affoarded a large 〈◊〉 â—…o the holy man to manifest himselfe to 〈◊〉 alike inuincible in prosperity and aduersity which he was to â—…efull while in such a mutation of estate with so moderate a deâ—…rum of his personage he alwayes reteyned not only the same â—…eekenes and affability but euen likewise the monasticall habit â—…othing as before nor so much as in his diet he made any alteratiâ—…n at all saue only for age he was constrayned to vse the seasoning â—…oyle and when he fell â—…ick to mingle his water with a little â—…ine so as qualifying only the rawnes therof he felt no whit of â—…e sent or sauour of that precious liquour In the night rising alâ—…ayes before others he endeauoured to restore vnto study and â—…ayer those howers which the occupations of the day for the â—…ublique necessity had wrested from him He was neuer seen to â—…habit in any place without the company of his Monks But raâ—…er the first fauour which he demaunded of the Cittizens of Ruspa â—…as the commodity of building there a conuenient Monastery for 〈◊〉 rule In which many striuing to haue the merit therof it pleaâ—…d him to â—…ke vse of the charity of one Posthumianus a most principall Gentleman of vertue and of bloud from whome hauing a â—…yre scituation affoarded him some what neere to the Church with 〈◊〉 pleasant groue of Pynes which serued likewise very fit for the 〈◊〉 he conuayed the Abbot Felix thither with almost all his congregation leauing only some few Monkes in the other vnder the â—…are of one Vitalis yet in such sort he did it as both the Conuents â—…id liue with the same discipline and communicated together not â—…s guests and strangers but as Brothers and members of the same â—…ody And the blessed S. Fulgentius howbeyt most seriously busyed â—…n his Diocesse â—…ayled not the while to haue still a paternall care â—…ouidence of the one and other In the meane while the King of the Vandals hauing already â—…onfined the Catholique Bishops to Sarâ—…ia ordayned likewise â—…hat S. Fulgentius should be carryed thither Which succeeded to the great comfort of those innâ—…ent Prelates since they reaped not only 〈◊〉 notable help from the learning and conuersation of the holy man 〈◊〉 likewise in the publique acts of that sacred Colledge and in the â—…rticular occurences of their Churches they did greatly auayle theÌ„selues of the succour and charity of S. Fulgentius as being very eloquent in tongue and pen so as all the letters they had to send for matters of importance were dictated by him and if any were 〈◊〉 be reprehended or admonished or els to be reconciled vnto 〈◊〉 Church the charge therof was most commonly recommended 〈◊〉 him And for asmuch as according to custome S. Fulgentius had dâ—…parted from Affricke exceeding poore and without prouision and accompanyed only with a few Monks he perswaded two of the number of those Bishops to wit Illustris and Felix with their 〈◊〉 mestiques to lead with him in the Citty of Calari a religious and common life so as they being assembled togeather and sweeâ—… lincked with the band of charity both the Clerks and the Monâ—… had the same table and the selfe same prayers lessons and spiritual exhortations Whereby not only those of the Conuent but 〈◊〉 also the others of the Citty were greatly assisted There was 〈◊〉 person distressed and afflicted who in that holy place found not â—…fuge none desirous of the word of God who there might not freely heare the same to the doubts of Scripture and Cases of conscienâ—… continually answere and resolution was giuen Peace and concâ—… put betweene playntifes and enemyes Almes dealt to the needy 〈◊〉 necessitous And particularly besides S. Fulgentius would be euer â—…ding them not only by absoluing them of their sinnes but also 〈◊〉 lowing the Counsayles of Christ in not reguarding therin the 〈◊〉 or much substance they had to leaue but the affect they shewed 〈◊〉 voluntary and full renunciation King Trasamond seeks to entrappe S. Fulgentius with curious questiâ—… and the Arrian Ministers do exasperate him agaynst him Chap. 7. AT the same tyme King Trasamond had found out another more subtile way to subuert the faythfull in Affricke in pretending openly that he sought nothing els but truth in all things and sometymes proposing sundry demaunds and questions to simple Catholikes and howbeyt now and then neuerthelesse there wâ—…ted not men sufficient inough to coÌ„uince their heresies yet would the King seeme to make but light accompt of them still vaunting himselfe to haue had the vpper hand in the disputes and conâ—…uersies of fayth Wherin while he labored now with this man now with that he was put in mind of the blessed Fulgentius as of a person of rare learning and very able to solue all the knots and difficultyes occurring in such matters So as sending a Messenger with diligence for him he was conducted to Carthage where in a poore lodging the first thing he attended to and not without fruite was to confirme the Catholikes and to informe the Heretiques of their blindnes in prouing with liuely and pregnant reasons that one only substance in persons distinct was truly to be adored in the most holy Trinity There being afterwards a writing presented vnto him on the behalfe of the King full of â—…allacyes cunning quircks and demands he inserting there withall the words of the scripture it selfe answered from point to point with so much acumen perspicuity and breuity as the King himself though obstinate in his perfidiousnes remayned astonished at the doctrine and the people of Carthage diuulging the said answere continued more and more well affected to the Catholique faith After this the King not contented with the former demaunds proposed yet some others a new but without giuing leaue or scope to S. Fulgentius to answere with commodity that he might not quote his words as formerly he did and giue the world to vnderstand the impertinency of them but constreyned him rather hauing read the paper to help himselfe what he might with his memory and to answere out of hand without more adoe The which condition seeming as in truth it was full of iniustice the holy man for a while differred to make his reply but the King imperiously pressing him to it and attributing the caution to diffidence least the Arrian Ministers might likewise seeme to do the same diuulge with their accustomed vanity they had stopped his mouth Fulgentius disposeth himselfe to answere vnto it the best he could reducing to his mynd what was but once permitted him to read in three little admirable Treatises of the Incarnation of our Lord for the question of the King was of that subiect he apparantly shewed how the same Sonne of God equall in all and throughout to the eternall Father in clothing himselfe with our mortality tooke truly and really a reasonable soule With which wisedome and subtility of his King Trasamond being much astonished durst question him no more howbeyt
and at the same instant were the Deacons aduised that the vessell of Chrisme was not to be found for which there arising a great cry vpon good aduise and discreet coniecture the foresayd Clerke was immediately apprehended and the vessell being found about him vnder his cloake with menaces and rating he was brought to S. Anselme who being moued with compassion towards the wretch with cheerfull countenance reprehended him Fatherly for it and ordayned he should be let go forthwith without punishment and immediately the Man went directly home to his house This Dedication being finished S. Anselme was very suddenly recalled agayne to the Court of purpose to giue his benediction to the King before he crossed the seas He went then presently thither and for that the wind in those dayes was very contrary vnto him he thought it his duty in the meane tyme with all care and diligence to admonish K. William agayne of the great disorders many abuses introduced into the kingdome and to exhort him to relieue the afflicted Churches and to help to reforme the same He did it then in the best manner he could but the King being now troubled already and wholy vncapable of good counsayle not only slighted the man of God with the Fatherly correction he gaue him but euen also with great disdayne and contempt did banish him his presence Whereupon some wicked and insolent men present tooke new courage and boldnes agayne to offer wrongs and iniuries to Ecclesiasticall persons and their goods bearing but li◅le respect to the dignity and merits of S. Anselme himselfe who being much more seen and expert in the knowledge of spirits then in the manage of temporall affayres partly suffered himselfe to be deceyued not being able to persuade himselfe that any one for trāsitory things would willingly loose the eternall and partly also was enforced to yield hauing as we sayd the King for aduersary and his grieuous enemy So as now being wholy anxious he neuer ceased to bemoane himselfe for the quiet and peace of a religious state nor found he any comfort but when he could now then retire himselfe from company into Cloysters Nor would he neither within the Bishoprique nor yet without euer liue without the company assistance of some vertuous and approued Monkes to his exceeding gust and to the great edification of as many as knew him Besides which he fayled not to steale some tyme for meere contemplation