approached full neere the day indeed when he spake so freely of it so as not to loose any tyme he craued for the Extreme vnction And while the Monks were about to descend into the Church to fetch the holy Oyle with procession thence vnto his chamber he would not seeme to consent thereunto by any meanes but would in person be led downe thither where with the greatest veneration that might be hauing taken the holy Oyle as also the heauenly Viatique he returned to his bed and recommended himselfe to the prayers of the Brethren as he likewise mutually recommended theÌ„ to our Lord. And it is a meruaylous thing how from an vpper chaÌ„ber that was somewhat high wherin he was lodged he came forth and descended on his feete while he affirmed not withstanding that death had knocked at the doore And yet who would belieue it He was not pale in the face nor meagre nor wrinckled in the brow nor had his eyes funck nor his nose sharpe nor his lips coÌ„tracted nor black his teeth nor leane slender his neck nor cruÌ„pt in the shoulders nor finally had he the flesh of the whole body any whit fallen away Thus far hath my pen gon on its course now it seemes as it were to runne a ground and loath to passe to that which by all meanes is conuenient to be written as immediately followes The blessed Death of the most venerable Bishop S. Malachy With a myracle which fell out after Chap. 27. THe ioyfull Commemoration of All-Saints arriued at last wheÌ„ we entred into the Quire but with a dolefull musique yet was it necessity for vs to sing in mourning S. Malachy though he could not sing yet mourned not but reioyced rather for his approach so neare to the triumph at hand His defect of voyce he supplied with a iubiley of the mind He honoured that Blessed Society wherof he was very soone to make vp one he payed to others that tribute which within little after was likewise to be payed to him The sacred Offices being ended as well as they could be S. Malachy now approched not to night but euen to Aurora as it were not was it Aurora indeed since darknes being now banished the day was come so as the feuer renforcing it selfe the vitall parts begaÌ„ throgh all the lyms to put forth first a boyling and then a cold sweat To the end that euen that blessed soule it selfe like wised might seeme to passe through fire and water into rest And now hope being quite lost on all sides and ech one resuming his owne prognosticat and acknowledging those of the sicke to be likewise true we were called on his behalfe to the Cel where he lay he casting his eyes towards vs With a great desire sayd he haue I desired to make this present Pascha with your Charities Thanks be to the supernal piety that I see not my self defrauded of my hope If I be able I shall not be vnmindfull of you Go to I shall I haue put my trust in God and euery thing is possible to the belieuer I haue loued God I haue loued you Loue is without terme Hereupon looking vp to heaueÌ„ he adds O Lord conserue these in thy name and not these only but all those who by meanes of thy word and my ministery haue beene dedicated to thy holy seruice After which imposing hands vpon all one by one he makes vs to go rest our selues alledging the extremest article was not yet arriued We went our wayes then and about midnight being newly awaked we ran to him againe who was now vpon departure The chamber and all the howse was filled there hauing beene besides our owne family many Abbots repayred hither from other places And so with psalmes hymnes and spirituall Canticles accompanyed we our friend in his way homwards Thus S. Malachy Bishop of Ireland Legate of the Apostolique Sea assumpted as it were from our hands by the Angels in the yeare of our Lord. 1148. and of his age 54. in the day and place by him chosen prognosticated before most peaceably slept in our Lord. And may be said to sleepe Since we all hauing our eyes fixed vpon that venerable face of his were none of vs aware of his last breath there not appearing in the dead the least signe to distinguish him a whit from what he was liuing And such was the freshnes of that whole angelicall countenance of his as he might seeme to haue receiued rather an ornamet from death then any iniury at all And finally himselfe was not changed a whit but he changed vs rather Forsomuch as in a moment our mourning was turned to Iubiley playnt to song and the domesticall discipline also which was somwhat troubled before with so grieuous an accident was now returâ—ed to its frame agayne The sacred Body being taken out of the chamber vpon Abâ—ots shoulders was carryed according to his owne designe into â—he Chappell of the most blessed Virgin There were the Exequies â—erformed with great celebrity the Masse was solemnely sung nor was there any want of those diligences which appertayne to such worke of piety Nor is it to be silenced the while how a certaine â—hild standing in the meane time a pretty way off with a dead arme â—f his not without a grieuous impediment and deformity to him I my self being aware thereof becked to him to come to me when â—â—aking the withered arme I applyed it to the hand of the glorious Bishop and he publikely on a sudden retyred from thence with is arme and hand made whole and sound That done those Organs of the holy Ghost were deposed in the appointed Sepulcher In this manner the good S. Malachy hauing happily runne his â—ariere went his wayes to the immortall crownes leauing vs all â—o lesse full of solid edification then of laudable Enuy. It rests now O Sauiour and our Iesus that as we being put in trust with this most â—oble treasure of yours ready to restore it whensoeuer you shal be pleased tn require the same so your Maiesty would vouchsafe not â—o take it from hence without the spoyles of so many companions â—nd friends but as we haue had him as a Ghest and Conuictour â—n this transitory life so may we haue him as a Guide Conductor â—nto heauen for to raigne there with thee and him world without â—nd FINIS S. ANTONY THE ARGVMENT SPeake Oyee shores neere which the Sunne doth rise How bright from you his golden Chariot flyes Reflecting his strong lustre on your streames And makes your gemmes vye purple with his beames Expresse you this and we may parallell The glorious light that issued from the Cell Of this deare Saint which made th' enamor'd sky To wonder at a State so low so high Behold his fasting watching dayly strife With hellish Foes his troubles during lyfe Yet like the Palme with greater burden prest Rays'd more aloft by paynes obtayning rest Contempt of riches did a treasure gaine Immortall
it may scarce seeme fit to be expressed with the voyce much lesse represented with the pen I thinke it a thing very conuenient to let it passe namelesse There was in the aforesayd Citty of Lesmor a certayne young girle very dumbe whome her Parents hauing humbly put in the presence of S. Malachy as he passed along the man of God made a stop and touching her tongue with a little of his spittle without more ado in the sight of all affoarded her the vse of speach Another tyme going forth of the Church with a great trayne after him a woman was presented to him at the Porch by a distressed Man her Husband wholy depriued likewise of her pronunciation Whē S. Malachy beheld this miserable woman he signed her with the most holy Crosse and commaunded her in the presence of all to recite the prayer of our Lord which she presently sayd very punctually The multitude seeing this Myracle gaue glory to the diuine Goodnes In a certayne place called Ob◅reb a rich man being mortally sick had now for some twelue dayes continually remayned without once being able in any wise to vtter a word and consequently was hindered from making his Confession But S. Malachy comming to visit him immediately he recouered his lost speach being armed with the Sacraments with singular Confidence of eternall life gaue vp the Ghost A certayne Baron being in S. Malachyes Inne while he was treating there with him about some affayres at one full of faith stole away but three rushes only from his poore little Couch and with that pious theft wrought wonderous things which we haue not tyme to relate in this place The Man of God being come to Duenu◅ania there came in to him a Gentleman of that Citty as he sat at table earnestly beseeching