we must so commend this as to leaue the other in its due reuerence and esteem To come now to our B. S. THOMAS his father was William Lord CANTILVPE a person for his worth and greatnes often mentioned in the English History and Records of Heralds The father of this Lord was also another william who ioyntly with his Sonn stood euer firme in the Barons Warrs to both the Kings whose fauovr in employments of highest trust and honour they well deserued Though as a knowne Historian of those Matt. Paris times affirmes theyr family receiud not so iust a measure as theyr meritt requird Yett the father of our Saint bore no less a charge in court then that of great Master or Lord steward of the kings house Which as in other kingdoms so in this of England was euer esteemd of chief fauour and dignity being the eye and hand of the king not onely at a distance and in absence but commanding all in his very presence and in a manner seated vpon the same throne Neyther was this honour or whatsoeuer else they receiud from theyr soueraigns aboue the rank of theyr birth and quality The Cantilupes or Cantelowes vulgarly so calld from the originall Champ de Loup or Campus Lup◠were a noble family of speciall note and eminency among those braue Aduenturers who-followd the Norman conquerour in his enterprize of our English Monarchy and purchasd him that crowne with the hazard of theyr liues and fortunes And as they brought with them a fayre inheritance of estate and honour so still continud theyr course with successiue increase as great riuers the further they goe the more they dilate themselues with the reception of other streames The Heyres generall of the Strong-bowes and Marshalls Earles of Pembroke of the Fitz Walters Earles of Hereford of the Breoses or Breuses Lords of Abergauenny left theyr estates and greatnes by right of marriage vnto the Cantelupes Such being the Paternall line of S. THOMAS and his father a person of so high command and creditt the king vpon an exigence being to make a voyage into france could not think of a more powerfull and faythfull hand beyond all exception and enuy to intrust with his crowne and kingdome then VVilliam Cantelupe it was an equall and happy match between this Lord and the Lady Millescenta countess of Eureux and Glocester Mother of our Saint She was daughter of Hugh lord Gournay and the Lady Iuliana sister to Reginald Earle of Dammartin and Boulogne The Gournay's were of the prime nobility of Normandy neerly allyd to the soueraigne Dukes of that country and as neer to our gloirous and blessed King Edward the Confessour The counts of Dammartin were of an inllustrious family in france matchd with the greatest Princes of Europe And this Reginald vncle to the Lady Millescent in right of his wife lda grandchild to Stephen king of England became Earle of Boulogne which title he trāsferrd againe with his daughter Matilde marry'd vnto Philipp Earle of Clermont onely brother to Lewis the 8. king of france and vncle to S. Lewis This the allyance and desent of that noble Lady She was first marry'd to Almerick Montfort Earle of Eureux in Normandy as also of Glocester in right of his mother Mabelle eldest daughter heyre to william Earle of Glocester Grandchild to Henry the first king of England This Almerick being head of that illustrious family of the Mōtforts descended from Robert surnam'd the Pious king of france and dying without issue was the last of that race in Normandy leauing his noble and vertuous Confort the Lady Millescente to be blessd with a happyer and more fruitfull marriage especially in this her sonn who alone illustrated that renownd family with more honour then all the greatnes and titles of theyr famous Ancestres III. CHAPTER Of his Childhood and domestique Education TO looke into the infancy or Childhood of Saints may seeme as little pertinent to theyr meritt as to the glory of God that part of the life of man being Commonly held for a meer Prologue or dumb show before a tragedy of miseryes a dreame or slumber before the soule awake to the light of reason a state of Neutrality betwixt man and beast as vncapable of prayse as blame and onely happy in this that it is vnsensible of all vnhappynes Yett experience and reason teaches vs that this twylight of life is not so dark but that we may read sundry characters though written in a small letter by the hand of God This mute part of the age of man is not so speechless but that it fore-tells vs much of what will follow In fine euen childhood it self hath not so little of the man but that it is capable of deep impressions both of grace and reason as the louely and sweet variety of colours in many flowers receiue theyr first tincture in the very root and the value of Pearles depends much vpon the first dropps of dewe which falls into the shell when thy are newly engendred That the divine Prouidence hath a speciall eye vpon the infancy of man is an vndenyable truth both in humane and diuine history neyther doth this onely consist in certaine prodigyes and dedemonstrations of a power aboue the reach of nature but also and that most vsually in a particular fauour and protection of the diuine hand by connaturall meanes of Education and other circumstances to with draw from euill and lead to vertue The whole sequele of our S. THOMAS his life clearly shewes how highly he was priuiledg'd with both these blessings from heauen A nature he had eleuated aboue the Common strayn a minde full of generous heat and vigour euer tending to a higher sphere like a fire without smoke or mixture of grosser elements which mett with soe noble a temperature of body that though of a prosperous and liuely habitude he neuer knew in his whole life what any thing meant which was not agreeable with the purity of Angells He the first fruit of that happy marriage was borne at a Mannour of his fathers in Lincolnshyre Hameldone by name where he alsoe receiud the Sacrament of Baptisme regenerated therby to the pretious adoption of the Children of God In memory wherof Edmund Earle of Cornwall sonn to Richard once king of the Romans and a great admirer of out saints perfections built there an Oratory to the honour of God and his in the which Oratory our Lord is sayd te haue wrought frequent Miracles by the intercession of the same saint Besydes him his Parents were blessd with a numerous offspring of 3. Sonns and 3. daughters which like so many young Oliues enuironnd theyr table to theyr great loy and the latter were all bestowd in an honorable wed-lock To cultiuate duely these hopefull endowments both of nature and grace by a Good education was the care and endeauour of his pious Parents who as in his infancy they had prouided him of vertuous Nurse the Process of his
