in a solitary course of life so that I may be also skilfull in the study of heavenly matters whereunto all these Sciences and gifts are but servants and subalternate which words the Father of this Damascen grieved at being loth to lose such an able man whom he so loved yet because he would not seeme so to requite his pains for his sonnes tuition gave him a large reward at his farwell and so dismissed him in peace so he going to Laura a solitary place spent the remainder of his life in heavenly meditations and in fulnesse of dayes dyed and so did Damascens Father likewise his Father being dead the Prince of the Saracens called this Iohn to possesse his Fathers place which hee at first refused but it was imposed upon him which hee administred with singular fidelity Hee lost his right hand which was cut off by the policy of the exhibition of certain fained Letters which were shewed and read to the Emperour Leo Isauricus that if it pleased him to come with an Army into those parts hee would procure him the City of Damascus to be yeelded to him he having as he said almost all the rule and preheminence in those parts Leo receving the letters sent one presently backe unto the Prince of the Saracens wherein he signified how farre it was from his thoughts to make any hostile invasion into his Dâ—minions though hee had faire hopes of successe by such a mans promise to assist and direct him Hereupon Damascen was presently sent for by the Prince and the Letters were shewed to him he wondred at the matter and said the hand-written was some thing like to his but for the fact or intention hee never harboured such an one in his soule but the Prince being inraged commanded his right hand to be cut off which was as my author relates restored to him againe to convince by this wonderfull act the heart of the incensed Prince and to manifest to all men the innocencie of this Iohn it wrought so effectually that hee had all his Offices and preferments bestowed on him againe but hee intended another course for hee desired the Prince to acquit him of all his places and to give him leave to live retiredly after much debate the Prince yeelded and so immediatly this Iohn did sell all his goods except such as hee gave to his Kindred for the avoiding of suites and strifes and made distribution to the poore And so going to Hierusalem hee went to be admitted into the same Monastery into which Cosmas had beene before whither comming the President of the place finding him to bee full fraught with all sorts of learning appointed a famous member of that Societie to be his Instructour in the study of Gods Word but hee as also a second and third refused it holding themselves not able to teach such a learned man the fourth takes him into charge and gives him precepts and rules both how to order his body and soule to whom this Iohn perceiving his directions to be sweet and wholsome gave speciall obedience and singular respect though afterwards hee was by his said Master ejected out of the Monastery for a matter of disobedience but by his sorrow and submission hee was restored hee was full of Divine Hymnes and having by Gods blessing gained much in the knowledge of Gods Word he was by the Governour of the Church of Hierusalem ordain'd a Priest who having that charge laid on him hee did with great care and pâ—ety undergo it so that it is said of him to his eternall praise Cum religiosae vitae curriculum confeâ—isset c. that is when hee had consummated the course of a religious life when he had kept the Faith or as my Authour speaks when hee had propagated the faith in his Sermons when hee had graced it with his Writings hee was after much labour and travell cald to rest His prayses are large which are afforded him they stile him pietatis Athâ—etam Ecclesiae ornamentum veritatis ducem certatorem religiosae vitae cultorem dogmatum peritum insipientes sapientia instruentem prophanorum institutorem that is the Champion of Pietie the Churches ornament the Captain for Truth the imbracer of a religious life skilfull in his doctrines instructing the unlearned in Wisdome reducing the prophane to Holinesse Suidas speaks thus of him Iohannes Damascenus sirnamed Mansur was a most eloquent man behinde none of his time for various learning His Works are many and those accurate he was so skillfull in Musique that none ever did or will parallel him Trithemius terms him Virum sanctum doctum A learned and holy man of life of whom there are wonderfull things reported for his doctrine and sincerity of life Hee writ divinely many things in Greeke in Constantinople hee was highly esteemed hee brought many from sin and impiety to embrace the truth Hee was a stout Antagonist against Heretikes Hee flourished under Theodosius that worthy Emperour in the yeere of Christs Incarnation 731. Damascen his Sayings If therefore there be no Resurrection there is no God nor any providence but all things are governed by chance and fortune For we see that the just are in necessity and do suffer injurie but sinners and the unjust have abundance of riches and pleasures but who shall imagine that this is not the worke of a just judgement and wise providence therefore there shall be a resurrection for God is just and of those that trust in him is a mercifull rewarder Worldly wisdome is to disguise and cover the heart to dissemble in words to make falshood appeare truth and to make truth appeare falshood this wisdome young men learne by experience those that know it grow proud and despise others those that know it not are subject fearful and admire it in others being obey'd it maketh men climbe to the highest degree of Honour being gotten it commandeth men to rejoyce in the vanity of temporall honour to requiâ—e wrongs with advantage and having power to yield to no opposition and being destitute of ability to expresse malice to counterfeit a peaceable goodnesse of disposition An Angell is an intellectuall substance always moveable free incorporeall ministring to God by Grace not nature and immortall whose specificall kind of substance is knowne onely to the Creatour The Name of Christ doth expresse the unity of person in two natures it expresses also his Regall dignitie and fulnesse of grace by the prerogative of anointing I have here placed his Works as they are set downe in the Parisian Edition 1619. 1 Of Parallells three books 2 Of the Orthodoxe Faith foure books 3 Of some who have died in the faith 4 A speech of Christs Transfiguration 5 Of the birth of the blessed Virgin 6 Of her Assumption 7 Divine Iambiâ—kes Greek and Latine 8 Various Hymnes 9 Damascens Logick 10 Institutions of Decrees 11 Physicks 12 Of Heresies 13 A Dialogue against the Manichees 14 Of Nature 15 A learned Epistle
Beda Dei famulus Presbyter Monasterii Apostolor Petri Pauli quod est ad Wirimudam Ingiruam c. omnem meditandis scripturis operam dedi Hee was sent for to Rome by Pope Sergius that he might discourse with him Bede being so famous in all parts for his vertues and science The Epistle of that Pope is to be seene in the third Tome of the generall Councells and begins in these words Opportunis ergo c. the subject of it was that there was a great need of the advice of learned Divines to settle the Churches peace and he was knowne to be able in the study of Theology and therefore was desired to repaire to Rome with all convenient speed but it is concluded by the best Historians that he stirred not out of England He was wonderfully modest and did never hunt after preferments but contented himselfe with that life and daily study in his readings oftentimes he was so devout that hee would shed teares abundantly and after he had done reading he would fall to prayers for he would say that prayer was of great force to get the true understanding of Gods Word O famous instrument to Gods glory who not onely was fervent in his prayers but exceedingly both by life and learning edified the Church of Christ. Hee hated idlenesse and would say hee thought there was so much worke to doe for a Divine in so little a space of time that hee ought not to lose any of it it is imployment keeps the soule safe and sound He did not begin to take this taske upon him when the Sun was setting in his old age or begin to live when he should dye no he offered God his youth and began in the strength and prime of his age He was a Bee in his owne hive he dressed his own Garden hee managed his owne affaires forgetting all desire of honour and riches which bringeth with it miserable and stupendious effects And for pleasure and delights of the World we must deale with it saith hee as men doe who buy and taste honey onely touch it with the tip of the finger not with our whole hand for feare of surfeit He had many famous Schollars which he provoked to study by his owne example in a word he was full of knowledge charity devotion and chastity For his person he was of a comely stature grave in his going of a lofty voyce pleasant of speech comely of countenance and pleasantly severe Being aged 59 yeares in the yeare of Grace 731 he finished the Catalogue of his Workes but it is not on all parts resolved justly what yeare he dyed in Marianus Scotus saith in the yeare of oâ—r Lord 