and admonishments which he gaue them and the sweet colloquies he had with God his strength fayling him by little and little receauing the diuine Sacraments with great deuotion he finally expired on the 8. of Ianuary in the morning being the third yeare of his Patriarkall dignity and the twentith of his Bishopricke The sacred body was put in the Church and publiquely celebrated not with mourning blacks and funerall exequyes but with feasts and wonted processions as made for some notable victory as shall appeare in the Chapter following A notable miracle wrought by B. Laurence in his life tyme with anothor that happened after his death Chap. 9. THe Cōfraternityes which are there called the Great Schools went to honour the body with lights and festiuall garments and guilt torches There met also the whole Clergy with the Magistrates and persons of ech quality and while the offices lasted was heard from aboue by two Celestine Fryars a sweete harmony of celestiall accents Besides which miracle are many recounted of the B. Laurence as well at his death as also in his life as the deliuery of possessed persons of euill spirits curing of the sick and predictions of future or hidden things and other like effects aboue nature But we only for assay shall touch but two of them The one was that in the Feast of Corpus Christi the virgins of a certaine Monastery neere to the Bishoprick being not able to cōmunicate by reason of some troubles which then happened were all exceedingly grieued thereat but particulerly one of rare deuotion of excellent vertue who was of the opinion with others to send to the Bishop in all hast to beseech him in his high Masse he would dayne to remember them that they remayning that day depriued of the feast of Angells might not also be defrauded of the intercession of the Preist The B. Laurence oftentymes did promise to doe