Chancello'rs neck But afterwards both the ceremonyes of enstallment and his court of Chancery was augmented three seales one of gold two of syluer a great one and a lesser and for the Lawyers abuses and quirkes in the Common law the Chancello'rs court or Chancery erected to moderate all as Vmpire meerly out of equity and justice independent of sophisticall tricks and verball cauills This was the office of the Lord Chancellor of England synce the Norman conquest for the most part with some ceremoniall changes rather accidentall then in substance as the Kings who raignd thought fitt In the administration of this office as our Saint shewd great wisdome so did he also great integrity and these two compleated his justice so that the former securd him against mistakes and ignorance the latter against bribes and extorsions neyther of which eyther was or euer could be justly layd to his charge Nay he was so scrupulously nice in the latter that he would not haue so much as the shadow of it to approach him It is recorded particularly that certaine Religious men who had a suite depending at Law applyd themselues to him for his fauour and furtherance in the dispatch of the same and therto presented him with a jewell of value which he rejected not without indignation asking them whether they thought him to be wonn with guifts Nor was his courage inferiour eyther to his wisdome or integrity vpon which account when reason and equity dictated that such a thing was to be done he was vndaunted as to the execution euen though the king himselfe stood in the way yett none more obseruant of his Majesty then he This may be confirmd by what happend at the councill table and was driuen on by many great ones who perswaded the king to conferr an office vpon a new conuerted Iew wherby he was impowerd ouer the liues and persons of such subjects as were found to be coyners of false money He opposd it with much earnestnes saying it was too unlimited a power ouer Christians to be committed to a new conuerted Iew who might easily be tempted according to his former ill habitts to abuse it and therfore besought his Majesty with teares eyther to reuoke it or giue him leaue to absent himselfe for he could not approue it The king mou'd with his teares and candour as well as the force of his reasons bidding him sit still changd ther vpon his determination I shall say more relating to this in the last Chapter Now how satisfactory his mannagement of affayres in this ticklish charge was both to Prince and people is euidenc'd by this that the King vpon urgent occasions being calld into France left to him during his absence the trust and charge of the whole kingdome IX CHAPTER King Henry dyes his Sonn succeeds S. Thomas with License giues vpp his Seale and retyres IN this equall track of justice declining neyther to the right hand nor the left did our Saint walk all the respitt of King Henry's life Full often during this space of time did he sigh after his former Retyrement and ceasd not vpon fitt occasions to importune the same but the good King who had found his assistance and dexterity so seruiceable in the dispatch of affayres would by noe meanes harken to that request giuing him leaue to groane vnder his burden and he in complyance with his will submitted to it making the best of the worst and a vertue of necessity At last hauing finishd the course of nature as well as of a vertuous life he payd the common tribute of mortality to death and Edward his eldest Sonn calld the first of that name immediately succeded in the throne of whome it will not be amiss to giue some short account as also how things went in the course of affayres This Edward was not onely a warr-like but wise Prince and as he had receiud both Crowne and life from his father so he restord both againe by cutting off with his owne hand the last and most dangerous Rebellion of all This was raisd by Simon Montfort a great souldier and of a high Spiritt otherwise a pious and gracious person to most men by reason of his forward zeale to engage in what he conceiud did concerne the common good which cost him first expulsion out of France and after his being receiud in England and made Earle of Lecester noe less then his life This great Warriour obseruing the march and approach of Prince Edward to giue him battaile turnd to his Commanders and thus aduisd them let vs commend our soules to God for our bodyes are theyrs as it fell out and he dy'd with the rest The same great Prince Edward the first after he had brought the kingdome of Scotland to the vtmost extremity but preuented by death could not compleat the full conquest he chargd his Sonn Edward the 2. or of Caernaruan calld so from his birth in that castle not to enterre his body till he finishd the work begunn by him of which little remayn'd to be atchieu'd But those court Parasites the young Kings fauorites hating as death the life of a Souldier drew him of from that noble designe to court againe to the shame and infamy of the English Nation and wretched end of that vnfortunate Prince A sad example of disobedience to the last words of a dying father and such a father as England had scarse his like for valour conduct and wisdome In the very beginning of whose Raigne and first stepp into the throne S. THOMAS as his place and office requird brought him the great Seale of England with most humble acknowledgment of his obligation to his Majesty's father for honouring him aboue all desert with that eminent charge which he resignd into his Majestyes hands with this humble petition that with his Majestyes approbation and leaue he may retyre to that knowne mother of learning and wisdome Oxford where he may more enable himselfe for the seruice of God and of his Majesty and the assistance of his country To which the King answerd first with thanks as the manner is for the great seruice done to the King and kingdome and for his petition that he assented to it and for the present gaue him full liberty to dispose of himselfe as he thought fitting This was it which our Saint much more addicted to the Schooles then the court so earnestly breathd after and as cheerfully hastend to them as a stone to its Center or fyre to its element „ trahit sua quemque voluptas And heer I cannot but pawse a while vpon this noble and heroicall act of S. THOMAS which if we measure by a humane ell and mans naturall inclination to greatnes was perchance one of the noblest of his life For where in the world shall one find euen vertuous and holy men who make not preferrments a part of theyr ayme and reward of theyr studyes much less who will diuest themselues willingly of it especially the highest when they