729. Sigebertus saith in the yeare 731. Trithemius saith in the yeare 733. Some have much erred who say that he dyed in the yeare 700 but Baronius he approves them not How he departed this life is to be seene by an Epistle of one of his Scholars who after great commendations of him for piety learning patience and the like saith Gravatus infirmitate anhelitus hardnesse of breathing a little after Ascention day hee was sicke of it and had a tumor in his feet in his sicknesse hee was not any whit disturbed to appearance but would often exhort his Scholars to bee quicke in gathering notes from him for hee had not long to stay with them For my life said hee is uncertaine at the best and that man which goeth on wandring without any faith or constancy feedeth his thoughts and cogitations with vapour no man knoweth what will happen in time to come howbeit God governeth all men in the midst of all perills and dangers and many times on the contrary hee bloweth upon us a strong winde or tempest of adversity And that life is good and best to be esteemed which is led in honesty and vertue for at the day of death it will trie it selfe for the day of death is the Master and judge of all other dayes being the tryall and touch-stone of all the actions of our life then doe wee make our greatest assay and gather the whole fruit of all our studies and he that judgeth of the life of a man must looke how he carrieth himselfe at his death for the end crowneth the workes and a good death honourerh a mans whole life There was a young man one Witberch that spoke to him and said Loving Master there is something left to write to which he answered and said it was finished and so cald him to hold his head and then singing Gloria Patri Filio Spiritui Sancto with cheerefulnesse he breated out his Spirit and slept in the Lord. Many famous men have praised him as Hildwines and Marianus Scotus Albinus Flaccus termes him Eximium Doctorem and Amalarius calls him Venerable according to that Verse Hic sunt infossa Bedae venerabilis ossa So also St. Boniface the German Apostle calls him sagacissimum scripturarum Indagatorem I should bee too large should I reckon up each particular praise that is given to this Father yet I cannot let passe that which Trithemius speakes of him in his Ecclesiasticall Writers He was saith he uncorrupt of life devout in heart full of knowledge wondrously industrious excellently acute usually reading the Scriptures adorned and graced with all sorts of vertues a witty writer Possevinus speaking of him useth these expressions Ingentibus Dei dâ—nis doctrina sanctitate ornatus c. that is adorned with the great gifts of Gods Spirit with learning and sanctity a diligent Writer full furnished with wit and wisedome wondrous charitable devout humble patient in a word a patterne to Preachers a lanthorne shining into all parts c. So doth Cardinall Bellarmine extoll him also But I shut up all in these wordâ— Hee did much and suffered much to defend Gods Truth and to propagate the Gospell of Iesus Christ. Hee flourished in the time of Gregory the Great and long after to the yeare 750. being the ancient glory of our English Nation and a man of greatest worth and learning of any in his time So after hee faithfully shewed himselfe a worthy Steward a carefull Watchman a painfull husband-man a powerful Labourer a learned Priest in the thirteenth yeare of his Primacy God cald him from hence His Sayings He is a sluggard that would reigne with God and not labour for God In the promised rewards he takes delight but the commanded Combates doe him affright Flattery is the nurse of sinne which like Oyle doth feed the flames of sinfull affections True love doth love truth judge in truth strive for truth and finish Workes with truth None doth ascend into Heaven but hee that doth descend from Heaven Therfore he that will ascend into heaven must joyne himself by true faith and love unto him that descended from Heaven knowing that hee cannot ascend into Heaven but by him that descended from heaven It is lesse labour to resist carnall pleasure unknowne than
death by a contrary comparison For as death is violent in destroying so love is violent in preserving Of Corporall Exercise Corporall exercise as Fasting watching and abstinence which bridle the flesh are little profitable unlesse piety be added thereunto for it makes us shunne vices and so to be excusable for some vices but not for all but piety and good workes are gratefull unto God Of Christs Love There came one without sinne that saved us from sinne for the Sonne of man came to seeke and to save sinners because he came in love as he was man and was from eternity as he was God The instruction of words is not so powerfull as the exhortation of workes for if those that teach the truth well doe neglect to do well they shall hardly profit their audience For workes perswade more than words The Writings and Bookes of Peter Lombard may bee knowne by the Epitaph on his Sepulcher which is in Saint Marcels Church in Paris where these words may be read Here lies Peter Lombard Bishop of Paris who composed the Booke of Sentences Commentaries on the Psalmes and Saint Pauls Epistles Moreover there are foure bookes of Sentences which are the chiefe works of Master Peter The first containeth sentences of the Fathers concerning the Trinity and Unity of God The second of the Creation of the World and especially of Angels and men and of the grace of God The third of the incarnation of the Word and of vertues and vices The fourth of the Sacraments and of the last things the Resurrection and Judgement An. Christi 1245. Alexander Hales ALEXANDER HALES THis Irrefragable Piece of Learning was borne in England in a place called Hales in Norfolke where having had liberall and free education bestowed on him by his friends he wholly addicted himselfe to literature it seemes hee had not onely an excellent wit but as forward a will to study for he proved famous in a short time which argues that he was wondrous painfull in his studies and so gained the height of learning by his indefatigable care and labour And although England bred him yet hee travailed into other Countries and was as famous abroad as hee was at home for as it is testified of him Magno tempore Parisiis legit id est He read a long time in Paris He it was that made the summe of Divinity and divided it into foure parts which he performed so accurately profoundly judiciously and learnedly that hee was called in Paris Fons vitae the Fountaine of life So likewise others termed him Doctor Doctorum the Doctor of Doctors But the most generall Title of worth that was given him was this that he was Doctor irrefragabilis Sixtus Senensis saith that for his knowledge in all the liberall Arts and for his wisedome in Schoole-Divinity he was not onely not inferiour to any but indeed did farre excell all others so that he may wel be termed the guide of Schoole-Divinity Another entitles him Virum in Divinis Scripturis eruditissimum in seculari Philosophia nulli suo tempore secundum ingenio subtilem clarum Eloquiâ— id est a man most absolutely experienced in the Scriptures and inferiour to none of his time for Philosophy most acute in Wit most renouned for his Eloquence Possevinus saith of him that he writ the summe of Divinity Ea Methodo quam anteà nemo unquam attigerat id est in that dainty Method which never any before had done But abâ—ve all the pens that have writ in his praise Petrus Rudolphus hath gone the highest whose Encomium of it selfe is sufficient to cause this Author to be esteemed And since he was so famous a Writer I cannot let his name and fame dye without adding something of mine own knowledge to perpetu ate him to posterity There be three or foure remarkable things in him which praise him sufficiently as first his general Learning secondly the Scholars of note that hee was Tutor unto thirdly the various Workes that he writ fourthly the honest and sanctified life that he alwayes led and lastly his death For the first who can suspect his ability for any kinde of Learning when as hee is rather admired of all than yet equallized by any Who that is of solid judgement but doe allow of his authority who but subscribes to his Conclusions Who desires not to register his undenyable Sentences Who but spend themselves at the Lampe to have resolution of difficult points from his Treasury What Case doth hee leave unresolved what Science doth he not handle Is hee not absolute for Grammar fluent for Rhetorique deepe in Philosophy expert in Metaphysicks made up compleat for Divinity Who almost can reckon up the number of his scholasticke Questions with their wise and learned Answers satisfies he not any man in any poynt or head of Divinity Is not hee the Garden that 's variously decked with most sorts of sweet Flowers and wholsome Herbes so that while some have endeavoured to bee eminent in this or that Science and with great difficulty have scarce attained their desired perfection is not he made up of all as though Natures endowments and graces blessings attended him and did both strive to the utmost to enrich him And then secondly doe not those worthy Instruments of learning who proved such solid