most secure that the Great God would both assiste him in so long a iourney and conserue his subiects in the peace and abundance which of his benignity he had graunted to them of late To this sense did S. Edward speake and scarcely had he finished but all those Counsellors and heads of the Prouinces began to complayne with a lowd voyce at such a resolution as not being fit the land should so be abandoned of its guide and the subiects exposed to the slaughters and outrages of the Enemyes who were ready at al occasions that should be offered them to returne againe into the Iland in armes His vow was laudable but yet coūterpoysed with too grieuous and manifest perils In this sort contended they a good while and after many answeres replyes to and fro he finally tooke resolution to remit all to his Holynes being at that tyme Pope Leo the Ninth of that name who being fully informed by expresse men and letters at large wrote back to the King in this forme Leo Bishop the Seruant of the Seruants of God to his deerely beloued Sonne Edward King of the English Health and Apostolical benediction Knowing thy good desires worthy of prayse and most acceptable to God we do yeild due thanks for the same to him through whose meanes Kings and Princes do rule and gouerne execute iustice but forasmuch as God in euery place is neere to those that call vpon his name in truth and equity and the holy Apostles are vnited with their head with one and the selfe same spirit and that he equally attends to pious prayers And that besides being euident the Kingdome of England would come to be in great daungers if thou shouldst leaue the same that with the bridle of thy power restreynest the seditious motions of the people We by the authority committed to vs from God his holy Apostles do absolue thee from the band of that vow for which thou fearest to offend the diuine Maiesty and likewise in vertue of that power which was graunted to vs by our Lord in the person of the blessed Peter when he said Quaecumque solueris super terram erunt soluta in caelis we do first absolue ◅ee as well from this band as from all other negligences and defaults whatsoeuer incurred in thy whole life then in vertue of holy Obedience and by title of penance we do commaund thee thou distribute the money assigned to this Pilgrimage to the poore and to erect besides a Monastery of Religious vnto the honour of the Prince of the Apostles yet leauing still to thy discretion eyther to teare it from the first foundations or to repayre or augmēt some other in ill plight and ruined already through iniury of tymes or other accidents furthermore that thou endow the same with rents sufficient to maynteine a good number of the Seruants of God to the end that while they there attend to prayse the diuine Maiesty the glory may redound to the Saints and pardon and indulgence to thee Besides we do will and declare whatsoeuer so conferred applyed eyther by thee or any others to be firme and stable and to be alwayes the habitation of the Monks and not to be subiect to any secular person whosoeuer except the King Moreouer we confime with most ample authority what priuiledges may seeme good to thee to be graunted so as truly they may be to the honour of God And for conclusion we do curse him with eternal maledictiō whosoeuer shall once seeme to haue the boldnes to violate or break the same This Briefe of the Pope though otherwise true and authenticall inough was notwithstanding by the diuine will confirmed with an admirable euent as followeth S. Peter appeares to an Hermit and bids him in his name to aduise S. Edward not to doubt of the Popes Briefe The ioy of the King heereat and what followed therupon Chap. 5. THere liued in those countryes a holy Hermit who hauing beene now for many yeares voluntarily shut vp in a deepe Caue with desire of Contemplation came at last to receiue the crowne of Iustice. To this man on a night S. Peter appeared and said to him K. Edward through anxiety which he feeles for a certaine vow that he made in the banishment from his Country for the care which he hath for the quiet of the Kingdome and necessityes of his Subiects hath taken resolution to seeke the pleasure of the Pope of Rome Let him know then that of myne authority he is dispensed of the same obligation with condition to found a Monastery to my honour and therefore he shall make no doubt of the Apostolicall Brief but shall endeuour to dispose himselfe without delay to performe what he commaunds him to do for that end Because the whole order proceeds from me being his ancient Protectour and perpetuall Aduocate And to the end he may see the better to resolue vpō the execution therof let him know that in the west side of London are yet to be seen the ruines of a most noble Temple and Conuent of the Monkes of S. Benet which heertofore hath beene fauoured with my presence illustrated with miracles and consecrated moreouer with my proper hands This place is called Thorney which for the sinnes of the Inhabitants there now for many yeares being giuen ouer into the hands of barbarous people of very opulent and famous is now become most poore and despicable This would I haue the King take in hand to renew adorne and endow with sacred pictures stately buildings and rich possessions that well may they say thereof Heere truly is the howse of God and the Gate of heauen Heere will I set vp a ladder by which the Angels may ascend to cary vp the supplications of Mortals and I will not fayle according to the dispositiō of ech one to open him the gates of heauen But do thou for the present put downe in writing what heere thou hast heard and vnderstood of me and without delay send the scroule to the King that so he may rest both the more secure of the dispensation and more prompt to obedience and stable in my deuotion Which sayd the Apostle vanished and the Hermits relation came into the hands of the King euen iust at the howre when the Apostolique Brief was deliuered and read Of which concurrence so together it cannot easily be expressed how glad S. Edward was thereat and how greatly astonished were all the standers by From hence he did wholy apply himself to the execution of the precept and the first thing he did was to distribute to the poore that whole summe of mony which was prepared for the voyage of Rome and then after hauing taken very diligent information of the place of Thorney he came to vnderstand how in the tyme of Ethelbert who reigned in the Country of Kent and was conuerted to the Fayth by meanes of the blessed Augustin being sent into those parts by Gregory the great to
