restrained the persecution Did not he being sent for to Rome oppose the Schismaticks that hee stopt their mouthes and so by his care and diligence peace was restored to the Church Did hee not so gaine the love of Prince The obaldus that he was joyfull and ready to part with all his titles and dignities and means for the maintenance of Gods Churchâ—â— Oh should I or could I indeed reckon up all his eminencies and gracious endowments How incredible nay how unimitable are they For God brought mighty things to passe by this Saint Bernards meanes Take his commendation as one gives it him Serenus vultu modestus habitu circumspectus in verbis in sacra meditatione assiduus c. that is Of a gracious countenance a modest habit circumspect in his words assiduous in meditation devout in prayer strong in the faith patient in hope made up of charity chiefe for humility principall of all in piety in counsels provident powerfull in deeds never idle rejoycing when reproached modest to petitioners flowing with abundance of wisdome vertue and grace with God and men apt in speech fitting himselfe to his auditory admired for his dyet and not affecting any earthly promotions nay he is termed Olivaspeciosa Vitis fructuosa Palma florida Cedrus multiplicatâ— vas Electionis vas Honoris in domo Dei vas auri solidum c. that is A beautifull Olive-tree a fruitfull Vine a flourishing Palm-tree a lofty Cedar a vessell of Election a vessell of Honour in the House of God a pure vessell of solid Gold set with precious stones He foretold his death and hee that desires to read copioâ—sly of each circumstance there is an Epistle extant to Arnaldus an Abbot thus much in briefe after so many great labours in the Churches cause having happily finished his â—ayes being the first Abbot of that place at the age of sixty three yeeres having setled above a hundred and sixty Monasteries for Religion He sickned and commended his soule devoutly into Gods hands a great concourse of people shedding teares for the losse of such an Angelike man This hapned in the same yeere that Eugenius the third of that name an holy man departed this life Anastastus succeeding him in the Roman See then reigning that illustrious Fredericke over the Romans and Ludovicus that godly Prince the sonne of Ludovicus governing France Hee was buried on the Calends of September with great state and pompe Anno 1130. Bernard his Sayings Of sloth Sloth is a certaine languishing sluggishnesse of the minde whereby one neglects to begin that which is good or to finish that which is begun Of brotherly love Then selfe love is just and temperate when that which is withdrawne from pleasurable vanitie is bestowed to relieve our brothers necessity for true love regards the common good Helpe is in vaine expected where punishment is deserved Expectation from others must be according to our dealing with others Of Ambition Ambition is a gilded misery a secret poyson a hidden plague the Engineere of deceit the mother of hypocrisie the parent of envy the originall of vices the moth of holinesse the blinder of hearts turning remedies into diseases and medicines into sicknesse Of Gods love God loved us sweetly wisely and valiantly sweetly because hee put on our flesh wisely because hee was blamelesse valiantly because hee suffered death Learne therefore O Christian from Christ how to come to Christ Learne to love him sweetly lest we be allured wisely lest we be deceived and valiantly lest we be subdâ—ed and vanquished The Soules three estates There are three estates of holy souls the first in the corruptible body the second without the body the third in the glorified body The first in warfare and unperfectnesse the second in rest and quietnesse the third in perfect felicity and happinesse Of the hearts Ascension There are foure degrees of ascension first to the heart secondly in the heart thirdly of the heatt and fourthly above the heart In the first God is feared in the second his counsel is heard the third is the desire of Christs comming the fourth is the fruition of Gods presence Saint Bernard when he entred the Temple or any other holy place when he came to the door of entrance said thus to himselfe Stay here all my worldly thoughts all vanity that I may entertain heavenly meditations His Works are these that follow registred by his owne Scholer who wrote his Life and by Cardinall Bellarmine Such as are reckoned by Godfrede his Scholer are these 1. Homilies in praise of the Virgin Mary 4 books 2 Of the degrees of Humilitie one book 3 Of loving God one book 4 Apologie to William one book 5 Of Precept and dispensation one book 6 Exhortations to the Souldiers of the Temple 7 Of grace and Free will 8 Of consideration five books 9 Sermons on the Canticles 86 books 10 Epistles to divers 351. 11 On Saint Malachies life the Bishop of Ireland These are of the second order and no doubt to bee made of them as Bellarmine Writes 1 Of the Lords comming seven sermons 2 On the Vigils of Christs Nativitie 6 sermons 3 On Christmasse day 6 sermons 4 On New yeeres day 3 sermons 5 On Twelfth day 4 6 On the first Sunday after the Epiphany two sermons 7 On St. Pauls conversion two sermons 8 On Candlemas day three sermons 9 On Septuagessima two sermons 10 On Quadragessima seven sermons 11 On St. Benedict one sermon 12 On our Lady day three sermons 13 On Palme-sunday three sermons 14 On Easter day foure sermons 15 Sunday after Easter two sermons 16 On Rogation weeke one sermon 17 On Ascension day one sermon 18 On Whitsontide one sermon 19 On St. John Baptists one sermon 20 On Saint Peter and Paul foure sermons 21 On David and Goliah one sermon 22 On the seven houres three sermons 23 On St. Victor two sermons 24 On St. Mary Magdalen one sermon 25 On our Lady day five sermons 26 On these words it is a great signe one sermon 27 On the Virgin Maries birth day one sermon 28 On Saint Michael two sermons 29 On All Saints day five sermons 30 On St. Malachies one sermon 31 On Esayes words five sermons 32 On St. Martine one sermon 33 On St. Clement one sermon 34 On Saint Andrews Eve one sermon 35 On Saint Andrews day two sermons 36 On Humbertus one sermon 37 At the Dedication of a Church six sermons 38 On the 90. Psalme seventeen sermons 39 On divers Arguments 35. 40 Of the depth of the heart foure sermons 41 Of conversion to the Clergie one sermon 42 Short sermons 66. 43 Of the gifts of the Holy Ghost one sermon 44 St. Bernards sentences 45 A Declamation on that saying We have left all Those of which there is some doubt made are these 1 To his Brethren 2 Meditations 3 Of the inward house the soule 4 Of the order of life 5 Of the Ladder of Monks 6 Form
sayth are as sower Grapes whose greatest Honours are fading and false flourishes whose profits and riches are but poysoned baits to intrap men therefore happy are they that have a good and a quiet soule for it is given them from above For if we consider man according to the life we shall find him full of vanity weaknesse inconstancy misery and presumption a fruitfull Argument to divert him from all singularity And he that will avoyde trouble and sorrow must apply his mind to wisedome This Polycarpus wrote many things most of which are kept in the Vatican There is extant an Epistle of his to the Philippians An. Christi 71. Sanctus Dionysius Areopagita S. DIONISIVS AREOPAGITA BEsides those of the Latine many of the Greek writers have written this Dionysius actions as Aristarchus a Chronologer and Methodius Bishop of Constantinople Metaphrastes and Suidas amongst the Latine Authors Hilduinus at the request of Ludovicus Pius the Emperour Ado Mathaeus Galenus and others as Cardinall Baronius in his first and second Tome of his Ecclesiastical Annalls but both the one and the other wheresoever they mention him stile him Hominem sapientissimum Episcopum sanctissimum Martyrem illustrissimum idest A most wise man an holy Bishop and a most famous Martyr This Dionysius was borne at Athens the most famous City of all Greece the mother of all Arts and Sciences His parents were eminent rich and civill of life given much to hospitality and wonderous liberall This Dionysius giving himselfe to study prov'd himselfe so learned that hee was accounted among the chiefe of Athens He travelled into Egypt for the more commodiousnesse of studie also for to get the skill of Astronomy at the age of twenty five yeers whilst hee liv'd at Heliopolis with Apollophanes the Philosopher hee saw that generall Eclipse of the Sunne at our Saviours Passion which did envelope the earth in darknes for three houres which he said was not naturall and this as one amazed hee spoke of it Aut Deus naturae patitur autmundi Machina dissolvetur id est either the God of nature doth now suffer or the frame of the whole world shall be dissolved Michaell Syngellus priest in Ierusalem reporteth that he heard his father say that he heard this Dionysius speake of that Eclipse in these words Ignotus in carne patitur Deus cujus gratia rerum Vniversitas densa hac caligine obfcurata est atque concussa id est God unknowne in the flesh did suffer for whose sake the Uniuerse was struck and covered with thicke darknesse And this Dionysius in an Epistle written to Polycarpus being asked what this great Ecclipse might portend said that it shewed a change and a great alteration and that hee did seriously observe the day and the houre This Saint Denis tooke to Wife one Damaris a grave Matron as Saint Ambrose and Saint Chrysostome doe well note hee lived in the management of State Affaires and administred Justice with admirable discretion and most men wondred at him for his prudence and Philosophy At the same time Saint Paul the Doctor of the Gentiles came to Athens and taught them there true divine Philosophy driving away and overthrowing all the Sects of vain philosophy as of the Epicures Stoicks Academicks Peripateticks who at the time resided in Athens and were highly esteemed of but when Saint Paul was entred into the Citie hee saw an Altar with this Inscription Ignoto Deo From