Scholars afterwards speak this Alensis praise especially those two more eminent Lights to wit Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure the one being for his admirable parts stiled Doctor Angelicus and the other for his rare knowledge in Divinity is called Doctor Seraphicus of the first it is said Tolle Thomam dissipabo Ecclesiam take him away and the Church will bee weakned and take away both and how will the Schooles be darkned and their glory eclipsed and were not both these by their own confessions instructed and tutored by this Alexander of Hales the Master sure was an able man who gave learning in such a measure to two such Champions And thirdly doe not his numerous unparalleld Workes sufficiently renowne him Did not all the chiefe Divines and Masters of Paris to the number of sixty approve and seale to the allowance of his summe of Divinity Did not the same Alensis decore and illustrate the old and new Testament with Marginall Notes which Worke was called Postills on the whole Bible Are there not in Manuscripts in foure Tomes Expositions and Commentaries of his upon Saint Marke Saint Luke and upon all the Epistles of Saint Paul Did not his pen set forth the summe of vertues Hath not hee writ likewise on the Pentateuch Commentaries on the Booke of Iosuah on the booke of Iudges on the bookes of the Kings as also on the Psalms hath not his labour set forth Annotations on the lesser Prophets Are not those his Commentaries on Aristotles Metaphysicks knowne by the name of Alexander ab Alexandria Did not he write learnedly likewise on the foure bookes of the Master of the Sentences hath not he
who strive to corrupt the Christians by their Idolatrous shews then Tertullian wrote his learned Treatise de spectaculis wherein hee handles the case to the full And at the same time how did hee stop an Heresie arising in Affrick called the Apelletians from one Apelles which worke is desired but not as yet enjoyed In the fifteenth yeere of the Emperour Severus did hee not famously write against that great Heretick Marcion and set forth his Book De Resurrectione Carnis And presently after wrote his Booke De Carona Militis worthy here to be spoken of a little upon a Triumph all the Emperours Souldiers for the greater pompe were to weare Crowns made of Bayes but one Christian there was who when he had his Crown given held it on his arme but would not weare it whereupon being demanded why hee alone had refused to set forth the pompe of that day he did boldly answer Non decet Christianum in hac vita coronari A Christian ought not to be crowned in this life a true and a worthy answer And so upon this Tertullian wrote his Book so entituled I read not after this that Tertullian did write any thing for the Church but against it The more is the pitie so great a Scholer should fall so fouly There are many Fathers who have discoursed what might be the cause of this Tertullians revolt Some as Saint Ambrose say it was Envie Vincentius Lirinensis makes a good application of it It was saith he a great tentation and triall The Lord saith Moses tries us whether wee love him or not when there ariseth up one of these false prophets or teachers or dreamers Saint Ierome gives him a great praise for his wit but laments his losse Saint Cyprians phrase was when hee would read Tertullian to say Da Magistrum Give me my Master Trithemius terms him Tam in divinis quà m in saecularibus Scripturis doctissimum The most learned in sacred and secular affaires And that hee taught Rhetorick at Carthage a long time Gloriosè saith he with great glory and credit and againe scripsit Latino sermone penè c. That hee wrote almost infinite Workes in Latine wherein he hath most judiciously confuted and overthrown all the Heresies hee wrote against licet in aliquibus c. and though saith he he erred in some things yet he wrote profitably in many other his Books Hee lived till hee was old and decrepite and so yielded up his spirit after that he had painfully and learnedly studied the Word of God and carefully and discreetly answered all those that proved Hereticks to the Truth I have here not followed Trithemius Catalogue nor yet Bellarmines concerning his Works but as Pamelius hath registred them in the Collen Impression Anno 1617. Hee hath a learned commendation set under his Effigies wherein as Tullius was the Pillar and praise of Rome so Africk glories in her Tertullian His Oratory was famous and Tertullians speech was sweeter then honey as may appeare by some of his Sentences Tertul. de poenitenia If thou be backward in thoughts of repentance be forward in thy thoughts of Hell the flame whereof only the streame of a penitent eye can extinguish and first so thinke on the greatnesse of the punishment that thou mayst not doubt of getting a remedy against it Idem de fuga in persecutione The Legion of Devils could not have conquered a Herd of Swine if God had not given them power farbe it then the Devill should have power over Gods owne Sheepe I may say That even then the bristles of those Swine were numbred before God and much more are the haires of his Saints De Fide Ex personis probamus fidem an ex fide personas Doe wee try mens faith by their persons we should try their persons by their faith Idem de Oratione The remembrance of Gods precepts chalkes out a way for our prayers to Heaven the chiefe of which precepts is That we come not first to make our atonement with God on his Altar before wee have made our atonement with our brother in our hearts For what profit is it to come to the peace of God without peace to come for remission of debts without remission of debts How can he appease his Father that is angry with his brother Idem de Oratione Let us not approach unto Gods holy Altar before wee have made peace with our offended brother for to what end should wee come to the God of peace without peace for the remission of our own sinnes without any intention to forgive one another How can hee that is not pleased with his brother thinke to please the God of his brother seeing that God commands him not to be angry at all but forgive him Hee that then prepareth himselfe on earth shall be sure of his reward in Heaven Tertullians houres of prayer They were the third the sixt and the ninth houres for they are saith he the more eminent part of the day to distribute and distinguish the publike affaires of men so have they beene accounâ—ed the most solemne times for Prayer and Divine Duties in the Church of God For at the third houre were the Apostles met together at their Devotions and were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost GOd Almighty who is the protector and defender of Kings grant to your Sacred Majesty along life a happy Reigne a secure State and habitation a strong Army a faithfull Senate or Councell and a Royall people These were the solemne Prayers of Tertullian for the Emperours and used by the ancient Church De Sanctorum Passione Tertullian saith that Paul thought himselfe unworthy to suffer for his Saviour because hee had no more lives to lose for his sake For hee that lost his life for us that wee might live deserves our lifes and all to bee laid downe for him Whence it is that the Saints have rejoyced in their sufferings not counting their life deare that they might winne Christ. Yea to mee saith Saint Paul in his Epistles to live is Christ and to die is gain And elswhere he saith I beare in my body the marks of the Lord Iesus And indeed the sufferings of the Saints though for the present grievous and hard to bee borne bring forth an hope of reward exceeding great and glorious while wee looke not at the things temporall but at the things eternall And this should encourage us for Christs Name sake to passe through bad report and good report setting before our eyes the example of the Saints and not onely so but with cheerfulnesse to sustain all injurious dealings of men though they deprive us of livelihood and life it selfe for Christ and his Truths sake knowing that it is a good thing to suffer in a good cause and that this shall make our Crown to be glorious and enstate us into blessednesse with eternity to have a period De Christo VERBO Tertullian upon occasion taking a
