forbore not to resort thither he sowed there moreouer some hearbes for to be able to giue some manner of entertaynement to passengers we aryed with so long and difficult a iourney And forasmuch as diuers sauage beasts being inuited by the water there came thither to drinke and did withall some hurt to his corne he catching one of them sayd very mildly to it the rest Why do you wrong mee so that offend nor you Go your wayes and come you hither no more for our Lords sake A very admirable thing they being terrifyed as it were with such a commandement durst neuer more seeme to returne thither S. Antony is much troubled with the assaults of the Diuell He heares of S. Paul the great Hermit and goes to seeke him out Chap. 11. A Midst such labours of body mynd the seruant of God being now growne old yet continued his wonted discipline and neuer left to afflict himselfe Wherupon the Monks being moued to pitty did bring him Oliues with oyle and pulse for these were de◅icacyes amongst thē But in that place so remote it cannot be told what combats the blessed S. Antony continually susteyned from Sa◅han Such as went thither for their deuotion were afterwards wont to relate they had heard besides great tumults and noyses ◅here with many cryes and clamours and clashing of armes and seene the mountaine all couered ouer with sparkles of fire and the Saint vpon his knees making his praier against the fury of the outragious Enemyes And surely it was an admirable thing that a solitary man in so great a vastnes of regions should haue no feare neyther of infernall spirits nor of dragons nor wild beasts but truly according to the Psalmist confiding in our Lord like to Mount Sion had alwayes his mind very peaceable and quiet so as the deuills had occasion to feare him and the beasts laying their poyson and cruelty aside became very meeke and tractable to him But yet Lucifer ceased not to tempt him agayne and to seeke alwayes to worke his annoyance gnashing and grinding his teeth at him And one night among the rest while S. Antony was busy in prayer he had leaue to set against him as many hurtfull beasts as were to be found in those desert cliffs who as forced to come forth of their dennes were set on to encompasse the Seruant of Christ making a proffer as others heeretofore to swallow and deuout him quite but the vnderstanding the subtility of the Aduersary told them That if they had power from heauen they might deuoure him but if otherwise they came as sent by the deuill without delay they should go their wayes for he was the seruant of Christ. With which protestations the brutish troupes being affrighted scourged did suddainly fly away From thence within few dayes while he was making baskets as he was wont to bestow on them that dealt very charitably with him he perceiued one of the wickers of his worke to be drawne to the doore-wards and raysing vp himselfe sees a monster from the head to the hips which appeared like a man frō the hips downe wards was like an Asse And yet was S. Antony not astonished a whit at so new and straunge a spectacle but rather making the signe of the Crosse on himselfe defyed it boldly as he was wont whereupon the beast being scared togeather with the spirits that guided it so imperuously ranne from thence as falling downe headlong it dyed representing in that fal the vnhappy aduenture of such as would go about to driue away S. Antony from the Desert Now after so many toyles of body and mynd the Seruant of God was become Ninety yeares of age could no more without manifest daunger endure austerites as before Wherupon with a pious violence the Monkes enforced him to accept of two of them to boare him company and to haue care of him The one called Amtli◅ and the other Macarius About which tyme the glorious doctour S. Ierom declares how S. Antony bethinking himselfe that hitherto neuer had any Monke gone further into the desart then he it was reuealed to him on the night following that he was deceiued since there was another yet more ancient and perfect then he that likewise inhabited therein and that by all meanes he should go to seek him S. Antony was nothing flack to obey For scarce had the Aurora put forth when without any other companion then a little staffe he puts himselfe into the voyage and now was it about high Noone and the parching rayes of the sunne beganne to scorch the head of the holy Old man and yet neuerthelesse would he not seeme to desist from going forwards saying within himselfe I haue a firme confidence in God that he will shew me him he hath promised me to see And standing to muse thereupon behold a Hippo-centaur appeares before him to wit halfe a man and halfe a horse At which sight arming himselfe with the holsome signe on his forhead Hola said he where abouts I pray you inhabits a certayne man of God To which demaund the beast with a confused voyce made offer to answere and withall stretching form the right hand seemed to point him the way and flying vanished nor could it euer be knowne whether the same were a feigned apparition or some reall thing With such direction did S. Antony follow on his way deeply considering with himselfe on that strange figure which he beheld a little before He had not passed farre thus musing with himselfe but there appeared to him in a craggy valley a man of a little stature with a hawked nose and horned countenance who with a gratefull aspect approaching to him did offer him Dates in signe of peace Whereat S. Antony stood still and laying hand on his wonted armes doubted not to aske him who he was and he answered so plainely as S. Antony was much astonished thereat I am likewise mortall said he as you are and one of the Inhabitants of the wildernes adored by the blind Gentility vnder the name of Fanus Satyrs and Incubi I come to thee now as an Embassadour of my Companions beseeching thee in the name of all to make intercessiō for vs likewise to the common God for we haue now vnderstood he is come for the saluation of the world At which words the holy Abbot beganne to shee l teares for ioy in beholding how the glory of Christ was dilated and the power of Sathan annihilated and smiting the ground with his staffe addes Wo be to thee Alexandria who giues the honour due to God vnto Monsters Portents Wo be to thee meretricious Citty where haue all the superstitions of the world built their neast now wilt thou say The beasts doe seeme to confesse Christ and yet do you neuertheles stand adoring of Idols S. Antony had not yet ended these wordes when the Satyr as betaking himselfe to his wings in a moment was quite vanished away And to the end that not any may
it may scarce seeme fit to be expressed with the voyce much lesse represented with the pen I thinke it a thing very conuenient to let it passe namelesse There was in the aforesayd Citty of Lesmor a certayne young girle very dumbe whome her Parents hauing humbly put in the presence of S. Malachy as he passed along the man of God made a stop and touching her tongue with a little of his spittle without more ado in the sight of all affoarded her the vse of speach Another tyme going forth of the Church with a great trayne after him a woman was presented to him at the Porch by a distressed Man her Husband wholy depriued likewise of her pronunciation Whē S. Malachy beheld this miserable woman he signed her with the most holy Crosse and commaunded her in the presence of all to recite the prayer of our Lord which she presently sayd very punctually The multitude seeing this Myracle gaue glory to the diuine Goodnes In a certayne place called Ob◅reb a rich man being mortally sick had now for some twelue dayes continually remayned without once being able in any wise to vtter a word and consequently was hindered from making his Confession But S. Malachy comming to visit him immediately he recouered his lost speach being armed with the Sacraments with singular Confidence of eternall life gaue vp the Ghost A certayne Baron being in S. Malachyes Inne while he was treating there with him about some affayres at one full of faith stole away but three rushes only from his poore little Couch and with that pious theft wrought wonderous things which we haue not tyme to relate in this place The Man of God being come to Duenu◅ania there came in to him a Gentleman of that Citty as he sat at table earnestly beseeching him on the behalfe of his wife who was not without great feare daunger of her Child-birth being longer thē the ordinary terme required The Bishop of Mehome likewise with others that were present at that sitting did very earnestly recommend the case vnto him When S. Malachy heard this he answered I am not a little sorry for it in reguard that the is a very good Matron And without more a doe reaching to the Husband a cup by him blessed added Go your wayes and giue her this drinke and bid her not feare any thing So the Noble man did as he was commaunded and the next night without any difficulty at