which Saint Paul as a wise and prudent Preacher took occasion to preach to them the true God who is the Creator of all things There was in the same City a high and eminent place of Judicature whereon 12 Judges sate to censure Malefactors and Offenders and thereupon that place was called Areâ—pagus or Mars his Hill and those that were appointed Iudges to sit in that place were for their severity and integrity called Areopagites It so fell out that Saint Paul preaching of the true God as also of the Resurrection and the Iudgement of the World was accounted by all those great philosophers as a wicked and sacrilegious person and so being brought to this place before the Iudges he did with that Divine Eloquence and with such forcible Arguments convince those Philosophers and by the great blessing of God did convert this Dionysius President and chiefe of the Judges with Damaris his Wife who used Saint Paul courteously and were instructed by him in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ at the knowledge of this the whole City of Athens was amazed because that this Dionysius was reputed of all men to be a most wise and judicious man but Dionysius was not ashamed of a Master to become a Scholer and exprest to the whole Church how that he magnified this divine Learning and sacred knowledge of Christ. Now though hee was thus converted to the Faith yet he kept the name of Areopagite and within three yeeres prov'd an admirable proficient to propagate the Gospel of our Saviour And so staying a good while in Athens he did with great labour and wisdome preach the Word of God For he as a wise Harvest-man brought in many sheaves of corne into Gods Store-house the Church and so he went to Ephesus to visit S. Paul and see S. Iohn now returned out of Pathmos from Banishment by whose perswasion Clemens then governing the Church of Rome this Dionysius repaired to Rome having done his spirituall worke at Athens and left one Publius to look to that Flocke Hee was by the said Clement authorized to goe into France to preach the Word there and to give knowledge of salvation to that Nation and France was at that time a fit place to plant the Gospel in but the first Labourers were martyred that were sent thither hereupon this Dionysius took his fellow-labourers in this journey and work one Rusticus a priest Eleutherius a Deacon and Eugenius some others Eugenius he sent to Spain who setling at Toledo was there first Archbishop afterwards going into France was martyred Dionysius comming into France esteemed that Paris would be the fittest place to reside in and there hee found himselfe not frustrated of his expectation for in a short space hee brought many sheep into the fold of Christ not onely in Paris but also in many other places and those that were converted were not of the meaner sort but many rich noble and great persons who being converted overthrew the Temples of their false gods and erected new places for Divine Worship But the common enemy of the Church of Christ seeing and observing this happy progresse that this Kingdome would be weakned if this doctrine was maintained Whereupon hee began to contrive plots and malicious projects how to hinder the work of this Dionysius And thereupon put it into the mindes of those Idolatrous priests by their malice to hasten his death but marke the over-ruling hand of God although many were sent armed secretly to dispatch
serious surveigh of the blessed Apostles Writings amongst the rest fixing his eye of contemplation on the first Verse of the first Chapter of Saint Iohn the Evangelist affirmes thus much in these termes This barbarous man wrote more in few words than all the Apostles in any one of their Chapters namely in these In the beginning was the Word and that Word was with God and that Word was God Which place though at first hard to bee understood containeth in it an hidden mystery the revealing whereof is worth the while for in that it is said In the beginning was the Word we must know that without Gods Word there had been no beginning nothing had been made that was made for at first God said Let there be Light let there be a Firmament let there be Sea and Earth c. still God said it in the beginning was the Word And that Word was God it was very God for God admits of none accidents God is all substance nothing that is in God or immediatly from God is accidentall to God But Christ the begotten of God was with God yea God himselfe that Word was God That Word which was the Word of the Word of God for the whole Scriptures speake of that Word and without that Word there had been no Scripture Tertul. in Apologetico Hell is a treasure of secret fire kept under the Earth to punish sinners withall Idem de Praescript adversus Haereticos It is not lawfull for us to devise any thing of our selves nor to follow that which others have devised wee have the Apostles of our Lord for our Authours who devised nothing of their own heads but delivered faithfully to the Nations the Doctrine which they received of Christ. Therefore though an Angell from Heaven should preach otherwise wee should count him accursed Every Teacher is a Servant of the Law because hee may neither adde of his own sence unto the Law nor according to his conceit take any thing from the Law but preach that onely which is found in the Law His Works are here as follow 1 De Pallio or the Surplice 2 His Apology against the Gentiles for the Christians 3 Of the Testimony of the soule against the Gentiles 4 To Scapula 5 Against the Jews Tome 2. 1 Of Repentance 2 Of Prayer 3 To the Martyrs 4 Of Patience 5 Of Shewes and Playes 6 Of Idolatry 7 Of Womens attire 8 Of the deeking of Women 9 To his Wife two two Books 10 Of the Souldiers Crown 11 Of Virgins Veils Tome 3. 1 Of prescriptions against Heretikes 2 Of Baptisme against Quintilla 3 Against Hermogenes 4 Against the Valentinians 5 Against Heretikes and philosophers of the soule 6 Of the true flesh of Christ against foure Heretikes 7 Of the Resurrection of the body 8 Against Marcion 9 Against the Gnosticks 10 Against Praxea Tome 4. 1 Five Books against Marcion 2 Of the Iudgement Day 3 His Poems on Genesis on Sodome 4 To a Senatour that fell from Christianitie to Idolatry 5 Fragments of some Greek works 6 To a friend a philosopher of the trouble of Wedlock and of Virginitie 7 Of Fate 8 Of cleane and unclean creatures 9 Of Circumcision 10 Of Aarons garments 11 Of the blessed Trinitie 12 Against Hermogenes 13 Against Apelletians 14 Of Paradise 15 Of Extasieâ— 16 Against Apollonius Tome 5. Those that he writt in his fall 1 An exhortation to Chastity 2 Of Monogamy 3 Of flight in persecution to Fabius 4 Of Fasts 5 Of Mod sty 6 Of the Trinitie 7 Of Jewish meats 8 Of Circumcision the true keeping the Lords Day An. Christi 204. Clemens Alexandrinus CLEM ALEXANDRINVS THis great Father was born at Athens but governed the Church of Alexandria as Saint Hierom witnesseth in his Catalogue He was an auditor to Pantenus who dying this Clemens was Master of the Catechists his Works are full of Learning and Eloquence and wrote in a most elegant stile take but what Gentianus Hervet produceth out of Cyrill the Patriarch of Alexandria against Iulian for a true testimonie of this Clemens endowments and abilities Quam is autem utilis sit futurus hinc potest evidenter perspici Suntne aliqui qui priseis ex alto petitis delect antur Historiis Hi legant Clementem qui omnes anti quas it a tenuit Historias ut nihil corum quâ— in universo terâ—arum Orbe gesta sunt eum latuisse videantur c. that is How usefull and how profitable to future ages this man will be may easily be seen for are there any who are delighted with ancient and profound Histories Let such read this Clement who was so skilfull in all sorts of Histories that hee was not ignorant of all or the most famous passages that were done in the World Are there any that â—everence the antiquitie of Verse and Poetry and the divine answers of the Oracles Let such set an high esteeme upon this Clement who cites the testimonies of many famous Poets whose Works at this day are utterly perished are there any that desire to know the ancient Rites and Ceremonies of the Heathenish gods sacrifices Let such take counsell of this Clement who layes open plainly all the wicked and prophane sacrifices Orgies and Mysteries of the old Heathenish gods So that if any Christian should yet love Gentilisme and who should prayse and admire the ancient Manners and Institutions of the old Gentiles as would to God there were none such a man upon the reading of Clement unlesse possessed with the spirit of slumber and stupiditie will reject his former opinion of those false gods and laugh at the madnesse of their worshippers and wish them condigne punishment for their folly Are there any that desire to know the determinations of the ancâ—ent Philosophie Let such but read this great Scholer who hath fully delivered and described the Originall Families Sects Successions Learning of all those Ancients yet hee did mightily preferre Christian Philosophy before all other sorts whatsoever that there is not any man but of necessity must acknowledge it to be divine and in truth to be inspired of God Doth any one desire to know the Tenents of those Heretikes that disturb'd the peace of the Church in the infancie of it Let him but be conversant with this eminent Father who both discovers and explaines and also learnedly confutes their unsound opinions doth any desire the authority of the Primitive Fathers to overthrow such Heresies as are broach'd in our times In this case also will this Clemens give them great and commendable satisfaction Doth any desire to have the basenesse and corruption of mens manners to bee corrected There is none that doth more sharply lash at vice and beat downe sinne none that gives fairer exhortations and incitements to Vertue and Pietie None affords fairer demonstrations for the institution of a godly life then this one Father Does any one desire to see good Discipline decayed to be restored entire and whole Hi