him on the behalfe of his wife who was not without great feare daunger of her Child-birth being longer thē the ordinary terme required The Bishop of Mehome likewise with others that were present at that sitting did very earnestly recommend the case vnto him When S. Malachy heard this he answered I am not a little sorry for it in reguard that the is a very good Matron And without more a doe reaching to the Husband a cup by him blessed added Go your wayes and giue her this drinke and bid her not feare any thing So the Noble man did as he was commaunded and the next night without any difficulty at all the woman was safely deliuered S. Malachy happening to abide in the Champion countryes with the Count of Vlidia behold a woman appeared before him very great with Child now at least for fifteen months and twenty dayes gone and who finding no humane remedy with piteous teares came seeking for succour from the Seruant of Christ. Malachy being moued with so new and vnexpected an accident puts himselfe into Prayer sudenly there in the place the poore wretch without any trauaile at all brought forth the creature into the world A rehearsall of other myracles of S. Malachy vpon sundry occasions Chap. 19. ANother thing yet of no lesse wonder though in a diuerse kind happened in the land of Vlidia A certayne Souldiour of the Count of Vlidia hauing no regard vnto Gods commaundements and without hauing any feare of his heauy displeasure kept the Concubine of his owne Brother Saint Malachy hauing notice heereof performed like another S. Iohn Baptist the very same office of charity in reprehending the wicked man But that wretchlesse creature representing Herod not onely disobeyed him but made him answere moreouer with swearing in the hearing of all that he would neuer abandon his Mistris S. Malachy the true seruant of Christ being fraught with the zeale of Iustice answered God may then disseuer you agaynst your will For which the incestuous wretch as caring but litle in a most despightfull manner went his wayes from him He had scarce gone a mile from that place and within lesse then a full houre but God punished him for this his enormous crime by being assayled by certayne men and that so desperatly as wounds were the beginning of their fray and stabbes euen to the heart were the period In this bloudy on set his Soule payed for the transgression of his disobedience For one of the Ruffians sent him on a rufull message to Grand Lucifer At this newes euery one remayned astonished especially seeing the speedy execution of the sentence of S. Malachy and other wicked men being heerby gently admonished were truly conuerted In the same coūtrey Count Dermitius through manifest disorders of Gluttony and other Sensualityes had layne now sicke and vnweildy a long tyme. This man being visited by S. Malachy first sharpely rebuked for the scandall and ill example he had giuen and after blessed with holy water was sudenly raysed beyond the expectation of him and his very nimbly mounted on his horse In the Citty of Cassel came one to S. Malachy with a sonne of his being sick of the palsey crauing pitty at his hands The holy Bishop thē litting vp his mynd to our Lord said to the Father of that child Goe thy wayes for thy sōne shall recouer He went then but returned the next Morning with the child not yet cured S. Malachy making his prayer for the Child some what longer then before cheered him vp and gaue strict order to the Father of the lame child to dedicate him to the diuine Seruice which he faithfully promised to do But yet afterwards kept not his word Wherupon the youth after some yeares relapsed agayne into the same palsey Another Man likewise brought his sonne to the holy Man frō parts farre distant This child had withered feete and was not able to moue a whit S. Malachy demaunded how the same happened I thinke answered the Man it was the worke of the Deuill because my sonne being on a tyme childishy disporting himselfe in a certayne meadow that accursed Fiend if I be not deceiued made him to fall a sleepe then awaking I know not how he was foūd taken in this manner And speaking thes words he powred forth abundance of teares and humbly prayed the Diuine Man to giue his sonne some succour Who being mollifyed therwith according to his custome cōmaunded the lame child to giue himself to sleepe while he prayed who did as much and when S. Malachy had ended his prayer the child immediately stood vpon his feete very iocund and lusty The holy man kept him afterwards with him a prety while and iustructed him well in the Rudiments of the Christian Fayth carrying him along with him into diuers places with his other Domestiques A certaine poore Man serued in a Mill of the Monastery of Benchor maynteyning himselfe partly with that labour partly also with dayly almes This man had likewise been lame now for these twelue yeares in such sort as he was compelled to go with his hāds on the ground and trayling his dead feete after him Now S. Malachy beholding him
most well-beloued Sonne but rather in satisfaction of our debts deliuer him ouer to so cruell and bitter a death With which discourses and adâ—…nishments S. Antony went mouing the people in such fort as many conceauing a like desire of the Eternity and contempt of the world determined themselues likewise to be sequestred from the vulgar to giue themselues to a solitary life From hence so many Monasteryes tooke their beginnings where with in a very short tyme were all those craggy mountaynes and champians of Egipt filled And he so long as he liued had the superintendency and sollicitous care ouer them all receauing with singular affect of charity such as for diuers occurences of good goâ—…rnement would be making their repayre vndo him and he himselfe also would no lesse be visiting them in person when tyme reâ—…ired without sparing any labour or respect of manifest perils haâ—…ing alwayes the heauenly custody with him which miraculously â—…efended him from all disasters As it happened once among other tymes in his visit of the couÌ„â—…y of Arsinoe whither trauayling with some of his and being to â—…ade ouer a branch of the riuer of 〈◊〉 full of Crocadills most â—…uell Enemyes Deuoures of men hauing made his praier a litle â—…tred into the water and passed quite through it both going and â—…omming without any manner of hurt at all of himselfe or his CoÌ„anions Being now returned to his Cell he gaue himselfe to his â—…onted labours and exercises as before and aboue all to his pastorall care by inducing alwaies the Monks to greater perfection with words and deeds full of holsome incite ments and holy doctrine Nor was it hard for him to assemble an Auditory so great was the â—…unger which euery one had of his words and so singular the grace 〈◊〉 his discourse vouchafed him by our Lord But especially one day â—…ere being 〈◊〉 together a very great â—…course of people to heare â—…im the venerable Abbot with accustomed modesty candour of â—…ynd in the Egyptian tongue began to deliuer himselfe as it followeth in the next chapter The Exhortation of S. Antony to the Monkes and people of the Disart Chap. 6. ALthough the diuine Scriptures my Children and most beloued Brethren are sufficient of themselfes for the instruction and erudition of men Yet is it a thing notwithstanding very reasonable and iust that euen Men no lesse knowing themselues with mutuall incitements excite one another to the execution of that which they haue well vnderstood and with pertaking ech one with the rest the inspirations and lights he obteynes of God they may all come to be euery day more wife and expert in his holy serâ—…ce Wherfore you my children whensoeuer you shall haue any good conceipt to propose vnto others to me your Father omit â—…not and I also as more ancient in yeares and most ready for the glory of God will participate with you in a much of that kind as I haue hitherto any wayes eyther by document of others or of my owne experience been able to comprehend The first then and principall aduertisement for all is 〈◊〉 that ech one of vs endeauour two things The one not to diminâ—… a whit of our labour or industry reputing our selues to haue doâ—… inough The other not to loose courage while the affayre seeme too prolix and tedious to vs but rather we are to make accompe that