and to remedy the troubles of the Catholique Church by meanes of his most learned writings Among which is that worke of his most worthily renowned which he wrote in the midst of so great afflictions vpon the subiect of the Incarnation of the Eternall Word wherewith the errour of the Greeks remayned discouered and conuinced being so audacious as to deny the Procession of the holy Ghost from the second person of the Blessed Trinity Not only thus in his Cell and studies but euen likewise at table when they had giuen ouer reading as a most excellent Deuine he would solue very intricate knots expoūd difficult passages of the sacred Scripture He likewise feared so much euery offence how light soeuer as he often affirmed with sincerity that if he had on the one side the horrour of sinne before his eyes and the paynes of Hell on the other with the necessity of being drenched or engulted in this or that he would doubtles make choyce rather of the infernall paynes then of the offence of God and sooner accept of Hell as pure and innocent then the heauenly mansion being polluted with sinne What occasions S. Anselme would vsually take of spiritual Conceyts How K. William returnes from beyond Seas and S. Anselme goes to Rome Chap. 15. THe Seruant of Christ was wont with the gift which he had of knowledge to gather spirituall fruitfull conceipts from the things which daily occurred as once certaine Seruants of his had a course at a Hare who after she had diuers wayes very nimbly tryed to escape from them by secret instinct came at last to squat euen vnder S. Anselmes horse who suddenly thereupon made a stop so as the dogs not daring to set vpon her stood aloofe baying at her expecting her starting agayne At which sight the company laughing and making much sport S. Anselme fell a weeping You laugh my Maysters sayd he but this poore little beast heere laughs not at all or finds any sport Her enemies encompasse her round about and she with the agonies of death recurres to vs for succour The same indeed succeeds very often to the reasonable soule of man which no sooner yssues from the body but the hunters malignant spirits pursuing her as long as she liueth in flesh by the diuers turnings crooked pathes of vices and iniquityes euen to the article of death do then cruelly stand ready to snatch her away and to cast her headlong to eternall perdition laughing making great sport thereat whiles the poore wretch lyes depriued and despoyled of all helps And after these words S. Anselme spurd on his horse and commaunded them not to molest the poore creature when by by hauing escaped the dāger she skippes againe into the meadowes woodes from whence she had fled Another day the holy Father seeing a boy in the stretes holding in his hand a certaine little Bird fast tyed by the feete with a long thrid taking much pleasure to let the thrid go and come now and then and in the midst of its flight to pull it backe on a sudden agayne and let it fall often to the ground Whereat S. Anselme tooke compassion on the poore creature and much desired to see the bird at liberty when behold on a sudden the thrid brake and the bird flew away and the boy cryed S. Anselme reioyced the while calling to his companions haue you sayd he taken heed to the sport of the litle Boy heere Whereto the others answering yea he then replyed And now such manner of sport for all the world the ancient aduersary makes euery day with many sinners he holds them so entangled in his snares and playing at his pleasure precipitates them now into this and then into that vice As for example some be giuen to auarice or els carnallity or to some other such like miseries To these will it happen now and then that being touched with pennance and compunction they make reflexion vpon the euill life which formerly they haue lead for which they are moued to teares for that time make good purposes to amend themselues And now it seemes verily to them they are loose already at full liberty but yet with the thrid or lyne of euill custome in the very loose and iumpe as it were of their flying away they are suddenly pulled backe agayne by the Deuill and made to fall as before into the same sinnes And this thing happens very often nor do they euer come to get forth of so abominable a seruitude till with some
Church very happily dyed There was moreouer a Woman so afflicted with the spirit of anger and fury as not only her kinsfolkes and neighbours seemed to shun her conuersation but euen her owne children could hardly endure to inhabite with her Wheresoeuer she was there was nothing but scolding rancour and a hideous storme bold fyery audacious gibing light of fingers vntollerable and fastidious to euery one By reason whereof her afflicted Children not finding other way of redresse from so continuall and bitter grieuances resolued to bring her as dexterously they did into the presence of S. Malachy where breaking forth into teares and laments they humbly demaund succour of the seruant of God He taking compassion as well on the danger of the Mother as on the Childrens infelicity tooke her a little asyde and dernaunds of her with great affect and gracious semblance Whether she had euer been confessed in her dayes and she answering No. Do you now then confisse sayd he to her Which the furious woman did through diuine instinct and he hauing enioyned her a conuenient pennance prayed a while ouer her commaunded her on the behalfe of Christ our Lord that from thence forth she should be angry no more A thing incredible there suddenly grew such a meeknes and so great a patience in her that euery one might know there could be nothing therein but meerly a change from Heauen Which was so great a comfort to her children as cannot be expressed She is yet lyuing and is sayd to be of so fayre a condition of so deep a Tranquility as where before she was wont to exasperate and offend euery one she is now not troubled a whit withall the losses iniuries or tribulations that can befall her Now let euery one esteeme of things as he please If with the Apostle it may be lawfull for me to abound in my sense I dare say that greater was the exploit of this amendement then was the recalling of the Gentlewoman spoken aboue from death to life because in the former was the exteriour Man raysed in the later only the interiour But let vs go forward A secular man of good quality came to condole with S. Malachy for the sterility of his soule beseeching him to obteyne for him at the hands of God some plenty of teares With that the holy Man of God with a cheerfull countenance approaching to him in signe as it were of friendship layd his cheeke to his and added withall That grace be giuen thee From that tyme forward had the lay man so great aboundance of water in his eyes as that sentence of the Scripture seemed to be verifyed in him A Fountayne from the gardens A spring of liuing waters This aboundance of teares the Man had to his dying day which made his sould white and pure from the staynes of Mortall sinne And being so washed and cleansed from those spots of Capitall sinnes his innocent Soule ascended on high to him Qui in altis habitat there to giue him laudes and prayses and continually to sing the celestiall Song of Alleluia S. Malachy through his prayers multiplyed Fishes With other Miracles of that kind Chap. 21. SAINT Malachy in trauayling as we haue sayd to preach the word of God did many Miracles whereof this is one The holy Bishop endeauouring withall power to spread the Ghospell of Christ Iesus throughout all the Kingdome of Ireland fell by chance on a certayne Iland in former tymes very famous for fishing 〈…〉 and for the 〈…〉 of the people reduced in so great a sterility as the poore 〈…〉 were brought into very hard strayts for want thereof and ready to be famished It was reuealed through the diuine Clemency to a certain woman that the intercessioÌ„ of S. Malachy were the only remedy to help them to their former aboundance of fishes This was the reason that the people 〈◊〉 about him as soone as he was landed being a great deale more anxious and sollicitous for fish then for preaching or doctrine for they were neuer froÌ„ his sides coÌ„iuning him that laying aside for the present all other care whatsoeuer he would vouchsafe to cast his eyes vpon their foresayd necessity But the true seruant of Christ answered them that he was come thither not to catch fishes but soules yet they not withstanding went still recommending themselues with so much more feruour as at last it seemed good to S. Malachy not to see light by the notable fayth which they shewed Kneeling then downe on the same shore he besought our Lord to affoard the grace to these men though altogether vn worthy thereof His praier no sooner came to the diuine throne then a good quantity of fishes somwhat greater then vsuall asceÌ„ded to the top of the water and euen to this day doth the plenty continue What wonder is it then that the prayer of the Iust which penetrates heauen should likewise diue into the Abysses and call from thence such like and so many squadrons of waterish creatures On a tyme S. Malachy with three other Bishops arriued at the towne of 〈◊〉 where they all lodged at the house of a certayne Priest who finding himselfe but ill prouided for such Ghests as they sayd to S. Malachy