In prol in Ioh. De pres cript as Tertullian S. Ierome say out of the which he came without any hurt and then he was banished into an Isle called Pathmos which is one of the Islands called Cyclades and is not farre from Rhodes There the Apostle stayd a whole yeare and on a Sunday he had a vision and a reuelation in the which was discouered the successes of the Catholike Church that should happen vntill the day of the generall iudgement and all that he wrot in a booke which he called the Apocalipse or Reuelation Apo◠2. Whilest that S. Iohn remained in that Island he conuerted vnto the faith of CHRIST almost all the inhabitants thereof and such was their loue toward him that as Symeon Metaphrases saith When he was to depart from the backe vnto Ephesus they were like to dye with sorrow Procrus Cap. 49. He was released from the exile after the death of Domitian and succession of Nerua who did by the aduise of the Senate reuoque and abrogate all the lawes his predecessor had made The Islanders vnderstanding that S. Iohn would depart from the went all vnto him lamenting and wailing some called him father others Lord and all said with one voyce he was theire ioy and comfort They besought him with great affection saying Oh Iohn thou holy and admirable man wherefore camest thou into this Island if thou art to depart hence so soone Why was the knowledge of thee bestowed on vs if we were to loose thy company so soone Whither wilt thou go to be beloued as thou art of vs Where shall thou be obeyed as thou art heere Where shall thy words be so esteemed since we listen to them as if they came from God and do beleeue that God speaketh in thee Then ô father haue pitty on vs thy children behold that without thee we are left in danger and perill to loose our selues Oh Emperour Domitian thou hast done to none such euill as thou hast done good vnto vs thou hast sent hither the elect disciple of God whom we haue knowen and receiued Baptisme by his meanes Thou hast done right well but for that to do good was far from thee of this good ariseth this present euill that now we must loose him whom before thou mad'st vs to know They all came to the holy Euangelist and kneeled at his feere tooke his garments in their hands kissed his hands with great humblenesse and reuerent behauiour for that they thought to make him stay there more by prayers and entreaties then by force or violence They holy Euangelist sawe the griefe of this Islanders for his departure but hee promising not to forget them and to send them some that should take charge of them they remained somewhat pleased and satisfied And so he embarked and returned to Ephesus where he was receiued with great and incredible ioy As the holy saint was to enter the Citty they carried out to buryall a noble Matrone called Drusiana who had loued S. Iohn very dearely He vnderstanding the same by many persons that followed the corps lamenting and mourning for the losse of so vertuous a woman that was charitable and had done many good workes of piety toward all kind of persons and he remembring the same prayed for her and God at his request raised againe the dead woman to life and the holy Apostle went to lodge at her house Then he began to gouerne that prouince again and he vnderstood that two young men in a Citty had distributed much riches vnto the poore desiring to serue God in pouerty which life S. Iohn had commended and praised much in his sermons but after perceiuing themselues in great want of necessary things they repented of what they had done S. Iohn talked with them and badde them bring him two great branches of trees from a Hill he named and some stones and the young men did so Then the Apostle by the power of God turned the stones into most pretious Iewels and the branches into Gold and said to the two young men Behold now see you may be as rich as you were before but consider well that the riches of the world doe puffe men vp and doe not satisfy them Thinke also that there is but one paradise and he that will haue it in this life and enioy and posesse worldly riches delights and pleasures cannot haue it also in the other world The Apostle did also in their sight raist to life a young man sonne to a poore widow who with many teares besought him to haue compassion on her as he had on Drusiana The two young men hauing seene this strange miracles determined to continue still in poore life and besought the Apostle to pray vnto God for them and gaue him backe his Iewels and Gold and he threw it vpon the ground and they returned to their former nature and he prayed vnto God for them and they led a holy life euer after S. Iohn had a great controuersy and variance with a priest of the Goddesse Dyana called Aristodemus who said that the miracles the Apostle did were not by the power of God but of the deuill and if he would haue him to beleeue it was by the worke of God let him drinke a cuppe of poyson that he would temper for him without any nocument or hurt to his life or health The malicious villaine thought by this meanes to take away the Apostles life and to repaire the losse his false gods sustained thereby S. Iohn accepted of the match and tooke the impoysonned cup in his hand and made thereon the signe of the Crosse and drunke it of without receuing any hurt Some Authors say for this cause S. Iohn is painted with a cuppe in his hand out of which commeth a serpent and he seemeth to blesse it which signifieth that he destroyed the force of the venime Others say this is not the cause but that he is painted so vpon the words CHRIST said to him when his mother requested that hee and his brother might haue the next place vnto him the one on the right hand and the other on the left and the words of CHRIST were these Can you drinke the cup which I must drinke and they answered I and our Sauiour replyed I say vnto you in verity that you shall drinke my cup This cuppe as some say is signified by the cuppe which is painted in the hand of S. Iohn and it may be it is painted there for both the causes S. Clement of Alexandria S. Iohn Chrisostome and other Authors recount also a story which befell betweene S. Iohn and a disciple of his being a beautifull young man And it was this S. Iohn kept the young man very strait and would haue brought him to strict and a mortified life And hauing on a time occasion to visite one of his Churches commended him vnto the care and gouernement of a Bishop desiring him to haue good regard of him In the absence of S.
