Prelate truly Apostolicall and that though full sore against his will with more exquisite honours and greater veneâ—…tion then euer and hauing with his presence and oportune exâ—…ortations comforted that people there and promoted or amended rather according as need required the publique discipline he returned very soone agayne to the tender plants of Pomerania And heere encouraging such as were running before prouoking the flow and confirming and rearing vp the wauering he attended more at ease with due meanes to establish the happy culture of those lands And hauing now reduced matters to good tearmes and being finally rich with merits and full of benedictions he returned agayne to his proper dioâ—…sse Where while he attends by all manner of wayes to represent in himselfe the forme of a faythfull vicar and seruant of Christ there occurred to him an accident worthy of feare and wonder as shal appeare in the next Chapter After a notable accident happened S. Otho dismayd desires to be discharged of the Office and to be receaued into a Monastery but he is denyed Chap. 6. IN a Church of a certaine village called Buchback which S. Otho visited he found that vnder the Aultar within a litle chest of leade were layd very many and most precious reliques sealed vp Which he not holding to be in so worthy a place as became them determined to translate them some other where with more veneration and decency to be kept by Religious persons There being then fasts and deuout prayers made for that intention he returned thither with an honourable troupe of Clercks about him and appointed some of them to breake the seale and to take forth the chest but none of them daring through their innated piety and reuerence they bare vnto it to lay hands thereupon he himselfe full of feruour couragiously takes hold of the mallet and hardly had giuen it two or three blowes when from the chest it selfe there flowed forth a manifest streame of bloud The standers by being amazed at the spectacle began suddenly to fall downe to the ground and with teares to begge mercy of God and succour of the Saints The Bishop himselfe giuing ouer the enterprise being full of confusion and feare for the matter retires to Bamberge where eyther for chastisement of his too much confidence or els for matter of new crownes being seized on by a grieuous infirmity and desirous to be assisted in spirit since for the body he cared not much he caused Father VVolfran Abbot of S. Michaels to be â—…nt for to come vnto him a person of rare qualityes and while this so great and faythfull freind of his sate familiarly by him and with the hopes of heauen and other sweet discourses sought to â—…itigate his dolours S. Otho one day hauing found some little â—…uce with his malady with an humble countenance turning himselfe to him Father sayd he you must vnderstand how I now for so maâ—…y yeares hauing beene suddenly raysed to Prelacy and from the â—…oyse and vanity of the Court being yet full of spots and dust without passing the purgatiue way hauing purchased the ensignes of perfection which is as much as to become a Doctour before one goes to Schoole And I though enforced in a manner vnto it by him who had reason to command me doe stand yet in some doubt whether then I made due resistance or no to such a charge and do verily belieue that besides those ancient remorses of conscience these new scourges of the eternall iustice haue thus light vpon me And now since the common Lord with equall benigâ—…ty seemes to punish me so and giue me space to looke backe into my former offences I am resolued to differ no longer the delibetaâ—…on I haue often made with my selfe to discharge me of the Pastorall office so much aboue my feeble and weake forces and in a priuate life to reduce me to Monasticall discipline And since among all the congregations which I know I find none more conâ—…rmable to my designes and behoofes then yours of S. Michael I doe therefore most earnestly beseech you Father to vouchsafe to accept me in the name of our Sauiour Christ into your family and â—…o present vnto him this small sacrifice of my selfe and being cloaâ—…ed though vnworrhy with your habit to admit me into your Conuent and ruling me in all and in euery thing as the other subiects to conduct me with diuine assistance to the glorious victory of my passions and to a full mortification of my proper will You know well inough the bands of streight friendship amity which are betweene vs and I do very well remember the charity you haue euer shewed me in all occurrences But now assure your selfe that in affoarding me this benefit which heere I request at your handes you shall farre exceed all the seruices and courtesies which you haue hitherto vouchsafed me Such wordes spake the Bishop with voyce and gestures well able to demonstrate they came not from any sudden fit of passion but from a resolute and stable purpose and the Abbot being astonished at so new a demand not to constristate the sicke man for that tyme would by no meanes deny him but rather with a cheerfull countenance commending the good desire he had made shew to accept of his prompt Obedience reseruing the execution of the rest to his better health In the meane while the feruorous Nouice finding himselfe to be somewhat better recouered and not seeing the houre of fullfilling his vow to come hauing disposed as secretly as he could the thinges belonging to him without delay requires the habit of Religion and makes new instance to be sent into the Monastery so conualescent and weake at he was But the discreet Superiour on the one side being edifyed at so great humility of his and on the other in much suspence for the importance quality of the busines calling after prayer some graue experienced men to consult he proposed the Bishops request and all hauing well examined the matter did answere it to be without doubt to the seruice of God that a man of so eminent vertue behoouefull to so great a multitude should go forwardes rather to shine on the Candlesticke of the Church as a burning and resplendant light then by aspiring to a priuate life to hide himselfe vnder a bushell within Cloisters though otherwise holy and laudable in it selfe With this answeare the Abbot being assured and confirmed in his former iudgment goes his wayes to S. Otho who like vnto a weight that approached neerer to its center longed so much the more for subiection pouerty and solitude as the confidence was greater which he had conceaued already of obtayning his intent and approaching to him with due reuerence demanded of him if he held still his purpose to maintayne the Obedience with deeds which he had promised him with words and he cheerefully answearing that for the loue of him who to the eternall Father had obserued it to death he was readily
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
in thee be darkenes â—…ow great then shall the darknes it selfe be And in truth who sees not â—…hat when the iudgement through ignorance remayning in the darke goes doubtfull and wauering but needs must the thoughts â—…nd actions depending thereon come thence to be entrapped in a greater and thicker myst of sinnes Of which truth he doth giue vs â—…ufficient testimony who by the eternall Maiesty being chosen the first King of Israel for not hauing this eye of discretion sound but â—…ll members ill affected with darknes deserued to loose the Kingdome while he thought to be more seruiceable to God in sacrificing to him then obeying of Samuel incurring thereby the diuine â—…ffence in the selfe same thing wherein he made full rekoning to gayne his fauour The defect of this knowledge after that glorious triumph â—…erswaded Achab that mercy and clemency were better then seucâ—…ity and the execution of that rigorous and cruell command as it â—…eemed to him Through which coÌ„sidering being mollifyed whilst â—…e would needs seeme to be contemning with an act of piety the â—…loudy victory as he thought through indiscreet compassion beâ—…ng himselfe likewise obscured in his whole person was without â—…emission condemned to death This is that Discretion which is not only called by the Apostle a Lampe but a Sunne also where he saith â—…et not the sunne seeme to set vpon your anger This in like manner is called â—…he Gouernment of our life according to that saying Such as haue â—…o gouernment with them do fall like leaues This is worthily termed Counsayle without the which to do any thing is by the holy Scripture so precisely forbidden vs as neyther are we to take otherwise the spirituall wine it selfe which is that Gladnes that cheeres vp the â—…hart of man while Salomon saith Do you euery thing with Counsaile and with Counsaile likewyse do you drinke your wyne And elsewhere Who workes without Counsayle is like to a Citty which is dismantled quite and destroyed as shewing with this similitude how pernicious to the soule is the lack of such a vertue In this knowledge in this the vnderstanding and iudgment consists according to that aduertisement which saith with wisedome is the house built with vnderstaÌ„ding repayred with iudgment is the Cellar replenished withall the best and most precious things This I say is that solid foode that cannot be taken but of strong perfect men Whence the Apostle sayth To the perfect belonges a solid foode who through long experience let tâ—… senses be well exercised in the discretion of good and ill What more It is so profitable and necessary as it comes to be numbred among the other diuine attributes according to the sentence of the same S. pal Quick and liuely is the word of God and very efficacious and more penetrate farre then the sharpest knife arriuing to the diuision of the soule spirit â—…ea euen to the ioynts marrow is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the hart Out of which authorityes it is manifestly shewed that with out the grace of Discretion it is impossible eyther perfectly to purchase or long to conserue any vertue whatsoeuer This then in matter of Perfection was the iudgment this the Doctrine of S. Antony The which being first by that sacred Session of Fathers without reluctatioÌ„ approued after with good reason by Cassian as we said inserted into his Collations hath also seemed good to vs for the publique vtility to transferre into our present discourse The multitude of Monks increaseth The Angelicall life of S. Antony And of the persecution raysed by Maximinian against the Church Chap. 9. IN the meane season the number of Monks did meruaylously increase and throughout all those hills could nothing els be seene but Cells and Monasteryes like to Pauillions applyed to a sacred warfare full of Psalmes Conferences Lessons Prayers Fasts and vigils accompanyed partly with a iubiley of hart through expectation of the future goods partly also with the industry and labour of the hands to purchase almes for the poore Who shall expresse then the chast dilection and streight concord amongst theâ—… In such sort as casting the eyes vpon those countryes a Man verily seemed to behold a Region as wholy dedicated to the worship Iustice of God Heere raigned not eyther open or hidden factions not practices or designes of transitory or terrene things but only a multitude well ordered of men all applyed to the study of the more eminent vertues So as one beholding them the Orders withall might truly breake forth into that exclamation of Numbers the 23. chapter Quam bona domus tuae Iacob tabernacula tua Israel tamquam nemorâ—… obrumbrantia tamquam Paradisus super flumina tamquam tabernacula qua fixâ—… sunt à Domino tamquam cedri Libani circa aquas But yet in so vniuersall a feruour did the Lampe of S. Anteny alwayes seeme farre to exceede both in heate and splendour the other lights who neuer ceasing his angelicall customes did alwaies â—…o his power keepe silence and augment his pennances aspiring day and night to the happy mansions of Heauen Whereupon as â—…ikewise the imitation of the more glorious Saints he had so fixed â—…is mynd that whensoeuer it was needfull for him to eate or sleep â—…r in any other manner to serue the body he beheld the noblenes â—…f the Soule so miserably abased with so vile an exercise And thus â—…hrough compulsion he would take his refection now alone â—…ow with others not omitting through occasion thereof to remeÌ„â—…er his disciples how much it behoued them very seriously to atâ—…end to the soule and to seeke after the profit thereof in spending as â—…tle tyme as might be in the care of the body that the spirit be not â—…ulled downwards by sensuall delights but the flesh to be reduced â—…ather into the seruitude and power of the spirit and this sayd he â—…as the sense of those wordes of the Ghospell Nolite soliciti esse animae â—…estrae quid manducetis neque corpori quid induamini haec enim omnia genâ—…s inquirunt Scit enim Pater vester quod his omnibus indigetis Querite auâ—…m regnum Dei haec omnia adijcientur vobis At the same tyme while S. Antony was instructing and guiâ—…ing his Monkes in this manner was raised in Egypt that cruell perâ—…cution of Maximinian agaynst the Church of God At the newes â—…hereof the holy Abbot being desirous to shed his bloud for Christ â—…ent his way in hast to Alexandria accompanyed with many sayâ—…g let vs be present by all meanes at the glorious combats of â—…e Champions of Christ for that God will eyther make vs worâ—…y of that glorious Fellowship with them or at least if our Voâ—…ation extend not so high their fayth and fortitude will affoard â—…s a noble spectacle and of much edification In the meane tyme â—…e puts himselfe in publique to help and encourage them First in â—…e mines and in prisons and afterwards much