Prelate the onely of our Iland which has sanctifyd your Tuscany with a holy death and enrich'd it with his Reliques Another Saint and King also about the yeare 741. Richard by name Father of the Saints Willebald Wunnebald and Walburga Virgin renouncing both Crowne and Kingdome for the loue of Christ and a vertuous life after a long pilgrimage to holy places Settled in fine at Luca and there concluded the whole journey of his life with great opinion of Sanctity where he also was bury'd in the Church of S. Frigidianus his Tomb being afterwards illustrated with many miracles what euer memory may at this present remayne there of him and them So that great Sr. you see our fauours from Tuscany are not groundles wee hauing two such noble Pledges there of intercession and who more powerfull then they that is then the Saints when the Concern relates to the glory of God and aduance of Catholique Religion And giue me leaue Sr. to ascribe and I think not rashly these your present pious inclinations towards our Country and distressd Catholiques to this Originall source the Saints seeming to haue infus'd these noble Sentiments of a feeling ressentment which I mention'd before from your owne pen and cannot too often reflect vpon These pious inclinations haue already produced great and good effects of which we are most sensible and for which we shall hould our selues obliged euer to be most thankfull And now I haue sayd all as to the Apologizing part what remaynes to be sayd further is onely this that your Highnes will daigne to accept what is sayd in good part as also what is humbly offerd by so vndeseruing a hand If it be the first from an English pen the nouelty will in some sort recommend it in hopes it may draw more after it who will suppley for its deficiencyes and it is somthing to lead the way and break the yce If others haue preceeded and I wish they may it willingly for theyr better meritts beggs admittance at least for the Saints if for none of its owne As to him as humbly as hartily I wish you his Patronage and that he may be as fertile to you in heauenly blessings as he was heertofore to his country in supernaturall miracles and what miracle but imports a blessing And Sr. while you haue this Paper-picture before you if in the perusall of his vertues you find any thing for your aduance or aduantage in the same I humbly propose it to your imitation as I doe to others The world is wittnes of your endowments in this but they must be more then very good that cannot be better nor is it any disparagement to be still improueing in the science of Saints and Christian perfection to which each one in his degree and quality be he who he will by that Estote perfecti of our B. Lord and Sauiour is oblig'd What is there prizable in this lifes intercourse but piety and the seruice of God no body being more then he is in that and what imprints this truth more liuely in vs then the liues and examples of Saints wee seeing by what was done by them not onely what is to be done but what is fesible to and by vs. This is the thing I endeauourd to ayme at in this Narratiue by inserting reflexions to that purpose and chiefly of the 4. Cardinall vertues as both propper and common to all states and conditions And if your Highnes or any Reader may be benefitted therby to a due discharge of theyr incumbent duty in the same I haue my desyre which is no other then glory to God honour to the Saint and aduance of soules in vertu and piety A Table of the Chapters Chap. Â Page 1. THe time and Circumstances of his birth 11 2. Of the Parents and Discent of S. Thomas 23 3. Of his Child hood and Domestique Education 33 4. His first Studyes in Oxford 48 5. S. Thomas his Study of Philosophy 56 6. His Study of the Canon-Law at Oxford 63 7. He is made Chancellor of the Vniuersity of Oxford 72 8. He is made Lord High Chancellor of England 79 9. King Henry the 3. dyes his Son Succeeds S. Thomas with license giues vp his Seale and retyres 89 10. S. Thomas returns to Oxford proceeds Doctour of Diuinity the testimony giuen of him c. 97 11. He is made Bishop of Hereford 109 12. His Retyrement and Vnion with God 121 13. Of his Loue to the Poore 136 14. His Charity to all and detestation of detraction 149 15. His Courage in defence of Ecclesiasticall Libertyes 162 16. His journey to Rome and entertainment there 173 17. His returne homewards and death on the way 186 18. The Buriall of his H. Body and returne of his Bones into England 200 19. The Translation of them into a more eminent place 212 20. The multitude of miracles wrought by the Saint 230 21. His Canonization and generall Deuotion of all vnto him both Prince and people till this vnhappy breach 258 22 His Humility and Abstinence 270 23. His Discharge of Duty towards God and his Neighbour 286 24. His Purity of body and mind 301 25. His Iustice and Prudence 314 THE LIFE And Gests of S. THOMAS CANTILUPE Sometimes Chancellor of England and afterwards Bishop of Hereford in the same Kingdome PREFACE THe liues and memory of divers Illustrious persons seem to carry no small resemblance with those great Rivers Nilus Ganges Tigris Euphaates whose names and greatnes are as generally frequent in the mouthes of men as the particulars of theyr course and originall scarse kuowne to any Nor need we wonder it is so especially in the Saints of God for Sanctity is alwayes built vpon humility and with its mantle shrowds it selfe from the eyes of the world neuer better content then when conceald and the profounder it is like the same Rivers the less noyse it makes soe that none but an obseruing eye can discouer its course And if this were true in any it was I may say in our Glorious Prelate S. THOMAS CANTILVPE Bishop of Hereford who the greatest part of his dayes as he liu'd to the eyes of men a secular orderly but ordinary life nothing extraordinary to outward appearance so they knew no more of him then what could not be hid a great vprightnes singular innocency vertuous Conuersation set of with none of these surprising Commendatoryes Raptures Visions Miracles which vsually accompany sanctity True it is that the Common Legends haue left enough to conuince that he was a great Saint and wrought many Miracles Yett if we decend further to particulars we shall find that the greatest part of what we know oâ— him is the least part of what we are ignorant and all compriz'd in a leafe or two For though he were renownd both at home and abroad for his noble Extraction Learning Sanctity yet he was little knowne as to most particulars of his heauenly life and appeard rather visible to the world
