as many as were in it But these brauado's and stiffnes of his lasted that day only for being arriued to his lodging at night he was so inwardly gauled with such stinges as that being not able to resist any longer without attending so much as till day he leapt from his bed and speedily returned backe to Clareuallis agayne where deposing the old man with his wonted manners and fiercenes he put on the new to the great consolation and wonder of all Certaine noble Gentlemen yielded vp themselues to S. Bernard wherof one hauing a temptation afterwards was happily by him quit therof Chap. 9 IN those dayes certaine Flemings sped very well who besides they were of a Noble bloud and well learned had likewise a great desire to attend to perfection but could not well determine what schoole was fittest for their purpose and in this suspense of mind stood wauering vntill S. Bernard about some publique affaires happened to goe into those partes of Flanders And as his Name was now famous already at the appearing of such a man sprung a notable light in the mindes of those disconsolate louers of wisedome so as without more delay they made choice of the Abbot of Clareuallis for Maister and Superiour supposing he was destined thither by the diuine Prouidence for their saluation selling and dispatching then ech one their busines and laying aside the vayne designes and deceiptfull hopes of the world they went ioyfull with S. Bernard towardes Burgundy who then likewise had finished his affaires In which iourney there happened an accident not fit to be let passe It is an ordinary thing likely in all beginners in the diuine seruice and not yet experienced inough in desolation or substraction of grace and spirituall vicissitudes when that gust of sensible deuotion comes once to faile them and that pleasant light which puts them hastily on to loose on a sudden all courage quite and to fall into pusillanimity of spirit and sadnes of hart The occasion therof do Wisemen say to be this the Rationall substance cannot endure to be straitned and some delight eyther heauenly or terren must be Now the soules as being raysed aboue themselues with some tast of supernall pleasures do easily renounce the visible obiects so when through diuine dispensation that ioy is taken away from them finding themselues depriued of this also and not accustomed to expect with patience the returnes of the new Sunne it seemes to them they are neither in heauen nor earth and are as buryed in a perpetuall night so as like babes hauing lost the breasts they languish and sigh and become tedious and irkesome chiefly to themselues The same happened on they way to one of that company called Gaufrid This man being suddenly growne arid and full of interiour darknes began to bethinke himselfe of his freinds parents and goods which he had left behind and thereby was assayled with so strong a temptation as being not able to dissemble it in his countenance one of his more confident and intimate freinds was aware thereof and dexterously approaching to him with sweete and benigne speach in secret sayd to him What is the matter Gaufrid How happens this I pray you go to tell me for it seemes to me you goe pensiue and sad more then ordinary Then Gaufrid answered with a deep sigh Alas brother I shall neuer be merry more in all my life The other being with that word moued to pitty went suddenly with fraternall zeale to acquaint their common Father what passed who vnderstanding the daunger began to pray for him in a Church thereby and Gaufrid in the meane while being ouercome with sadnes reposed his head on a stone and there fell a sleep but long it was not ere both arose the one from prayer with the grace obteyned and the other from his sleep with a face so cheerefull and serene as his freind much admiring at so sudayne and great a change could not hold but freindly vpbrayd him with what he had answered him a little before Then Gaufrid sayd if I told thee before I should neuer be merry agayne I now affirme 〈◊〉 thee I shall neuer be sad more And this same Gaufrid afterwards in the Nouiceship being desirous of the eternall saluation of his owne Father recommended him to the Saint with much affect and confidence And he sayd doubt not sonne but thy Father shall be a good Religious man and I my selfe after his death shall bury him with these armes and so it fell out that old man being entred into Religion and growne very perfect in vertues fell greiuously sick at such tyme as S. Bernard was farre from Clareuallis in which infirmity of his he grew dayly more sicke then other lying in extremity for some fiue monthes continually togeather vntill the Abbot returning with his assistance he sweetly rendred vp his spirit in his armes and with his owne handes buryed his body with his wonted Charity and performing of due exequies Another tyme being gone to Chalon in Champayne to deale with the Bishop of that Citty he thence lead with him at his returne a good number of excellent subiects and such manner of purchaseâ—… with the help of the diuine hand he made happily from tyme to tyme. Besides which there wanted not daily many that being allured by his Name and glutted with the deceipts of the world came voluntary of their owne accord to submit themselues to the obedience of so great a guide Whence no wonder is it that from the garrison of Clareuallis should be sent after as we haue sayd so fit supplyes as there did to so many partes of Europe S. Bernard deuinely admonished changes his stricter hand vpon his Nouices to a milder way with the good fruit that came thereof Chap. 10. IT remaynes now to see what manner the diuine man tooke in guiding and gouerning the Soules recommended and committed to his care by the Prince of Pastours It is then to be vnderstood that in the first yeares of his Prelacy in measuring others feruour by his owne he was something more rigid and seuere then good and moderate gouernement would seeme to beare For that in receiuing of Nouices into the Conuent he was wont to bid them among other things by way of Enigma to leaue the body without and to enter only with the spirit Through which saying of his some of the simpler of them remayned so astonished and terrified therewith as they were after not able to vnderstand the sense and meaning of those wordes though the Saint himselfe explayned the same In the confessions which he heard of his Monks with a bitter countenance he abhorred any manner of defect esteeming euery light fault in Religious as a mortall sinne In his Sermons or as we say Homilyes rather in the speculatiue he often soared so high as the hearers vnderstanding would loose the sight of him and insteed of being fed and refreshed would come to be dry and arid And for the morall he required
to flight and he not without the infinite ioy of the people was installed agayne into his Royall throne and from that tyme euer after did he loue and respect S. Malachy Who after he had for some tyme not without notable emprouement enioyed the familiarity and discourses of Malcus being by Letters and Messages recalled by Celsus and Imarius who could no longer endure his absence he accordingly made his returne backe into his Countrey How S. Malachy had a vision and deliuers his sisters soule from Purgatory with the noble resolution of his Vncle in surrending vp an Abbay to S. Malachy Chap. 5. IN the meane tyme his Sister was departed this life of whome we made some mention aboue Concerning her it behooues vs not to passe ouer in silence a Vision which the Man of God had Because that although while she liued in flesh he abhorred her behauiour in such sort as that after some yeares he made a vow not to see her any more yet now she being quit of body he himselfe remayned discharged of the vow and beganne to reuisit her in spirit whome he had no will to see euer any more aliue For so much as on a night it seemed to him in sleepe that he was aduertised by a Man in hast that his Sister attended without in the Church yard in a browne habit without hauing tasted any thing for these thirty dayes together At which voyce now S. Malachy being a waked he presently vnderstood what manner of famine tormented her and exactly casting vp the tyme he found it had been iust thirty dayes since he had said Masse for her And in regard the Seruant of Christ loued the soule as much as he hated the imperfections of his Sister without delay he returned to his suffrages so intermitted Nor was it long ere the dead Woman