love or hate of God weareth away through age of the body and so at length comes to nothing Life is of its owne nature a grievous thing most miserable and full of innumerable cares O life saith a wise man how may a man get from thee without Deaths helpe thy evils be infinite and yet no man is able either to avoid nor yet to abide them And if any good thing happen to a man in his life he feeleth also therewith tribulation and sorrow as sometime no other which maketh our joyes little and our life deplorable For the manner of his life it was solitary for he would say by this meanes Ex turbulentis hujus saeculi perturbationibus ac procellis liberari c. that is He was freed out of the turbulent turmoiles and stormes of this World that hee did sweetly enjoy his thoughts without distraction that hee was the more fit for divine Contemplation and studie Yet hee often remov'd but it was still to doe some notable service for the Church of Christ. Hee went to the Citie of Edissa to visit the Churches and to meet with some learned Father to conferre but by the providence of God he met with an Harlot who was impudent yet witty this Ephraem presently turnd his eyes away not willing to behold her but she the more earnestly lookt him in the face to whom hee spoke Oh woman why doe you so greedily gaze on mee to whom shee readily replyed Ex te viro ego sumi I am come from your loines why then doe you cast your eyes upon the earth out of which you were taken and neglect me well he rejoyced that GOD had sent him good counsell from the wicked But not staying here hee went to Caesarea of Cappadocia where hee both heard and saw that sweet Trumpet of Gods glory Saint Basil whom he entirely reverenced here he desired of God to give him abilitie of utterance to preach to the people which God gave him abundantly he did not any wayes affect prayse so his will runs Nulla Ephraem cecineritis carmina c. that is sing no Verses in commendation of Ephraem bury mee not with any lofty Linnens or Ointments rayse no Monuments or Tombs for I am a sojourner and a stranger here as all my Fathers were Psal. 39. He was wondrously mercifull to the poore for though hee had not of his owne to give yet by his sweet and attractive Sermons he stirred up the hearts of others to relieve them he was of so Angelick an Aspect that his Dove-like simplicity his compassion and integritie was easily decyphered in his countenance Gregorius Nyssenus compares him with Abel for offering sacrifice to God which was his soule and body as an acceptable sacrifice to Enoch for his constant walking with God to Noah for his never making shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience To Abraham for leaving his owne and going forth by Gods promises To Isaack being willing to lay down his life for the Gospel To Iaakob for supplanting Esau so hee the Hereticks and for blessing the people at his death To Ioseph for Chastitie and especially for distributing the pure wheat of GODS Word wiâ—ely to the famishing soules in many things to Moses for striking the Rocke and bringing forth water from the flinty stone so he by the Rod of Gods Word did fetch teares from hard-hearted men and brought many to repentance To Iosuah for bringing many into the spirituall Canaan to Samuel for devoting his youth to God To Elias for reproving false Teachers to Elizeus for abundance of the spirit to Saint Iohn Baptist for living in the Wildernesse and teaching men to repent To Saint Paul for his manifold sufferings and indeed it is hard to say wherein hee was defective at the time of his death hee denied to have any cost bestowed upon him but willed them to give it to the poore And a great man having prepared a rich Vestment for him said That pietie should be respected before povertie and so did not give it as Ephraem had willed him but hee was presently sorely visited and could not be released till this old man imposed his hands on him and blessed him and then said to him Perfice Homo quae dudum promisisti Perfect that which whilome ô Man thou diddest promise and so he was restored to health Well this Father gave the people comfortable directions at the time of his death so that it was rather Transitus quà m mors a sleeping in the Lord quietly and comfortably in fulnesse of dayes and was buried by the Monkes that were his Disciples I could bee tedious if I should largely and particularly expresse the prayses that many Writers afford Him Basil the Great sayes of him that distabat à mundana sapientia He affected not worldly wisdome Saint Ierâ—me sayes that He came to be of that fame that next to the Scriptures his Works were publikely read Theodoret stiles him a most admirable man an excellent Writer in his fourth booke Chap. 29. Zozomen saith of him that about that time there liv'd one Ephraem Syrus a man excelling others and a singular ornament to the Catholike Church the Tripartite History calls him a man admirable for knowledge and writing So also doth Simeon Metaphrastes Anastasius Synasta Photius Cedrenus Nicephorus Trithemius and others so as I have said He flourished under Constantine the Great and died under Valens Ephraem Syrus his Sayings Of the excellencie of Faith As the body is more worth then the raiment so the soule more worth than the body and faith in Christ more excellent than all get therfore that in thy soule which may get him who is the rich clothing both of soule and body Vpon earnest though late repentance Despise not an old man who desires to come to the haven though he comes late yet he comes in time God rejected not those that come at the eleventh houre thou knowest not but that hee may have his penny as well as the first Of perseverance in Grace The resolute Traveller knowes that his journey is long and the way durty and dangerous yet goes on in hope to come home to his house so let the Christian though the way to Heaven be narrow and difficult though it be set with troubles and persecutions yet let him goe on till hee hath finished his course with joy for Heaven is his home Of the neglecting the Soules welfare Hee that feasts his body with banquets and delicate fare and starves his soule for want of spirituall food is like him that feasts his slave and starves his own wife therefore rejoyce rather with thy wife and keep under thy servant and so all shall be safe Of comming to Christ. Stay not away o my soul from him though thou beest wounded for hee came to heale though thou beest lost for he came to seek let not thy diseases affright thee from the Physitian for hee calls those that are
complaints made by the poore St. Basil to mitigate this griefe did whatsoever he could for he sold all his Lands and other goods and freely distributed them to the poore as well Iewes Children as Christians the goodnesse of this man stayed not here but as he had made himselfe an example to all so he frequented the publicke places and there exhorted the rich by severall places of Scripture and sweet speeches to distribute to the poors necessity so that at last hee got provision for the needy Hee was also as carefull to see the sick provided for and he caused publicke places to be erected for their maintenance and would often not onely visit them but also administer to them Some there were that hated him even for these worthy deeds but he left not off but proceeded the more couragiously because he was opposed for vertue is alwayes envyed yet it faints not Iulian the Emperour having knowne him at Athens before sent and desired him to write to him but though he was Emperour yet because of his Apostacy this Basil would not entertaine any courtesies from him whereupon this Apostata intended when he had finished the Persian Warre to have put this Basil and Nazianzen to death but he failed for he dyed miserably in that warre nay when Valens the Emperour persecuted the Orthodox Christians and had remov'd some and had put 80 Priests into one Vessell thinking to have burned them in the Sea this Valens meeting St. Basil spoke him faire and afterward sent to him by severall messengers to winne him to that Heresie yet nor the threats nor promises of this Emperour could once stirre or move him Then Modestus his Praefect commanded him to be brought before him which was perform'd and Basil being come the Praefect looking sternly upon him told him he wondred that he could stand before him so impudently and art thou only he that opposest the Emperor to whom St. Basil answered he wondred that he should so taxe him of Impudence when as he was free but he was bound to obey the King and Emperor of heaven earth but saith the Praefect will you nil you you shall be made to obey for know you not who we are that command it no body said St. Basil while you do command such things Know you not said the Praefect that we have honours and preferments to bestow upon you but said St. Basil they are but changeable like your selves then the Prefect said none of the Christians ever answered him so perhaps said St. Basil you never examined a true Bishop before Upon this the Prefect all in a rage threatned to confiscate his goods to torment him to banish him or to kill him to whom St. Basil made this answer he need not feare confiscation who hath nothing to lose nor banishment to whom onely Heaven is a Country not torments when his body would bee dasht with one blow nor death because it was the onely way to set him at liberty Thus they parted onely St. Basil had that night given him to resolve what he would doe but he was the same next morning The Prefect related all to the Emperour how he lost his labour in examining this Basil whereupon the Emperour thought to have disturbed him even in the performance of holy duties in the Church upon a Twelfth-day but suddenly comming in and seeing the Reverend carriage of the Bishop and the Priests about him all seeming as glorious starres he made a large offering but Basil refused it as comming from an Hereticke The Emperour was so suddenly taken with a swimming giddinesse in his head that he