reâ—…yred herselfe from him Nor with words only shewed he forth the high opinion he had framed of her but with facts also forasmuch as she afterward in the Euening hauing sent him certayne presents of refection and refreshment S. Martin who in his whole visit till that tyme had neuer accepted of any thing which was offered him yet of what the Virgin sent him he refused iâ—… not 〈◊〉 ledging it was not â—…itting for a Priest to refuse the benedictâ—… 〈◊〉 her who deserued to be preferred before many Priests With such like words and workes from tyme to tyme gâ—… S. Martin euident signes of a full victory gotten ouer his passions of the peacefull possession he maintayned in himselfe But in regard some will say perhaps how these manner of prayses are 〈◊〉 mon also with priuate persons let vs come to the proper 〈◊〉 of a true Prelate and Apostolicall Guardian Among which it seemes that the zeale of the holy and orthodoxe fayth and of 〈◊〉 sincere worship of God doth hoâ—…d the first place For whose conseruation S. Martyn was alwayes wonderfully sollicitous and vigilant keeping himselfe and all all his flocke from euery leâ—… contagion oâ—… Heretiques or of others seuered from the Roman Sâ—… Heer with did burne in his breast an inextinguishable thirst to â—…state and propagate the Christian verity on euery side and pâ—… ticularly in the neighbour parts where it seemed to him an inâ—…lerable thing that any relique of Paganisme should yet be extaâ—… He endeauoured then maynly to extinguish the same and Almigâ—…ty God most commonly for his part with a powerfull hand 〈◊〉 stupendious workes concurred thereunto S. Martin restores a Womans sonne from Death to life with other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thinges Chap. 11. SAint Martin on a tyme going by occasion of the diuine serâ—… to the Citty of Chaâ—…es chanced to passe through a Village 〈◊〉 Gentils who at the fame of the Saint going forth of the Towâ—… put themselues in the high way to behold him and at the same â—…mour concurred so great a multitude of the neighbour countries 〈◊〉 all that playne was seene to be couered with an infinite people 〈◊〉 the fight of which sheep for that the most were led astray the 〈◊〉 Bishop sighing and eleuated in spirit beginnes to preach to theâ—… 〈◊〉 word of God and to inuite them to eternall saluation and that wiâ—… such a feeling and with such a voyce action as doubtles seemâ—… to them some what more then humane Now while he thus discoursed it pleased our Lord that a Woman whose only Sonne was dead at that tyme comming beâ—… him with hands lifted vp presented him to the blessed S. 〈◊〉 saying we vnderstand that thou art the friend of God restore me â—…y Sonne which is the only Child I haue To the prayers of the â—…us Mother were added the fighes and intercessions of the â—…tanders by So as S. Martyn perceyuing how for the conuersion of that people some miracle were fit lifting vp his eyes and mind â—…o Heauen and conceiuing therice an vndoubted certaynty of the â—…iuine ayde he tooke the body in his armes and in the presence â—…f all put himselfe on his knees and after a little space the party â—…rose vp and so restored the child reuiued to the Mother astoniâ—…hed and almost besides herselfe for ioy whereupon a cry was lifâ—…ed vp to the starres and all these people confessing Christ for true God began in troupes with great vehemency to runne after S. Marâ—…in most instantly intreating him to make them Christians And he â—…ull of iubiley lifting vp his hands ouer them made them Catheâ—…mens all at once giuing order besids that they might be instruâ—…ted affirming it not vnfit to make Cathecumens in the open â—…ields since in fields in like manner haue Martyrs beene consecrated With this manner of purchase our S. Martin reioyced much more then with the increase of rents or tytles and not onely from manners and minds of persons but euen from their memoâ—…y also and eyes endeauoured he to take away all apparence of â—…rofane Centill worship nor were the difficulties of the enterâ—…rise nor magnificence of Antiquityes able to diuert him from it In the Castle of Ambatia was a Tower of pollished stones heertoâ—…ore dedicated to a false God which from the solid and spacious â—…oundations aâ—…sing more and more came at the top to finish in â—…me of a Pine-aple a worke both of art and cost alike and not â—…nly curious to behold but also very firme and durable Now the holy Bishop hauing appointed Marcelluâ—… a Priest â—…here dwelling by all meanes to destroy such an abhomination â—…ter some tyme finding the same as yet on foote repâ—…ded his â—…cknes But Marcelluâ—… excusing himselfe with the difficulty therof â—…or that the making was such as hardly would an Army be able to demolish it much lesse a small number of Clerks or feeble Monks which liued with him S. Martin without more reply hauing reâ—…ourse to his wonted tacklings spent all that night and morning â—…n prayer When behold on a suden a vehement tempest of winds â—…ightning and thunder impetuously smiting the building fetcht 〈◊〉 vp by the ground and layd it flat on the Earth In another place stood a pillar of an vnmeasurable greatâ—… on the top whereof was an Idoll And S. Martyn being not able to endure so great an offence of the true God determined by 〈◊〉 meanes to leuell it with the ground but not finding commodity eyther of Masons or instruments to affect it he craued likewise the diuine succour with so much ardour and such efficacy withall 〈◊〉 the prayer being ended the effect very sudenly followed because that in the sight-of-all the standers by these appeared from Heauen another Pillar no lesse then that which descended with such a force vpon it as reduced it into dust together with the Idol How S. Martyn by the signe of the Crosse escaped Death And how the peopâ—… were conuerted thereupon to the Fayth of Christ. Chap. 12. SAINT Martin in a certaine Bourge of the Infidels hauing 〈◊〉 stroyed their Temple would needs presently vpon it coÌ„maund a tall Pine-tree there that was consecrated to the Deuill to be felled to the ground But the Country-people who through the diuine will had beene quiet at the one very tumultuously afterwards opposed themselues to the other S. Martin endeauoured to pacify thâ—… blind people what he could to make them capable of the Truâ—… shewing by diuers reasons how one sole God was the Maker of euery thing and that to him was due from the rationall creature all honour oblation and Sacrifice and not to the Angels thurst oâ—… of Paradise deceiptfull and proud whome hitherto they had miserably serued and went prouing withall how in that Truâ—… could be no matter worthy of veneration at all Now while he wâ—… preaching in this sort with great charity one of those Pagans more impudent and more saucy then the rest lifting vp his voyce sayd to him