appeared to him vpon the thre shall of the Church but yet bard from entring in and apprelled in black But her Brother perseuering still in assisting her without euer omitting any morning wherein some Sacrifice was not offered vp for her he espyed her very soon in a grayish gowne within the Church indeed but not admitted as yet to the Aultar In summe he ceased not to celebrate for such intention vntill finally she appeared to him not only within the Church but euen likewise neare to the Aultar in a white garment amidst a most happy troupe of blessed Spirits who in like manner hauing now finished the purgatiue paynes were noted with the same candour Whence cleerely appeares how great is the valew and force of the Sacrâ—…d Masse to the cancelling of sinnes to vanquish the aduerse powers and to lead into Heauen the Creatures taken out of the earth and mire or rather from the mouth of Hell it selfe S. Malachy tooke exceeding contentment at so certayne a Deliuery of his Sister and felt no lesse ioy in himselfe for the pious and magnanimous resolution of an Vncle of his The which to the end it may the better be vnderstoood poÌ„dered this it was We must vnderstand that in a place of those parts called Benchor was anciently founded a Monastery by a certayne holy Abbot called Congellus with so prosperous increase as well of meanes as of subiects as that from thence as from a fruitefull Metropolis were sent as it were infinite Colonies into diuers regions And it is a constant rumour that one child only of that Blessed Congregation called Siluanus had planted alone in diuers countryes full a hundred Conuents From thence came also S. Columbanus into France and after into Italy and among other Monasteryes erected that of Laxonium so numerous and frequent as that the Quires succeeding by turnes there was no intermission had from diuine Offices perpetually night or day But that of Benchor as the origin and fouÌ„tayne of all retayned the chiefe dignity vntill such tyme as through the fury of the outragious Free-booters it was wholy destroyed yet withall enriched with a great number of venerable Reliquesâ—… since besids so many other bodyes of Religious Men who there reposed in peace there were by the same Free-booters in one day only marryred and slayne nyne hundred With so cruell a destruction that most noble Seminary though quite extinct yet the inhabitants notwithstanding ceased not successiuely to create by a certayne forme a Secular Abbot who without any thought of Religion attended only to the gathering vp of rents and conuerting them sacrilegiously to his proper vses In this tyme now S. Malachy had an Vncle of whome we spake before who had this rich Abbay in his hands who eyther prickt with a Synderisis or sting of conscience or moued with the Examples and Exhortations of his wise Nephew determined while he had space for holesome pennance not only to quit his hands of such administration but to renounce the world outright and to apply that huge benefice together with his person to diuine worship and to the institutes of S. Malachy who notwithstanding he were vnder the direction of Imarius had now begunne to haue many imitatours and followers The man of God being glad of such a Vocation did voluntarily accept of the care of his Vncle and the plot for some restauration of the building But as one tenacious of the pouerty of Christ would by no meanes admit of the possessions suffering the people to depute another to such affayres The which afterwards as we shall see in its place repayed the beneficence of the diuine man with abominable ingratitude The renuntiation being made in this sort and the possession taken of the holy place S. Malachy by commission of Imarius went thither with ten brothers and some Carpenters and immediately put himselfe to worke Nor was it long ere that in approbation as it were of the enterprize there happened vpon the fact a notable wonder S. Malachy workes a miracle and is made Rectour of the forsayd Abbay with one or two miracles besids Chap. 6. ON a day S. Malachy for the encouragement of others was labouring with his proper hands with great diligence hewing of certayne tymber Now while he stood with the axe suspended in the ayre as ready to giue the stroke behold one of the workemen improuidently putting himselfe betweene the arme of S. Malachy and the axe receyued the whole blow vpon the very ridge of the backe which should haue fallen plumpe vpon the designed â—…biect wheÌ„ presently being depriued of his senses he fell downe â—…r dead At the sight whereof euery one came running in with pitâ—…full cryes The wound was searched and the shirt was found to 〈◊〉 slit from the collar to the reynes but the flesh wholy entire and â—…ot hurt except that only the vpper skinne was only touched so lightly as the marke thereof could hardly be discerned so as the labourer arose suddaynely very ioyfull and lusty with so much the more gladnes of the standers by as more probably it hence was coÌ„â—…uded that their trauayles and paynes as we sayd were gratefull
the quantity and brightnes wherof while S. Antony wondered to the end so betwitching an obiect might not penetrate thâ—… mynd starting away from it as it were from fire he passed on his way with his eyes shut flying through the playnes neuer made stop till he had quite lost the sight of the place When taking some breath renewing his holy purposes againe he arriued at a MouÌ„tayne where was a Castle halfe ruined and inhabited with serpâ—… and hurtfull beasts insteed of men Which at the appearing of the Saint as if they had been chased went headlong away in al post he damming vp the gate with stone tymber remayned within with prouision of bread for six months hauing left order with his friends that twice a yeare for which space and more some Egiptians knew especially the Thebans how to bake breake make it last should supply be made him from tyme to tyme with which sustenance and with a little water only to be had in the same place continued he his admirable sobriety and singular abstinence There came many to visit him while he himself not withstaÌ„ding being shut vp saw them not nor would suffer himselfe to be seen of any and the bread I spake of was let downe to him by certayne holes in the roofe In the meane while his friends attending with great desire at the doore and passing that way many tymes by day and night might heare from tyme to tyme a very great noise within the roome with raylings and outcryes which sayd to him Get you hence out of our house What haue you heere to do in this desert You shall neuer be able to endure our persecutions The friends of S. Antony now hearing such quarrels and menaces without did verily belieue some ill disposed persons and enemies of the Saint had byn gotten in with a ladder from the top but afterwards looking in very curiously through a chincke they caused some to get vpon the roofe and by diligent search they could finally discerne no such matter It was presently knowne that those horrible clamours proceeded from none but infernall spirits Whereupon the poore people being now affrighted began suddenly to call vpon S. Antony by name to craue his succour Whâ—… regarding the good of these more then the menaces of those approching to the doore exhorted theÌ„ with fayre speeches to retire from thence and not to feare since the Deuill is commonly wont if you be fearefull to increase your vaine and needles feares Go home then on Gods name and do you make the signe of the holy Crosse. Go your wayes home I say in the name of the Highest leauâ—… them heere in fine to be illude themselues With this conge the visible friends giue backe and departed thence and he alone remayned behind to stand in contest with the inuisible Enemies although from henceforth in all bickerings he had not much to do with them partly in regard that they through so many losses became continually more weary feeble partly also because he felt himselfe euery day more couragious and stoute being very often comforted with diuine Visitations and with often triumphes ouer his now vanquished Enemyes In the meane time new troupes of people ceased not to resort from Cittyes and Villages to S. Antonyes Cell Who making accompt to haue found him allready dead beyond all hope did heare him sing Exurgat Deus dissipentur inimici eius fugiant qui oderunt eum à faciâ—… eius sicut deficit fumus deficiant sicut fluit cera à facie eius sic pereant peccatores a facie Dei And like wise Omnes