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
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
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
as many as were in it But these brauado's and stiffnes of his lasted that day only for being arriued to his lodging at night he was so inwardly gauled with such stinges as that being not able to resist any longer without attending so much as till day he leapt from his bed and speedily returned backe to Clareuallis agayne where deposing the old man with his wonted manners and fiercenes he put on the new to the great consolation and wonder of all Certaine noble Gentlemen yielded vp themselues to S. Bernard wherof one hauing a temptation afterwards was happily by him quit therof Chap. 9 IN those dayes certaine Flemings sped very well who besides they were of a Noble bloud and well learned had likewise a great desire to attend to perfection but could not well determine what schoole was fittest for their purpose and in this suspense of mind stood wauering vntill S. Bernard about some publique affaires happened to goe into those partes of Flanders And as his Name was now famous already at the appearing of such a man sprung a notable light in the mindes of those disconsolate louers of wisedome so as without more delay they made choice of the Abbot of Clareuallis for Maister and Superiour supposing he was destined thither by the diuine Prouidence for their saluation selling and dispatching then ech one their busines and laying aside the vayne designes and deceiptfull hopes of the world they went ioyfull with S. Bernard towardes Burgundy who then likewise had finished his affaires In which iourney there happened an accident not fit to be let passe It is an ordinary thing likely in all beginners in the diuine seruice and not yet experienced inough in desolation or substraction of grace and spirituall vicissitudes when that gust of sensible deuotion comes once to faile them and that pleasant light which puts them hastily on to loose on a sudden all courage quite and to fall into pusillanimity of spirit and sadnes of hart The occasion therof do Wisemen say to be this the Rationall substance cannot endure to be straitned and some delight eyther heauenly or terren must be Now the soules as being raysed aboue themselues with some tast of supernall pleasures do easily renounce the visible obiects so when through diuine dispensation that ioy is taken away from them finding themselues depriued of this also and not accustomed to expect with patience the returnes of the new Sunne it seemes to them they are neither in heauen nor earth and are as buryed in a perpetuall night so as like babes hauing lost the breasts they languish and sigh and become tedious and irkesome chiefly to themselues The same happened on they way to one of that company called Gaufrid This man being suddenly growne arid and full of interiour darknes began to bethinke himselfe of his freinds parents and goods which he had left behind and thereby was assayled with so strong a temptation as being not able to dissemble it in his countenance one of his more confident and intimate freinds was aware thereof and dexterously approaching to him with sweete and benigne speach in secret sayd to him What is the matter Gaufrid How happens this I pray you go to tell me for it seemes to me you goe pensiue and sad more then ordinary Then Gaufrid answered with a deep sigh Alas brother I shall neuer be merry more in all my life The other being with that word moued to pitty went suddenly with fraternall zeale to acquaint their common Father what passed who vnderstanding the daunger began to pray for him in a Church thereby and Gaufrid in the meane while being ouercome with sadnes reposed his head on a stone and there fell a sleep but long it was not ere both arose the one from prayer with the grace obteyned and the other from his sleep with a face so cheerefull and serene as his freind much admiring at so sudayne and great a change could not hold but freindly vpbrayd him with what he had answered him a little before Then Gaufrid sayd if I told thee before I should neuer be merry agayne I now affirme 〈◊〉 thee I shall neuer be sad more And this same Gaufrid afterwards in the Nouiceship being desirous of the eternall saluation of his owne Father recommended him to the Saint with much affect and confidence And he sayd doubt not sonne but thy Father shall be a good Religious man and I my selfe after his death shall bury him with these armes and so it fell out that old man being entred into Religion and growne very perfect in vertues fell greiuously sick at such tyme as S. Bernard was farre from Clareuallis in which infirmity of his he grew dayly more sicke then other lying in extremity for some fiue monthes continually togeather vntill the Abbot returning with his assistance he sweetly rendred vp his spirit in his armes and with his owne handes buryed his body with his wonted Charity and performing of due exequies Another tyme being gone to Chalon in Champayne to deale with the Bishop of that Citty he thence lead with him at his returne a good number of excellent subiects and such manner of purchaseâ—… with the help of the diuine hand he made happily from tyme to tyme. Besides which there wanted not daily many that being allured by his Name and glutted with the deceipts of the world came voluntary of their owne accord to submit themselues to the obedience of so great a guide Whence no wonder is it that from the garrison of Clareuallis should be sent after as we haue sayd so fit supplyes as there did to so many partes of Europe S. Bernard deuinely admonished changes his stricter hand vpon his Nouices to a milder way with the good fruit that came thereof Chap. 10. IT remaynes now to see what manner the diuine man tooke in guiding and gouerning the Soules recommended and committed to his care by the Prince of Pastours It is then to be vnderstood that in the first yeares of his Prelacy in measuring others feruour by his owne he was something more rigid and seuere then good and moderate gouernement would seeme to beare For that in receiuing of Nouices into the Conuent he was wont to bid them among other things by way of Enigma to leaue the body without and to enter only with the spirit Through which saying of his some of the simpler of them remayned so astonished and terrified therewith as they were after not able to vnderstand the sense and meaning of those wordes though the Saint himselfe explayned the same In the confessions which he heard of his Monks with a bitter countenance he abhorred any manner of defect esteeming euery light fault in Religious as a mortall sinne In his Sermons or as we say Homilyes rather in the speculatiue he often soared so high as the hearers vnderstanding would loose the sight of him and insteed of being fed and refreshed would come to be dry and arid And for the morall he required