strictnes of â—…ligation we haue to God He truly is our lawâ—…full Lord and we â—…s naturall vassayles and slaues Now then as a slaue dares neâ—…r to matter thus much and say I haue laboured yesterday in ough â—…o day therefore I will do nothing No but day by day as the â—…ospell sayth still shew forth the selfe-same promptnes which he â—…d before presuming not at all vpon his passed toyles nor thinke â—…ereby to be idle eyther now nor heerafter to the end he â—…ight conserne himselfe in grace with his Mayster and not to be â—…ust out of his seruice so likewise should we euery day be encouâ—…ging ech other to Religious Discipline assuring ourselues that 〈◊〉 we cease from working one day only we shall not obtayne reâ—…ission in vertue of any former seruices done but shall be punished â—…ther for this dayes demerits For so sayd the Prophet Ezechiel That â—…ter death euery one shall beiudged according to the state he shall then be â—…nd in And Iudas also for his ill carrage if I might so say of one â—…ght onely did loose the fruite of all his yeares for passed So as attend we my children to the true Obseruation of our Ruâ—…s and not suffer our selues to be vanquished with tediousnes as knowing that according to the Apostle Our Lord is not backward whit to cooperate with him that hath a good will and endeauours to help 〈◊〉 selfe It shall likewse auay le vs not a little to chase away Slouth carry alwayes in the memory that saying of the Apostle himseâ—… Quotidie morior And if we likewise would be alwayes thinâ—… with ourselues that this present day were to be our last a wakâ—… in the morning we would but suppose not to arriue to the Eueniâ—… and agayne being layd downe at night not promise to our seâ—… to liue till morning If we would regard how vncertayne theâ—… is and how the diuine Prouidence seemes to measure and numâ—… our steps how it hath continually the Eyes vpon vs we shoâ—… certainely not sinne nor sufferre our selues to be carryed awâ—… with vnbrideled desires nor should we be angry with our Neiâ—… bour nor giue our selues to lay vp treasure in earth but we sheâ—… hubly yeild to others in all through out should abhore all 〈◊〉 suall pleasures as a lewd and transitory thing remayning alwayâ—… with our wits about vs with the Eyes turned towards the Tâ—… bunall where we are all to be iudged And after this manner sâ—… the feare of euerlasting torments be of more power to extinguiâ—… then the delicatenes of the flesh to enflame the desires of the 〈◊〉 man And with such a Stay shall the Soule sustayne it selfe thâ—… enclining already to a miserable precipice S. Antony proceeds yet in his Exhortation And giues them other 〈◊〉 sides Chap. 7. NOw therefore beginning a new as if to day we but enâ—… into the way of Perfection let vs enforce our selues to arâ—… to the End and let no man turne his face to looke back as diâ—… wife of Lot especially our Lord hauing said so expressely Thâ—… soeuer hauing once set his band to the plough should turne his face to heed 〈◊〉 remaynes behind were not apt for the heauenly kingdome And this 〈◊〉 back is nothing els then for a man to repent himselfe of his goâ—… beginning to returne yet agayne to wordly thoughts actiâ—… But some peraduenture may be affrighted with the name of veâ—… Go to then yet let it not seeme strange or impossible since â—…ey 〈◊〉 is it farre from vs or extrinsecall to vs but rather within vs and 〈◊〉 matter is easy to him that truly disposeth himselfe to seeke it 〈◊〉 Let the Grecians and other profane Louers of themselues go thâ—… wayes to seeke it out in forren Prouinces let them plough the â—…as crosse mountaynes runne ouer the playnes countries For â—…s there is no need to make any voyages for it by sea or land since â—…at as the Prime Verity affirmes The Kingdome of Heauen is with in vs. â—…n so much as to obteyne the same supposing the diuine Grace as â—…nclined to all on our parts there requires no more theÌ„ a meere effiâ—…acious will For so much as looke when the superiour part of the â—…oule should be reduced to its naturall state it would come to â—…aue in it selfe a solid and formall vertue indeed since the naturall â—…ate seemes to be nothing els but the great rectitude much goodâ—…es wherein it was framed by the soueraygne Creatour And hence it was that the captayne Iesus Naue sayd to the Heâ—…rew people Direct your hart to the Lord of Israel And S. Iohn Baptist â—…o you rectify your wayes Because it is proper to the nature of a Soule â—…o haue no wrinesse or crookednes in it But wheÌ„ it goes bending to â—…his or that side then looseth it the naturall rectitude that benâ—…ing so is worthily termed malice From whence may appeare â—…hat the enterprise is not so bad as it seemes For that if we with â—…he helpe of our Lord but conserue ourselues such as we were fraâ—…ed by him we may come without more a do to possesse Vertue â—…ut if through election we adhere to the euill we do voluntarily â—…ecome wicked If then the matter be not to be sought for elsewhere but only consists in our selues let vs beware of vncleane cogitations and since from God we haue receyued our soule as in â—…posito let vs so deale that in his time he may acknowledge his own workemanship in vs and find the soule to be such as himselfe had â—…ormed at first Let vs fight manfully that we be not tirannized by wrath nor yet ouerswayd with concupiscence While it is written The anger of â—…a man workes not the iustice of God and concupiscence after its conception doth bring forth sinne and sinne being put in effect beâ—…gets death Let vs then be circumspect in the gouernement of our selues and stand we alwayes vpon our ward and as the sacred Scripture aduiseth vs let vs guard our hart withal the warynes that may be because though our enemyes on the one side be infeebled and deiected notwithstanding on the other are they very sagacious great dissemblers and most subtle withall and as the holy Apostle well notes Non est nobis colluctatio aduersus carmen sanguinem sed aduersus principatus potestates aduersus mundi rectores tenebrarum harum contra spiritualia nequitiae in caelestibus Great is their number in this lower region of the ayre nor are they in truth farre off from vs They are likewise very different from ech other in nature and species of which differences surely might a long discourse be had but being a matter so litle necessary to our present purpose worthy of a more sublime vnderstanding then mine is It shall suffice me for this tyme to touch that only which more imports vs to wit the fraudes and stratagemes which those maligne substances do worke to the
they suddenly prouided for the afflicted Souldiours what was needfull for them and that with so great sollicitude and charity as S. Pachomius was astonished thereat demaunding what nation they were of that was so hospitable and benigne answere was made him they were Christians When demaunding againe of what manner of life institute they were he vnderstood that they did belieue in Iesus Christ the only Sonne of God and did well to all sorts of persons with firme confidence to haue some large remuneration for it at the hands of the same God S. Pachomius had scarcely heard these words but that full as well of interiour consolation as of an vnusuall light retyring himselfe from the company and being somwhat in a deepe study with himselfe he lifted vp his hands to the starres saying Lord God who framedst the Heauen and earth if thou shalt vouchsafe to regard my basenes and my trauayles and giue me the knowledge of thy Diuinity I promise to serue thee and obey thy precepts while I breath With this prayer and promise the loue of vertue so increased in him as he began from that tyme forwards through the diuine Grace to resist all sensuality and valiantly to suffer Tribulations helping himselfe with the memory of his first purposes vntill such tyme as the Emperour hauing gotten a glorious victory vpon the Tyrant he was cashiered with others and not seeing opportunity there to become a Christian he immediately went his wayes to Chemosium a Towne of the higher Thebais where remayned some notable and venerable Seruants of God Of whome being instructed in the holy Fayth he was baptized and the very same night that he receiued this wholsome Sacrament he sees in his Sleepe his right hand to be filled with dew which falling from heauen did incorporate it selfe in forme of hony and withall heard a voyce which said Open the eyes of thy vnderstanding Pachomius and know