How shall I do trow you that haue no manner of fish at all Seeke for some answered he of the Fishermen O replyed the Priest It is now two yeares since that there could none be found in the riuer in so much as these poore men through despaire haue been faigne to abandon the trade Then S. Malachy replyed Do you cause in the name of God the nets to be cast Which was accordingly performed and at the first draught there came vp some twelue Salmons at once as many at the second so as all the company had meate inough to feed on and to celebrate the Eternall Benignity And to the end that â—his thing without all controuersy might be attributed to the Meâ—its of S. Malachy after the feast was consumated the former steriâ—ity did returne and so continued for two yeares From these pleasant aduentures and as it were of sport let vs passe to a graue example of the diuine Seuerity yet euer mixed with his wonted Mercy There was in Lesmor a Clerk of good example for the rest but of Fayth not so orthodoxe This man taking much complacence in his knowledge and for the sharpnes of wit which he tooke himselfe to haue durst impiously affirme that in the Eucharist howbeit the Sacrament were there or Sanctification to say rather yet was there not therefore the Thing of the Sacrament as Deuines vse to say that is the reall Body and Bloud of Christ our Lord. Vpon which so abominable errour of his being often secretly admonished by S. Malachy but euer in vaine at last he was cited to appeare before a certaine CongregatioÌ„ of Ecclesiasticall persons without the accesse of any secular person that with the least shame that were possible he might come to acknowledge
in thee be darkenes â—…ow great then shall the darknes it selfe be And in truth who sees not â—…hat when the iudgement through ignorance remayning in the darke goes doubtfull and wauering but needs must the thoughts â—…nd actions depending thereon come thence to be entrapped in a greater and thicker myst of sinnes Of which truth he doth giue vs â—…ufficient testimony who by the eternall Maiesty being chosen the first King of Israel for not hauing this eye of discretion sound but â—…ll members ill affected with darknes deserued to loose the Kingdome while he thought to be more seruiceable to God in sacrificing to him then obeying of Samuel incurring thereby the diuine â—…ffence in the selfe same thing wherein he made full rekoning to gayne his fauour The defect of this knowledge after that glorious triumph â—…erswaded Achab that mercy and clemency were better then seucâ—…ity and the execution of that rigorous and cruell command as it â—…eemed to him Through which coÌ„sidering being mollifyed whilst â—…e would needs seeme to be contemning with an act of piety the â—…loudy victory as he thought through indiscreet compassion beâ—…ng himselfe likewise obscured in his whole person was without â—…emission condemned to death This is that Discretion which is not only called by the Apostle a Lampe but a Sunne also where he saith â—…et not the sunne seeme to set vpon your anger This in like manner is called â—…he Gouernment of our life according to that saying Such as haue â—…o gouernment with them do fall like leaues This is worthily termed Counsayle without the which to do any thing is by the holy Scripture so precisely forbidden vs as neyther are we to take otherwise the spirituall wine it selfe which is that Gladnes that cheeres vp the â—…hart of man while Salomon saith Do you euery thing with Counsaile and with Counsaile likewyse do you drinke your wyne And elsewhere Who workes without Counsayle is like to a Citty which is dismantled quite and destroyed as shewing with this similitude how pernicious to the soule is the lack of such a vertue In this knowledge in this the vnderstanding and iudgment consists according to that aduertisement which saith with wisedome is the house built with vnderstaÌ„ding repayred with iudgment is the Cellar replenished withall the best and most precious things This I say is that solid foode that cannot be taken but of strong perfect men Whence the Apostle sayth To the perfect belonges a solid foode who through long experience let tâ—… senses be well exercised in the discretion of good and ill What more It is so profitable and necessary as it comes to be numbred among the other diuine attributes according to the sentence of the same S. pal Quick and liuely is the word of God and very efficacious and more penetrate farre then the sharpest knife arriuing to the diuision of the soule spirit â—…ea euen to the ioynts marrow is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the hart Out of which authorityes it is manifestly shewed that with out the grace of Discretion it is impossible eyther perfectly to purchase or long to conserue any vertue whatsoeuer This then in matter of Perfection was the iudgment this the Doctrine of S. Antony The which being first by that sacred Session of Fathers without reluctatioÌ„ approued after with good reason by Cassian as we said inserted into his Collations hath also seemed good to vs for the publique vtility to transferre into our present discourse The multitude of Monks increaseth The Angelicall life of S. Antony And of the persecution raysed by Maximinian against the Church Chap. 9. IN the meane season the number of Monks did meruaylously increase and throughout all those hills could nothing els be seene but Cells and Monasteryes like to Pauillions applyed to a sacred warfare full of Psalmes Conferences Lessons Prayers Fasts and vigils accompanyed partly with a iubiley of hart through expectation of the future goods partly also with the industry and labour of the hands to purchase almes for the poore Who shall expresse then the chast dilection and streight concord amongst theâ—… In such sort as casting the eyes vpon those countryes a Man verily seemed to behold a Region as wholy dedicated to the worship Iustice of God Heere raigned not eyther open or hidden factions not practices or designes of transitory or terrene things but only a multitude well ordered of men all applyed to the study of the more eminent vertues So as one beholding them the Orders withall might truly breake forth into that exclamation of Numbers the 23. chapter Quam bona domus tuae Iacob tabernacula tua Israel tamquam nemorâ—… obrumbrantia tamquam Paradisus super flumina tamquam tabernacula qua fixâ—… sunt à Domino tamquam cedri Libani circa aquas But yet in so vniuersall a feruour did the Lampe of S. Anteny alwayes seeme farre to exceede both in heate and splendour the other lights who neuer ceasing his angelicall customes did alwaies â—…o his power keepe silence and augment his pennances aspiring day and night to the happy mansions of Heauen Whereupon as â—…ikewise the imitation of the more glorious Saints he had so fixed â—…is mynd that whensoeuer it was needfull for him to eate or sleep â—…r in any other manner to serue the body he beheld the noblenes â—…f the Soule so miserably abased with so vile an exercise And thus â—…hrough compulsion he would take his refection now alone â—…ow with others not omitting through occasion thereof to remeÌ„â—…er his disciples how much it behoued them very seriously to atâ—…end to the soule and to seeke after the profit thereof in spending as â—…tle tyme as might be in the care of the body that the spirit be not â—…ulled downwards by sensuall delights but the flesh to be reduced â—…ather into the seruitude and power of the spirit and this sayd he â—…as the sense of those wordes of the Ghospell Nolite soliciti esse animae â—…estrae quid manducetis neque corpori quid induamini haec enim omnia genâ—…s inquirunt Scit enim Pater vester quod his omnibus indigetis Querite auâ—…m regnum Dei haec omnia adijcientur vobis At the same tyme while S. Antony was instructing and guiâ—…ing his Monkes in this manner was raised in Egypt that cruell perâ—…cution of Maximinian agaynst the Church of God At the newes â—…hereof the holy Abbot being desirous to shed his bloud for Christ â—…ent his way in hast to Alexandria accompanyed with many sayâ—…g let vs be present by all meanes at the glorious combats of â—…e Champions of Christ for that God will eyther make vs worâ—…y of that glorious Fellowship with them or at least if our Voâ—…ation extend not so high their fayth and fortitude will affoard â—…s a noble spectacle and of much edification In the meane tyme â—…e puts himselfe in publique to help and encourage them First in â—…e mines and in prisons and afterwards much
