highest throne and thence conueighed with the same applause to the Souldiours tents Heere had he likewise the title of King afforded him with the greatest veneration and consent of all that possible might be For which benefit Geisa shewing himself to be no whit vngratful with ample donaryes with taking away the old aggreeuances with seattering of mony to the people and words of much courtesy continually obliged to him his sonne more more the harts of men and that which more imports was not behind to acknowledge the diuine goodnes with solemne sacrifice extraordinary yielding of thankes Through which in the space of a few dayes being oppressed with age with a great Catarh he dyed in the yeare of our Lord 997. and the new King as he had alwayes borne due reuerence in life to so worthy well deseruing a Father so ceased he not to performe the same after his death with deuout prayers and most sumptuous exequyes King Stephen makes peace with his Neighbours and seeks to pacify all at home but is resisted by one Cupa a Rebell whome he labours to suppresse Chap. 3. IN the meane tyme Saint Stephen applying himselfe with more liberty and exacter diligence to the gouerment the first thing he sought for was to haue the glory of God for his finall end in all his actions esteeming him euer to be no lesse a Censour and seuere Iudge then a benigne Father and bountifull rewarder And that by so much the more as he vnderstood of what importance the Example of a Prince was as well to the good direction as the ill gouerment and totall ruyne of his people And not to be at the same tyme distracted with internall and external cares and molestations and with the thoughts both of peace warre at once he earnestly laboured in the reestablishing of friendship and the Capitulations already concluded by his Father with his neighbours as well by Embassies as letters cutting off by this meanes likewise all hope of forraine succours to any male-content with the present State or who should othe◅ise be any wayes desirous of nouelty And forasmuch as he well vnderstood how the nerues and sinewes of empire and rule do principally consist in iustice as well towards God as to mortalls he trusting but litle in his owne knowledge would ordinarily recurre partly to the documēts of diuine scriptures wherin day and night he made himselfe very conuersant and partly to the counsayle of prudent and learned men such as feared God but especially of S. Adalbert who now perceiuing through diuine clemency and the valour of S. Stephen how well matters had proceeded in Hungary determined to passe ouer into other countryes more remote and which seemed to stand in more need of the light Taking then his leaue of the King though giuen with a very ill will he went his wayes with two choyce companions and no more towards Prussia where till that tyme had arriued no knowledge of the Ghospell Heere while he trauayles to deliuer the Pagans from the seruitude of the diuell from their ancient warlique exercises fierce customes of Barriers Tourneaments and the like vnto the knowledge of the true God and loue of Christian meekenes being taken by that wicked nation and tyed to a stake on the top of a high and steepy hill so transfixed with seauen launces was added to the merit of his preaching the palme of a glorious martyrdome In this interim S. Stephen ceased not also to how downe the woods and to cultiuate the deserts of that Gentility being resolued eyther to reduce all his subiects vnto the knowledge of the Creatour or in the enterprize to part with his Kingdome and life at once And for that a good part of that people being brought to be Christians rather to please the Prince and for terren ends and designes of theirs then through any deliberate consent stable will and many others by no meanes would seeme to admit of such māner of doctrine S. Stephen was enforced against his will to vse now then somewhat bitter and biting remedyes wherby he came to exasperate some Nobles in such sort as that shaking off the yo◅e of subiection partly despising the simplicity and partly hating the seuerity of the Euangelicall discipline they rose vp in armes agaynst him and in the lower Hungary began to wast rob and destroy the deuout places and persons there and such as were found to be most obedient to the name of Christ and of S. Stephen The Baron of Singia by name Cupa was the head and Captayne of the Seditious a man of exceeding power and greatly followed of many who a good while since hauing by indirect waies aspired to the Kingdome now taking occasion from these noueltyes went raysing vp the people in such sort as that what with large promises what with subtile calumnyes agaynst the persons of S. Stephen and Gheisa the Father and with horrible blasphemies agaynst the Religion brought in of new as enemy to the Gods and of their auncient ceremonies and institutes as also of the glory of the Hungarian name so alwayes mayntayned and augmented not by the way of bookes or of slouthlull ease but with hardy enterprises and expeditions of armes being not content with harrying the Champ̄enys boroughs and villages with in a few dayes he lifts vp his thorns to the assaulting euen of the walled townes nor doubts he awhit to the greater despite and contempt of the holy King to besiege the towne of Vesprinio it selfe being a Citty very especially beloued and fauoured of him Who at the first tydings of the rebellion hauing tryed with all possible meanes to temper the mynd of Cupa to winne the people and to quiet the tumults at last after many and earnest intreatyes gathering a full and competent army vnder the ensig◅es of S. Martin the glory of the Hungars and of S. George that renowned Martyr and marching along towards his Enemy he entrenches himselfe in Cupa his sight along the riuer of Gara Saint Stephen makes Vencellinus his Lieutenant Generall and giues battell to Cupa who is stayne And the Rebells being defeated the King ordaynes Bishoprickes Parishes and Monasteryes Chap. 4. SAint Stephen among other personages of quality had three noble Alman Lords with him very zealous Christians and exceeding expert in feates of Armes who from the first newes of the pious inclination of Ghiesa had volunta◅ily put themselues into his seruice to help and promote the holy Ghospell to their vtmost power One of these by name Vencellinus was by S. Stephen declared Lieutenant Generall of his forces between the other two Hun◅e and Pasna was the Cauallery or horse deuided while the charge of the Fantery or foote were distributed to excellent Collonells and Captaynes and as soone as the Souldiours had taken a little breath and repose S. Stephen was not slacke with great courage and good order to offer battayle to the perfidious Enemy Nor was Cupa
deportments but he escaped not free for so great iniustice He had an only sonne who through the example of the wicked Father being likewise bent to molest offend the Man of God within the terme of a yeare onely made a miserable End The matter succeeded in this sort It seemed good to S. Malachy for the increase of diuine worship to build an Oratory of stone worke as he had seene done in other countryes and the foundations now being layd those barbarous people fell a wondering thereat as at a thing very vnusuall with them But that malicious and proud yong man aboue the rest of whome we spake shewed not only with the others an admiration thereof but such rancour withall as he could not conteyne himselfe from murmuring heere and there agaynst the same and after he had with diuers instigations and calumnies endeauoured to stirre vp those people agaynst the Seruant of Christ at last comming with a shole of Townsmen vpon the heate of the busines and with a scornefull eye beholding S. Malachy Hold sayth he O you Syr what cappriccio is now come into your head to bring such a nouelty into our house We are in Ireland not in France What a lenity is this What need is there of such a sump◅uous and proud worke Where haue you meanes to finish it poore thing as you are Who shall euer see it come to the roofe It is surely the tricke of a mad man to set hand to a worke so beyond his compasse Hold hold your hand Desist from a vanity so great or otherwise shall we make you giue ouer nor will we suffer you to go forward by any meanes about such a building impossible to be brought to perfection In which words the hayr◅brayne and rash man came to discouer his wicked intention without once reflecting on his small forces Forasmuch as his followers in whome he confided so much as soone as they came in sight of the venerable Bishop being suddenly chaunged in hart returned home to their houses that impious seditious and wretched Leader being quite aboandoned as he deserued To whome with Fortitude and Meroy withall the man of God answered Thou miserable wretch this worke which thou heere seest begunne and beholdest with an ill countenance shall be finished without doubt and many shall see it accomplished But thou because thou hast no will thereunto shalt neuer see it And looke you to it least Death surprize you not in your sinne So S. Malachy sayd so fell it out He dyed and the worke was finished but he saw it not because as we sayd he dyed the very same yeare Now the Father of that wicked wretch hauing known of the Saints prediction he hath kild sayth he my sonne and was so incensed agaynst him for it as in the presence of the Captayne and of the Chiefe of the Country there he had no respect to him a whit but called him Enuious hollow-harted and a meere Cosener and lastly for a greater spight termed him a Moncky To which bitter contumelies the follower of Christ answered not a word But yet the great God would not seeme to hold his peace throgh whose will on that very day that impious wretch being seized on by an infernall spirit and cast into the fire was by his friends very hardly taken forth from thence with his lymmes all burnt with his wits crackt with his face awry foaming as the mouth sending forth such horrible cryes framing such strange gestuures of the body as put a terrour into euery one and many togeather had much a do to hold him Heerupon Saint Malachy was called to the spectacle and with wonted clemency making his prayer for him was heard but not to the full Because that in chastisement and memory of the offence committed agaynst the holy Father he had after that euen to this day certayne grieuous fits which at changes of the Mooue doe most bitterly afflict him S. Malachy lights on a treasure to build with the medell was presented to him in a vision Together with his gift of Prophesy Chap. 24. REturne we now to the building for which in truth S. Malachy had no manner of meanes at all eyther little or much but yet felt in his hart a certayne firme confidence in God Wherof he was not a whit deceiued since our Lord perceiuing this Seruant of his not to go founding himselfe in treasures any wayes by him purchased made