which had caused great discord betwixt two Breâ—hren that Hee by His prayer stopt the force of the River Lycus which overflowed and drowned the neighbouring fields and so brideled the swelling waves that ever after they did keep within their own bounds and banks That this Faâ—her likewise cast out Devils out of the bodies of men that He stayed the plague in places that were infected that he heald the sick and weak and that He also raised the dead and that Hee brought many souls to embrace the Gospel of Christ Iesus Whether he was so full of these Works and Wonders I doe not here intend to dispute but I have onely related what I have read of him and I have not much cause to suspect the wordes of so many Fathers of the Church who witnesse it of Him Take therefore I pray you the commendation which Saint Basil the great affords Him in His Booke of the Holy Ghost Chapter 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Where shall I find a fit place for this great Gregory and his praises May I not fitly set him with the Prophets and Apostles a man endued with the same spirit in great measure a man whose life paralled those former stars of Heaven a man who did powerfully shew the vigour of the Word of God We should do injury to the Truth if we should not account him amongst the blessed in glory and felicity which like an eminent Torch shined in the Church of Christ ope S. S. tremendam habuit adversus Daemones potestatem And who by the helpe of the Holy Ghost had mighty power against Devils Hee had received such a plentifull portion of the graces of Gods Spirit that by the helpe of seventeen more Christians he brought whole Cities and Countries to the obedience of the Gospel Hee also chang'd the course and bridled the force of Rivers and of a great Lake which was cause of dissention betwixt two brothers and his predictions of things to come makes him that hee may be reckoned amongst the Prophets If saith Saint Basil I should reckon up all His Wonders and Miracles which hee did in the sight of the people I should even attribute that title to him which his very adversaries afforded him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a second Moses for they are so fixed in the hearts of men and so knowne amongst all so faithfully registred amongst Historians that the envy of the Devill nor the length of time can ever abolish the memory of them Qui à tempore magni praesidis Ecclesiae vestrae Gregorii Who from the time of that Great President of your Church Saint Gregory have flourished Here I cannot but cite the admirable commendation that Eusebius the Historian giues him beginning thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the same time that Xistus ruled the Roman Church and Demetrianus who succeeded Fabianus in the Church of Antioch and Firmilianus the Church of Caesarea that this Gregory called Theodorus who was an Auditour of S. Origens together with his brother Athenodorus did wisely manage the Church of Pontus and in another place the said Eusebius reckons up this famous Gregories actions Verum quoniam Beati Gregorii historiae textus mentionem attulit c. But for as much as the Text of the History hath mentioned this Blessed Saint Gregory I will not omit the worthy Workes of so great a man There was a great Lake in Pontus full of all sorts of fish which came to be the Inheritance of two Brethren who fell to civill dissention about it so that many men had lost their lives in the quarâ—ell which thing when Gregory heard of he presently came to the place and uttered these words to the two contentious Brothers Nolite ô Filioli rationales animas pro multis animantibus viâ—lare Fraternam pacem quaestus cupiditate dissolvere Dei leges naturae pariter jur a temer are that is Do not ô my sonnes ô doe not destroy so many reasonable soules for a few mute creatures break not the bond of brotherly love and peace for transitory gaine doe not so rashly and desperatly violate the Laws oâ— God and Nature at once come wiâ—h mee to this fatall Lake and I will by the help of God reconcile you for ever Whither comming this good man upon his bended knees prayed heartily to God in the sight and hearing of all present and Eusebius sets down the words of his prayer That he desired of God that never any more fish might be in it but that it should be a field for corn that by this means these two Brethren might agree in love together whose prayer God heard and did immediatly grant his request to the amazement of all the standers by Such force have the prayers of a faithfull man with God this one action is enough to renowme him in all Ages but he was admirable likewise for ingenuity and dexteritie of wit as the same Eusebius gives testimony of him in these words Sed ingenii sui in parvo nobis maxima monumenta dereliquit But hee shewed in briefe the excellency of his wit For Magnificentissime scripsit that is He writ most elegantly upon Ecclesiastes and left a brief but an eloquent Exposition upon the Catholike Faith which hath beene and is a great edification of the Church of Christ His wordes begin thus Vnâ—â— Deus Pater Verbi Viventis that is One God the Father of the Living Word of the Subsisting Wisdome of the Ever-living Power the Perfect begetter of the Perfect One the Father of the onely begotten Sonne and so goes on expressing the Deitie and Triniâ—â— in most apt and significant judicious termes Saint Gregory Nyssen affords this man a singular Encomium and Eulogie in these words Sicâ—t de Mose ait Scriptura c. that is That as the Scripture speaks of Moses so may I of this Gregory Hee was seene in all the Learning of the Gentiles hee found how weake and unwise their opinions were and embraced with great ard our and sanctity the Gospel Saint Hierome also blazons 〈◊〉 his Works with prayse and commendation They begin thus Theodorus qui postea Gregorius a pellatus est Theodore who was after called Gregory was Bishop of Neocaesarea in Pontâ—s in his youth to learne the Greeke and Latine with his Brother Anthenodorus he passed from Cappadociâ— to Beritum and afterwards to Caesarea of Palestine where Origen seeing their admirable wit taught them Philosophie and so instâ—ucted them in Divinitie and sent them to their Mother this Gregory wrote an eloquent Letter to Origen extant yet And Hierome stiles him Virum Apostolicorum signorum virtâ—tum that is A man ful of signes and Apostol call Miracles And he that will read more of him let him accept of this cloud of Witnesses Sanctus Gregorius pap lib. 1. Dialogorum cap. 7. Socrates lib. 4. c. 22. Enagrius lib. 3. cap. 31. Cedrenus in anno 12. Anastasii Imp.
for thee at the sixt houre of the day His Works follow in two Tomes Tome the first 1 His Oration against the Heathens 2 Of the Incarnation of the Word 3 Disputation against Arrius in the Nicene Councell 4 Vpon that Scripture All things are given me of the Father 5 Epistle to Adelphius 6 Epistle to Maximus 7 An Oration against them who say the Sun is no creature 8 Against Serapion 9 Testimonies of holy Scripture to prove the Vnity in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity 10 Exposition of faith 11 Liberius Epistle to Athanasius 12 Athanasius answer 13 An Epistle to Jovianus the Emperour 14 A Narration of the Nicene Councell 15 Five Orations against the Arrians 16 An Epistle of the sentence of Dionysius of Alexandria 17 Epistle Catholicall 18 A Refutation if the hypocrisie of Meletius Eusebius and Paulus Samosatensis 19 An Epistle to the Antiochians 20 An Epistle to Epictetus 21 Of the Humane Nature 22 Against Apollinarius of the Incarnation 23 An Oration against Apollinarius 24 Of the comming of Christ. 25 Against Sabellius 26 An Oration proveing that Christ is one 27 A Letter to Serapion of the death of Arrius 28 An apologie to Constantius 29 Two apologies for his flight 30 A Letter to all solitary 31 The Protestation of the Alexandrians 32 A Letter of the Councels of Ariminum and Seleucia 33 A Letter to the Africans 34 A Letter to all Orthodox Christians 35 Letters to Palladius to Antiochus and to Dracontius To Marcellinus 36 Of the Sabbath and of Circumcision 37 Vpon that Scripture Who so shall speak a word against the Sonne of man c. 38 Vpon that as they came to the Village 39 Vpon the Passion 40 Of the holy Virgin 41 Of Virginity 42 Of the Sower 43 An Oration against all Heresies Tome the second 1 An Oration of the Ascension of Christ translated by Lampadius 2 Of Melchisedeck 3 A Letter to Serapion of the Holy Ghost 4 Another of the same 5 A concise Oration against the Arrians 6 The first Colloquie of the Arrians with Jovianus at Antioch 7 The second and third and fourth 8 Of the Incarnation 9 The Creed of Athanasius 10 Jovianus Letter to Athanasius 11 Athanasius answer 12 Severall Letters 13 Definitions 14 Synopsis of the Scripture 15 Five Dialogues of the Trinity 16 A Dialogue betwixt an Orthodoxe and a Macedonian 17 A Colloquy of Athanasius 18 A Letter of the Churches tragicall troubles 19 Severall Disputes and Objections 17. 20 Questions to Antiochus 21 Interpretation of the Evangelicall Parables 22 Other Questions 23 St. Anthonies life 24 On the Parasâ—eve 25 Fragments of the Commentary on the Psalmes 26 Other fragments out of severall authours 27 Of the united Deity of the Trinity 28 Of the proper Persons 29 A Treatise against Marcellinus 30 Of the severall names 31 Of the united substance of the Trinity 32 Of the blessednesse of the Sonne of God 33 Of the profession Catholike Lib. 6. 34 Of the Catholike and the Arrian Confession Lib. 5. 