euery day is the first beginning and to be alwayes a conseruing and increasing our holy purposes Because that as the whole age of a man is very short in comparison of what succeeds so is al the created tyme as nothing being paraleled with Eternity And truly in this life things are ordinarily bought at a iust price in human traffiques is accompt made of so much for iust so much but in 〈◊〉 case it is not so while the Eternall Crowne seemes to stand vs 〈◊〉 deed but in a very little We read in the Psalmes Dies annorum nostrorum in ipsis septuagâ—… anni Si autem in potentatibus octoginta amplius eorum labor 〈◊〉 Whence put the case we do spend the same whole space of eighty or a hundred yeares in the diuine seruice thinke you the rewâ—… therof to be equal The trauaile exceeds not an age the guerdon endures foreuer the toyles are on earth the recompence in heauen the body comes to be rotten and consumed but recouers a glorious and vncorruptible one So as my Children let vs not go foulding oâ—… armes Let vs not thinke it to be ouer long or that we haue done already any great matter since according to the Apostle The Tâ—…lations of the present life haue not any proportion with the glory which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 manifest in vs. Nor casting our Eyes to the world belieue that we haue forsaken any great matter For as much as the whole roundâ—… of the Earth is but a point in respect of the vniuersall fabrique of the world and yet supposing we were Lords of as much as the Sâ—… warmes and should haue quite renounced such a Monarchy for the Loue of Christ yet for all that would it be nothing at all if we regard but the Realme of the Heauens which is proposed to vs. And who is he that would not willingly seeme to cast away a dramme of yron to haue for the same a hundred of gold Euen so a Man that should abandon for God all these earthly Signoryes should afford very little and receiue a hundred for one Now if all the Earth at once may not seeme to contest with the worth of Paradise it is cleere that for one to depriue himselfe of armes or houses or summes of money he should not yet seeeme take eyther any vayne glory or foolish sadnes for the same esâ—…ially considering that though we despoyle not our selues of â—…se things for the loue of Christ yet of force are we very soone to â—…go them when we come to dye and to leaue them very often 〈◊〉 such as we thinke least of as Ecclesiastes well notes Why then 〈◊〉 we not make a vertue of necessity Wherefore exchange we not â—…sitory patrimony for an incorruptible inheritance And if it â—…olly to be tenacious of that which we possesse much lesse beâ—…g once disentangled from the same should we be turning our â—…ought agayne vpon such a purchase but alwayes aspire to the gaâ—…ing of such things as follow vs after the departure of the Soule â—…m the body such as are the merits of Prudence Temperance luâ—…ce Wisedome Fortitude Humanity Liberality Fayth in Christ â—…eekenes Hospitality and other such like merchandise whereâ—… if we make vs prouision in tyme being once recalled from this â—…nishment we shall find them to haue gone before vs as Harâ—…ngers to prepare vs a Mansion in the Citty of the Blessed These things being well considered should surely shake off â—…om the mynd all negligence and weake pufillanimity but when â—…ey suffice not at least we ought to be moued with the
hold it for a fabulous thing it is to be vnderstood that a like Monster to this was brought aliue to Alexandria where after it had been wel seene and reuiewed by all the people it came to dye Whereupon being opened and powdred with salt it was lastly conueighed to Antioch to satisfy the eyes also of that Citty there and of the Emperour himselfe S. Antony trauayling on his way espies a wolfe comming forth of a Caue where entring in he finds S. Paul the Theban retired Chap. 12. TO returne to S. Antony the good old man went on his way and not discouering ought els then the tract of beasts and infinite wasts of sand withall there remayned now no other sustenance to him then a firme confidence of the Protection of Christ. By this tyme two dayes were spent and the night following the seruāt of God did consume in prayer when in the dawning of the day he discouers a farre off a thirsty she-wolfe which panting and seeking for water approched to the foote of the Hill The wary trauayler looke after her and as soone as she was departed from the denne he likewise comming thither began to looke in though in vayne because so great was the darknes there as he could not discerne any thing It was truly a horrible and dreadfull thing to behold but Charity banished feare he taking courage to himselfe and going very softly and tenderly in as he could at last amidst those obscurities going forwards not farre off there appeared a light wherewith being inuited while greedily he makes hast thereunto he stumbles on a stone and with the noyse thereof gaue occasion to him that was within on a sudden to shut make fast the door vpon himselfe The caue lay open on the one side thereof but well shadowed the while with a plan-tree very great and full of leaues and in the same playne arose a most cleere spring from whence a litle brooke streaming along for a litle space went creeping vnder the ground The same place in tymes past had beene the receptacle of those wicked Forgers who in the tyme of Cleopatra and Mark-Antony in that place had been coyning of false money as do well testify the many anuils hammers there scattered vp downe in those tauernes And lastly for auoyding the persecution of Decius Valerianus and to leade a holy lyfe was the blessed Paul the Theban there shrowded from his youth and had there perseuered with incredible constancy to the age of 113. yeares Now S. Antony perceiuing himselfe to be shut forth in this māner with exceeding great griefe lying prostrate at the doore remayned there vntil the sixt hou◅e vpwards continually intreating to be admitted saying You know well inough who I am and whence I come and though vnworthy I confesse of your sight yet without such a grace I will not depart hence Whereas you that affoard harbour to beasts why banish you a Man who according to the Ghospell hauing sought and found already doth now knock to be let in Which if I attayne not I shal dye heere in the very Entry and when that happens you shall be constrayned to bury mee Which will be to troublesome to you The Pilgrime hauing thus continued a prety while in this māner of intreaty at last S. Paul smiling within himselfe made answere This same is a prety custome indeed to beseech in brauing thus to charge so and calumniate with teares And is it so straunge to you that I receiue you not if you seeme to come hither to leaue your life In this manner of iesting did S. Paul open the doore the straungers howbeyt new and as yet vnacquanted very louingly embracing ech other did salute notwithstanding one another by name giuing infinite thankes to the diuine Goodnes And after the holy kisse of peace being both set downe S. Paul began to speake in this manner You see heere Antony him whome you haue sought for thus with so much trauayle rude worne frayle decrepit one in briefe who within a very litle shall become dust But in the meane while for Charity sake tell me what is done in the world Who rules Go they about to reedify the cittyes agayne already destroyed And is the Deuill yet worshipped there as he hath euer almost generally beene heere to fore Now while they fate thus sweetely discoursing together in lifting vp their eyes they behold a Crow pearching on the bough of a tree thereby which descending downe with a moderate flight let fall betweene them a whole loafe of bread and so went its wayes Wherupon said S. Paul Go to our Lord hath sent vs our dynne◅ heere truly pious truly mercifull It is now full sixty yeares that I haue hitherto receiued my halfe loafe euery day Whereas now at your comming hither he hath redoubled the allowance to his Seruants After which the Benediction giuen they both sate down by the side of a cristall fountaine but yet before they fell to their meate there was no litle ado betweene them which of the two should breake the bread in streyning courtesy the one with the other with religious modesty and with diuers reasons in the point