reprehension with both had the weight it ought to haue and they departing without delay by accord went to their former habitation and there passed not 24. dayes but Eulogius dyed after three dayes more the Leaper followed him very well disposed in the inward man exceeding contrite This successe was attentiuely obserued not without a great deale of glory to our Lord and much profit to soules S. Antony enioyeth sundry visions And fortels diuers things of the Arrian Heretiques Chap. 17. TO this kind of visions and Reuelations may others be added no lesse to the purpose of exciting the feare of God and very worthy to be alwayes conserued in memory Whereof one was that S. Antony being one day in prayer about the hower of Noone before meate he felt himselfe sudenly to be rauished in spirit and it seemed to him that he was carryed to Heauen by some fauourable spirit But in ascending some others of a proud and fierce aspect opposed themselues against him who being repulsed by the Guard of S. Antony beganne to quarrell and alleadge the power they had frō aboue to examine whosoeuer passed With this denunciation they preuayled to performe their office but the wicked spirits being willing to demaund an accompt of S. Antony from the day of his Natiuity it was not permitted them to do so but only from the tyme he became a Religious person in regard that all the transgressions behind were now cancelled and remitted by the diuine piety Then did the infernall Ministers dilate themselues against the seruant of Christ in diuers accusations and calumnyes but not being able to proue any so ashamed and confounded in spight of themselues they were feigne to let him passe And at that very instant agayne did S. Antony returne to himselfe so strooke and astonished withall as that forgetting his refection he remayned all the rest of the day and all the night a sighing and considering with how many Enemyes vnhappy Man hath to deale withall It came into his mind besides how the Apostle not without good reason seemes to call the deuils the Princes and Rulers of this ayre exhorting the faythfull to betake them to the armour of God that they may be able to resist him in that dreadfull day and the spightful accuser may not haue wherewith to conuince them at that houre Another tyme after he had a while talked of the immortality of the Soule with some that came to visit him the next night he heard himselfe called from aboue with these words Antony stand vp go forth and behold Being gone out he seees a foule and horrible Mōster who with the head seemed to reach to the clouds and some others besides with wings which endeauoured to fly but he stretching forth his vnmeasurable hands strooke some of them downe to the Earth others he could not hinder from mounting on high and as for the one he fretted with rage and gnashed his teeth so he reioyced for the other and made great triumph When suddenly a voyce sayd to S. Antony Marke well what thou seest so cōming a new light vpon him he perceyued it to be the passage of soules and that great Giant to be the diuell who had power authority vpon his Subiects only but was wholy impotent against those who in life had not been obedient to him Another day he seemed to behold infinite snares gins and pit-falls to be spread on the face of the Earth saying with a lowd ◅igh And who shall be able to come off safe ◅midst so many nets and traps he heard this answere Humility only With these and other such like illustrations of the vnderstanding came S. Antony continually to be more enflamed to the study of Perfection and to vanquish himselfe and as vpon such accidents he was euer wont to stand musing and be extraordinarily recollected so the Disciples would be easily aware that some such like extasies or abstractions or other had happened to him they would be comming about him with so m◅ny prayers and coniurations as he could not conceale them especially considering the fruite they might gather from them Another tyme after these he approaching now towards the end of his life and sitting in contemplation he was rapt in like māner turning himselfe to the standers by beganne to fetch a deep sig◅ and trembling all ouer kneeles on the ground and so remayning a good while in prayer he arose agayne all bathed in teares Wherupon the disciples being affrayd enforced him to manifest to thē that which happened to him Then the Saint with many sobs and with words interrupted answered O children how much better were it to dye outright then to behold the things to fall out which haue now been declared to me When they yet vrging him agayne he addes but with deepe sighs The wrath of God hangs ouer the holy Church Forlo it is to be giuen vp into the power of bestiall persons I haue seen the table of our Lord encompassed roūd with lasciuious and vnbrideled mules that with many kicks of the heeles oppresse the Priests and turne euery thing vpside downe At which sight I sighing amayne and desirous to know the mistery this voyce seemed to land in myne eares My Aultar shall be profaned and full of abhominations But yet together with this euill newes I haue likewise learned how the storme shall soone passe ouer and fayre weather agayne shall returne to the Catholiques Both which Prophesyes were shortly fulfilled First in the sacrilegious boldnes and insolency of the Arrians and then with the demonstration of the diuine iustice and with the punishments which in part at least they payd for all These Ministers of the deuill had sacked the Temple of Christ and within sacred cloysters had violated the Virgins and Matrons there made hauock of the pious people and stayned the Yards Chappels with innocent bloud brought in the rabble and the vilest artizans the worshippers of Idols to contaminate the vessels to trample the Baptisteryes and Sacraments and in summe committed such things as without horrour and shame cānot be related But so impious and licentious prosperity of theirs lasted notlong For lo the rauenous wolues now fallen into hatred with al Natiōs for such impietyes and chased away with the fury of the selfe same people whome they had stirred vp fled out of the Cittyes basely went lurking agayne in their wonted holes Wherupon the true ancient Religion came agayne to dilate it selfe and the saythfull saw to their great content and consolation the predictions of S. Antony to be verifyed Whereof since we haue now treated sufficiently already we will conclude this matter with a notable case which happened in the tyme of Nestorius the Gouernour of Alexandria to a certaine man called Balatius a Captayne in Egypt The Iudgement of God shewed vpon Balatius the Heretique and how S. Antony opposeth himselfe against the Arrians Chap. 18. THis Balatius was a great fauourer of the Arrians consequently
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
himselfe likewise to the discipline of S. Pachomius â—…y the occasion which I shall presently tell you The history of Theodore and how he and his Mother entred into the discipline of S. Pachomius THeodore once on a festiuall day beholding the riches the delights and the ornaments of his owne house felt himselfe sudâ—…enly to be interiourly moued by the diuine grace began to disâ—…ourse with himselfe in this manner saying What shall all these â—…ases contentments and momentary pleasures auayle me Wretch â—…s I am if I come to be depriued of the Eternall Forasmuch as â—…one for the present can attend to these and in the future enioy the â—…thers and fetching suddenly a great sigh retyred himselfe into a â—…ore secret place of the house where prostrate in teares he sayd 〈◊〉 Lord who seest the secrets of harts thou knowest I prefer not â—…ny thing of this life before thy loue vouchsafe then to illumine â—…e so as I may be able to vnderstand thy will and that perfectly â—…xecuting the same I may glorify and prayse thee foreuer After this refusing the commodityes and the cherishments of â—…is Mother he began to giue himselfe seriously to abstinence and â—…astings with other mortifications and asperityes wherin hauing â—…xercised himself for some two yeares together he recollected himâ—…elfe in the company of some Seruants of God One of which the â—…espers being ended discoursing according to the custome amoÌ„gst â—…hem of spirituall things he entred in to speake of the Tabernacle â—…nd of the Saencta Sanctorum of the ancient Law interpreting the exteriour Tabernacle as that which was of the manner of manufacture to signify the first people of the Iewes but that of the Sancta Sanctorum should figure the vocation of the Gentils as hauing a more sumptuous and mysticall entry with it whence in the place of Sacrifices of beasts and insteed of the Thurible of the Table of the Arke of the Candlesticke of the Propitiatory and of all those other ancient symbols for our saluation hath succeeded the diuine word it selfe who assuming our human flesh hath taken vs from the paynes of our sinnes through the holy light of the Ghospell and with the satisfaction of his infinite merits This said he confessed he had heard this interpretation from the great Pachomius himselfe who had lately gathered togeather good number of Monks in the Iland of Tabenna and gouerned them with merueilous discipline and I hope added he that the mentioÌ„ of this Man of God now made by me may impetrate for vs some indulgence of our sinnes The good Monke had scarce finished his discourse when Theodore was enflamed with the relation made with an exceeding desire of knowing S. Pachomius by sight and to giue himselfe wholy to be gouerned by him In so much as a vertuous and good Old man called Pecusius being come thither from Tabenna for to visit that Congregation there was by Theodor intreated at his returne with great affectioÌ„ he would be pleased to conduct him with him to the blessed Pachomius as he did with a very good will and being arriued at the holy place the youth not being able to conteyne himselfe from teares of Ioy was receiued by him with a great deale of charity and numbred with the others when in a short tyme he profited so much in all manner of vertues as S. Pachomius himselfe did wonder at it There was afterwards an occasion presented to make the constancy and feruour of this Nouice