was faine to be upheld by the hands of his Courtiers and after speaking with this St. Basil he was so mitigated that he was intended to have proved favourable to all the Orthodox Christians but such was the uncessant malice and policy of the Hereticks that they procur'd that Valens banished this Great and famous Basil. And now it was expected that the Emperors decree should be fulfilled to the griefe of the people and to the joy of the Hereticks his adversaries but God crossed this for the same night the Physitians had laid the Emperours sonne Galate downe sicke of a doubtfull disease whereupon the Empresse told Valens this is a just revenge from God inflicted for the banishment of St. Basil whereupon the Emperour called for him and said to him If thy prayers bee right and faithfull pray that my Son may live to whom St. Basil replyed If you would be of the same faith your son would be well his son did recover and Basil went home but shortly after the Emperor caused the Hereticks to pray for his sonne it was performed but to the grief of the Emperour afterwards for his son speedily dyed The Arrians insisted and urged that there was no hope of good successe as long as Basil stayed at Caesarea whereupon it was decreed again to have him banishedâ— but when the writing was brought to Valens to confirme the pens would not write being often tried and the Emperour could not write hee was so amazed and convinced in his owne judgement finding that God did protect this Basil. Many and great were the troubles and tryals of this great Bishop but he still kept his faith and constancie and never was moved by feare or favour it was not the frownes nor promises of great Ones that could taint Him he desired heavenly not earthly contentments So having beene Bishop of Caesarea and Cappadocia eight yeeres and an halfe and some odde dayes hee departed this life with these words Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit he was buried with great state and lamenting by all the Inhabitants of Caesarea as well Iews as Christians but above all the Physician which Saint Basil converted from Judaisme to Christianity shewed his depth of sorrow The Church of God is enriched with the rare labours of this father Saint Gregory Nazianzen writing of this Saint Basils workes avers thus much of him Neminem ante ipsum adeò divine adeoque securè sacr as liter as interpretatum That before this man none ever did expound the sacred Scriptures more divinely or more safely and the same Father calles him elsewhere nolesse then Vinculum pacis Tubam Veritatis Clarissimum Reipub. Christianae oculum virumque cujus doctrinae moribus doctrinae mores rectè concinuerint The Generall Peacemaker Truths Trumpet the bright Eye of the Christian World and a man whose life and learning did in all points justly concentre Gregory Nyssen stiles him thus Prophetam Sancti Spiritus Interpretem Generosum Christi Militem Excellentem Veritatis Praeconem Invictum Catholicae fidei propugnatorem that is a Prophet an Interpreter of the blessed Spirit a truly valiant Soâ—idier of Christ an excellent Preacher of the Truth an unconquered Defender of the Catholick Faith and that for valour and for strictnesse of Life hee was another Elias or like Saint Iohn Baptist. Saint Ephrem saith
Citie but did wholly apply himselfe to his study and in short time by his excellent wit and memory the great helps to Learning hee was eminent for his parts so that he publickly professing and handling matters was taken notice of by Probus then a Praetor and was approved of for abilitie of Counsell and Judgment so that this Probus adjudg'd him a fit man to governe the affaires being as Baronius testifies cruditione praeclarum eloquentiae studiis egregie excultum optimisque compositum moribus that is famous for his Learning excellently accomplished for eloquence and of worthy carriage and sweet behaviour so that hee made him Ruler of Insubria Liguria and Emilia and so this Ambrose came to Millain to whom as he departed Probus uttered as it prov'd prophetically these words Vade age non solum ut Iudex sedut Episcopus that is goe and manage the affaires not onely as a Judge but as a Bishop which came to passe five yeares after Auxentius the Arrian Bishop being dead who governed the Church of Millain Dionysius the Confessor of blessed memory being banish'd and the people being divided and almost ready to rise and mutiny about the election of a Bishop this Ambrose to stop the fury of the peoples rage and to hinder the Arrian faction undertook to decide the matter but of a suddain there was a voice as it were of a Child heard to sound these words Ambrosium Episcopum that is Ambrose the Bishop and so both parties as well the Orthodox Christians as the Arrians cried out publikely with one consent the same words but hee was offended at this and going out of the Church caused a tribunall to be erected and some persons to be punished but they cried out let his sinne be upon us and knowing him to be a Catechumenist they did promise remission of his sins by the vertue of baptisme well he gave himselfe to study Philosophy shewing indeed what a wise man he would prove in the Church of God nay to divert the peoples intention he gave admittance to common women to resort unto him but seeing that would not take effect hee intended to fly and leave the place so in the middle of the night hee intended to have gone to Ticinum but hee was discovered at the Gate of the City of Millaine called Romana so that God seemed to hinder his flight so being kept by the people word was sent to the Emperour Valentinian how Ambrose who was their Judge was of all men desired to be their Bishop which gladded the good Emperour and especially rejoiced Probus who heard that his words were come to passe but Ambrose againe prepares to escape and hides himselfe in a great mans house called Leontius but the matter being concluded by the Emperour and the peoples desires satisfied Leontius who had formerly hid now brings him forth well finding no hopes any longer to resist hee was brought to Millain and desired to be baptized by none but a Catholike Bishop Cavebat enim solicite perfidiam Arrianorum that is for he did solicitously beware of and shun the treachery of the Arrians being baptized he fulfilled all Episcopall Functions was eight days after his Baptisme to the great content of all named and ordained Bishop a few yeares after his Ordination Hee goes to Rome where he findes his sister and the other Virgin but his Mother was dead Hee going over the River Tyber to a rich Womans House healed one of the Palsie which was published and knowne abroad only by touching his Garment which shee presently devoutly kissed and was restored Comming to Syrmium to ordaine Anemius Bishop hee was opposed by Iustina a Queen who would have not him but the Arrians to doe it well he proceeded to it where an impudent Maid boldly putting on the priests habit came boldly and sate by Saint Ambrose to whom hee spake that though hee was unworthy of such an Office himselfe yet shee nor any of her Sexe were to be admitted into the Office of Priesthood and told her shee had neede to feare some heavy judgment which fell out for the day following shee died having perform'd this hee returnd to Millain But Iustina prosecuted him with all her power and malice for she set the people against him and promised them places of eminence and great rewards if they would take him and send him to banishment Amongst the rest one Euthymius thought to have performed it but failed for it is in vaine to dispossesse those whom God hath placed but Iustina's malice ceased not but shee intended to act that by force which shee could not by policie For the Arrians by her counsell beset the Church call'd Portiana and would not suffer any Catholicks to enter but God stirr'd up holy men to put by this plot also at this time there were Anthems and Hymnes and Vigils kept in the Church of Millaine and so have continued in the Western Churches to this day but the Arrians informed Iustina that Ambrose should give men money to give of that she was troubled with ill spirits but that lie was disclosed and one of the Arrians was presently possessed of an ill spirit and was forced to cry That so let all those be tormented which would deny Martirs or the unitie of the Trinitie or the Trinity which Saint Ambrose maintained but the Arrians took him and drowned him in a fishpond adding murther to their treachery but in spight of all these adversaries St. Ambrose every day grew more famous then other retaining his Integrity and Humility at the same time as Paulinus hath it there was a man who was a great Disputant and an Arrian and would not yield to the truth being in the Church where this Saint Ambrose preached saw an Angell stand by his eare as it were speaking to Ambrose what he taught the people at which sight hee presently altered his minde and was converted to the faith there were likewise two Bedfellows who were Arrians and they intended to propose a question to Saint Ambrose and so comming to the Church with a great Company the question was of Christs Incarnation these swelling with pride and forgetting the power of God or his Judgements upon scorners both in their comming fell down suddenly dead which when Saint Ambrose heard hee presently made an admirable Sermon to confirme the Incarnation of Christ as it is to bee read in his Workes and in his Epistle sent to Valentinian the younger Iustina being dead there was a certaine Witch called Innocentius who being punished for his Villanies and Witchcraft confest more then hee was asked and said there was an Angell to inflict greater punishments upon him then those because of Saint Ambrose for he had sent Devils to kill Saint Ambrose but they found him hedged by God as Iob was so another came to his bedside with a sword to have kild him but could not stirre his hands and hee confest that Iustina had hired him before her death so being sorry