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
this he was driuen and banished out of the citty After this S. Telcla was taken and hauing beene examined and her intention found that she desired to be a Christian and determined to conserue her virginity she was condemned to be consumed with fire The fire was kindled and a huge multitude of people were assembled to behold that most beautifull yong damosell that would willingly go to dy such a cruell death The blessed damosell was set in the midst of the fire which did not any hurt at all vnto her persons And on the sodaine fell from heauen such a storme with thunderclapps with such aboundance of raine that it put out the fire and afrighted all them that were present in such sort that euery one departed and the holy virgin was left at liberty whereby she might go free And so she went to the house of Onesiphorus where she found S. Paul with some other Christians who had continually for sixe daies made their praiers for her and they were all exceeding glad of her comming The Apostle did Baptise her and instructed her fully in the faith but because they were assured that the Proconsull would send againe for her the Apostle departed from that house and citty also recomending much the virgin Tecla vnto all the Christians that were in that place Though all dilligence that might be was vsed to keep her secret yet within a fewe dayes Alexander a lewd person apprehended her and brought her before the Proconsull who seing her to preseuer constantly in that she would not marry her spouse but continue a Christian gaue sentence that she should be deuoured of wilde beastes in the citty of Antioch whether the Proconsull was to go An especiall daye was apointed for this spectacle and in the meane space S. Tecla was deliuered vnto the custody of a matrone called Triphona When the apointed daie was come S. Tecla was brought into the Theater and a fierce Lionesse was let out against her which drawing neere vnto the holy saint lay downe quietly at her feete without doing her any harme S. Ambrose wondring much at that which the wild beasted did to the holy virgin said these wordes The firstly onesse which was let out against the blessed virgin was mild lay downe at her feete and hurt her not and also gaue example vnto the other lyons Beares and fierce Bulles who hauing bin let loose against her stood round about her peaceably and licked her feete The people were seuere cruel and the sauage and wild beastes were tame and pittifull though they were kept hungry and almost famished that they might haue their fill and make their praie vpon the holy damosell And though they were prouoked and pricked forward by their keepers that they might deuoure the holy saint yet could they not make them to hurt or harme her in the least degree The Iudge seing that the wild beastes spared her she being taken out of the Theater cōmaunded she should be cast into a ditch wherein were many dreadfull and venimous serpents when S. Tecla was put into that deep ditch there discended from heauen a fierie cloud that slewe all the serpents and by this meanes S. Tecla remained free from this third torment euen as God had deliuered her from the other two to wit from the fire and the wild beastes The people seing such great maruailes and especially the matrone Triphona who had her in keeping and in that time had conceiued great good affection vnto her she beginning and the cōmon people following her cried out iointly together That the God of Tecla was most potent and most worthy to be adored that had deliuered her from such and so great dangers The Iudge fearing some cōmotion of the people set S. Tecla free and Triphona led her vnto her house adopted her to be her daughter The holy virgin Tecla departed from that citty and went to make her abode in Seleucia In which place many by her meanes receaued the faith of CHRIST Spanish addeth being 90 yeeres old and there she ended her daies blessedly There is extant a history of S. Tecla in the which be many fabulous and vncertaine things As that she clothed her self in mans apparell and would haue gone so in the compaine of S. Paul and that he would not permitt it but willed her to go in her ordinary and vsuall attire of a woman moreouer it saith that a great Lord in the citty of Antioche would haue giuen vnto S. Paul a great summe of mony if he would haue giuen that yong damosell vnto him to be his paramour and that S. Paul would not do it These and other such like things are read in the abouenamed legend but Pope Gelasius commanded that those stories should not be credited and put them among the writings apocriphall and of none auctority but that which I haue written of this saint is auowed by graue authors and is authorised and of credit the Church also giueth credit thereto who in the praiers which are said in the commendations of soules saith these words O Lord deliuer this soule euen as thou didst deliuer S. Tecla from three most cruell torments The Catholik Church maketh commemoration of S. Tecla on the day of her death which was on the. 23. day of September in the year of our Lord 90. as Canisius saith in the time of Themperour Domitian It is said that the body of this holy saint is in Spaine in the city of Tarragona in the prouince of Catalonia spanish addeth In the Cathedrall church of that citty dedicated to her name The life of SS Cyprian and Iustinia Martirs SAINT Paul to confound the wise men of this world writing to the Corinthians saith God hath chosen the foolishnes of this world This was especially said vnto the Apostles who being people vnlettred and by consequens were holden as folish in that intending them selues to teach a new doctrine would preach vnto people learned and full of knowledg and yet their preaching was the cause that many were conuerted vnto God and receued glaldy the Ghospell This same is verefied by S. Iustina a damosell vnlettered in humain Wisdome yet God made chose her for an instrument to cōuert a Pagan who was very lerned not only in Philosophy but also in magike and sorcery and had dealing and practise with the diuell and though he was such a one yet was he conuerted vnto the faith of IESVS CHRISTE by the meanes of S. Iustina was martired with her The life history of theise two holy saints was written by S. Gregory Nazianzen though he was deceiued in that he thought he had bin Bishop of Carthage well he venerable Bede and other Authors wrote of these holy saints in this maner EVEN as it is no reproch vnto S. Paul to say of him that he had bene a persecutor of the Church of God nor any infamy vnto S. Matthew to say of him that he had bene a customer or vsurer before that either
speache of euery one in generall yet some priuate persons wished him euill and sought to wreak their malice on him because he did publikely reprooue theire faults At last they took this occasion to slaunder him The religious women being many it was expedieÌ„r that they should be in diuers places and we may think that Sophronia Marcella Melania and Paula had them home to their houses and that in those places they vsed their holy exercizes S. Ierome visited them oftentimes and came vnto the houses where they remained for at that time they had no grates nor any such inclosures as the Nonnes of our time haue which is done with great discretion and wisedome let heretiks bark therat as much as they will for thereby are auoided and preuented many inconuenientes Well S. Ierome visited all these relligious women but he went more to the house of Paula then to any other place for there as it was apparaunt afterward was most vertue and good life to be found The enemies of S. Ierome at these often visitations took occasion to slaunder and murmure at him and said it was not well done as they thought for though Paula was old Ierome was not old being then but. 40. years of age and moreouer there was Eustochium the daughter of Paula and other yong women in the house They ment that by the other relligious women which were in the house of Paula and by her maides and waiting women for Paula and the religious women that remained with her were of the richest and chiefest Ladies in Rome These enemies of S. Ierome weare so voide of shame that they hired a man who as it is thought belonged to Paula who said much euill of S. Ierome and charged him and Paula with dishonesty These aduerâ—aries of S. Ierome led this naughty fellowe vp and down the towne to defame the holy saint and told it to euery