wayes home to fetch hither the Cloke which was once giuen you by Athanasius the Bishop to fold vp my carkas in and so to commit it to the Earth Which request the Blessed Paul made not that he cared much to be putrifyed eyther naked or clothed especially not hauing for so long tyme vsed to couer himselfe with other then with the leaues of Palmes being wouen together with his owne hands but he did it that he might not grieue him by expiring in his sight S. Antony remayned amazed at the thing which he heard particularly for the Cloke and with veneration acknowledging our Lord in the person of S. Paul without reply kissing the eyes and hands of the Saint went his wayes in hast to his Hermitage and at his approach his two disciples demaunding of him with great anxiety where he had been so long he answered Wo be to me Synner and false Monke I haue seen Elias I haue seen Iohn Baptist in the desart or to say better I haue seen Paul in Paradise Then holding his peace in knocking his breast he tooke the Cloke of Athanasi◅ out of the Cell when as his Companions importuned him yet to vouchsafe to speake more cleare but he differing the same to its time without more delay or affording any nourishment to his body so lōg fasting wel nigh spent went suddainly forth with his mynd wholy fixed on his sweet Host fearing as it fell out least in his absence he might giue vp the ghost And now by this tyme he had gone in great hast as it were half the way when as lifting vp his eyes aloft he sees among the happy troupes of elect spirits the blessed soule of S. Paul very glorious radiant to ascend vp to heauen And suddenly casting himselfe on the ground beganne to sprinckle his head with sand and to weepe and lament saying Why leaue you me O Paul Why go you away so before I had taken my leaue of you So lately knowne alas so soone parted S. Antony himselfe recounted afterwards that he had passed the ◅est of the way with the swiftnes of a Bird and so it was knowne in the proofe since entring into the Caue he found the holy corps yet kneeling and the necke vpright and hands lifted vp insomuch as notwithstanding the triumph which he had seen before he was almost of the mind that he was yet aliue but then not perceyuing any breath or signe of life he endeauoured with bitter playnts to kisse him and ◅olding him vp in the sayd garment of S. Athanasius he brought him forth with Hymnes and Psalmes But then not hauing any instrument to digg his graue with and with great anxiety thinking bethinking himself what to do Behold two Lyons with their hayre layd open to the wind to come running at that tyme. Whence he at first being somewhat affrayd and then taking courage in God attended their comming as so many Doues and they being arriued to the corps did humbly cast themselues at the feete thereof with fanning in their manner and bitterly roaring in signe of the sorrow they felt and presently began with their feete to plough vp the sands vntill such tyme as there remayned sufficient roome for a man Which being done and as it were for their hire receiuing the benediction of S. Antony they quietly went their wayes and he putting his shoulders to the sacred burthen did bury it in the trench After this surueying the Heritage of the dead for not to go thence altogether empty handed he tooke hold of the Cassocke of Palmes and being returned home agayne as long as he liued afterwards in the solemnities of Easter and Pentecost he would alwaies reuest himselfe therewith After these workes of charity were ended he was intreated by a great number of Monkes now comming in hast to him where he was to visit anew to recomfort the Cōuents He went then along with them and while they were on the way there fell out another notable meruaile That way was al very craggy and barren the heates excessiue so as it was not long ere prouision of water fayled them and the Monkes not knowing what to do letting their Camell go loose being scortched and afflicted lay downe When the holy old man not a litle contristate at so great a perill of theirs sequestred himselfe a little and kneeling on the ground lifting his hands to the starres began to beseech God with so much fayth and feruour as suddenly in the self same place of prayer sprung forth the desired liquour Whence all were reuiued and others being satisfyed as they anxiously sought for the Camell did suddenly find him by the cord of the headstall through a new miracle entangled in a rocke Loading him then to their great contentment they came very safe and found to their Cells agayne S. Antony is very wellcome to all at his returne and giues holsome Documents to ech one vpon good occasions Chap. 14. NOw it would be long and superfluous heere to explicate the ioy which the Disciples shewed at the comming of their most sweest Father and Mayster and he likewise reioyced as much to see them all to be so seruent with his presence and renewed in spirit He had besides no small consolation to find his Sister so perseuering in the diuine seruice being come to be Superiour of a most Noble and numerous Conuent of Virgins Now the arriuall of the Saint being knowne throughout all those Parts a great multitude of persons of all qualityes resorted thither to salute him and to visit him as they were wont and especially of the Religious to whome he for entertaynement sake insteed of presents and gifts would be giuing of precious aduertisements and aduises saying They should alwayes hold firme their fayth and dilection to God and the Neighbour They should guard themselues from vncleane thoughts and delights They should not not suffer themselues to be deceyued with Gluttony and should fly Vayne glory continue their prayers lay vp the documents of the holy Scripture in their breast be allwayes reuoluing the actions and manners of Saints in mynd endeauouring to reforme themselues through the imitation of them And principally he aduised them not to cease to meditate on those words of the Apostle S. Paul Sol non occidat super iracundiam vestrā and added therunto nor yet vpon any other sinne whatsoeuer it being a thing very fit and necessary that neyther the Sunne accuse vs of our diurnall malice nor the Moone of nocturnall sinnes For which end said he shall the preceps of the Prophet himself help you much Iudge your selues and examine your selues well Let ech one euery day take accompt from his proper soule of his actions words and thoughts And hauing erred let him amend hauing done wel not exalt himselfe but seeke to perseuere and not become negligen◅ and let him beware he iudge no man nor iustify himselfe as S. Paul said another tyme vntill such tyme as our Lord comes
communicate some Priest was called for of the neighbour Villages so rare was Priesthood in those dayes and held in the esteeme it ought to be And as for S. Pachomiâ—… he suffered not any of his disciples to â—…spire to such a dignity or any other honours or degres at all affirming that from like desire doe grow emulations sâ—…rifes and contentions and added that as a least sparckle of fyre falling in a barne if not speedily oppressed will vnluckily consume the whole yeares haruest so Ambition or the thought of a Clerkship with what pretext soeuer it enter once intâ—… Cloysters and be not suddenly extinguished will come to put all the Religion in tumult or ruine rather and vtter destruction Notwithstanding afterwards if any one being a Priest already should offer himselfe to follow the Rule Pachomius would not refuse to accept him and with such quality of persons so carryed himselfe as how much more respectfull he shewed himselfe towards them for the sacred Orders sake which they had taken so much more humble meeke would they become through the Vertue and example they saw in him Besides that he was full of Piety to all especially towards thâ—… aged and infirme persons To young men likewise he would vse discretion dexterity and longanimity to saue their Soules wherof he was meruaylously zealous sollicitous And because not fat from his Conuent was a certayne Village without a Pastour and consequently depriued of the word of God and the holy Communion he dealt very charitably about the same with Aprion Bishop of Tentiri in whose Diocesse the sayd place was and with his consent set vpon the building of a Church where afterwards a Parish was appointed And he in the meane time not fayled to go thither with some companions to instruct theÌ„ in the Christian doctrine performing that exercise with such deuotioÌ„ with â—…o much grace composition of body and mynd as to the Seculars it seemed they â—…eard and saw an Angell and no mortall man nor were the â—…aythfull only confirmed by this meanes but many Infidels likewise conuerted to the Fayth And as S. Pachomius receyued those who belieued in the Ghospell with extraordinary ioy so for the â—…osse of the obstinate and incredulous persons he would seele exâ—…reme dolour and for the same be sheding of continuall teares At that very tyme the great Athanasius had taken possession of the Bishoprique of Alexandria being gone in progresse as a good Pastour in person to visit the Churches of Egipt especially of the â—…pper Thebais and Siena by that occasion he was likewise to passe by Tabenna when S. Pachomius knowing some part of the trauailes and persecutions which the holy Bishop had suffered for the Catholique sayth went forth to meete him in company of all his Monkes with iubiley and festiuity of Psalmes of Hymnes and Canticles True it is that hauing vnderstood before hand how meanes was made by the Bishop of Tentiri to Athanasius for his promotion to a higher state for not to be seene nor knowne by him he hid himselfe of purpose in the throng Whether he spake with him afterwards or no is not found written any where But as this Chanpion of Christ was a great friend and much deuoted to the Catholique Prelates so could he not suffer so much as the name of Arrius and Meletius and the other Heretiques and Scismatiques to be mentioned of any by name and for their writings he could not endure them by any meanes to be had oâ—… read of his Monkes He was likewise