gentes circumdederunt me in nomine Domini quia vltus sum in eos With such and other like darts the valourous Champion transfixed so the rebels of Christ as in all the encounters they had euer the worst S. Antony remaynes reclused His fame spreads through all parts whereby many come to renounce the world Chap. 5. IN this manner of inclosure the seruant of God remayned for 20. yeares continually without once seeing to yssue forth or euer being seen of any person Whereupon the fame of S. Antony was so spread and was in so great credit of more then humane vertue as day by day there assembled about him a greater concourse of diuers Nations and conditions of persons then euer Some came with desire to be instructed and trayned vp by him others to be deliuered from the Deuill and from sundry infirmities Others in fine desired to behold such an Hermit as he with their proper eyes and so rare and liuely example of perfection and to speake in a word such an Angell on earth Who by how much more through humility retyred so much greater thirst was excited in men of his conuersation And in briefe the matter went so farre as they being able no longer to endure the expectation pulling a way the obstacles by violency and breaking vpon him with boldnes and reuerence alike they intreated him so much as he was able to resist no longer but forth with he came out of a Sanctuary where he had beene as it were annoynted with the diuine hands consecrated and promoted for the gouernement of soules And it may well be conceyued the while what a plenitude of graet he receiued from Heauen since loc the very same redounding like wise to the body after so many yeares of pennance so great fastings and such meditations combats and vigils appeared to be of so good a coÌ„plexion as if in all that tyme he had attended to his health and had entertayned himselfe in pleasant pastimes With this was matched such a manner of composition modesty and grauity as well beseemed a foster-child of the supreme wisedome and Citizen of the supernall country In such wise as to haue met him after so long a retirement in so great a multitude of men applying themselues to him and euen profuse in his prayses renowne yet should you not haue seene any signe of perturbation in him or of vayne contenâ—…meÌ„t but was alwayes found with Reason in the Sterne most firme constant and equall He had so 〈◊〉 refull serene a couÌ„tenance as all men that looked vpon him were comforted therwith But what shall we say of the other Gifts of the holy Ghost The dispossest of euill Spirits may suffice to winne beliefe the infirme also whome he hath restored And the many besides aflicted and disconsolate through diuers occasions which with sweet efficacious words he hath recomforted How many emnityes and how many strifes hath he reduced to peace and concord He would exhort all with great vehemency of spirit noryâ—… lesse with the weight of reason and examples by no meanes to preferre any wordly thing before the loue of our Lord Iesus And he would also discourse of the future goods and of the excessiue charity of God towards miserable mortals since for their Redemption and Saluation he would not seeme to pardon his owne
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
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
enormous and impious cryme commitâ—…ed the vnhappy wretch beganne to fill the ayre with laments â—…ighes and to lay on most furiously on his cheekes with his fist to curse his temerity which had brought him into those tearmes With this disaster with vncertayne and wandering paces being now come home in this piteous plight and beholding the sayd Pachomius to meet him on the way who had the reuelation of the whole euent falling downe prostrate on the Earth and weeping a mayne he cryed out alowd I haue sinned before God and you holy Father with following my owne will and not obeying your counsayles Then replyed S. Pachomius Get vp poore Wretch thou hast indeed depriued thy selfe of the chiefest good Assuredly the crowne was already prepared for thee Thou wast euen ready to enter into the Catalogue of the glorious Martyrs of Christ and thou willingly hast made thy selfe vnworthy of that blessed fellowship Our Lord was prepared with his Angels to haue enuironed thy head with an immortal Diademe and thou hast renounced the Diuine Maiesty for a moment of life And while thou fearedst the first death which by no meanes shalt thou euer be able to auoyd art thou fallen into the second which shall neuer haue end Where are the words now which thou vtteredst once Where the enflamed desire of suffering Where those so many and so great promises made To this the Wretch could not answere a word nor open his mouth any otherwise then to detest his crime and to confesse himselfe wholy vnworthy of pardon yea now was his affliction passed so farre as he held himselfe altogether vncapable of pennance whereof S. Pachomius being suddaynely aware least 〈◊〉 might cast himself head long into the gulfe of dispayre added thoâ—… for thy part hast not fayled to become the enemy of thy Creatour Lord yet neuertheles so great is that diuine goodnes of his as it iâ—… able to drowne in the Abysses all our sinnes whatsoeuer so that 〈◊〉 our part we dispose our selues with true sorrow and due conâ—…tion to be partakers of his mercies wherefore be thou not dismaiâ—… for yet is there left thee some hope of saluation since the tree though pruned yet springs agayne Go thy wayes then into thy Cell stay there recluded in watching and making thy prayer bewayling bitterly thy great offence For a whole day thou shalt eate nothing after that shalt thou feed of nought els but bread salâ—… and water not to eate of other mens labours thou shalt makâ—… thy two matts a day if thou shalt perseuer in this manner during life I trust in the merits of Christ thou shalt not be excluded from the diuine Clemency From these words it cannot be explicated what comforâ—… this poore soule felt He shuts vp himself then sudeÌ„ly redoubling the labours fasts and macerations of the body gaue himselfe to satisfy what he ought with all the power he was able It is truâ—… indeed that for his spirituall help it was permitted him by the holy Abbot to go forth sometymes to comfort him with Theodore with some other Old men of the perfectest And thus hauing perseuered for the space of ten yeares being surprized at last by a most grieuous infirmity he chaunged the temporall miseryes for the Eternall felicity as S. Pachomius was afterward certifyed from Heauen With whome God was wont to communicate things very far off and hidden and by his meanes to worke other wonderfull effects as by the following Examples we shall see in some part A Woman cured of the bloudy Flux with other Miracles wrought by S. Pachomius Chap. 15. THere was in Tentiri a woman that suffered an incurable flux of bloud She hauing heard the renowne of S. Pachomius his sanctity and not hauing the audacity to deale with such a Father she instantly prayed the Bishop Dionysius that vnder the pretext of some other busines of importance he would procure him to come into the Citty Hauing called him then after prayer being set downe â—…n the Church with him while there they were discoursing with â—…ch other of diuine things the woman by little and little stealing â—…ehind them touched his hood with so much fayth as she suddenly â—…ecouered and feeling her selfe to be wholy deliuered did prostrate â—…er selfe on the ground giuing thankes to the diuine Mercy S. Paâ—…homius was aware of the practice had with him by the Bishop giuing his benediction to the woman without more ado returned â—…ack agayne to his Connent There hath beene already mention made of a certaine Monke of great fame whose name was Ionas being the Gardiner of the Moâ—…astery of Muchosa Now S. Pachomius being gone to visit the same Monastery at his entry thither espyed some young Nouices that â—…ecretly had climbed vp a fig-tree which was very high for to gaâ—…her of the fruit to eate them without any leaue When the Saintâ—…pproching â—…pproching nearer perceiuing a deuil sitting on the top of the tree â—…he expert Phisitian of soules knew it presently to be the vncleane â—…pirit of Gluttony the familiar enemy impostour of that greener â—…ge calling for Ionas without delay appointed him to cut downe â—…hat tree since it stood not well within the cloysters and did afford â—…ut matter of temptation to those who were not yet so well rooâ—…ed