the Scriptures speake in these words ab initio Geneseos adultimum librum Regum insigne opus c. that is Questions from the beginning of Genesis to the end of the second of Kings a most famous worke in which saith he by way of Question and Answer Theodoret doth briefely and clearly explaine all the hard places of Scripture with admirable industry what pen can sufficiently blazon thy worth for his Commentaries on the Psalter doth not the same Senesis stile them Nobiles Commentarii that is Heroicke Commentaries and upon his Commentaries on St. Pauls Epistles doth he spare to commend him For saith he not Feruntur Commentarii in omnes Pauli Epistolas in quibus quantum fieri â—otest c. that is there are likewise extant Theodorets Commentaries on all St. Pauls Epistles in which as much as can be the genuine sence of St. Paul is succinctly elegantly orderly and piously exprest and which in Saint Pauls writings seemes to be most difficult sentences are joyned with sentences with wonderfull skill and Art to the great profit of the Reader And if I should enlarge my selfe which of the Fathers either doe not use his Authority with great approbation and commendation and all of them doe hold him an able judicious eloquent man he dyed being not very old but rather spent with labour and studies than with age and dyed in the reigne of Theodosius the yonger Emperour and was buried in the same Sepulchre in which that holy man Iacobus Nizibenus before mentioned was intombed His sayings of the government of the soule The delights of the soule are to know the Maker to consider the Workes of Heaven and to know her owne estate and being The soule knoweth all things wherefore he that knoweth his soule knoweth all things and hee that knoweth not his soule knoweth nothing The soule when it dyeth carryeth nothing with it but her vertue and learning and it seeks none other helpe wherefore all such as for the multitude of their sinnes and transgressions are hopelesse as murtherers blasphemers with such like wickednesse the justice of God and their owne deserts condemnes them unto everlasting death from which they shall never bee delivered But such saith he as have lived godly and carefully shall be by death delivered from the prison of the body and shall ascend up into a purer life and dwell in heaven for ever If the soule of man through sinne be once dead it is never againe revived but by the onely meere grace and mercy of the most gracious and ever-living God whose vengeance by his justice still waiteth the destruction of wicked and wilfull sinners therefore say the learned and doe conclude that blessed is the soule that is not infected with filthinesse of this World I have set his Workes as they are registred in two Tomes Printed at Collen 1617. Tome 1. 1 Vpon all the hard questions in Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuâ—eronomy Joshua Judges Ruth and upon the Kings 2 Exposition of all the Psalmes 3 Vpon the Canticles 4 Vpon Jeremiahs prophesie 5 Vpon Baruch 6 Vpon Jeremiahs Lamentation 7 Vpon Ezekiel 8 Vpon Daniel Hosea 9 Joel Amos Abdiah 10 Micha Nahum 11 Habakkuk Zephaniah 12 Aggee Zâ—â—hary 13 Malachy to which are now added these 14 Vpon Moses Song Exod. 15. Vpon his Song in Deuteronomy Vpon Anna her Song Vpon Abakkucks Song Vpon Esaies Prayer Vpon Jonas Prayer Vpon Ezechiah's prayer Vpon the prayer of the 3 Children An Hymne of these 3. Virgin Maries Song Zachariah's prayer Symeons prayer Tome 2. 1 Vpon all St. Pauls Epistles from the Romans to Philemon 2 Ecclesiasticall History 5 Books 3 Three Dialogues against certaine Heretiques 4 The fables of Hereticks 5. 5 An Epitome of divine decrees 6 A religious History 7 Of Evangelical truth drawne out of the knowledge of Philosophy 8 Of Divine providence and of the soul of man An. Christi 390. Sanctus Hieronymus Stridonensis S. HIERONYMVS THis great and eminent Father of the Church must bee ranked according to his deserts In writing whose life I follow the directions of Erasmus of Roterdam To begin therefore the time of his Birth was under the Reigne of Constantine the Great in the yeare of Christ 331 in a Towne called Stridon which was ovethrown by the Gothes then wasting and spoyling severall places Upon the borders of Dalmatia and Pannonia as he himselfe testifies some as Blondus will have it to be that which now is called Sdrigna a little Town of Histria in Italie some hold that to this day there is to be seene Saint Hieroms Monument He had a yonger brother called Paulinianus his mothers name was Castorina His Fathers name was Eusebius but we will not insist upon his parents but will declare his owne worth he had sufficient meanes as may appeare by his education which was at Rome then counted the onely Nursery of Letters as hee doth testifie for though learning was at the same time in France Spaine and Affricke yet no where was it so free from pollution and corruption as at Rome His Master for the Grammar was Donatus and Victorinus for the Rhetorique Some have made question whether this Donatus were the same that made such eloquent Commentaries on Terence and Virgil Well making faire hopes of a large progresse in Learning and being well furnished in these he proceeds to read Porphyrius Isagoge or Introduction to Logique and read the Philosophy of Plato and the Stoicks but not staying here he lookes now into Cosmography History and Antiquities and intends to study Divinity and to set it forth with all the lustre that might be His fellow students were Pammachius Bonosus both these were highly born Heliodorus who for his eminency of parts was made a Bishop This Hierome received his baptisme also at Rome as he proves and now being sufficiently seasoned with these Arts he soares higher and followes the foot-steps of learned men as Pythagoras Plato Apollonius and so he addresseth himselfe to travaile he surveyed all France aud gained acquaintance and love of the chiefest Scholars hee testifies that he was at Triers where hee described that Booke of St. Hilaries de Synodis with his owne hands and Bonosus travailed with him as may be seen in his Epistle to Florentius so having taken a view of most of the Libraries and having conferred with the learnedest in those places whither he came he visited the place of his Birth and the place of his new Birth having like a wise Merchant stored himselfe with abundance of Goods hee resolves upon a course of life and a fit place to settle downe in hee likes not Rome as savouring somewhat of Paganisme and was too full of pleasures which are dangerous Baits for young men to bee insnared with Neither doth he like his owne Country being corrupted with Barbarous delights as he testifies himselfe in his Epistles saying In my Country they make their belly their god and he is counted the holiest which is the
In vaine doe you goe about to terrifie or fright this man for he feareth nought bnt sinne Saint Chrysostome reports that it must bee our hand that must bring us to Heaven and not our tongue only Hee calls the life of man a Faire or Market where some are seeking for gaine and profit others for pleasure and delight others for prayer and devotion and the last of these are those that walke as children of light Saint Chrysostome calls Saint Paul the tongue and Teacher of the whole World who lived like an Angell on earth and now enjoyes a crowne in Heaven Saint Chrysostome gives man the reason why the Angels did not bring the tydings of our Saviours birth first to Kings and Princes or other great men aswell as to the poore Shepherds And this is it because saith hee great mens eares were so stopped with cares and honours that they have no pleasure to heare it or would not take so much pains themselves but sent their servants His Works are here registred He departed in the thiriteenth of Arcadius and Honorius Hee was made Bishop in the fourth of Arcadius and received Priesthood in the eleventh of Valentinian the younger and in the eighth of Theodosius the elder His Works as Bellarmine doth reckon them whom I follow are contained in five Tomes printed at Venice 1575. Tome 1. 1 Homilies on Genesis in number 67. 2 On the Psalmes 26. 3 On sundry places of the Old Testament in number 52. 4 Whereof five out of Esay Tome 2. 1 Homilies on Matthew in number 89 2 More on the same 54. 3 On sundry places of Saint Matthew 26. 4 Homilies on Saint Mark 14. 5 Homilies on sundry places of Saint Luke Tome 3. 1 Homilies on Saint John 87 2 More or some places of Saint John 6. 3 Homilies on the Acts 51. 4 Sermons for Feast days 32. 5 On severall places of Saint Paul and many things in commendation of him Tome 4. Commentaries or Homilies on all Saint Pauls Epistles Tome 5. 1 Homilies to the Antiochians 80. 2 Dialogues of the Priesthood 6. 3 Of compunction of heart 2. 