that this is a signe of the grace which is affoarded thee by Christ. This vision was not in vayne or vnprofitable a whit but rather Pachomius felt himselfe so compund therewith and enflamed with diuine Loue as he determined without delay to renounce the world to consecrate himselfe to a monasticall life And hauing heard of a famous Hermit called Palemon that dwelt in those desarts he wēt his wayes to him to submit himselfe to his discipline S. Pachomius craues of Palemon to be receiued into his discipline and is admitted with the manner of their liues togeather Chap. 2. THis Palemon for yeares was very graue seuere of countenance so rigid and mortifyed in his cōuersation as by many he was iudged to be inimitable So soone as he heard then one knocking at his cell opening the doore he sayd to Pachomius Who art thou and what seekes thou To whome the good young man answering God sends me to you to be admitted into your estate of life The old man replyed This is no worke for you not so easy as you thinke for some three or foure others haue come hither likewise that haue not been so well able to stand to it afterwards Then Pachomius All men are not made of the same mould Do you receiue me and in tyme I trow you shall be cleered in that point I haue told you already replyed the Hermit that you cannot brooke the labour Go your wayes then first to do pennance in some other place and if you shall then thinke your selfe able to endure it do you come to me then perhaps I shall accept of you Because indeed my manner of liuing for to tell it you is very sharpe and difficult I susteyne my selfe God be thanked with no other thing then bread and s◅lt Neither wine nor oyle euer enters into my mouth Halfe of the night or there abouts do I spend part in praier part in reading and ruminating the diuine Scripture These and the like words though deliuered with a harsh voice and a horride brow were not sufficient to terrify the constant Pachomius but rather as a litle water spurted on a great fyre enkindled such a flame in his breast as with much reuerence he most cheerfully affirmed that he felt in his mynd a firme beliefe that the diuine Goodnes by meanes of the intercession of the same Palemon whose life was a mirrour to all Mortalls would make him a disciple not vnworthy of so noble a Mayster From such perseuerance vnited with like piety the Anchoret now easily gathered that Pachomius had an extraordinary feeling and a manifest vocation of God Whereupon hauing now some confidence of a happy successe without more ado he admits him into his Cell and giues him his habit And from thence they began to liue together spending the greater part of the tyme in deuotions and the ◅est in twisting of Camels hayre and making of sacks and that not to pick out money for their owne profit but to relieue the poore with as the Apostle counsayles At night then in tyme of prayer and Psalmes if Palemon perceiued the disciple to be somewhat pressed with sleep taking him forth of his Cell with a basket in hand he would employ himselfe with him in carrying of heapes of sand to and fro vntill such tyme as the superfluous vapours of the body being dispersed by this meanes he might come to be prompt nimble againe and haue the spirit now throughly awaked and would besides be admonishing him saying be you sober and attentiue O Pachomius that you be not ouercaught by the Tempter and all our labours proue not to be in vayne But the seruent Nouice gaue not much occasion vnto spurs and incitements and the holy Father exulted in himselfe and glorifyed the Diuine Clemency to see him become euery day more obedient then other to see him more addicted to mortification and abstinence he not sparing in the meane while to go alwayes before him with a liuely and continuall example So as once vpon Easter day Pachomius to solemnize that Feast hauing dressed him a litle Oyle seasoned with salt when Palemon saw him to reach it to him suddaynely striking his forhead casting forth a deepe sigh with teares he sayd My Lord was put on the Crosse he was loaden with iniuryēs cuffs and buffets in his greatest thirst he was made to drinke both Vinegar and Gaule and shall I be pampered heere and be soothing my palate which oyled meates Nor with all the instance and intreatyes that Pachomius could vse by any meanes he would seeme to breake his Fast vn◅ll such tyme as that seasoned Oyle being taken away and some other brought him which was pure and simple in blessing it first with the signe of the Crosse and rendering most humble thankes to the high Creatour for it he finally fell to In such like acts Pachomius continually beheld himselfe as in a glasse and as from the excellency of the Mayster he was hourely encouraged more to follow the good so from others defects became he alwayes more
S. Benet with his inclination to piety and religion And how Romanus a Monke assisted him therein Chap. 1. SAINT Benet Founder of the most noble Congregation of Mount Casin gaue with his birth no litle glory to Nursia though otherwise a notable and famous Citty in the Confines of Marca and Vmbria It was in the yeare of our Lord 482. when Gelasius the first gouerned the Catholique Church and Anastasius the Empire The Father of S Benet was called Proprius the Mother Abundantia of the family of Riguardati at that tyme not only Honourable but potent and Illustrious The Child of a rare to wardnes in wit faâ—…re outstripping his yeares in shewing himselfe to be aliened from all manner of pleasures and sports was sent to Rome to study vnder the tutelage of one that had a good care of him Heere now being entred into profane schooles he was soone aware of the perils that hung ouer him through vayne sciences ill companyes and â—…he snares and intrications of the world So as fearing some precipice he made hast to pluck out his foote betymes with firme deliâ—…eration to repayre vnto the desart and with all endeauour to atâ—…end to the diuine worship and to the saluation of his Soule With this deliberation the Saint and Elect of God first retyred himselfe from the concourse of Rome into the castle of Offida without other company then only of his Nurse that deerely loued him from whome as yet he could not conueniently quit himselfe Nor was it long erre the Diuine Goodnes with euident signes began to shew forth how gratefully he accepted the religious purposes of S. Benet For that a Scry wherwith they winnow corne being broken by chance in two peeces which the Nurse had borrowed of her neighbours and she poore woman most pittifully lamenting for it the pious youth could by no meanes endure to see her so distressed Whereupon putting himselfe into prayer with the two peeces thereof by his side as soone as he had ended the same he found theÌ„ suddenly vnited and the Vessell as whole and sound as if it had neuer beene broken or hurt at all The miracle was great could not be concealed whence all the inhabitants there-about came running in to behold the same blessing our Lord and magnifying the Child with the words that had been spoken heertofore of the holy Precursour of Christ and further for memory of the fact they did hang vp the sayd Scry publikely at the entrance of the Church where it remayed till such tyme as the Country was sackt by the Lombards These fauours acclamations were a great spur vnto S. Benet to fly away thence and to hide himselfe as soone as he could So that abandoning his Nurse and as many as knew him he secretly got him to the Mountaynes of Sublacum about some 40. miles distant from Rome a