course of life he would chuse what pleasd him best The child freely answerd him that he would be a Souldier Well sayd sweet hart quoth the Bishop thou shalt be a souldier to serue the highest of Kings and figh vnder the colours of his glorious Martyr S. THOMAS These words prou'd not onely propheticall by the euent but also had such efficacy that the Parents as in obedience to a diuine decree directed the whole education of the child to piety and learning And the Child himselfe as if he had learn'd a new lesson from heauen thought no more of those glorious fancyes to which his owne generous nature carry'd him and the examples of his illustrious progenitours incited him but with the same courage betook himselfe wholly to his book and with the little Salomon preferrd it before thrones and kingdomes This resolution was truly to be admird in the child and no less in his parents considering not onely the vehement inclination of men to liue after death in theyr image by posterity but much more the hight of theyr fortune with so rich a stock of antiquity and honour preserud and amplifyd for soe many descents wheras if he took a course of retyremēt from a worldly life and not compatible with succession as his education seemd to dispose him all must dye with him and lye buryed in the same graue None of these respects could euer perswade the Parents of our Saint to let him runn the common race of the world in liberty in plenty in wantonnes in excess of vanity and pleasure without restraint of any thing that flatters the sensuall appetite foments self loue and reiects all command of reason These generally being esteemd in the deprau'd iudgmēt of men as propper attributes of greatnes and on the contrary discipline learning and piety laughd at as a debasement of noble spiritts and meer precisianisme But these pious prudent Parents weigh'd things in another ballance they were fully satisfy'd of this truth that nothing suites better with honour then uertue and that nobility cannot liue in a more immortall Monument upon earth thē in the shrine of sanctity They knew that the nobler the mind the more need of cultiuating otherwise like a rich soyle more subiect to grow wild and degenerate They were not so sollicitous to propagate as to illustrate theyr family the happiness wherof they plac'd not in long continuance but a good conclusion And since familyes are mortall and haue theyr tearme of life as well as each particular man they cannot come to a better end then to dye in the bed of honour with integrity of fame and vertue IV. CHAPTER His first Studyes in Oxford OUr little S. THOMAS hauing now receiud the first tincture elements of learning at home both the autority of his Parents and his owne propension ledd him to a place of higher improuement the vniuersity of Oxford which was at that time in the primitiue vigour and esteemd by all as great a schoole of uertue as learning and therfore the common Nursery of our chiefe nobility of Engeland a thing continu'd euen to our dayes though with different success as but too true experience teaches vs. It was hard to say whether Oxford in that age though it euer bore the preeminence of antiquity or Paris had the greater repute and fame of learning Yet this noble strife bred nothing of that malignity to which the emulous nature of man is but too prone yea rather maintaynd a friendly Commerce and as it were free trade beweene these two great Marts of wisdome and sanctity And as those times were fertill of great persons in all perfections neyther of these two renownd Academyes did ingross any aduantage to themselues nor enuye the others benefitt but mutually imparted to each other what was rare and eminent The two glorious lights of the Catholique Church S. Dominick and S. Frācis his Orders illustrated the world at that time with theyr primitiue splēdour and reuiu'd Christianity with new vigour of learning and piety S. THOMAS of Aquine S. Bone S. Bonauenture Doctour of Doctours Alexander of Hales borne in Glocestershyre master of both these Saints with many others of the foresayd holy Institutes were the Oracles of that age and particularly enrich'd and cultiuated the French and English Vniuersities with theyr admirable doctrine Among the rest that famous learned Prelate Robert Kilwarby was highly eminent who bred and borne in England was one of the first of that nation who Consecrated him selfe to God in the holy habit of S. Dominick But his great abilityes and learning gaue him not leaue to enioy the sweet retyrement of a Religious life He was first calld by the Sea Apostolique to the Primacy of England in which charge he gaue such testimonyes of his incomparable worth that Nicolas the 3. who then sate in S. PETERS Chayre a great admirer of learning and vertue which he onely regarded in all preferments to haue his neerer assistance in the generall gouerment of the whole Church thought fitt to create him Cardinall and Bishop of Porto neer Rome which is the second dignity among those Princes of the Church The holy Prelat hauing receiud this new addition of honour was so farr from that Common disease and dropsy of Soules who the more they haue of greatnes the more they thirst that the first thing he did was to disburden himselfe of his Metropolitan charge of Canterbury not without resentment and repugnance of the king and all the nobility of England who extremely affected and reuerened him for his great learning and holynes of life He left behind him a perpetuall Monument of his piety and loue to his Order which is yett ex ant though applyd to a different vse Commonly knowne by the name of Black-Fryars in London This place when he was Arch Bishop of Canterbury he purchasd and built both Church and Conuent for his Religious whome he transferrd thither from a less Conuenient Residence in the suburbs The modesty and humble Carriage of this great Prelat was no less admird in the Court of Rome then his eminent parts and excelling knowledg He would not chāge his poore Religious habitt for the purple of Princes and was the first Cardinall that retaynd his habitt in that dignity as euer synce his example was followd by those who were promoted to that degree of honour from Religious Orders of Monastique discipline He neuer appeard in publick but on foot and neuer had other trayne but two of his owne Religious to accompany him and two other attendants in the nature of seruants In fine though he was admird and honourd as the Oracle of those times and mouth of the See Apostolique as appeard in that famous treaty and letters written by him in the Popes name to the king of Tartary about the Conuersion of that nation to the Christian fayth yett nothing could euer lift him the least thought aboue himselfe out of the profound humility and pouerty of