more renowned In reguard the Mother being now become a widow and not brooking the absence of her sonne came to Tabenna in person bringing letters froÌ„ the Bishops with expresse order to haue him restored her agayne Heere now she being receiued by the Nuns as a guest she speedily sent the letters to S. Pachomius vrging the execution therof When the seruant of Christ hauing called Theodore to him said to him in this sort I vnderstand thy Mother is come to see thee behold the Letters of the Bishops which she hath brought me for that end Go thy wayes then and comfort her especially for the Prelates sakes who haue recommended it to me Theodore answered Do you giue me security then Reuerend Father that this little edification which I shall giue vnto others with such an enteruiew be not imputed to me at the day of Iudgment Forasmuch as if in the tymes before grace the children of Leui did quite forsake their Parents howbeyt most deere vnto them for to serue the Lord God wholy how much rather should I that haue receyued so great mercy and light from the â—…ame Lord God keep my selfe from preferring in any wise the affection to flesh before the loue and seruice of his diuine Maiesty seeing our Sauiour hath sayd openly to vs He that loues his Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me Then S. Pachomius declared himselfe better vnto him with saying If it seeme not expedient to thee my Sonne I will not vrge thee to it but rather confesse the other to be of more perfection because indeed the Monke is to fly al worldly commerce and be louing with an ordinate affection without passion all those who through fayth are members of Christ. And if any would seeme to oppose that he may not desist from wishing well to his owne bloud let him note that saying of the Scripture That euery one becomes the slaue of him that vanquitheth him By this manner of speach the good Youth being now confirmed more and more would by no meanes shew himselfe to his Mother And it pleased our Lord through this austerity of his that she remained so astonished and moued to deuotion as she determined likewise herselfe to leaue the world and with the approbation of S. Pachomius was receiued into the number of the Seruants of Christ. Whence may be gathered that things being done to the greater glory of God howbeit in the beginning sometymes they may seeme perilous and bitter yet neuerthelesse through diuine disposition do they produce many tymes most sweet fruites The Griefe which S. Pachomius tooke for the lapsed Togeather with this Discretion and Patience in all occasions Chap. 9. FRom these and other such like successes looke how much consolation S. Pachomius tooke in our Lord so much griefe and sorrow felt he for the ill proceeding of some who tyred with labour to much giuen to carnall prudence would neuer throughly renounce themselues nor be desployed of the old man The holy Man would seeke to help such by all meanes possible but in vayne Because they partly not knowing how to deny their proper will partly affrighted with the difficulty of vertue and with the examples of the pennances and Mortifications which they saw in others finally being vanquished by the spirit of pusillanimity and vayne feare did suffer themselues to be caryed from the port into the daÌ„gerous tempests of the world Yet this departure of theirs was not altogether vnprofitable to others since the field of
himselfe awhit behind to go forth to meete him with great vehemency and with equall hope of victory The encounter endured many houres not without a great slaughter betweene them still with vncertayne and doubtfull euent the King himselfe went heer and there very manfully vp and downe the troups encouraging the doubtfull inciting the valiant hartening the cowards and very readily sending still succour where greater necessity appeared and aboue all neuer ceased he to inuoke the diuine aâ—…nce in a cause 〈◊〉 iust and his prayers were not cast into the winds because that Vencellinus who had the right wing in charge perceiuing himselfe to be secretly renforced as it were with new breath after he had â—…ought a good while with his eye vpon the disloyall Capa finally knew him and went suddenly to meete him while they both were buckling together hand to hand the King perceyuing the encounter with a good number of choyce horse made â—…ast to succour him wheÌ„ approching neerer he sees Vencellinus hauing now vnhoâ—…sed his enemy to be cutting of his head with his owne hands the which to the great ioy of the Christians was put on the point of a speare and being carryed heer and there did giue great terrour to the Rebels for without more adoe they fell into route and direct flight while our men pursued them with hoat executions and with the same violence entring into the enemies trenches neuer gaue ouer from cutting in peeces as many as they found therein vntill S. Stephen who grieued at the effusion of so much bloud caused the retrayt to be founded The Captiues as guilty of high treason escaped not without coÌ„uenient punishmeÌ„t one quarter of Capas body in terrour of the rest was affixed on the gate of Vesprinio another of Strigonium the third at Gauerino and the fourth at Alba Iulia the principall Citty of Transiluania And if S. StepheÌ„ in chastizing had vsed iustice he shewed it no lesse in largely rewarding his Captaynes and souldiours according to the dignity and deportement of ech one but his principall study was amidst such prosperous euents to shun vayneglory and to shew forth that piety and gratitude which he owed to the Authour of all good and the Court of Heauen And to that end deuout processions being made with solemne masses he began from the very foundations a magnificent Temple to S. Martyn his Protectour in a scite which is called the holy Hill where is sayd the great Seruant of God was wont to remayne in contemplation for the litle tyme he abode in that Country and besides the applying of the third part of the spoyles to the fabricque he assigned for all the Priests that should inhabite there the whole Tithes of corne wine of cattell and moreouer of the children themselues of the inhabitants of the Citty and territory of Simigia And the rest of the goods which he might well haue put into the Fiscall he deputed part to the maintenance of the poore part to the increase of the diuine worship And being inflamed with new feruour of charity he neuer left crauing of the Highest at all houres somtymes in sackcloth ashes the grace to see before his death all Hungary conuerted vnto the fayth as forseing for certayne that being so it should come to be as it fell out afterwards a perpetuall and strong bul warke for the Church of Christ agaynst the violence of the Barbarians Many difficultyes seemed to crosse this pious desire of his but none greater then the want of sufficient Cathechists Preachers while the number of them who had come to those parts in the tyme of Geisa through diuers accidents was much diminished Whereupon in imitation of his Father with ample patents and very liberall offers he sent to al the religious Orders of Christendom to inuite the good and learned vnto him In somuch as many Monkes and Priests repayred thither partly moued at so honest a request and partly also of their proper will Among which was one Astricus a Benedictin Abbot called Anastasius by another name with some disciples of his who in the lower Hungary receyued some wounds for Christ. From Polony resorted two famous Hermits Andrew and Benet whereof the one was famous for miracles the other honoured with sacred martyrdome By meanes of these others who came to that worke the King attended to instruct the Gentils in the principles and manners truly Christian alluring them with sweetnes of words and workes and likewise when need required constrayning theÌ„ by mayne force to forsake the impious worship of the Idols Nor euer ceased he from the worke vntill such tyme as he had purged all those lands of their profane rites and abhominable filth of the Diuells And to the end that all might proceed with due forme and that the fruit of these labours might be durable he takes in hand with mature consideration with the counsayle of the wise to ordayne in fit places with sufficient rents Parochiall and Collegiate Churches diuers Conuents of Monkes and diuided the Kingdome it selfe into ten Bishoprickes declaring the Citty of Strigonium the Mother of them all choosing Prelates of honourable fame for ech one and such as were apt with the word to feed the flocke and to lead them with good workes King Stephen sends to Rome an Embassadour to submit himselfe and his Kingdome to the Sea Apostolique marryes with Gisâ—…a of the house of Bauary Chap. 5. THe rumour and applause of these so heroicall actions of S. Stephen immediately ran through all Europe and there was none who vnderstood the noble proceedings and spirituall conquests of the new King that deemed him not worthy of eternall prayse and royall Maiesty Yet he alone could not satisfy himselfe nor euer repute that Hierarchy Canonicall or the Title acceptable to God vnles the free assent and full confirmation of the Pope were added thereunto who in those dayes was Benedictus VIII Some foure yeares then after the death of Geisa the Rebels for the most being suppressed the publique affayres put in good order and the faith dilated now as farre as Danubius he sent Embassadour to the Citty of Rome with a goodly and decent pompe the aforesaid Anastasius by him named already Bishop of Coâ—…otz who after kissing of the feet and tender of obedience and a full relation of what had happened in Hungary in these latter yeares was humbly to beseech his Holyâ—… for three things First that he would daigne to blesse and admit that new Christianity into the my sticall body of the faythfull The second to ratify with his supreme power what S. Stephen had al ready disposed about the Bishopriques Metropolis The third to approue and declare valid the name of King wherewith he had beene voluntarily honoured by his subiects to the end that the iudgment of the vicar of Christ concurring thereunto he might with so much the greater authority seeme to promote the diuine seruice whereto only had
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