territory but obscure in those dayes though illustrious afterwards through the abode and long conuersation of S. Benet And it pleased God that before his arriuall thither he should hap to meete which a certayne Monke by name Romanus who courteously examining him of his life and vnderstanding his heauenly Vocation gaue him besids good counsayls the habit moreouer of an Hermit with promise withall to keep it secret and to be assisting vnto him in what he might With such direction the new Champion of Christ being come to Sublacum puts himselfe into a most strayt caâ—…e and therein remayned shut vp for three yeaâ—… coâ—…nually together without the knowledge of any person in the world except Romanus who liuing not farre off in a monastery vnder the Obedience of S. Theodosius Abbot fayled not to steale some part of his leasure and reserue also some pittance of the food allowed him to visit from tyme to tyme and to susteyne his deere disciple And forasmuch as from the Conuent to the caue no path way was to be found there hanging a very high cliff iust ouer the same Romanus was wont to tye to a long cord that little bread he could get with a bell vnto it by sound wherof S. Benet might conueniently vnderstand when his refection was brought him Our Lord appeares to a Priest and sends him with victuals to S. Benet He 〈◊〉 assayled with a cruell temptation which he strangely puts away And afterwards escapes poysoning Chap. 2. NOw the auncient Aduersary not brooking well the charity of Romanus and the life of S. Benet in letting downe the cord abouesayd threw downe a stone vpon the bell burst it to peeces which notwithstanding Romanus fayled not to supply and still to perseuer in that worke of mercy vntill such tyme as our Lord being willing to giue him rest of such labours and to others the example of so high and sublime vertue appeared in vision to a certayne Priest of those countryes who to feast himselfe on the day of Pascha had made ready a good dynner to that end and sayd to him Thou standst heere preparing thee banquets when loe my Seruant the 〈◊〉 lyes staruing yonder for hunger At which admonishment the good Priâ—… arising sudenly on the same day of Easter with his victuals puâ—… himselfe on the way and after he had fetcht some compasse about those mountaynes and valleyes a prety while he found S. Beâ—… at last in the Caue When saluting him fayrely and making soâ—… prayer together with him Let vs now sayd he afford some little nourishment to the body reioyce in our Lord for this is the Feast of the Pascha It is truly a Pasch to me answered S. Benet who in so great a solitude vntill this tyme haue not knowne the course of the yeare and you haue afforded me a Feast sufficient already with your presence Nay truly not so replyed the Priest to day is celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord not is it any wayes fit for you to fast on this day and that especially so much the rather as I am sent hither of purpose to communicate in charity with you on this day Then without more strife or contention they both blessing our â—…rd fell to eating and after a sweete and spirituall discourse had betweene them the Priest went his wayes And now as it were at the same tyme some shepheards also lighted on the said place Who beholding amidst those brakes the holy yoÌ„g man to be clothed with â—…kyns at first they tooke him for a beast that might lurke there but after approching neere vnto him and illumined with his admirable aduises christian doctrine they knew anone themselues who till that tyme had beene but as brute beasts Wherupon being touched with true Contrition they gaue themselues from thenceforth â—…o a more reasonable life From whence the fame of S. Benet began to spread it selfe the poore Caue to be frequented of many who bringing him corporall food returned from thence well refreshed with spirituall nourishment On those dayes he being once all alone was assayled by the Deuill in forme of a
with much slouth and negligence Whereat being scandalized he determined to accuse them to the Lord himself Whereupon ascending to the top and being admitted to the Pallace he found the King with the onely attendance of one Squire and no more hauing sent away the rest of his family to reape it being then haruest tyme. The child then entring into the hall being called by the King approches neere him and sits him downe at his feete After which being pleasantly demanded by him who he was and from whence and wherefore he came he answered to all without difficulty And immediately heerupon he caused a loafe of most pure bread to be giuen him which S. Anselme eating in the King his sight felt meruaylous comfort Being afterwards awakened in the morning and reducing this vision to memory the innocent child held it to be a certayne truth no fantastical thing verily belieued he had been in Paradise indeed and had tasted of the bread of our Lord and so publikely affirmed to his companiōs He went after increasing in yeares and vertue so as for his good behauiour he was beloued of all Being sent to Schoole as he was of an excellent wit in a very short tyme he profited exceedingly in learning for his choosing of a state of life he was not yet entred into the 15. yeare of his age when he began to thinke in what manner he might best obserue the diuine precepts saue his soule and after a long discourse thereupon with himselfe he came at last to resolue there was nothing more apt for the purpose then to become a Monke to consecrate himselfe foreuer to the diuine Seruice With this determination he went his wayes to a certayne Abbot intreating him to admit him into Religion But that Prelate for feare of Gondolfus durst not receyue him And yet was not the good youth a whit coole therwith in his purpose but rather besought God he might fall into some grieuous malady to the end the Abbot by meanes thereof being moued to pitty might admit him at last The prayers of S. Anselme were more efficacious with God thē with men Being suddenly sicke then of a dangerous infirmity he besought the Abbot anew he would daigne to accomplish his desires and not suffer him to dye in the world But he fearing yet the offence aforesayd was still very stiff in the negatiue and that not without the diuine Will since the chast youth was destined to the help of other nations and for other enterprises of greater glory of Christ as we shall see anon He recouered then his perfect health for that tyme withall renewed the good purposes but afterwards what with the heate and feruour of youth and the riches and commodityes of home suffering himselfe to be carryed away with pleasures and company keeping he came wholy as it were to loose not only his Vocation and spirit he had but euen also the study of letters wherein he had been so diligent before One thing only for awhile deteyned him somewhat from complying too much with his senses therein the respect of his deere Mother whome he loand reuerenced much But after she was passed from this lyfe being then meerly without any tye at all to hold him too that frayle barke was carryed away into the waues and streames of the world S. Anselme being tyred with the bitter vsage of his Father goes into Normandy to S. Lanfranke and becomes his Scholler Chap. 2. IN his manner went S. Anselme with the greater part of mortalls into manifest perdition when the heauenly Father beholding him with the eyes of clemency to vnty him from the world permitted his Father to be so fraught with hatred and auersion from him as that equally the good