one in maner of a scoffe and of a Ieast It may be it came to the eares of Pope Damasus but were it so or other wise the man was taken and tortured to confesse the truth and at last he confessed that all was vntrue and false which he had said of S. Ierome The holy saint seing the dealing of this man and perceiuing how his enemies had contriued to put him to vtter shame and reproch and also remembring the quiet repose he had in the desert and what fauors and graces he had receued there of our Lord and the time he had there to study and to write All these things vnited caused him to make a resolution to forsake Rome and to return into Siria as he saith himself writing to a Lady called Asella in this sort I know not nor cannot imagine noble lady what thanks I am to yield vnto you for the great affection you beare vnto me for our lordes sake God is able to render vnto thy soule the reward it deserueth although I am as some think a hatefull creature and very vitious yet doest thou well to account me for good though to thee be spoken much euill of me because thou notest who saith it and of whom they speak They that speak euill of me as is euident and apparant be deceitfull crafty and cauelling wicked people In three years I liued with them many relligious women followed me vnto whoÌ„ and vnto others with them I expounded the sacred scriptute I preached and taught them how they should serue God and do vnto him acceptable seruice let them say if they can if in all this time they sawe any thing in me not fit for a good christian They say I am a man and that I ought not to coÌ„uerse with women which indeed I would not haue done if I had not kowen the vertue and sanctity of the holy persons with whoÌ„ I coÌ„uersed If before time they gaue credit to the fellow that defamed me why do they not also beleeue him now since he hath denyed all that which he spake before to my reproach There was but one man that at the first condemned me and the same man saith nowe that I am innocent But ô the frailty of mans nature howe soone will they beleeue that which they desire be it neuer so false Before I knew the house of Paula all the city commended me and euery one said I was worthy to be Pope and also wished it they called me a holy man and compared me vnto s. Damasus I aske this question if euer they saw me go into the house of anie dishonest woman was I euer delighted to looke after women with sweet perfumed gloues or decked with gold or pearle There was neuer a lady in Rome that could get me to visite her or to come vnto her house but shee only who with lamenting and fasting had made her face wanne and pale her eyes litle better then blind shee that was so coÌ„tinually in praier that many times at the sunne setting and at the sunne rising in the morning she was still at her prayer Her ballers were hymness her words were the holy Ghospel her delights were chastity and her life a perpetuall fasting None could please me but she that I neuer sawe eating Assone as I began to honor her for her deserued vertues I straite was abandoned of vertue in the eyes of the enuyous O enuy that first doest bite and tear thy selfe O the malice of Lucifer who ceaseth not to persecute vertue and sanctity I haue written vnto thee these few words in hast being nowe entred into the shippe but not without teares grief at my hart yet do I render thanks vnto my God for graunting me this fauor that I am abhorred of the world Make thy prayers vnto our lord for me that when I am gone out of Babylon he would guide me in peace vnto Ierusalem lest that Nabucodonozor enthrall me Some call me inchaunter and so was our Sauior called but the seruant cannot be greater then his maister Others say that I am a deceiuer the same was said vnto S. Paule the Apostle My soule feeleth great coÌ„solation in this that we are to enter into heauen by good report and by infamy These and other things S. Ierome wrote in that epistle by which may be knowen the occasions of this departure from Rome to wit because his aduersaries ceased not to slaunder him Being departed thence he passed into Siria visited Epiphanius B of Cypres Paulinus B. of Antioche his two great freÌ„ds who had brought him to Rome left him there they departing assone as pope Damasus had accorded their variaunce S. Ierome visited also those relligious men with whoÌ„ he had bin before time desired to stay with them but importunated by his frends he went to Bethlehem where he built a monastery To defray the charges of it he sent autority into his couÌ„try as he himself writeth vnto Pammachius to haue all his patrimonie sold ep 26. and with the money made therof he caused the Abbey to be builded
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
vpheld the Church of S. Iohn Lateran with his shoulders And considering the purity and sincerity of his hart howe he despised the world and loued pouerty his constancy in this purpose of following that Euangelicall life written in his Rule according to which he desired to liue and regarding also his great zeale for the saluation of soules his feruent desire to imitate IESVS CHRIST he said without doubt this same is the man I sawe in my sleep I suppose that this man with his good example of life and doctrine will help to susteine and vphold the Church of God and with all he graunted vnto S. Francis his request and desire and confirmed his Rule Viuae vocis oraculo viz by word of mouth Then the holy man made a solemne profession in the hands of the Pope so did all his company promising to liue after that Euangelicall Rule when this was done the Pope ordeinted S. Francis Generall of all the order These things happened in the year of our Lord 1209. But because there was no Bull made therof at this time therefore the confirmation of this order of Friers Minors is not accounted but from the time of Honorius the Pope who 15. years after this confirmed the same by a particuler Bull and other Popes since haue confirmed and illustrated the same with speciall graces and priuiledges S. Francis returned to Assisium and with his brethren withdrew him selfe into a litle house nâ—ere to the city and there continued in praier and meditation From this house they went to a litle Church or chappell belonging to the Benedictine monks who bestowed it freely vpon S. Francis This chappell was called S. Maria de Angelis or by another name S. Maria de Portiuncula This was the first house or formed monastery of al the order The first time S. Francis came thither he seemed to be very ioifull and said to his Friers that this place should be the head of all his order S. Francis then departed from thence and so did all his brethren and went preaching not only in the city of Assisium neere vnto them but also in other places especially the Seraphicall father becoÌ„ming an Euangelicall troÌ„pet passed thorough cities castles and townes preaching the word of God not with eloquent words or worldly wisedome but with feruour and power and spirit of the liuing God The people who sawe and heard him speak thought him to be a man of a higher and another world for his hart and visage was euer â—rected toward heauen and he laboured to direct euerie one in his company to think of the world to come many were conuerted by his wordes and many did keepe him company who for the desire they had to imitate IESVS CHRIST followed the footsteps of the holy saint whom they took for their guide despising all kind of worldly goods and embracing holy pouerty It would be tedious to recount all the things this holy father did as his godly exercises and the holy life he led when he began to found his relligious order First he was most abstinent in eating and drinking his ordinary diet was bread and water with some pulse and sodden herbs If at any time he was forced by sicknes to eat flesh when he was recouered he would for a requitall repaire the abstinence brokeÌ„ with double austerity on his body He so diuided the yeare into lents that he fasted almost all of it eating but only once a day His first lent began at th end of twelftyde vntill Easter Another he kept after Easter for the coÌ„ming of the Holy Ghost Another for the Apostles S. Peter and Paul Another against the Assumption of our Lady and when that feast was gone he fasted tille the feast of S. Michaell tharchangell and then at the blessed feast of All Saints he began his Aduent vntill Christmas The bare earth was the ordinary bed for his weak and feeble body and for a pillowe he laid a stone vnder