in vertue Ionas was sad thereat and answered Noe for Gods sake Father since euery yeare it brings vs forth no little fruite Then S. Pachomius not to seeme to disgust the good Old man whose goodnes otherwise he well knew held his peace But the day after behold how the Tree was withered so as there was â—…eyther fruite nor leafe which was not dead thereupon a thing so much more admirable as the fig-tree of its nature is more humid â—…nd more repugnant to aridity Whereupon Ionas comprehending â—…he vertue and heauenly grace of the Saint was very sory for not hauing obeyed him with all dexterity On a day as he was making an exhortation to his Monks according to custome he was suddainely eleuated in spirit and being a while in that manner he afterwards whispered in the eares of the vicar Go your wayes into that next cell and see what such a Monke is doing since insteed of attending to the word of God he lyes sleeping the while exposed to the â—…ares of the Enemy who seekes nothing else but to draw him into â—…erdition and the world The vicar went thither and found him â—…ery drowzy indeed And a little after notwithstanding they aduises of the blessed Pachomius though his negligence the miserâ—… Wretch forsooke the Religion Another being now brought into the extremity of sicknesse iâ—… the Monafâ—…ery of Cheneboscus and desiring before he closed his eyâ—… to comfort himselfe with the sight of S. Pachomius and to haue 〈◊〉 holy Benediction he sent to him to beseech him that he would 〈◊〉 pleased to come vnto him At the newes whereof the amouroâ—… Father very suddenly puts himselfe
while laying hold of the Psalter â—…egan to read the first verse as it lay before him being iust that same of the 8. psalme which saith Ex ore infantium lactentium perfecisti â—…udeÌ„ propter inimicos tuos vt destruas inimicum defensoreÌ„ the last word 〈◊〉 that Text being so translated insteed of vltâ—…rem At which word â—…o pronounced was lifted immediately a cry of the people vnto â—…eauen to the extreme confusion shame of the aduersary and S. Martin with out more resistance of any besides himselfe was elected â—…r rather forcibly constrayned to the Bishopricke In which administration it may not easily be explicated how fully or rather suâ—…er aboundantly he gaue correspondency to the full expectation which was had of him forasmuch as being disposed to that degree with the exquisite addresses of a most chast mynd in the sacred Vnâ—…ion besids he receyued so great aboundance of new graces and gifts of Heauen as continually outstripping himselfe he reteyned â—…oth the vertue of a priuate person further added to his singular prayse all the good qualtyes of a publique man S. Martin retires himselfe out of the Towne with his Monkes and their manner of liuing there Chap. 6. SAint Martin in the treating of his owne person would change nothing of his wonted manner his fare and apparell was still the same as before for habitation only he betooke himselfe into a litle Cell hard by the Cathedrall Church but euen likewise from thence through too much importunity of frequent Visits he suddenly retyred himselfe out of the Citty into a maruey lous commodious place to distribute his tymes vnto Martha and Mary since it was about two miles distant from the Towne On the one side it was girt in with a high in accessable rock on the other enuironed with the riuer Loyre in so much as there could be no entrance therinto but by a narrow path Within that enclosure S. Marâ—… had built him a litle Cell of boards a part of his Monkes who were some eighty in number had done the like and some agayne with instruments had digged them in the rocky hill certayne receptacles but narrow and more fit to medicate vpon Death then to coâ—… life withall Heere no man held any thing proper to himselfe all thingâ—… were in common To buy or sel was not there permitted To no manner of art applyed they themselues but to writing and to the only were the yoâ—…ger deputed Those of the more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 attended as it were to nothing els then to things diuine Very râ—…rely went any out of his Cell but when they all assembled togâ—…ther in the Oratory to pacify God besides they did eate all togâ—…ther in the Euening Wine was not affoarded to any except to 〈◊〉 sicke The greaâ—… part would be wearing of cilices clothes whiâ—… had any fineâ—…â—…sse in them were abhorred of â—…ch one 〈◊〉 manifest scandall A thing so much more admirable as many 〈◊〉 them were Noble of bloud and dainetily bred But for the louâ—…d Christ and the Crosse they did all very voluntarily submit themâ—…ues to such a peâ—…ance Of which number afterwards were many of them seen to be Bishops while Ciâ—…ties striued to be gouerned 〈◊〉 spirit by the Children of such a discipline Nor could it be oâ—… wise but needâ—… must succeed very excellent men vnder S. Mâ—… because not only with aduises and words went he alwayes 〈◊〉 them but euen with workes and liuely incitements also of all pâ—…fection and especially sincere humility togeather with an ardent â—…oue of the Neighbour Sulpitius Seueras declared who liued in those tymes knowing the Saint domestically as he did very diligently wrote his life how that going sometimes to visit him from countryes somewhâ—… remote he could neuer hinder him from washing his feet and â—…ing to sit downe at table from reaching him water as well â—…t his hands as for those of his fellowes The same man adds how after he had fed the bodyes of his ghests with moderate victâ—… 〈◊〉 would be afterwards affoarding them a most sweet food of â—…tuall discourses for their soules exhorting them with like modesty and efficacy to nothing more then to fly the sensualityes of the present life and to leaue the perilous trash of the world to be able tâ—… more â—…imbly and free to follow Iesus And to this purpose he would set before them the fresh example of S. Pâ—… Bishop of Nâ—…a who after he had distributed very â—…mple 〈◊〉 â—…or the loue of God and help of the poore did finally with an example of Christian piety neuer heard of before sell himselfe into a most cruell bondage for the ransome of his subiects who were held in Affricke slaues to the Saracens With such manner â—…f comparisons as this and moreouer with precepts taken out of the â—…red Writ went S. Martin exciting in spirit as many as came beâ—…re him Nor was it any great matter for him that he should haue 〈◊〉 much to giue to others who so continually treasured vp for himself remayning euen amidst exteriour actioÌ„s alwayes with the hart 〈◊〉 vnited with God as neyther in words nor deeds he would euer â—…o forth of his presence And as Smithes without other matter to worke on through vse for their pleasure only will sometymes â—…e laying on the anuile so S. Martyn not only in the tymes depuâ—…d to the Sacrifice and diuine worship but likewise at all houres â—…sides would eyther read or write or be dealing with men and â—…hrough the great habit he had gotten he would be continually â—…collected in the interious man conuersing sweetly with the heaâ—…enly Spouse and with the giuer of all Graces He would neuer loose tyme in the day and whole nights he would often passe ouer in labours and watchings To the body â—…e gaue that refection and that repose which extreme necessity reâ—…uired lying on the bare ground couered only with a sharp cilice He tooke heed with all caution from iudging the intentions of oâ—…ers interpreting what he could ech thing to the better part and â—…wayes very highly esteeming the reputation fame of the neighâ—…our the iniuryes detractions the enuyes of Persecutours which 〈◊〉 the whole course of his life were not wanting to him he would â—…compence with weeping bitterly for their offences and also as â—…ccasion serued with affording them benefits seruing them not â—…xcluding any what lay in him from his holy freindship He was â—…euer seen to laugh vainely or to be contristate at any thing conâ—…ruing alwayes the same tranquility of hart and serenity of counteâ—…ance amidst al the varietyes of human accidents eyther prosperous â—…nd cheerefull or how straung and aduerse soeuer they were Wherof those few actions which we shall tell you anon shall giue â—…rth a very euident testimony though in ech one of these preciâ—…s examples do shine withall as often it happens many other verâ—…es besides S. Martyn is much honoured by a miracle from God for a charitable