and bad or rather more the good actions of S. Anselme them the bad displeased him nor was there any meanes left to pacify him with all the humility and satisfaction the yong man could yield vnto him Insomuch as seing euery day the old man to be more bitter to him and intollerable then other for feare of some great inconuenience he determined to leaue his Country Parents and friends as well to deliuer himselfe of so great tribulations and troubles as to apply himselfe anew more seriously to learning Putting himself then in order and laying his fardell on an Asse he went towards Burgundy with onely a certaine Clerke his familiar friend in his company and passing ouer Montsenese being not much accustomed to the labours of the body he felt himselfe so weary of the way and of climbing vp the hill and so afflicted withall as not hauing other sustenance he began to eate the very snow insteed of food Whereat the Clerke being moued to compassion did presently looke into his sachell to see if there were somwhat there to eate when besides all expectatiō he found therein a white and sauoury loase of bread which not in a dreame now as before but really in effect gaue to S. Anselme lyfe so as he arriued in few dayes to the place designed very safe and sound where partly in Burgundy it selfe and partly also in France for about the space of three yeares he attended to his studyes There liued in those dayes in the Monastery of Benedictins at Bec in the country of Normandy one Lanfranke an Italian by nation of the Citty of Pauia a man so famous for knowledg goodnes as many youths from diuers parts of the world repayred to him that were desirous of sound and perfect doctrine Now S. Anselme being moued with the noyse and rumour of such a one became so enflamed with desire of knowing Lanfranke by sight and to conuerse with him as he doubted not a whit to go himself in hast into that prouince And was in truth nothing deceyued of his expectation finding in that Father so rare gifts of wisedome as he tooke it for no small happynes to haue him for Mayster and to be admitted into particular familiarity with him With this occasion the feruent louer of liberall arts without sparing eyther day or night employed himselfe with singular industry to enrich his breast with sundry knowledges of high extraordinary things in giuing eare to the doctour in turning of books in gathering notes in framing Epitomes in rehearsing of thinges heard and expounding others In which occupations while he suffers much paynes and many incommodityes as it happens now of cold and now of heate now of hunger and then of sleep it came agayne into his mind that if he were a Monke as heertofore he had desire to be he should not suffer more troubles and paynes nor do more pennance then now he did while in a religious state besides he should not loose the merit of so great labours whereas in the life he then led it was more vncertayne what fruite at last he were like to gather thence Wherefore in ruminating this new purposes began to awake in his mynd of seruing God and wholy renouncing
your Preist and Bishop of Bamberge There could not happen to the Embassadours eares a more strange and vnexpected thing then it Whence being astonished and confounded they began priuily to looke one vpon another and to cast there eyes from tyme to tyme on the face of Otho Whereof some of Caesars court being aware who now for a long tyme gad greedily expected to aspire to that seate and Liuing with glaunces nods and whispering began to stir vp the Bambergians to shew themselues not well satisfyed with such a nomination and resolued not to accept it by any meanes So as at last with a sad countenance and free liberty they turning themselues to Caesar sayd We hoped your Maiesty would haue deputed to vs some Prelate who had been one of the most markable and illustrious of the Court. Now for this man we know not eyther who he is or whence he came Then Caesar replyed with a seuere looke We our selues through long cōuersatiō and infinite proofes haue had full and perfect notice of this Subiect his faythfullnes his iudgement and longanimity his diligence in small matters and sufficiency in great are not vnknowne to vs. Nor would we haue you to thinke but the losse of such a Minister must needes redound to the notable preiudice of our own seruice From whence we see as euery one may perceaue the sincere affection we beare to your Countrey so as we in this election so much premeditated are not to be altered in our iudgement And whosoeuer shall seeme to haue the boldnes to oppose this our decree shall infallibly incurre our high displeasure Otho hitherto had knowne nothing of any such deliberation made Whereupon as one astonished with a sudden blow falling prostrate at the Emperours feet began to powre forth a floud of teares The Embassadours ran readily to reare him vp He then hauing taken a litle breath refused the charge with might mayne esteeming proclayming himselfe to be wholy vnworthy thereof and affirming with all that so high a degree became rather some other more noble ancient and well deseruing of the sacred crowne then him By occasion whereof Caesar re-entring agayne into Otho's prayses among other things made this publique declaration how this had beene the third Bishopricke which the seruant of Christ had refused how first he had offered him that same of Augusta then that of Halberstad nor could euer hitherto seeme to fasten any one vpon him From whence very euidently appeared the modesty the humility and merits of such a persons through diuine dispensation reserued as it should seeme for the benefit and behoofe of the Citty of Bamberge And with this many other Elogies and prayses putting the ring on his fingar and the Pastorall staffe in his hand so adorned he giues him to the Embassadours At sight whereof with a sudaine inclination of minds was immediately raysed a fauoutable cry and applause of the whole multitude The Embassadours beholding things to fall out thus as truly from God approaching to S. Otho their Father and Lord saluted him cheerefully and with Christian vertue very reuerently adored him When as Henry sayd agayne Accept him then with a good will and vse him with that loue and veneration as he deserues because I call him to witnes who knoweth all things that I know not a man in all the world to whom more truly and with greater reason so ample a charge as this may be conferred then to him And for my part as long as I liue and wield this Scepter whosoeuer shall but touch him shall touch the very aple of myne eye In this manner then and by such meanes as these came S. Otho to be forced to the Bishopricke but yet full of anxiety and scruples the while as well for other very graue respects as also for the controuersies sprung vp as we sayd before by reason of inuestitures betweene the Roman Church Empire And yet on the other side considering that his being now so often called to such a charge could not choose but proceed from the diuine Wil he feared least persisting in the negatiue he might hap to incurre that dreadfull sentence Noluit benedictionem elongabitur ab eo Amidst such streights and perplexityes as these he finally determined with himselfe to recurre as soone as might be for ayde and light to the Apostolique Sea and made an expresse vow neuer to admit of the Bishoprike vnles at the instance of his flock the Pope himselfe should inuest and consecrate him with his owne hands With this resolution he kept the Feast of the Natiuity of our Lord at Ments in company