very cautious in forbidding them to murmur at all especially against the Clerks and Prelates of the church and if by chance they had fallen into such a default he would suddenly oppose himselfe against them in ciâ—…ing some verses sentences out of the holy Scripture to that purpose together with the example of Mary the sister of Moyses so seuerely punished by God for hauing murmured against her Brother And finally by how much more sweete and plyable he was to all in that which lawfully he might so much more rigid and inflexible he shewed himselfe where it stood not with the least point of the honour of God or the Neighbour S. Pachomius is visited by his Sister who afterwards retires herselfe inâ—… Monastery Chap. 7. SAint Pachomius kept himselfe wholy from the conuersation familiarity of his Parents except when he had good hope to help them in Spirit And therfore lastly being visited by a Sister of his 〈◊〉 sent her answere by the porter in thes words Behold thou hast heat I am yet aliue Go thy wayes then and take it not ill that I let thee not see me I will promise thee that if thou wilt happily imitaâ—… this manner of life of myne to obteyne together with me pardon Mercy of our Lord some fit dwelling or other shal be assigned thee in a conuenient place to liue in peace and silence and by that occasion peraduenture it may happen the diuine Goodnes will oâ—… some other women likewise to do pennance with thee since in 〈◊〉 there is no other consolation on earth then for one to do well to serue God With this answere the good woman was so compunct as sâ—…e brake forth into plaints and without more ado determined to obey the counsayle of her Brother who according to promise caused cer tayne Lodgings to be built for her not farre from the Monastery very apt for the end pretended wherin she exercising her selfe according to the directions and orders of S. Pachomius it was not long ere there came many other women likewise to her for the same purpose who increasing continually in number she was elected to be the Mother Abbesse of them Whence he attended with more sollicitude then euer to instruct them well and to conduct them safely to a good Port. A certayne venerable and discreet Father called Peter had the superintendency ouer that Conuent by commission of S. Pachomius who at his tymes would visit and exhort them to Perfection and if it happened now and then to any Monke hauing some kinswomen there to haue occasion to go to any such he was accompanied thither by some ancient and graue person or other of approued vertue nor could he speake with such a one but in the presence of the Mother and some of the principall of the Monastery To giue or take any thing with them or els to eate or drinke in that place vnder any pretext whatsoeuer was wholy prohibited When any of the Sisters came to dye the others very decently composing the corps would depose it with Psalmes in a determinate place neere â—…to the conuent Whence after the Monkes wold conuey the same 〈◊〉 manner of procession and bury it with deuout prayers accuâ—…omed Canticles in the hill neer at hand Through the fame of â—…ese things a certayne yong youth among others of some fourâ—…ene yeares old by name Theodore a Christian of noble Bloud beâ—…ag moued gaue
our Lord hee◅pon being purged from weeds and cockle became continually more pleasant and fruitfull And besides from thence might be gathered how that euen as the austerity of the Monasticall life do◅ not hurt Seculars if they wil but help themselues with it in some part so neyther the aduice good carriage nor the Prayers of others do benefit Monkes if they resolue not to shake of quite very manfully all manner of Slouth and Cowardise But to conserue and to promote Men of good disposition one of the principall industryes of this great Louer of the Crosse was not to permit that in the treating of his person should be vsed particularityes with him of any sort whatsoeuer as we shall see by the ensuing acts He being gone on a tyme in company of some Mon◅ to reaping in an Iland called Threa where euery one had built him a houell to retyre himselfe to in due tymes the good Father whether it were through age or with ouermuch worke fell sick of a feuer and Theodore in his cold fit being ready to couer him with Shepheards mantle wouen with hayre S. Pachomius would by n◅ meanes suffer it but willed him to take it away sudenly and to couer him only with a Mat as the custome was to do with others which done Theodore brings him a handful of dates exhorting him to refresh himselfe with them Whereat the good Father with teares in his eyes replyed Why Theodore because we haue power ouer the labours of our Brethren and to vs the care belonges to prouide and distribute the portions among them should we therefore at our pleasure and without any regard be treating of our selues in this sort or be taking of any thing superfluous or out of tyme and comon custome And where should our holy Feare be then if we should do so For tell me Brother haue you runne through al the houels certifyed yourselfe that there is no other sick body more necessitous then I deceiue not your self so Theodore iniquity is abominable in the sight of God not only in great but euen also in smaller matters If others then with diuine help can patiently suffer afflictions and discommodityes why should not I seeme to suffer the same And with this answere he sent the Disciple a way exceedingly edifyed and instructed S. Pachomius likewise had obteyned of our Lord together with the discretion of spirits that same likewise of the Infirmityes so as he could very well distinguish which proceeded from natural causes and which from the operation of the Enemy who many ◅ymes for to ◅hinder the diuine seruice is wont to alter the humours of human bodyes and to cause indispositions in them Wherupon S. Pachomius being assayled on a tyme in the Monastery with a most grieuous feuer it seemed to him very requisit to cause him thereby increase his abstinence since by this meanes for fiue ◅ontinuall dayes he remayned without eating and drinking but ◅et slackt not a whit to rise in the meane tyme vnto Prayer Wherwith being cured he went with the rest into the Refectory giuing ◅hankes to the Eternall Goodnes But yet with all this rigour which he vsed with him selfe let ◅o man thinke he was hard or mercyles towards others but rather as hath been sayd aboue was he wonderfull tender and compas◅ionate to all and afforded all possible succours to relieue their ne◅essityes Besides that as farre as reason of gouernement would permit setting all arrogancy a part he would be shewing himselfe equall or rather inferiour to all In so much as being weauing on a ◅yme and controuled by a child with saying Father you worke not ◅ight for lo our maister weaues not in that manner he arose vp sudenly from his seate and whereas another would eyther haue seemed as if he had not heard him or haue chastised his little modesty The holy Old Man with a cheerefull countenance approching to the Maister and quietly taking instruction from him went sudenly to execute the same with singular humility and with the great edification of as many as were present With these and such like things not only particular and profane men being now inuited at last but euen whole congregations likewise of other Monks came to ioyne and submit themselues to S. Pachomius to whome with equall charity he afforded Rules and Superiours The History of Ionas the Monke in the desart there And S. Pachomius his solution of a doubt Chap. 10. IN one of those Monasteryes called Muchosa there was a Religious man whose name was Ionas a man of so great perfection fame as we cannot choose but step a little from our purpose to say something of him This Religious person had continued in the diuine Seruice and in the cloyster some 85. yeares with very good example and it is a memorable thing that he hauing alone had alwayes care of the garden and therin had planted diuers trees ye◅ he neuer had tasted to his death so much as one fruite of them being notwithstanding very francke therof to the Brothers and to the Ghests and to all the Neighbours about who at their pleasure we◅ satisfied with them His clothing as well for sommer as winter was of three sheepe skins sowed together saue only to go to the holy Communion he would put ouer a coate somewhat more decent but being then risen from the sacred table he would presently despoyle himselfe therof and so had he conserued it neare and cleane for all that space of 85. yeares He was so great a friend of Labour as he knew not as it were what Rest was nor yet the Infirmary He neuer eate any boyled thing he liued vpon hearbs chopt in vinegar He neuer lay stretcht forth in length but laboured by day in the garden at the setting of the Sunne taking his refection he would retire himselfe into his cell and sitting on a stoole in the midst of the roome attend to the knitting of bull-rushes and to make ropes vntill the ringing to Office shutting his eyes sometymes scarcely as much as necessity required And this his worke he performed not by the light of a Lampe or of fire but through much practice and dexterity wholy by darke for to be able in the meane tyme the better to attend to the Meditation of holy Scripture wherof he had cōmitted a good part to memory We let passe besids many other meruaylous things of this holy Man for breuityes sake but yet we may not seeme to passe ouer in silence the manner of his last act Because he was foūd by the Mō◅ starke dead to sit in his Cell with rushes in his hands according to his wont with his feete and armes stretcht forth stiffe withal in such sort as they would not seeme to change that composition of his nor to pull off his furrd coate frō his back but were feigne so to sold him as in a trusse and in that manner were they glad to carry him to be buryed But now let