double Chancelourship both of Uniuersity and Realme of both these we shall treat in the ensuing Chapters Coming to this famous Uniuersity he mett to his great comfort and as great benefitt of spiritt with his former Ghostly father Dr. Robert Kilwarby who as he had before not only knowne him from his childhood but also layd in him the first foundations of a spirituall life so now resumd againe to the same charge he willingly lent his best endeavours to a further advance The spirituall aduises of this good man were to our Saint as so many Oracles and as such he receiue them animated therby to a serious progress in both his vndertakings of learning and vertue For we are to aduert that it was his settled maxime to make these two allwayes individuall companions keeping them in an equall ballance so that both learning adorne piety and piety learning each giuing other a mutuall assistance in so much that no application to studyes could diuert his mind or lessen his feruour to devotion and vertue He knew what the Apostle sayd to be most true „ scientia inflat 1. Cor. 5. 2. that knowledg is a swelling vapour and puffs upp to danger of bursting if it be not keept downe by the waight of piety and bounded with a profound humility Want of this wholsome caueat makes many great witts miscarry while they will be more witty then wise and learned then vertuous As for the effect and success of these his present Studyes by consent of all both friends and foes that is enemyes of God and themselves for on the saints part he neuer bad any nor opposition at all but in the behalfe of God and his right which he was obligd to maintaine by common consent I say he proceded Doctour of Canon-law and so became incorporated into that noble and ancient Uniuersity as a principall and Conspicuous member with a mutuall honour to them both from whome he was not to part till by a speciall prouidence of God not onely with common consent but vniuersall ioy both of King and Uniuersity he was made theyr head VII CHAPTER He is made Chancellour of Oxford SOme space of time elapsd heer in preparing for this Graduation some also affirme that he presided for some time in that study howeuer that interuening space gaue the learned Academy a sufficient knowledg of his singular worth and abilityes letting them know what a treasure they had gott among them In the meane time the Uniuersity is depriu'd of its head or Chancellour and was to be furnish'd nothing seemd wanting in our saint towards a most satisfactory discharge theroff eyther as to morall parts of learning prudence or what is also requisite for the support and countenancing of the same autority splendour of byrth and great allyance Hauing thus cast theyr eye upon him by the ioynt vote and concurrence of that illustrious Body the King is petitiond for his consent and all partyes concernd most readily yeald to the choyse besydes himselfe who neuer was ambitious of any preferrment What a Chancelour of an Uniuersity is can hardly be defind being his power and office wholy depends upon the nationall customes and propper institution of the founders Buh this is generaly receiud by all that the Chancellour is truly head of the Uniuersity not onely in poynts of doctrine but also in morall discipline and comportment both of Masters and Students For England as this office was euer of high esteem and honour so euen in these later times it is for the most part borne by persons great eyther by birth and dignity or of eminent power and fouour in court this being held necessary to support and protect that learned and united Body from all disturbance and disquiett Which that valiant and great Prince King Edward the 3. took so to hart that though hee seemd wholly employd in Armes and warrfare yett vpon an abuse affront offerd by the Citty to the Students of that Uniuisity he Deuested the Major and Magistrates of theyr power they had before and gaue the Chancellour Stow. anno Regis 29. 1355. of Oxford the onely view of the excise of bread ale and wine and other Victualls excluding the Major utterly from that office This king though he was deeply engagd in warrs abroad with such victorious success and conquests as none before or after him perhaps had the like yett was so present in the gouerment of his kingdome at home especially what concernd the nobler and most important part of the Common wealth that is the education of youth both Clergy and Laity in learning and vertue that it might seem the finall mark he aymd at and for all his successfull prowesse abroad that he took it for the greatest honor to be a feudatary to the supreme Dominion of wisdome and in reall effect did profess that infallible and euerlasting truth per „ me Reges regnant by mee Kings rule and raigne from mee they receiue all Prou. 8. 15. theyr power In this Chayre of autority was S. THOMAS Sett and it was his singular integrity and vpright demeanour which purchasd him this great and generall esteem The truth is there is no such purchaser of true worth and ascent to honour as vertue and this is confessd both by friend and foe euen the latter wher off deemes it praise worthy though he can not imitate it but beholds it as the Owle doth the light with disdaigne Of his demeanour in this office the Record testifyes thus In quo officio Cancellariae in omni statu suo quem ante post habuit justè sanctè se gessit viam veritatis quam prius inchoaverat non dimisit sed semper de bono in melius profecit In which Office of Chancellour as also in each other which he bore he demeand himselfe with such vprightnes and integrity that he neuer swaru'd from the path of truth which he once trodd but went on allwayes aduancing from good to better This aduance was made by exalting vettue and learning and depressing vice and idlenes its nurse by an impartiall administration of justice to all giuing euery one theyr due by maintayning Discipline in its vigour without slackning the raynes to a noxious liberty And as his autority extended both to Masters and Schollars and euen to the Citizens themselues so farr as to impede any abuse towards the former so he carryd an equall hand ouer all and fayld not therby to please all How resolute and actiue he was in this his proceeding is wittnessd by a scuffle or Riott which happend at that time betwixt the Southern and Northern Schollars vpon some quarrell of emulation in which the disorder grew so high that to part them he was faine to hazard his owne person and to throw himselfe in to the middle of the throng out of which he came though with a whole skinn yett not with a whole Coat his gowne being torne and he beaten yett he Maisterd the