of Caesar and from thence dismissing a part of the Embassadours he stayed in Court for vrgent reasons about some fourty dayes space Which being ended he tooke his leaue of Henry and through his expresse commandement accompanyed to Bamberge by the Bishops of Augusta and of Herbipolis of other principall personages besides he made his solemne entry on the day before the Purification of the most blessed Virgin The Monks and Clerkes and all the Nobility went forth to meete him in orderly procession with psalmes and hymnes and with rich ornaments and deuout reliques Nor would the people and meaner sort suffer themselues to be vanquished with such offices of obsequiousnes While euery one leauing their shopps staules ran striuing to kneele before him and to demaund the benediction of their holy and so long desired Pastour In which feast and solemnity we may not passe ouer in silence one thing that shewes very well that euen in the Courtiers life who will but affoard any tyme to spirituall things may make a notable purchase of religious vertues S. Otho remembring his Vow goes to Rome where he is consecrated Bishop by the Pope himselfe Chap. 3. S. Otho as we haue seene had spent the greater and better part of his yeares in the seruice of secular Princes and liued in the exteriour a cōmon life and without any apparent singularity in him And yet performing according to occasions which want not intense acts of temperance and humility and of contempt of himselfe in short tyme he became very rich in those habits which more gallantly adorne and deck the soule then doe all the Mitres and Pontificall robes set forth the body Whereof he gaue a most clere example in the aforesayd day of his entrance so in Pontificalibus Because that in comming to approach to Bamberge as soone as he descouered a farre off the Cathedrall Church being dedicated to S. George he not only according to the custome of that Bishopricke dismounted suddenly from his horse but also putting off his hose and shooes publiquely in the hart of winter went bare foote and bare legg on stones and yee through the presse of people vnto the Church where the sharpnes of the cold hauing not without danger of his health now possessed already as it were the vitall parts and a hot Bath being suddenly applyed to him for present
one morning as he was celebrating Masse in the Church of S. Ambrose with an exceeding great concourse of people there was presented to him by her parents a little Girle of tender age in whome the Diuell most tyrannically raigned and he was prayed with great instance to take pitty of that vnhappy Wretch and deliuer her from so cruell torments which appeared by the shreekes and cryes she gaue and in her coūtenance and in all the partes of her body with the exceeding horrour of the standers by The tender hart of the good Priest was moued with these prayers and such a spectacle who sitting neere to the Altar while the Quire was singing called for the Patten whereon he was to make the Offertory and with his fingar distilling some droppes of water thereon he gaue it to the possessed person to drinke and immediatly the Diuell not able to suffer that sacred Antidote and that blessed effusion by meanes of a foule and nauseous vomit very hastily departed and the Girle with infinit applause and admiration of the people was restored to her Parents safe and secure After this vpon another day in the selfe same place houre was a gentlewoman of mature age brought thither by many with mayne strength in whose breast now for many yeares Sathan had remayned and so disfigured and deformed her as that being depriued of hearing sight and speach in putting forth the tongue like an Elephants truncke seemed rather a Monster then a woman besides which the face all soyled and vgly to see with a stincking breath withal shewed well the quality of the Ghest that kept possession Being brought then into the presence of the Saint he knew at first sight through diuine permission that enemy was of an euill and cruell race and so inueterate and settled in her as he would not easily be got forth of so gratefull and so ancient a dominion Then the seruant of Christ turning to the people which were there in great number bad them all to pray very attentiuely commanded the Clerkes to hold the Woman there as firme and immoueable as they could but she with diuellish force resisting and kicking withall with her foot came to strike the Priest himselfe who not regarding the same entred into the consecration in such manner as looke how many signes of the Crosse he made vpon the hoast so many in turning himselfe he made vpon the possessed person with the incredible rage and dolour of that fiend as by the gnashing of teeth and sundry and those strange gestures and roaringes and struglinges she made most manifestly appeared After which the Pater noster being sayd the Priest began againe to giue a more shrewd assault to the aduersary with likewise holding the Paten with the body it selfe of our Lord ouer the Matrons head and sayng Behold heere O wicked spirit thy iudge behold the supreme power now resist if thou canst behold him who being to suffer for our saluation affirmed that then the Prince of this world was to be banished hence heere is that sacred body which being taken from the body of a holy Virgin extended on the Crosse put into a Sepulcher and risen from death ascended triumphant into heauen So then in the power of this Maiesty O malignant spirit I do commaund thee to leaue this his seruant not dare to molest her more That sayd and the hoast according to the vse being deuided into three partes he gaue the Pax to the Monster which peace and health diffused by him through all the congregatiō with particuler influence did euen penetrate into the soule and body of the possessed because the vniust and pertinacious possessour went forth immediatly from her declaring thereby of what efficacy and value the Sacrament of the Altar is especially being handled with the purity and fayth it deserues And it may be well belieued with good reason that this Diuell with whome so much tampering was vsed was one of the cheifest of the Hellish squadrons since others of a lower rancke not only vsed to fly away very fearefully from the coniurations vsed and presence of the seruant of Christ but euen also from his Stole though he himselfe had by◅ distant farre off as from an obiect intollerable to him and a most grieuous punishment Such and so great was the sanctity of S. Bernard S. Bernard with prayers deliuers a soule from paynes with other notable Visions besides that happened to him Chap. 23. IT followes now that we touch something of the Visions i◅ which either he appeared to others or others appeared to him And be that the first which himselfe afterwards was wont to tell vnto others A certaine Monke of a good intention but of harsh conuersation and lesse compassionate to his neighbours then he oughe to haue beene in the Monastery of Clareuallis came to the end of his dayes and a little after appeared to the holy Abbot with sad countenance and a miserable habit signifying that matters went not very well with him Being asked the particuler he added with dolourous accents that he was giuen vp into the power of huge and cruel Elfes he had scarcely sayd so much when being pushed with a fury and chased away from the face of the seruant of God he suddenly vanished Then the Saint with a sigh and compassion as behoued sayd calling after him with a loud voice I command thee in the name of the Highest to returne