all the woman was safely deliuered S. Malachy happening to abide in the Champion countryes with the Count of Vlidia behold a woman appeared before him very great with Child now at least for fifteen months and twenty dayes gone and who finding no humane remedy with piteous teares came seeking for succour from the Seruant of Christ. Malachy being moued with so new and vnexpected an accident puts himselfe into Prayer sudenly there in the place the poore wretch without any trauaile at all brought forth the creature into the world A rehearsall of other myracles of S. Malachy vpon sundry occasions Chap. 19. ANother thing yet of no lesse wonder though in a diuerse kind happened in the land of Vlidia A certayne Souldiour of the Count of Vlidia hauing no regard vnto Gods commaundements and without hauing any feare of his heauy displeasure kept the Concubine of his owne Brother Saint Malachy hauing notice heereof performed like another S. Iohn Baptist the very same office of charity in reprehending the wicked man But that wretchlesse creature representing Herod not onely disobeyed him but made him answere moreouer with swearing in the hearing of all that he would neuer abandon his Mistris S. Malachy the true seruant of Christ being fraught with the zeale of Iustice answered God may then disseuer you agaynst your will For which the incestuous wretch as caring but litle in a most despightfull manner went his wayes from him He had scarce gone a mile from that place and within lesse then a full houre but God punished him for this his enormous crime by being assayled by certayne men and that so desperatly as wounds were the beginning of their fray and stabbes euen to the heart were the period In this bloudy on set his Soule payed for the transgression of his disobedience For one of the Ruffians sent him on a rufull message to Grand Lucifer At this newes euery one remayned astonished especially seeing the speedy execution of the sentence of S. Malachy and other wicked men being heerby gently admonished were truly conuerted In the same coūtrey Count Dermitius through manifest disorders of Gluttony and other Sensualityes had layne now sicke and vnweildy a long tyme. This man being visited by S. Malachy first sharpely rebuked for the scandall and ill example he had giuen and after blessed with holy water was sudenly raysed beyond the expectation of him and his very nimbly mounted on his horse In the Citty of Cassel came one to S. Malachy with a sonne of his being sick of the palsey crauing pitty at his hands The holy Bishop thē litting vp his mynd to our Lord said to the Father of that child Goe thy wayes for thy sōne shall recouer He went then but returned the next Morning with the child not yet cured S. Malachy making his prayer for the Child some what longer then before cheered him vp and gaue strict order to the Father of the lame child to dedicate him to the diuine Seruice which he faithfully promised to do But yet afterwards kept not his word Wherupon the youth after some yeares relapsed agayne into the same palsey Another Man likewise brought his sonne to the holy Man frō parts farre distant This child had withered feete and was not able to moue a whit S. Malachy demaunded how the same happened I thinke answered the Man it was the worke of the Deuill because my sonne being on a tyme childishy disporting himselfe in a certayne meadow that accursed Fiend if I be not deceiued made him to fall a sleepe then awaking I know not how he was foūd taken in this manner And speaking thes words he powred forth abundance of teares and humbly prayed the Diuine Man to giue his sonne some succour Who being mollifyed therwith according to his custome cōmaunded the lame child to giue himself to sleepe while he prayed who did as much and when S. Malachy had ended his prayer the child immediately stood vpon his feete very iocund and lusty The holy man kept him afterwards with him a prety while and iustructed him well in the Rudiments of the Christian Fayth carrying him along with him into diuers places with his other Domestiques A certaine poore Man serued in a Mill of the Monastery of Benchor maynteyning himselfe partly with that labour partly also with dayly almes This man had likewise been lame now for these twelue yeares in such sort as he was compelled to go with his hāds on the ground and trayling his dead feete after him Now S. Malachy beholding him
blasphemer To which so sharp and biâ—…â—…proach answered the seruant of Chrâ—… with these wordes I cannot beleeue now I haue the spirit of blasphemy in me nor was 〈◊〉 euer any intention of myne to speake ill of others and especially of my soueraigne Prince And this Answere of his he afterwards accoÌ„panyed also with actions so louing and with so much obseruance towards him who had so wronged him as he gayned him at last and made him his greatest freind After the enterprise of Sozia which vnder the conduct of Lewes King of France through wicked perfidiousnes of the Grecian Emperour had taken but ill successe there were some that traduced the fame of S. Bernard as who had beene the principall authour of that expedition Whereunto being not able to giue a particuler account to euery one of his motiues and of what had passed in the voyage at least he prayed often for them all being a great deale more sorrowful for their sinne then for his proper infamy being not able to suppresse such murmurs reioyced at least that those poysonous shafts of the slanderous ignorant were aymed all at himselfe who did little respect them and much reioyced that the diuine Maiesty and Prouidence was come to be entire and vntouched by those impious people There were once 600. markes of siluer intercepted by the way from the seruants of the man of God being magnificently assigned by the Abbot of Farco to the behoofe and benefit of the Order To which newes the Saint replyed with a cheerefull countenance Blessed be God who hath deliuered vs from such a burthen and he truly who hath taken away the money in some sort deserues to be excused since such a summe might well giue a shrewd temptation The same tenour he kept of a serene mind without contention or strife at all when there were taken from him partly through deceit and partly by force about some ten Monasteries or places at least very apt to erect foundations for them A certaine Regular of another Monastery being temâ—…ted and not sound in his vocation hauing read some spirituall trâ—…ses of S. Bernard went his wayes to Clareuallis to make instance vnto him to receaue him among his to whome the blessed Man sweetly answering wished him to returne not seeming good to him for iust respects to yield to his request Why haue you then replyed the wretch Father so extolled Perfection in your writinges if you will not succour and help him who desires the same And being vrged by the infernal spirit added Now then if I had those books in my hands I would surely rent them in a thousand peeces To this the Man of God answered I do verily thinke sayd he that in none of them thou shalt find Thou mayst not be perfect in thy cloyster the amendement of manners change not of places if I well remember I haue proposed and commended in my bookes Then went that frantique man quite out of his wits and lifting vp suddenly his most sacrilegious hand he gaue so huge a cuffe on the eare to the holy Abbot that his cheeke was presently swolne wherat with reason the standers by being incensed began to rise vp to handle the Wretch as he deserued but soone the Seruant of God preuented the same exclayming and coniuring them by the name of Christ not to touch him but warily to lead him away procuring by all meanes possible he should take no harme And thus the wretch all pale and trembling escaped thence without the least punishment Moreouer this defendour of the Truth and promoter of the diuine seruice wanted not his emulous and persecutours though he through the eminence of his qualityes and glory of his wordes and deedes had very much ouercome their enuy With such a pest of men the Iouer of Christ vsed this manner of proceeding first according to the precept of the Ghospell he would make feruent prayer for them after that with might and mayne he sought to extingnish that malignant passion with all manner of submission and good offices in rendering benefits for iniuryes honour and reuerence for contempt and affronts as he who had their saluation as deere as his owne and felt particuler torment at the scandall of those to whome he had giuen no occasion at all and the malice of others did excruciate him more then his conscience seemed to satisfy him it seeming a matter too difficult for him to cure a malady whose origine he could not discouer and whensoeuer he was able to come to the knowledge therof he tooke no greater pleasure then to roote it out although he were thereby to haue his handes all mangled and bloudy The most holy Abbot was ariued to such a point of the loue of