your Preist and Bishop of Bamberge There could not happen to the Embassadours eares a more strange and vnexpected thing then it Whence being astonished and confounded they began priuily to looke one vpon another and to cast there eyes from tyme to tyme on the face of Otho Whereof some of Caesars court being aware who now for a long tyme gad greedily expected to aspire to that seate and Liuing with glaunces nods and whispering began to stir vp the Bambergians to shew themselues not well satisfyed with such a nomination and resolued not to accept it by any meanes So as at last with a sad countenance and free liberty they turning themselues to Caesar sayd We hoped your Maiesty would haue deputed to vs some Prelate who had been one of the most markable and illustrious of the Court. Now for this man we know not eyther who he is or whence he came Then Caesar replyed with a seuere looke We our selues through long cōuersatiō and infinite proofes haue had full and perfect notice of this Subiect his faythfullnes his iudgement and longanimity his diligence in small matters and sufficiency in great are not vnknowne to vs. Nor would we haue you to thinke but the losse of such a Minister must needes redound to the notable preiudice of our own seruice From whence we see as euery one may perceaue the sincere affection we beare to your Countrey so as we in this election so much premeditated are not to be altered in our iudgement And whosoeuer shall seeme to haue the boldnes to oppose this our decree shall infallibly incurre our high displeasure Otho hitherto had knowne nothing of any such deliberation made Whereupon as one astonished with a sudden blow falling prostrate at the Emperours feet began to powre forth a floud of teares The Embassadours ran readily to reare him vp He then hauing taken a litle breath refused the charge with might mayne esteeming proclayming himselfe to be wholy vnworthy thereof and affirming with all that so high a degree became rather some other more noble ancient and well deseruing of the sacred crowne then him By occasion whereof Caesar re-entring agayne into Otho's prayses among other things made this publique declaration how this had beene the third Bishopricke which the seruant of Christ had refused how first he had offered him that same of Augusta then that of Halberstad nor could euer hitherto seeme to fasten any one vpon him From whence very euidently appeared the modesty the humility and merits of such a persons through diuine dispensation reserued as it should seeme for the benefit and behoofe of the Citty of Bamberge And with this many other Elogies and prayses putting the ring on his fingar and the Pastorall staffe in his hand so adorned he giues him to the Embassadours At sight whereof with a sudaine inclination of minds was immediately raysed a fauoutable cry and applause of the whole multitude The Embassadours beholding things to fall out thus as truly from God approaching to S. Otho their Father and Lord saluted him cheerefully and with Christian vertue very reuerently adored him When as Henry sayd agayne Accept him then with a good will and vse him with that loue and veneration as he deserues because I call him to witnes who knoweth all things that I know not a man in all the world to whom more truly and with greater reason so ample a charge as this may be conferred then to him And for my part as long as I liue and wield this Scepter whosoeuer shall but touch him shall touch the very aple of myne eye In this manner then and by such meanes as these came S. Otho to be forced to the Bishopricke but yet full of anxiety and scruples the while as well for other very graue respects as also for the controuersies sprung vp as we sayd before by reason of inuestitures betweene the Roman Church Empire And yet on the other side considering that his being now so often called to such a charge could not choose but proceed from the diuine Wil he feared least persisting in the negatiue he might hap to incurre that dreadfull sentence Noluit benedictionem elongabitur ab eo Amidst such streights and perplexityes as these he finally determined with himselfe to recurre as soone as might be for ayde and light to the Apostolique Sea and made an expresse vow neuer to admit of the Bishoprike vnles at the instance of his flock the Pope himselfe should inuest and consecrate him with his owne hands With this resolution he kept the Feast of the Natiuity of our Lord at Ments in company of Caesar and from thence dismissing a part of the Embassadours he stayed in Court for vrgent reasons about some fourty dayes space Which being ended he tooke his leaue of Henry and through his expresse commandement accompanyed to Bamberge by the Bishops of Augusta and of Herbipolis of other principall personages besides he made his solemne entry on the day before the Purification of the most blessed Virgin The Monks and Clerkes and all the Nobility went forth to meete him in orderly procession with psalmes and hymnes and with rich ornaments and deuout reliques Nor would the people and meaner sort suffer themselues to be vanquished with such offices of obsequiousnes While euery one leauing their shopps staules ran striuing to kneele before him and to demaund the benediction of their holy and so long desired Pastour In which feast and solemnity we may not passe ouer in silence one thing that shewes very well that euen in the Courtiers life who will but affoard any tyme to spirituall things may make a notable purchase of religious vertues S. Otho remembring his Vow goes to Rome where he is consecrated Bishop by the Pope himselfe Chap. 3. S. Otho as we haue seene had spent the greater and better part of his yeares in the seruice of secular Princes and liued in the exteriour a cōmon life and without any apparent singularity in him And yet performing according to occasions which want not intense acts of temperance and humility and of contempt of himselfe in short tyme he became very rich in those habits which more gallantly adorne and deck the soule then doe all the Mitres and Pontificall robes set forth the body Whereof he gaue a most clere example in the aforesayd day of his entrance so in Pontificalibus Because that in comming to approach to Bamberge as soone as he descouered a farre off the Cathedrall Church being dedicated to S. George he not only according to the custome of that Bishopricke dismounted suddenly from his horse but also putting off his hose and shooes publiquely in the hart of winter went bare foote and bare legg on stones and yee through the presse of people vnto the Church where the sharpnes of the cold hauing not without danger of his health now possessed already as it were the vitall parts and a hot Bath being suddenly applyed to him for present
a difficulty it seemed good to the King himselfe and the more principall Bishops that aboue all the Abbot of Clareuallis should be called thereto so great was the conceipt had euen at that tyme of the wisedome spirit that spake by him Being inuited then on behalfe of the King and exhorted withall by the other Abbots of his Order to whome he was euer most obedient he went his wayes thither wholy full of feare and trembling considering the waight and danger and the other qualityes of the busines And yet he felt notwithstāding great comfort in a vision which he had on his way by night wherein was represented to him a very great assembly of Ecclesiasticall persons who with sweet harmony praysed and glorifyed God from whence he conceaued firme hope that soone after would follow the desired vnion and concord of the Christian people When he came then to the place designed and that the Councell was opened the Faste◅ and deuout Processions according to Apostolicall custome being celebrated in the same first Sessi◅on with iudgment and consent resolution was made that the whole controuersy should be remitted to S. Bernard the seruant of God and nothing should be done therein but what he determined Which charge truly as vntolerable the man of God refused with great modesty but won at last through the prayers and authority of that holy multitude he accepted the same and buckles himselfe to the enterprise so much mote stout and confident in God as he was more dif◅ident and weake in himselfe So as inuoking the ayde of Heauen making a most exact inquisition and examine first of the manner and order of Election then also of the qualities and merits of the Electours as of both the elected Popes themselues he securely nominated declared Innocent for the chiefe and true Pastour to which proposition was not one in the whole Councell which opposed awhit but suddenly singing a ioyful Hymne with the accustomed prayers and thankesgiuings they all with one accord subscribed to the sayd declaration In the meane tyme Innocent being not able to resist the power and fury of the adursaryes going forth of Rome and receaued with due honour reuerence of all Tuscany he came into France and the glorious Abbot with the same greatnes of courage pa◅ed ouer into England where King Henry through the persuasion of some Prelates declared and shewed himselfe very backward and hard to accept of Innocent But the venerable Abbot after many reasons alleadged in vayne at last full of zeale fortitude sayd to him What feares your highnes doubt you to commit synne with affording obedience to Innocent Go to then do but thinke as you ought to doe to render accompt to God for your other synnes and doe you leaue this to me and I will take it vpon my charge With such an offer made that mighty King without more adoe was satisfyed and was so assured thereof as he determined to goe forth of his kindome to goe meete and humbly receaue Innocent who through Prouence and Burgundy being come to Chartres Henry came thither to kisse his feet who with great common iubiley and giue him the Apostolicall benediction While many matters touching the diuine seruice and the holy Church were there handled and defined in the sayd place behold the Popes Nuntio's to arriue thither from Germany with letters frō those Lords and those Countryes full of affectious prayers that his Holines would daigne so much as to comfort those Northerne parts with his presence since now all through the example of France and England acknowledged him for supreme guide and head of the Church militant But the Pope so soone could not affoard himselfe to those nations being with so much deuotion cōtinually entertayned and desired by the Cittyes of France through which hauing made his progresse a while he intimated a Councell in Rhems where likewise hauing ordayned many things to the honour of God he after with many solemne ceremonyes at the instance of King Lodouik the Father crowned and annointed Lodouike the sonne in the place of Philip his elder brother deceased In these and other actions the Pope would neuer suffer the glorious Abbot of Clareuallis to depart from his side yea diuers supplications of moment were presented vnto him and he would afterwardes propose them in the consistory where S. Bernard was forced to be present and to sit with Cardinalls themselues vndertaking the protection of the opppressed and shewing continually fauour to what was honest iust after which the Councell brake vp and the Pope going to meet with the Emperour Lotharius at Liege was entertayned with much solemnity and great veneration But al that ioy was changed very soone into sadnes and bitternes because while it seemed to Lotharius he had a rare oportunity without trouble and difficulty to strayten the Pope and draw him to his designes he began to make suite to recouer agayne the inuestitures of Bishopriques taken away heeretofore from the hands of Henry his Predecessour Innocent with his whole Court being strooken with so harsh a proposition and so vnexpected grew pale thereat and stood as a man wholy voyd of counsayle as seeming to him he met in Liege with a greater checke then formerly in Rome it selfe when the venerable Abbot with freedome of mind and meruaylous liberty counterposed himselfe as a solid wall to the demaund pretension of the Emperour and so well disswaded and discoursed as he soone drew him from that couetous and ambitious thought An exployt surely of a poore Monke truely glorious and hitherto vnheard or howbeyt perhapps for so happy a successe may some prayse also be giuen vnto those tymes wherein commonly the Signors and Potentates of Christendome applyed themselues of their owne accord or easily at least were brought to exalt propagate the splendour and authority of the Apostolique Sea whereas at this day O vnworthy spectacle it seemes as all were striuing to abate the same to weaken and euen to extinguish it quite But heere let vs silence all odious and vnprofitable complaints Troubles arising in the Church through the faction of the Antipope were by S. Bernard pacifyed in fauour of the true Pope with the miserable end of a cheife Party of the Schisme Chap. 14. INnocent being thus freed by meanes of S. Bernard from the anxiety he was in and hauing taken moreouer a firme purpose and a inuiolable promise of Lotharius to come with his army to Rome as soone as possibly he might to quiet the tumults there and to place him in the pontificall Throne tooke his leaue of the Church of France and ioyfully went towardes Italy making his iourney through Burgundy and by the way was pleased to visit and take Clareuallis for his Inne where receiuing much consolation of the voluntary pouerty and abstinence religious conuersation of the Monks he prosecuted his iourney and arriuing at Rome found Lotharius there ready with his army by whom being brought through