reâ—…yred herselfe from him Nor with words only shewed he forth the high opinion he had framed of her but with facts also forasmuch as she afterward in the Euening hauing sent him certayne presents of refection and refreshment S. Martin who in his whole visit till that tyme had neuer accepted of any thing which was offered him yet of what the Virgin sent him he refused iâ—… not 〈◊〉 ledging it was not â—…itting for a Priest to refuse the benedictâ—… 〈◊〉 her who deserued to be preferred before many Priests With such like words and workes from tyme to tyme gâ—… S. Martin euident signes of a full victory gotten ouer his passions of the peacefull possession he maintayned in himselfe But in regard some will say perhaps how these manner of prayses are 〈◊〉 mon also with priuate persons let vs come to the proper 〈◊〉 of a true Prelate and Apostolicall Guardian Among which it seemes that the zeale of the holy and orthodoxe fayth and of 〈◊〉 sincere worship of God doth hoâ—…d the first place For whose conseruation S. Martyn was alwayes wonderfully sollicitous and vigilant keeping himselfe and all all his flocke from euery leâ—… contagion oâ—… Heretiques or of others seuered from the Roman Sâ—… Heer with did burne in his breast an inextinguishable thirst to â—…state and propagate the Christian verity on euery side and pâ—… ticularly in the neighbour parts where it seemed to him an inâ—…lerable thing that any relique of Paganisme should yet be extaâ—… He endeauoured then maynly to extinguish the same and Almigâ—…ty God most commonly for his part with a powerfull hand 〈◊〉 stupendious workes concurred thereunto S. Martin restores a Womans sonne from Death to life with other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thinges Chap. 11. SAint Martin on a tyme going by occasion of the diuine serâ—… to the Citty of Chaâ—…es chanced to passe through a Village 〈◊〉 Gentils who at the fame of the Saint going forth of the Towâ—… put themselues in the high way to behold him and at the same â—…mour concurred so great a multitude of the neighbour countries 〈◊〉 all that playne was seene to be couered with an infinite people 〈◊〉 the fight of which sheep for that the most were led astray the 〈◊〉 Bishop sighing and eleuated in spirit beginnes to preach to theâ—… 〈◊〉 word of God and to inuite them to eternall saluation and that wiâ—… such a feeling and with such a voyce action as doubtles seemâ—… to them some what more then humane Now while he thus discoursed it pleased our Lord that a Woman whose only Sonne was dead at that tyme comming beâ—… him with hands lifted vp presented him to the blessed S. 〈◊〉 saying we vnderstand that thou art the friend of God restore me â—…y Sonne which is the only Child I haue To the prayers of the â—…us Mother were added the fighes and intercessions of the â—…tanders by So as S. Martyn perceyuing how for the conuersion of that people some miracle were fit lifting vp his eyes and mind â—…o Heauen and conceiuing therice an vndoubted certaynty of the â—…iuine ayde he tooke the body in his armes and in the presence â—…f all put himselfe on his knees and after a little space the party â—…rose vp and so restored the child reuiued to the Mother astoniâ—…hed and almost besides herselfe for ioy whereupon a cry was lifâ—…ed vp to the starres and all these people confessing Christ for true God began in troupes with great vehemency to runne after S. Marâ—…in most instantly intreating him to make them Christians And he â—…ull of iubiley lifting vp his hands ouer them made them Catheâ—…mens all at once giuing order besids that they might be instruâ—…ted affirming it not vnfit to make Cathecumens in the open â—…ields since in fields in like manner haue Martyrs beene consecrated With this manner of purchase our S. Martin reioyced much more then with the increase of rents or tytles and not onely from manners and minds of persons but euen from their memoâ—…y also and eyes endeauoured he to take away all apparence of â—…rofane Centill worship nor were the difficulties of the enterâ—…rise nor magnificence of Antiquityes able to diuert him from it In the Castle of Ambatia was a Tower of pollished stones heertoâ—…ore dedicated to a false God which from the solid and spacious â—…oundations aâ—…sing more and more came at the top to finish in â—…me of a Pine-aple a worke both of art and cost alike and not â—…nly curious to behold but also very firme and durable Now the holy Bishop hauing appointed Marcelluâ—… a Priest â—…here dwelling by all meanes to destroy such an abhomination â—…ter some tyme finding the same as yet on foote repâ—…ded his â—…cknes But Marcelluâ—… excusing himselfe with the difficulty therof â—…or that the making was such as hardly would an Army be able to demolish it much lesse a small number of Clerks or feeble Monks which liued with him S. Martin without more reply hauing reâ—…ourse to his wonted tacklings spent all that night and morning â—…n prayer When behold on a suden a vehement tempest of winds â—…ightning and thunder impetuously smiting the building fetcht 〈◊〉 vp by the ground and layd it flat on the Earth In another place stood a pillar of an vnmeasurable greatâ—… on the top whereof was an Idoll And S. Martyn being not able to endure so great an offence of the true God determined by 〈◊〉 meanes to leuell it with the ground but not finding commodity eyther of Masons or instruments to affect it he craued likewise the diuine succour with so much ardour and such efficacy withall 〈◊〉 the prayer being ended the effect very sudenly followed because that in the sight-of-all the standers by these appeared from Heauen another Pillar no lesse then that which descended with such a force vpon it as reduced it into dust together with the Idol How S. Martyn by the signe of the Crosse escaped Death And how the peopâ—… were conuerted thereupon to the Fayth of Christ. Chap. 12. SAINT Martin in a certaine Bourge of the Infidels hauing 〈◊〉 stroyed their Temple would needs presently vpon it coÌ„maund a tall Pine-tree there that was consecrated to the Deuill to be felled to the ground But the Country-people who through the diuine will had beene quiet at the one very tumultuously afterwards opposed themselues to the other S. Martin endeauoured to pacify thâ—… blind people what he could to make them capable of the Truâ—… shewing by diuers reasons how one sole God was the Maker of euery thing and that to him was due from the rationall creature all honour oblation and Sacrifice and not to the Angels thurst oâ—… of Paradise deceiptfull and proud whome hitherto they had miserably serued and went prouing withall how in that Truâ—… could be no matter worthy of veneration at all Now while he wâ—… preaching in this sort with great charity one of those Pagans more impudent and more saucy then the rest lifting vp his voyce sayd to him
the one with the basenes of the other and shewing himselfe alwayes as might be equall or rather inferiour to his companions And these rules he did keep in thinges which were imposed by the Superiours either to him in particuler or to the Conuent in generall But when the ministery was not common and the obedience exacted no corporall application then S. Bernard being abstracted from visible thing he would be so absorpt in the attention of the mind as in him all operation and all sensitiue memory as it were seemed quite to be extinct To which purpose are recounted two notable examples The one that he hauing as it were all day trauayled along the Lake of Losana and his companions at night discoursing therof he demanded of them very seriously what Lake was that they talked of The other example was that he being to visit the Monkes of Chertosa there was brought him in hast by a stranger or secular a steed well appoynted and hansomly furnished wheron the holy man being mounted and come to the Charter-house was hardly wellcome and intreated with much reuerence by the seruants of God who remayned all exceedingly edifyed with their ghest faue only with the furniture of his horse while to them it seemed such quaintnes therein gaue no good odour of pouerty so as the Prior himselfe could not hold but must needes breake a iest thereupon to one of S Bernards companions who with religious zeale soone told it to the Father and he turning himselfe on the one side to the Priour and on the other to the horse made shew with great sincerity also himselfe to wonder at such trappings ingenuously confessing he neuer had perceaued the same At which wordes the good Priour in a manner remayned confounded