4 Of Gods providence 6 books 5 Of praying to God two books 6 Against the dispraysers of a Monastick life three books 7 Against the Gentiles one book 8 12 Sermons of Penitence 9 Against Jewes and Heretickes 15 Sermons 10 Against Concubinists two Sermons 11 Of divers arguments 48 Tracts 12 To Innocentius the Pope two books 13 To Cyriacus one booke 14 To Bishops and Priests in prison one book 15 To Theodorus being falne two books 16 To Eutropius one book 17 To Olympia a famous Matron 1 book 18 St. Chrysostomes Lyturgie I have not followed the Edition of Paris those who would fully bee satisfied they may have their choice either of the Venetian Parisian or Eaton Edition An. Christi 420. Sanctus Aurelius Augustinus S. AVGVSTINVS IN describing this Fathers life I follow not any uncertaine Relations but I follow the method of Possidonius who in writing the passages of his life saith such things quae in eodem vidi ab eodemque audivi which I saw in him and heard from him two sure witnesses the eyes and the eares and therefore may for succeding times be easily admitted for truth This Augustine therefore was an African by birth borne in the City of Thagasta of pious and Christian Parents bred and nourished by their care and diligence and singularly well learned and approved for skill in the Liberall Arts for he taught Grammar in his owne City and Rhetorique in the head City Carthage and after going over sea he came to Rome and so to Millaine where hee was appoynted to instruct the Emperour Valentinian being the fifth of that name and the Bishop at the same time of that City being that worthy Prelate Saint Ambrose whose sermons to the people and publicke disputations this Augustine did attentively heare and like of He was living in Carthage tainted with the Pestilent Heresie of the Manichees but by the providence of God and the wisedome of Saint Ambrose his heart was enlightned so he was brought safe from that Rocke was confirmed in the faith and a little before Easter did receive the Doctrine of the Catholick Church and also Baptisme by the ever honoured Father Saint Ambrose and being in this state so fairely recovered he set his heart wholly and intirely to seeke the Lord and to leave the world not now regarding honors wealth or riches but sought diligently heavenly treasures striving with might and maine to be one of that little flocke of whom it is said Feare not little flocke it is your Fathers good will to give you the Kingdome Hee was about thirty yeares old when hee thus beganne having onely his mother Monica alive who did mainly rejoyce to see him so intirely converted His Father called Patricius was dead before and now also he left his Scholars whom hee taught Rhetorique and told them they should provide themselves another Master for hee would onely serve the Lord. It pleased him being baptized to goe and live in Affricke with other faithfull Christians where when hee was come how speedily did he performe what he had resolved for leaving all secular affaires how constant was hee in Watching Fastings and Prayers and those graces which it did please God to give him how did he imploy them so that by his Sermons and Bookes he taught those that were absent as well as those that were present for hee converted one to the faith in a short time At the same time one Valerius was Bishop of Hippo and having a great care to provide able men to teach the people he with the peoples great desire ordained this Augustine a Priest and being entred into that holy function hee did strive to grace the Gospell by an holy Life This Valerius ordained him being banished This Augustine did powerfully preach the Word and had great conflicts with Fortunatus a defender of the Manichees who was appointed to meete Augustine in a publicke place and to dispute with him which with a great deale of feare he did undertake but was quite foiled and so by Gods blessing and the consent of all the learned men the Manichees fell and sincere Religion was maintained in the City of Hippo. He also preached and writ with singular care and dextrous learning against the Affrican Heretiques as the Donatists Manichees and Pelagians so that by his writings the Affrican Churches did recover the ancient Truth and he was so able and powerfull in the Scriptures that the very Heretiques were forced to confesse him a Divine Man He was appoynted by the Bishop to dispute of Faith which hee did with the approbation of all but this good old man Valerius finding him so rarely qualified sent to the Primate of Carthage and certified him that he was so old and weake and the charge was so great to manage and this Augustine was so learned and pious a man that hee intreated him to bee
is it safe to search too farre when as wee are commanded to honour and feare him It is not the wisest course to gaze too much upon this resplendent Sun lest we be justly by his glorious beams beblinded it is easie to collect by the words and advise of this Epistle to judge what a singular man for Learning this Peter Chrysologus was Baronius saith that having with great pains long governed the Church and having beene always studious of his wayes hee died in December the second day which saith he hath a faire probability of truth in that because Leo then Bishop of Rome in the Consulship of Martianus a yeere after this is said to have sent Letters to Leo this Peters Successor as appeares in the Epistles of Leo hee was by all likelihood an upright man and of courage in matters of Religion For hee and Laurentius the Bishop of Millain would not communicate with Symmachus lest they should bee suspected to side with him against the other Orthodox Bishops when the Councell was held in Rome and Cardinall Baronius shall conclude all in a word Sed qui post Laurentium sequitur ordine Petrus Ravennas Episcopus his temporibus eximia sanctae vitae nituit claritudine that is but amongst those other worthy men after Laurentius in order is to be reckoned Peter Archbishop of Ravenna who in these times exceld for the conspicuous fame of his holy life and because many Students may the easier find upon what subjects Chrysologus hath written knowne to be all his owne Labours and not fathered upon him by them that were admirers of him I have here set them downe in order as they are registred in the Parisian Edition in the yeere 1623 which you shall find after his Sayings Chrysologus his Sayings Of an unprofitable Servant Hee is like the fig-tree that was well looked to by the Master yet was unfruitfull onely cumbred the ground suckt vertue from others troubled and grieved the Master was a disgrace to the Garden and at last cut down for the fire and what else is hee who hath Natures endowments the benefit of Reason of Sense of Judgement of good Education and Example but yet brings forth no fruites of a sanctified life but as that Tree who hindred others and hurt it selfe Of uncharitable Rich men Remember that Thou Foole this night shall they fetch away thy soule perplexe not thy selfe what thou shalt leave behinde but bee sure to send thy almes before thee bee rich in good Works Let not thy care be to have thy hands alwayes full and the poores alwayes empty The onely way to have full Barns is to have charitable hands Vpon Mildnesse and Meeknesse The Apostle Saint Paul hath I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God A good man uses intreaties rather than commands the heavenly Physician rather cures our wounds with divine salves than makes them with his punishing rods God had rather men should love him than feare him He had rather be called Father than Master Hee winnes by mercy that Hee might not punish by Justice If thou wilt be like thy Father doe likewise Of the meanes to grow in grace As neither in the flint alone nor in the steele alone any fire is to bee seene nor extracted but by collision and conjunction fire and light is brought so nor by faith alone nor by good works alone is salvation attaind but if ever you intend to come to that infinite light joine both together Against Drunkennesse and Gluttony Variety and satiety of dainty meates and drinks weakens the vitals spoiles the stomacke corrupts the bloud poisons the humors kindles choller ends in the scar-fire of burning feavers as the clouds darkens the Heavens so intemperate banquetings the minde as the violence of wind and waves drowne and sinke a ship into the bottome of the sea so doth drunkennesse and gluttony our souls and bodies to the depth of Hell Who sinn'd more grievously then Paul who offended more grievously than Peter yet they by repentance deserv'd not onely the ministery but also the mastery in holiness remember there is mercy with the Father in the Gospell shewed to the prodigall sonne returning home judge not therfore before the time before the Lord come c. for men know not the judgments of God for that which they praise hee doth condemne and that which they condemne he doth praise In God piety is not without justice nor justice without piety nor equity without goodnesse nor goodnesse without equity Vertues being separated are annihilated and perish For equity without goodnesse is severity and justice without piety is cruelty Some have lived commendably before their attaining to dignity but being set upon the Candlesticke of the Church they turne their light into darknesse and their fame into infamy and it had beene better for such Lights to have beene still hidden under a Bushell than with disgrace to have got into the Candlesticke for their wickednesse which was obscured by their poverty was manifested and divulged by their dignity As they increased in dignity so they did also in disgrace and infamy A private sinner is often spared but if a Prelate offend all tongues are sharpned to speak his disgrace Discretion should be used in making promises for a vain promise doth often make friends become enemies Where greatest losse is feared there greatest warinesse should be used Chrysologus his Workes 1 Homilies for Christmasse day 2 Vpon Saint Stephens day 3 Vpon Innocents day or Childernmasse day 4 Vpon New-yeares day 5 Vpon Twelfth day 6 First Sonday after Epiphany On the Second third and fourth Sondayes after Epiphany 7 Vpon the Septuagesima 8 Vpon Ash-wednesday 9 Vpon the first Sonday in Lent 10 Vpon all Lent Sondayes 11 Vpon Good-friday 12 Vpon easter-Easter-day 13 Vpon all the Sondayes till Whitsontide 14 For Ascention day 15 For Sondayes after Whitsontide 16 Vpon St. Andrews day 17 Vpon St. Thomas day 18 Vpon our Lady day 19 Vpon St. John Baptists day 20 Vpon Saint Peters day 21 Vpon St. Mathews day 22 Vpon the beheading of Saint John Baptist 23 Vpon St. Luke the Evangelist 24 Vpon some Martyrs 25 Vpon one Confessor 26 Vpon a Virgin Martyr 27 Vpon the day of the Dedication of the Temple 28 A booke against the Heretique Eutyches 29 Some learned Epistles The time of this Fathers Life was long hee did as Trithemius reports of him flourish principally under Martian the Emperour and dyed in the yeare of Jesus Christs Incarnation 500. His body as was fitting was with great solemnity and lamentation buried hard by the body of that renouned Martyr Cassianus and doth with him expect a glorious resurrection amongst the just and upright men His Works are of great esteeme amongst the learned and are to bee reserved in the Church of Christ as Monuments of his great labour and learning An. Christi 445. Sanctus Prosper S. PROSPER THis famous Writer was of the same