of preheminency before ech other S. Paul did principally ground himselfe in the Lawes of hospitality wherto S. Antony opposeth the maiority of yeares The strife seemed to last a good while and the day in the meane tyme passing away at last the duell ceased vpon agreement made to take hold of the loafe between them and to pull it so as to ech might remayne his share in his hand and so it iust fell out and without more dispute hauing taken the bread and finally stooping sipt a litle water with thankes-giuing they passed that night in Psalmes and Vigils S. Paul discouers to S. Antony his death approching He dyes in S. Antonies absence and is afterwards buryed by him Chap. 13. THe morning being come S. Paul begins to speake to his Ghest in this so◅ It is now a good while my Brother since I haue knowne that you haue dwelt in these parts and your presence hath beene promised me heeretofore by our common Lord. But now in fine that I am arriued to my last passage there remaynes me nought els but to go my wa◅es vnto Christ as I haue alwaies desired Know then you haue been sent hither by God to performe my Exequyes to couer myilymmes with Earth S. Antony hearing this beganne to weepe and beseech him not to leaue him behind but to admit him for companion on the way When S. Paul replyed You are not to reguard your owne cōtent but the profit of others He might seeme to fauour you indeed hauing layd down the burthen of your flesh to cause you to fly into Heauen but he should not therby answere the expectation of the Brothers that should remayne behind depriued of your guidance and example Wherefore I pray be i◅ not troublesome to you for Charityes sake to returne your
wayes home to fetch hither the Cloke which was once giuen you by Athanasius the Bishop to fold vp my carkas in and so to commit it to the Earth Which request the Blessed Paul made not that he cared much to be putrifyed eyther naked or clothed especially not hauing for so long tyme vsed to couer himselfe with other then with the leaues of Palmes being wouen together with his owne hands but he did it that he might not grieue him by expiring in his sight S. Antony remayned amazed at the thing which he heard particularly for the Cloke and with veneration acknowledging our Lord in the person of S. Paul without reply kissing the eyes and hands of the Saint went his wayes in hast to his Hermitage and at his approach his two disciples demaunding of him with great anxiety where he had been so long he answered Wo be to me Synner and false Monke I haue seen Elias I haue seen Iohn Baptist in the desart or to say better I haue seen Paul in Paradise Then holding his peace in knocking his breast he tooke the Cloke of Athanasi◅ out of the Cell when as his Companions importuned him yet to vouchsafe to speake more cleare but he differing the same to its time without more delay or affording any nourishment to his body so lōg fasting wel nigh spent went suddainly forth with his mynd wholy fixed on his sweet Host fearing as it fell out least in his absence he might giue vp the ghost And now by this tyme he had gone in great hast as it were half the way when as lifting vp his eyes aloft he sees among the happy troupes of elect spirits the blessed soule of S. Paul very glorious radiant to ascend vp to heauen And suddenly casting himselfe on the ground beganne to sprinckle his head with sand and to weepe and lament saying Why leaue you me O Paul Why go you away so before I had taken my leaue of you So lately knowne alas so soone parted S. Antony himselfe recounted afterwards that he had passed the ◅est of the way with the swiftnes of a Bird and so it was knowne in the proofe since entring into the Caue he found the holy corps yet kneeling and the necke vpright and hands lifted vp insomuch as notwithstanding the triumph which he had seen before he was almost of the mind that he was yet aliue but then not perceyuing any breath or signe of life he endeauoured with bitter playnts to kisse him and ◅olding him vp in the sayd garment of S. Athanasius he brought him forth with Hymnes and Psalmes But then not hauing any instrument to digg his graue with and with great anxiety thinking bethinking himself what to do Behold two Lyons with their hayre layd open to the wind to come running at that tyme. Whence he at first being somewhat affrayd and then taking courage in God attended their comming as so many Doues and they being arriued to the corps did humbly cast themselues at the feete thereof with fanning in their manner and bitterly roaring in signe of the sorrow they felt and presently began with their feete to plough vp the sands vntill such tyme as there remayned sufficient roome for a man Which being done and as it were for their hire receiuing the benediction of S. Antony they quietly went their wayes and he putting his shoulders to the sacred burthen did bury it in the trench After this surueying the Heritage of the dead for not to go thence altogether empty handed he tooke hold of the Cassocke of Palmes and being returned home agayne as long as he liued afterwards in the solemnities of Easter and Pentecost he would alwaies reuest himselfe therewith After these workes of charity were ended he was intreated by a great number of Monkes now comming in hast to him where he was to visit anew to recomfort the Cōuents He went then along with them and while they were on the way there fell out another notable meruaile That way was al very craggy and barren the heates excessiue so as it was not long ere prouision of water fayled them and the Monkes not knowing what to do letting their Camell go loose being scortched and afflicted lay downe When the holy old man not a litle contristate at so great a perill of theirs sequestred himselfe a little and kneeling on the ground lifting his hands to the starres began to beseech God with so much fayth and feruour as suddenly in the self same place of prayer sprung forth the desired liquour Whence all were reuiued and others being satisfyed as they anxiously sought for the Camell did suddenly find him by the cord of the headstall through a new miracle entangled in a rocke Loading him then to their great contentment they came very safe and found to their Cells agayne S. Antony is very wellcome to all at his returne and giues holsome Documents to ech one vpon good occasions Chap. 14. NOw it would be long and superfluous heere to explicate the ioy which the Disciples shewed at the comming of their most sweest Father and Mayster and he likewise reioyced as much to see them all to be so seruent with his presence and renewed in spirit He had besides no small consolation to find his Sister so perseuering in the diuine seruice being come to be Superiour of a most Noble and numerous Conuent of Virgins Now the arriuall of the Saint being knowne throughout all those Parts a great multitude of persons of all qualityes resorted thither to salute him and to visit him as they were wont and especially of the Religious to whome he for entertaynement sake insteed of presents and gifts would be giuing of precious aduertisements and aduises saying They should alwayes hold firme their fayth and dilection to God and the Neighbour They should guard themselues from vncleane thoughts and delights They should not not suffer themselues to be deceyued with Gluttony and should fly Vayne glory continue their prayers lay vp the documents of the holy Scripture in their breast be allwayes reuoluing the actions and manners of Saints in mynd endeauouring to reforme themselues through the imitation of them And principally he aduised them not to cease to meditate on those words of the Apostle S. Paul Sol non occidat super iracundiam vestrā and added therunto nor yet vpon any other sinne whatsoeuer it being a thing very fit and necessary that neyther the Sunne accuse vs of our diurnall malice nor the Moone of nocturnall sinnes For which end said he shall the preceps of the Prophet himself help you much Iudge your selues and examine your selues well Let ech one euery day take accompt from his proper soule of his actions words and thoughts And hauing erred let him amend hauing done wel not exalt himselfe but seeke to perseuere and not become negligen◅ and let him beware he iudge no man nor iustify himselfe as S. Paul said another tyme vntill such tyme as our Lord comes