for hauing himselfe at first sight noted a thing which the other well mortifyed in the sense of the eyes and attentiue to the interiour could not once discerne in so great a iourney and space of tyme. Besides which the diuine man not only in commodious and easy things but euen likewise in publique mortifications was farre off from all manner of noueltyes in so much as hauing for some yeares very secretly worne a cilice being an austerity not commaunded by the institute and the same by accident being discouered he layd it suddenly aside not to seeme singular to men or eminent among others And this was also the occasion that howbeit pouerty was euer grateful to him yet shūned he as much to be wholy careles of the exteriour habit and to seeme vncleanely which in a manner is wont to turne away mens eyes from one The very same may be sayd of the Saints learning and grauer studyes He was wont in the fields and woods treating with himselfe and God only to receiue frequent lights from heauen and in prayer and meditation to penetrate the highest Misteryes of Diuinity Whence to his more confident and dearest freindes with a religious iest he affirmed sometymes he neuer had other Maysters then Beeches and Oakes Neuerthelesse that the world might not thinke he had been taught miraculously he fayled not to read and read ouer agayne whole bookes at tymes and in the very reading was accustomed with particuler delight and profit of spirit to stick vpon the text and words of the sacred Scripture with leasure ruminating vpon them and therewith deducing rare and strange conceipts and therewith afterwardes helping himselfe with that copy elegancy and dexterity as his diuine treatises discourses shew And notwithstanding with much humility also he would consider the studyes and interpretations of the Fathers and Catholique doctours not comparing euer his opinion with theirs but the Monkes her brethren especially the Abbot whose most excellent vertues so rung in the eares of men Putting herselfe then in order with a greattrayne of seruants and ostentatiō of apparell and iewells all gorgeous and glorious she went to Clareuallis but had a farre different welcome from that she expected For that S. Bernard vnderstanding the gallantry and pompe wherewith she came being all enframed with zeale sayd this snare of the diuel this ruyne of soules shall not come in my sight Andrew being one of the yonger brothers then at the gate of the Monastery seeing his sister so braue and gorgeously attired with a seuere looke and bitter voyce stuckeno◅ to call her among other things A painted sepulcher the others through the example of S. Bernard remayned retired and hid from such aspectacle Wherupon the poore wretch compunct and wholy confounded melted in teares answered sighing deepely from her hart Though I be a sinner yet Christ he dyed for such because I acknowledge my selfe to be miserable I doe therefore approach vnto the good for helpe and counsayle if my brother despise my flesh let not the seruant of God y◅ abhorre my soule Let him come then and commaund me for I am ready to execute whatsoeuer he shall appoint me The Saint laying hold of such a promise fayled not to come forth vnto her And since it was not in his power to part her from her husband at least he aduised her of the daunger she was in by following so her senses and exhorted her that abandoning those vanityes while tyme yet serued she should attend to do pennanc◅ and in summe she should set continually before hereyes for glasse and patterne the life and manners of Aletta their Mother since she had liued with her some while and that she must needs remember her very well The wordes of the seruant of God were of no light moment they enkindled in that breast as in a solid and substantiall matter so tenacious and burning a fire of Charity as returning home not without the astonishement of as many as knew her she cha◅ged her manners on a sudden and the whole care of the body she turned to the dressing of the mind she likewise her selfe attending to watchinges prayers fasts and almes and that not for a few dayes only as commonly is wont but with such constancy and longanimity as that her husband himselfe now holding her in veneration and not daring to hinder the course of so great vertues at the end of two yeares giue her leaue to retire and consecrate her selfe in the Monastery of Villeo whereof we haue made some mention aboue Where the happy woman liuing to the last with exceeding edification shewed her selfe to be not vnworthy either of the blessed stocke she came of nor of the happy braunches that encompassed her round about The strange vocations of diuers persons of seuerall conditions and state to Religion by the meanes of S. Bernard Chap. 8. IN the meane tyme the Cistercian family according to the visions made a notable increase and multiplyed in such manner as in the space of few yeares there was plenty of them through diuers Kingdomes and Prouinces And now at this tyme the resolution of such as tooke the habit grew not as sometymes it happens through temporal necessities or humane
side expecting a ship to passe ouer the ship came approached to him but being to leape therinto it suddenly gaue backe so did it thrice togeather and at last leauing him on the shore it went away without returning any more so as S. Bernard easily gathered that the houre of his passage was not yet come notwithstanding his dolours continued so much more sharp and irksome as he had lesse hope to be hastily rid thereof Now it happened in the euening that all the other Monkes going according to custome to the lesson which was made of the collations of the ancient Fathers the two only assistants of the Abbot remayned there and he being continually more afflicted and tormented with the malady bad one of them to go into the Church to pray for him There were three Altars in the sayd Church one of the Blessed Virgin and at the sides thereof two others to wit of S. Laurence and of S. Benet making prayer then at all three euen at the instant the glorious Mother of God accompanyed with those two Saints with such a suauity and serenity as may rather be imagined then described entred into â—…e sicke mans Cell so manifestly as he with full and perfect knowledge could easily distinguish ech person Thence she approaching to him and touching softy all the places of the paines immediatly all malignant qualityes vanished that rhew matique spring in the same moment being quite dyed vp whence grew the dolours Diuers examples where S. Bernard in his life tyme appeared to many remayning in places farre remote Chap. 24. THe foresayd apparitions were made by others vnto S. Bernard now follow some of him to others of which number one was to brother Robert of the order of Cisterce This man at such tyme as the venerable Abbot remayned in the Citty of Rome fell deadly sick at Clareuallis In that state appeared to him a yonge man like to the infirmarian commaunding him to goe along with him and so doing he was streight conducted to the top of a high mountayne where Christ was encompassed round with Angells who sayd to his guide looke well to that man there and withall he put a message into the sickmans hart to deliuer the Conuent of Clareuallis The morning being come he sits vpright in his bed whome euery one held to be quite dead and calling for Don Gaudfrid as then Priour that was afterwardes Bishop of Langres among other things sayd cleerely to him Our Lord commaunds you to erect great buildings to contayne the multitude of people which he is to send you and for the same end giue order that our Brothers who haue care of the possessions and tenements be mindfull of modesty and endeauour to giue good example to seculars for wo be to him through whose default any one should come to fall From hence twenty dayes being passed the sicke man still remayning quite forsaken of the Phisitians S. Bernard appeared to him in his cell in spirit paternally visiting him sung there the mattyns with a good number of brothers and passed all that night with him and the morning being come Robert without any more adoe arose vp sound and faithfully recounted the manner how he escaped so great a daunger A notable euent surely but this other is no lesse worthy of memory The seruant of God lay sicke in Clareuallis more worne and decayd with labours and infirmityes then yeares how beyt he ceased not to attend to the gouernement of his Monkes and to feed them with the word