after fell sicke and calling his two disciples to him who had now some fifteene yeares been present with him he spake to them in manner following I am now my deerest vpon walking the way of my Fathers and I feele my selfe to be called of our Lord. As for you be you wary and vigilant and take heed you loose not the labours of so long a tyme but as if you had but now begunne do you enforce yoursel◅es to maynteynly out wonted feruour and study Then know yo◅ the snares and rages of the inuisible Enemies and know you likewise how through diuine Iudgment they haue lost their forces Do you not feare them then but alwayes aspire to Christ and fixing a ◅iuely fayth in him expect euery moment to be cited before him so attend to your selues still remembring the rules and documents you haue had from me especially to fly as fyre the conuersation of Arrians and Meletians and whosoeuer shall haue seuered themselues from the Fayth and communion of the Catholique Church since you know how I no lesse haue alwayes abhorred them But rather seeke to vnite your selues with Christ and with his Saints that after death they may acknowledge you as Friends and be receyuing you into the Eternall tabernacles Be this your opinion then and this your discourse And if you haue any care of me also as of a Father doe not suffer my Corps by any meanes to be carryed to Egypt with the hazard of being put vp in some house according to the peruerse custome of the Country there but hide me rather in the earth in a place where no person of the world may know besids your selues because if it be cōsumed for the present it shall yet be restored agayne very glorious in the Resurrection You shall distribute my Garments in such sort as that Athanasius the Bishop may haue one of my Melots which were only poore sheep skins sowed together and the Mantle whereupon I was wont to lye To the Bishop Serapion you shall giue the other Melot and you in memory of mee shall keep the Cilice and with this my Sonnes remayne in peace for Antony passeth and shall be no more abiding with you These were his last words and then with a cheerefull countenance shewing the Angels and Saints to reioyce who came to meete him he gaue vp the Ghost And the disciples though sad for loosing such a Father on earth neuerthelesse being recomforted for hauing purchased such an Intercessour in Heauen did bury him according as he had ordyned And to the Bishops they gaue the garments as welcome and as much esteemed of them as those who had gotten a very rich inheritance And the great Athanasius recounts of himselfe how he wore the same afterwards very willingly whereby it seemed to him that he carryed about him a perfect Memorial of the wholesome aduises and documents of S. Antony Such a course and end made the great Seruant of Christ whose life as we insinuated aboue Athanasius himselfe first wrote in the Greeke tongue who though he were of another vocation notwithstanding in fayth will was he most vnited with him The blessed Euagrius translated the same into latin who liued very neere those tymes and was the disciple of both the Macarius enriching the same with some things receiued as it is probable of such as had much familiarity conuersation with the Man of God Moreouer as many as haue framed the Ecclesiasticall History and other most graue Authours besides haue likewise touched his acts and made very pious and honourable mētion of him God vndoubtedly so disposing the same not so much in recompence of the labours of S. Antony who enioying eternall felicity in heauen should seeme to care very little to be renowned in earth as for the profit of all man kind To the end so perfect and noble deeds words and manners might not seeme to be shut vp within the termes of one people or of one age only but should dilate themselues into all parts and serue for instruction glasse incitement to all Nations and to all posterity FINIS S. PACHOMIVS THE ARGVMENT I BORNE of misbelieuing Parents gaind Not by my selfe but Heau'n the sauing light Quickned the grace which I had entertaind And left the world that I more safe might fight Against my foes I victory obtaind Finding this way to countermand their spite And slighting what the world doth most commend More easily I did my selfe defend What ere he be that striues to haue a share Within the mansion of Eternity Let him in this bestow his greatest care To shun th'indearements of Mortality Soules haue no parts harts vndeuided are Heau'n and the world haue no affinity Like as of Sense on seuerall obiects bent The strength is weakned and is lesse intent THE LIFE OF S. PACHOMIVS ABBOT Written by Simeon Metaphrastes Of the Birth of S. Pachomius and his miraculous Conuersion to the Christian Fayth Chap. 1. IN the same age some few yeares after the blessed Pachomius did flourish a great Father likewise and an excellent Mayster of Monkes whose vertue and Religion no doubt was so much the more memorable as the helpe of Education which he had was lesse being borne of Gētiles both Father and Mother brought vp in Thebais without any knowledge of our Sauiour Christ vntill such tyme as he arriued vnto military age Some notable signes did fore-run his Vocation One was that when they gaue him to drinke any wine or other liquour which had been offered to the Idols with a certaine hidden auersion of the stomacke he would suddenly be vomiting it forth And another signe also was there yet of more wonder for that he being once conducted to a Sacrifice which was to be performed by a riuers side hard by there could be nothing done for that at his presence the Priest could neyther finish his ceremonies nor would the Diuels seeme to enter into the Statues to giue forth answeres from thence as they were wont so as their wicked Minister hauing finally vnderstood the occasion thereof with furious brawling began to controule the Parents of Pachomius as hauing brought thither an enemy of the immortall Gods and commaunded them suddenly to thrust him forth as fearing least some heauenly wrath or vengeance might light on their Sonne Amidst so impious superstitions of his house the rudiments of Egiptian learning and doctrine S. Bachomius being arriued to the twentith yeare of his life was enrolled as a Souldiour in a new leuy of men which in the name of Constantius was then made in diuers parts against the Tyrant Maxentius And with this occasion being conducted by water with others to a certayne Citty neare vnto Thebes he fell into great necessity together with the whole army through the smal prouision that was made of victuals for thē Which being vnderstood by those of the Country there who by good hap were of the faythfull people of Christ and very friendly to the Neighbour
and acceptable to the Diuine Goodnes Whereupon with fresh vigour they set theÌ„selues to worke agayne So as in few dayes was the Pratory finished with polished timber firme couplings a worke â—…or those swaynes and people very gracious And this was the beginning of the miracles of S. Malachy from that tyme began they to attend afresh to diuine Offices with like piety though not with equall number of persons There S. Malachy himselfe was Rectour a good while through commaundent of Imarius Who as he was of degree aboue others so likewise in his deportments was he a liuing Rule bright glasse and as a booke layd open to those Clerks for as much as in all his proceedings there were true precepts of Religious coÌ„uersation to be read And he not only in coÌ„mon obseruance seemed to go alwaies before that little flocke in sanctity iustice in the sight of God but would moreouer be doing particuler pennances and other acts of Perfection which no man was able to equall Which things the common Aduersary not being able to brooke put into the hart of a familiar friend there about lying sick whose name was Malcus that S. Malachy coÌ„ming in to him as he was wont to visit him he should suddaynely with a knife giue him his death The good Father being aware therof the sick man not being able to keep it in silence betaking himselfe to the armes of prayer did notwithstanding freely present himselfe before him and with the Signe of the Crosse on a sudden banished the malady froÌ„ his body the diabolicall thought from his mynd This man was the naturall brother of Christianus â—…bbot of Mellifont He was conuerted to our Lord vpon so great a benefit