his head He slâ—pt very litle but watched almost all night in praier His apparaill was one gowne with a hood and a rope was his girdle he went some times vnto the desert places and mountains to pray the more quietly It happened on a time that S. Francis being in the night in the desert Sacianum in a litle caue the deuill called him by his name and the blessed man answered him not knowing who it was that called him The fiend said to him There is not so great a sinner in the world but God will pardon him if he be conuerted but they that will shorten their daies with rigorous penances shall find no mercy before the heauenly maiesty The seruant of God hearing these words was astonied and studied whither he did well or no in doing such and so austere penance But that he might know who it was that talked with him by the permission of our good God he was surprised with a greuous temptation of carnallity assoone as he perceaued it he threw of his cloths and gaue him self a very sore discipline and bicause it did not repell the assault he hasted out of the caue naked as he was and tumbled vp and downe in the snowe of which there was much in that desert When he had so done he made seuen heapes of snow in a round compasse and coming into the middest of them said to himself Thou my body yonder great one thou seest is thy wife these four be thy children two boies and two girles the other two be thy seruants nowe thou must take paines to maintein them and prouide cloths for them all least they dye for cold But if thou thinkest it chargeable endeuor thy self to liue chast and to serue God only which is a great deale better and more easye In this sort the holy saint ouer came the tentation and the deuill with shame departed away The glorious father aduised his friers to be abstinent and to auoid Idlenes if they would be freed from such tentations The great loue S. Francis bare to CHRIST may be knowen by this that there was neuer any so much desired to liue as he did to dye for CHRIST his sake this moued him to go into Siria among the Infidells that he might obtein the crowne of martirdome but he returned for that he could not obtaine his desire Also the glorious father bare great loue vnto his neighbour helping euery one in their necessities aswell of the body as of the soule It was his ordinary vsage if he sawe any poore man with ragged clothes to exchange with him he vsed to all of them great respect and reuerence for he thought he sawe CHRIST in euery one of them The wonderfull miracles he did worke as casting out of deuills healing of the sick and raising of the dead be so many that only of them a iust volume might be made many of them are mencioned in the Bull of his Canonisation which is a sufficient proofe that they be of good credit and Authenticall
praied deuoutely and ended his praier thus God restore thee to thy former health and all they that were present said Amen And at that instant the headache which had vexed him many yeres departed and he praised allmightie God for the same In that verie city he healed a blind man by making the signe of the Crosse vpon his eies The fame and report of these miracles caused sickmen to come from all parts and though he was displeased therat yet moued with charity he praied for theÌ„ and healed theÌ„ and among other manie were these that followe A child that was yielding vp the ghost one that had the palsey one that had a quartain one that could sturre nothing but his eies in all the rest was like to a dead body one that had the goute a maid blind deaf doÌ„b she was brought to hiÌ„ he called vpon the name of the holy Trinity and forth with she was deliuered froÌ„ three infirmities Wheresoeuer he went he healed sick meÌ„ there was no infirmity nor malady so great but he cured theÌ„ where soeuer he came he could not liue secret for men posessed by the deuill howled and manifested his comming whom he cured and cast the deuill out of them Placidus staied a time in some cities of Italy as in Cairosa which is Puglia a prouince of the kingdome of Naples in Reggio which is in the prouince of Calabria and continually he healed the sick and did many strange miracles At the last he embarked and passed into Sicilia and came vnto the City of Messina and before he went therinto he sent to one Messalino a noble citizen and his fathers great frend to come vnto him which he did and had him home vnto his house All the citty gaue him great honour for that he was the disciple of S. Benedict as also for the miracles and marueillous things they vnderstood he had done in Italy But Messalino for the loue he bare to Tertullius his father and his auncient frend knewe not how to shew him kindnes enough he kept him his companions all that day in his house on the next day Placidus said vnto him Sr. it is not fitting for monkes to lodge in the house of seculer men for that their manner of life is different and therefore I entend to goe vnto my fathers land and posessions where I may build a monastery They went away in the morning and nâ—ere vnto the hauen they found a place fitt for that same purpose Placidus with a staff which he caried drewe out the plott where to the honoure of S. Iohn Baptist the Churche should be built and all the cellâ—s and chambers of the conuent Forthwith he sett theÌ„ to building of it and followed it dilligently and carefully and in that space he restored his sight to one that had bin blind 18. yeres and cast out the deuill from an other wherby the fame of him was spred ouer all the Is'land it passed ouer into Africa so that froÌ„ those costs sick men were brought to be healed by him and by his praiers they were cured For these deeds Placidus was extolled vnto heauen by the mouthes of euery one and the more he was praised and exalted the more he humbled and meeked him self He was mercifull good and gracious vnto all he was euen consolation it self vnto all those that were in distresse comfort to the afflicted health to the diseased helpe and releif to the needy a father to the poore and a teacher to the rich he did good to euerie one and all receaued benefit at his hand He had often conference and communication with the bailies and ouerseers of his fathers land and posessions that were informer times though now belonging to his order about diuers things and left them all well pleased and willed them to administer that which euery one had vnder his charge with all fidelity that making to them selfs some reasonable gaine his religious order might susteine no damage nor haue anie euill report spread of it In the fourth yeare after he came into Sycilia the building of the monasterie with the Church of S. Iohn Euangelist which was coÌ„secrated by the B. of Messina was finished Placidus with his companions led a life of great example whereby manie were moued to abbandon the world and came vnto him so that in a short space there was thirty of them The life of Placidus was wonderfull his words sauoured of celestiall feruour with which he comforted and taught them to despize and contemne the world to hate Lordships dignities delights and noysome pleasures that they might more freely serue IESVS CHRIST to which end he alleaged manie reasons full of autority modesty part of the day he spent in praier and mediation wherin it was strange to see how manie teares he shed to heare the sobbes which came from his brest as he lifted vp his spirite to God In lent he fasted the sonday the tuesay and thursday with bread and water only the other dayes he eate not any thing and in all the yeare he drank no wine and besides he wore a haire cloth next his skinne When he was ouer wearied with praying and kneeling he slept a litle rather sitting then lyeng For any accideÌ„t that befell he was neuer angry but alwais graue mild and benigne He neuer spake but vpon constraint or necessity to giue the monks or the poore consolation or els for affaires belonging to the monastery and notwithstanding all his affaires he had alwaies his spirit eleuated to God When it was made knowen once in Rome that Placidus was in Sicilia and that he had made there a monastery in the whith were already 30. monks what a blessed life he led what great miracles God shewed by him Eutichius and Victorinus his brother and Flauia his sister desirous to see him hauing obtained leaue of their father passed by sea into Sicilia being disembarqued they weÌ„t to the monastery of S. Iohn where they sawe Placidus their brother but knewe him not either for the long time he had bin absent S. Benedict receauing him at the age of 7 yeares or els for that he was so leane and diffigured through his exceding abstinence But vnderstanding he was the man they all embraced him weeping amaine They visited the monastery and staied with him certein daies It befell at that time that a great host of Moores sent by Abdalla a mighty tirant of Africa and guided by Mamucha came into Sicilia with intent to do all possible hurt and damage in the countrey of Christians as it had done alredy in sondry places and because the monastery of S. Iohn was nere the sea they went thither forthwith and brake downe the gates tooke all that they found but Gordianus who came with him from Monte Cassino being a yong man and finding a back gate escaped away Donatus who was an old man and came from Monte Cassino also was beheaded Placidus with his brethen Euâ—chius