of God and to rise likewise euery day to celebrate Masse which he neuer omitted but of meere necessity reuiuing his afflicted members with the feruour of spirit In this while it so happened that he was fayne to send some person of quality into some more remote parts of Germany about matters of importance For which enterprise a German Monke was elected by name Henry whom with many other subiects the same holy Father some six yeares before in his returne from Constance had induced to the diuine seruice This man entring into so long a voyage especially in the midst of winter as one with reason indeed feared many disasters and aboue all he doubted least the venerable Abbot might come to dye in the meane tyme and he remayne defrauded and depriued of his last benediction But the holy Father blessing him for the present and saying Goe thy wayes in Gods name for thou shalt returne safe and shalt further find me as thou desirest and so sent him away full of comfort Being arriued in the territory of Strasburge as he was passing ouer a riuer all frozen with Ice his beast stumbled and he without remedy fell quite ouer head and eares in the water What could the poore wretch doe heere being plundged beneath in the waters aboue couered with Ice both back and sides being dashed with the current He had surely no comfort but meerely the promise of the holy Father by whom indeed he was not deceiued Because in that agony he saw him before him and was so full of consolation withall that now he selt not the violence of the riuer nor any difficulty of breathing nor finally feare nor any manner of disease at all Heereupon forsaking the beast he was on through diuine power he found himselfe to be pushed softly against the streame without any force of his to the same breach which with his fall he had made where taking hold with his hands on the edge of the Ice he escaped he returned very safe and sound to Clareuallis and for a full accomplishment of ioy and contentment had the wished fauour to see his most deere and desired Maister againe to whom he shewed himselfe very gratefull and obsequious not only as long as he liued but euen also after the death of S. Bernard in frequenting his sepulcher and there most deuoutly making his prayers Surely a large matter of discourse for him that would compare this with other such like meruayles But let vs leauing this artificiousnes to Oratours content our selues with the naked simple truth Besides what hath been sayd it is also reported for a thing most certaine that the vigilant Prelate in the gouernement of his order through diuers Monasteryes very farre asunder and remote from him gaue many commissions and precepts of things which through human meanes he could no wayes come to vnderstand in so much as though absent in person notwithstanding as it is read likewise of S. Benet and other seruants of God with the spirit he seemed to be present at the actions and proceedings of his Monkes The which reuelations albeit Deuines ascribe to the gift of Prophecy yet we restrayning the sense of this word and applying it only vnto presage and prediction of future things shall demonstrate that to S. Bernard also among other titles this same so precious a guift was not wanting Some examples of the admirable guift of Prophecy and discretion of spirit in S. Bernard Chap. 25. THat troupe of
deposed some two dayes after his departure with a litle case on his breast wherein the Reliques of S. Thadeus the Apostle were conteyned being sent him that very yeare from ◅rusalem the man of God so ordayning it with hope and intention to be vnited with the Apostle in the day of the Resurrection The mourning and concourse of people at so dolorous a new◅ the preparation of the Exequies which followed the intercessios made at his shrine were a matter more easy for the pious and p◅dent Reader to imagine then for vs to describe The holy Father as his most sweet writinges demonstrate had a perpetuall and most singular deuotion towardes the most blessed Virgin the Mother of God In so much as with reason it is belieued how from that inexhaustible treasure of celestiall riches he drew the talents and graces which made him so graue and composed in his person so acceptable to the diuine Maiesty so helpfull so wise and admirable to the world FINIS S. HVGH THE ARGVMENT PHysitians say Diseases faster grow Whose mouing causes our complexions feed Whome most we trust most dangerous is the Foe Spite is more fell atty◅d in freindships weed And sooner it procures our ouerthrow Then that which doth from open foes proceed For armes or lawes or friends preuent the one The other God himselfe must shield or none More dangerous are allurements which we loue And with our perills do like serpents warme Worldly delights neglecting those aboue Because most present most our soules do harme This I discouering plainely euer stroue To free my selfe and others from the charme Of that Enchauntresse whose endearments bring Eternall griefe paines euer torturing THE LIFE OF S. HVGH BISHOP OF LINCOLNE The Parentage and Minority of S. Hugh with his Vocation entrance into the Charter-house at Grenoble Chap. I. THe blessed Hugh whose life and manners we take in hand was nobly borne in the partes of Burgundy His Father was a valiant Captaine fearing God and liuing well contented with his Pay There was not farre off from a Castle of his a Monastery of Canon-Regulars to whome he was much deuoted Heere as soone as he was depriued of his Wife he placed his sonne who was about some eight yeares old that from his tender yeares vnder spirituall standarts he might accustome himselfe vnto Christian warfarre S. Hugh was very willingly receaued by those good Fathers and put ouer to a venerable old man who was to instruct him in learning and religious discipline This man with a reuerent grauity first premonished him to beware of licencious light sports and to endeauour to anticipate the benefit of tyme with maturity of manners and sometymes would say vnto him Hugh I trayne thee vp for Christ these sportes become thee not And his admonitiōs were not in vaine the holy Ghost found such disposition in him of wit and purity as he was soone replenished with wisedome and vnderstanding whence in short tyme he came to be very gratefull to God and most deare to men In the meane while the Knight his Father touched with heauenly inspiration leauing the world retyred himselfe into the same Monastery and there attended to the seruice of God vnto his liues end But S. Hugh as soone as he arriued to the nineteenth yeare of his age at the instance of the whole Conuent hauing taken all the holy Orders except Priesthood was applyed by Superiours to the help of a certaine Parish in which office he bare himselfe in such sort as euery one framed a high conceit of his sanctity prudence but our Lord willing to lead him to a life of stricter obseruance of greater merit disposed that his Priour going for deuotion as he was wont to visit the Charter-house of Grenoble tooke S. Hugh in his company who making his prayer and now entred in the Cloister in beholding partly the solitude and silence partly also the semblance and manners of the Monkes felt immediatly such an ardent desire of passing vnto the same Rule to enkingle in his breast as not being able by any meanes to conceale or endure the flame he began presently to make secret practises and to intreate the Fathers one by one to vouchsafe to admit him into their Institute His Priour was aware heereof and calling him aside with dolourous sighes and teares in his eyes O my beloued Sonne sayd he I see well now and perceaue too well I haue brought thee hither to my great mishap and the irreparable losse of my whole flocke And as soone as they returned home againe he discouered all to the Chanons and especially to the Father of S. Hugh intreating him with great feeling to put some remedy to so great a crosse This being once vnderstood they runne presently to the younge man and more fully informed themselues of the nouelty from his owne mouth and finally pressed him so hard as they made him to promise with an Oath that he would not forsake them To which purpose by how much S. Hugh condescended against his will so much more troublesome and sharpe prickes of conscience and scuples felt he in himself on the one side the touches of a more high vocation ceased not to molest him and with reason feared he to constrist are the holy Ghost in resisting so on the other he was opposed