and with the habit tooke vpon him new behauiour at this day do both liue a great deale more vnited in spirit then bloud In the selfe same place he restored to health a certayne Clearke named Michael afflicted with a most grieuous dissentery and despaired of PhisitiaÌ„s with the only sending him froÌ„ his table a litle of his portion This Michael fell afterwards into another dangerous malady and the seruant of Christ cured him anone not only in his limmes but in his mind also he in like manner for feare of worse did enter into Religion and is now as I vnderstand abiding in Scotland Superiour of the Monastery which S. Malachy fouÌ„ded lately in those parts S. Malachy is made Bishop of Conerthen His labours there and the fruit which he wrought in that Diocesse Chap. 7. BY such actions as these the same and family of this great Abbot increased euery day so as the Church of Conerthen not farre froÌ„ Benchor hauing beene now a long tyme vacant those to whome belonged the Election of the Bishop resolued vpon the person of S. Malachy nor did any thing hinder the expedition but the resistaÌ„ce only of the Elect himselfe Although afterwards at last he was coÌ„manded by Celsus and Imarius his lawfull Superiours to yield affoard his Consent being as then of the age of about some 30. yeares When after the solemne Consecration being led into the Citty he suddaynly applyed himselfe to exercise of his pastorall Office with such ardour of spirit as was requisite for so important a cure But scarce had he begunne the gouernement when he saw himself doubtles to be there not destined for the rule of men but setting Baptisme asyde very properly of beasts In no place had he euer yet noted a people of so ill a breeding of so detestable superstitions of so stiffe a hart to Faith-wards so vncapable to law so vntoward to good institutes nor finally of so soule and dishonest conuersatioÌ„ They were Christians by name in life Pagans There was no vse of Tithes or tendring the first fruites nor of Confession or demaunding penances nor likewise who to demaund them of so rare were Priests in those parts and those that were to be had so negligent careles as in Churches was no preaching or diuine Office sung In this Forrest now of sauadge beasts what course should this Champion of Christ take Of force must he eyther shamfully retire himselfe or els combate with daunger But he as a good Souldyer good Pastour withall determined to stand fast and not to budge a foote as ready to giue vp his life for his flock when neede should â—…uire the same And howbeit it might wel be fayd they were not sheepe but so many wolues yet stood the couragious Keeper amidst the 〈◊〉 seeking by all wayes and remedyes from wolues to render theÌ„ 〈◊〉 Sheepe So as he ceased not feruently to admonish al in publike with teares to reprehend euery one in priuate heere to vse Wordâ—… there to deale with tharpenes And such like meanes would 〈◊〉 continually be vsing to draw them out of the snares of the deuil where with they were so fast entangled And if these his pious endeauours fayled he would seeme to recurre to Prayer and accompany his Deuotions with profouÌ„d humility of hart propitiatory afflictions of body How many nights passed he ouer without â—…epe and in making supplication for them How often in person went he in the Citty vp and downe a seeking of the fugitiues and constrayning them with sweete violence to appeare in the Church Nor was the faythfull Steward of Christ lesse anxious for the soules which were scattered through the Countrey hastning now heere now there with that holy troupe of Conuictours never froÌ„ his side He went and dealt among those spightfull thankelesse people whole measures of corne which some reaped in such aboundance that atlast they became fit to be layd vp in Gods barne And let no man thinke he vsed to ride in any of these iourneys for lo he walâ—…d continually a foote she wing himselfe euen in this poynt to be 〈◊〉 Apostolicall Person Nor is there a tongue able to expresse what this Father tender of such cruell and wicked Children hath suffered in so frequent Pilgrimages and Episcopall visits The tribulations affronts and iniuryes which he susteyned cannot fully be related How often through their faults was he like to perish for huger and thirst How often afflicted with cold and nakednes with a thousand other incommodityes And yet still with the Enemyes of peace was he pacificall and still importuned them in season â—…ut of season to amend their wicked liues For cuâ—…es he afforded blessings being strookeÌ„ he would ward himselfe with the buckler of Patience being scorned and made a laughing stocke he prayed more instantly to God for them and perseuering after this manner so long in knocking at the gate of the Diuine Mercy at last it was 〈◊〉 open to him through the power of the Omnipotent the stones were mollifyed barbarisme mitigated and crabbed minds began to mellow and by little and little to acquaynt themselues with things appertayning to their saluatioÌ„ to admit of discipline precepts And in summe through diuine Grace
comparison of my demerits With such like answeres Siluanus stopt the mouths of such as ◅ealt with him about this matter nor was it contrition of words ◅nly as often it happens but his sayings and workes accorded in ◅uch manner as S. Pachomius himselfe being full of meruayle there◅t for true humility preferred him before all in the Monastery and within eight yeares afterward was certifyed how be was nothing deceiued when he beheld that Soule going forth of the body to ◅ly vnto Heauen with a great troupe of glorious Angells in company with it This then was the fruite which sprung from the seasonable rigour of S. Pachomius and no lesse worthy of memory likewise was another act of seuerity of his which we will put down in the Chapter following How a Monks was penanced by S. Pachomius for Vayne glory and anoth◅ for Disobedience Chap. 12. IT happened on a tyme while S. Pachomius was sitting in company with other graue Fathers that a Brother who had made tha◅ day two mats with double the labour he was obliged to do by th◅ Rule being ouercome with vayne glory would by no meanes cōteyne himselfe but needs must he set them forth to view at his cell right ouer agaynst the place where S. Pachomius was as thinking verily to haue been much praysed and esteemed of him for his diligence therein whereof the wise Pastour being aware fetching a deep sigh said to the standers by behold I pray this Brother hee◅ who hath been labouring all this while from the Morning hither to to dedicate afterwards all his sweats to the Diuell without leauing any merit or fruite thereof for his owne soule since he hat◅ had for end the satisfaction of men rather then the pleasure of God Heerupon causing him to come before him he gaue him a sound reprehension for it and to the end he might learne to rectify the intention in whatsoeuer he should worke heerafter enioyned him in pennance that while the Brothers were in prayer he holding both those mats in his hands should cry vnto them with a lowe voyce I beseech you Brothers to pray for this miserable soule of myne which hath preferred two small mats before the Kingdome of Heauen And in the same manner caused him to stand in the Refectory till the Table was ended and for addition shut him vp in his Cell for fiue moneths space with order that no man sho◅ visit him the while that he should eate nothing but bread and salt Such accompt was made in those dayes of purity of hart and to fly those sinnes which in our age peraduenture are accompted very veniall and light And