35 Of his owne faith nine books 36 Of the Vnitie of faith ten books 37 Of the Faith of the Vnitie and Trinitie of Father Son and Holy Ghost eleven Books 38 Athanasius dispute with Arrius at Laodicea 39 An exhortation to Monks 40 Athanasius and the Egyptian Bishops their Letter to Marcus Pope of Rome 41 The Rescript of Marcus 42 Vpon our Saviours Passion Then follow seven Homilies and then severall Encomiums of this eminent Father Cardinall Bellarmine de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis ranks his Works into foure Tomes but I have reckoned them as they are printed at Paris in two Tomes Anno 1627. An. Christi 355. The Life of St Hillarie Pictavius S. HILLARIE PICTAVIVS SAint Hillarie Bishop of Poicters was borne in the Countrey of Aquitaine ninety miles distant from the British Ocean nobly and generously descended and his naturall gifts so improved by education that hee became a worthy Champion in defence of Christian Religion For although Saint Paul say that not many wise many noble according to the flesh yet when they that are noble by birth receive Christ and the faith of Christ they prove singular instruments of Gods glory and the good of his Church accordingly did this blessed Father shine to posteritie by the manifold naturall endowments and spirituall graces wherewith he was beautified His Wife and Daughter hee endoctrinated with the rudiments of Christianitie and himselfe lived a strictaustere life shunning the conversation of Iewes and Hereticks Herein hee shewed himself a true Christian whose practice must be answerable to his profession for otherwise a man may be said to beare fire in one hand and water in another whatsoever a man professeth except he put what he professeth in practice there is a shadow without substance a tree without fruit whose leaves of profession will not keep it from being cut downe and cast into the fire No such tree was Saint Hilary but the Psalmists tree which brought forth his fruit in due season O most perfect man whose life was with love to feare and with feare to love Christ. Hee preached often to informe the people of the mysterie of the Trinitie sowing the words of truth on the ground of their hearts In this he was a faithfull Minister of Christ he did feed Christs sheep aswell as cloath himselfe with the wooll and how did he feed them pavit verbo pavit exemplo by doctrine and example his example availed to the teaching of the ignorant his doctrine for information of the judgement both of learned and unlearned This his pious zeale being knowne hee was elected Priest and his fame spread abroad through France and forraine Countries Afterwards he resisted and opposed the Arrian Heresie whereupon the Bishops Valens and Vrsatius perswaded the Emperour to banish Saint Hilary into Phrygia together with Dionysius Bishop of Millain and Eusebius Bishop of Vercels And it is observable That wheresoever God hath his Church the Devill hath his Chappell and where the Husbandman sowes wheat there the enemy sowes tares As the truth of God was propagated so the tares grew up among the wheat and not onely so but the tares wâ—uld overgrow the wheat and not suffer it to grow up with them During his banishment hee understood that his Daughter Abra left at Poicters with her mother was sought in Marriage by a wealthy proper young man whereupon he wrote a Letter to his Daughter that hee had provided her a Husband of great Nobilitie and of such admirable beauty that it exceeded the amiable colours of the Rose and Lilly admonishing therefore not to match her selfe to any one untill he returned and that till then she should expect the comming of this promised Bridegroome Whereupon his Daughter Abra mildly embracing her Fathers counsaile remayned unmarried A notable example of an obedient childe in a matter of greatest consequence Shee did not so much satisfie her fancie as magnifie her understanding in receiving her Fathers advice Which should other
sayes they did not nor should professe the faith Catholike nor would they suffer any objections to be brought in against this famous Cyril nay moreover those that were invited to the hearing the cause of Saint Cyrill decided who had also determined his deposition were not onely not there nor was there any who answered for them yet as Baronius reports St. Cyrill was driven from his place by the Arrians in the Councell of Constantinople Mark saith Nicephorus the admired integrity of this Cyrill who appeared to defend his innocency notwithstanding all his enemies bravadoes and menacings nay he was so farre from being daunted that he affrighted the hearts of all his enemies so that they durst not maintain their forged accusations before so many famous and learned Judges But when as they found the Emperour infected with their heresie then they grew potent and impudent and Cyrill being removed Heraclius was brought in and after him Hillarius as Nicephorus maintaines for they two administred the affaires of that Church untill the reigne of Theodosius and then Cyrill was again restored and how reverently and piously hee determined all affaires belonging to that place is easily seene And Epiphanius who was the Hammer of Heretiks gives this Cyrill a worthy Encomium in these words Qui praeter Acacium Arrianum cum multis aliis illius sectae Episcopis contendere religionis ergô non dubitavit that is who not onely not feared to encounter Acacius the Arrian but did Christianly and faithfully oppose divers other Hereticall Bishops nor is Saint Ierome wanting to commend him for Cyrillus saith he Fâ—rtissimus Christi athleta orthodoxae fidei Assertor constantissimus c. That valiant Combatant of Iesus Christ that most constant Mayntainer of the Orthodoxe faith for many yeeres together strove for the propagation of Divine Truth suffered various and heavy persecutions exercised in these dangers from the beginning almost of Constantius Reigne to many yeeres of Theodosius yet all this while in these manifold grievances kept his first resolution and died in the faith at last Thus he And saith Nicâ—phorus though the Arrians at that time by their flatteries policies and suggestions had corrupted the minde of the Emperour though the Court was also all of that Sect yet this Cyrill startled not which was an infallible demonstration that he preached not Christ out of vain glory or in hope of reward at Court noâ— yet that hee was desirous to follow the times but that thee strove to keepe the â—aith in a pure conscience as knowing that would be his recompence at last Cardinall Bellarmines testimony of him shal briefly conclude my discourse of this laborious and constant Embassadour in the cause of Christ. Saint Cyrill saith hee after he was made Bishop of Ierusalem for his singular parts and Learning the state of the Church at that time requiring faithfull Dispensers of Gods Word was often driven by the Arrians from preferment yet did hee hold the faith till his death which was under Theodosius the Emperour Hee preached every Sunday and all the Lent every day with great pains and profit These are some of his Sayings Sanctus Cyrillus Hierosolymitanus Praefatio in Cat. Be not curious in things of vanity seeke not to know what 's done in the Citie what the King doth at the Court what the Bishop in his Consistâ—ry what the Priest in his Parish it is high time to looke into thy selfe and then up to Heaven from whence thy salvation commeth Idem 16. Some come to Church for fashion others to meet their friends this man upon one pretence that man upon another yet it s better to come so then not to come at all in the meane time the net is cast out the Word being preached draws in them which came with no intent to be caught at all being thus taken they shall be preserved for it is Christ that hath catch'd them not that hee may destroy them but that being dead hee may bring them to life eternall Idem Cat. 16. Let every good Christian say thus within himselfe certainly now the mystery of iniquitie is wrought the rumour of warres affrighten mee the Schismes and divisions of the Church are ready to distract me the difference amongst brethren make me amazed surely the end is not far off Lord when thou commest let me be prepared for it Idem Cat. 16. What though thou suffer for Christs sake suppose that fire and swords racks and torture be now ready to seize thee harken what the blessed Spirit of God the Comforter saith unto thee Trust still in God those are but flea-bitings continue but a while and thou shalt be in Heaven for evermore Here follow the Treatises of his which are called his Catechismes by the Paris Edition Anno 1631. 1 An introductory to Baptisme and his Lecture out of Esay upon that Lavamini 2 Of Repentance and of remission of sin of the adversary of man Lectures upon that of Ezechiel Justitia justo 3 Of Baptisme Lectures upon that of the Romans Know ye not c. 4 Lectures upon that of the Colossians Cavete ne quis vos c. 5 Of faith out of that to the Hebrewes Chap. 11. 6 Of the soveraignty of God of Heresies and Lectures out of Esay upon that Turn unto mee ye Isles 7 Of the Father Vpon the Ephesians for this cause 8 Lectures upon that of Jeremy Deus magnus fortis 9 Lectures upon Job upon that who is he 10 Vpon that and in one Lord Jesus Christ. 11 Vpon that the onely begotten Sonne of God Vpon that of the Hebrews Multis multifariam 12 Vpon that Hee was incarnate and was made flesh 13 Lectures upon that He was crucified 14 Lectures on Christs Resurrection 15 Lectures upon that He shall come again to judge the quicke and dead And of Antichrist out of Daniel Aspiciebam Throni c. 16 Lectures upon the Holy Ghost Vpon the first of the Corinthians 17 Lectures upon the holy Catholicke Church the Resurrection of the body and the life everlasting Out of Ezechiel And the hand of the Lord was upon me 1 Lectures to those who are newly baptized out of that of Saint Peter Be yee sober and watchfull c. 2 Lectures upon the body and bloud of Christ out of that of the Corinths What I have received of the Lord c. 3 Lectures upon that of Saint Peter Cast away therefore c. These were the pious and learned Works of this Father which the Church hath always kept as a solid buckler against Hereticks and as a restorative to the faithfull members of our Lord Iesus Christ. An. Christi 368. Sanctus Ephraem Syrus S. EPHREM SYRVS IT is not fitting that such eminent Lights should be hid under a Bushel but that their renowmed and pious actions should be blazon'd to the World for admiration and imitation the time in which he died in the Church was under Valentinian and Valens He