God and of his Neighbour through the continuall meditation of the life and passion of Christ being truly become the forme and example of the flocke which he had in charge as that now with great reason was the good odour of Clareuallis spread and dilated through out all Christendome and in all partes as we sayd aboue with cost and diligence were the grafts of this happy plant both craued and procured nor were there only Monasteryes of S. Bernard founded heere and there but euen whole Conuents likewise of other families came voluntarily to submit themselues vnto his obedience and to conforme themselues with all study to the rites and profession of the Cisterce yea euen he himselfe whose principall care was as we sayd to remaine hidden and vnknowne in that corner and valley was yet very suddenly more highly placed by the diuine hand in the light and sight of men and obliged to dispense to the benefit of the world the treasures and graces which he heaped vp togeather in his Cell Whence Schismatikes were reconciled to the Roman Church Heretikes publikely conuinced and Catholikes promoted and established in peace A Schisme in the Church ariuing about the election of a Pope was happily ended through the wisedome of S. Bernard Chap. 13. THe first achiuement the Saint happened to make for the good of all christendome tooke occasion from the Schisme of Pierlonio the Roman who after the death of Honorius with euill practises making himselfe a false Pope and taking the name of Anaclete opposed himselfe to the true and canonically elected Pope Innocent in which so scandalous a diuision both the one and the other endeauouring as well with messages as letters to draw whole Kingdomes and Christian nations to their obedience the world was put into a great confusion and perplexity being as yet not able to discerne which of these two fornamed Popes they were to acknowledge and adore for lawfull Successour of S. Peter and vicar generall of Christ. Vpon this then so important an article were assembled in diuers parties of Europe nationall Synods and particulerly in France was called the Councell in the Land of Tampes where to be able with the more light more fauourable assistance of the holy Ghost to decide so great
multitude of them and not being able with the pen to set downe the store of effects in that kind very soone gaue ouer the enterprize Neuerthelesse there remaynes yet a faythfull and distinct memory of so many of them as to goe about to set them heere downe one by one would be a thing too prolix and far off from our scope We therefore making choyce according to out custome of the more notable and of greater edification shall reduce them to fiue heads that is to the grace of Cures to power vpon deuills to visions or apparitions to the spirit of Prophesy and to efficacy of prayer which though indeed it may be sayd to run through all the other species notwithstanding for that it wants not proprietyes also of its owne we haue thought good to put it downe by it selfe a part yea taking beginning from thence we shall tell what happened to S. Bernard concerning one of his Monks lesse mortifyed and lesse perfect then the rest The Iudgment of God shewed vpon one approaching to receiue the Sacrament at S. Bernards hands without due preparation with diuers other Miracles besides Chap. 20. THere was a Monk that for a secret fault being suspended from the participation of the diuine misteryes and beholding all the others to communicate on a very solemne Feast the wretch for feare of shame and infamy boldly also approacheth to the hands of the holy Pastour Who not willing to expell him thence the occasion being as it was sayd secret and vnknowne turning himselfe to God from the bottome of his hart he besought him to put remedy for such and so great a presumption and heerewith ministred to him also the Bread of Angells as to the rest But behold the hoast being receiued into his mouth he could by no meanes let it down though he striued neuer so much to swallow it Wherupon being wholy anxious and trembling he kept it enclosed within his palat vntill such tyme as the Communion being past with an humble signe he drew the man of God apart and being prostrate at his feet with many teares declared to him what he suffered opening his mouth shewed him the hoastir selfe When the good Father reprehending him for it as it behoued went about to reconcile him againe and the Penitent suddenly hauing receiued absolution without any difficulty swallowed the hauenly food Another entring a fresh into Clareuallis to doe penance there of his life very dissolutly led in the world found himselfe to be 〈◊〉 and exceeding in deuout while his companions with many teares were cleansing themselues of their passed crymes Being moued with this example to enter into himselfe and trying in vayne to imitate them he recurred with most inward affect of hart to the holy Abbot who yeilding to so honest and pious a demaund obtayned him from heauen such aboundance of teares as from that houre the good disciple was neuer seene to be with dry eyes and cheekes not dewed with teares The like power though in a basâ—… subiect shewed the seruant of Christ with his prayers once especially among other tymes when he returned from the Citty of Chalon There was then a cruell winter and most bitter cold so as all most all those of his company being shrewdly pinched with the weather and busyed in defending themselues from the ayre as it happens in that case making much hast heedlesly left him behind with two only in his company one of which by chaunce alighting his horse brake away from him in the open fieldes as the Camel once escaped from S. Antony in the deserts without commodity of catching him againe in hast when the venerable Abbot turning to him that was lest with him sayd let vs pray And kneeling on the ground scarcely had they finished a Pater Noster when behold the vnruly beast with all gentlenes returning back stood quietly at the feete of S. Bernard and thus he who had lost him recouered him againe A great expedition surely in regayning him so but this other which followes was nothing inferiour S. Bernard in the Court of the yong King Lewes negotiated a peace of moment and secretly had the Queene his opposit therein though otherwise openly she shewed her selfe to be deuoted to him This Lady was held to be barren hauing now liued many yeares with her husband without issue for which she with the whole Court was exceedingly afflicted Now she one day with the holy Abbot lamenting her selfe for such a disaster with this opportunity he fayld not to aduise her that if she would be comforted in her desire she should cease to hinder the peace in treaty which she did and soone after the accord very happily succeeded Then Lewes through suggestion of his wife put S. Bernard in mind of the promise made and he faythfully acknowledged it recommending the matter so feruently to God as the Queene at the yeares end was brought to bed with the extraordinary ioy as well priuate as publique That effect also was held very memorable which now we shall tell S. Bernard being ready to depart the second tyme from Rome procured with the Popes consent some Relikes of Saints to carry with him and visiting Churches for that end he was offered by the Grecian Monks the entire head of S. Caesarius Martyr But he of innated modesty hauing respect as not willing to depriue those Religious of so noble a treasure was content to accept as a fauour one tooth only The Monks then endeauour to pull it forth and being not able with their hands they brake two kniues about it without profitting a whit it is fit sayd S. Bernard we pray to the glorious Martyr he would vouchsafe to doe vs this fauour he prayed vnto him and after reuerently approaching to the sacred skull without any difficulty he tooke out one with two of his fingars which before could not be stirred with the force of instruments I will finish this part with the first of all the miracles which S. Bernard wrought The venerable Abbot returned from a certaine Monastery called Three fountaynes which was in truth the first which he founded behold a Messenger in hast comes running on the way very anxious acquainting him how in a Castle at hand by name Firmita a kinsman of his called Guisbert lay in extreme daunger of death hauing lost his speach before he was able to be confessed This same was a noble rich man withall a great vsurper of others goods and of a very ill conscience Whence through the iust iudgment of God he was ready to depart this life without the viatique At which tydings S. Bernard as soone as he had commodity of a Church did celebrate the Masse and prayd for him and at the same hower as was knowne afterwards in reckoning the tymes Gâ—…bert returning into himselfe brake silence and began with tearâ—… to bewayle his sinnes but scarcely had S. Bernard finished the Masse but he fell dumb againe and presently thereupon arriued S.