if yet this chastisement perhaps shal seeme to any to be too disproportionate to the fault let him know that to the Man of God there wanted no sufficient motiues for the same The holy Abbot made great accompt also of sincere Obedience which especially consists in simply executing what is commāded without curiously examining the designes of the Superiours nor putting into controuersy the quality of the thing commaunded Now he hauing committed to some Officers that while he went on a certayne Pilgrimage they should haue some respect to the tender age of certayne Nouices who were not able to performe so much abstinence as the other It happened the same Officers perceyuing the Community had not eaten the herbes and Oliues which were boyled had giuen ouer to prouide any more of them contenting themselues with distributing of dry bread onely to ◅ll the Refectory S. Pachomius returned and all the Monkes being gone forth to meete with him and to receyue him one of the ◅nnocents began to say with a lowd voyce Verily Father since ◅he tyme that you went from hence to this day hath there beene ◅o herbes boyled for vs. To whome the Saint answered with a cheerfull countenance Trouble not your selfe my Sonne for I will prouide for you Entring then into the kitchin and the Cooke being busy in knitting of rushes he sayd to him in this manner Tell me Brother how long since is it that you boyled any herbes It is now some two Monthes ago answered he and being demaunded the reason he alleadgeth that scarce any of them had eate thereof when they were before him but only the youths whereupon he had a scruple to bestow so in vayne both the labour and the cost And to the end this same might not be imputed as Slouth vnto him he had employed himself in the meane time with his fellowes to worke the Mats And how many haue you made of them demaunded S. Pachomius Some 500. answered he Now bring them hither then to me sayd the Father Which being brought he caused them suddaynely to be all cast into the fi◅e giuing cleerly to vnderstand by that act of his and with the words he spake to that purpose that as it is the proper office and prayse of the Superiour to moderate and discerne so from the subiect is not required so much prudence and circumspection as a prompt execution and perfect Obedience To this example the same also was not much vnlike which followes in the next Chapter How two Stewards of S. Pachomius were checked by him for doing against Obedience Chap. 13. THere hapned so great a dearth of corne as scarcely was any to be found throughout all the Land of Egipt Which S. Pachomius wel knowing sent one of the Brothers to make his prouision therof as much as an hundred peeces of gold of a certaine coyne was able to procure him being taken out of cōmon stock of the Labours of the Monastery The Procuratour or Steward went his wayes ther with into diuers forren parts without finding the desired cōmerce till lastly arriuing at the citty of Hermothen it pleased our Lord that he should meete by chaunce with an honest Gentleman who had the whole corne of the countrey in his custody This man being required of the Monke so much corne as might amount to the said summe answered Truly Father I haue not any of myne owne but if I had I would take it from my childrens mouthes to spa◅e it for you whose vertue and holy life hath now a good while since beene notifyed to me But harke you Father I haue yet now the publique grayne vnder my charge which hitherto the Magistrates haue not seemed to require at my hands nor do I thinke they will demaund it till the new be gotten in If you suppose by that tyme you can restore it me agayne do you take therof as much as you please When the Monke told him how he durst not vndertake to returne it so soone but if it seemed to him that he might well dispose thereof as he had said he would willingly take a quātity to the valew of the price aforesaid of a hundred peeces I shall not only afford you so much replyed the Commissary but euen likewise as much more if it please you to accept the same Do me but only the fauour the while to
in the matter of Predestiâ—…tion and of the differences of Grace Moreouer he sent often letteâ—… of edification into diuers places of Sardinia and Affrick likewise to Rome especially to the principall Senatours there vnto Ladyes Widowes of good name To Proba the Virgin of Christ he wrote two little bookes of Fasting and Prayer Furthermore with seaues bookes he partly interpreted the doctrine of Faustus a FreÌ„ch Bishop in the best sense and partly also openly conâ—…uted some opinions of the same man inclining to the Arrian sect Which worke of his well appeares how gratefull it was vnto God since scarcely had he â—…nished the same but the whole persecution ceased by the death King Trasamond and the succession of Hilderick a person of merueilous goodnes by whome the Catholike Religion was sudenly â—…tored and the Bishops recalled from banishment according to â—…e prophesy of the blessed S. Fulgentius That glorious troupe then of Confessours returned back agayne 〈◊〉 Affrick to the great consolation of the people there being desolate â—…d disconsolate so long and was met with and receiued euen at â—…e very sea side by an infinite multitude of people most especially for the loue of S. Fulgentius at whose appearing in fight were â—…finite cryes and shouts lifted vp to heauen while euery one made â—…ast to behold and salute him and to receiue his benediction and â—…uen to touch at least but the hemne of his garments And so great was the concourse and presse of people in conducting him with the â—…thers to the Church of S. Agileus that some Deuotes of his were â—…ayne to make a ring or circle about him for to passe without perill S. Fulgentius at his arriuall puts himselfe into a Monastery agayne and after reconciles himselfe to Bishop Quod-vult-deus And so makes ablessed End Chap. 19. THere happened likewise another notable thing in the same procession which was that the heauens being darkened on a suddayne and a great shower of rayne powring downe there was yet not a Man to be seen that left the company to retire himselfe to some shelter but many rather as in imitation of Christ our Lord in Hierusalem in taking off their proper â—…oakes made very readyly a Pent-house therof for to shelter the Blessed Eâ—…lgentius Who were able to explicate the welcomes with the honours and festiuiâ—…yes which were made him firâ—… in the Citty of Carthage and after in all the countryes and lands where he happened to passe through in returning to his Diocesse With all which things notwithstanding that noble Follower of Christ was not only not proud awhit but eueÌ„ as soone as he arriued at his Church put himself a new into his Monastery very freely deposing all superiority of the Conuent in so much as the publique gouernment of the Church depending wholy on him yet in the domesticall and dayly discipline he would humbly depend on the Abbot Felix In the rule of the Clergy moreouer he had a singular care to prohibite all wanton and costly apparell and to prouide that for secular busynesses none should be absent from home or exempt 〈◊〉 the Quire for which cause he would haue all to inhabite close 〈◊〉 the Church and for the tyme they had to spare they should spend partly in cultiuating some litle garden with their hands partly 〈◊〉 exercising themselues in singing of psalmes and pronouncing the words very wel He ordeyned besides that all the Clerks and all the widdowes and likewise all the other Laymen who had no 〈◊〉 impediment should fast on the Wednesdayes frydayes throughout