force into the pallace of S. Iohn Lateran being the ordinary residence in those dayes of the Popes of Rome yet for all that had he not the desired contentment to behold things pacifyed and quiet Because the Anti-pope being obdurate in malice and continually accompanyed with armed men kept himselfe in hold and allwayes well fortifyed in Towers and more eminent places of the Citty from whence with sudden incursions and stratagems without euer entring into open battaile or once seeking to come to a parley with Lotharius he neuer left infesting both day and night the freinds and defenders of the Pope Whereupon the Emperour being now growne weary of the excesse charge and small fruite returned into Almany agayne and Innocent fynding no better remedy for so great mischeifes went out of Rome the second tyme and assembling togeather another solemne Councel in the Citty of Pisa among other things publiquely declared Pierlonio excommunicate of which censure the miserable man was neuer absolued Heere also S. Bernard through obedience assisted the cheife Bishop and was not only a helper and partaker of the whole affayres and counsells therein but may be sayd more an arbiter and vmpier in the busynes Which affayres being once dispatched it seemed good to the Pope to send him to Millan where the poyson of the Anti-pope hauing got in the whole people were found to be in a most inextricable trouble and discord among themselues Nor was heere likewise the arriuall of the man of God in vayne He soone reunited the whole Citty agayne and reduced it to the deuotiō of the true Pope From hence passing ouer the Alpes he returned to Clareuallis and being receaued by the Monks there with infinite iubiley at their instance transferred he the Monastery into a more ample situation wherof the fame being spread through out there immediatly concurred so great almes from Princes and Prelates and from other deuout persons as in very short space the building adorned withall commodityes was brought to perfection to the great increase of the diuine seruice At the same tyme the Country of Gascony and especially the Church of Bourdeaux was fallen as it were into some afflictions and calamityes from whence the citty of Milan had beene deliuered but a little before Of th◅e mischiefs Gerard Bishop of Angolesme was the principall occasione who with ambitious promises hauing gotten of the Antipope the Legacy of Gascony had drawne to their wicked designes not only a good part of the Cleargy but euen many also of the Nobles yea the Prince himselfe Lord of those Countreys called Count VVilliam through whose forces and other ill practises of his owne he had brought thinges into those tearmes as that against all those that would not consent and subscribe to the election of Anaclete they openly proceeded with banishments confiscation of goods and with other inuentions and examples of fierce and barbarous cruelty One of the chiefe of those that were persecuted was VVilliam Bishop of Poytiers a man well qualifyed and exceeding constant in defence of the Catholike Religion This man with many iniuryes was expelled from his Church and a Schismaticall and wicked one put into his place The same happened in the Diocesse of Limoges where insteed of a Catholicke Prelate was placed one Abbot Ranulfus who through diuine iudgment payed full soone the punishment of his impious boldnes since in a plaine and euen way being fallen from his horse he pitcht his head so shrewdly on a stone which lay in the way that dashing out his braynes he dyed suddenly S. Bernard hauing excommunicated Duke William he submits himselfe with the iust iudgement of God shewed on the schismaticall Bishop of Angolesme Chap. 15. AS soone as Gaufrid Bishop of Chartres had notice of so great disorders and inconueniences to whom the Legacy and euen spirituall gouernement of Gascony was committed by Innocent he was hartily sorry for it and layng other busynes asyde determined to succour those Churches as soone as he could which were in extreme daunger and for that he knew well how noble an instrument of the diuine prouidence the Abbot of Clareuallis was for such effect he intreated him very earnestly to accompany and assist him in such an enterprize And the man of God made no resistance thereunto But only required they might passe by the way of Nantes where Ermengarda the Countesse had founded a Conuent of his Monks and it was necessary for him to passe that way to giue order as he would quickly doe to the affayres belonging to the sayd Monastery Gaufrid and S. Bernard then put themselues on the way with an honourable trayne of Prelates and other Catholiques and the matters being dispatched which were to be done in the Citty of Nantes they entred into the cōfines of Gascony where Gerard already with consent of the Count William had intruded himselfe into the administration of Bourdeaux and possessed the two Churches at once of Bourdeaux and Angolesme Now the Count vnderstanding of the comming of the Bishop of Chartres and of the Blessed Bernard as also of other Bishops and Religious with him to treate with him in the affaires of Ecclesiasticall matters he thought it not fit for many respects to refuse that parly They were all then assembled togeather by agreement in a place which was named Pertinaco whereby the Seruants of God had fit oportunity to expresse their mindes to the full and it was proposed among other thinges how vnseemely it was that all France being now at the deuotion of Pope Innocent Gascony should only diuide her selfe from the common communion and accord cause so great and so miserable a separation and defection in the people of God how he could not but know that the Church of Christ is but one only and whatsoeuer out of it as found out of the Arke of Noe must of necessity sincke and perish They likewise reduced to his memory the dreadfull euent of Dathan Abiron who for no other cause then for making disunion were swallowed vp aliue in the earth To this they added other examples of manifest vengeance and wrath of God against seditious persons and Schismatiques Count VVilliam being moued with these exhortations menaces partly became flexible thereunto offering himselfe to accept Innocent for lawfull Pope and partly shewed himselfe obstinate and hard being not willing by any meanes to restore the Catholike Bishops againe so violently deposed and sent into banishment and that not so much through occasion of the publique cause as for some particuler grudges which he had against them This article was disputed a good while in two assemblyes the second tyme S. Bernard perceauing that nothing could be concluded by way of wordes he straight recurred to more efficacious and potent meanes as in such occasions he was wont to do Wherfore breaking off the discourse he goes directly to the Altar and prepares himselfe for Masse Those only entred in who were not forbid to assist at that dreadfull sacrifice
choice young men which as at the beginning we mentioned S. Bernard in the citty of Chalon purchased to our Lord were almost all of them in worldly wisedome the disciples of one Stephen of Vitreo a person very famous in those dayes and Country thereabouts Now being come to Clareuallis while they were yet kept by the man of God in an Inne as it were in their first probation and instructed by litle and litle in the rules of the diuine seruice comes in Stephen of Vitreo beyond all expectation and demaunds to be likewise receiued into monasticall discipline It is the manner of those who haue newly left and forsaken the secular hopes and affayres to feele incredible iubiley of hart when they behold some others to doe the like whether it be through that new zeale which the beginning of spirit subministred to them or els for that they take delight to haue their election approued by the iudgment and example of many so as at the vnlooked for appearing of no ordinary subiect but euen of their owne so famous a Maister it cannot be told what great contentment those good Brothers tooke and what ioy they made both priuate and publike But the mind and iudgment of the wise Abbot in this point was so farre otherwise Who by diuine aduise knowing suddenly the quality of his vocation first sighing held his peace then in the presence of all he sayd This man is sent hither by the euill spirit he comes without a companion and without a companion he shall goe his wayes againe At this speach of his they were astonished and amazed who euen now could not containe themselues for ioy neuerthelesse not to scandalize those tender plants S. Bernard was content to admit Stephen vpon tryall especially making large promises to obserue very punctually the rule and to execute with all promptnes whatsoeuer should be ordayned him But it was not long ere being ouercome with the tediousnes of silence and of solitude being affrighted with the rigour of the obseruance weary of the exercises and mentall labours he was seene to be drawne forth of the Oratory by a vile Black-more as heeretofore was that Monke of Cassin From hence after some six monthes were passed repenting himselfe of the good begun he endeauours to attempt and to stirre vp others according to the manner of Religious men ill grounded mutable who being resolued to leaue the banners of Christ and to returne to the leekes of Aegypt thinke to couer their shame with the multitude of companions and to diminish the infamy by communicating the fault but neither he nor he that set him a worke could effect the same Because all those soules through the preseruatiue infused into them by the faythfull prudent Steward still remayned where they were firme and immoueable and according to the protestation of the holy Pastour that vnhappy Stephen de Vitreo did but trauaile in vayne He entred alone and alone went forth againe Nor was the prophesy which followes much vnlike Three yong men hauing taken the habit together in Clareuallis one of them through instigation of the deuill within a litle while after returned to his vomit againe Whereupon the Fathers being so much more anxious for the health of the other two in their presence treated of this matter with the holy Abbot Then he looking in the face of both those Nouices answeared plainely This man shall neuer haue temptations of moment That other shall haue many but shall finally preuayle The one then with a prosperous gale went allwayes forward in religion The other being encompassed with tribulations and assayled with perillous assaults after he had wauered more then once and turned his back as it were yet being sustayned by diuine grace and through the memory of the Saints promises victorious at last was crowned with perseuerance Of these kind of Oracles this same that followes was so much more famous as it was published vpon a greater occasion and in a place more notable and with persons more illustrious Lewes the old King France being greiuously offended with some Bishops of that kindome suffered himselfe to be led so farre into p◅sion as to expell them by force from their Churches and Cittyes Whereupon S. Bernard wrote many letters to him to appease him whose coppyes are yet kept to this day It chaunced the while the seruant of Christ being present that many of those Bishops to mollify the Kings mind prostrate with all humility on the ground and imbracing his feet were not all able to moue him to pitty The man of God touched with this spectacle and full of a holy zeale stuck not the day following to giue a free and stout reprehension to the King himselfe for hauing in that manner despised the submission and prayers of the Preists of Christ and clearely made protestation of that which was reuealed to him that night This thy obstinacy shall cost thee the death of Philip thy eldest sonne and sworne Prince I haue seene thee in company of thy yonger sonne fall prostrate at the feete of those Bishops whom but yesterday thou madest so small accompt of Collecting thence that soone thou shalt loose Philip and for substitution of this other thou shalt sue to the Prelates whome now thou vsest so hardly Which was not long ere it came to passe Philip dyed and the Father being humbled wrought by al meanes with the Ecclesiastical state that Lewes the second borne might be accepted for Successour and be annoynted with accustomed ceremonyes And so much may suffice of matters sayd or done by this admirable man aboue all force or terme of nature of which subiect notwithstanding though perhapps by vs too sparingly and scantly handled yet it is much harder for vs to find an end then how to beginne The great Humility of S. Bernard in auoyding worldly prayses and hhnours and the pious shift he vsed to acquite himselfe thereof Chap. 26. OF all that which we haue hitherto written or left vntouched two things doe most astonish me The one how S. Bernard amidst so great variety of vniuersall businesses mainetayned himselfe allwayes as Lord and Maister of himselfe without neglecting euer the custody of his hart and continuall examine of his actions and alwayes walking therein so vigilant and prouident as if euen then from the shade of the Nouiciate he had past forth into the dust sunne of Christian warfarre The other wonder is how among so many fauours from heauen and applauses of men he neuer abandoned the confines and center of holy Humility and this seems to me to be the principall cause why continually from the diuine hand were showred vpon him so excellent guifts and so rare and incōparable graces because that euen as there is nothing which of its part more dryes vp the fountaines of the diuine benignity then Pride and Arrogancy in whose company Ingratitude goes hand in hand so is there not a nearer and more apt disposition to become capable of