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
for whatsoeuer he should say vnto them they should take any reuenge vpon him but without any reply at all returne backe againe With such commission those Russians being come to S. Antony and intreating him with the greatest courtesy they could to accept of that small charity which Ezelinus sent him and to remember him only in his deuout prayers by so liuely experience they presently knew what he was since with a seuere looke shew of anger he thus answered to the message God forbid I receaue in signe of liberality the very bloud of the poore of Christ for which shall Ezelinus ere he be aware thereof make an exact accompt to the diuine iustice and get you hence also without delay least through your iniquityes eyther the howse ouerwhelme vs with a sudden ruine or the earth come to swallow vs vp with a horrible rupture Whereat those miserable wretches with bowing downe the head went silently and fearefully away to giue account to their wicked maister of the whole successe who being cleared in this manner of the suspitions falsely conceaued by him touching the seruant of God from that tyme forwards held him in the esteeme he ought and gaue order to his souldiers they should let him say of him what he listed himselfe and though the Tyrant through his inueterate custome in sinning was neuer conuerted from his lewd wayes yet certaine it is that the memory of S. Antony serued him often tymes for a bridle and through feare and reuerence of so great a man he forbare afterwardes to commit many outrages which he had otherwise effected without respect These then and the like assaults the couragious Champion of Christ would not fayle to make at any tyme when need required Though indeed no merueyl it be that for the defence of the truth he should not feare the face of any man how angry soeuer who with so much desire heretofore had sought to drinke of the chalice of the passion The excellent guifts and talents of S. Antony especially necessary to so notable a preacher as he was Chap. 7. LEt no man thinke by the former Chapter that S. Antony shewed himselfe to be so rigorous and terrible to all He wanted not iudgment to discerne the difference of his Auditours nor skill and practize to deale with the rich with the poore with the noble and ignoble according to the capacity and nature and state of ech one And how beyt the principall foundation of his preaching was placed as we haue sayd in frequent prayer and continuall abnegation of himselfe neuerthelesse he tooke light and nourishment of sound and sincere knowledge from the auncient Doctours sacred Councells and diuine Scriptures wherein he was so versed and dexterous as it is affirmed for certaine that when by any misfortune they might hap to be lost he alone from the Cabinet of his memory was sufficient to recouer them agayne as heeretofore Esdras had done and to put them faythfully in writing Wherof among other persons of authority Gregory the Ninth his Holynes gaue truely a most cleere and graue testimony for that S. Antony being come to the Court of Rome for this likewise was a notable exployt of his to oppose the designes and endeuoure of Fryar Elias and of others who sought to wrest the Rule and enlarge the Religious discipline he not only laboured efficaciously in this matter but preached also to the Court and people of Rome in diuers places and tymes with so great abundance of true and profund conceipts with such subtilityes and art in discouering the origens and causes of vices and in appling apt remedyes to each one and with such sharpe and sound interpretations of the Psalmes and the Prophets and of all historyes Oracles and diuine precepts as the Pope himselfe being astonished besides infinite other prayses afforded him with a Pontificall spirit daigned to call him The Arke of the Testament There were added to these so rare guifts of a Christian Oratour a dignity of aspect a grace in his gestures á sweetenes and cleernes of voyce and all in so eminent a degree as he seemed to be an organ for honest delectation and for a holesome mouing of soules framed by the hand of God himselfe And that which more increased the wonder was so great a variety quaintnes and propriety in the Italian tongue in a man trayned vp in Prouinces so remote and come into Italy being of yeares so mature and so late brought forth to the light of the world and to the eminency of Pulpits Whence it is not very easy to explicate the concourse of people of all conditions that assembled together at the sound of that celestiall harmony and diuine Trumpet in shutting vp their shopps leauing their traffikes in the market places and the noyses of the Pallace and taking vp places before day at the sacred audience with such hast and strife withall as many tymes the seruant of God was constreyned to abandon the Churches and Cittyes and goe forth into the spacious playnes and there from the higher bancks to breake the bread of the diuine word vnto the hungry multitude And he howbeyt corpulent by nature and much subiect to sweating and diuers infirmityes left not for all that to expose himselfe with great promptnes and without sparing any labour or trouble where the greatest need was hope of a more certaine copious haruest Now who were able to set downe what fruite followed to the glory of our Lord and saluation of men Who could number the rancours and enmityes deposed the restitutions made the Concubines forsaken the processions disciplines fasts the pious works both common and particuler instituted for behoofe of body soule Many contemning the vanity of the world though rich and potent otherwise eyther dedicated themselues to the diuine seruice in Religion or the better to assure their conscience very freely subiected their whole substance and their life it selfe vnto the dispose of the faythfull seruant of Christ the good and faythfull through his discourses would depart from him very full of consolation of new courage and purpose afresh The sinners chasing away darknes and sleep astonished at the diuine prouidence acknowledging their perilous estate and the greiuousnes of their synnes as wounted Harts to the fountayne so ran they to the tribunall of Confessours with teares and sighs How S. Antony mountes into the Chayre of Theology and was the first of his Order that read in those Schooles Chap. 8. VVE may not seeme to passe ouer in silence how 22. Theeues being accustomed to rob and murder trauaylours in a certaine thick and obscure forest and then after vnknowne in the Citty to appeare in the habit of Honourable persons being lastly moued with the fame which ran euery where of the Angelicall preaching of S. Anthony resolued to goe all at once to heare him And found the report of him to be nothing false but rather remayned so mollifyed and softned at his fyery speaches as the
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