multitude reduc'd them to order and made them doe pennance for theyr insolency This of Chancellour was the First publick office which S. THOMAS bore this that Candlestick of gold which first shewd that burning and shining light to the world this that Hill where that well built Citty by the hand of God himselfe first appeard and where there neuer was heard any other note but of ioy and Comfort And happy would that University haue deemd it selfe if it might still haue bin exhilarated with these sweet notes enlightend with his knowledg and refreshd with the streames of his wisdome of which they drunk with much gust and he no churle in Communicating them But they like the fountaine of paradise were not to be confind to so narrow a current fitt to water the surface of the whole kingdome to which they were both sufficient and the King at the lowd report which sounded euen to the Court designd them He thought that famous Uniuersity to little a sphere for so great abilityes and that it was an injury to the whole Realme to confine such a person to any particular place though neuer so honorable and therfore resolu'd to make the whole pertake of this vniversall benefitt VIII CHAPTER He is made Lord high Chancellor of England KIng Henry the 3. a pious and gratious Prince as you haue heard before lou'd te employ and preferr the vertuous to great Offices as knowing that weighty affayres were neuer better mannagd and consequently thriue better then in the hands of such For besydes the peculiar blessing and light which they receiue from Almighty God vertue giues them both industry and application and remoues many impediments which lye in the others way towards a due discharge of theyr trust And therfore synce our holy saint carry'd in the opinion of all such a Commendatory of sanctity of life and integrity of conuersation and withall his naturall abilityes corresponded to his supernaturall compleating him in both I wonder not at all that the good King cast his eyes vpon him and entrusted him with the great office of Lord Chancellor As to the Saint himselfe as he neuet sought the employment nay resisted what he could so he came with a disinteress'd hart disburdend of all respects but what he ought to God and his King but seeing himselfe in the eyes of the court and kingdome he thought it stood him vpon to be more circumspect in his actions and behauiour and therfore the Authour of his life sayes Eo honore decoratus mores actionesque arctiori virtutis praescripto deuinxit raysd to that dignity he endeauourd to square his actions and proceedings according to a straighter line of perfection He had learnd to be so farr Master of himselfe that no exaltation could rayse him aboue himselfe Psal 130. so that his hart and eyes were the same nor did he now walk in mirabilibus super se in the cloudes of wonders aboue himselfe He knew he was made the vice-gerent of diuine wisdome as to this pittance of trust and therfore he sayd as it taught him arrogantiam superbiam viam prauam os belingue detestor arrogancy and pride and wicked way and a double tongu'd mouth I doe detest and I wish Prou. 8. 13. all that beare the place would say the same and especially the last of a double tongue fitt onely for a double hart destroying all syncerity and playne dealing He ownd and practisd that which followes Meum est Concilium aequitas mea est prudentia fortitudo Myne is Counsell and equity prudence is myne strength is mine and how he behau'd himselfe in these particulars shall be shewd in the end of this Narratrue To giue now a small hynt at the nature of this office it may be obserud that the word Cancellarius or Chancellor signifyes not onely now but many ages agoe an employment or trust of highest concern and honour next the King himselfe most eminent for power and autority and till Sr. Thomas More 's time when worse changes and innouations followd the dignity of Chancellour was conferrd vpon single or not marry'd persons though Laymen as not to be vncapable of Ecclesiasticall Prelacy eyther Arch-Bishops or Bishops as the ordinary stile of England was As to the etymology of this word Cassiodorus that learned and graue person deriues it from Cancelli that is the grated enclosure wherin the Chancellour sate separated from the common throng not to be disturbd in his office accessible onely to mens eyes and therfore the same Authour calls these barrs or Cancells lightsome doores open Cloysters gates with windowes This was a friendly admonition or caueat giuen by Cassiodorus to a Chancellour newly exalted to that eminent office to putt him in mind that though he was raysd and separated from the common rank of men yet he was exposd to the common view of all and therfore must proceed accordingly not please himselfe as if he were to dance in a nett but to assure himselfe that he was like to haue as many censures and sharp judgments of him as men had eyes Others say he is so calld because the Chancellour is as it were the mouth the eye and eare of the Prince or Soueraigne and hath the reuie wing of all Memorialls or Petitions presented to the Prince and euen decrees of the Prince himselfe what he finds not conuenient to Law or prejudiciall to the Prince's or publick good it is his Office to cancell or cross out as voyd and wholly illegall and not to signe it From this Cancelling or crossing out with such vncontrould autority they will haue the name of Cancellarius or Chancellor deriu'd As for the Chancellor of England's office it is a dignity that makes him esteemd in the kingdome aboue all and next to the King himselfe In so much that on the other part of the Kings Seale wheroff the custody belongs to the Chancellor he signes his owne Orders that the Kings Chappel be in his disposall and care that vacant Arch. Bishopricks Bishopricks Abbeys and Baronyes falling into the Kings hands be receiud and kept by him that is the Chancellor who likewise is to be present when soeuer the King sitts in Counsell euen when he is not calld that all things of the Clark or Clergy man who carryes the Kings Seale be signd by the Chancellors hand that all things be disposd of by the aduise and Counsell of the Chancellor in fine that by the grace of God his desert and meritt concurring he neuer ends his dayes but in the See of an Arch Bishop or Bishop if he will accept of it And for this reason the office of Chancellor is neuer to be bought as hauing so much connexion and Relation to a Clergy state for danger of incurring Simony The manner or ceremony of creating Chancellors in the Raigne of Henry the 2. Grandfather to King Henry the 3. who enstalld S. THOMAS in that dignity was to hang the great Seale about the chosen