time with Hilarius Arelatensis and was the Amanuensis to Leo His parentage is not amongst the Church Historians fully knowne and therefore not to be mentioned but certainly they were both of abilitie and religiously carefull because their sonne had such vertuous education some say that hee was Bishop of Rhegium a Citie of Emilia in Italie others doe hold that hee was Bishop of Rhegium in Gaule Cardinall Bellarmine doth in his Ecclesiasticall Writers suspect the former opinion as not consonant to truth and gives two reasons for his assertion for hee finds Saint Prosper to have subscribed to the Vasensian and Carpeuctorete Provinciall Councell which are in Gaule not Italy so that hence it is probable he was Bishop in a Province of Gaule Moreover Saint Faustus succeeded St. Prosper in his Bishoprick now all have concluded Faustus to bee a French Bishop not an Italian and that his Diocesse was subject to the Metropolitan of Aquitain not to Ravenna but I will not insist upon this Hee was in his time famous for his learned and judicious Writings and shewed himselfe to bee a true Scholer to so great a Master as Saint Augustine was For Hee aswell as his Master had learnedly confuted and overthrown the dangerous Heresie of the Pelagians and as Iohannes Antonius Flaminius of Imola who writes his Life saith that hee was Bishop of Rhegium Vir multiplici doctrina sanctitate insignis A man eminent for his sanctitie and multiplicitie of Learning but in what place or of what parents hee was borne non satis compertum habemus wee have not sufficiently knowne but it doth appeare to all Aquitanum fuisse That he was of Aquitaine but while he lived in his Countrey he did lay a sure foundation that in after times hee would be a shining Lampe in the House of God for hee was assiduous in reading and most conversant in the Scriptures and usually had the foure Evangelists in his hands in which meditating it was by divine providence so ordered that He should meditate upon that place of our Saviour where it is said If thou wilt be perfect goe and sell all that thou hast and give it to the poore and come and follow me which place of holy Writ Hee did so strictly apply unto himselfe that willing not to be onely a Reader but a devout practitioner of Gods Word He presently without any delay put this in practice and made sale of all his Lands and Goods and distributed them freely to the poore members of his Saviour that so being disburthened of his earthly estate hee might the more easily and comfortably follow his Saviour to get an heavenly inheritance which will never fade but is everlasting So setting his servants free both men and maids and yielding them a competencie to live on he went to Rome that he might see the servants of God in that famous City At the same time that most holy and sweetly eloquent Bishop Leo rul'd that Church who hearing of the comming of such an excellent man as this Prosper was left not till hee had got him into his houshold and it is not to be conceivd with what humanity and curtesie and with what joy and rejoycing he received this Jewell as sent to him by Gods speciall Blessing so highly was piety and learning esteemed in those dayes though much slighted in these looser times this learned Leo rejoyced at the approach of Prosper even as Saint Peter is said to have done at Saint Pauls comming for amongst other things Leo did perceive what an able Engine God had sent him to oppose that Heresie of Eutyches which holds but one nature in Christ which every day began more and more to take root in severall places but especially in the Citie of Chalcedon to overthrow which Leo afterwards sent this Prosper with many other Roman Clergie men Such cares there alwayes hath beene in the Governours of the Church to keep down Heresies and Schismes and were it not for the vigilancie and dexterous Learning of Pious Governours and Reverend Bishops how soone would obstinate Hereticks and hot-spirited Schismaticks overthrow the grounds of Divinity and order of the Church These pious men being sent by Leo unanimously maintaind the Niceâ— Creed and did learnedly and divinely by infallible arguments defend the two natures and took away the aforesaid Heresie and by their hand writing sent to Martianus the Emperour with full consent condemned the said author Eutyches as an Heretike So this Prosper being overcome by the prayers of this good Leo stayed there a good while and when he had struck off the heads of many Heresies by sending to divers Churches his learned Epistles Leo being inwardly warned by Gods Spirit made him though for his part with a great deale of reluctancie Bishop of Rhegium for he said his shoulders were not able to undergoe such a burthen But Prosper being overcome he took his journey and the former Bishop being worne out with age and troubled with a grievous disease gave up his spirit into the hands of God for the losse of which good man the whole City did grieve exceedingly but suddenly their mourning was turned into joy for the old Bishop before his death willed them not to grieve for his death for said hee God in especiall love to you and the Bishop of Rome out of his care hath provided you another man to succeede me à Deoelectum Chosen of God famous for holinesse of life and ability of judgement who is now comming to you Which words comforted them exceedingly for when the same of his comming had extended it selfe to the gates of their City all the Citizens went out to give him honorable entertainment Such reverence in ancient times did men give even to the persons of their spirituall Rulers Being thus with the generall acclamations of all men called to be their Bishop and seated in his Episcopall Chaire that he might give them a testimony of his parts and what a worthy Light he would bee to his charge his Speech which he made to them doth sufficiently expresse which doth begin in these words Video Fratres Charissimi quantum meis imbecillibus humeris onus impositum fuerit c. that is which for the sweetnesse both of stile and matter I have translated I see deare brethren what a great burthen will be put upon my weak shoulders For can there be a greater than the charge of mens soules and that which makes it the weightier is the expectation of men who looke for things to be performed by us even beyond mans ability or at least such gifts aâ— are given but to few for is it not a difficulty to turne mens judgements to alter their â—etled opinions and even now I see plainly that such is the expectation of men Wherfore I plainly see that I must omit nothing which doth any wayes belong to the care of soules But knowing the burthen will bee the lighter if it be laid upon many mens backs I entreate you
that is who out-stripped others for piety and doing other things which made him admired that was his Charity and Writings â—irtutibus vitam instituit Eleemosynis claruit that is ordering his life in vertues pathes He shined in Alms-deeds and of his charity to the poor I must not let slip what is recorded of him by Photius and Simeon Metaphrastes On a time there came to him a poore man who made his mone to him that he had endured ship-wracke at sea and had lost all his goods insomuch that he had not any thing to relieve himselfe nor his family withall Gregory presently moved with compassion gives him forthwith six Ducats So he having received them departs and yet the same day returnes to this blessed Father and told him his necessity was so great that what he had received hee had payed away and so desires some more of him Saint Gregory gives him other sixe Ducats well hee the same day came the third time and desired reliefe which was given him without gain-saying by this Father proportionably but this poore man comming the fourth time and Gregory having no more gold to give yet unwilling to send him away empty hee remembred he had a piece of Plate in his House of a good value and presently commanded that to be given and it was performed according to his desire Here was compassion that was beyond the bounds of a common man foure times in one day and of the same party to crave and at every request to receive a reward without reluctancy or repining Here was Charity and Liberality bestowed the right way for whom perverse Fortune long sicknesse threats and oppressors have brought unto poverty to those let men extend forth their compassion and charity This Saint Gregory by the wisedome of God so disposing it for his admirable endowments being made as I have said before Bishop of Rome by the suffrages of all good men it was a custome that upon the first day of his enjoying that preferment there should twelve poore men be called in to dine with him so hee that was chiefe over-seer that way did as was injoyned him Well this father being sate with these twelve he presently counting them reckoned thirteene and asking his Officer why hee had transgressed the custome hee presently replyed that there were but twelve but Gregory affirmed there were thirteene so looking well upon them he saw one of their Countenances often change and to shine so after dinner hee tooke the thirteenth into his study and seriously demanded of him who hee was he replyed that he was the poore man which hee foure times in one day so bountifully relieved with gold and plate which almes-deeds saith he of yours are so well-pleasing to God that I am sent being an Angell to you to preserve your life and to direct you in your studies At which words Saint Gregory was strucke with feare but the Angel vanished immediately and Saint Gregory fell devoutly to prayers and gave God thanks for his great favour shewed to him Here I may say as it is of Cornelius Act. 10. Thy prayers and thy Almes-deeds are come up before me and I wonder where can we finde such a pattern of Charitie in these dayes Rich men doe debar themselves of many a great blessing for not exercising themselves in Almesdeeds