him to light vpon one within the scituation it selfe neuer touched or knowne till that very hower S. Malachy then seemed to find in the purse of God what he could not haue found in his ownes and that worthily truly For what was more reasonable then for him to haue the coffer in common with God who had nothing proper of his owne While he in fine that hath a liuely fayth hath all the riches of the world And what els is the world but an inexhanstible Banck of the diuine Clemency The whole circuit of the world is myne sayth he and whatsoeuer is conteyned therin And hence it is that S. Malachy discouered those moneys not disposing the or laying them vp but exposing them indeed ordeyning so large a donary of the Creatour should wholy without sparing a whit be spent in the seruice of the Creatour and so much the rather as by a passed Reuelation he knew that Edifice to be acceptable to his diuine Maiesty Because that hauing first before he once set hand vnto it conferred the intent with his Domestiques and finding them somwhat dubious by reason of the charges he gaue himselfe to prayer to find out by that meanes the will of God therupon When returning one day from a certayne Pilgrimage which he made being now somewhat neare to the place designed he lifted vp his eyes and behold he seemed to discerne a very goodly Oratory of stone and of excellent workman ship withall regarding the scite the former cōposition therof impressed the same in his fantasy with that tenacity as the thing being cōmunicated with some few of his owne disciples of the more ancient sort of them he gaue beginning to the building finished with such diligence the scite the modell and prorportion with all the circumstances by degrees as the plot came iust to answere the fold as if he also with Moyses had heard See you do all according to the plat-forme which was ◅hewed you in the mountayne He had afterwards a like vision to this of that other Oratory which he built in a place called Sabelline sauing that he saw the fashion not only of the Oratory there but euē of the whole Monastery like wise These said manifestations were of material and sensible things But that which now we shall set downe was of an edifice meerely spirituall S. Malachy passing a long by a certayne Citty and a great multitude concurring thither to meete with him by chaunce he discouered among the troupes a yong man very curious to view him who
precious He cast downe doth raygne Aboue the Sphaeres And we from him may know Heau'ns high way lyes not through the world below THE LIFE OF S. ANTONY ABBOT Taken out S. Athanasius from S. Hierome Palladius and others The Genius and disposition of S. Antony with his Vocation and Renuntiation of the world Chap. 1. SAINT ANTONY of Aegypt that glorious Conquerour of himselfe and triumpher of the Princes and powers of darknes was borne in the confines of Heraclea in a place called of Sozomenus by the name of Coma and by Nychephorus Conia a variety sprung peraduenture from the errour of the Copyers and so it is to be thought since Coma in the Greeke tongue doth signify a Bourg and therefore it is a common opinion of some that eyther of both the Authours had so written But howsoeuer it be it appeares very well that S. Anthony from the first beginning was destined to high enterprizes since Nature Education and grace haue concurred with so liberall a hand to fauour and adorne him He had an able and liuely temperature of body an aspect both graue and pleasant a sacacious iudgement a memory tenacious a witt docible acute and constant Besides he was bred of Christian parents very honourable with singular care and custody and with so much the greater facility as the Child of his owne accord being much aliened from childish sports and profane studies shewed him selfe most amorous of silence and of Churches attentiue to the word of God content with simple fare and without any delicacies To such matters and addresses as these the holy Ghost added the forme and the ornaments which presently we shall see For that indeed in the most dangerous passage of his age which was of 18. or 20. being left an OrphaÌ„ with one Sister only certaine things began to come into his mynd which formerly he had heard or read of the Counsayles of Christ of the conuersation of his disciples and of the meruailous feruour of the primitiue Church at such tyme as the faythfull replenished with charity selling their houses and liuings and whatsoeuer els they possessed in the world went voluntarily bringing the price thereof and laying the same at the feete of the Apostles Considering withall the inestimable rewards wherewith for the same they were to be recompenced in Heauen These thoughts went S. Antony reuoluing in his mind when as it happened through diuine disposition being entred into a TeÌ„ple according to custome he heard in the very same instant these words of the Ghospell recited Si vis perfectus esse vade vende omnia quaecumque habes da pauperibus veni sequere me habebis thesaurum in caelo The words were not sung to a deafe man they suddenly pierced with extraordinary feeling vnto the marrow 〈◊〉 Wherupon the Sacrifiec being ended he returned home from theÌ„câ—… without delay and gaue liberally the rents of his Patrimony to his kindred which were 300. acres of very fertill land as S. Athanasuâ—…s affirmes to whose Greeke text I do particularly adhere though others haue accompted it for some 300. trees of fruitfull Palmes and this to auoyd all manner of contention For the moueables he put them to sale and taking from thence a summe of money distributed the same to the poore reseruing to himselfe but a very small part for necessities occurring and especially for his Sisters sake But within litle after being returned to the Church and hearing that other aduise of the chiefe Verity Nolite cogitare de crastino with a generous resolution he made an end of selling the rest and placing the child his Sister in the company of some noble and deuout Virgins he distributed the rest that remayned to the poore Thence leauing his house and parents being replenished with singular confidence he made his entry into the sharpe way of perfect Vertue At that tyme there were not on foote so many Monasteryes in Egipt as were afterwards to be seene and in the Deserts which were more remote none can remember that euer any one inhabited till that tyme But he that would with particular study giue himselfe to diuine Seruice and attend to the saluation of his soule for the most recollected himselfe into some little Lodging neare to his country and there would exercise and apply himselfe with sundry meanes to pacify the heauenly wrath to amend his manners to prepare himselfe for death The holy youth hauing got some notice of one of these Exeâ—…citants being now of good yeares and wel experienced disposed himselfe to do as much And likewise sequestring himselfe from the conuersation of seculars began first to deale with him and afterwards with others froÌ„ time to tyme such as dayly he discouered to be addicted to that manner of life and not for curiosity to know sundry inclinations of natures or features of faces but with diligence only to obserue the industryes and vertuous qualityes of all and in ech one to imitate whatsoeuer might seeme more admirable in him and so like a wise Bee for the framing of his misticall hony in visiting them at tymes and shewing himselfe officious obsequious and obedient to them he went on with a great deale of iudgment collecting abstinence from hence thence affability from one dexterity in conuersation from another vigilancy in praying from this heere patience and meekenes from him there sharpe penance and mortification and from all together a feare of God and christian charity to his Neighbour And it is truly a thing worthy of note that he contending so with euery one to his power in so noble an enterprize would be doing the same with such circumspection and with so much sweetnes as not only he was free from rancour and enuy but likewise highly beloued and esteemed of euery one And moreouer now hauing made the renunciation of his goods and hauing nothing to susteyne himselfe he would not liue with the sweat of other mens browes but would giue some tyme to the labour of his hands of the price which he purchased with his trauells reteyning onely to himselfe so much as might suffice him for a little bread he would diuide the rest with very great charity among the poore S. Anthony is twice tempted by the euill Spirits but reiects them both Chap. 2. TO so fayre a beginning and so happy a progresse the subtile cruell Enemy of human kind opposeth himselfe vsing all art and framing euery engin to withdraw the new souldiour from his glorious purposes First he beginnes on the one side to reduce into his mynd his parentall inheritance the commodity and delights of his home his nobility of bloud with the hope of new purposes On the other the streight way of vertue the frailty of flesh the difficulty of pennances especially in the spatiousnes of a long life which with apparent reasons he would seeme to make him promise to himselfe He added moreouer the due sollicitude of his kindred particularly of the virgin
strictnes of â—…ligation we haue to God He truly is our lawâ—…full Lord and we â—…s naturall vassayles and slaues Now then as a slaue dares neâ—…r to matter thus much and say I haue laboured yesterday in ough â—…o day therefore I will do nothing No but day by day as the â—…ospell sayth still shew forth the selfe-same promptnes which he â—…d before presuming not at all vpon his passed toyles nor thinke â—…ereby to be idle eyther now nor heerafter to the end he â—…ight conserne himselfe in grace with his Mayster and not to be â—…ust out of his seruice so likewise should we euery day be encouâ—…ging ech other to Religious Discipline assuring ourselues that 〈◊〉 we cease from working one day only we shall not obtayne reâ—…ission in vertue of any former seruices done but shall be punished â—…ther for this dayes demerits For so sayd the Prophet Ezechiel That â—…ter death euery one shall beiudged according to the state he shall then be â—…nd in And Iudas also for his ill carrage if I might so say of one â—…ght onely did loose the fruite of all his yeares for passed So as attend we my children to the true Obseruation of our Ruâ—…s and not suffer our selues to be vanquished with tediousnes as knowing that according to the Apostle Our Lord is not backward whit to cooperate with him that hath a good will and endeauours to help 〈◊〉 selfe It shall likewse auay le vs not a little to chase away Slouth carry alwayes in the memory that saying of the Apostle himseâ—… Quotidie morior And if we likewise would be alwayes thinâ—… with ourselues that this present day were to be our last a wakâ—… in the morning we would but suppose not to arriue to the Eueniâ—… and agayne being layd downe at night not promise to our seâ—… to liue