making more instance he thought good to resist no longer and recommending himselfe first very humbly to our Lord God as he was wont he answered after with such acumen of wit and with so much dexterity withall as that Albertus being full of astonishment exclaymed at last Thomas thou seemest to me rather a Moderatour then a meere Respondent And thereupon turning to the Auditory My Maysters sayd he you call him a dumbe Oxe but certainely he shall one day giue forth such lowings as shall be heard throughout the whole world With his so cleere a testimony made so publiquely of him it was not possible for him any more to remayne eyther retired or silent but yet he alwayes conserued himselfe farre from any arrogancy at all whence he came euery day to be so much the more admirable to all and was by vniuersall consent held no lesse then a Saint Thus being in Colen for some tyme he was by the instance of Albertus Magnus recalled to Paris by the Generall of the order there to take the degree of Bachelour vpon him To which degree being promoted against his will they applyed him presently to expound the Maister of Sentences wherein hauing kept for this intention very strict vigils and fasts and made his prayer he came off with it in such manner as that the Rectour of the Studyes determined very soone to make him a Maister in Theology with all the solemnity that might be S. Thomas vnderstanding thereof and esteeming himselfe very farre vnworthy of that name began afresh to find excuses and to alleadge particulerly his age which as yet had not finished the thirtith yeare yet for all that he was fayne to obey And in such extremity of his recurring according to custome to the armes of prayer he begins to craue the succour of the Almighty God vntill such tyme as being once perplexed among other things about the Theme he should take in that publike act a venerable old man appeared to him in sleep and sayd to him What aylest thou Thomas that thou weepest and so afflictest thy selfe in this manner He answered they enforce me to take the name office of Maister vpon me wherto I know my selfe to be insufficient and being among other things at the beginning to make a discourse I know not what Theme to take Then replyed the old man Be of good cheer my Sonne It is the will of God that thou accept the degree For Theme thou shalt take that verse of the Psalme Rigans montes de superioribus suis de fructu operum tuorum satiabitur terra That sayd the old man vanished and S. Thomas yielded many thanks to God for being so benignly comforted by his immense goodnes Being now made Maister he went forward in explicating the sacred Theology with great applause hauing alwayes an eye to the profit capacity of the schollers rather then to his owne reputatiō or proper gust In his manner of interpreting he had an easy cleere and distinct methode He fled new opinions and the vnusualf manner of phrases and words In disputes he kept himselfe from moderate contentions and extranagant acts or clamors maturely yeilding to others obstinacyes or pertinacityes and choosing rather for the glory of God and edification of the Neighbour to appeare sometymes lesse learned then little modest Wheresoeuer he read but especially in Paris and in Rome he had alwayer his Schoole very flourishing both for number and quality of hearers Doctours Bishops Cardinals and it is a notable thing that with all the credit and authority he had gotten yet neuer slacked he his dilgence being otherwise one of so great a naturall wit as he had few his equalls and of so happy a memory withal that in a manner as often as he had but once seene any thing he would faythfully retayne it for euer and of such vigour of mind as that which is recounted of some Ancients for so admirable a thing he would yet doe more in dictating in diuers matters vnto three or foure Scribes at once yet that rich floud of wisedome would neuer be diminished Of S. Thomas his Speculations in studyes with his Rapts and Extasies in Spirit Chap. 8. IT would be too long and a superfluous thing to make heere a Catalogue of his workes so many and of so great note wherwith he confirmed the Catholike fayth rooted out and opprest many heresies partly increased already and partly new growne vp ech state and quality of persons he would instruct with holsom aduises and precepts and finally illustrated the sacred Thology and brought it againe to its ancient dignity reducing and submitting all other sciences to its Empire which through the fault of some impious Sophisters seemed heeretofore to dissent and rebell from it But as he would touch the point in euery matter so he seemed to haue a speciall grace in treating of the most excellent Sacrament of the Altar and not only in Prose but in Latin time also according to the customes of those tymes in so much as for the eminent doctrine and piety contayned therin the Catholike Church euen to this day singes no other Office or Masse on the day of the great solemnity of Corpus Christi then that which he composed at the instance of Pope Vrban the IV. And it is most certaine that in Naples being once much eleuated in mind and present in person before a Crucisix our Lord spake to him in that image VVell hast thou written of me Thomas VVhat reward then wouldst thou haue VVhen he answered surely nothing O Lord but thyne owne selfe Two notable parts concurred in the glorious Doctour which are hardly coupled together as quicknes in apprehension and patience in speculation Forasmuch as he not only acutely penetrated and distinguished at once but would also diue into the deeper inuestigations as that very often he would come to loose his senses When on a tyme being in such an abstraction a cole of fire lighting on his leg and agayne the flame of the candell which studying he held in his hand euen touching his flesh a prety while he stirred not awhit nor was moued any more thereat then a meere stone That same likewise was memorable which happened to him at a Feast with S. Lewys King of France at such tyme as he wrot that noble Summe against the Gentils in which matter he was then so absorpt as that amidst the Royall dishes of the King forgetting himselfe and the standers by he suddenly cryed out The Manichies are conuinced and seeming to him that he was in his Cell called to Fryar Reginald his companion to dictate to him as he was wont But after awaked by the Dominican Priour who sate by him and crauing pardon with some confusion he was comforted and excused by the wise King at whose beck one was suddenly called that might faythfully note those new conceipts Nor les◅e memorable was the excesse which he suffred towards the end of his life remayning in the
commended to S. Martyn expecting with a kind of ambition to receiue it afterwards from his hand But the great Prelat hauing tasted therof drank to his Priest giuing to vnderstand therby in that assembly was none more worthy then he to pledge him esteeming he had done ill if eyther the Emperour himselfe or his chiefest Fauourits or neerest to him had beene preferred by him before that poore Seruant of God They receiued all much edification heerat being slighted in that case tooke it so much the better as the most of the other Bishops in Court were subiect to base flattery and with much indignity sought the grace and fauour of the Officers and Ministers of Cesar. True it is that this liberty and confidence of S. Martin had not been so conuenient and fit for all not hauing equal splendour of life nor such diuinity of miracles as he Wherof though we haue mentioned some already notwithstanding of an infinite number of others yet remayning we shall not spare to set downe some few which without preiudice to the Reader and in some manner without iniury of the Saint himselfe may not well be let passed How S. Martin miraculously escaped burning Chap. 18. SAINT Martyn being gone in the midst of winter to visit a place of his diocesse a lodging was prepared him by his Clerks in the precincts of the Church and to ayre the chamber there wâ—… a great fire made vnderneath and insteed of a bed was strewed a good quantity of dry litter and straw whereon S. Martin at night reposing and setling himselfe to sleepe and being accustomed as we haue said to lye on the hard ground could not away with such softnes and as it were displeased therewith immediately putting the straw aside returned to his ordinary manner of lodging but aâ—… the flore was broken and full of cleâ—…s it happened that the force of the fire piercing through them by little and little it came to enkindle the straw and furiously to burne Whereupon S. Martyn awaking and seeing himselfe sudenly in so great a danger without hauing tyme or to say better aduertence to call vpon the diuine ayde with a naturall motion which he had got vp on his feete ran in hast to open the doore but it pleased God he found it so bâ—…red as that while he laboured and toyled himselfe to put back the bolt the fire approaching had now taken hold of his Cassock Then finally S. Martin returning to himselfe and perceiuing that his remedy consisted not in flying away but in crauing ayde from heauen taking hold of the sheild of fayth and prayer 〈◊〉 himselfe on his knees in the midst of the flames which euen heeâ—… likewise sudenly as it were