indeed not far frō hence but there is no refection to be had for you and your company saue only bread and cheese Then sayd S. Anselme with a cheerfull countenance Doubt you not good brother go thy wayes then before and cast a net into the riuer there and thou shalt presently find fish inough for vs all So did the Monke without any doubt a whit and calling in hast a fisherman to him bad him to throw in his net Now was it indeed neyther tyme nor place for such a draught and therefore the fisherman laughed at such a bidden thing and tooke himselfe to be mockt at by the Monke But at last being thereunto cōstrayned as it were though his prayers and persuasions he resolued to obey and behold agaynst all hope came forth of the water a Trout of an vncouth bignes with another litle fish also So as that fish was more then inough for S. Anselme and his company That other accident differed not much from this which happened to him in another house of a deere friend of his called Walter Tuel who being sory for want of fish and with words of courtesy excusing himselfe for not hauing prouision worthy of such a ghest S. Anselme smiled and replyed There is now a Sturgeon brought in vnto you and do you complayne for want of delicacies As yet Walter verily belieued he had but iested with him and would by no meanes giue any credit to it when behold two of his men came entred into the house with a Sturgeō the greatest they had seene a long tyme being found as they sayd by the Stepheards vpon the bankes of the riuer of Alteia Whence though in a base and materiall subiect yet may it well be gathered that S. Anselme amongst other gifts of heauen had likewise the spirit of Prophesy About the same tyme he composed three very subtile Treatises one of the Truth another of Freewill the third of the Fall of the Deuill By which treatises may well appeare wherein he had truly fixed his mind though by such considerations and labours he neuer subtracted himselfe from the care consolation of his Monkes He wrote also another booke which he entituled The Grammarian wherein he introduceth a Scholer to dispute with him he also in that booke goes soluing of many Logicall difficulties He annexed thereto a litle Tract which he called by the Greeke terme Monologion for that speaking with himselfe alone without medling with quoting of the holy Scripture with meere reasons he proues There is a God and that by no meanes it can be otherwise After this it came into his mynd whether with one short argument only that same might not be solidly proued which is so belieued and preached of God to wit that he is Eternall Incommutable Omnipotent Incomprehensible whole in euery place iust pious mercifull true or rather Truth it selfe Goodnes Iustice and some other attributes and how all these things are one thing in him This same proposition now did affoard himso much to do as partly it tooke away his meate and sleep and partly also for which he felt the greater griefe held him exceedingly in suspence and greatly distracted him in his Psalmody and in the other diuine Offices and by how much more violence he vsed thereunto so much the more was he troubled with the foresayd question vntill such tyme as waking one night it pleased the diuine Mercy to illumine his vnderstanding and to giue him the knowledge of what he desired with so much clarity as he felt therewith a great iubiley of hart and a wonder full sweetnes and consolation of mynd And supposing he might help others therewith as he was far from all enuy or basenes of mynd he went suddenly about to put the thing in tables of wax according to the vse of those tymes and then gaue them in keeping with great charge to one of the Monkes Some dayes being now passed ouer he demaunded the same of the party himselfe and suddenly they were sought for in the self same place where they had been layd but could not be found Wherupon good diligēce was vsed to learne out if any of the house had taken them away but yet could neuer come to haue the least inckling of thē S. Anselme went about then againe to make others of the same matter and with especiall recommendation gaue them in charge to another of his Monkes He hides them in the secretest part of his owne bed and the next day beyond all suspition finds them all to pieces on the ground and the wax with the characters scattered heere there He gathers them vp as they were brings them to S. Anselme who endeauours the best he could to set the pieces together and fits them at last with much ado so as they might be read and so kept them close vnited togeather And to the end the same might happen no more he causes them to be transcribed in parchment and from thence he drew afterwards a Volume though litle in bulke yet great and very admirable in conceipts speculations and called it Prosologion wherein he discoursed eyther with God or with himselfe Which litle Worke being written against by a learned man S. Anselme seemed to reioyce the◅ and to yield thankes to the Censour but made notwithstanding his Apology for it and sent it backe to the sayd friend beseeching him or any other whosoeuer that should once go about to taxe the aforsayd doctrine not to publish the reprehension without likewise annexing the defence A most pious and Excellent Epistle of S. Anselme to a certaine Launce-Knight who was newly entred into the Monastery of Cluny Chap. 8. VVIth all these occupations as well of gouernment as also of more grauer studies the Seruant of God neglected not to write also sundry letters of edification Of one of which we will heere insert a chapter about the subiect of mutation of place to the end yt may appeare how much the same was impugned by this holy man when it is not done through Obedience or for some important occasion He wrote then among other things some aduises to a certaine Launce-knight who was newly entred into the Conuent of Cluny of the tenour following Thou art now entred my dearest into the lists and warfare of Christ in which yt behoues thee not only to resist the open battayles of the Enemy but to beware likewise of the subtile traynes which lye hid vnder the shew of a goood spirit Because many tymes when the wicked aduersary cannot come to ouerthrow a Nouice with obiects of manifest sinne he seekes to ruine and murder him with the poyson of false but probable and apparent reasons and so being not able to induce him to the harted of Religion and the Institute which he hath made choyce of at least he endeauours to make the conuersation and dwelling tedious to him where he abides for the present and though in some manner he permit to reteyne yet the Monasticall life
made and howbeit in your selues you be not conscious of any great cryme yet beware you esteeme not your selues in your owne iudgement to be innocent and iust since to iustify and iudge the cōscience appertaines to God only yea by how much a man is more forward in perfection so much the lesse presumes he of the strait rigourous account of the diuine iustice On the other side make you no reckoning of humane iudgements eyther of your selues or others but so keep you vnder the feare of God that neither you in iudging by him come to dash vpon some rocke of pride or vanity You are to attend to an exact and continuall search into your selues and of your selues which doing yet shall you alwaies repute your selues to be vnprofitable seruants as our Lord commands It behoues me to go whither the chiefe Pastour appoints me and since all this trauaile is vndertaken by me purely for the seruice and glory of the diuine goodnes I shall not fayle to beseech the same with much confidence to take you into his custody and protection After these words being accompanyed with aboundance of teares and deuout desires of that pious congregation he puts himselfe on the way towardes Rome and being receaued wheresoeuer he passed as a man from heauen with his arriuall he brought extraordinary ioy and comfort to the Pope with all Catholiques And without delay endeauouring with diligence to find out whence so long obstinacy of the cōtrary faction proceeded he soone came to vnderstand how the Clergy though stung in conscience yet through feare of loosing the benefices obteyned of the Antipope durst not forsake him besides which the respect they had of a vaine constancy and foolish reputation filled their mynds with a cloud of obscurity but for the popular sort being likewise deceiued partly through couetousnes and partly with a false religion held it a great scorne and iniquity to breake the oath of fidelity once giuen to Pierlonio S. Bernard endeuoured in vayne to withdraw the king of Sicily from the part of the Anti-pope through whose death peace was restored to the Church agayne Chap. 17. FRom