till morning If we would regard how vncertayne theâ—… is and how the diuine Prouidence seemes to measure and numâ—… our steps how it hath continually the Eyes vpon vs we shoâ—… certainely not sinne nor sufferre our selues to be carryed awâ—… with vnbrideled desires nor should we be angry with our Neiâ—… bour nor giue our selues to lay vp treasure in earth but we sheâ—… hubly yeild to others in all through out should abhore all 〈◊〉 suall pleasures as a lewd and transitory thing remayning alwayâ—… with our wits about vs with the Eyes turned towards the Tâ—… bunall where we are all to be iudged And after this manner sâ—… the feare of euerlasting torments be of more power to extinguiâ—… then the delicatenes of the flesh to enflame the desires of the 〈◊〉 man And with such a Stay shall the Soule sustayne it selfe thâ—… enclining already to a miserable precipice S. Antony proceeds yet in his Exhortation And giues them other 〈◊〉 sides Chap. 7. NOw therefore beginning a new as if to day we but enâ—… into the way of Perfection let vs enforce our selues to arâ—… to the End and let no man turne his face to looke back as diâ—… wife of Lot especially our Lord hauing said so expressely Thâ—… soeuer hauing once set his band to the plough should turne his face to heed 〈◊〉 remaynes behind were not apt for the heauenly kingdome And this 〈◊〉 back is nothing els then for a man to repent himselfe of his goâ—… beginning to returne yet agayne to wordly thoughts actiâ—… But some peraduenture may be affrighted with the name of veâ—… Go to then yet let it not seeme strange or impossible since â—…ey 〈◊〉 is it farre from vs or extrinsecall to vs but rather within vs and 〈◊〉 matter is easy to him that truly disposeth himselfe to seeke it 〈◊〉 Let the Grecians and other profane Louers of themselues go thâ—… wayes to seeke it out in forren Prouinces let them plough the â—…as crosse mountaynes runne ouer the playnes countries For â—…s there is no need to make any voyages for it by sea or land since â—…at as the Prime Verity affirmes The Kingdome of Heauen is with in vs. â—…n so much as to obteyne the same supposing the diuine Grace as â—…nclined to all on our parts there requires no more theÌ„ a meere effiâ—…acious will For so much as looke when the superiour part of the â—…oule should be reduced to its naturall state it would come to â—…aue in it selfe a solid and formall vertue indeed since the naturall â—…ate seemes to be nothing els but the great rectitude much goodâ—…es wherein it was framed by the soueraygne Creatour And hence it was that the captayne Iesus Naue sayd to the Heâ—…rew people Direct your hart to the Lord of Israel And S. Iohn Baptist â—…o you rectify your wayes Because it is proper to the nature of a Soule â—…o haue no wrinesse or crookednes in it But wheÌ„ it goes bending to â—…his or that side then looseth it the naturall rectitude that benâ—…ing so is worthily termed malice From whence may appeare â—…hat the enterprise is not so bad as it seemes For that if we with â—…he helpe of our Lord but conserue ourselues such as we were fraâ—…ed by him we may come without more a do to possesse Vertue â—…ut if through election we adhere to the euill we do voluntarily â—…ecome wicked If then the matter be not to be sought for elsewhere but only consists in our selues let vs beware of vncleane cogitations and since from God we haue receyued our soule as in â—…posito let vs so deale that in his time he may acknowledge his own workemanship in vs and find the soule to be such as himselfe had â—…ormed at first Let vs fight manfully that we be not tirannized by wrath nor yet ouerswayd with concupiscence While it is written The anger of â—…a man workes not the iustice of God and concupiscence after its conception doth bring forth sinne and sinne being put in effect beâ—…gets death Let vs then be circumspect in the gouernement of our selues and stand we alwayes vpon our ward and as the sacred Scripture aduiseth vs let vs guard our hart withal the warynes that may be because though our enemyes on the one side be infeebled and deiected notwithstanding on the other are they very sagacious great dissemblers and most subtle withall and as the holy Apostle well notes Non est nobis colluctatio aduersus carmen sanguinem sed aduersus principatus potestates aduersus mundi rectores tenebrarum harum contra spiritualia nequitiae in caelestibus Great is their number in this lower region of the ayre nor are they in truth farre off from vs They are likewise very different from ech other in nature and species of which differences surely might a long discourse be had but being a matter so litle necessary to our present purpose worthy of a more sublime vnderstanding then mine is It shall suffice me for this tyme to touch that only which more imports vs to wit the fraudes and stratagemes which those maligne substances do worke to the
the care of others as to be any whit vnmindfull of himselfe but rather assoone as could be in imtation of Christ leauing the multitude he would retire himself to prayer and solitude Nor was the sweetnes of friends or power of Princes able to withdraw him from such manner of obseruance To which purpose we are not to passe ouer in silence how a certayne Captayne after he had visited him being willing to entertayne him further in discourse he gently excused himselfe with that similitude of Fishes so renowned afterwards and brought into a Prouerbe that euen as those remaining on the land giue ouer and dye so Monkes abiding too much with Seculars do loose the feruour of the spirit with which comparison the Captayne was well satisfyed though much grieued the while to be seuered from him But what great matter may it seeme that S. Antonyes friendship should so be desired of Rulers or Prefects of some Prouinces only since we see it sought for no lesse of very Monarkes themselues and of the Emperours of the world It is a knowne thing how Constantinus Augustus and the Princes his sonnes Constans and Constantius sent him letters as to a Father intreating him to vouchsafe to send them greeting and good counsayle but he was so alienate from worldly fauours and so abhorred he euery least apparence of vanity as he was vpon the point not to accept the Epistles sent saying to the Monkes to whome it seemed to be some great honour to be so courteously greeted by the Caesars Why meruayle you that a King should write to a man Nay wonder rather the immortall God should write so his law to mortals yea euen speake to them face to face by meanes of his only begotten Sonne The magnanimous Abbot then as we haue sayd within a litle had refused to receiue the letters at least he was resolued not to answere them at all if through the prayers of his Monkes and scruple which would arise of litle Edification he had not been enforced in a manner to write backe as he did first with praysing those Lords for the sayth they professed then exhorting thē to make no great reckoning of their present greatnes but to haue alwayes the future Iudgement in mynd to acknowledge Christ only for the true and eternall King he concluded lastly in persuading them to be courteous and benigne and to haue speciall care of the poore and of Iustice. Which aduises were receyued of the Emperour and Princes with great ioy and confolation This was the credit and reputation whereto the Seruant of Chist euen in his tyme was arriued surmounting the Enuy and detraction of the world and the same not so much through same of great learning or of extraordinary Eloquence or of Bookes ◅ut forth to light or of any of those arts which are in price with ◅he world as through a sanctity of manners only and by the grace of God who is delighted to exalt the humble to manifest such as are willing to hide themselues and withall to giue the world to vnderstand how the diuine precepts and counsayles are not impossible to those that will disentangle themselus and walke couragiously in the way of vertues But be this sufficiently sayd for the present of the glorious acts and rare parts of S. Antony rather as intimated to the faythfull only then any wyse explicated as they deserue And now remaines it for vs to touch somewhat of his Death that to him was a sweet and blessed Birth-day S. Antony being now come to the end of his dayes presageth his death With his happy departure out of this life Chap. 22. THe holy Old man was now arriued to the age of one hundred and fiue yeares old with a great ability of body He wāted not a tooth though his gumms indeed were somwhat fallē He had his sight very excellent good hauing his eyes yet sound and quite without blemish his feete and armes he had still very actiue and that which is more to be merueyled at was this that notwithstanding he was so giuen from his childhood to Fastings Vigils Solitudes Cloysters with other of the sharpest penances that are without shifting as we sayd aboue his garments or euer bathing himself he had yet so fresh and fayre a skynne as if he had beene alwayes trayned vp in feasts and banquets stoues and baths and other addresses of human delicacyes In this state had he an interiour feeling in himselfe of the speedy approach of his last dayes Wherupon going forth againe from the in most part of the wildernes to reuisite and comfort the Conuents abroad and causing the Brothers to be assembled together as to a Congregation he cleerly spake to them in this sort This is the last visit and surely is it much that in this present life we haue enioyed one another so long But now it is tyme at last that I goe my wayes For I haue liued in the world my part already The disciples in hearing this beganne to weep and to giue very deare imbraces and holy kisses of peace to their Mayster Who being now very glad to go forth of this exile and to passe into his Countrey in the meane while he went about to put them in mynd that they would not suffer the trauayles of Religion to seeme tedious to them but dayly seeme to expect death that they endeauour to keep the soule from vncleane thoughts that they purpose to imitate the manners of Saints and wholy fly the cōmerce of Schismatiques and Heretiques not suffering themselues to bend this way or that way through feare of Magistrates or Princes whose forces are but little and not durable With these and other such like aduises making an Epilogue as it were of the rest he tooke leaue of his children who vsing all violence to reteine him there that they might be receiuing his last spirit they could not procure the fauour as well for many respects which he cōcealed as principally to auoyd a certayne abuse which the Egiptians had to conserue with some art or other the bodyes of persons of quality vpon certaine beds in performing their wonted Exequies indeed en wrapping them after their manner in sheetes but yet auoyding to put them vnder the ground as a thing wholy vnworthy of them Now was this abuse alwayes very much displeasing to S. Antony and he had been reprehending the people for it at sundry tymes and intreated the Bishops often to remedy the same alleadging that euen from the auncient Prophets themselues were seen to bee sepulchers extant yea that the body of Christ our Lord himselfe had beene put in to a Monument and was couered with a great stone who arose the third day With which examples howbeyt already he had reduced many persons to bury their dead yet neuerthelesse knowing the custome and inclination of that people he would not trust the multitude with his spoyles but retiring himselfe into his Cell from whence had he departed within few months