against by fraternall charity and the promise he had made with an oath S. Hugh being assaulted a good while with this contrariety of spirits after many prayers and considerations was satisfyed at last that he was not tyed to the obseruance of his word and promise which hindered him from the greater seruice of God and his own perfection With this resolution being now returned very quiet againe to the Charter-house he did so efficaciously a new expresse his desires as those Religious men admiring so constant a teruour of his without more delay admitted him S. Hugh is made Priest then Procuratour of the house of Grenoble and lastly sent for into England by the King there Chap. 2. THe souldier of Christ being now entred into a new warre beginnes to feele new battailes all which notwithstanding through diuine succour to him were a subiect to him of glorious triumphes Especially he was molested day and night by the concupiscible part neuerthelesse to conserue his Virginity he ceased not to macerate his flesh with abstinences vigils scourges other mortifications yet sometymes refreshed with consolations againe and with heauenly sweetnes with which meanes and with humble and continuall prayer at last the fiery shafts of the enemy were quite extinguished A midst these labours the tyme of Priesthood approaching a venerable old man whome S. Hugh according to the custome of the Order through charity submission deuoutly serued demanded of him if he were willing to be a Priest or no! Whereunto he hauing sincerely answered that for his part there was nothing in the world he desired more to whome the old man replying with a seuere countenance And how
darest thou aspire to a degree whereto none how holy soeuer but through constraine is worthily aduanced At this reprehension S. Hugh being terrifyed falling flat on the ground with teares in his eyes suddenly craued pardon at which humility of his the Maister being tender and touched with the spirit of prophecy sayd Rise vp my sonne rise vp do not trouble thy selfe I know very well with what effect and with what intention thou vtteredst such wordes and I tell thee moreouer and affirme it to thee without all doubt that ere long thou shalt be a Priest and within a certaine tyme after shalt thou be a Bishop also At which presage of his the good disciple ful of blushing and confusion held his peace and a little after being promoted to the dignity of the Altar prepared himselfe with most exact diligence to the sacrifice and with the same continuing to celebrate not only slackened not but augmented his spirituall exercises and his accustomed mortifications whence he tooke such a weaknes of stomacke as euer after afflicted him sorely for the obligation of the rule and the publike assemblies of the Quire the Chapter and the like was he euer the first endeauouring in all thinges yea euen in the least to edify as many as conuersed with him In this manner hauing passed in his priuate Cell and priestly ministery about ten yeares the principall Procuratourship of the house being a charge amongst those Religious of no light importance was by Superiours imposed vpon him and which to S. Hugh layd open a new field to exercise his excellent Vertues in Because he vnderstanding very well how from his care and vigilancy depended the Religious quiet and contemplatiue life of the others abandoning quite for the loue of Christ his owne consolations attended with extraordinary care vnto all the partes of Oeconomy and of a perfect Steward making prouisions in good tymes preuenting the necessityes of euery one and especially of the sicke surueying and reuiewing the accounts of the Officialls and Factours improuing continually the possessions defending and conseruing the rights and rents and all in such manner and with that maturity as well gaue the world to vnderstand how farre he was from all particuler interest For these so rare qualityes in short tyme his fame was spread euen to the remotest Countreyes and Henry the second King of England who in those dayes was vpon founding a Monastery of Carthusians at VVhitam through the ill condition of that neighbourhood could not bring the matter to any good passe after he had with small fruite applyed two Priours of the Order vpon the enterprise being finally moued with the constant relation of the worth and sanctity of S. Hugh not fayled to send in post to that end very honourable personages to the aforesayd Charterhouse of Grenoble and among them Reginald Bishop of Bath to require him for this office To which purpose those Fathers being assembled togeather there followed an earnest dispute among them while to some it seemed not iust or reasonable for any ones sake whosoeuer to depriue their owne house of so firme a propp others iudging on the contrary with liuely reasons demonstrating how it became not Christian charity and the Euangelicall profession to haue the eye fixed vpon the commodityes only of one family and to keep that vertue enclosed in so little a space which might be extended for the benefit and saluation of foraine nations with the great augmentation of the diuine glory Among such contentions had for a while to and fro of no light moment that Part preuayled at last which would the publike and vniuersall should be preferred before the priuate and that they ought not with so harsh a repulse prouoke the displeasure of so great a King In this manner S. Hugh being otherwise an enemy to Prelacy and who protested himselfe to be wholy insufficient for such a charge was by Superiours constrained to take it vpon him and not without much teares departing from his deere Cloister in company of the sayd Embassadours he arriued sale sound at the coasts of England From thence without going to the Court trauayling by the neerest way to VVhittam the first thing he endeauoured to do was with a cheerfull countenance and with fit exhortations to comfort those few afflicted Monks whom he found there and being afterwards sent for by letters vnto the Kings prefence through diuine fauour he had such grace in the eyes of that Maiesty as that after diuers discourses thereof he brought away both for the present and future necessities a very large prouision of all thinges and besides could tell how to vse such dexterity with that people and so to purchase their loue and good opinion as that from harsh contumacious and froward in short tyme they became very gentle obedient and tractable whereby very easily both the Church became more enriched through diuine offices the house to be the better accommodated for the sustentation of the Monkes and for the splendour and ornament of the place the fabricque to be finished while S. Hugh laboured thereat with his owne handes and carrying for example and publique edification stones morter on his shoulders in so much as many seculars being inuited partly by his sweet and sanctifyed manners partly also through a gust of a retyred life and of the commodity of the buildings there abandoning the cares of the world and renouncing the proper liberty came thither to consecrate themselues vnto God by vow to oblige themselues vnto monasticall discipline The King with his whole army at Sea is deliuered by commending himselfe to the prayers of S. Hugh Chap. 3. THe king of England tooke no small cōfort at these proceedings he reioyced much in that he was not deceiued awhit in his iudgment in the election of such a one And as he was a wise and prudent King hauing very often familiar and long discourses with the Priour the more he diued into him the greater esteeme made he not only of his prudence but of his piety and perfection also holding it a great happynes to haue such a man in his Kingdome and placing a good part of his hopes in his deuout intercessions suffrages as among other tymes he cleerely shewed when as returning with a great Army from the enterprize of France he was suddenly assayled with so cruell a tempest as the fury of the winds illuding all the art of the Mariners they all betooke themselues as many as were with him according to custome to vowes and prayers and the King notwithstanding perceauing the waues to grow more rough brake forth at last into these words O if my good Hugh of the Charter-howse were now aware of this would make feruēt prayer for vs as he was wont the diuine mercy would not be so slow to our succour And a little after with other sighes he gaue not ouer but added O blessed God whom the Priour of VVhittam truly serues vouchsafe