after fell sicke and calling his two disciples to him who had now some fifteene yeares been present with him he spake to them in manner following I am now my deerest vpon walking the way of my Fathers and I feele my selfe to be called of our Lord. As for you be you wary and vigilant and take heed you loose not the labours of so long a tyme but as if you had but now begunne do you enforce yoursel◅es to maynteynly out wonted feruour and study Then know yo◅ the snares and rages of the inuisible Enemies and know you likewise how through diuine Iudgment they haue lost their forces Do you not feare them then but alwayes aspire to Christ and fixing a ◅iuely fayth in him expect euery moment to be cited before him so attend to your selues still remembring the rules and documents you haue had from me especially to fly as fyre the conuersation of Arrians and Meletians and whosoeuer shall haue seuered themselues from the Fayth and communion of the Catholique Church since you know how I no lesse haue alwayes abhorred them But rather seeke to vnite your selues with Christ and with his Saints that after death they may acknowledge you as Friends and be receyuing you into the Eternall tabernacles Be this your opinion then and this your discourse And if you haue any care of me also as of a Father doe not suffer my Corps by any meanes to be carryed to Egypt with the hazard of being put vp in some house according to the peruerse custome of the Country there but hide me rather in the earth in a place where no person of the world may know besids your selues because if it be cōsumed for the present it shall yet be restored agayne very glorious in the Resurrection You shall distribute my Garments in such sort as that Athanasius the Bishop may haue one of my Melots which were only poore sheep skins sowed together and the Mantle whereupon I was wont to lye To the Bishop Serapion you shall giue the other Melot and you in memory of mee shall keep the Cilice and with this my Sonnes remayne in peace for Antony passeth and shall be no more abiding with you These were his last words and then with a cheerefull countenance shewing the Angels and Saints to reioyce who came to meete him he gaue vp the Ghost And the disciples though sad for loosing such a Father on earth neuerthelesse being recomforted for hauing purchased such an Intercessour in Heauen did bury him according as he had ordyned And to the Bishops they gaue the garments as welcome and as much esteemed of them as those who had gotten a very rich inheritance And the great Athanasius recounts of himselfe how he wore the same afterwards very willingly whereby it seemed to him that he carryed about him a perfect Memorial of the wholesome aduises and documents of S. Antony Such a course and end made the great Seruant of Christ whose life as we insinuated aboue Athanasius himselfe first wrote in the Greeke tongue who though he were of another vocation notwithstanding in fayth will was he most vnited with him The blessed Euagrius translated the same into latin who liued very neere those tymes and was the disciple of both the Macarius enriching the same with some things receiued as it is probable of such as had much familiarity conuersation with the Man of God Moreouer as many as haue framed the Ecclesiasticall History and other most graue Authours besides haue likewise touched his acts and made very pious and honourable mētion of him God vndoubtedly so disposing the same not so much in recompence of the labours of S. Antony who enioying eternall felicity in heauen should seeme to care very little to be renowned in earth as for the profit of all man kind To the end so perfect and noble deeds words and manners might not seeme to be shut vp within the termes of one people or of one age only but should dilate themselues into all parts and serue for instruction glasse incitement to all Nations and to all posterity FINIS S. PACHOMIVS THE ARGVMENT I BORNE of misbelieuing Parents gaind Not by my selfe but Heau'n the sauing light Quickned the grace which I had entertaind And left the world that I more safe might fight Against my foes I victory obtaind Finding this way to countermand their spite And slighting what the world doth most commend More easily I did my selfe defend What ere he be that striues to haue a share Within the mansion of Eternity Let him in this bestow his greatest care To shun th'indearements of Mortality Soules haue no parts harts vndeuided are Heau'n and the world haue no affinity Like as of Sense on seuerall obiects bent The strength is weakned and is lesse intent THE LIFE OF S. PACHOMIVS ABBOT Written by Simeon Metaphrastes Of the Birth of S. Pachomius and his miraculous Conuersion to the Christian Fayth Chap. 1. IN the same age some few yeares after the blessed Pachomius did flourish a great Father likewise and an excellent Mayster of Monkes whose vertue and Religion no doubt was so much the more memorable as the helpe of Education which he had was lesse being borne of Gētiles both Father and Mother brought vp in Thebais without any knowledge of our Sauiour Christ vntill such tyme as he arriued vnto military age Some notable signes did fore-run his Vocation One was that when they gaue him to drinke any wine or other liquour which had been offered to the Idols with a certaine hidden auersion of the stomacke he would suddenly be vomiting it forth And another signe also was there yet of more wonder for that he being once conducted to a Sacrifice which was to be performed by a riuers side hard by there could be nothing done for that at his presence the Priest could neyther finish his ceremonies nor would the Diuels seeme to enter into the Statues to giue forth answeres from thence as they were wont so as their wicked Minister hauing finally vnderstood the occasion thereof with furious brawling began to controule the Parents of Pachomius as hauing brought thither an enemy of the immortall Gods and commaunded them suddenly to thrust him forth as fearing least some heauenly wrath or vengeance might light on their Sonne Amidst so impious superstitions of his house the rudiments of Egiptian learning and doctrine S. Bachomius being arriued to the twentith yeare of his life was enrolled as a Souldiour in a new leuy of men which in the name of Constantius was then made in diuers parts against the Tyrant Maxentius And with this occasion being conducted by water with others to a certayne Citty neare vnto Thebes he fell into great necessity together with the whole army through the smal prouision that was made of victuals for thē Which being vnderstood by those of the Country there who by good hap were of the faythfull people of Christ and very friendly to the Neighbour
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
If thou hast such a confidence in this thy God we ourselues will cut downe this tree for thee and do thou but set thy shoulders thereunto and be propping it vp and if thy Lord stand for thee 〈◊〉 thou sayest thou shalt not suffer a whit The magnanimous Bishop accepted the Condition and all that barbarous company accorded likewise exchanging very willingly the losse of such a plant with the death of one that was so great a Persecutour of the Idols That Pine of its nature was bending in such sort as it cleeâ—…ly appeared in cutting it downe wherabout of necessity it must light On that very side did S. Martin suffer himselfe to be placed with his legs tyed by those rude rustiques where he stood as a statue And â—…e people presently vpon this diuided themselues very glad and â—…oyfull the while at so new a spectable and some with axes in hast began to cut downe the Pine-tree The man of God from thence â—…ad made his Monks to sequester theÌ„selues who laboured in vayne â—…o hinder such a proofe and being pale and full of sadnes with teÌ„der eyes ech momeÌ„t stood expecting the losse of their deere Maister â—…nd the tree now ready to toâ—…er with redoubled stroakes seemed to threaten the â—…al And yet stood S. Martin very firme and vndaunted when finally the ruine with a terrible noyse directly bended towards him now was eueÌ„ ready to oppresse him when he without being troubled a whit lifting vp his arme opposed thereto the signe of the Crosse and nothing els besides A thing truly very admirable that