darest thou aspire to a degree whereto none how holy soeuer but through constraine is worthily aduanced At this reprehension S. Hugh being terrifyed falling flat on the ground with teares in his eyes suddenly craued pardon at which humility of his the Maister being tender and touched with the spirit of prophecy sayd Rise vp my sonne rise vp do not trouble thy selfe I know very well with what effect and with what intention thou vtteredst such wordes and I tell thee moreouer and affirme it to thee without all doubt that ere long thou shalt be a Priest and within a certaine tyme after shalt thou be a Bishop also At which presage of his the good disciple ful of blushing and confusion held his peace and a little after being promoted to the dignity of the Altar prepared himselfe with most exact diligence to the sacrifice and with the same continuing to celebrate not only slackened not but augmented his spirituall exercises and his accustomed mortifications whence he tooke such a weaknes of stomacke as euer after afflicted him sorely for the obligation of the rule and the publike assemblies of the Quire the Chapter and the like was he euer the first endeauouring in all thinges yea euen in the least to edify as many as conuersed with him In this manner hauing passed in his priuate Cell and priestly ministery about ten yeares the principall Procuratourship of the house being a charge amongst those Religious of no light importance was by Superiours imposed vpon him and which to S. Hugh layd open a new field to exercise his excellent Vertues in Because he vnderstanding very well how from his care and vigilancy depended the Religious quiet and contemplatiue life of the others abandoning quite for the loue of Christ his owne consolations attended with extraordinary care vnto all the partes of Oeconomy and of a perfect Steward making prouisions in good tymes preuenting the necessityes of euery one and especially of the sicke surueying and reuiewing the accounts of the Officialls and Factours improuing continually the possessions defending and conseruing the rights and rents and all in such manner and with that maturity as well gaue the world to vnderstand how farre he was from all particuler interest For these so rare qualityes in short tyme his fame was spread euen to the remotest Countreyes and Henry the second King of England who in those dayes was vpon founding a Monastery of Carthusians at VVhitam through the ill condition of that neighbourhood could not bring the matter to any good passe after he had with small fruite applyed two Priours of the Order vpon the enterprise being finally moued with the constant relation of the worth and sanctity of S. Hugh not fayled to send in post to that end very honourable personages to the aforesayd Charterhouse of Grenoble and among them Reginald Bishop of Bath to require him for this office To which purpose those Fathers being assembled togeather there followed an earnest dispute among them while to some it seemed not iust or reasonable for any ones sake whosoeuer to depriue their owne house of so firme a propp others iudging on the contrary with liuely reasons demonstrating how it became not Christian charity and the Euangelicall profession to haue the eye fixed vpon the commodityes only of one family and to keep that vertue enclosed in so little a space which might be extended for the benefit and saluation of foraine nations with the great augmentation of the diuine glory Among such contentions had for a while to and fro of no light moment that Part preuayled at last which would the publike and vniuersall should be preferred before the priuate and that they ought not with so harsh a repulse prouoke the displeasure of so great a King In this manner S. Hugh being otherwise an enemy to Prelacy and who protested himselfe to be wholy insufficient for such a charge was by Superiours constrained to take it vpon him and not without much teares departing from his deere Cloister in company of the sayd Embassadours he arriued sale sound at the coasts of England From thence without going to the Court trauayling by the neerest way to VVhittam the first thing he endeauoured to do was with a cheerfull countenance and with fit exhortations to comfort those few afflicted Monks whom he found there and being afterwards sent for by letters vnto the Kings prefence through diuine fauour he had such grace in the eyes of that Maiesty as that after diuers discourses thereof he brought away both for the present and future necessities a very large prouision of all thinges and besides could tell how to vse such dexterity with that people and so to purchase their loue and good opinion as that from harsh contumacious and froward in short tyme they became very gentle obedient and tractable whereby very easily both the Church became more enriched through diuine offices the house to be the better accommodated for the sustentation of the Monkes and for the splendour and ornament of the place the fabricque to be finished while S. Hugh laboured thereat with his owne handes and carrying for example and publique edification stones morter on his shoulders in so much as many seculars being inuited partly by his sweet and sanctifyed manners partly also through a gust of a retyred life and of the commodity of the buildings there abandoning the cares of the world and renouncing the proper liberty came thither to consecrate themselues vnto God by vow to oblige themselues vnto monasticall discipline The King with his whole army at Sea is deliuered by commending himselfe to the prayers of S. Hugh Chap. 3. THe king of England tooke no small cōfort at these proceedings he reioyced much in that he was not deceiued awhit in his iudgment in the election of such a one And as he was a wise and prudent King hauing very often familiar and long discourses with the Priour the more he diued into him the greater esteeme made he not only of his prudence but of his piety and perfection also holding it a great happynes to haue such a man in his Kingdome and placing a good part of his hopes in his deuout intercessions suffrages as among other tymes he cleerely shewed when as returning with a great Army from the enterprize of France he was suddenly assayled with so cruell a tempest as the fury of the winds illuding all the art of the Mariners they all betooke themselues as many as were with him according to custome to vowes and prayers and the King notwithstanding perceauing the waues to grow more rough brake forth at last into these words O if my good Hugh of the Charter-howse were now aware of this would make feruēt prayer for vs as he was wont the diuine mercy would not be so slow to our succour And a little after with other sighes he gaue not ouer but added O blessed God whom the Priour of VVhittam truly serues vouchsafe
through the merits and intercession of thy faythfull seruant with the eye of pitty to reguard our distresse and afflictions And behold the inuocation was scarcely finished but a calme began in such sort as the whole company with as many as sayled with them yeilding thanks without end to the diuine Clemency very happily arriued at the wished port The newes whereof on a sudden flew into all parts and the name of S. Hugh grew to be in so great veneration as Henry had not in his whole kingdome besides a man he esteemed more nor in whom he reposed more confidence and the number of those Religious went multiplying euery day more more in the manage instruction of whom S. Hugh shewed very well how excellent a guift he had in gouernement Because that pursuing his ancient thoughts the first thing he endeuoured effectually was that men might know cleerely that nothing was more deer vnto him then the quiet and consolation of euery one To works as need was he adioyned words and efficacious and discreet aduises But aboue all things he pressed them through the example of his owne manners being so habituated in treating with God as his familiars also in his sleep should heare him vnawares to pray say his Psalter He was besides as much as publike occasions permitted him much giuen to sacred reading and was wont to say how the diuines Scriptures to all Religious and especiall to such as leade a more solitary life are delights in peace armes in warre foode in tyme of famine and a medecine in infirmity so as when according to the custome of the Order he eate alone he had allwayes on a litle table the scripture open before him or some holy Doctour though otherwise he was so diligent in the custody of his senses as when he happened on holy dayes to take his refection with the rest he would neuer hold his eyes from the table cloth his eares from the pulpit and his mind from God This holy man was exceeding carefull that for his sake or any of his no person should receiue any agreiuance and scandall And to this purpose we may not conceale how the King hauing taken from a certaine rich Monastery and well furnished with bookes the new and old Testament written by those Regulars with great labour and diligence and bestowed it on the Fathers of VVhittam as yet not well prouided of such necessaryes as soone as S. Hugh had knowledge therof from one of the aforesaid Monastery he answeared with a sad cheer thus stands the matter then The King would haue depriued your Church of your labours and trauayles so fruitefull to accommodate and enrich vs by such meanes We cry you mercy with all our harts for the losse you haue sustayned for our sake though in truth til now we were neuer made acquainted therewith Take yee then the Booke agayne and if your Fathers will not receaue it I will without more ado restore it my selfe to the party that caused it to be brought hither And further if they be willing to accept the same I will cause the matter to be kept secret by all meanes This modesty of his pleased them exceedingly and as they remayned much edifyed thereat so they came to contract a great frendship with the Family of VVhittam S. Hugh is made Bishop of Lincolne and how stoutly he de◅eanes himself in his Pastor all charge Chap. 4. NOw approached the tyme destined by the diuine prouidence for the exaltation of his faythfull and wise feruant The Sea of the Citty of Lincolne had now beene