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
serued him both for meat and drink This thing may cause men rather to wonder then to put any in hope to be able to imitate him because the grace of God strengthened him and the long vse of therof and abstinence in his youth from all carnality which debilitateth the body made it to him more easy and more able to liue such an austere life wherin he merited much and perhaps an other man should offend God by shortening his daies in doing the same S. Hillarion liuing now in his cabbin the thieues had notice and came to him but seeing the estate he was in they said vnto him scoffingly What wouldest thou do to see they self assailed by thieues He aunswered The poore and naked man feareth not the thief They replied At left thou maist lose they life And he said It is true they may depriue me therof but I care not a beane if they do so at this present The thieues were astonied and amased to heare his words and to see his constancy which might haue bene a motiue for them to amend their life spent in wickednes seing a man that had chosen rather to lead such a streight life then to fall into any offence toward God Hilarion liued in this maner 22. years and was knowne in all the Land of Palestina Vpon a day a woman came vnawares vnto him and fell at his feet shee perceiuing that he seemed to be displeased to see her in that place and to make signes to haue her depart she shed many rears and said vnto him Oh Seruant of God pardon my presumtion and boldnes for my great afflictions enforce me so to do Do not shunne me turne thy eies of pitty toward me behold me not as a woman but as a person afflicted Remember that a woman was mother vnto our B. Sauiour They that be hole haue no need of the phisition but they that be sick At the words S. Hilarion staied and asked of her the cause of her coming thither and why shee wept The woman made aunswer That this 15. years she had bene maried and neuer had child for which cause her husbande determined to depart from her and leaue her desolate The holy saint lifted vp his eies vnto heauin and praied for her and so dismissed her After a yeare that same woman retorned to visiâ—e him with her sonne in her armes which God had giuen her at the praiers of S. Hilarion and this was the first miracle that God shewed by him After this fellowed another mroe wonderfull viz A noble lady returned home from visiting S. Antony with her three litle sonnes and being come vnto Gaza all three fell sick there and died whether it was by the chaunge of the aire or whether God would haue it for the honor of S. Hilarion The disconforted mother seing such a desolation in her house was in maner out of her witts and called vnto mind one whiles one sonne another time the other sonne and knew not which of them to bewaile first And hearing that in the desert nere vnto the city Hilarion did Dwell came vnto him accompanied with two hand maies and said vnto him with vnspeakable grief I besech thee o holy man by IESVS CHRIST by his sacred bloud to come with me vnto the city of Gaza and raise my three sonnes lying dead in that place which thing wil be for the glory of God and the confusion of the Idollaters S. Hilâ—rion refused to do it saieng it was not his vsage to go into the city no not out of his Cell but the woman weeping bitterly said o Seruant of God giue me thy three sonnes whom Antony hath seen aliue in Egipt cause that I and thou may see theÌ„ aliue also in Siria The people present heating the womans words wept aboundantly and so did S. Hilarion who vanquished with the tears of the woman went into the city of Gaza at sonne sett and called one the name of IESVS vpon the dead chileren who arose incontinent and gaue thanks vnto the holy saint and all the company rendered infinite praised vnto God This miracle was diuulged in many places wherfore much people resorted only to see the holy man And many that were heathens and pagans by the only sight of him receued the Christian faith and took the order of monasticall life and staie with him There had not bene before his time any monks in Siria so that S. Hilarion was the first bringer of that holy institution and to liue in monasteries in to thos parts There was brought to him a woman who had bene blind ten years and had spent all her goods in phisike which when S. Hillarion vnderstood he said vnto her It would haue done thee more good to haue giuen all thy possessions vnto the poore bicause IESVS CHRIST would haue cured thee When he had said this he laid a litle of his spittle vpon her eies and incontinent shee recouered her fight perfectly There was in Gaza a Chariott man posessed with the deuill who had left nothing free in him but his toung This poore man was brought to S. Hillarion who said vnto him Beleeue in IESVS CHRIST and vse this trade no more which is perilous for thee thou being of an impatient nature And he promised so to do and instantly he was hole and sound both in body and mind Another man called Marsitas was able and did cary on his back 15. bushells of corne and was in great estimation for it for there was neuer an asse in all Siria that was able to carry such a load Into this man the deuill entred and made him so fierce that he did much harme and it was in vaine to bind him with cords or chaines for he brake them all in sonder One while he assailed this man another time that man and with his teeth did bite of the nose of some and the eares of others He was led vnto S. Hillarion in such sort as men vse to lead a bull when he goeth to be baited When the monks sawe him they were all afraid because he was a man of a great stature of a terrible aspect and of a grimme countenance S. Hillarion commaunded them to vnlose all his bands and to take of all his fetters he wore When he was vntied he said vnto him Come hither vnto me Marsitas trembled and held downe his head fell at his feet and licked them with his â—oung all his former fiercenes being vanished away The Blessed man kept him seuen daies in his company and made continuall praiers vnto God for him and to conclude perfectly cured him There was brought also vnto him another man posessed with the deuill whose name was Orion a very rich man who had a legion of Deuills in him S. Hillarion expounding a passage of holy writte vnto his monks the roan posessed came on a soodein and flipping out of the hands of them that led him ranne toward the holy saint and took him vp in his armes and hoised