these errours S. Bernard did endeauour and not without fruite to deliuer that blind people when the Embassadours of Roger King of Sicily arriued at Rome who with a dissembling zeale of the common good made shew of being desirous to enforme himselfe fully of the truth and to become arbiter of so great and pertinacious discords though in secret as we sayd he were held to be a fautour of the peruerse faction and therefore craftily required Anaclet to send him Peter of Pisa a most wise and eloquent man on his behalfe and made instance to Innocent for the Abbot of Clareuallis that these two as aduocates being to argue and plead in his presence might giue him true notice of all hoping by this meanes the lowlynes and simplicity of one poore Monke might be ouerborne and opprest through the eloquence and cunning of that famous Doctour The sayd King was very potent and was at that tyme with a puissant army in the kingdome of Naples so as the Embassadours had no great difficulty to obtayne at Rome what they would But through diuine disposition the matter had a farre different euent from that which the King thought of Because that Peter and S. Bernard being arriued at his Court after they had discoursed apart with him and the principall Officers there was finally deputed a certaine day to both the Procuratours togeather for publique audience Now what successe was to follow of this duell a certaine battayle fought betweene the sayd King and the Duke Ranulphus who was a Prince and a very vertuous Catholike gaue no small demonstration at that tyme. S. Bernard with Charity had endeuoured to hinder the sayd conflict and to make peace betweene the two Christian armyes and to Roger had manifestly threatned and foretold that if he fought he should loose the battayle But he finding himselfe to haue much odds and aduantage ouer Ranulphus in number and forces with haughtynes and pride contemning the aduises and protestations of the man of God would needs by all meanes encounter and set vpon him neer vnto the Citty of Salerno where with the astonishment of all there suddenly entring a feare into the campe he was vanquished by the Dukes army routed and put to flight And yet notwithstanding hauing reassembled together the vnhappy remainder and with new succours made vp a Royall army agayne he presents himselfe in Councell and Tribunall on the day assigned for the dispute hauing first in priuate with great promises and large offers set the Pisan Doctour on fire to purchase himselfe honour in sustayning the cause of Pope Anaclete and in that assembly of noble and learned men to stop the mouth of the French Abbot Peter then full of vayne hopes and of high thoughts appeared in the Court where with much eloquence and great memory and art depainting forth first the fact with handsome coulours then alleadging and interpreting in his manner the decrees and Canons he endeuoured to proue how the election of Anaclete had been most sincere and legitimate On the contrary the holy man hauing heard the Oratour with much patience began his discourse with great humility and modesty and by little and little grew into so great vehemency and liberty of heauenly spirit and with such pregnancy of reasons and weight of Scriptures and variety of examples and comparisons so defeated the foundations and discouered the falshoods of the aduersary as not only almost all the auditory then remained perswaded but euen the Aduocate Anaclete himselfe of being conuinced with the truth and returned to himselfe repented he had euer vndertaken the protection of the wicked and false Pope and being afterwards further assisted with the priuate exhortations of the seruant of Christ fayled not to reconcile himselfe to Innocent But Roger how beit he could now pretend no ignorance yet being ouerwhelmed with diuers passions could neuer be brought to the sayd demonstrations and acts which in a matter of so great importance ought publiquely to be done Whence S. Bernard being satisfyed with his owne conscience and remitting the rest to the diuine Iustice returned back to Rome and renewed agayne the interrupted labour of reducing the soules to the obedience of the Pope vnion of the Church which till that time had been eyther seduced through opinion or enchayned by malice For so great a hurt and notorious a scandal S. Bernard was exceedingly afflicted but it pleased the diuine goodnes soone to deliuer him from that greife through the death of Pierlonio who being seized with a pestilent malady though he had three dayes space to acknowledge his offences yet obdurate impenitent he passed to render accompt to the eternall Iudge of his misdeed Being dead his followers did presently substitute and set vp an other Anti-pope who yet being conscious of his owne weakenes and the dangers which hung ouer
his head went by night to seeke out S. Bernard who hauing louingly reprehended him and made him to lay downe the ornaments vsurped led him with his owne hands to the feete of Innocent from whom benignly receiuing absolution he was admitted into grace And from thence began the Pope to giue dispatches without disturbance to attend to reformation and to take away the abuses introduced in tyme of the discord For so ioyfull successe next vnto God they all gaue the glory and honour to the Abbot of Clareuallis not without reason since trauayling in the enterprise into diuerse parts of the world for more then seauen yeares togeather finally in the Citty of Rome with the diuine helpe most happily concluded the same But the true disciple of Christ being not able to endure the human prayses applauses the extraordinary veneration wherein he was held of the whole Court and Citty within the tearme of fiue dayes and no more hauing got leaue of the Pope with all importunity he suddenly went his wayes towards Clareuallis And for asmuch as his Holines required some of his Monks to inhabite neere to Rome he made choyce of them and sent them at that tyme vnder the care of one Bernard of Pisa a good Religious man a person much honoured in the world who not long after Innocent being dead and his successours Celestin and Lucius was with much approbation made Pope by a new name called Eugenius and to him S. Bernard wrote those most learned bookes Of Consideration In this manner then did S. Bernard cary himselfe in repayring the torne coate of our Lord and reuniting to their head the members of the Church with most wicked example so seuered and disioyned And no lesse vigilancy and sollicitude shewed he in oppressing and rooting out heresyes which discouered themselues in his tyme as shall presently appeare S. Bernard refutes and confounds Abaylard a famous Heretike with other heresyes arising at that tyme. Chap. 18. THere flourished in those dayes with great fame of much knowledge one Peter Abaylard a person of an exceeding sharpe wit but proud and haughty withall This man as it happens often with the proud being deceaued by the Father of lying began to disperse writings full of new doctrine and of pestiferous opinions wherof S. Bernard hauing notice through his accustomed goodnes and benignity performed the office towards him of fraternall charity endeuouring that without preiudice and infamy of the writer those blasphemyes might be amended And truly Peter himselfe for the present through the words and Charity of the Saint shewed himselfe to be so changed and compunct as he promised to remit al to his censure and correction But a little after being vanquished through the blind loue vaine persuasion of himselfe he not only brake his word but euen also taking his aduantage of the tyme he went to the Bishop of Sans in whose Church was presently a great Councell assembled and before him very insolently complayned of the Abbot of Clareuallis as of a slaunderer and detractour and made instance the Councell being opened he might be cyted to yield account of the obiections and calumnies giuen out against his bookes shewing himselfe to be prompt and ready to defend in publique whatsoeuer was contayned therin Nor did the Bishop refuse him the tyme being come he cites the Man of God to the Synod to iustify the sayd oppositiōs There came likewise thither Peter full of pride founding himselfe in sillogismes and his dialectical art but well it appeares how vayne human meanes are against the diuine power Because the designed day being come for discussion of those articles S. Bernard in the presence of all those venerable Prelates and Doctours produced the volumes of Abaylard and with very strong reasons and cleere testimonyes of Scripture and holy Fathers went manifesting and refuting one by one all the propositions which digressed from fayth and the Apostolique traditions And such was the spirit which in that Session also spake in the mouth of S. Bernard as that Abaylard loosing in a moment his memory and discourse full of shame and confusion with the wonder of all was strooken dumbe There was giuen him space notwithstanding and election eyther to deny those writings or humbly to amend himselfe or els to answere if he coud to the obiections made But he very hard to repent himselfe to gaine as they say more tyme resolued with himselfe to appeale to the Sea of Rome howbeit that sacred Congregation stucke not to reproue the doctrine though forbore the person and