cautious to beware the euill The iudgement of God shewed vpon a Monke S. Pachomius founds a Monastery and Palemon dyes Chap. 3. AN audacious Monke but ill founded in the knowledge of himselfe and human frailty came on a tyme to see Palemon and Pachomius while they had made by chaunce a very good fyre after he had sate downe with them a pretty while entertayning themselues with spirituall discourses arising on a sudden sayd to Palemon if you and your disciple haue true Fayth shew me heere some Euangelicall experience thereof and make your prayer heere barefoote vpon these burning coales Palemon reprehending him for it and aduising him not to suffer himselfe to be deceyued so by the enemy he puffed vp with greater pride and presumption went voluntarily vpon the Coales and the Diuine Maiesty permitting it so the Diuell had power to preserue him without hurt at all Whereupon that miserable Wretch with malapert insolency vpbrayding Palemon and Pachomius with saying where was their fayth went his wayes very proud from thence But it was not long ere he payd very soundly for it For first being deluded by the ancient Aduersary with lasciuious shapes and therupon very grieuously strooke and afflicted he repayred agayne after some dayes to Palemon with sighes confessing his errour saying Know that I am vndon for not hauing obeyed you and now I do pray you to succour me with your prayers for that I stand in great daunger to be slayne of the infernall Enemy The wretch was yet a speaking and Palemon and Pachomius a weeping for compassion when lo on a sudden the deuill assaults him takes him out of the Cell and like a sauage beast chà sing him a good while through the Crags and Mountaynes finally in the Citty which is called Pun tooke away his wits so as he cast himselfe headlong into a fornace of a bath where suddaynely he dyed S. Pachomius being admonished with these so horrible strauÌ„ge accidents from thence learned to feare the Iudgment of God and to re-enforce the guard vpon his hart by resisting the appetites brideling anger and the other passions and endeauouring to found himselfe by all meanes in true humility Besides when he read or recited any things of the sacred scripture he posted not in hast as many are wont but tasting and ruminating the sentences precepts one by one he sought to deriue profit from them and to serue the Highest with fit attention Being often sent barfoote to make wood in a certayne forrest very full of sharpe thornes while he â—…elt his flesh to be torne and wounded he would be suffering all the dolours thereof with alacrity in remembring the Nayles which pierced the sacred feete and hands of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus continually treating with God in those solitary places would he pray for himselfe and for all human kind that he might be preserued from the snares of the common Aduersary In summe with these manner of Exercises was he arriued to such a point of perfection as the Maister himselfe remayned much comforted and astonished thereat It happened to him afterwards on a tyme by a certayne occasion to arriue at the Iland and Towne of Tabenna where being in a long and profound Prayer he heard a vovce to say to him Pachomius stay heere and set vp a Monastery in this place because many shall come vnto thee with desire to be saued whome thou shalt guide according to the instruction which I shall giue thee And with this an Angell appeared and gaue him a Table wherein the same Institute was conteyned which for many ages afterwards the Monks of Tabenna obserued Then Pachomius with the discretion of spirits which he had purchased very cleerely perceiued that as well the vision as the Rule was a heauenly thing and receiuing the same with great ReuereÌ„ce he went to his Mayster and communicated the whole with him beseeching him to be pleased to put to his helping hand in the execution of what had beene ordeyned him by the Angell And though Palemon otherwise would very vnwillingly haue left his auncient Cell notwithstanding to comfort so good and vertuous a disciple he was perswaded to go thither and they both set vp there a poore habitation in forme of a Monastery But it was not long ere Palemon being now spent partly with old age and partly with maceration of the body arriued to the end of his dayes and Pachomius as in life he had alwayes obeyed and serued him with exquisite diligence so after death with extraordinary feeling buryed him with his owne hands with a great deale of Lamentation but not without Canticles and Hymnes A Brother of S. Pachomius ioynes himselfe with him in his manner of lyfe and what followed Chap. 4. AFter this a naturall Brother of S. Pachomius becomming a Christian and called by the name of Iohn being likewise touched with a laudable desire of a perfect life came to seeke him and to inhabite with him They remayned full fifteene yeares together continually exercising themselues in acts of religion pennance At the end wherof while now it seemed to Pachomiuhs it would not be long ere that came to effect which had been promised him of the multiplication of Monkes he began anew to enlarge the dwelling to be able to receiue them all This fact of his was displeasing to Iohn and as he who was the elder in yeares and perhappes knew not or not fully belieued what was signifyed to Pachomius from Heauen esteemed such a building to be against Pouerty and therfore reprehended his Brother somewhat bitterly for it saying he should cease from committing such follyes so to seeke to enlarge himselfe more then needed To which words though he answered nothing yet did he in wardly thinke vpon the and after hauing some remorse at such a thought retyring himselfe at night in the new building he puts himselfe into bitter Laments and turning himselfe to God with great dolour cryed out in this manner Alas that the prudence of the world should be yet continually raigning in me I am still a carnall man and after so many yeares of Religious warfarre doe I yet suffer my selfe to be vanquished by wrath vnder a colourable pretext of good Mercy Lord least I vtterly perish because that if thou establish me nor in thy patience and that the Enemy come to find somewhat of his in me I shall be subiect to him since it is written That if any one but fayle in one he is made guilty of all I belieue thy benignity is exceeding great help me Lord I shall walke in the way of thy Elect aduauncing my self alwaies forward forgetting quite what remaines behind Euen as they likewise through thy grace haue done to their euerlasting prayse and crowne but to the great affliction and vtter confusion of the aduersary otherwise how shall I be able to instruct those whome thou saydst thou wouldst giue me in charge if first I shall not subdue the passions
into prayer then blessing a litle oyle with the preface of the Exorcisme and taking hold of the tongue of the dumbe Creature with his fingar he dropped a litle of that holy liquour vpon it not without present effect Because the Girle being demaunded what was her Fathers name suddenly answered thereunto very readily Whereat the sayd Father lifting vp his voyce with ioy teares at once very deerly imbraced the knees of the Man of God affirming this to be the first word that he had euer heard his daughter speake who afterwards with the vniuersall wonder of all reteyned still the vse of her speach And this truly was vpon one alone but that which now we shall tell you concerned many together For there being entred into the family of a principall man by name Licontius a kind of disease so grieuous and contagious withall as that throughout the whole howse there was nothing to be seen heere and there but the sick to lye vp and downe without hope or strength Licontius for a last refuge craued succour of S. Martyn by letters to whome the blessed man answered it would be a very difficult thing to do forseeing in spirit that the scourge of God was ouer that howse and yet notwithstanding for compassion he disposed himself to pacify by all meanes the heaueÌ„ly wrath and retiring himselfe he continued in fasting and cilices for seaueÌ„ whole nights and dayes together with so feruent prayer as finally he obteined what he would Wherupon Licontius being exceedingly comforted went flying in hast with a thousand thanks to bring â—…e good newes to S. Martyn And offered him moreouer a hundred â—…unds of siluer Which the holy Bishop neyther refused nor altoâ—…ether accepted but with a meane betweene both not suffering â—…e same to enter into the gates of his Monastery applied it sudainly 〈◊〉 the ransome of Captiues When it being suggested to him by the â—…oÌ„ks to retayne some part therof for the necessityes of the house which at that tyme was in some distresse he answered that the orâ—…nary assignement of his Church was sufficient for that purpose This cure wrought S. Martin and many others of sundry infirâ—…ityes as weâ—… in presence as in absence But what wonder is it â—…at he should haue power vpon humane bodyes who had so much â—…ower ouer spirits This is certaine the possessed being brought to â—…e Cathedrall Church to be deliuered by him assoone as he put but â—…s foote forth of his Cell to come to the Citty they would begin to â—…hreech with horrid gestures and houlings full of dreadfulnes to â—…ehold insomuch as the Clerks with this signe only were wont to â—…nderstand before hand of the Bishops comming thither And he beâ—…des not as other Exorcists are wont who through force of threats â—…nd cryes vse to cast out Deuils but being sprinckled with ashes with wearing sharpe cilices with prostrating himselfe on the grouÌ„d â—…nd with the armes of holy prayer withall would mayster them Nor yet let any thinke the while that among so many graces from Heauen that S. Martin was wholy without the Gift of Prophecy â—…lso Forasmuch as diuers accidents being farre remote in tyme â—…lace were manifested to him partly immediately from God partâ—…y also through the ministery as hath beene sayd of the Angels Of which and of many other meruayles besides for breuity sake vntouched by vs whosoeuer would seeme to haue a more distinct â—…otice let him read Sulpitius Seuerus in his Dialogues howbeyt he also not to be tedious confesseth that of purpose he had concealed 〈◊〉 great part of them But now it