him aloft in the aire All that were present cried out fearing he would cast the holy man downe hedlong being weak and feeble with continuall fasting but Hillarion with a cheerefull countenaunce said Let me deale alone with this lusty wrastler and turning vp his hand took him by the heare of the head and threw him vnto the ground and then sett his feet on him yea he trode and spurned him with his feet saieng Here yee shal be tormented yee accursed dinells the poore man yelling and houling and turning his face toward the ground And S. HillarioÌ„ said vnto God Ah my Lord deliuer this wretch vnloose this man that is bound it is as easy for thee to vanquish and ouercome many as one In this space were hard to come out of the mouth of this wretch sundry and diuers voices like a confused shout or noise of people but lastly he was made hole and â—ound and within a few dayes after he came vnto the monastery with his wise and children and brought presents vnto the man of God who said vnto him hast not thou read what befell vnto Giezi 4. Reg. 5. Act. 4. and vnto Simon magus the one sold the grace and gift of the holy ghost and the other desired to buy it and both of them were punished seuerely for their sinne If thou knowest so much retorne vnto thy house with thy gifts for I will not take them Oryon wept and said father receue them and giue them vnto the poore S. Hilarion replied Thou maist do that better then I for thou dwellest in the city and knowest them that be needy I haue forsaken all myne owne goods vnto what end should I take care or charg of other mens I know that vnto many the name of a poore man is an occasion of avarice there is none that giueth better vnto the poore then he that reserueth nothing for himself Oryon was much discomforted at his words and lay prostrat on the grount before him wherefore the blessed Abbot said vnto him My sonne be not aggreiued or afflicted at it for that which I do for my self I do also for thy good If I should receiue thy gifts I should offend God and the legion of deuills should returne into thee againe In the city of Gaza there was a yong maid of good life on whom a yong man was enammored This man endeuouring by all meanes possible to drawe her to his will and nothing preuailing went vnto Memphis and made his mind knowen vnto the inchaunters and sorceres of the temple of Esculapius They gaue him a plate of brasse wherin were grauen dredfull figures and bad him lay it vnter the threshold of the damosells dore and to couer it with earth and then to say certein words which they taught him Vpon this the damosell took such affection vnto him and was so fonde that it was rather madnes then loue for she called fot him with aloude voice she scratched her face rent her heare and did other follish and rauing tricks The father of the damosell brought her to be holpen vnto S. Hilarion and the deuill who tormented here howled and said I haue ben enforced to come hither I was well in Memphis Alas howe great be the torments I endure thou doest commaund me to come forth and to depart and I am bound vnder the threshold of the dore in a plate of brasse I cannot depart from hence vntill the yong man who hath set me here do vnloose me S. Hillarion said vnto him Is thy force then such that a plate of brasse doth keep thee in bondag Tell me nowe why art thou so bold as to enter into this handmaid of our Lord The deuill aunswered I came in to preserue her virginity Ah villanie said the holly saint wouldest thou that art the enemy of chastity preserue her virginity Why didst not thou take possession of him who sent thee hither The deuill replied why should I do so for he is a frend to the deuill my companion To conclud S. Hilarion deliuered and set free the damosell and would not haue the impediment the deuill named to be taken away to shew that nether magick nor inchanntment are of power to or withstand the will of God Then he reproued the damosell for some light and wanton behauior shee had vsed for punishment whereof God had permitted the deuill to torment her S. Antony wrote some letters vnto this holy saint and reioiced to haue aunswer from him againe And if at any time there came any sick men to him from Siria he said vnto them Why do you fetch such long iourneis hither to me and haue my sonne Hillarion in your owne countrey There were nowe many Monasteries founded and the holy man visited them at vsuall times and as he went to visite them one time in this maner he came by the way vnto a territory called Elusan and found them celebrating the feast of their Goddesse Venus in her temple When the people though they were Idollaters went out to meet and receue him for they had bene much obliged vnto him for doing good vnto many of them The holy saint enterteined them louingly wept for tendernes of hart looking stedfastly toward heauen besought them rather to adore IESVS CHRIST then those stockes and stones and if they would do so he promised he would come and visite them oftentimes These simple words void of retorike were so forcible with that rude nation that before he departed thence he set downe a plott and the forme for the building of a Church and they moued him to make the heathenish priest which made sacrifice vnto the goddesse a Christian which thing they obteined The holy saint visiting the monasteries builded by his disciples came vnto one whose gouernor was a couetous man at the importunity of them that went in his company Nowe hard by the monastery there was a vineiard and they perceued that with in it there were many watchmen to kepe out those that came with the holy man from entring the same lest thy should meddle with the grapes that were ripe hauing â—lings with which they threw stones against his company S. Hillarion smiling therat went vnto another monastery of a good man who besought yea importunated him to eate a few grapes to refresh himself being faint with his long iourney The holy old man said Accursed is the man that seeketh the refreshing of his body before that of his soule Let vs first make our praiers and pay our det we own vnto God after that yee may go vnto vineiard When God was serued S. Hillarion went vnto a high place and blessed the vineiard then he bad his flock to go and feed therin The number of them that went was litle lesse then 3000. for so many he had in his company This vineiard did vsually euery year yeald 100. measurs of wine and. 20. daies ofter the people had eaten the grapes the vintage was made and it yelded that year 300. measures
was borne in the cittie of Neocaesaria of honorable parents and euen from his childhood he spent his youth in all vertuous exercises When he grew to more yeares he gaue himself vnto the studie of philosophie by which he came vnto the knowledg that the adoration vsed by the pagans was a vaine thing and without foundation and that there neither was nor could be any more then one God only This was the cause that he listened willinglie vnto the Ghospell and to the faith of CHRIST for that he perceiued that the same acknowledged one God only He saw also that the thing which the Christian beleeueth although it surpasse naturall reason since a philosopher cannot attaine by naturall reason some things yet nothing is quite contrarie vnto the same reason which hapeneth not in any other sects Lastly being ayded by God he determined to be a Christian and came vnto Baptisme without those things which others receaning the same at his age do bring with them And if vntill that time he had loued the morall vertues now he exercised himself much more in them and namely his great chastitie which made other yong men of his yeeres to be ashamed of their lewdnes and wantōnes His humillitie reprooued their pride his mildnes patience their intemperance so that they enuyed him and charged him with crymes falsly and slanderously to the end he should not be accounted better and more vertuous then they And vpon this they made an accord with a lewd woman perswading her that at such time as Gregorie was in the company of other philosophers and wisemen she should complaine of him and say that he had the vse of her bodie promising her a certaine some of mony but afterward that he deceiued her and gaue her nothing S. Gregorie was on a time in company with many persons who gaue willing eare vnto him disputing of certaine subtile questions with admirable grace and eloquence his apparell being comely but meane such as he vsed euery daie The lewd woman came in and made her dishonest and vntrue complaint and partly threatned according to the apointment giuen her They which were present hearing this turned from the woman and fixed their eyes on S. Gregorie Yet knowing right well that he was cleere from such a matter and that it was a suborned accusation they turned back vnto the woman minding to thrust her headlong out of dores But the blessed man without changing his countenance or forswering the act calling one of his seruāts said vnto him Giue vnto that woman what she demandeth least she hinder our discourses The seruant asked the woman what his master ought her and she telling him he paid it to her But God would not permitte the chastitie of this holie man to be thus stayned and the woman to escape without due punishment for she had no sooner receaued the mony but the diuell entred and took posession of her tormenting her in such sort that euery one perceiued her wickednes Yet the holie man was mooued vnto compassion and prayed so long and feruently for her that the diuell departed and left her free The woman being recouered published openly her owne iniquitie and told how she was hyred by