to me againe within few dayes to tell me how thou farest From hence applying himselfe to help that soule with prayers and sacrifices he neuer gaue ouer vntill such tyme as the dead himselfe appearing once more according to the precept giuen him did comfort him with the happy newes of his deliuery S. Bernard found himselfe on a certaine tyme in a strange manner to be grieued and oppressed with an excesse of cold humors so as a gush of fleame continually running from him soone brought that body nigh worne and spent already to a manifest point of death His children and other Deuotes doe gather about him as it were to prepare the exequyes and he being in excesse of mind seemes to himselfe to be brought vnto the Tribunall of Christ where the ancient aduersary was likwise present most outragiously accusing him The accusation ended and space giuen to the seruant of Christ to plead defend himselfe not shewing the while any signe of perturbation at all thus answered I do confesse I am not worthy of eternall glory nor of the heauenly kingdome but my Lord who possesseth the same by a double title that is by paternall inheritance and painefull purchase contenting himselfe with the one of the two titles of the other makes a liberall guift to me and in vertue of this deuotion I doe with reason aspire thereunto At which answere the enemy was confounded that forme of iudgement and tribunall vanished and the man of God without any more returned to himselfe againe Another tyme he beheld himselfe at the Sea
Andrew should please to commaund him Then answered the seruant of Christ I will haue thee the first thing thou dost to relinquish this ill practise and conuersation of Gamesters and after that for eight dayes that thou attend to Fasting and to recommend thy selfe hartily to the most Blessed Virgin The conditions seemed hard to Iohn and yet notwithstanding to make some try all thereof vsing some violence to himselfe he dismissed and abandonned the euill companyes and with abstinence and prayer made the Mother of God so propitious to him as not without the amazement of the whole Citty and his infinite ioy he was cured both of the Vlcer which deuoured his flesh and of the greedy appetites which vnder a false shadow of good consumed his sensuall and vnwary soule Such then were the actes which B. Andrew practised with his neighbour full of simplicity truth by whose meanes we may well beleeue that many others at that tyme were weaned from vices and confirmed in vertue How B. Andrew was made Preist and then Superiour and of the guift of Prophesy which he shewed in a particuler euent Chap. 5. THough the modesty submission of the Blessed Andrew were now already well knowne he had notwithstanding new commodity to manifest with a noble document how much he sought to please God only and how be abhord all worldly glory It was in tymes past and is yet to this day a custome in Florence as in other places of Christendome also to make feasts at the first Masse of a new Preist with musique pompes and banquetes which demonstrations of ioy and gladnes as they are not to be blamed while they are kept with in the bounds of a moderate festiuity so when they exceed the same there is much danger incurred least Christiā ceremonyes degenerate into gentil prophane and that in operations of the spirit and mind the flesh and belly may intrude themselues and finally least in the seruice and worship due to God only the diuell a fearefull thing should haue his part therein Now the Blessed Andrew hauing passed ouer allready the gulf of youth and not being able to resist Superiours that he might not be promoted vnto sacred Orders as soone as he knew the matter to be diu◅lged and how the Corsinoes striued to celebrate the Primitia of his Priesthood with exquisite musique rich hangings and sumptous banquetes recollecting himselfe a litle and considering such pompes were not any thing conformable with his profession and worthily fearing some manner of abuse therein with leaue of the Prelate retired himselfe into a Conuent which is called by the name of the Sylua some seauen miles forth of the Citty and heere as without all noyse so with extraordinary spirituall sweetenes he offered his first sacrifice to the most holy Trinity which how gratefull and acceptable it was the Emperesse of Heauē her selfe did testify who ouer that same vnbloudy hoast appeared to B. Andrew encompassed with a troupe of Angells and with the words of Esay the Prophet very plainely sayd to him Seruus meus es tu in te gloriabor Which sayd by little and little mounting aloft she vanished quite With which fauours the prudent man not puffed vp awhit but rather attending to abase himselfe and to acknowledge all good to proceed from the meere benignity of the highest became euery day more worthy and more capable of new graces So as a little after the aforesayd vision being sent to Paris to giue himselfe more exactly to his studyes and thence afterwardes in his returne into Italy passing by Auignon where the Cardinall Corsino his neere kinsman was while there he entertayned himselfe for some space he gaue sight to a blind man who in the Church porch according to custome was publikely begging an Almes From thence being come into Florence he deliuered one Fryar Ventura a Carmelite from a dropsy And to the end that B. Andrew might not seeme to want the guift of prophesy also euen much about that tyme being intreated by a freind to baptize an infant which had beene newly borne into the world he did it louingly and in taking him out of the sacred Font had a reuelation from heauen of the vnhappy successe which that poore creature was to haue Whereupon being moued to compassion and being not able to hold from weeping he was demauded by the Gossipe what made him to weep so Then B. Andrew though vnwillingly made answere Know then how this Child is come into the world to the totall destruction of himselfe and his howse Of which prediction as then the secular made but litle recknoning but saw it at last to be too true Because the Child in progresse of yeares being giuen to an ill life and euen loaden with ◅mes and wickednes at last with some men of ill demeanour conspired against his countrey and the conspiracy discouered the miserable wretch by the hāds of a hangman finished his dayes with a due punishment and the vtter ruyne of his Family The excellent tallent and manner which B. Andrew had in gouernement Chap. 6. THough B. Andrew endeauoured what he could to keep himselfe from the eyes of mortall men obscure and vnknowne notwithstanding being now come into a singular opinion fame of sanctity he was chosen by the Pouinciall Chapter of the Carmelit Fathers to be Superiour of the Conuent of Florence to which charge he maynly opposed himselfe but yet the common consent of the Electours preuailed and the authority of him who of obedience might impose it vpon him In which office he let the world to vnderstand cleerely that it is not as others thinke that much spirit and good gouernement be incompatible in the same person B. Andrew through the habit of prayer and of other vertues now already confirmed in him conseruing that which he had so purchased for himselfe continually without loosing yet awhit of his authority the least of all and not affecting preeminencyes nor titles but endeuouring with all possible diligence that such as were vnder his care should wholy free from all temporall sollicitude attend to God only wherein without doubt consists the true and essenciall fruite of the religious and monastical life since otherwise for a man to be shut vp in Cloysters and to thinke continually of meat drinke and cloth and other such like necessityes is not formally to abandon the world but materially to change the dwelling only nor is it to leaue the old habits but only to alter the obiects and it is euen the same to be drowned in the Hauen as in the wide Ocean as much to be loaden and oppressed with iron as with lead Whereas on the contrary the mind being discharged of terren thoughts like a dry feather flyes lighlty aloft and then spirituall exercise◅ do neuer tire when the frayle nature neuer wants its due and conuenient sustenance Which charge for that it singularly belonges to him that gouernes others in the diuine seruice hence it is that