affrighted thereat withdrew themselues while he stood immoueable still pursuing his prayers In the meane tyme the Monks who were companions to the Saint â—…emayning in the next Chamber being awaked with the noyse and terrifyed at the chance by force and not without some delay difficulty brake open the doore and thinking by that tyme to haue found the blessed Father consumed and dead they saw him beyond all hope amidst the flames both aliue and entire and comming boldly vnto him tooke out his body from thence The blessed man confessed afterwards not without sighs his owne fault For that he hauing among other his spirituall employments an ancient custome in awaking alwayes before any other thing to lift vp his mind to God and to sanctify with the perfume of prayer the Aultar of his hart and so to shut vp the Temple of his soule that no vncleane or hurtfull beast of euill thoughts might seeme to put â—…heir foote therinto yet howsoeuer at that tyme eyther out of human feare or subtility of the enemy being quite as it were besides himselfe and wholy vnmindfull of his good custome he had first made his recourse to visible remedyes then to the inuisible affirming for certayne that he was in extreme danger of burning being alone while he laboured with a troubled mind to open the bolt But that after he had betaken himselfe to the armes of the holy Crosse and prayer the flames were on a sudden as he sayd so contracted within themselues as they left him vntouched through diuine power How Euantius was cured of a grieuous sicknes by S. Martin and what other notable things he wrought besides Chap. 19. ABout this tyme a certayne honourable person and a man of much piety by name Euantius fell mortally sicke and being now as it were despaired of by the Phisitians with a great deale of fayth called for S. Martyn who without all delay went his waies thither An admirable thing he was not yet gone halfe way when the sicke man felt the benefit thereof and hauing suddenly receiued health came in person to meete with him and to entertayne him as a Ghest And S. Martin being willing to depart the next day with humble intreatyes and much importunity he was enforced at last to remayne a while with him In that interim a Page of the house was stung with a venemous Serpent so pestiferous indeed as he was now euen ready to giue vp the last breath When lo the same Euantius taking him on his shoulders with great confidence carryed him to the feete of the Saint And now was the euill already spread through all his lymmes when you might haue seene the skinne to swell in euery veyne and the vitall parts to stretch like a bladder till S. Martyn which his blessed hand feeling them heere there at last with his finger touched the wound it selfe At the point whereof might cleerely be seen the poyson retyring it selfe to runne to the fingars end and thence by the narrow mouth of the wound with long spinning to gush forth mingled with bloud like the milke which sprinkles from the teaâ—… being hardly wrung Wherewith the youth arose vp â—…ound and the standers by remayned astonished confessing vnder Heaueâ—… nothing to be any awhit comparable to S. Martin Nor was the worke lesse famous that followes after There was in the Citty of Chartres a young girle of twelue yeare old so dumbe as till that time she could neuer frame a worâ—… Now S. Martin being in the company of other two Bishops Vâ—… tinian and Viâ—…us by name the sayd little girle was presented to him by her sad Father that by his meanes her tongue might be loosed when as S. Martin with much modesty began to put of that office to those two Prelates alledging that to their fayth and vertue nothing would be impossible But they on the other side vniting their intreatyes with the Suppliant began to vrge him much to vouchsafe to comfort him Whereupon S. Martin without more delay shewing no lesse piety in the prompt execution then humility in the first refusall gaue order that the multitude of people should stand off and he remayning only with the Bishops and with the Father of the child according to his custome puts himselfe
into prayer then blessing a litle oyle with the preface of the Exorcisme and taking hold of the tongue of the dumbe Creature with his fingar he dropped a litle of that holy liquour vpon it not without present effect Because the Girle being demaunded what was her Fathers name suddenly answered thereunto very readily Whereat the sayd Father lifting vp his voyce with ioy teares at once very deerly imbraced the knees of the Man of God affirming this to be the first word that he had euer heard his daughter speake who afterwards with the vniuersall wonder of all reteyned still the vse of her speach And this truly was vpon one alone but that which now we shall tell you concerned many together For there being entred into the family of a principall man by name Licontius a kind of disease so grieuous and contagious withall as that throughout the whole howse there was nothing to be seen heere and there but the sick to lye vp and downe without hope or strength Licontius for a last refuge craued succour of S. Martyn by letters to whome the blessed man answered it would be a very difficult thing to do forseeing in spirit that the scourge of God was ouer that howse and yet notwithstanding for compassion he disposed himself to pacify by all meanes the heaueÌ„ly wrath and retiring himselfe he continued in fasting and cilices for seaueÌ„ whole nights and dayes together with so feruent prayer as finally he obteined what he would Wherupon Licontius being exceedingly comforted went flying in hast with a thousand thanks to bring â—…e good newes to S. Martyn And offered him moreouer a hundred â—…unds of siluer Which the holy Bishop neyther refused nor altoâ—…ether accepted but with a meane betweene both not suffering â—…e same to enter into the gates of his Monastery applied it sudainly 〈◊〉 the ransome of Captiues When it being suggested to him by the â—…oÌ„ks to retayne some part therof for the necessityes of the house which at that tyme was in some distresse he answered that the orâ—…nary assignement of his Church was sufficient for that purpose This cure wrought S. Martin and many others of sundry infirâ—…ityes as weâ—… in presence as in absence But what wonder is it â—…at he should haue power vpon humane bodyes who had so much â—…ower ouer spirits This is certaine the possessed being brought to â—…e Cathedrall Church to be deliuered by him assoone as he put but â—…s foote forth of his Cell to come to the Citty they would begin to â—…hreech with horrid gestures and houlings full of dreadfulnes to â—…ehold insomuch as the Clerks with this signe only were wont to â—…nderstand before hand of the Bishops comming thither And he beâ—…des not as other Exorcists are wont who through force of threats â—…nd cryes vse to cast out Deuils but being sprinckled with ashes with wearing sharpe cilices with prostrating himselfe on the grouÌ„d â—…nd with the armes of holy prayer withall would mayster them Nor yet let any thinke the while that among so many graces from Heauen that S. Martin was wholy without the Gift of Prophecy â—…lso Forasmuch as diuers accidents being farre remote in tyme â—…lace were manifested to him partly immediately from God partâ—…y also through the ministery as hath beene sayd of the Angels Of which and of many other meruayles besides for breuity sake vntouched by vs whosoeuer would seeme to haue a more distinct â—…otice let him read Sulpitius Seuerus in his Dialogues howbeyt he also not to be tedious confesseth that of purpose he had concealed 〈◊〉 great part of them But now it is tyme in fine for vs to come to the last act of this representation certainely no lesse notable or lesse perfect then the others but so much more worthy of applause as it more assures vs of the reward The Death of S. Martin with the Lamentation made by all the great 〈◊〉 for his Body Chap. 20. THE blessed Man was now arriued to the 81. yeare or as others will haue it to the 87. of his age when through diuine reuelation he himselfe knew that his end approached and