vacant for some eighteene years and those of the Chapter being moued at the losse which the flocke suffered so without a Pastour laying finally aside the strifes and contentions risen amongst them resolued with the approbation of the Metropolitan of Canterbury to goe a sufficient number of them to the Court of the King vnder whose protection and superintendency the election being celebrated with wonted ceremonyes they agreed vpon the person of the Priour of VVhittam whereat Henry being extraordinarily ioyfull sent the newes thereof presently to S. Hugh as he thought most ioyfull tydinges There also arriued together the letters and messages of the Archbishop himselfe who congratulating with him for such a dignity did liuely exhort him not to resist so honourable a iudgment of the Canons and so manifest a signe of the diuine will His freinds likewise generally encouraged him to it with reasons and importunityes But S. Hugh now experienced in the chast gouernment of soules weighed all things with a more iust ballance and who knew very well how great temerity it was in a stormy sea to take voluntarily in charge with so much hazard a barke repleate with the bloud of Christ with might and mayne endeuoured to withdraw himselfe from the enterprise alleadging besides his owne insufficiency the election to be likewise inualid as well for being prosecuted forth of the Diocesse and practized with the fauour and authority of the King Archbishop as for that the voyce of the Priour of the great Charterhouse was not concurring thereto without whose approbation he could by no meanes accept such a charge These and many other things of like tenour the man of God replyed hoping the Electours eyther mooued through equity or disdaining the repulse would easily turne the designes to the other part But through diuine dispensation he remayned much deceiued of his conceit Because the same humility wherewith he thought himselfe vnworthy of such a manage the earnest instance which he made that it might be transferred vpon some other inflamed the Chanons to extoll and aduance so great submission so great vertue so as to take away from S. Hugh all excuses and occasions being a new assembled togeather in the same Citty Cathedrall Church of Lincolne with like consent they ratifyed the decree as at first and besides sending for that purpose vnto the great Charter-house of persons of quality they brought backe in ample forme not leaue only but so expresse command as for S. Hugh there was no euasion With this dispach went all the fauourers of that creation very glad and triumphant to the Monastery and taking the sad and sorowfull Priour from his Cell they lead him with great ioy to the Cathedrall Church In which act appeared very well how great a friend he was of pouerty both of body and mind because being not able to hinder so noble a concourse which came to accompany him reteyning at least in himselfe the desired lowlynes he would neuer permit some few cōmodityes of his for his owne vse should be carryed by any but rather putting them behind him on the cropper of his horse would needes conuay them himselfe publiquely to the Bishops lodgings and by no meanes before consecration he would admit eyther title of Prelacy Pontifical robes or attendance of seruants Finally being afterwards annoynted and placed with solemne rites in the Pontifical Throne he felt himselfe as a
sermon being hardly finished they went al one after another to cast themselues at the feet of the Preacher with most humble confession crauing absoluion at his hands and promising amendment Of whome being graciously heard and with fatherly admonitions being encouraged and instructed they retired themselues to performe the pennances imposed vpon them By which example may easely be estimated without more ado how great and how vnusuall effects that instrument of the diuine goodnes occasioned in the harts of men So as S. Bonauenture in the second translation of the Saint which was some thirty two yeares after his death finding that happy tongue through the diuine will wholy fresh and red with good reason exclaymed O tongue which hast euer blessed God and taught others to blesse him likewise it appeares now manifestly of what merit thou wast before our Lord and so kissing it deuoutly he placed it in a decent Reliquary for that purpose But returning to the matter of the spirituall purchase and most burning zeale of S. Antony It is surely a merueilous thing how the man of God notwithstanding the occupation of the pulpit and other trauayls of no light importance employed himselfe very willingly in hearing confessions and with so much prudence and longanimity applyed himselfe to looke into and to cure the wounds of soules as sometymes from morning to late in the eueuing he had no tyme to restore his weary and afflicted body eyther with meate or repose at all The Heretikes moreouer and the Heresiarks being manifestly conuinced by the wisedome and spirit that spake in him were constreyned opēly eyther with base silence to confesse their perfidiousnes or with wholesome compunction to accept the truth Though indeed he combated against such a plague ◅ot only from aloft with long and continued speaches but euen also in meetings and assemblyes in schooles with syllogismes and distinctions and with other arts which Logick teaches Which perticularly is seen in the Citties of Arimini Millan Tholouse From which things grew also another effect of no small consideration as well for the common benefit of all Christendome as for the especiall increase and reputation of the Fryars Minors The sayd Religion as we mentioned was lately founded by the most Blessed Father S. Francis in profession and spirit rather of Christian pouerty and humility then of erudition or learning Which though they were not despised or in contempt with him yet was he very circumspect and cautious in admitting them into his Institute being desirous that his Fryars should preach rather with example and good works then with precepts and words nor lightly would he giue them leaue to study as fearing not without good reason least through weakenes of humane nature much reading might extinguish deuotion and the wind of curiosity destroy the building of Charity From this caution of the holy Father and simplicity which commonly appeared in his children sprang vp an vniuersal opinion in the world that the Fryars were certainely but silly and good men only but ignorant meerly and litle apt for discouering the deceipts of the auncient aduersary and iudging the quality of synnes or distinguishing between leaprosy and leaprosy and by consequence vnable to cooperate with the diuine prouidence in the conducting of soules Now some Fathers being desirous to cancell this note as zealous of the fame of their Order and of the glory of Christ made great instance vnto the Blessed Antony he would take the paynes to read and explicate the more grauer sciences and set vp in the Religion of the Minors a Schoole also whence as from a noble and perpetuall Seminary might issue from tyme to tyme sufficient workemen for the Vinyard of our Lord. To which so honest requestes howbeit otherwise he would willingly haue condescended yet hauing some notice of the mind of his common Father and Superiour he could neuer be brought to accept the enterprise vntill such tyme as he had expresse faculty and commission from him with a letter of the tenour following To his most deere Brother Antony Fryar Francis sends greeting I am content that you read Diuinity to the Fryars but in such sort that according to the aduise of the Rule neither in you or them the spirit of holy Prayer may be extinguished Heereby all excuse being taken away S. Antony did at last begin to satisfy the continuall desires of the Fryars and he was the first who in that venerable Family euer held the Chayre beginning in Mompelier in France and prosecuting afterwardes in Bologna and then in Padua To which Citty whether it were for the clemency of the ayre or for the humanity and disposition of the inhabitants he bare very speciall affection and with this his new labour of interpreting the diuine mysteries he came both to illustrate the Order of Minours and to affoard the militant Church a fit supply of the choicest fouldiours Amidst these so noble and fruitefull cares of his the Seruant of Christ could not also auoyd that same of gouerning others in diuers degrees and places of France and Italy where he was according to the institute of the Order both Guardian and Minister In which dignityes howbeit he shewed affability and such iudgment as he was both reuerenced and beloued of his subiects yet to the end he might more readily attend to spirituall workes and for the greater common good it seemed well to Pope Gregory the IX through singular priuiledge to discharge him of all superintendency of Conuents or of Prouinces which do necessarily bring with them diuers distractions and thoughts of temporall matters And besids the office of confessing conuersing with the Neighbours and preaching the same Pope would haue him to put his sermons into writing that the profit might not only deriue to the present and liuing but euen also to the absent and posterity Whereupon retyring himselfe a new into the Citty of Padua being a place for diuers occasiōs very apt for al exercise of learning he went forward in putting those bookes to writing which are now read in print which to the studious of christian eloquence serue as a copious and rich storehouse for any subiect whatsoeuer A certaine Prophesy of S. Antony fullfilled of one Philip a Martyr of Christ. Chap. 9. HItherto we haue spoken of the actions of the Saint which are imitable of ech religious person It remaynes now to touch some thing of the more admirable And to begin with prophecy whereof two no lesse certaine then famous predictions sufficienly declare how much this so precious a gemme shined in the blessed S. Antony There being a woman at Assisium now ready to be brought to bed she deuoutly recommended her selfe to his intercession who for charityes sake had been to visit her To which request through the hidden instinct of God he manifestly answered forthwith she should be of good cheere that she should haue a happy labour and haue a sonne and that which more imported he was destine by diuine prouidence first