all the day and place of his inauguration was pitchd on The day was to be the 8. of Sept. sacred to the Natiuity of the Virgin Mother of God nor could any other haue fallen more suitable to his desyres and the deuotion he had for that glorious Queen whose Natiuity as it brought a deluge of ioy and happynes to all mankind so he might hope it would betyde no ill presage to him who was now to be borne as it were a new man and most willingly did he come into this new world under her patronage vnder which he was to liue and dye as all they doe who liue and dye happily When he had resolu'd who was to consecrate him it was easy to conclude on the place of Confecration the former resolue was easily made according to his owne inclination for connaturally speaking on whome would he sooner pitch then on him to whome he was most beholding after God for what he had both in literature and piety who as he had honourd him in his commencement of Doctour of Diuinity so also Crowne and compleat all with the Character of Episcopacy This was Robert Kilwarby whome we mentiond in the precedent Chapter installd now Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Primate of England who though so great shewd an humble readynes to comply with the desyres of his friend in order to a consecration what soeuer they were or wher soeuer to be performd sealing vpp as it were with this concluding act for shortly after he was calld to Rome all his former endeauors for the Saints aduance in spiritt and piety specifyd in the 4. Chapter onely it is to be noted in a word that the Consecration was made in Christ church Canterbury in the yeare 1275. and of his age about 56. In testimony of the common content receiu'd by this Election and the happynes as well as honour accrewing thence to his See of Hereford it was agreed by all concernd both Chapter and succssours and for an attestation of the generall Sentiment that thence forward all the Bishops of Hereford should giue his coat of Armes as the coat of theyr See to witt G. 3. leopards heads jeasant 3. flouwer de luces Or. So true it is that honour like a shadow followes those that fly it and that no pursuit besydes contempt is the ready way to its purchase XII CHAPTER His Retyrement and Union with God THis new Character made him a new man nor did he look on himselfe with the same eyes as before not puffd vpp like many with the fumes of a swelling exaltation but purely on the score of his new Character beholding himselfe as one consignd ouer therby to the seruice of God They are worse then purblind who look onely on a man as a meer man and make no distinction at all of states and callings being able to penetrate no further then the exteriour lineaments nor distinguish in theyr leuelling humour betwixt a man and a Priest one with a crosyer and a Sword Euen such themselues when qualifyd and raysd to honours look on themselues as some body and will not bate an ace of State why should not the same be done when raysd to a state of Sanctity Bishops are in a state of perfection and sett vpp as lights in the candlestick of the church to shine to others you are sayd Christ of them the light of the Mat. 5. 14. world nothing not squaring with perfection is expected from them This consideration makes them reflect on theyr duty attend to your selues and your whole flock and so did it our Act. 20. 28. B. Saint giuing him subject enough to busy his thoughts on in order to a due discharge of his trust Which the better to performe he recalls all his thoughts home and as he had now contracted a new Espousalle so he wedded all his endeauours to its interest A sheapard till he haue a flock of his owne may diuert himselfe more freely among his neighbours and spend some houres in visiting theyrs but when he himselfe is once Master of one he attends onely to that and may say as did the man in the Ghospell on another occasion uxorem duxi Iâ—c 14. 20. ideo non possum c. When God calls one to a state he furnishes him with thoughts desyres affections sutable therto he giues him light to consider it to ponder its weightynes to see for what he must be answerable when „ redde rationem villicationis Luc. 16. 2. tuae „ calls vpon him All these employ his mind sufficiently and make him retyre with in himselfe and consequently with draw from less necessary exteriour affayres He neuer was in loue with the world nor taken with its fooleryes and therfore easily retyrd from it as from what he little car'd for he was long agoe like one glutted and surfeyting with its dilights euen the choysest of the court and saw too clearly its vanityes to be deluded by them The more he retyrd into himselfe the more he lou'd Retyrement its sweetnes being not knowne but by tasting it and one truth he discouerd therby that a gadding Spiritt wil neuer make a Saint nor wandering thoughts which goe all day on wool-gathering bring home much sanctity He found all in God and contented himselfe with him alone as well he might who to a holy Soule is all in all and it is in solitude that he speaks to such a hart where the choyser sort of vertues dwell not vpon Roads or marketplaces as Lions and Eagles and such generous Creatures are not found in common woods and fields but solitary Wildernesses where they may rule and enioy themselues vncontroulld by the vulgar of inferiour Creatures Heer vpon a great change was obserud in him and his conuersation he was and was esteemd a Saint before but now more noys'dly he had long agoe the world in contempt now in hatred What lay not a little heauy on his hart and was as I may say the burden of his thoughts was his new charge or the sollicitude of its good discharge To comply duly with this was all his care and to doe it well a great supply he knew of vertues was requisite and those chiefly which attend such a function Those he conceiu'd to be in the first place and aboue others Vigilancy he being now a Sheapard that was to keep watch and stand Sentinell ouer his Flock a vertue so propper to one thus entrusted that on it the whole wellfare and safety of the same Flock seems in a manner to depend as to its preseruation and integrity both for the preuenting of mischiefes and giuing redress when incurrd A vigilant Pastour withstands the incursions of wolues and other beasts of prey not onely when they appeare in theyr propper shape but also disguisd in the dress of sheep nor is it his duty onely to preuent and repell euill but also to implant good It happend when men were a sleep that the enemy man found opportunity to sow tares vpon