the yeare and that all should be present euery day at the diuine Offices He would chastize the vnquiet as need required now with priuate and publike reprehensions now with pennancâ—… scourges to the end that with the penalty of one all the other might take example Through which proceeding and perpetâ—…all innocency of his manners he was now in such veneration as not only his subiects but euen very strangers also that were well disposed would remit their contentions and strifes though neuer so spleenfull and inueterated to the arbitrement and decision of the Saint and among others the people of Massimiana who by no meanes would accept the Bishop that was ordayned them were finally with the authority and admonishments of S. Fulgentius well pacifyed with him putting an end to that so contumacious and seâ—…dalous a contention between them Notwithstanding all this the Saint wanted not his contradictours and emulous as is wont to happen whome he striued to ouercome which patience and submission Among others a certaine Bishop by name Quod-vule-deus seemed to take it very grieuously to haue S. Fulgentius preferred before him in the Councell 〈◊〉 Vinci Whereof the Seruant of God being aware expected the occasion of the Suffetan Councel And at the commencing therof sought and obteyned with an excellent example there to haue the lower place of the aforesayd Bishop endeauouring with such an act of humility to reconcile vnto him and to gayne that soule though without any fault of his so disgusted and alienated from him Now heere what will they say who are euery foote striuing for precedence Let them learne heere of the blessed Fulgentius to execute the precepts of Christ and to seeke alwayes the lowest place In Sermons moreouer wherof he made and wrote many he was wont to haue reguard not to the applause a whit but rather to the motion and compunction of the people Wheerin he had so great a grace as that among other â—…ymes preaching once two â—…yes together one after the other at the dedication of the Church Burni euen Boniface himselfe Bishop of Carthage being there present â—…uld by no meanes hold from weeping out-right in giuing God â—…anks for that of his infinite mercy there were alwayes found very â—…cellent Doctours in the Catholique Church After his returne froÌ„â—…nishment besides the Sermons and Bookes already written he â—…rote a new ten others against the lyes and falshods of Fabianus â—…ree of Predestination and Grace Amidst such manner of exercises as â—…ese S. Fulgentius approaching to the end of his life as presaging what was shortly to follow with a few Brothers for a yeare before â—…tyred himselfe a fresh to do pennance and bewayle himselfe in â—…ittle rock of the Iland of Cercinna vntill such tyme as through thâ—…â—…ayers and lamentations of such as he had left behind him he was â—…nstreyned to returne to his Diocesse againe and to resume the â—…ouerment But long it was not ere he fell into a grieuous infirmity which for 70. dayes afflicted him sorely with most bitter paynes wherein looking vp to heauen he was wont to vtter no other words then these Lord do thou giue me now patience and afterwards inâ—…ulgence Finally feeling the houre of his passage to approach and â—…alling all the Clerks and Monks vnto him he humbly besought â—…ardon of them if perhaps he had disgusted any praying withall â—…ur Lord God to prouide them a good Pastour After
seene so burning a Charity as he neuer pretended or wished ought then the honour of God and saluation of soules procuring euer the one and other with the forme and manmer of his life with heauenly conuersation with prayers with the labours of writing and of interpreting the diuine Scriptures and finally as occasion serued with priuate and publique discourses For eloquence it was a thing in the blessed man more Angelicall then human with so much sagacity would he discerne the peccant humours of men with so much dexterity accommodated himselfe to their wits docility and manners He would deale with the country people as if he had continually been bred vp in a village with the Nobles he kept all the points of good breeding with the Ideots he would vse comparisons and conceipts of material and palpable things with the learned and Sophisters he knew well in his tyme to stand vpon subtilityes and acumens and in summe had a great store and copious variety of bayts and hookes proportionate to the gust forces and nature of ech one To this so excellent prudence of his in practise and so happy and rare a faculty of speaking was adioyned another guift and priuiledge indeed not afforded to many to proue when need required his doctrine with frequent and great and those euident Miracles Whereof besides what already hath been touched not to go forth heere from our purpose we shall discourse with our wonted breuity in its place But with the ardent Charity of the Saint we spake of he gaue vs likewise a most cleere demonstration in the sorrow and compassion he felt for the peruersenes and fault of his Neighbours especially of such as he had vnder his gouernement which in so great diuersity of nations and temperatures may not seeme very strange that some disorder now and then should fall out and that so much the rather as the Religious state supposeth men not allready to be perfect but studious and so we may euen say scholers of perfection in as much as ech discipline and art as the Philospher sayd is in erring learned In such occurrences then the good Prelate though touched in the soule with the sharpest stings yet neuerthelesse with familiar countenance and paternall grauity withall would not hold in secret from rebuking the delinquent who coming heereby to acknowledge the fault and to shew forth true pennance the man of God contented with the humble satisfaction would comfort him and proceed no further And when the guilty shewed himselfe stiffe and gaue a harsh answeare he would suddenly cease to striue or contend with him not to put in some sort his pastorall authority in daunger But leauing to the disciple new space to acknowledge his errour with occasion he would returne agayne afterwardes to the same office of louing correction or else when necessity required he would betake himselfe to the counsel of the Scripture which aduiseth the foolish man not to be corrected with wordes And when this last remedy at any tyme proued vnprofitable it cannot be expressed what affliction and corrasiue the blessed Soule would take thereat And if any perhappes should wish him not to grieue so much at it since he had fully satisfyed his duty in the sight of God that he could by no meanes doe any more with one that through obstiuacy would needes perish the amorous Rectour would answere sighing how these nor infinite reasons could quiet him in beholding him as dead before his eyes whome he loued so much you would haue me sayth he to feele no griefe at so ill successe as if in this reprehension and rebuke I had for scope only the sauing of myne owne soule and not rather the saluation also of that of my beloued And what Mother is there that howbeit on her part she haue vsed all care and diligence in her childs infirmity if she see it dead who can choose but lament and bewayle the same considering the while the paines she hath taken for it in vaine Such then were the bowells of this true follower of Christ whence it would happen likewise that if he had denyed any thing at the first to any indiscreet and importunate suiter he could by no meanes deny him the second tyme. Forasmuch as euen by naturall instinct his hart would not serue him to behould any