is tyme in fine for vs to come to the last act of this representation certainely no lesse notable or lesse perfect then the others but so much more worthy of applause as it more assures vs of the reward The Death of S. Martin with the Lamentation made by all the great 〈◊〉 for his Body Chap. 20. THE blessed Man was now arriued to the 81. yeare or as others will haue it to the 87. of his age when through diuine reuelation he himselfe knew that his end approached and cleerely foretold it to his disciples But yet for all that continued he his wonted deuotions and abstinences and diligently attended to his pastorall office And because in those dayes there fell out a scandalous discord among the Clerks of a certayne place which is called Candacum he determined in person to go thither to quiet them esteeming he could not more happily end his life then by leauing all his Churches in good peace and concord Being gone then thither and with diuine grace hauing setled matters he was now ready to turne backe to his Monastery agayne when he began to feele in himselfe some notable defect of forces and therefore gathering his disciples togeather he told them how his Tabernacle was now ready to be dissolued whence of necessity he must needs leaue them When lo amidst very dolefull sighes and teares there was raysed this common voyce amongst them saying And why do you leaue vs so holy Father To whome do you recommend vs so disconsolate and afflicted The rauenous wolues will assayle your flocke and the Shepheard being lost who is he that can defend vs We know very well you desire to go to Christ but your rewards are safe inough and guerdons which differred a while are not lessened a whit then take you pitty on vs rather who remayne in such manifest danger The Seruant of Christ being mollifyed at these words could not conteyne himselfe from weeping but with great affect turning himselfe to Heauen sayd O Lord if I yet be necessary to this people I fly no labour thy most holy will be done Wherein being as it were put in ballance he shewed 〈◊〉 knew not which of the two was deerest to him eyther to remaine on earth for Christ or to leaue the earth for Christ. Wherein he gaue example to the faythfull how in such prayers they are not to encline with desire eyther to the one or other side but a with reall and simple indifferency to remit themselues in all and through all to the diuine arbitrement The good Bishop for some dayes now was tormented with a â—…uell feuer and yet neuerthelesse continued he night and day in â—…editation and vigils susteyning with the vehemency of his spirit â—…e weakenes of his body lying so in that his soft and delicate bed 〈◊〉 ashes and hayrecloth when being with much instance intreaâ—…d by his Monkes to suffer at least some vile â—…ackloth to lye vnder â—…im It is not fit sayd he O children that a Christian should seeme 〈◊〉 dye otherwise then vpon ashes and if I giue you not example â—…ereof the fault is mine This sayd he turned with his face vpwards to cast vp his eyes and hands to the starres In which posiâ—…on now immoueable lying as drawing to his end he was vâ—…ry â—…rnestly intreated by the Priests who in great number were â—…ome to visit him to turne
and glory to giue S. Theodosius a distinct accompt of all that dayes worke with immortall thankes Many other apparitions are recompted of this diuine Man 〈◊〉 heertofore of S. Nicolas By meanes wherof heere one at sea very happily escapes out of cruell tempeâ—…s and heere another in the land from sauage beasts and some from this perill and some from that There are likewise told diuers predictions of his whence 〈◊〉 appeares how eminent he was in the spirit of Prophesy But setting apart such like graces being common with men sometymes 〈◊〉 no good life my pen more willingly conuerts it selfe to the 〈◊〉 discourse of his religious Vertue The Humility and Patience of the Man of God especially in his extremity 〈◊〉 sicknes And how sweetly he gaue vp the Ghost Chap. 8. AMong the vertues of this Venerable man the sollicitude 〈◊〉 had of manteyning continuall peace and true concord between his Subiects not deserued the least place And this â—…are 〈◊〉 his so boyled in his breast as that when any of them by soâ—… accident had broken any friendship betweene them if by no other meanes he could not peece and reunite them agayne he would not stick to cast himselfe downe at their feeâ—…e and to pray and coniure ech part so long as that being mollifyed with tendernes and confounded with shame deposing all rancour they became reconciled to ech other From whence may likewise be gathered how great was the humility of the holy man most worthy of admiratioÌ„ were it only for this that by such acts he lost no reputation but rather how much greater contempt he shewed of himselfe he waâ—… so much the more esteemed and reuerenced by othes With this submission of his was the vertue of Patience seene 〈◊〉 march hand in hand with him being a safe buckler and secure 〈◊〉 of the souldiours of Christ against the hoat and furious assaulâ—… of the ancient aduersary Of which kind of aimes how 〈◊〉 the Man of God would be helping himselfe he notably 〈◊〉 in his extreme age Because that being oppressed throughâ—… most grieuous infirmity which made him more then a yeare to keep his bed with most sharpe dolours yet for all that he fayled not of his in ward peace nor yet for sâ—…ew his accustomed prayer and familiarity with God And they affirmed who assisted him day night â—…hat in the greatest extremity of all and fury of his fits he did nothing or sayd any word vn worthy of Christian magnanimity or of his former behauiour But euen rather the said assistants auerre That a certaine venerable old man being come to visit him and through compassion bidding him pray to God to deliuer him of so great affliction and he should easily be heard with no pleasing countenance contrary â—…o custome he answered thus Of charity Father speake not to me â—…ny more in this manner for as often as such thoughts haue come â—…nto my mind I euer held them as suggestions of the enemy with all endeauour haue expelled them from me discoursing in this manner with my selfe that to abate the pride that may arise in me from the credit which God hath plesed to giue me on earth these â—…gonyes and humiliations are to very good purpose And what share trow you are we like to haue in the consolations of the Eâ—…ernity if in this short space or rather moment of tyme we suffer â—…ot some manner of affliction In truth Father we needs must resolue to suffer at this present if we would not worthily be vpâ—…rayded with these words herafter Recepisti bona tua in vita tua Thus S. Theodosius spake and the Monke admiring and touched withal went his wayes In the meane tyme the Man of God feeling himselfe to decay more and more calling at last his sad disciples to his Cell with his owne and their great feeling he exhorted them to perseuere in their vocation and stoutly to resist all temptations and aboue all to maynteyne faythfull and prompt Obedience to whome soeuer with lawful election should come to succed him in the gouerment Moreouer very humbly calling for three of the Bishops of those countryes and communicating with them some things of importance for the publique seruice in the presence of them and of all the Monkes in teares he alone being ioyfull and glad hauing with diligence procured already all things necessary for such a presage did lift vp his eyes and hands to heauen and then decently â—…sting them on his breast without any difficulty yeilded vp his spirit being now of 105. yeares old And it pleased our Lord that a man possessed of an ill spirit who till that tyme could neuer be deliuered from so great a calamity now finally casting himselfe downe with many teares and bitter sighes on the couch of the Saint at the first touch of the venerable Reliques but yet more tormented then euer in the presence of as many as were there was freed and secure from that 〈◊〉 tyranny The blessed Pope Hormisda had the care of the Vniuersall Church at that tyme though others according to S. Cyrill would haue him to haue arriued to the tymes of Pope Agapitus that is to the yeare 536 and in particular of Hierusalem in the tyme of the Patriarch Peter who at the first aduertisement of the departure of S. Theodosius came in hast to the Monastery while an infinite number of people of all parts came likewise in to obtayne some shâ—…ed of the Garment or Capuch of the blessed man or at least to comâ—… neare him and contemplate more freely on those chast lymmes of his which had beene such efficacious instruments of the high Crâ—…tour Whereupon to satisfy the pious desire of the multitude the sacred corps of force remayned vnburyed vntill such tyme as the throng being somewhat ceased he was by his deerest most denoted friends with teares and sighes deposed in the bosome of the coÌ„mon Mother from thence to arise agayne at the sound of the last trumpet with the other Elect most glorious and resplendant for all Eternity FINIS S. BENET ABBOT THE ARGVMENT LOoke how the Rosy Daughter of the morne The Starre that glads ech mortall with its sight Leauing at first old Titans bed forlorne About the Spheres doth cast her Crimsom light Roses and Lillyes hurling through the skye Quenching the starres with rayes from thence that fly So glorious was thy morning so bright rayes Thy tender yeares did lighten and foretold The heauenly Sunshine of thy riper dayes Dispelling darkenesse and inflaming cold And senselesse hearts with fire of holy loue And drawing all to seeke the ioyes aboue Thou taughtst the way remouing obstacles That as they rise depresse our mounting soules Thy doctrine thou confirmdst with miracles And heau'n by thee both Death and Hell controules If Starre or Angell bring Heau'ns influence Thou art that Starre thou that Intelligence THE LIFE OF S. BENET ABBOT Taken out of the Dialogues of S. Gregory The Infancy and more tender yeares of