ordained Bishop of that City so that Megalius Bishop of Calama and Primate of Numidia comming to visit the Church of Hippo with other Bishops this Valerius did obtaine of his hands what he desired with the generall rejoycing of all the Clergy though Saint Augustine did mainly at first refuse it and alledged it was not fitting neither was it the custome of the Church to ordaine any to be Bishop of a City before the other was dead but it was imposed upon him and so being ordained hee doubled his vigilance and not onely in that City but in every place hee taught and writ against the Donatists There was a sect of perverse and desperate people who under the colour of great continence were called Circumcellians who being not able to withstand the Writings nor Preachings nor Disputations of this Augustine they did by might and violence and force of Armes strive to stop Saint Augustines proceedings but all their Actions were in vaine for Gâ—d did still prosper and blesse the labours of this Augustine for he ordaind Orthodox Priests men approved and well knowne to him for Life and Learning and did give them promotion in the Church so that the sincere Doctrine of Faith Hope and Charity was not onely taught in the Affrican Churches but also in other Transmarin Regions Books being printed and sent abroad which made these Heretiques rage insomuch that they intended to have killed this Saint Augustine had hee not by the great providence of God escaped by missing that way in his Visitations which they had beset but such was their fury and power that they neither spared Clergy men nor Lay men but there was a meeting at Carthage appoynted and one Crispinus was the Donatists Champion against whom Saint Augustine opposed himselfe who did by force of arguments convince this Crispinus and so by the Proconsuls authority hee was adjudged as Hereticall and a fine imposed upon him and further it was ordered that all the Donatists should be accounted Heretiques and fined but by the Catholike Bishops perswasions with the clemency of the Proconsull their fine was remitted and peace restored happily to the Church under the Reigne of that glorious Emperour Honorius though there were some that gave out that the Donatists were unjustly condemned by the Bishops at the meeting at Carthage because they had not as these favourers pretended free liberty to speak their mindes Especially one Emeritus maintained this but not long after this Saint Augustine going to the City of Caesarea in Mauritania being sent for by other Bishops by Letters to determine some necessary affaires of the Church this Emeritus being then a Donatist and Bishop of the said place Saint Augustine told him that he had so given it out and wished him now before all those Bishops and all the people if he could to defend his assertions but he would not nor could not performe it onely said that what he should say would bee by the Notaries Registred at Carthage what a poore evasion was this for if it had beene truth it was the onely way to preserve it if it was a lye as indeede it was it would for ever bee his disgrace Possidonius reports an admirable passage of Saint Augustine it so fell out that preaching against the Manichees that there was one Firmus by name a Merchant by profession who was stiffe for that side and had given and spent amongst them much monies hearing Saint Augustine preach was touched in heart and presently came to this Father other men being then with him and did ingenuously confesse that he was infected a long time with that Heresie but by the blessing of God hee was fully resolved now to forsake it and with teares on his knees he desired Saint Augustine and the other Catholicke Priests to pray to God to pardon him and to give him grace to persist in the true Faith which was performed and he reduced from Heresie and leaving his former course of life and living with the faithfull obediently at last proved an eminent Preacher of the Orthodoxe Christians and not onely saved his owne soule but many others See saith Possidonius the wonderfull goodnesse of God that calls whom he will whom he will where he will and how he will to salvation God as he is Almighty so may he worke in all creatures and things after his owne Minde and Will for there is nothing that God cannot bring to passe and that without labour and travaile It was Saint Augustine by the preaching of the Word which caused the Merchant to forsake all and cleave to the Truth but it was chiefely the power of God which had that efficacy in that Word that by one knocke at the doore of the heart of this man that it should open and receive the seale and covenant of Grace which he did without any prorogation or delay or time to consider of it for in these cases delayes are dangerous for the devill the world or the Flesh may cast a baite in our way and so hinder us Therefore let all men in this be truely perswaded that God is the Moderator and Governour of all things both in heaven and in earth and that all things are done by his owne power and appoyntment and that he it is who most clearely beholdeth every man both what hee doth and what he admitteth in himselfe with what minde and godlinesse he doth love and favour Religion and that hee hath also a regard both of godly and wicked men So likewise one Foelix being one whom the Manichees called Electos came to Hippo and thought to have spread his Heresie there but Saint Augustine by publicke Disputation so solidly convinced him that he likewise acknowledged his error and was joyned to the Church This Augustine was termed Haereticorum malleus the Hammer against Heretiques How judiciously did hee overcome those two great Arrians Pascentius and Maximinus the one being full of wealth and authority at Court the other a great Bishop Pascentius who was great in Riches disturbed many poorer Christians and boasted in it that none could object any thing justly against the Arrians St. Augustine hearing this with other Priests went to him and desired to have some private conference with him before they should publickly dispute it this Pascentius admitted but hee was quite overthrowne and had no warrant for his poynts but afterwards bragged it how he had confuted this Augustine whereupon St. Augustine with speed sent in writing many great men being witnesses the grounds of Faith confirmed by the Scriptures to him which he never did replie against so also dealt he with Maximinus the Arian Bishop who had belyed him in the like manner The Pelagians likewise politique and subtle Sophisters who did seduce many and did great mischiefe to the Church how did hee the space of tenne yeares convince and overthrow that afterwards it was determined by Innocent of Rome and Zozimus that their poynts should be anathematized and sent Letters to the
from al the parts of the Christian World No generall Councell for a long time after wherein the very name of Cyrill was not precious as in that of Chalcedon after the repetition of the Nicene Creed they all cryed out This was Saint Cyrils Doctrine thus he beleeved this is true faith indeed and thus wee all believe blessed bee the memoriall of Cyril of Alexandria Yet the perfidious Nation of the Iewes dwelling within this City grew very tumultuous upon this second blow where after many mutinous uproares much slaughter having drawn a great party to their side to maintaine their tenents they tooke a Christian Boy and in derision of Christ they hung him on a Crosse mocked at him spit on him buâ—ffeâ—ed him and at last cruelly whipped him to death the Christians hereupon made head against the Iewes and the good Bishop himselfe all on fire with zeale for the Name of Christ leades on to their Synagogues where some of them were put to the sword the rest banished and all the spoile of their goods divided amongst the people and yet this is not all sedition and privy conspiracy of the Iewes false Doctrine and Heresie of the Novatians and Anthropomorphites being thus removed hee looked more neare home by reducing those Christians that were any way dissolute into better order by information of the simple by comforting the afflicted and by relieving the poore and needy as may appeare by his Sermons to the people upon severall occasions This and much more not unlike a Ship in the midst of a tumultuous Sea was the state of this reverend Prelate during the first foure yeares of his government at Alexandria So we may perceive that his paines were great and his care for the Churches good deserves perpetuall commendation And who shall read his Workes will finde them well stored with all sorts of Learning And here I can but observe two passages worth observation first that the Devil doth at all times strive to destroy the Church of of God and labours to sow Heresies and Schismes in the midst of it Secondly that it hath alwayes pleased GOD to stirre up at all times and upon aâ—l occasions some men who have resisted the malice of all opposers and have proved themselves resolute Champions in the truths cause so Athanasius against the Arrians so this Saint Cyrill against Nestorius and Pelagius Magna est Veritas praevalebit Hell gates shall not prevaile against it this House the Church being the Pillar of truth shall stand because it is builded on a rock which rock is Christ. After forty two yeeres government this Noble and Orthodoxe Father this great starre of Alexandria began at last to twinkle and yielded to death having sweat hard and laboured extraordinary for the space of twenty two yeeres in that Vineyard hee received the earnest peny of salvation in the yeere of Christ 448 and in the Reigne of Theodosius the younger Cyrillus his Sayings Cyrillus Alexand. de Fest. Pasch. Homil. 