one contristate and afflicted so as he neuer despised or made light reckoning of the trouble and perturbation of any one tempted and how beit in its tyme he could shew that he sought rather the pleasure of God then that of men and preferred truth and iustice before any other respect whatsoeuer yet did he all with such regard and so much circumspection as euen to such as seemed offended with him there wanted not matter to remaine well satisfyed Whence sometymes it happened that such as these would become afterwardes more deuoute and affected to the man of God then euer Diuers examples of the meekenes and patience of S. Bernard and how 〈◊〉 Monastery of Clareuallis flourished by him founded Chap. 12. IT may not seeme strange that so much piety to Rationall creatures should seeme to lodge in that sacred breast since he wanted not tendernes and affection also to the very Beasts themselues It fell out sometymes he should meet on the way with Hares hoatly pursued by the houndes euen at the heeles or els some Fowle flying from the hawke which the blesled Man beholding would straight deliuer them from the present danger with the signe of the Crosse signifying to the hunters as indeed it happened that they pursued them in vaine From this so burning a furnace of Charity with reason proceeded that refined gold of his solid Patience which he truly made manifest in the continuall tribulations scourges infirmities wherein he was proued by our Lord from the beginning of his blessed conuersion vnto his last breath in so much as his life was esteemed by such as familiarly conuersed with him to be a lingring death except only in occurrences of some great vniuerâ—… benefit For in such necessity through diuine dispensation he would seeme to haue gotten new forces and extraordinary vigout And euen with men also though perhaps not so often he had sufficient occasions to shew himselfe armed with inuincible sufferance and constancy He would speake as well through experience as speculation very learnedly of this most excellent vertue and was wont to distinguish the subiect thereof into three manner of offences to wit of honour of goods and of the person according to this diuision let vs see briefely how he behaued himselfe in effect The great seruant of God had written on a tyme to a Bishop being a principall Consailour in the Court intreating hiâ—… to giue certaine aduices and admonishmentes in a thing 〈◊〉 some matters that went not well Whereat the Bishop being â—…gely offended wrote back a letter agayne to the most deuout S. Bernard dealing with him at the very beginning as with an impious and wicked
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
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
malady with all deuotion he receiued the holsome Sacraments and with hands ioyned together and lifted vp not without extraordinary feeling he recited the seauen Penitentiall psalmes and a deuout hymne to the most Blessed Virgin whose protection with particuler seruice he had allwayes sought to rely vpon From thenceforth he begins suddenly to lift vp his eyes and to fix them on heauen being demaunded what he looked vpon I behold sayd he my Lord Iesus Christ and after a short repose among a thousand benedictions and pious teares of his deerest freinds he yeilded vp his spirit to the Creatour with all the tranquility and serenity that might be in the yeare of our Lord 1231. and the 13. of the month of Iune on a Friday he being then but 36. yeares of age whereof 15. he had spent in his Fathers house two in S. Vincents of Lisbone 9. at the holy Crosse of Conimbria and about some 10. in the Order of S. Francis After the passage that blessed flesh which through euill vsage was before so horrid to see so rugged dry and wrincked to be touched became in a moment so white soft and plump as if it had been of a tender and delicat child His beloued freind maister the Abbot of Vercells whom we mentioned aboue at that tyme was much afflicted with a disease of the throat And euen loe the same day when S. Antony dyed being in his chamber alone at prayer he saw him suddenly to appeare before him and after mutuall salutation imbraces Behold sayd he my Lord Abbot hauing left my Asse at Padua how I goe in hast to my Country And saying so with a light touch only he cured his throat and so vanished But the Abbot stedfastly beleiuing that S. Antony was really passed by to Lisbone going forth of his chamber began to enquire of hiâ—… familiars where he was from whom not gathering any thing at last returned into himselfe and coniectured by that vision the happy departure of the man of God whereupon making new diligence by letters he found the encounter of howers and moments to be iust the same as he himselfe did afterwards testify In the meane while the Fryars of Arcella fearing some tumultuous concourse would be at the body endeuoured to keep the departure of the seruant of Christ very secret but in vayne Because the very innocent boyes through hidden instigation of the spirit began in many troups to goe crying through the countryes The holy Father is dead the Saint is dead With which voyce the people being awaked on a sudden they shut vp their shopps and laying all other businesse aside put themselues in armes with great effusion of bloud while one part stood for retayning the sacred treasure in Arcella and the other to conueigh him into the Citty but after many and perilous bickeringes betweene them by the humble prayers of the Fryars the authority of the Magistrates it was obtayned that as himselfe being neere to death had requested he should be carryed to the Church of Sancta Maria Maior and so he was accompanyed thither by the Bishop the Clergy and by persons of quality in good order with such aboundance of lightes as the whole Citty seemed to be on fire Heere the high Masse being sung by the Bishop began continually new and stupendious miracles to manifest themselues in diuers infirmityes of soules and bodyes To which fame with incredible feruour continued a long tyme whole troupes of Pilgrims to resort thither not only of those confines but of Italy also and as it were of all Europe with such a number of large guifts and precious offeringes as they were fayne to appoint chamberlaines and keepers for the custody of them of the chiefest most honourable persons of Padua With the help whereof and with that moreouer which the Citty it selfe adioyned thereto changing the title of the Temple which was first of Iuno after of the Blessed Virgin Mary in honour and inuocation of the Saint was built in the same place one of the magnificent and sumptuous Churches of Christendome Lisbone it selfe being the natiue Countrey of the Saint concurred in a manner with the deuotions of the Paduans in making by command of the King of one part of the House where he was borne a fayre little Church as we sayd and of the other a Hall where the Ancients with the Senate vnto this present day are wont to assemble to deale about matters of the Common wealth But aboue all Pope Gregory the IX himselfe who before in Rome had with so choyce an Elogy commended the doctrine of the seruant of God concurred to the exalting of his glorious memory So as scarcely had a moneth passed ouer from the death or to say better from the natiuity of S. Antony but causing a most exact inquisition to be made of his life and miracles with the high approbation of all the Cardinalls and Prelats of the holy Church he canonized him solemnly and enrolled him among those spirits who arriued in the eternall country doe securely enioy the beatificall vision of God