so pacifyed as it were with the same reteyned him still still With another Monke being fickle and vnconstant and who with great importunity had obtayned leaue to go forth of Religion â—…e so wrought with his prayers as that going forth of the Monastery he was assayled by a dragon with open mouth with which terrour he calling for help had the grace to returne into his Cell agayne where gathering his wits togeather he persisted allwayes after very found in his Vocation A child being couered all ouer with leprosy insomuch as the hayre fell off his head and his skinne all swolne and puffed vp being brought into the presence of the Saint was suddenly cured Through prayer he got likewise a good summe of money for a maâ—… that was shrewedly vexed by his Creditour and that inough not only to satisfy and defray the debt but euen also to liue and maâ—…tayne himselfe withall afterwad In the tyme of the dearth aforesayd he ordayned that a litle oyle which remayned in the Dispense should bee giuen to Agapitus 〈◊〉 subdeacon who had demaunded some of him and knowing the Dispensier had not executed his order he comaunded the vessell which was of glasse should be throwne out of the window which was done and howbeyt the place beneath was all very rugged and full of the sharpest stones yet remayned the vessell as entire as it had fallen vpon soft feathers When causing it to be presently giuen to Agapitus he puts himselfe with the Monks in to prayer ouer another vessell which was empty couered and it was not long ere it was full of oyle insomuch as it heaued vp the couer withal tan ouer on the ground Heere with the Saint made an end of his prayer and the flowing liquor ceased Whereby the disobedience infidelity of that Monke became iustly reprehended Another old Monke in whome the deuill was entred and whome he cruelly tormented a secular man being poysoned by his enemy a Country swayn being miserably beaten and tyed with cords by a Souldiour of Totila were all quite deliuered The first with a light stroke the second with a simple touch the third only with a glaunce of S. Benets eye Another country man with much fayth and a great deale of teares laying his dead child at the gates of the Monastery had him agayne restored by the Saint aliue and lusty The like effects aboue nature wrought through diuine power by meanes of S. Benet are worthily celebrated by Writers But I for my part do make a farre greater reckoning of the burning zeale which he had of the glory of God and of the eternall saluation of Men then of all these in reguard that the vertue of miracles and other such like gifts of Heauen are seene also sometymes to be found in the reprobate while Charity is it that makes vs gratefull and acceptacle to the diuine Maiesty S. Benet hauing founded many Conuents and giuen a Rule to his Monkâ—… knowing the tyme of his death before hand made a most blessed End Chap. 10. SAint Benet as we haue said aboue was no sooner taken out of the caue through diuine prouidence where for three yeares continually together so exposed to the iniuryes of the ayre incommodityes of the body and temptations of the enemy he had exercised a very sharp and strict penance but that with all his power he attended to the reducing of mortals according to the capacity of ech one partly to the precepts and partly to the counsayles of Christ. Nor being content with the founding of many howses of Monks well ordered in the same Country he went in person with a few souldiours of his to assayle the Idolatry of Mount Cassin and to chase away the deuill from those old lodgings ancient holds of his Nor there only by himselfe and others did he fortify establish whatsoeuer he had gayned to God but likewise sent very choyce Captaynes into diuers and remote prouinces to promote conserue the Catholique Faith Moreouer though he left good orders rules of life to the Conuents there which from tyme to tyme he had founded yet neuerthelesse he wrote afterwards of purpose rules full of wisedome and equity for the whole vniuersal ReligioÌ„ which being published to the world were and are continually of THE LIFE OF S. STEPHEN THE first King of Hungary Ghiesa Prince of Hungary endeauouring the conuersion of that Country sees a comfortable vision to that purpose and entertaynes S. Adalbert comming thither to that end Chap. 1. OF all all the barbarous nations which at diuers tymes haue through diuine iustice concurred to the ruine of the Roman greatnes were as it is well knowne the Huns who hauing left the in most parts of Scythia or Tartary rather haue more then once gone forth and finally entred into Pannonia and thence driuing out the Lombards for what occasion it is not certaynly knowne haue been called by the new name of Hungars From which tyme with a natiue fiercenes and rapacity they haue not ceased to molest the Church of God being giuen wholy to the impure worship of Idols and rather guiding themselues with vnbridled wills then with lawes or decrees vnder the heads which sucessiuely they made choyce of Of these heads Gheisa was the fourth who though cruel and seuere by nature yet neuer the lesse eyther by instinct of reason or through the noyse which ran euery where of Christian Religion becomming more temperate 〈◊〉 ouâ—… to haue a distinctes knowledge of the same Religion prooured of purpose to make peace with all the neighbour Prouinces about him and with publique Proclamation gaue not onely secuâ—…e passage to as many Christians as would enter into Hungary but ordeyned further that they might all euery where be cheerfully receyued and benignely intreated particularly extending humanity towards the Clerks and Religious he began to admit them into his sight without difficulty with attention to listen to what they seemed to propose In so much as what with the example of their life and the efficacy of the diuine word and the power of the heauenly rayes and the excellent disposition of Gheisa himselfe came the holesome seed of the ghospell by litle and litle to take roote and to bud in his breast And in short tyme the matter went so faire as that he not only with a good part of hiâ—… familiars tooke the water of holy Baptisme but likewise made a full purpose to bring as many as were vnder his gouernment to the same fayth To which effect according to the instructions of the feruants of God he designed missions of preachers building of Churches foundations of Parishes and Bishoprickes when on a night there appeared to him sleep a yong man of more then human beauty who sayd to him God saue thee O elect of Christ Leaue of these plots of thine for they are not to be perfected by thee who hast thy hands too much embrued in bloud but thou shalt haue a Son who through
time of the Mattins â—…he office being ended he noted how the greatest part of those Regulars immediately retyred themselues to repose in their Cells how such only as Emericus had fauoured most remayning behind went to hide themselues in certayne corners to continue their seruent prayer Then S. Stephen approching first to one and then to another a part discouering who he was very courteously saluted them all who at the sight of his Royall Maiesty interrupting both prayer and silence not fayled to salute agayne with all reuerence â—…ut so did not Maurus being wholy rauished the while with 〈◊〉 things for being saluted by the King with most sweet words he opened not his Mouth and being sharply rebuked by him for it conttnued still mute Whereupon the day following the King for better proofe of the in ward qualityes of Maurus causing the bell to sound to a Chapter in the presence of all with seuere countenance at last charged him with many things that by no meanes became a religious person but the disciple of Christ confiding in the testimony of a good conscience and in the iudgement of him that sees all keeping alwayes a good composition and modesty with him answered not a word Whereupon the King apprehended the sanctity of this man was with reason so singularly honoured by his sonne Emericus laying all dissimulation aside he discouered most cleerly to the Monkes the intent wherefore he came thither and the experience he would needs make of Maurus Nor did he extoll him only for the present with extraordinary prayse but further elected him a litle after to the Bishopricke of Cinq-Eglises and obtaynedthe full confirmation therof from his Holynes A singular act of Chastity in Emericus preseruing his virginall parity in the state of Matrimony Chap. 9. IN this meane while Emericus went dayly increasing both in yeares and vertues felt a generous desire to burne in his breast of doing some notable seruice to the diuine Maiesty With â—…his deuotion entering on a tyme with one page only into the Church of S. George he puts himselfe on his knees to meditate and to find out with himselfe what Present to offer that might be most grateful acceptable to the eyes of his Creatour and behold on a sudden the whole place to be replenished with an immense light and a voyce heard which said Virginity is a fayre and beautifull thing this is that which I seeke entirely of thee as well in mind as body This then do thou offer to God and see thou perseuere there in with full purpose These words arriuing in the eares of the Page withall did so penetrate the mind of Emericus and so wrought with him as that being enflamed with the desire of obeying and distrustfull withall of his owne forces he prayed in this manner My Lord God to whose eyes euery thing is open and naked who as thou knowest through thy iust iudgment how to take away the life from great men and are very dreadful to the Kings of the earth so to their frailty who presume not of themselues canst tell how to afford opportune succour Graunt I beseech thee thy most holy will may completely be performed in me and with the dew of thy mercy extinguish in my 〈…〉 concupiscence Fortify the weaknes of thy poor Seruant through thy benignity that he may neuer swearue from the right way Guard him from al the allurements of sensuality and cause that he neuer commit any thing whence he may seeme to fall from thy grace The Colloquy ended Emericus felt himselfe to be fully replenished with extraordinary consolation wonderfully encouraged withall yet to eschew vain glory would neuer reueal the fauour to any but commaunded his seruant vnder grieuous paynes as long as he liued to keepe it secret When cooperating afterwards with the diuine mercy he neuer left at tymes to macerate the flesh with prayer fastings and vigils and that with reason too because God who is not pleased with vertues not come to the Chisel and proued by the Hammer disposed that by meanes of his Father he should be teÌ„pted to marry with a yong Lady of rare qualityes and of Princely bloud though by Authours vnnamed To which importunity after Emericus had resisted a prety while at last not to contristate his Parents he yields secure the while that the diuine Goodnes for the obseruance of his promise would not fayle him of some succour or other as indeed after he found it so For that as soone as he had with solemne ceremonyes publiquely accepted the Spouse in pritrat being assisted from heauen as well with reasons as with prayers he easily induced her to coÌ„serue with him vnder the cloake of Matrimony the flower of virginity preferring it wisely before all respect of yssue and all the greatnesses Signoryes of the world Wherof in progresse of tyme S. Stephen was aware but yet setting the greater glory of God before his eyes by all meanes he absteyned froÌ„ with drawing Emericus froÌ„ his holy purpose Amidst so great variety of human accidents among so many prosperityes of glorious victories and ioyfull successes had S. Stephen no want not withstanding of his probation scourges For of so numerous an of-spring which he had while one dyed after another in their childhood there was only Emericus left him with whose safety alone to him it seemed were counterpoysed all other losses whatsoeuer when he also in the flower of his age was snatched away so accomplished with merits to be an aduocat in Heauen for those nations which in earth by lawful inheritance belonged to him S. Stephen neuerthelesse at so grieuous a blow felt incredible sorow especially so redoubled a little after by the death of his wife not finding the while any one of his stock to whome securelâ— he might leaue the gouerment and the whole kingdome standing in daunger to returne to their old vomit and customes as before wheÌ„ through want of a good successour the good exercises began should be quite giuen ouer Emericus his exequies were celebrated in Alba-Regalis some 30 dayes after his happy passage with so euident miracles and so full persuasion of his eternall felicity as in a moment all the cloudes of sadnes and mourning were vanished quite when his wife now Widdow gaue faythfull testimony of her husbands virginity and the Rage to confirme the same discouered what had happened in S. Georges Church How S. Stephen dyes and is buryed with pompe in the Church of our Lady which himselfe had built where he workes many miracles With the translation of his holy Body afterwards Chap. 10. SAint Stephen perseuering still in his wonted yielding of due thankes vnto God and conforming himselfe with the diuine will in all things came shortly after to fall into a grieuous palsey where with being held more then 30. months in his bed he was finally seized with a strong feauer which brought him to the end of human miseryes And now at last