those vngracious andenuious yong men to do and say that which she had said and done Neuerthelesse S. Gregorie was better content to be accounted bad then to be so indeed He hauing now proffited sufficiently in humanity and philosophie grew to the study of the holie scripture hauing for his master Origen a man conformable to his desire most renowned through Christendome in those daies as well in diuinity as in good and vertuous life S. Gregorie went to find him out and became his disciple remaining in his companie so long as was sufficient by reason of his aptnes and quick witt Then returned he vnto his natiue country where euery one expected that he would discouer and lay open the treasures which he had gotten in his studies that he might reap some fruite with fame and honor for his long trauells But he to auoide worldlie glorie taking some of his familier friends in his company went into a desert liuing solitarily with them in continuall penitence spending the greatest part of his time in prayer and reading the holie scripture There was at that time a holie man called Fedimus Bishop of Amasia who was not only a great scholler but also very vertuous He much desired that in the cittie of Neocaesarea the natiue place of Gregorie there should be a Bishop that Idollatry which was strong in that place might be ouerquelled and that Christianine might be augmented for it was openly said that in all that cittie there were but 17. persons that professed the faith of CHRIST This good pastor thought Gregorie would be a fit man for that place the fame and report of his learning and life being so diuulged into diuers partes He went into the desert to find him with entent to giue him the order of priesthood and make him Bishop of that cittie S. Gregorie being certified thereof left his habitation shifting from one place to another Fedimus laboured to find him so that the one sought him to make him Bishop and the other fled from that high dignitie At last Fedimus being wearie with seeking him and they being three daies iourney one from the other Fedimus lifted vp his face toward heauen and said O Lord thou seest right well both me and Gregorie I desired to haue him present that I might haue layd my hands vpon him and haue consecrated him but let my wordes work the same effect I consecrate and offer him vnto thee ô Lord and vnto him I giue the charge of the cittie of Neocaesarea that he may spread the Ghospell therein and in the territorie thereof that thy faith and seruants may increase and multiplie to the honor and glorie of thy most holie name These words said Fedimus S. Gregorie hearing and vnderstanding these words yealded and would not resist any longer supposing that if he had done so he should haue resisted the will of God Thē he came vnto Fedimus of himself and by his presence was performed all the ceremonies which in such a case are accustomed to be done for the making of a priest and Bishop S. Gregorie required respite for a time whererein he might studie how he might best exercise his office which being granted he spent certaine daies in praiers desiring God to instruct and shew him how he should performe his dutie Whilest he was in his deuout praiers and contemplation there apeared vnto him the mother of God and S. Iohn the Euangelist his especiall aduocats And by the apointment of the B. virgin S. Iohn gaue him instructions in what manner he should gouerne and of the misterie of the holie Trinitie teaching him what he should saie and what definitions and words he should vse They commaunded him to go forthwith into the cittie and to begin to preach and conuert soules vnto
God S. Gregorie obeying forthwith went on his iourney with his familiers and friends that were in his companie As they trauailed they neere benighted were vnto a Temple of Apollo not farre distant from the cittie into the which S. Gregorie and his friends entring he made the signe of the Crosse in the ayre and forthwith flew away a huge companie of diuells which inhabited there and gaue oracles answeres vnto such persons as came to make sacrifice vnto them S. Gregorie spent the greatest part of the night in praiers and singing Himnes and Psalmes so that the place that was before the habitation of diuells became now the house of God In the morning S. Gregorie departing to go on his iourney the ministers of the Idolls who had the charge of the Temple entred therein to and making their acustomed salutations and sacrifices vnto the Idoll in stead of answere there was heard yellings and howlings out of the Temple and the diuells said that they could not enter againe into that house because Gregorie had bene within it Notwithstanding the ministers made sacrifice vnto them and vsed certaine ceremonies to induce them to returne into the Temple but they bad thoÌ„ not to wearie themselfs nor to loose their time for they could not returne into that place by any meanes The ministers were also informed that it was Gregorie and where they should find him Hauing learned this they determined to follow him and found him and his companie as they walked toward the cittie The ministers of the Idolls began to threaten him that they woâ—ld complaine to the maiestrates of the cittie for that he being a Christian had entered into a Temple of their Gods and driuen them from their habitation so making their Oracles to cease S. Gregorie with great mildnes and modesty said Be not offended hereat for I serue such a Lord as I can in his name cast out diuells from any place and make them to returne whither I please They maruailing hereat said vnto him Then make them returne into the Temple where they were before S. Gregorie rent a leafe out of a paper book he had and wrote thereon these wordes Gregorie to Satanas ENTER This note he gaue vnto the minister who laid it vpon the Altar and offred sacrifice and the diuells gaue answeres as beforetime The minister pondered vpon this and considered that when Gregorie commaunded their Gods they obeyed him and that he did it by his seruice vnto one God Hereupon he resolued that this God was very potent and mighty since his seruants could do such great things After this resolution made he departed from the Temple to seek out Gregorie who by Gods prouidence had done these things expecting the fruite to come thereof and found him He told him what had happened and besought him instantly to instruct him what his God was so great and potent for he would serue him and forsake these other Gods so weak and feeble S. Gregorie preached vnto him IESVS CRHâ—T and hauing giuen him notice of the principall misteries of our faith said we do not prooue these things by reasons because they surmount reason and naturall vnderstanding but we confirme them by miracles The minister of the Idolls said do a miracle in my sight that I may beleeue what you haue said and Baptise me What miracle would you haue me do said S. Gregerie The minister beholding a huge great stone like a mountaine said vnto him make this huge stone to raise it self from this place and to go into another S Gregorie doubted not to do it and as if the stone had bene a reasonable creature he commaunded it to go vnto the place the minister had apointed His words being ended the effect followed The minister remained so satisfied herewith that he his wife and children seruants and friends vnto whom he related the matter performed by the saint were all Baptised S. Gregorie came into the cittie and lodged in the house of a great man called Musonius To this house resorted many vnto whom the holy saint preached with such feruour that in a short space there were thousands of Christians in that cittie In this discourses he gaue content and delight to all To the discomforted he vsed such wordes that they took consolation He perswaded the yong men to chastity the old men vnto patience He exhorted seruants to be obedient to their masters aduised masters to be mild and courteous to their seruants He said rich men ought to be stewards and not masters of their goodes To women children and all other that came to heare him he spake that which was conuenient and fitting for their estates reaping daily proffit by his preaching There was in that citty many Temples of the Idolls whereupon the holie saint thought fitt that there should be one at least built to the honour of our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST wherein he might be adored and serued The charge hereof he gaue vnto the chiefest of them that were