16. Wee must as it were graspe any occasion of doing well in both our hands nor let slip those precious opportunities wherein wee may doe good If a Seaman lose but the opportunity of a good gale hee is cast behind in the Voyage if the Husbandman neglect the season of the yeer he may sit at home and pick straws and if any who hath a Christian calling shall be a cunctator in Religion and procrastinate those more speciall employments I judge him fit for all reprehension and to undergoe such inconveniences as shal be conducible to such a negligent and carelesse condition Idem in Fest. Paschal Homil. 27. Admiration the Rich man wanteth in the midst of his abundance is more tormented with care than other taketh up the beggars note and cryeth out O what shall I doe yea rather how shall I dispose of my goods Where shall I lay them I have a plentifull crop this yeere and there is now a world of labourers in my harvest my Vineyard swels with store of Grapes and the Wine presse runs over with abundance here 's all things in plentifull manner yea but then life fails him what becomes then of his goods nay what becomes of himselfe better had it beene to have made the bellies of the poore his barns succoured the fatherlesse and needy to have laid up his treasure in heaven that so he might have beene received into everlasting habitations Idem adversus Anthropomorphitas cap. 2. Where the Scripture wants a tongue of expression we need not lend an eare of attention we may safely knock at the Councell doore of Gods secrets but if we goe further we may be more bold then welcome Idem de vita hom justificati The divell runs with open mouth upon Gods children seeking to devoure them they manfully resist him he thinketh to weaken their faith and they by his assaults are made so much the stronger he fights against them but they gain ground upon him and so by this meanes whatsoever he intendeth for their destruction ful sore against his will makes for their advantage Idem contra Julianum lib. 3. The great Creatour of all things forcing what would come to passe steps in betweene life and death how hee nips one in the bud newly grown ripe for heaven there an other to prevent the evill to come this man he frees from the miseries of a sinfull life that man hee suffers to goe on that he may fill up the measure of his wickednesse thus to God the Lord belong the issues of death but thanks bee given to God that affordeth us this comfort through Jesus Christ our Lord. Idem de Fortitudine quae in Christo est lib. 5. Hee that 's taken up with the pompes and vanities of this wicked world is one of the Devils Champions not worthy to bee listed under the Regiment of Christ Jesus the Captain of his salvation As for his Writings they were such as the whole Christian World at that time approved in so much that the Grecian Bishops got his Homilies by heart and so repeated them to the people his name became memorable for the Eastern and Western Churches have made room for it in their Calenders with this adjunct The Champion of the Catholike Faith But his Writings have the more eterniz'd him such as were printed at Paris 1605. Tome 1. 1 Explanations to the literall and mysticall sence on Genesis eleven books 2 On Leviticus 1â— books 3 On Esay five books 4 On Saint Johns Gospell 12 books 5 Sayings on the old Testament Anagogically explained Collected out of Cyrill Maximus and others 6 A booke against the Jewes with questions 7 Short explanations of those who flourished before the Law Tome 2. 1 Epistles of Saint Cyrill to divers with their answers to him 39 books 2 Homilies of the Incarnation being 10 books 3 An Apologie to Theodosius the Emperour 4 A Declaration of the twelve Anathematismes 5 An Apologeticall book for his Anathemaes 6 Another
is it safe to search too farre when as wee are commanded to honour and feare him It is not the wisest course to gaze too much upon this resplendent Sun lest we be justly by his glorious beams beblinded it is easie to collect by the words and advise of this Epistle to judge what a singular man for Learning this Peter Chrysologus was Baronius saith that having with great pains long governed the Church and having beene always studious of his wayes hee died in December the second day which saith he hath a faire probability of truth in that because Leo then Bishop of Rome in the Consulship of Martianus a yeere after this is said to have sent Letters to Leo this Peters Successor as appeares in the Epistles of Leo hee was by all likelihood an upright man and of courage in matters of Religion For hee and Laurentius the Bishop of Millain would not communicate with Symmachus lest they should bee suspected to side with him against the other Orthodox Bishops when the Councell was held in Rome and Cardinall Baronius shall conclude all in a word Sed qui post Laurentium sequitur ordine Petrus Ravennas Episcopus his temporibus eximia sanctae vitae nituit claritudine that is but amongst those other worthy men after Laurentius in order is to be reckoned Peter Archbishop of Ravenna who in these times exceld for the conspicuous fame of his holy life and because many Students may the easier find upon what subjects Chrysologus hath written knowne to be all his owne Labours and not fathered upon him by them that were admirers of him I have here set them downe in order as they are registred in the Parisian Edition in the yeere 1623 which you shall find after his Sayings Chrysologus his Sayings Of an unprofitable Servant Hee is like the fig-tree that was well looked to by the Master yet was unfruitfull onely cumbred the ground suckt vertue from others troubled and grieved the Master was a disgrace to the Garden and at last cut down for the fire and what else is hee who hath Natures endowments the benefit of Reason of Sense of Judgement of good Education and Example but yet brings forth no fruites of a sanctified life but as that Tree who hindred others and hurt it selfe Of uncharitable Rich men Remember that Thou Foole this night shall they fetch away thy soule perplexe not thy selfe what thou shalt leave behinde but bee sure to send thy almes before thee bee rich in good Works Let not thy care be to have thy hands alwayes full and the poores alwayes empty The onely way to have full Barns is to have charitable hands Vpon Mildnesse and Meeknesse The Apostle Saint Paul hath I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God A good man uses intreaties rather than commands the heavenly Physician rather cures our wounds with divine salves than makes them with his punishing rods God had rather men should love him than feare him He had rather be called Father than Master Hee winnes by mercy that Hee might not punish by Justice If thou wilt be like thy Father doe likewise Of the meanes to grow in grace As neither in the flint alone nor in the steele alone any fire is to bee seene nor extracted but by collision and conjunction fire and light is brought so nor by faith alone nor by good works alone is salvation attaind but if ever you intend to come to that infinite light joine both together Against Drunkennesse and Gluttony Variety and satiety of dainty meates and drinks weakens the vitals spoiles the stomacke corrupts the bloud poisons the humors kindles choller ends in the scar-fire of burning feavers as the clouds darkens the Heavens so intemperate banquetings the minde as the violence of wind and waves drowne and sinke a ship into the bottome of the sea so doth drunkennesse and gluttony our souls and bodies to the depth of Hell Who sinn'd more grievously then Paul who offended more grievously than Peter yet they by repentance deserv'd not onely the ministery but also the mastery in holiness remember there is mercy with the Father in the Gospell shewed to the prodigall sonne returning home judge not therfore before the time before the Lord come c. for men know not the judgments of God for that which they praise hee doth condemne and that which they condemne he doth praise In God