a little after came the sentence of the Pope which declaring Abaylard to be a manifest heretike condemned him to silence and his workes to the fire This disorder being thus remedyed after some yeares againe there appeared another through the fault of VVilliam Perretta Bishop of Poytiers a man much versed in the diuine Scriptures but temerarious arrogant in so much as he had the boldnes to medle with the mystery of the most holy Trinity with many capriches subtlityes neuer heard of before and that with so much the greater common perill as he was more pregnant and dexterous to couer the senses with artificious and obscure wordes in such sort as the poyson had much spread it selfe before any could easily perceaue it To these snares S. Bernard did most valorously oppose himselfe in the Councell of Rhemes celebrated by Pope Eugenius wherein disputing continually for two dayes togeather against those impious dogma's what with quoating and comparing places one with another dispersed and disioyned heere and there with determining of equiuocations distinguishing ambiguityes inserting of consequēces and deducing of corolaryes he draue out of darknes caues that whole antiquity and exposed it so to the light as there remayned no more any place for doubt And because notwithstanding all this diligence some fauourers of VVilliam hindred that the processe could not he finished against him S. Bernard with his great authority caused a congregation to be assembled of purpose where with the consent and subscription of the Fathers of ten Prouinces and of very many Bishops and Abbots he framed and added a new symbole as opposite to the noueltyes of VVilliam with such means very easily wrought that these peruerse opinions should be vtterly prohibited though no chastisement otherwise were inflicted on the Authour since he was in the mind to enter into that dispute with this condition and protestation that in case his sayinges were not excepted and approued by the sacred Councell he would be ready without pertinacity at all to reuoke them quite and so being demanded if he gaue his consent to the sayd condemnation answered Yea and in full session retracting and detesting the etrours he obtayned mercy No lesse horrible and pernicious about the same yeares was the impiety of a certaine Precursour of Martin Luther called Henry a most vile Apostata also and euen possessed wholy with the like spirit of blasphemy so as he doubted not
of all Yea rather to make continually more intense acts of Christian humility approaching with great humility and submission to the Minister of the Prouince of Romania called Fryar Gratianus he did reuerently beseech him he would daigne to intreat Father Generall he might take him to him to instruct him with other Nouices in the ceremonyes and obseruances of the Order Nor was the petition made in vayne For Fryar Gratian being moued with the modesty and solitude of the person come thither from parts so remote tooke him benignly along with him vnto his owne Diocesse and a little after at his new instance permitted him to retire himselfe into the hermitage of Monte Paulo with some others Where S. Anthony being prouided of a narrow Cell in fasting with bread and water and perseuering in holy contemplations and manfully resisting the temptations of the Diuell prepared himselfe vnwittingly vnto the admirable exploits and enterprizes which for the benefit of Christendome God was pleased to worke by his meanes Being afterwards called from the deserts to the Conuents he departed not awhit from his firme deliberations to vse and cause himselfe to be dealt with by others as the meanest most ab◅ct of all whence the tyme which he had spare frō the aultar Quire he spent cheerfully in sweeping the house in seruing in the kitchim and in doing such offices which ordinarily are held in most scorne and are most abhorted of human pride And in such ministeryes he continued hiding shrouding and concealing himselfe from mortall eyes when it pleased him at last who beholds the hidden things to his eternall glory and saluation of many people nations to manifest him to the world with the occasion following How S. Antony is discouered by his talents to be singular and is declared Preacher Chap. 5. IT was now the tyme of Ecclesiasticall Ordinations and therefore Father Guardian hauing destined some Fryars to the Citty of Forli he thought good to lead them thither in person himselfe would needs haue S. Antony also along with him being Priest already as we haue sayd and as reason dictats vnto vs and the Portugall Chronicles themselues doe cleerely demonstrate howsoeuer more moderne Authours being mooued by one ambiguous word only of Surius haue after affirmed that S. Anthony went thither to be enrolled with the others into the sacred warfare With this family then for the same effect went some Dominicans a long like wise a Religion instituted as it were by the eternall Father at the same tyme of the Franciscans for the greater help of the Catholicke Church and for supply of men for the continuall preaching of the word of God These two companyes though diuerse in habit and meanes yet in will and end very conformable being come to Forli were lodged both in the same place and not for to giue ouer their spirituall exercises the houre of their conferences arriued the Guardian of the Minours made great instance to the Father of the Preachers that according to their institute they would be pleased for the common consolation to discourse something of matters concerning the diuine seruice and for the purchase of vertues Whereof those vertuous Fathers excusing themselues through the shortnes of tyme wearynes of the iourney the Guardian being doubtlesse touched with some hidden inspiration from Heauen contrary to the opinion of all turned himselfe to S. Antony and suddenly imposed vpon him to make them a Homily and to say something of edification To which precept the seruant of Christ very modestly opposed a while but the Superiour and the rest vrging him to it at last not to breake with Obedience recommending himselfe to God he began to discourse but rudely at the beginning and without any shew of learning in him but in the progresse of the discourse the Holy Ghost without doubt so guiding his tongue and hart ere he was aware he entred into so great a variety of allegations of the diuine Scripture into so great sublimenesse of mystical senses aboue al into so great an accesse and ardour of charity which euen cast forth flames from his countenance and gesture as all the Auditours remayned partly inflamed with heauenly affects partly also astonished with wonder as of a man that knew no more then his Breuiary that neuer handled as it were any bookes and from whose mouth scarcely euer came forth any Latin word But he to whome as well the memory as also the creature it selfe serued as a Booke layd open and in so long an intermission of study and reading had yet neuer fayled from treating familiarly with the benigne Giuer of Wisdome gaue forth to vnderstand in that act how much richer are the treasures of the mystical sweet then the scholasticall and sterile Theology Besides their astonishment at this so sudden an eloquence such indeed as all confessed they had neuer heard the like they had a singular esteeme consideration at his so rare humility since whereas others hauing scarce got a smatch in learning can hardly conteyne the vnbridled will from appearing in Pulpits and hunting after vayne prayse and applause of the people he though very well instructed already with infused and purchased learning and besides endued by nature with those parts which are required in a Christian Oratour had euer held his peace was euer more willing to heare then speake and striued as much to abase himselfe as others doe to procure high degrees and to be notable and famous in the world It was not long ere the Blessed Father S. Francis had newes thereof who tooke extraordinary contentment therein and gaue infinite thankes therefore to the diuine Goodnes And howbeit he might without more adoe haue deputed S. Antony vnto the holy Function of Preaching as who had beene well studyed already of himselfe yet by reason of his so long intermission now from his said studyes and not to giue matter of murmure vnto others he determined to make him renew and refine his mystical Theology vnder the direction of the Abbot of S. Andrew in Vercells a man very famous in those dayes for learning and sanctity and who among other signes of profound Science had lately translated the workes of S. Denys Areopagita out of Greeke into Latin and illustrated the same also with his explications and comments S. Antony then being recōmended to this Doctour with another English Fryar called Adam de Marisco within the space of a yeare they both made such profit in the knowledge of celestiall things and arriued to such a height and eleuation of mind as it seemed to the sayd Maister he had two Angells in his howse and that he had learned of them rather then they of him With this so happy successe S. Francis was more confirmed in his opinion already conceiued of S. Anthony and with great hope of much profit to the world declared him Preacher commaunded him very confidently henceforth to apply himselfe to the ministery of the Word or God