Baptised and himself in person laid the first stone in the foundation Eusebius Caesariensis saith li 7. c. 25. that this holie saint by his praiers made a hill to remooue from one place vnto another because it hindered the building of the Church Gregorie of Nissen doth not saie thus much but he saith that in his time there was a great earthquake in that cittie which threw downe the greater part thereof but that the Church founded by Gregorie Thaumaâ—urgus stood firme stirred not Great were the miracles that God wrought by the meanes of this blessed saint by his preaching the Gospell many people were daily conuerted vnto the faith Among many other wonders this of the two brethren is notable They two deuiding the many posessions and land left vnto them by their father fell at variance about a water which controuersie was caused by a great lake in which much fishe was taken and each of them desired to haue that water for their part This matter came to that height that they had assembled many people and intended to end their quarrelly by the sword The holie saint came betweene them as vmprie but seing no meanes to bring them to atonemeÌ„t they being euen ready to come to handy strokes hard by the lake and it was feared much blood would he shed This glorious saint fell vnto praier and continewed therein so long till the water in the lake was dried vp and the ground thereof was equall with the banckes so that there remained no signe either of water or lake When the morning came the two enraged brethren seing now no cause wondering at this great miracle that God had done by the meanes and prayer of his seruant Gregorie After this miracle ensued another The people dwelling by the bancks of the riuer Lyous which descendeth from the mountaines of Armenia and sometimes encreaseth so much that it ouerfloweth and spoileth the fieldes and villages of the country neere adiacent hauing knowledg giuen them of S. Gregorie
entred in and shut the dore fast leauing it sealed with the virginall seale There that venerable prophet that Gyant that could not be comprehended neither in heauen nor on earth lay flat on the humanitie took it on him conioyning face vnto face hand on hand and feet with feet All this God did in conioyning vnto him humane nature in hipostaticall vnâ—on He cryed aloud seuen times when he infused in it the seuen giftes of the Holie Ghost Then mankind began to waxe warme to open the eyes and was restored to life and so holie Church remained glad and well content to see that she had so long praied for and desired The glorious virgin was replenished with great ioye seing her sonne and the sonne of God also in her armes as she sawe him this daie of his birth This historie is recounted by the Euangelist S. Luke in this manner THERE was a proclamation and decree made by the Emperour Caesar Augustus called Octauianus wherein was commaundement giuen that all the subiects of his empire should go vnto that cittie which was the head of the places where they dwelt and there they should register their names and pay a certaine piece of mony confessing thereby their subiection vnto the Romane empire This Octauianus being Lord of almost all the world he was thus cuâ—ious desiring to know exactly how many people were vnder his subiection peace being then generally â—uer all which lasted sixe yeares before the birth of CHRIST and sixe yeares after This decree was published in Nazareth where S. Ioseph with his blessed spouse the mother of God did then dwell and this happened in the last mouth of her being with child And for that Ioseph was of the house and familie of Dauid he was to goe to Bethleem both to pay the mony and to be inrolled to which place also all other of that linage went The deliuerie of the blessed Virgin being neere at hand although she was not bound to go thither for the decree did not oblige any but men yet would be haue with him God had giuen to him in charge that most pretious treasure and he thought it not fit to trust any other person with her nay loth he was to be depriued of so great a good as to be present at the birth of the Sonne of God not onlie to adore the Sonne but also to attend the mother All this came to passe by the apointment of God to the end IESVS CHRIST should be borne in Bethleem and so the prophesies of him be fulfilled If we consider this well we shall see that the birth of our blessed Sauiour in Bethleem came not so to passe because the Prophets had foretold it though it was coÌ„uenient their prophesies should be accomplished but rather they said so because God had determined he should be borne there This mooued almightie God to choose so poore and abiect a place for the birth of his sonne agreable to that he saith by the mouth of the Prophet Esay Cap. 55 My wayes be not as yours be my wayes be of one sort and yours be of another Men striue and desire to be honored and esteemed and they seeke all meanes that may bring them to estimation in the sight of men and auoid all things that may hinder them thereof To be borne of Noble bloud and a rich house pleaseth all and euerie one seeketh it but God doth the contrarie He came to manifest his glorie to the world and when he should be borne he chose not to that purpose the glorious Cittie of Rome much lesse the royall Cittie of Ierusalem but the little village of Bethleem He was not pleased to be borne in the house of men but in the stall of beasts And his birth being so honored by the Angels and his death so ignominious in the companie of theeues hee couered his honors in the cottage of Bethleem and published his reproaches in the Cittie of Ierusalem giuing vnto vs hereby a notable example of humillitie O happie Bethleem O fortunate stall that pleased the Lord of heauen more then the statelie Capitall of Rome or the rich pallaces of Ierusalem Thus we see how God chose Bethleem to giue vs an example of true humillitie and therefore the prophets wrot it and they hauing written it it was conuenient that it should be fulfilled Holie Ioseph as is said went vnto Bethleem and tooke with him the most blessed Virgin It cannot be expressed what troubles the holie damosell endured by the way not for her being with child which annoyed not her as it doth other women but because it was midwinter when there be snowes Ice winds and tempests If men in their houses doe often feele them much more must a young and tender Virgin trauailing at such a time and being but meanly appointed as may well be presumed her husband Ioseph and she being but poore If in their iourney on the way they had toile and trouble when they came vnto Bethleem they had little refreshing for the chambers were taken vp and filled with the great concourse of people that came vnto that towne for the same purpose The good Ioseph demaunding for a lodging was answered that they were all full so hee seeking and enquiring further the same answer was made him as before Hereupon the good old man with the holie Virgin seing they could haue no lodging got them vnder a shead or penthouse where also was a stall for beasts We may well thinke this good couple shed teares to see themselues in such a miserable straite plight Ioseph had with him two beasts as is gathered out of the prophet Abacuc Cap. 3. after the translation of the 72. interpretors which saith Our Lord shall appeare in the midest of two beasts Holie Church singeth the same in a Responsorie of this sollemnitie at Maâ—tins and of this the vsage is to paint the natiuitie of our Lord with an Asse and an Oxe by him Ioseph tooke the Oxe with him to sell aswell to pay the tribute as for the expences of the voyage and on the Asse was our B. Lady the mother of God to ryde At that time was the solstice of winter when the Sunne beginneth to rise vpon our hemispheare and maketh the day to increase And if at this time the solstice cometh before Christmas day it happeneth by reason of the day that is added in the leap yeare which yet lacketh 8. minutes being about the. 7. part of an houre and these be so increased that they haue made as many daies as be from the day of the solstice vnto Christmas day It was on the 25. of December on the saterday and in the night as Peter Comâ—stor the Maister of Histories prooueth by the computation of that yeare saying that then it was midnight the glorious Virgin knew that the houre of her deliuerie was at hand but not as other women doe who perceiue it by the afore-comming paines which be as reuengers of the delight in their lustfull