piety is not without justice nor justice without piety nor equity without goodnesse nor goodnesse without equity Vertues being separated are annihilated and perish For equity without goodnesse is severity and justice without piety is cruelty Some have lived commendably before their attaining to dignity but being set upon the Candlesticke of the Church they turne their light into darknesse and their fame into infamy and it had beene better for such Lights to have beene still hidden under a Bushell than with disgrace to have got into the Candlesticke for their wickednesse which was obscured by their poverty was manifested and divulged by their dignity As they increased in dignity so they did also in disgrace and infamy A private sinner is often spared but if a Prelate offend all tongues are sharpned to speak his disgrace Discretion should be used in making promises for a vain promise doth often make friends become enemies Where greatest losse is feared there greatest warinesse should be used Chrysologus his Workes 1 Homilies for Christmasse day 2 Vpon Saint Stephens day 3 Vpon Innocents day or Childernmasse day 4 Vpon New-yeares day 5 Vpon Twelfth day 6 First Sonday after Epiphany On the Second third and fourth Sondayes after Epiphany 7 Vpon the Septuagesima 8 Vpon Ash-wednesday 9 Vpon the first Sonday in Lent 10 Vpon all Lent Sondayes 11 Vpon Good-friday 12 Vpon Easter-day 13 Vpon all the Sondayes till Whitsontide 14 For Ascention day 15 For Sondayes after Whitsontide 16 Vpon St. Andrews day 17 Vpon St. Thomas day 18 Vpon our Lady day 19 Vpon St. John Baptists day 20 Vpon Saint Peters day 21 Vpon St. Mathews day 22 Vpon the beheading of Saint John Baptist 23 Vpon St. Luke the Evangelist 24 Vpon some Martyrs 25 Vpon one Confessor 26 Vpon a Virgin Martyr 27 Vpon the day of the Dedication of the Temple 28 A booke against the Heretique Eutyches 29 Some learned Epistles The time of this Fathers Life was long hee did as Trithemius reports of him flourish principally under Martian the Emperour and dyed in the yeare of Jesus Christs Incarnation 500. His body as was fitting was with great solemnity and lamentation buried hard by the body of that renouned Martyr Cassianus and doth with him expect a glorious resurrection amongst the just and upright men His Works are of great esteeme amongst the learned and are to bee reserved in the Church of Christ as Monuments of his great labour and learning An. Christi 445. Sanctus Prosper S. PROSPER THis famous Writer was of the same
else but the diligent practice of so many Fathers as have been renowmed for this it was enough and I cannot let some of them passe without a due respect and reverence they having beene some of them so highly in Gods favâ—ur and registred in sacred Writ as Moses David Salomon Ieremiah and of the famous Fathers of the Church as Saint Cyprian Lactantius Iuvencus Saint Hillarie Marius Victorius Gregorius Nazianzenus Saint Ambrose Hillary Sedulius Synesius Paulinus Ausonius Paulus Diaconus Rhabanus Maurus with divers others neither can I let passe his care to keepe the vertue of a good Oratour for in this also hee deserves an eminent commendation for take a way or diminish the lustre of that and what spurious and barbarous proceedings will there not be admitted How soone will not the pure fountains of Eloquenâ—â— be stopped and Rhetoricke neglected and indâ—ed how soone will all good literatuâ—e and painfull studies be câ—unted needlesse if once this be slighted have not so many of the Fathers of the Church been studious this way and indeed take away this jewell and how shall mens hearts be wrought upon are not Origen Saint Cyprian Athanasius Basil Nazianzen Ambrose Gregory Nyssen Saint Augustine Chrysologus Saint Gregory Beda Damascen Bernard with many others admired for their excellencie this way that with their Oratory they have wonderfully wrought to the stopping of Heresies and the advancing of truth to the convincing of errours and the converting of soules to Religion But I leave this as knowne and proceed to his further increasing abilities As he increased in yeeres so in gifts when he came to mans estate hee settles upon Philosophy and so to Divinitie then he fits himselfe by prayers and other duties required in such a choice and here he found that sweetnesse that it was not satisfactory to him to spend the day in these but the night also and that not without fasting prayers and teares hee was long gone in yeeres before he was made Priest in respect of the dissentiâ—ns of the Roman Church and in regard that the Armies of Henry the Fourth at that time wasted Germany by reason of those Thunderbolts sent from Rome so that it was an hard case for a Student to reade Divinitie amongst Horse-troops and to addict a mans selfe to the Muses when Mars was Commander yet even in these times did this Rupertus follow his worthy intentions and did not abate bur rather double his diligence even in these boysterous stormes and especially he was sheltered by the protection of Fredericke Archbishop of Collen from the hazards of the intruding sword and was made Abbot of a Dutch Dorpe in lower Germany seated upon the Rhine a little below Collen called as my Authour testifies Tuitium or Divitense Mompientum from a Cloyster builded there by this Rupertus himselfe and dedicated to Saint Lawrence and here hee wanted not adversaries to calumniate him and those that did accuse him of Heresie but he cleeres these oppositions and in short space confutes the Authors though for a time hee ceased writing and as the Devill was malicious to hinder goodnesse much more propitious was God to this Rupertus for it pleased him to raise up great men to protect him as the aforenamed Archbishop of Collen who did make him one of his Clients and Cuno an Abbot afterwards Bishop of Ratisbone eminent men and both of them equally intending to preserve the fame of this Rupertus and they doe deserve their due Encomiums for their pious sheltering of him never hath it beene knowne that God hath left his Church of Enemies he will make friends if a mans ways please the Lord hee will make his enemies to be at peace with him and so this Rupertus escaped the mouth of that Lion Will you but heare this mans praise Dum quidem stabit Ecclesia Catholica c. that is As long as the Church Catholike stands on earth so long shall the worth of this man be celebrated which more then any one hath ennobled the Church of Collen in whose Writings there is nothing but gravity sanctity and solidity who by the instinct of the blessed Spirit of God did search out many mysteries who handled the points of Faith sincerely and judiciously who with wit defended the Ceremonies of the Church against all Opponents who play'd the parts of an absolute Divine who setled dextrously all differences in Religion and for humane Learning who knew it more expertly or did practise it more substantially yet so as he would call them Dona Dei preciosa sed ancillas Theologiae Ministras that is The precious gifts of Gods Spirit but yet Handmaids and attendants to Divinitie and so speaks another of him Sivitae sanctitatem inquiras religiosissimus si scientiam undecunque doctissimus si mores omni honestate insignis erat that is If you desire to know whither he was an holy man or not I testifie hee was wholly addicted and devoted to Religion if you enquire of his knowledge and Learning he was every way accomplished if you look into his manners and course of life it was at all times in all places upon all occasions decored and graced with honesty who can expresse his Humility iu the height of his prosperitie Erat fide firmus spe certus charitate repletus sapientia clarus c. that is hee was setled in the Faith grounded in hope full of lave famous for wisdome truly valiant honest in his actions of a sober life patient in the deepest affliction a fit Shepherd for Christs Lambs meek courteous devout frequent in praying deepe in meditations studious in his readings so as it is said of him semper legit semper scripsit semper oravit He always was reading or writing or praying nay as the said Author hath it Non erat virtus quam Ruperti conversatio nesciret that is there was not a vertue which this Rupertus in his life did not practise How did he instruct the ignorant reduce the wandring confound Heretikes How did hee hate pride abandon covetousnesse trample on luxury tamed anger expelled envy and detested idlenesse Heare but the short commendations of Trithemius Vir erat in divinis Scripturis doctissimus c. that is Hee was a man most learned in the Scriptures whom Envy it self cannot but praise whose Labours all the Learned rejoyce to reade who as he lived as an Angell here so he shall be as an Angell in glory Will you know him further then take his Epitaph cut upon a stone Anno Domini 1135. 4. Non. Martii obiit Venerabilis Pater ac Dominus Rupertus Abbas hujus Monasterii vir doctissimus at que religiosissimus ut in libris suis quos edidit apertissimè claret that is In the yeere of our Lord 1135 on the fourth of the Nones of March died this most Reverend Father Rupertus Lord Abbot of this Monastery a most Learned and Religious man as is easily to be seen in his writings Hee lived long