euen at the holsome signe so made was sudenly that great trunck as it were beate back with a violent Engine went with such a fury to the contrary side as it almost had crushed the very Infidels theÌ„selues who were hewing it downe What effect now this so sudden euent might cause in their minds may more easely be imagined then written The Monkes beholding now beyond all hope S. Martin to be safe and sound with consolation and iubiley giuing thankes to our Lord for it wept out right and the rude people being conuinced with so great a miracle holding vp their hands and voyces to Heauen did finally yield and acknowledge the errour of their life past and were willingly conuerred to Christ insomuch as where before there were no faythfull as it were to be seen thereabouts within a litle tyme by meanes of the vertue and diligence and the exemplar manner of the holy Bishop there remayned not a place that was not very full of Christians of Churches and Monasteryes Because the seruant of God was wont as soone as he had demolished any house of the Idols to erect in the same scituation some deuout Oratory or Religious Conuent or other S. Martin stayes the flames of fire from doing any harme With other wonders which he wrought Chap. 13. VVE may not seeme to let passe in silence a thing which if it had not happened in publique might perhaps haue seemed incredibie to some S. Martin hauing in those countries therabout set â—…ire to a very noble most ancient Temple of the Idols it happened that a wind arising did carry the flame to a house hard by not without manifest danger of dilating it selfe further and of stirring vp with the sense of their priuat losses the tender minds of that Community S. Martyn then being aware of the danger with the wonted courage of a liuely fayth mounted vp speedily to the roofe puts himself against the flames and it is certaine that at the only appearing of the Man of God the flames as timerous to offend him in a moment seemed to fetch about to be retorted and gathered within themselues in the sight of all in striuing against the violence of the wind to retire in such sort as the priuate buildings remayned very safe and S. Martyn with his only presence effected that which al the people with their instruments water could not so easily haue brought to passe In the Leapers Bourge as they called it likewise hauing attempted to ruin a temple very famous no lesse for the great richeâ—… therof then for the much superstition vsed about it he was repelled by the Gentils not without much outrage and iniuryes dâ—… him Wherupon retiring himselfe in to some place thereby he remayned in fasting for three whole dayes togeather and praying in 〈◊〉 and ashes and at last appeared two champions vnto him of the heauenly warfare being armed with speares shields saying how they came as sent from our Lord to succour him against that multitude of swaynes That therfore he might returne bouldly to the enterprize agayne and not feare any impediment whatsoeuer So S. Martin did and in the presence of all those Pagans who through diuine power stood the while immoueable he ruined the profane bulke from the very foundations destroyed the Aultars reduced the images vnto dust Whence succeeded another great benefit that the Gentils perceiuing themselues so bound and stupifyed without being able to rise against the Bishop knew the effect to be caused by a supreme power and they all as it were came to belieue in Christ exclayming with one voyce and confessing that the only God of S. Martin was to be adored and that for the Idols they were to make no reckoning of them since in such a necessity of theirs they were not able to helpe themselues Two other stupendious things are recounted in this matter one was that in the country of Burgundy there being a great number of country swaynes risen agaynst S. Martin in defence of a TeÌ„ple one of them drawing out his sword set vpon him when the holy man suddenly laying his cloake aside offered him his naked necke nor was that impious fellow any whit slack to haue giuen the stroake but lifting vp his arme in the presence of all fell flat backwards himselfe and cryed for peace and pardon The other was that from a like disdayne another wicked fellow being minded to kill him the very sword fell out of his hand in such wise as it was neuer seene more True it is that he rarely came into such termes because for the most part S. Martyn with meekenes and with preaching would be tempring and persuading the people in such sort as themselues vnderstanding the truth once would condemne their owne madnes destroying the Idols with their proper hands be conuerted to Christ. To which effect of conuersion of soules S. Martyn was wont very industriously to make vse of the great gift he had in curing the sicke and deliuering possessed persons of euill spirits as among others he did heere with a person of great quality by name Tetradius This man being moued to compassion for a deere seruant of his very cruelly oppressed and tormented by the infernall enemy with great instance intreated S. Martyn to vouchsafe so much as to cure him The holy man then willed him to be brought before him but the
to his old custome and Pompeanus anew had recourse to the Saint who being moued with compassiō for the sheep nigh lost determined immediately to go in person himselfe to apply by all possible meanes some present remedy thereunto Taking then Maurus for his companion and Pompeanus withall he went his wayes thither and setting himselfe to espy in a fit place what happened in tyme of prayer he saw how a litle blacke boy tooke the Monke by the hemme of his Cassocke and went leading him forth of the Oratory Then the vigilant Prelate sayd secrely to Maurus and Pompeanus Do you not see therewho it is that leades him thus away and they answering no Let vs pray then sayd he that you may be likewise made partakers of the spectacle And so they did all for two daies togeather at the end whereof Maurus did deserue to see the reuelation while the other found not the grace Which done yet S. Benet expected another day and suddenly after prayer agayne finding the Monke to be yet gadding as before he gaue him a blow which had so much efficacy with it as that the diuell as it himselfe had been lashed had not the hart to returne any more to the same agayne This acccident surely was very memorable but yet this other which followes is no lesse glorious then it though in a different kind S. Benet causeth a spring to arise out on the top of a mountayne With other accidents besides Chap. 4. AMong the Monasteryes whereof we haue made some mention aboue three were seated on a high and craggy rocke and so dry with all as the Monkes were enforced through those cliffs steepy places to fetch their water from the Lake which as then the riuer of Teneron caused and that not only with extraordinary trauayle and paynes but euen also with the manifest danger continuall feare of precipices Whereupon the Monkes certifyed S. Benet of the greatnes of the difficulty they felt and besought him hūbly that he would be pleased to place them somewhere els The benigne Father was touched with tendernes at the request and giuing them good hope dismissed them anone bidding them to returne to him on the next day In the meane while the night being come without taking any other then the innocent Placidus with him he went secretly to the top of those cliffs where he made his prayer and in the very fame place putting downe three stones as a signe with like secrecy as before he returned home to his Cell againe When day was come behold the Monkes returne to whome S. Benet without more ado Go your wayes sayd he towards such a place where you shall find three stones layd one vpon another there dig for God is able to produce water on the tops of mountaines to ease you of the paines of so tedious a iourney And they going with great confidēce to the sayd place found it already to wax moyst to spring vp water increasing at last in so great abōdance as vnto this present day without diminishing awhit it stil runs from that top to the foote of the hill With this remedy the Saint refreshed and eased his disciples of their trauayle and thirst with this other that followes gaue peace to a timorous and anxious soule A certayne poore man in those