Kings mynd was approching to aduertise him thereof whereof S. Edward being aware Stand still Leofrick said he stand still what thou seest I see also and then Masse being ended he added I cōiure thee O Earle for the Maiesty of him we haue both seene too day that while we are in this life thou speake not a word of this vision to the end that eyther throgh popular applause we may not fall into pride or through so rare a nouelty occasion may be giuen of murmuring to those who belieue no more then what they can touch or feele with the fingar Among these things S. Edward being now well stept in yeares and loaden with merits was certified that now at last his reward approched and his certificate was in this manner He held next S. Peter S. Iohn Euangelist the beloued Disciple of Iesus in greatest veneration insomuch as he neuer denyed any honest petition that euer was made to him in the name of S. Iohn Euangelist When among other times it happened one day his priuy Almenour being absent that a certayne Pilgrime with the sayd inuocation most importunely craued an almes of him and he not hauing any thing at hand pulling off a precious ring from his fingar very graciously gaue it him It fell out afterwards that two English men went in pilgrimage to the holy Sepulcher hauing crossed the Seas and now strayed vnawares out of their way in that errour they were ouertaken by the darke night wherein very sad and afflicted they could find neyther Guide nor Counsayle till beyond all hope appeared a venerable old man who conducting them into the Citty of Ierusalem benignely receyued them as ghests into his house and after a dainety supper brings them to their lodgings with great charity The morning being come they both hauing giuen thankes ready to take their iourney the good Host sayd to them Know Brethren you are like to haue a good voyage and shall returne safe and sound againe into your Country God shal be propitious to you I for your Kings sake in all this time will regard you still I am Iohn the Apostle that loues your King very tenderly for the excellency of his chastity You shall carry him backe this ring which he gaue me some dayes since when I appeared to him in forme of a Pilgrime and acquaint him that the day of his deposition approches and six months shall not passe ouer his head ere I put him into the company who follow the Lambe wheresoeuer he goes Which said the Apostle vanished they happily arriuing at home gaue faythfull accompt to the King of what they had heard and seene Not was the prediction vayne because S. Edward very soone after fell into his last sicknes wherein purposing to edify by all manner of wayes as many as conuersed with him now feeling himselfe to decay apace ordayned his death should be presently published though all the kingdome that his soule being loosed from prison might haue the suffrages of the faythfull assoone as might be and with this he passed to his most desired Lord on the 5. of Ianuary 1066. hauing held the scepter 23. yeares 6. months and 27. dayes He was bewayled and buryed with that feeling and concurse of the people as became such a Ruler and Gouernour Two translations haue been made of that vessell of the holy Ghost the one some 36. yeares after his pappy passage which vntil the other was the space of 60. yeares In both discoueryes not only those sacred members but euen also his Princely robe and habit appeared very whole and vncorrupted The first Translation was made to afford him a more honourable funerall The other followed at the tyme of his Canonization vnder Pope Alexander the III. When deposing the venerable Reliques there succeeded so many miracles anew as would be too long a matter far from our purpose to make narratiō of them Whence we may with reason hope through the merits and intercessions of this great Seruant of God that as so many particuler persons haue obtayned the graces which they craued euen so that most noble Kingdome all scandals being taken away and Heresies destroyed may one day be reduced to the vnion of the faythfull and to the lap of the holy Catholique Church S. ANSELME THE ARGVMENT SEe in the West Arabia's wonder bred With gorgeous lustre fayre embellished Rich in all colours which our eyes behold Vying agaynst the Sunne his natiue Gold The Phoenix of his age His Parents left And of all help and succour quite bereft Heau'n vndertooke his charge He needs not feare The want of friends whose friends whose Hopes are there Deuided from the world can England be The worlds chiefe Grace hauing espous'd in thee Or seeme discourag'd now or hartlesse growne When such a Saint is denized her owne No she may hope that though some clouds may hide A while the light it will at length be spi'de And that th' offended Sunne will glister more And spread his rayes far brighter then before When you Deare Saints shall put an helping hand That you agayne may on our Altars stand THE LIFE OF S. ANSELME ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBVRY Written by Edinerus a Monke of Canterbury vvho liued in his tyme. What the condition of S. Anselms Parents was The presage of his future life His good inclinations and first vocation to Religion Chap. I. WE being to vnfold the Life and manners of S. Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury a most noble Citty of England will first touch some things of his Parents His Father then was one Gondolfus who being borne in Lombardy of Italy and comming to liue in the Citty of Augusta Pratoria now called Aust in the confines of Piemont tooke to wife a gentlewoman whose name was Ermenberga These two consorts for riches nobility were equall but in manners and disposition far vnlike Because the husband being giuen to his pleasures was held to be no good husband for his family While the wife on the contrary being serious in the gouernment of the house and a wise dispenceresse of his goods gaue alwayes forth a most excellent odour of her life vnto her last leauing Gondolfus aliue who seeing himselfe vnloosedfrom the bands of Matrimony being now growne of great yeares became a Monke and dyed in his Monastery Of this couple S. Anselme was borne of whome as through a certayne presage of his future sanctity it is reported in his tender yeares hauing heard his Mother say that aboue in Heauen was but one God only who ruled and maynteyned the whole Vniuerse he thought with a childish imagination that the Heauens were shored vp and susteyned by the mountaynes that from the tops of them one might reach to the royall pallace of that great Monarke and as he often had this thought it happened one night that he seemed to mount vp by one of those tops to the forsayd pallace and beholds at the foote therof certaine seruants of the King reaping of corne
S. Anselme in the meane tyme to make his prayer more attentiue and feruent retyred himselfe into a place somewhat a part from the others heer while with teares and sighs he begs of our Lord the saluation of that soule being oppressed with sorrow heauynes and his eyes now shut he fell into a slumber and in that repose beholds in spirit certayne venerable persons dressed vp in white garments to be entred in the chamber of the deceased and there to sit downe to iudge him But not knowing what sentence they had passed vpon him expecting with great anxiety to vnderstand the successe of that iudgmēt behold Osborn appeares on a sudden in face not vnlike to one that returns to himselfe againe after a traunce or fit of fainting Whereat S. Anselme sayd presently to him What is the matter sonne How it is with thee now The other answered The ancient Serpent hath risen vp thrice agaynst mee and thrice hath it fallen vpon his owne head the Bear-heards of God haue deliuered mee after which words S. Anselme opened his eyes and Osborn vanished This answere the dead man gaue and S. Anselme himselfe afterwards interpreted the same in this manner That thrice the ancient Serpent arose agaynst Osborne because first he accused him of sinnes committed after Baptisme before he had been offered vp by his Parents into the Monastery secondly for those which he had committed after his entry into the Monastery and before the making of his vowes in the third place for those whereinto he had incurred after his vowes euen to his death But thrice agayne was the accuser defeated because the errours of the world had been cācelled in vertue of the Fayth and oblation of his Parents when they presented him deuoutly to the diuine seruice those of the Nouiciate were remitted him in the new consecration of himselfe by meanes of his vowes The faults which he had committed after the vowes were pardoned him somwhat neere to his passage by meanes of confession and pennance So as the diuell finding all his quarrels frustrate being wholy confounded was quite defeated since all the instigations and subtilityes he had vsed to make that soule to fall into sinne had redounded to his owne more grieuous torment and greater damnation As for the Bear-heards of God they are said he good Angels for that as they tame the beares so do these restrayne the malignant spirits from the cruelty and impetuosity wherewith they vse to rush on to the destruction of soules After all these things to shew himselfe a true friend and father of his Osborne no lesse after his death then before he sayd euery day