as Photius saith here was that saying of Saint Paul verified Harbour and entertain strangers for so many have received Angels so did Abraham and Lot But I will not insist longer upon this Now I will proceed This Gregory was of that acutenesse of wit that he easily overthrew Eutyches the Heretike in a publicke disputation concerning the resurrection and did so confirme it that the Emperour caused Eutyches his books to bee burned as hereticall as you may see and reade in his Workes as also in Beda Read Iohannes Diaconus in the life of this Gregory in his first book and foure and twentieth Chapter where hee shall finde with what solid places of Scriptures and invincible arguments hee doth establish it When as the plague did rage so furiously in Rome that the living could scarce bury the dead and when Pelagius was dead of it how worthily did this Gregory behave himselfe during that heavy visitation and judgment how did he stirre up the hearts of the people with all speed to turn to God with fasting prayer and by serious and unfained repentance What an elegant speech did hee make unto them is easily to be seen it is so full of piety and wisdome that it deserves to be registred in Letters of Gold and is able to make the hardest heart to weepe and lament his sins and to set himselfe to seeke the Lord. How powerfully did he by dextrous Counsels establish the Churches How did he cause the Ligurians the Venetians and Spaniards to be drawn from Schismes and to embrace the authority of the Chalcedon Councell How did he reduce the African Churches from the Heresie of the Donatists Sicily from that of the Manichees Spaine from that of Arianisme Alexandria from that of the Agnoetans by his deep learning and judgment And did hee not likewise free France from Symoniacks which did grow up in every place Did hee not so powerfully prevail with Brunichilda the Queen with Theodoricke and Theodobert Kings of France that he procured from them a generall Councell against these persons and anathematized all that should dare to practise that sin Yet in these Heroick proceedings the Devill did all he could to oppose him by calumniation but he left not off to proceed maugre all their malicious conclusions to effect that good to the Church of God for which he thought he was set up how Christianlike did he speake to the Emperour Mauritius against his making that unjust Law that none of those souldiers which were marked in the hand should ever be converted to the faith of Christ Did not this Gregory answer the Emperour in these words Ego te de Notario Comitem Excubitorum de Comite Excubitorum Caesarem de Caesare Imperatorem nec solum hoc sed etiam Patrem Imperatorum feci Sacerdotes meos tuae manui commisi Tu à meo servitio milites tuos subtrahis that is I have meaning God made thee of a Notary to be Captain of the Watch from that I have made thee Caesar from Caesar have advanc'd thee to be Emperour and not only so but I have made thee a Father of Emperours Have not I given thee my spirituall Souldiers which are my Priests and dost thou take fâ—om my service thy Souldiers Answer I beseech thee ô Emperour to thy servants What wilt thou answer to thy Lord and Judge when he shall demand this at thy hands a worthy speech and savouring of a generous and religious spirit How severely did hee reprove the Bishop of Constantinople who would have beene called Vniversalis for his pridâ— and doth he not directly call it No men istud
blasphemiae that name of blasphemy How did he wisely stop the fury of the Longobards and reduced them to peace by writing his book to Theudalinda the Queene in a word having with great care and piety amongst a world of troubles governed the Church thirteen yeers six moneths and ten days in the spight of all oppositions he died quietly and comfortably rendred up his soule into the hands of his Maker in the second yeere of Phocas the Emperour and was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Peter in which Leo Simplicius Gelasius and Symmachus were formerly interred with a large Epitaph in commendation of his labours and studies His Deacon is highly to be praysed for preserving some of his Workes from the fire even to the hazard of his owne life Heare but what a man he was by the testimony of Paulus Diaconus Iisdem diebus sapientissimus ac beatissimus Papa Gregorius Romanae urbis Episcopus c. that is In these dayes that most wise and blessed Father Saint Gregory Bishop of the City of Rome which when he had written many things to the profit of the Church composed foure famous bookes of the lives of the Saints which he called his Dialogues which books he sent to Theodelinda the Queen whom he knew to be a Protector of the faithfull and which did much good to the Church for shee perswaded her husband to give meanes and Revenues to the Church and caused those Bishops which were in misery and cast out to be restored and peace was by her meanes procured to Gods people Sabinianus was the man that did succeed him in his Bishopricke and as one testifies there was a great dearth the next yeer after his death and hee saith debuit enim mundus famem sitimque pati c. The world must needs suffer a famine and thirst when such a Doctor as was both spirituall food and drink to their souls was taken away He wants not divers to afford him commendations and indeed there was a cloud of Witnesses who doe extoll him Isidore cals him timore Dei plenus humilitate summus that is full of the feare of God and chiefe for Humility endued largely with the gifts of the Holy Ghost and saith thus in conclusion Foelix tamen nimium foelix qui omnium studiorum ejus possit cognoscere dicta that is Happy is hee nay thrice happy that can know all his Works and Sayings Honorius Augustodunensis termes him no lesse then Organum spiritus Sancti c. that is The Organ of the blessed Spirit Incomparable for his wisdome who writ many things more precious than the refined Gold Trithemius cals him Theologorum princeps splendor Philosophorum Rhetorum lumen vitâ conversatione integer sanctissimus c. the Prince amongst Divines the beauty of Philosophers and the light to Rhetoricians of life and conversation most upright and holy And to shut up all heare but what Ildephonsus of Toledo saith of him Vicit sanctitate Anthonium Eloquentia Cyprianum Sapientia Augustinum that is he exceeded Saint Anthony in Sanctitie Saint Cyprian in Eloquence and Saint Augustine in Wisdome and so heare onely what Cardinall Bellarmine relates of him who calls him Doctorem eximium meritò magnum that is a most egregious Doctor and well deserving the name of Great Hee died in the yeere of Christ Iesus 604. Sentences out of Gregory Magnus Of Poverty Hee is poore whose soule is void of grace not whose coffers are empty of mony the contented poverty is true riches Of the holy Scriptures The holy Scriptures are direct and right for admonition lofty for promises terrible for threatnings Of God God is never absent though the wicked have him not in their thoughts where he is not by favour he is by punishment and terrour Of conversion to God Every convert hath a beginning a middle a perfection in the first there is sweetnesse to allure him in the second bitternesse to exercise him in the third fulnesse of perfection to confirme him Of the Incarnation Will you observe our Saviours motions hee came from Heaven into the wombe from the wombe to the cratch from the cratch to the crosse from the crosse to the Grave from the Grave to Heaven On the Crosse of Christ. Christ shewed patience in his passion commended humility fulfilled obedience perfected Charity those were the four Jewels that adorn'd his Crosse. Charitatis Humilitatis jubar These are onely true riches which make us rich in vertue therefore if thou desire riches love true riches If thou aspire to honour seek the Kingdome of Heaven If thou affect glory strive to bee enrolled in the high Court of Angels Hee that loves this present pilgrimage in the midst of sorrow knows not how to shew sorrow for the words of a just man are full of sorrow for in regard of present sufferings his speech and sighs aspire to heaven He is most perfect in piety that doth most perfectly feele anothers misery The best eloquence and expression is to declare the mind by good action for conscience doth not check the speaker when his life is better then his speech Hee that lives obscurely and doth not profit others by his example is like a burning coal but hee that imitates holinesse shewing the light of uprightnesse to others is like a lampe burning to himselfe and shining to others True Faith doth not onely consist in verball profession but in actuall operation The fortitude of the Just is to overcome the flesh to contradict the will to forsake the delights of this life to love affliction for an eternall reward to contemne prosperity and to overcome adversity Joy doth discover the mind but adversity as it doth outwardly oppresse so it doth inwardly suppresse the thoughts and make us more close and cautious Gregory Magnus would say of himselfe that hee could never reade those words in the Scripture which Abraham spake to Dives Sonne remember that thou in thy life time receivedst good things without horrour and astonishment lest having received such good things of this World meaning such dignities and honours as he had he should be excluded from having any part and portion in the happinesse or good things in the world to come Of Gods Word Saint Gregory saith and wishes all men that heare the Word of God to taste the Word of God with the palate of their hearts Not to have a slavish feare Feare not man who must die nor feare the sonne of man who is but grasse Of godly Desires Our desires saith this Father do sound more powerfully in the secret eares of God than our words Againe the more earnestly God is desired of us the more sweetly is he delighted in us Saint Paul saith Hee that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the minde of the spirit Rom. 8. I have here set downe his Works as they are set