cleerely foretold it to his disciples But yet for all that continued he his wonted deuotions and abstinences and diligently attended to his pastorall office And because in those dayes there fell out a scandalous discord among the Clerks of a certayne place which is called Candacum he determined in person to go thither to quiet them esteeming he could not more happily end his life then by leauing all his Churches in good peace and concord Being gone then thither and with diuine grace hauing setled matters he was now ready to turne backe to his Monastery agayne when he began to feele in himselfe some notable defect of forces and therefore gathering his disciples togeather he told them how his Tabernacle was now ready to be dissolued whence of necessity he must needs leaue them When lo amidst very dolefull sighes and teares there was raysed this common voyce amongst them saying And why do you leaue vs so holy Father To whome do you recommend vs so disconsolate and afflicted The rauenous wolues will assayle your flocke and the Shepheard being lost who is he that can defend vs We know very well you desire to go to Christ but your rewards are safe inough and guerdons which differred a while are not lessened a whit then take you pitty on vs rather who remayne in such manifest danger The Seruant of Christ being mollifyed at these words could not conteyne himselfe from weeping but with great affect turning himselfe to Heauen sayd O Lord if I yet be necessary to this people I fly no labour thy most holy will be done Wherein being as it were put in ballance he shewed 〈◊〉 knew not which of the two was deerest to him eyther to remaine on earth for Christ or to leaue the earth for Christ. Wherein he gaue example to the faythfull how in such prayers they are not to encline with desire eyther to the one or other side but a with reall and simple indifferency to remit themselues in all and through all to the diuine arbitrement The good Bishop for some dayes now was tormented with a â—…uell feuer and yet neuerthelesse continued he night and day in â—…editation and vigils susteyning with the vehemency of his spirit â—…e weakenes of his body lying so in that his soft and delicate bed 〈◊〉 ashes and hayrecloth when being with much instance intreaâ—…d by his Monkes to suffer at least some vile â—…ackloth to lye vnder â—…im It is not fit sayd he O children that a Christian should seeme 〈◊〉 dye otherwise then vpon ashes and if I giue you not example â—…ereof the fault is mine This sayd he turned with his face vpwards to cast vp his eyes and hands to the starres In which posiâ—…on now immoueable lying as drawing to his end he was vâ—…ry â—…rnestly intreated by the Priests who in great number were â—…ome to visit him to turne
from heauen a discretion of spirits so iudicious and subtile withall as he easily diued and penetrated into the customes and inclinations of ech sort of persons and arriued sometymes so far as to know the most hidden secrets of harts and to discouer moreouer with extraordinary light the very origens and seeds and proceedings of all vertues and vices and finally to demonstrate with most cleere precepts and examples in what manner to purchase the one and eschew the other To this so great liberality of God corresponded he with all due thankefullnes and promptnes to serue him with the exact custody of himselfe from all that which might any waies make him vnworthy and vncapable of so high fauours In fasting he had now got such an habit that how long so euer he differred his repasts he neyther felt hunger in expecting nor tooke any delight in the meate he eate And yet did he feed as other men do as knowing he could not otherwise susteyne himselfe but did it sparingly and so without sensuality as he not only abhorred al daintyes and delicacyes and gusts of the palate but seemed as we sayd as if in him the sense of tasting had quite been lost and extinct As for sleep his holy occupations and continuall labours gaue him but a very small tyme answering and assisting euery one that made their recourse to him for counsayle and direction In which things the diuine man would be spending not only the houres of the day but euen those of the night also and by night besides he would attend partly to amend and correct bookes which were dangerously marred and corrupted partly in meditating the life of his Redeemer and contemplating the eternall Beatitude through desire whereof he would shed whole fluds of teares as likewise he would do for his own defects and through compassion of the sins of his neighbour togeather with the miseryes of this lyfe and the eternall losse of soules insomuch as many nights he would often passe ouer without any sleep at all and if perhaps he but chanced to shut his eyes it would be but euen a litle before the houre of mattins when how affectuous he would be in prayers vnited with the diuine goodnes the prayers which he made at the instance of his friends and deuotes set downe in writing declare sufficiently S. Anselme was enuyed much for his promotion to the the Priory especially by one Osborne a Monke who was afterwards reconciled to him and dying appeares S. Anselme and reuealed his estate vnto him Chap. 4. AMong all the vertues and prayses which are recounted of the holy man to me none seeme more worthy of consolation imitation then the dexterity charity which he vsed in the gouernment and instruction of his subiects To which purpose we are to vnderstād thus much that assoone as he ascended to the Priorship he wanted no few enuyers and persecutours to whome it seemed an intollerable thing and very vnworthy to be subiected so to the obedience of one that might well be called a Nouice Agaynst the peruersnes malice of these S. Anselme opposed himselfe with all offices of benignity that might be and particularly vnto one very yong of yeares by name Osborne This man being endowed with a rare wit and of great hability imploying his talents ill and abhorring the interiour discipline seruice had cōceiued an auersion hateful rancour against the holy Pastor stuck not to exercise the same both openly closely when occasion serued Which malignity of his though S. Anselme for himselfe not much regarded yet was he sory so noble a Subiect of whome otherwise so much fruite might well be expected should through diabolicall operation be so lewdly seduced and as it were vtterly lost Now then to reduce him into the righ way first he sought by all meanes possible to gayne his good will and to win him to be confident For which end he began to make exceeding much of him to dissemble with his errours to graunt him whatsoeuer was possible without the manifest domage of the Order and finally to omit nothing that might any wayes seeme to tame and relent that so fierce and vnbridled wit of his The youth tooke complacence at such deportements of S. Anselme towards him and by little and litle being mollifyed and vanquished with so much humanity began to be affected to him and to take his fatherly aduises in good part and euen voluntarily to compose himselfe to all modesty and grauity Which the wise Rectour perceyuing he proceeded to fauour him more then euer to preuent his necessityes not to suffer him to want any thing and withall to prayse that emprouement and fruite which he noted in him and sweetly to exhort pray him withal continually to passe from good to better From hence he went vntying him by litle and litle from his accustomed leuityes and very dexterously reuoked agayne those former indulgences which heertofore he affoarded him and by all meanes endeauoured to reduce him to reason and religious maturity When as afterwards he saw himselfe to be fully possessed of him continually restreyning him more and more he fayled not to cut of quite that childishnes which seemed as yet to remayne in him and if he had noted him to relapse at any tyme into errours he would chastize him not only with words but with pennances also Which new seuerity was supported by Osborne with admirable patience being now assured and most secure of the fatherly bowels of S. Anselme and of the