an Arbitour placed betweene two troupes of obiectes demanded he accompt of himselfe saying Now consider well Laurence what thou hast to do Dost thou thinke thou canst endure these austerityes and despise those commodityes Whereupon standing in suspense and contention within himselfe at last casting his eyes vpon a Crosse of Christ Thou art sayd he my hope O Lord in this tree is found comfort and strength for all a secure safe refuge for all And without doubting any more he determined by all meanes to follow the internall voyce and counsayles of the Chiefe Pastour Of the singular vertues of B. Laurence and particulerly of his Fortitude in suffering the paynes of the body Chap. 2. IT cannot easily be explicated how much seruour and spirit was augmented in that blessed soule from that so free and well grounded resolution which B. Laurence made Which howbeyt he laboured to hide by all meanes possible yet could he not so do but those of the howse especially his Mother must needes find it out Whereupon she though vertuous and deuout yet tender and anxious for her deer sonne fearing least through violence of nature he might come to be transported vnto some hardy enterprize beyond his forces she determined vpon agreement with others to ty him as soone as might be with the bands of Matrimony So at hauing practically proceeded therein without delay she soone found out and offered him a beautyfull noble and rich spouse But the holy youth being aware of the temptation and conspiracy of his freinds would deferre no longer to rid himselfe of the danger and to conuey himselfe as secretly as he could vnto S. Georges where taking the habit of Religion he manfully began to enter into the battayle against the inuisible Enemy The first assault then he gaue to Sensuality depriuing himselfe of all wantonnes and disports To hungar he gaue but that only which euen the vtmost necessity required Thirst he did tolerate in such sort as that neyther for the vehemency of heates nor wearines of the iourneys he made or other labours whatsoeuer nor for any indisposition of body would he euer call for drinke But rather if sometymes he were inuited therunto he was wont to answere how then Brothers shal we be able to endure the fire of Purgatory if we cannot suffer this litle thirst At the vigils at night and mattyns he was the first in coming thither the last to depart from thence for that it being the custome of others to returne to bed againe vntill the rising of the Sunne the B. Laurence would neuer goe out of the Church vntill the hower of prime He would neuer approch to the fire not so much as in the hart of winter a thing so much the more to be admired in so delicate a complexion A certaine Father one day inuited him to warme himselfe at the lyre and not being able to be brought vnto it he felt his hand and finding it to be benumm'd through cold he cryed out Great is the ardour O Sonne thou hast within thee since thou feelest not the extremity of cold without But what great wonder is it that he approached not to the fyre who neuer went as it were into the garden likewise being the only recreation and ordinary disport of the Monks At diuine offices he would stand bolt vpright without leaning awhit eyther on the right or left hand He would secretly make most cruell disciplines as testifyed the many stripes all black and blew through his whole body with the frequent staynes of bloud thereon appearing In the dolours of infirmityes he would shew incredible patience Being yet a Nouice his neck was full of swelling of the Kings euill The Phisitians for a last and only remedy threatned him first cuppings then launcings and lastly searing with fire And the Fryats doubting he would faynt vnder the cure he couragiously answered what feare you Brothers Let come the rasor bring in the burning irons can not he happily giue me constancy in this daunger who affoarded it to the three children in the furnace So as he was cut and burned without fetching the left groane or sigh or sending forth other voyce then Iesus for once only Howbeit indeed it is no great matter he should shew such fortitude in the greener who gaue such an example thereof in his latter age and perhapps more memorable then it Because that being vnmeasurably sweld at that tyme in the throate and being not able to resolue the corrupt humour thereof without incision of the knife the Father being desirous to be rid of the trouble to attend more freely to the care of soules stood still at that launcing as quiet and vnmoueable as a stock speaking to the timourous Chirurgeon Cut on couragiously for thy rasour can not exceed the burning hot irons of the Martyrs In this sort the flesh being vanquished quite and subdued and the noble Warrier with full perfect renunciation quitting himselfe to his power of al terrene charge endeauours to conquer the other impietyes one by one so much more powerfull and daungerous as more inward and spirituall they be But the principall fight which he tooke in hand was against that horrible monster of Pride taming it as well in the interiour as exteriour with contrary frequent and intense actes The garmentes that he wore were all torne the more abiect offices and more noysome of the Monastery most manfully therein subduing his stomack for the loue of Christ he would take to himselfe Besides he stucke not to go forth a begging of almes with a Wallet on his backe And wholy to trample vnder foot the foolish reputation and vayne pride of the world he would put himselfe of purpose into the thickest nobility and where the greater concourse of the inhabitants was He would come also sometimes to the very house where he was borne and remayning in the streets be crying aloud for Gods sake At which words and voyce of his the motherly bowells being mooued to cut off at least the walke or circuit of her deere blotid she suddenly commanded the seruants to fill vp his wallet with victualls But he contenting himselfe with two leauer of bread and wishing peace to such as had done him the charity would depart from thence as altogeather vnknowne and so com◅ nuing his round from doore to doore being tyred at last with the burden and sometymes ouer loaden with reproaches he would returne to S. Georges agayne Being further prouoked though altogeather vniustly truly with other occasions or reprehended for some thing he would force himselfe in biting his tounge sometymes to represse the naturall vehemency which the Children of Adam haue to iustify and defend themselues Through which exercise by little and little he got such a power ouer himselfe as that being once accused in the open Cōgregation by a peruerse man for hauing committed in gouernment something against the rule though he knew the malignity of him could haue yielded a good accompt of