dayes was conuerted to the fayth a Goth by nation who putting himselfe into the hands of S. Benet by whome being exercised in his tyme as well in spirit as in bodyly labour he was appointed after prayer to fell downe a peece of wood vpon the banck of the Lake there to make a garden plot of Now it happened while the prompt Neophit attended with all his forces to cut downe the bushes and bryers that the head of his axe flying off suddenly from the helue f◅ll into the deepe water without hope of euer recouering it agayne Whereupon being afflicted for the losse which it seemed to him he had caused to the Conuent he went trembling to accuse himselfe vnto Maurus and to do penance for the same in case he had committed any fault therin Maurus was much edified at so tender a conscience nor was he slack the while to acquaint the common Parent Maister therwith Thē S. Benet being moued to compassion went his wayes to the Lake and taking the helue of the hatchet out of the Gothes hand threw it into the water and the head of the hatchet of it selfe immediately floating tooke hold of the helue agayne and came to the land at which sight the Goth being astonished and quite as it were besids himselfe S. Benet puts the hatchet into his hand saying My sonne Goe to worke agayne and trouble not your selfe any further in the matter There followes yet another act no lesse admirable then this and perhaps from the tyme of S. Peter the Apostle hitherto not heard of before Placidus on a tyme being gone to the said Lake for water while he stoopes with his vessell fell vnfortunately thereinto and being snatcht by the streame in a moment was caryed away the distance for space of a bowes shot from the land This in spirit S. Benet did behold being shut vp in his Cell and calling Maurus very suddenly vnto him Go thy wayes said he in all hast for the Child is drowned The good subiect was accustomed to hold the Superiours becks as Oracles Wherfore without other reply he demaunds only his benediction of him and hauing taken the same ranne violently to the danger and that with so much speed as that going on the waters dry foote he tooke Placidus by the hayre of his head not being aware the while of the nature of the way he went on vntill such tyme as he had pulled him safe to the land When returning into himselfe and reflecting on what was past his hayre stood an end and giuing thankes to the highest God led Placidus to the presence of S. Benet Heere arose a noble contention of profound humility betweene the Mayster and disciple while S. Benet ascribes the greatnes of such a miracle vnto the fayth and promptnes of Maurus and Maurus attributes all to the merits and intercession of S. Benet The youth himselfe in part decides the controuersy affirming that in arising aloft it seemed to him that he saw the habit of Father Abbot ouer him whereby he tooke it that he was deliuered by him But howsoeuer it passed it is euident the obedience of Maurus was worthy of eternall memory Florentius a Priest seekes to poyson S. Benet but is preuented He practiseth also to corrupt his Disciples and is lastly punished by the hand of God Chap. 5. IN the meane tyme the Followers and Deuotes of S. Benet do continually multiply and increase esteeming themselues amidst the snares of this pilgrimage very happy and secure vnder the gui◅ing of such a Leader But as Enuy alwayes spurnes at vertue a ◅ertaine Priest of that countrey called Florentius being of the number ◅f those who couet
most deuout King went so perseuering in holy workes as it pleased the diuine Goodnes to make him continually more great and more illustrious then euer not onely with fame and worldly honours but euen also with the gift of Curing and Prophecy and of other not ordinary miracles He being once at his pallace hard by the Church of S. Peter there came thither a certaine Irish man of a miserable forme or figure for that besides he was full of vlcers and that the nerues and sinewes of his knees were so shrunck vp and so attracted together as they had euen retorted his legs to his very backe his shancks and shins stuck close to his reynes whence he was forced with certaine Pattins in his hands to go creeping on all foure with trayling his lyms after him This man hauing thus a good while been a burden to himselfe to his owne exceeding payne and trouble and not finding any human remedy recurred deuoutly to the diuine and after he had recommended himselfe many tymes with great feruour to the Prince of the Apostles going lastly forth of the Church approaching neere to Hugoline whome we mentioned aboue being the Kings seruant and fauourit he spake vnto him thus And will you not once looke vpon me and haue you no compassion on me and do not any so great miseryes moue you a whit What wouldst thou haue me do to thee said the other when the Irish man replyed It is now six times that I haue gone in this manner as you see me heere to visit the Aultar of the Apostles in the Citty of Rome to obteyne health which yet at last S. Peter hath not denyed but only seemed to differ a while and put me off as willing to haue for company in the worke his client K. Edward for so hath he commaunded me to seeke him out and to pray him to beare me on his sacred shoulders into this Church at hand with promise that if the King may once be brought thereunto I shal recouer perfectly my lymmes Hugoline stood a while in doubt as at a thing that seemed so absurd at first yet notwithstanding did the message to his Lord who immediately gaue thankes to God for the same and without delay causing the Cripple to come before him tooke him cheerfully on his back and began to carry him to the place designed Thus hung so poore noysome a Wretch on the shoulders of so great a Monarke who with botchy hands and loathsome armes clung fast to that royall breast and neck At this sight some Courtiers fell a laughing others with a scornefull and disdaynesull eye lookt on the Irish mā as a Dissembler and Hypocrite others finally who would seeme wise began to tax the simplicity and folly of the Princes but he vnder this straung burden had not gone many steps when sudenly the nerues of the Cripple began to stretch forth themselues the bones to be setled agayne in their places the dead flesh to wax warme and the legs and feete now vnloosed from the loynes to returne agayne to their naturall place Whereby a great quantity of corrupt humours gushing out from diuers parts did very fowly defile the embrodered Robes wherwith the King was cloathed Then could not the multitude cōteyne themselues from crying out alowd Hold hold for that the Irishman is made sound the King need not to proceed any further so to weary himselfe and to moyle and soyle his robes in that manner While he on the contrary keeping the heauenly precept still fixed in his mind shutting his eares to the Sirens songs passed yet further and entring into the Temple reposed that sacrifice before the Aultar and the Wretch moreouer hauing a good summe of mony for his Viatique returned full of ioy and iubiley to Rome to giue due thanks to God and his Saints A certaine woman had kernells growing vnder her throat or as we call it the malady of the Kings Euill which continually swelling with putrifyed bloud besides the possessing of the whole with a deformed aspect gaue also forth an intolerable ◅ench a◅ane off this miserable wretch after she had tryed many wayes to be rid of this euill was finally aduertized in sleepe that her Health remained in the Kings hands who if he would but once vouchsa◅e to ◅ouch and wash the affected place she should be cured without any more ado The sick party being encouraged with such an Oracle comes to the Pallace decla◅es the dreame implores cōpassion And the King without any l◅hing of the fowle corruption beginnes with his owne fingars to stroake the tumours then hauing washed them with water he made the signe of the Crosse vpon them Whē behold in a moment the skynne being broken came forth togeather with goare bloud a great mul◅ude of wormes the ke◅els were asswaged and the ang◅ish went quite away This is certayne likewise of some blind people who hauing their Eyes spurted with the water wherein the King had washed his hands they recouered their sight in the presence of many But leauing the meruayles of this fort let vs