a Masse for him though the whole yeare following And if sometymes he were hindred from celebrating at all he would seeke for some other to supply the same promising to do as much for that Priest when he was requested Besides which he did send letters into diuers parts to procure sufrages and sacrifices for the same intention and thereby obtayned a great number of them Whence it followed that not onely the deceased party felt as is verily belieued eyther opportune refreshment or accidentall ioy but euen also the liuing tooke excellent example of so burning and continuall charity of S. Anselme yea euen his very enemyes tempered themselues who before could not looke on him with a good eye at last ouercom touched with the perpetuall tenour of such goodnes tooke so great an affection to the holy man as from murmurers and emulous they became followers and proclaymers of his rare vertues Although indeed to bring things to those termes a certaine strange accident of no small moment happened to one of those enemies of the blessed Pastour that immediately followes A certayne ancient Monke and great Enemy of S. Anselme at his death was tormented with a dreadfull vision which S. Anselme driueth away with the signe of the Crosse. And how he gaue himselfe to the trayning vp of Youth Chap. 5. THere was one very ancient in Religion who with implacable disdayne neuer ceased to bite and molest the good Father and by no meanes could neuer endure him much lesse reuerence acknowledge him in the place of Christ. Now then through the iust iudgment of God it happened this miserable wretch fell sicke to death and one night while all the Monkes were in bed he began to giue forth very dreadfull cryes to seeke as it were to shun the sight of some horrible figures became very pale of visage and full of trembling and great anxiety and would withall be turning his head on this side and that side to hide himselfe At these noyses his neyghbours being now awakened came suddenly in hast to aske what he ayled You behold mee sayd he afflicted and distressed thus within the pawes of two most rauenous wolues which are now euen ready to strangle me and demaund you of mee what I ayle One of them that was present hearing this by name Ricolfus who was the Secretary of Conuent without delay went running to S. Anselme who at that tyme was correcting of a booke and presently informed what passed with the sicke man At which newes the venerable Prior being touched with his accustomed clemency bad Ricolfus returne backe to the sickman and he in the meane tyme recollecting himselfe a litle ouertooke him in the Infirmary and lifting vp his hand made the signe of the Crosse vpon him saying In nomine Patris Filij Spiritus Sancti With which signe the Wretch was suddenly quiet and being somwhat cheerfull in face with most in ward affect of the hart began to giue thankes to the diuine Goodnes and added withall that soueraygne signe he had seene to come forth of his mouth as a fiery lance which being brandished agaynst those wolues had so terrified them as made them suddenly to fly away Then S. Anselme sweetly approching to him dealt with him seriously of matters concerning the saluation of his soule brought him to a great compunction and true confession of all his offences committed agaynst God and after he had giuen him the absolution told him playnely he should render vp his spirit about nine of the clocke and so indeed it fellout to the great astonishment of all From hence forward S. Anselme with a great deale more ease began to administer the office in which as one that sought to promote to perfection all those whome he had vnder his charge so with particular application he laboured especially in the help of youth and alledged this reason for it That euen as wax when it is too hard or too soft takes not very well the impression vpon it but if it be well tempered between the hard and soft it most faythfully receyues the print of the Seale so iust do we see it to happen in the age of a man Take you one who from his infancy to his old age hath been alwayes bred vp in the vanityes of the world and begin to deale
able to contayne the same with full resolution determined to passe likewise ouer himselfe into Mauritania and preaching couragiously the fayth of Christ to purchase to himselfe a precious death for the glory of Christ and saluation of Soules Now by this tyme he was made Preist and had arriued to the age of 26. yeares He was for his singular vertue and rare talents so deere to his whole Congregation as diffiding wholy to get leaue of the Abbot for such an enterprize concealing his purpose vnder the pretext of choosing a more austere and strict rule he determined to passe into the new religion of the Fryars Minors holding for certaine that thence he might more easily compasse his desired enterprize Wherefore making very feruent prayers thereupon at last he found out this way to execute his designe which followes in the next Chapter S. Antony is admitted into the Conuent of the Fryars Minors where he pursues his intent but all in vayne Chap. 3. AMong other Conuents of S. Francis dispersed through the kingdome of Portugall there was a litle one vnder the protection of S. Antony the Great without the walls of Conimbria where those Fathers philosophizing rather with life and manners then with questions and disputes gaue themselues to let the world vnderstand the vanity of things present and solid hopes of voluntary pouerty Some two of this Conuent from tyme to tyme were wont to come to the sumptuous and rich Monastery of the holy Crosse according to their institute very humbly to craue Almes So as Don Hernando taking them one day aside with a liuely affect of Charity vnfolded vnto them as to two Angells of Paradise his holy purpose and besought them keeping it secret where need was to deale with their Superiours about his admission into their Order but yet with expresse condition to send him by obedience as soone as may be vnto the land of the Moores to worke some fruit in the conuersion of Gentils Euen from that tyme was the name of Hernando famous for learning and goodnes so as the Fryars Minors tooke it to be no small fauour so to enrich themselues with such a purchase Wherefore the busynes being concluded on their parts on the other Don Hernando began to craue humble licence of his Prelates who made a very strong resistance for a tyme but his prayers were so continuall and vehement as they finally preuayled So as deuoutly taking the habit of S. Francis from the Minous in their Cloyster he went his wayes thence with such displeasure of the Chanons as he heard at his going forth such a bitter taunt in the way of iest cast forth by one of them as this Goe your wayes now perhaps you will be a Saint in that Religion At which words sayd he with a cheerefull countenance VVhen that shall be I beleiue you will giue praise and thanks to the Redeemer for it In this manner passing into a new habitation and institute the first thing he did was to lay aside all secular habits and quite to forget his fathers house to be also himselfe the more vnknowne and quite forgotten of the world from the title of that litle Church or to say better Oratory of the Minors in changing his name he caused himselfe to be called Fryar Antony From thence renewing his supplications to God and his Superiours and preparing himselfe continually with fit meditations to each cruelty of punishments that might be it was not long ere he was sent into the desired parts of Marocco where as in a most certaine field of battayle he hoped to obteyne by dying for Christ a glorious victory But soone appeared very euident signes of the inscrutable disposition of our Lord who accepting herein the good will of his seruāt had preordeyned him for other labours and to other merits Because that in the very beginning of his departure being oppressed with a greiuous malady he was constreyned for the most of that winter to keepe his bed Where though after many profers and endeuours made in vayne he coniectured the diuine Maiesty was no wayes propitious to his purposes yet by the beginning of the next yeare hauing scarcely recouered any forces he valiantly began afresh to make proofe of himselfe and to sayle towards Affrick But the barke had hardly hoysed sayle departed from the hauen when behold a contrary storme of the South-west winds by force transported the Mariners to Messina of the Iland of Sicily This aduenture gaue S. Anthony much more matter to reflect vpon the interpretation of the diuine will and had yet a more euident signe therof As soone as he landed he vnderstood by the Fryars Minors there resident how of late a generall Chapter was intimated of the Order at Assistum and therefore it apperteyned to him also as a Preist not hindered by any lawfull cause to goe thither Through this citation ioyned with passed accidents he came to be satisfyed it was not the diuine pleasure he should aspire to preach to the Mahometans or Gentils From which barre of exclusion the wary Merchant went about to make a double profit one of his owne confusion accusing himselfe of too much boldnes and presumption in himselfe the other of a stable purpose to suffer himselfe heereafter to be wholy guided by the Creatour by meanes of his Ministers without making choyce on his owne head of this or that manner of procuring the diuine glory And withall since it was not permitted him to expose himselfe for the holy fayth vnto the fury of the people to the cruelty of Tyrants to the scourges kniues of the mercyles hangmen he determined to offer vp himselfe another way to Christ in a liuing hoast vpon the aul◅ of Religious iustice by mortifying the flesh with whips fastings prayers and vigils slaying and annihilating the will and vnderstanding with perfect obedience and full contempt of priuate respect How S. Antony goes hiding his talents for humility sake and is vnknowne to men Chap. 4. S. Antony going with such designes in his breast vnto the Congregation of Assisium since by reason of his celebrating of Masse euery day and reciting the canonicall howers his Priestly dignity could not be hidden he endeauoured at least with all care to conceale the nobility of his bloud the force of his wit and the variety of learning which he had which so cunningly he did as with the whole Chapter he remayned in opinion of an Idiot or simple man and not apt eyther for subtilityes of speculatiue learning or manage of practicall matters Whence it followed that the assembly being dissolued while distribution of subiects according to the vse was made and the Superiours requiring to haue some this some that man along with them vnto their residences S. Antony remayned alone without being required or requested of any Meane while the diuine man exceedingly reioyced in beholding himselfe in imitation of his great Maister and Sauiour Iesus without fault of his to be slighted and neglected