amorous affect whence it seemed to proceed In summe with holsome and fit remedyes that youth who seemed so incorrigible before came now to be amended and reformed in such manner as looke what disquietnes and scandall he had giuen before he now gaue as great example and edification to all When as thus cured in his soule through diuine disposition he fell grieuously sicke Then did the good Pastour shew no lesse diligence in helping the exteriour man then before he had vsed towards the interiour so as he serued him in person in supplying him his meate drinke with his owne hands with extreme sollicitude prouiding him of all things necessary to rid that subiect of his infirmity of whom now a good while since he had promised to himselfe great matters for the diuine seruice and the good of Religion But this pious industry of the Seruant of Christ had not the desired end since it pleased the diuine Maiesty to cut of the threed of Osborns mortal life Whereat S. Anselme grieuing with most tender affect as much as Christian vertue suffered in the houre of his passage deerly intreated him that if it were possible after his death he would giue him some tydings of him The dying man did promise as much and so expired The body according to the vse being socked clothed then layd forth on a beer was carryed into the Church while the Monkes sate singing of the wonted psalmes about the same
S. Anselme in the meane tyme to make his prayer more attentiue and feruent retyred himselfe into a place somewhat a part from the others heer while with teares and sighs he begs of our Lord the saluation of that soule being oppressed with sorrow heauynes and his eyes now shut he fell into a slumber and in that repose beholds in spirit certayne venerable persons dressed vp in white garments to be entred in the chamber of the deceased and there to sit downe to iudge him But not knowing what sentence they had passed vpon him expecting with great anxiety to vnderstand the successe of that iudgmēt behold Osborn appeares on a sudden in face not vnlike to one that returns to himselfe againe after a traunce or fit of fainting Whereat S. Anselme sayd presently to him What is the matter sonne How it is with thee now The other answered The ancient Serpent hath risen vp thrice agaynst mee and thrice hath it fallen vpon his owne head the Bear-heards of God haue deliuered mee after which words S. Anselme opened his eyes and Osborn vanished This answere the dead man gaue and S. Anselme himselfe afterwards interpreted the same in this manner That thrice the ancient Serpent arose agaynst Osborne because first he accused him of sinnes committed after Baptisme before he had been offered vp by his Parents into the Monastery secondly for those which he had committed after his entry into the Monastery and before the making of his vowes in the third place for those whereinto he had incurred after his vowes euen to his death But thrice agayne was the accuser defeated because the errours of the world had been cācelled in vertue of the Fayth and oblation of his Parents when they presented him deuoutly to the diuine seruice those of the Nouiciate were remitted him in the new consecration of himselfe by meanes of his vowes The faults which he had committed after the vowes were pardoned him somwhat neere to his passage by meanes of confession and pennance So as the diuell finding all his quarrels frustrate being wholy confounded was quite defeated since all the instigations and subtilityes he had vsed to make that soule to fall into sinne had redounded to his owne more grieuous torment and greater damnation As for the Bear-heards of God they are said he good Angels for that as they tame the beares so do these restrayne the malignant spirits from the cruelty and impetuosity wherewith they vse to rush on to the destruction of soules After all these things to shew himselfe a true friend and father of his Osborne no lesse after his death then before he sayd euery day a Masse for him though the whole yeare following And if sometymes he were hindred from celebrating at all he would seeke for some other to supply the same promising to do as much for that Priest when he was requested Besides which he did send letters into diuers parts to procure sufrages and sacrifices for the same intention and thereby obtayned a great number of them Whence it followed that not onely the deceased party felt as is verily belieued eyther opportune refreshment or accidentall ioy but euen also the liuing tooke excellent example of so burning and continuall charity of S. Anselme yea euen his very enemyes tempered themselues who before could not looke on him with a good eye at last ouercom touched with the perpetuall tenour of such goodnes tooke so great an affection to the holy man as from murmurers and emulous they became followers and proclaymers of his rare vertues Although indeed to bring things to those termes a certaine strange accident of no small moment happened to one of those enemies of the blessed Pastour that immediately followes A certayne ancient Monke and great Enemy of S. Anselme at his death was tormented with a dreadfull vision which S. Anselme driueth away with the signe of the Crosse. And how he gaue himselfe to the trayning vp of Youth Chap. 5. THere was one very ancient in Religion who with implacable disdayne neuer ceased to bite and molest the good Father and by no meanes could neuer endure him much lesse reuerence acknowledge him in the place of Christ. Now then through the iust iudgment of God it happened this miserable wretch fell sicke to death and one night while all the Monkes were in bed he began to giue forth very dreadfull cryes to seeke as it were to shun the sight of some horrible figures became very pale of visage and full of trembling and great anxiety and would withall be turning his head on this side and that side to hide himselfe At these noyses his neyghbours being now awakened came suddenly in hast to aske what he ayled You behold mee sayd he afflicted and distressed thus within the pawes of two most rauenous wolues which are now euen ready to strangle me and demaund you of mee what I ayle One of them that was present hearing this by name Ricolfus who was the Secretary of Conuent without delay went running to S. Anselme who at that tyme was correcting of a booke and presently informed what passed with the sicke man At which newes the venerable Prior being touched with his accustomed clemency bad Ricolfus returne backe to the sickman and he in the meane tyme recollecting himselfe a litle ouertooke him in the Infirmary and lifting vp his hand made the signe of the Crosse vpon him saying In nomine Patris Filij Spiritus Sancti With which signe the Wretch was suddenly quiet and being somwhat cheerfull in face with most in ward affect of the hart began to giue thankes to the diuine Goodnes and added withall that soueraygne signe he had seene to come forth of his mouth as a fiery lance which being brandished agaynst those wolues had so terrified them as made them suddenly to fly away Then S. Anselme sweetly approching to him dealt with him seriously of matters concerning the saluation of his soule brought him to a great compunction and true confession of all his offences committed agaynst God and after he had giuen him the absolution told him playnely he should render vp his spirit about nine of the clocke and so indeed it fellout to the great astonishment of all From hence forward S. Anselme with a great deale more ease began to administer the office in which as one that sought to promote to perfection all those whome he had vnder his charge so with particular application he laboured especially in the help of youth and alledged this reason for it That euen as wax when it is too hard or too soft takes not very well the impression vpon it but if it be well tempered between the hard and soft it most faythfully receyues the print of the Seale so iust do we see it to happen in the age of a man Take you one who from his infancy to his old age hath been alwayes bred vp in the vanityes of the world and begin to deale