him how to dye well which is one of the most important arts in the world for what auailes it if we gaine the whole uniuerse and suffer shipwrack of our owne Soules This maxime was the study of his whole life and on it all his principles were grounded and so well that he was not a frayd to look death in the face he regarding it no otherwise then as a passage to a better life and therfore amidst all its appalements he sate vpon its Couch as the Phenix on her pile of spices expecting that the same flames which consumd his body should renew his soule to a better and immortall life Of this his passage I shall say no more then I find vpon authentique Record the Process of his Canonization reflecting on two things first his preparation to it secondly the sequels of it And as to the former when he perceiu'd that the euening of life was in a great decline and its sunn neer vpon setting though his whole life had bin nothing else but a preparation to death or disposition to the sleep of Saints by which they rest in our Lord yett the neerer it approachd the more it awakd him to a discharge of his last dutyes And therfore with hart and eyes fixd on heauen the first of his desyres according to the Rytes of H. Church were the last Sacraments or Viaticum of that great journey doing himselfe as he had taught others to doe in that passage These are Confession Communion and Extreme Unction which as no good Christian doth omitt so no good seruant of God but has them in esteem and veneration and the greater the better insight they haue into the Concerns of theyr soule and its happy passage Hauing thus prouided for the substantiall part all the rest of his minutes were lett out at the highest exchange and he vnmindfull of all worldly things inuokd the Spiritt both of life and light by a „ Veni Creator Spiritus to be assistant to him in this last conflict against the Spiritts of Darknes when both life and light lye at the Stake This done he armd himselfe with the signe of the crosse or ensigne of Christianity as formidable to the infernall powers as confortable to a parting soule who whilst he consignd himselfe by it ouer to Alm. God he added these deuout expressions taught him probably in his child hood „ Per signum Crucis de inimicis nostris libera nos Deus noster and againe Per Crucis hoc signum fugiat procul omne malignum and lastly „ Per idem signum saluetur omne benignum All these are put downe verbatim in the record and teach vs how to arme our selues in our last Conflict towards a victory ouer our enemyes This done he calld his retinue about him and imparting to each fayth the lessons of his office the kiss of peace togeather with wholsome instructions for a pious life amidst these embracements he took and gaue the last adieu And now by this time the stock of life being quite spent the pangs of death came stronger vpon him and these increasing he betook himselfe more earnestly to his refuge of prayer making vse of that verse of the Psalmist propper in such a passage in manus tuas Domine commendo Spiritum meum Domine Deus veritatis Commendo Spiritum meum which words whilst he repeated thrice with his hands eleuated towards heaven he renderd his sweet Soule most acceptable to heauen to be receiud according to its meritts into the eternall tabernacles This was the setting of this sweet Sunn shewing much not onely of the Christian but of the Saint and verifying the old saying „ vt vixit sic morixit teaching vs that generall rule without exception he that liues well dyes well Which Sunn though he went downe in a strange horizon yett found a wellcome in the Ocean of bliss or a blessed eternity the true Christian deemes that his Hemisphere where God places him we being all Cittizens of the world and like beggars neuer out of our way while we are tending to Paradise Happy they that can make a happy Conclusion of so important an affayre which when thus concluded our work is done and if not happily all 's vndone and that without redress that is a moment of greatest moment wheron depends eternity Though his festiuity were keept on the 2. of October yett the day of his death happend on the 25. of August or the morrow to the Apostle S. Bartholomew And synce all Authours that I can find vnanimously agree as to the place to witt that it was neer Monte fiascone one would wonder why Bp. God win in contradiction heer of without alledging any ground for his assertion should maintaine that he dy'd at Ciuita Vecchi and in his way to Rome wheras there are vndenyable prooffs both of his arriuall there and obtayning his pretentions returne by land and holy death at the place aforesayd To say the least this cannot but argue a spiritt of contradiction propper to one of his coat and little beseeming the name of a Bishop nor had he more besydes the reuenues Onely it is a knowne trick of such I can call it no better to render the clearest truths disputable and thence doubtfull and so by degrees eneruate all fayth both humane and diuine by vndermining the autority which is theyr basis It happend the night after his decease that one of his officers whome he had left behind him in England his name was Robert of Glocester then his Secretary afterwards Chancellor of Hereford being at that time at London and Lodging in the Bishops owne Chamber had this dreame or vision call it as you please He thought himselfe to be at Lions in France where in the great street of that Citty which leads to the Cathedrall he seemd to behold his Lord and Master going towards that Church whither himselfe was also bound Both being enterd his Lord he thought went into the Sacristy where putting of the vpper garment which he wore he vested himselfe with white Pontificall Robes and those most rich and carrying in his hand the Body of our Lord or most B. Sacrament in forme of a Consecrated Host he appeard suddainly in the midst of a most solemne and stately Procession both of Clergy and religious and those likewise cladd all in white The Procession seemd to moue towards the Cloyster of the Cathedrall while others of that quire enton'd and prosecuted with delicate Musique that part of the Capitulum propper to the Office of S. Peter ad Vincula Occidit autem Jacobum fratrem Joannis gladio But before all were enterd the gate which led into the sayd Cloyster it on a suddain was shutt and Robert who with many others desyrd also to enter were excluded to theyr no small defeatment and left to consider the dreame of which he as the ignorant of the Saints death could look vpon no otherwise then a dreame But when immediately after certaine tydings both of