there making intercession for others who being on the way are yet doubtfull continually of their progresse and tearme Through which iudgment and approbation of the Sea Apostolike was enflamed in all Christendome a new desire to accumulate honours vpon the sacred depositum a liuely sayth in presenting supplications to that glorious soule the Paduans yet in this part shewing themselues most remarkable of all who being constant in their auncient piety follow in celebrating euery yeare the day of the deposition of the Saint with most exquisite pompes psalmes panygeriques other triumphs truly belonging to the immortall merits of the noble Confessour of Christ and particuler protection he affords that famous Citty whence he renouncing in a manner his proper Country hath been pleased to accept the perpetuall sweet Surname of Padua FINIS S. THOMAS OF AQVINE THE ARGVMENT THe Tree that beares the dainty Cyprian flower Vnles oft prun'd by skillfull workemans art Growes wild fruitlesse Loue doth loose his power And vigorous force vnlesse our Soules do dart And force it oft with often acts on high Or feeble soone it growes and soone doth dye The smiling leaues ech other seeme to kisse Giue heau'n thy Loue Loue shall from thence descend Cropt bruiz'd distill'd more sweet by farre it is Troubles make ours more gratefull in the end And oppositions nobly borne away Crowne our afflictions with a nobler Bay Oppos'd by Friends their force I ouerbore My wish at last obtayning to enioy Heau'ns Loue I found in me augmented more While more to gaine it I my Loue employ By painefull acts this Passion I dilate And keep my soule by weaknesse in her state THE LIFE OF S. THOMAS OF AQVINE Written by the Reuerend Fathers Preachers Of the Parents and education of S. Thomas with the signes of his futnre greatnes Chap. I. SAINT THOMAS Doctour for the excellency of his learning
surnamed the Angelicall was borne in the Citty of Aquinas in the yeare of our Lord 1224. His Father was Landolphus Count of the sayd Citty of Aquinas his Mother Theodora daughter of the Count of Thean being both of a noble and illustrious house The birth not only of the Saint but also his Religion was foretould by a venerable Hermit who liued in those Countreyes called Bonus who visiting Theodora neere her childbirth saluted her saying Be ioyfull Lady for you shall shortly haue a sonne who for his singular qualities shall be renowned through the world and shall take the habit you see heere depainted It was euen the habit of S. Dominicke the which at the foot of the Mother of God in a little image he wore for deuotion hanging about his necke Theodora answered Gods will be done After which the child being borne into the world and called in sacred Baptisme by the name of Thomas soone gaue very manifest signes of the learning and sanctity which in tyme were to shine in him Because on a day while the Nurse was making him a bath he snatching vp of his owne accord a peece of paper from the ground held it fast in the hand and the Nurse going about to take it away he began to cry and to be so troubled at it as for a last remedy she was feigne to wash him with the same in his hand Wherefore the mother being aduertised to cleere and satisfy her selfe the better of the matter opened his hand by force and taking away the paper from him they found there written the salutation of the Archangell Gabriel to the Virgin Mary and that with so much more wonder of theirs and of all the standers by as they could lesse coniecture how such a writing could come into his handes The little Child in the meane tyme with signes neuer ceased to reach after it and to cry and sob for the same vntill to quiet him they were forced to yield it him againe and he not to haue it taken away any more putting it in his mouth on a sudden swallowed it vp This same as we say was held of the wise and of men of good vnderstanding for a great and certaine presage of celestiall knowledge and of the rare vertues which in progresse of tyme were to ripen in Thomas it being not likely that a child in the swath-bands without diuine operation could be so enamoured with the words which were the beginning and fountayne of all the mysteryes of the new law and of Christian piety Nor this signe only of future fruites was seen in that noble bud but as often as a booke or ought els but like to a booke was presented to his sight with childish endeauour he would reach after it and take it in his hand turning it vp and downe and looking on it without end so as to comforte him when need was and to still him and dry his teares there was no more efficacious way then to put a paper or booke into his hands to play withall A midst such hopes being now arriued to fiue yeares old that he might be the better conserued in purity and vertuous manners he was according to the laudable customes of those tymes giuen to the venerable Monks of Monte Cassino to be trayned vp vnder whose care were likewise many children of Lords and Princes besides Not had the Maister any difficulty at all to direct this happy plant vnto immortall and diuine things since the child of his owne accord shewing himselfe to be aliened from base thoughts and from all curiosity whatsoeuer did euen tyre him with high and profound questions whereof one was to demaund often what God was Besides that keeping himselfe from company of the lesse modest deuout he would voluntarily recollect himselfe with the wiser more prudent sort and more addicted to spirit yea it is affirmed for certaine that euen at that tyme he would spend two houres of the day in sundry deuotions and yet not fayle to be at schoole or to do whatsoeuer the Maister appointed him besides In breife out-stripping his yeares by many degrees with his iudgement he became a patterne of industâ—…y of obedience and of all goodnes Whereupon the Abâ—…ot of Monte Cassino for feare least Count Landolph Theodora should transferre him from the arts of peace to those of warre as they had allready done with the other two elder sonnes of theirs very instantly perswaded them that they would not smother such a wit in the tumultuous exercises occupations of chiualry and depriue the world and the Church of so great a help as such beginnings without doubt seemed to promise them Great was the authority of the Abbot with all men nor lesse efficacious were the reasons alleadged by him Thomas his age which as yet not passed ten yeares afforded a large field for great designes The neighbour Citty of Naples being the auncient and gracious receptable as Strabo testifyes of sublimer witts and 〈◊〉 the liberall arts being in loue with so great a Student seemed as it were ambitiously to stretch forth the armes to inuite and entertayne him All these occasions through diuine disposition concurred together to mantayne Thomas so studious of speculation and learning so as being coÌ„ueighed from the Country to the Metropolis from graÌ„mer to the grauer studyes vnder famous Doctours he studyed the Mathematikes Logike and Philosopy with such profit as in short tyme his name began to resound through the whole Vniuersity extolling with the lustre of his Bloud and splendour of his parents the singular qualityes and rare ornaments of his person At which glory afforded him was yet the wise and chast youth not puffed vp a whit but rather endeuoured he with all force to stand firme in the knowledge and meane esteeme of himselfe and amidst what varieties so euer of human accidents to hold his intention fixed and centered in God only and by how much more knowledge he got of the Creatour by the meanes of creatures and from Tyme learned Eternity from transitory things the stable and eternall so much greater desire was enkindled in him to sequester himselfe from the vulgar and with a generous contempt of the world of purpose to attend to the contemplation of the first cause to cultiuate wholy that part of himselfe which he knew to be more worthy and more like vnto God Such was the end scope of the good youth but in the election of the meane he could not yet resolue but remayned in the same perplexity vntill a cleare day was added to the vncertaine light of the passed inspirations through the occasions we shall presently declare How S. Thomas enters into the Family of the Dominicans and how he beares himselues therein Chap. 2. THe sacred Order of the Fryars Preachers now flourished in those dayes that was founded by the glorious Father S. Dominicke and there were euen at that tyme also as euer after haue been many men of excellent