Andrews care diligence of the corporall necessityes of his flocke and vpon these foundations of well knowne goodnes did after securely arise the celestiall building of soules because he had gotten so much credit and authority with those carriages of his as to reclayme and pull away ill liuers from their lewd life one word or becke of his had more moment with it then the longe and premeditated disswasions of others How B. Andrew reconciled most deadly emnityes and debates and how his death was mir aculously foretould him Chap. 9. THough B. Andrew had great efficacy with him in ech kind of spirituall remedyes yet shewed he to haue a particuler talent in contracting honest friendships in taking vp quarells in composing controuersies and so much the more willingly laboured he in these thinges as the Holy Ghost had giuen him to vnderstand that in mutuall fraternall loue consists the whole summe of the Christian Law The honourable fame now of all these noble actions dilating it selfe through all parts Pope Vrban the V. tooke particuler contentment therat and for some dayes gaue a large field vnto so eminent vertue to exercise it selfe in The Citty of Bologna in those dayes was enflamed with perilous tumults and discordes nor was there any remedy of that euill to be found through the inueterated hatreds disordinate passions and obstinate pertinacity of the partyes The common Pastour being worthily anxious and sollicitous for it after many cares and diligences in vayne vsed about the same resolued with himselfe to make vse of the person of the Bishop of Fesulae for that busines and with an ample power sent him as his Nuntius to the Bolognians nor was he awhit deceaued in his opinion because B. Andrew being arriued thither began immediatly to mitigate the exasperated woundes of their mindes and with the didiuine help had so lucky and dexterous a hand as he shortly recouered them reducing the nobility and people without new noyse to a desired peace and tranquility And some few more stiff and obstinate then the rest by diuine iudgment being strook with a greiuous and sudden infirmity and agayne through the merits of the Saint deliuered thereof did willingly yield themselues likewise and he with the like contentment of Citizens and Pope Vrban also and with the vniuersall applause of all Italy returned home agayne to his residence Where besides the mayntayning and nourishing as we haue sayd with great charity the bodyes and soules committed to him he tooke likewise particuler accompt of the sacred buildinges and among other restaurations sumptuously repayred the Cathedral Church which was euen threatning ruine With these passages being arriued to the 71. yeare of his age while he was celebrating solemne Masse on the most happy night THE LIFE OF B. LAVRENCE IVSTINIAN THE FIRST PATRIARKE OF VENICE Written by the Honourable Leonard Iustinian Of the parentage infancy minority of B. Laurence and what a strange vocation he had Chap. I. BLESSED LAVRENCE was borne in the Citty of Venice of the Magnifico Bernardâ—… 〈◊〉 and of Quirina his wife both of a high and noble linage in the yeare of our Lord 1380. He was left a child with other Brothers of his by his Father who dyed very soone His heauy and disconsolate Mother being yet but yong macâ—…rating her body as well with fastings and vigils as with a sharp cilice and a brazen girdle kept viduall state not without a prosperous and perpetuall same of purity nor attended she with lesse sollicitude in the meane tyme in bringing vp her children in learning and that which more imports in Christian manners and though they all gaue much â—…ope not to degenerate awhit from their Ancestours notwithstaÌ„â—…ing a particuler towardnes of a great spirit and generous thoughts went discouering itselfe in the B. Laurence since that in those his first yeares scorning and loathing the sports and other leuityes which are permitted to that age with a certaine sage maturity he conuersed with men of stedder iudgments and of thinges indeed not childish in so much as this manner of proceeding of his was attribured by some to an ouermuch desire of greatnes of glory Yea his owne Mother fearing he would giue vp himselfe as a prey to Ambition as most commonly the nobler wits are wont of purpose sayd to him on a tyme Goe to Laurence leaue this manner of thyne this thy pride euen sauours of Hell Where to he smiling metâ—…y made answere Doubt not Madame you shall yet see me a great seruant of God Nor was the prediction awhit in vayne because he being now come to nineteen years of age when as man commonly stands vpon the point of taking the good or ill bent in vision there appeared to him a woman more bright then the Sunne who with a pleasing and gratefull countenance spake to him in this sort My beloued youth why distracts thou thy hart into diuers parts and seekest rest forth of thy selfe now in this thing and now in that Looke what thou wishest for is in my handes and I promise to affoard it thee if thou wilt take me to thy Spouse At which wordes B. Laurence being at first astonished and taking after more courage to demand her name and what her condition was the Virgin replyed I am the Wisedome of God who for reforming the world heeretofore haue taken mortall flesh Which the happy Louer hearing soone yielded his assent and she reaching him a chast kisse of peace very suddenly vanished At this vision now B. Laurence being stirred vp to new cares feeling vnwonted flames of fire to burne within his breast yet could not fully interprete the inuitation made him nor to which to betake himselfe aboue others It is true that inwardly he found himselfe to be much enclined to a religious and perfect life but as yet not â—…ing to his owne iudgment he went for counsaile to a certaine Cousin of his Mother called Marinus who leading a monasticall life in S. Georges of Alga of the Congregation of Celestines was held in great opinion of learning and sanctity He now vnderstanding the inspiration and motiues of the yong man more maturely to examine the whole exhorted him first ere he entred into Religion or changed the habit he would secretly make some experience what he were able to suffer in a strict life To which aduice B. Laurence did very promptly obey and among other industryes began insteed of a soft and downy bedde to ly in the night vpon crabby and knotry wood And with all to make his accompts the better he endeauours of purpose one day to contemplate on the one side Magistracyes Honours Wiues Children riches sundry sorts of pastimes and sports and all the pleasure besides which the world may afford and on the other abstinencyes fasts vigills pouerty incommodityes heat cold the abnegation of himselfe with perpetuall seruitude and other difficultyes besides which present themselues in the narrow way of more perfect vertue and diuine seruice Heereupon as
nothing nor could do any thing of themselues He aduised that none should be receiued into Religion without mature examine least by admitting the bad the good might be hurt Besides that when the number of subiects is too much increased the Rule cannot long last in its rigour because perfection is of few only A Gentlemans sonne being come to S. Georges for the habit as soone as the Blessed Laurence heard that he was induced thither through the artificious inticements of the Monkes he renders him to the sollicitous Father with these wordes Heer take him to you againe for this renouncing of the world should proceed from the Holy Ghost and not for human instigation and much worse it is to fayle afterwards then to haue neuer begun at all From the day he was made Priest he fayld not to celebrate euery day vnles by occasion of infirmity and concluded that he who neglects when he may to enioy his Lord declares sufficiently that he maks little account of him To goe about to keep chastity amidst commodityes and ease he protested to be as much as with fuell to extinguish the fire In the matter of Christ his counsails he resolued among other thinges that no man vnderstands how great a good this Pouerty is but he that loues when tyme is contemplation and his Cell and that God of purpose keepes secret the felicity of the Religious state because that if it were knowne euery one would be running into it He often remembred that we are neuer to loose our hope in God since heerin consists the life of the soulâ—… As for the rich he affirmed that they cannot be saued but by dealing of almes He held the Pastorall care to be so much more greiuous and difficult then the gouernment of the state of warre is as the rule of inuisible things is harder then that of the visible He likened a good Prince to a head especially for this reason that euen as the head tongue are sufficient to craue help for the whole person though the rest of the body be quiet stand still so the seruent prayer of a Prince sometymes is inough to appeale the wrath of God though the rest of the Citty apply not it selfe or attend thereunto These violent enterprizes and such as meete with encounters euery foot he counsayled to forbeare as growing from an euill spirit since to the good and holy the diuine Prouidence it selfe is wont to open the way and quit the obstacles that hinder How B. Laurence was chosen to gouerne the Religion and how afterwards he was made Bishop of Venice Chap. 4. BY these and other such like aduices may well be discerned what light the man of God had not only in abstract spirituall matters but euen also â—…in the morall and practique yea and without euer hauing attended to Scholasticall doctrine or subtile disputes he would answere when need was to profound interrogations of Theology with so much acumen and clarity as euen the Doctours themselues would be amazed therat With the same wisedome surely infused more from Heauen then borrowed from bookes he composed diuers workes fraught as well with soueraigne conceits as with amorous affects Which labours being publiquely set forth and put in print doe walke and passe at this day through the handes of learned men with notable fruite and help of soules Amidst these thinges after the Blessed Laurence had giuen a long and sufficient proofe of himselfe he was elected by the Monkes full sore against his will to the gouernement of the Religion and he bare that burthen with singular approbation vnto the 51. yeare of his age At which tyme the good odour of such vertues being now spread into diuers parts it seemed good to Pope Eugenius the IV. without doubt through diuine inspiration to create him Bishop of Venice At which tydinges it may easily be imagined how much the holy man was confounded and troubled Twice he was ready to fly away and to hide himselfe but the matter not succeeding so with him he determined at last to remit himselfe to the iudgment of his Congregation And first hauing made for that intent many fastes and prayers the Fathers resolued at last to dispatch a man of purpose to the Pope humbly beseeching his Holynes not to depriue their Order of such and so great a Guide-maister and Pastour And being not heard the first tyme they replyed the second with more instance but al in vaine as appeares by the two Briefs written by the same Eugenius to the sayd Congregation with words very amorous and consolatory withall The Blessed Laurence then being not able to resist the Pope without sinne accepted the power in such sort as he not only changed not his manners to the worse as it happens but continually made them more admirable and perfect then euer One day about the euening he tooke possession of the Bishopricke so simply and so without all pompe as euen his nearest friendes had no knowledge therof till he was entred therinto Then all that night without shutting his eyes he remayned in prayer beseeching our Lord with many teares since for the only seruice of his diuine Maiesty so wholy against his owne inclination he had condescended to that degree he would not depriue him of his protection and clemency that he knew very well the importance of the charge the greatnes of the Citty the variety and multitude of the Orders and states the forces of the secular power and how great disgusts had passed heeretofore betweene that Domination and the Bishops his Predecessours and how poore a stacke he had for such a manage and for such accidents being so a sily wretch as he was and euer shut vp in a Monastery His deuout prayers and seruent sighes were not powred in vayn Because they found the eares of the diuine goodnes to be opened to them Whence being illustrated with a sudden and new light he tooke so much vigour and comfort thereat as he afterwards gouerned the whole Diocesse as easely as he had been but to rule some Conuent as shall appeare in the next Chapter How B. Laurence gouerned his House and the Citty with singular fruit and edification of all Chap. 5. TO begin with domesticall matters Blessed Laurence ordayned his family in this manner He chose out two vertuous companions of his Congregation one for diuine offices the other for the more weighty cares of the Bishoprike For the seruice of the house he would haue but fiue assistants and no more To this retinue of Courtiers was his Table and Wardrobe answerable He had no plate but of earthen-glasse Arras or Tapistry were not there to be seene at any tyme. In his cloathing he neuer altered the purple habit In the night he lay vpon a scanty bedde of straw couering himselfe with a grosse and course rugge His table by how much more exquisite it was for neatnes so much the more was it purposely neglected in vyandes He neuer had longing for any