they suddenly prouided for the afflicted Souldiours what was needfull for them and that with so great sollicitude and charity as S. Pachomius was astonished thereat demaunding what nation they were of that was so hospitable and benigne answere was made him they were Christians When demaunding againe of what manner of life institute they were he vnderstood that they did belieue in Iesus Christ the only Sonne of God and did well to all sorts of persons with firme confidence to haue some large remuneration for it at the hands of the same God S. Pachomius had scarcely heard these words but that full as well of interiour consolation as of an vnusuall light retyring himselfe from the company and being somwhat in a deepe study with himselfe he lifted vp his hands to the starres saying Lord God who framedst the Heauen and earth if thou shalt vouchsafe to regard my basenes and my trauayles and giue me the knowledge of thy Diuinity I promise to serue thee and obey thy precepts while I breath With this prayer and promise the loue of vertue so increased in him as he began from that tyme forwards through the diuine Grace to resist all sensuality and valiantly to suffer Tribulations helping himselfe with the memory of his first purposes vntill such tyme as the Emperour hauing gotten a glorious victory vpon the Tyrant he was cashiered with others and not seeing opportunity there to become a Christian he immediately went his wayes to Chemosium a Towne of the higher Thebais where remayned some notable and venerable Seruants of God Of whome being instructed in the holy Fayth he was baptized and the very same night that he receiued this wholsome Sacrament he sees in his Sleepe his right hand to be filled with dew which falling from heauen did incorporate it selfe in forme of hony and withall heard a voyce which said Open the eyes of thy vnderstanding Pachomius and know that this is a signe of the grace which is affoarded thee by Christ. This vision was not in vayne or vnprofitable a whit but rather Pachomius felt himselfe so compund therewith and enflamed with diuine Loue as he determined without delay to renounce the world to consecrate himselfe to a monasticall life And hauing heard of a famous Hermit called Palemon that dwelt in those desarts he wēt his wayes to him to submit himselfe to his discipline S. Pachomius craues of Palemon to be receiued into his discipline and is admitted with the manner of their liues togeather Chap. 2. THis Palemon for yeares was very graue seuere of countenance so rigid and mortifyed in his cōuersation as by many he was iudged to be inimitable So soone as he heard then one knocking at his cell opening the doore he sayd to Pachomius Who art thou and what seekes thou To whome the good young man answering God sends me to you to be admitted into your estate of life The old man replyed This is no worke for you not so easy as you thinke for some three or foure others haue come hither likewise that haue not been so well able to stand to it afterwards Then Pachomius All men are not made of the same mould Do you receiue me and in tyme I trow you shall be cleered in that point I haue told you already replyed the Hermit that you cannot brooke the labour Go your wayes then first to do pennance in some other place and if you shall then thinke your selfe able to endure it do you come to me then perhaps I shall accept of you Because indeed my manner of liuing for to tell it you is very sharpe and difficult I susteyne my selfe God be thanked with no other thing then bread and s◅lt Neither wine nor oyle euer enters into my mouth Halfe of the night or there abouts do I spend part in praier part in reading and ruminating the diuine Scripture These and the like words though deliuered with a harsh voice and a horride brow were not sufficient to terrify the constant Pachomius but rather as a litle water spurted on a great fyre enkindled such a flame in his breast as with much reuerence he most cheerfully affirmed that he felt in his mynd a firme beliefe that the diuine Goodnes by meanes of the intercession of the same Palemon whose life was a mirrour to all Mortalls would make him a disciple not vnworthy of so noble a Mayster From such perseuerance vnited with like piety the Anchoret now easily gathered that Pachomius had an extraordinary feeling and a manifest vocation of God Whereupon hauing now some confidence of a happy successe without more ado he admits him into his Cell and giues him his habit And from thence they began to liue together spending the greater part of the tyme in deuotions and the ◅est in twisting of Camels hayre and making of sacks and that not to pick out money for their owne profit but to relieue the poore with as the Apostle counsayles At night then in tyme of prayer and Psalmes if Palemon perceiued the disciple to be somewhat pressed with sleep taking him forth of his Cell with a basket in hand he would employ himselfe with him in carrying of heapes of sand to and fro vntill such tyme as the superfluous vapours of the body being dispersed by this meanes he might come to be prompt nimble againe and haue the spirit now throughly awaked and would besides be admonishing him saying be you sober and attentiue O Pachomius that you be not ouercaught by the Tempter and all our labours proue not to be in vayne But the seruent Nouice gaue not much occasion vnto spurs and incitements and the holy Father exulted in himselfe and glorifyed the Diuine Clemency to see him become euery day more obedient then other to see him more addicted to mortification and abstinence he not sparing in the meane while to go alwayes before him with a liuely and continuall example So as once vpon Easter day Pachomius to solemnize that Feast hauing dressed him a litle Oyle seasoned with salt when Palemon saw him to reach it to him suddaynely striking his forhead casting forth a deepe sigh with teares he sayd My Lord was put on the Crosse he was loaden with iniuryēs cuffs and buffets in his greatest thirst he was made to drinke both Vinegar and Gaule and shall I be pampered heere and be soothing my palate which oyled meates Nor with all the instance and intreatyes that Pachomius could vse by any meanes he would seeme to breake his Fast vn◅ll such tyme as that seasoned Oyle being taken away and some other brought him which was pure and simple in blessing it first with the signe of the Crosse and rendering most humble thankes to the high Creatour for it he finally fell to In such like acts Pachomius continually beheld himselfe as in a glasse and as from the excellency of the Mayster he was hourely encouraged more to follow the good so from others defects became he alwayes more