come to some of the extraordinary reuelations which he had as follow S. Edward beholds in vision the King of Denmarke drowned in comming to inuade England With diuine iustice shewed vpon Earle Godwyn for his periury Chap. 7. The hatred of the inhabitants of Denmarke as we haue said against the English continued still And so much the more increased their rage as more happy and glorious were the successes of this good King In summe the Enuy augmented so much as that after long consults they determined to vse all endeauours to recouer the polsession agayne whence they were so shamefully thrust out In the meane tyme S. Edward being at Masse on the day of Pentecost while the Body of Christ was eleuated shewed a smiling countenāce with the eyes attentiue and fixed more then ordinary The same was much noted by the standers by the Sacrifice being ended his most familiars were so bold in confidence as to craue the occasion of such a nouelty and he with his natiue candour and humanity confessed what passed saying thus The Danes had agreed with their King to returne to their ancient exploits of armes and to come and disturbe with hostility that peace quietnes which the diuine Goodnes hath vouchsafed to affoard vs and for that they placed the foundation of the whole enterprise in their owne valour not regarding the Highest to be the only Maister and Distributer of victoryes his diuine Maiesty hath been pleased to let them see their vnmeasurable confidence Now had they their army in readynes and being iouiall and proud of a prosperous gale were at the point of hoysing sayle when the King in leauing his long Boate to board the Admirall slipping with his foote betweene both the decks fell downe into the sea was drowned without remedy deliuering his followers at once from a new sinne and vs from a new daunger And this happened iust this
that souueraigne liberality then Modesty and to thinke humbly of ones selfe With which as we see also in human thinges a deuout will and a solicitous care of thankes-giuing goe commonly vnited The great seruant of God would discourse highly as well of this as of other heroicall vertues and among other celestiall sentences he was wont to vtter he would say The true humble man desires not to be held for humble but vile and abiect and that surely with reason since to the magnanimity of the Gentils corresponds though in a more eminent degree the humility of Christians whose property is to hide and conceale their owne prayses as much as may be though humility outwardly be obscure and neglected yet inwardly being quaint and well deckt it shines so after as all eyther first or last in fixing their eyes thereon doe admire it without end But how S. Bernard despised from the hart to be prized reuerenced of the world may be manifestly known by that which I shall tell Perceauing before hand how they went about to make him a Bishop he very dexterously procured that the other Abboâ—… of his Order vnto whome as hath beene sayd aboue he had made profession to owe obedience should obtaine an Apostolicall Breâ—…e wherein it should be commanded them that if it happened the Man of God were requested of their Congregation for any Prelacy forth thereof they might deny it by all meanes and not seeme at the petition of others to despoyle themselues of such a guide and so great a Pastour And this preseruaâ—…iue of his was very efficacious because that S. Bernard indeed with full confent of all the Citizeâ—… Clergy was first chosen Bishop of Langres then of Chaloâ—… anone of Rhemes and of most noble Cittyes in France Flanders Moreouer also in Italy he was required for Archbishop of Milan and of 〈◊〉 and from all these CoÌ„munityes and Republiques had come Embassadours for the same effect With whom to diminish the opinion of sanctity which is wont to grow of such refusalls the seruant of Christ would answere no more but that he was not of his owne power but subiect wholy to the Cistercian Abbots they might goe vnto them and he would doe what they should determine So as remitting all to those Fathers they without respect through common accord gaue allwayes a precise and peremtory repulse The great Honours affoarded S. Bernard by all sorts of people with the 〈◊〉 blessed end he made Chap. 27. THus had S. Bernard fully his intent to put off the marks and Ensignes of Honours but yet could not with this so escape and free himselfe from the glory of them which like the shadow according to the ancient Prouerbe followes men flying men following it flyes Because notwithstanding all the repugnance he could make and felt therein he was allwayes in such credit and reputation as it may securely be affirmed that the maiesty of one poore and simple Abbot seemed to paralell with the crest and altitude of any degree title and dignity whatsoeuer And peraduenture when the ancient and moderne historyes be all turned ouer there shall not be found any who yet liuing in mortall flesh was so much reuerenced in presence and renowned so in absence forasmuch as not only priuate persons or some Communityes but euen Kings Princes and Popes also would recurre to him in their greatest difficultyes to him put their strifes and controuersyes of most importance to compromise and finally from him expected nothing but succour iustice and truth Not only from neighbour Prouinces but euen from the furthest parts of Europe as from the vtmost confines of Spayne Ireland Denmarke Sueueland receiued he Letters full of reuerence and louing presents also in signe of memory and deuotion Wheresoeuer he went he was reuerenced of all as sent from Paradise and with great fayth the infirme and afflicted with any calamity soeuer were presented to him for succour Bread water by him blessed were kept as certaine Antidotes against all euills and with great industry were sought for from the furthest parts The shreds of his garments or whatsoeuer he had worne were held for holsome and venerable Reliques It cannot be expressed what concourse and multitudes of people there were wheresoeuer he was or went any way He could not appeare in Rome but the people and Court would be about him In Milan and in other places of Lombardy he was constrayned for the great presse to shut vp himselfe in his Inne and to be seen by the people at grates and windowes to giue them his benediction In passing ouer the Alpes when he went or returned from Rome whole troupes and familyes of shepheards and swaynes would descend from those rocks and â—…ops of mountaynes to meete him crying out aloud a farre off and â—…imbing vp the clifts shewing themselues on the highest places â—…here to haue his benediction and from thence retire them agayne vnto their Cotages making great ioy and vaunts for being worthy â—…o behold that angelicall face and for their good to haue the Saints â—…ight hand extended so vpon them In the Citty of Spire the Man of God hauing wrought some â—…otable wonders there came so great a multitude of people about him as Conrade himselfe King of the Romans was forced to lay off â—…is robe to carry him with his owne armes out of the Church for â—…eare he might be oppressed and smothered in the croud And when he passed into Mets for the pacification we mentioned aboue he was one day among others enuironed by such number of people as it was needfull for his followers to embarque him with great dexterity in the riuer of Mosella and there in resemblance of the Sauiour of the world he ceased not to exhort and assist the people And this was the last of the publike actions of S. Bernard For that peace being made in that Prouince and the minds of men reconciled among themselues returning to Clareuallis he felt himselfe to grow sicke of a mortall infirmity wherein yet euery day he approached to the end of this life with so much sweetenes of spirit as if now already sayling in the port by little little he were taking downe the tacklings and striking sayle And because the Monkes with teares and prayers besought the diuine Maiesty not to take away their louing Maister from them he tenderly complayned with them for prolonging by that meanes his exile and depriuing him of the desired sight of his Redeemer and Lord finally he became so feeble of his stomacke through fayling of the natural heate as that blessed soule being not able longer to vphold and gouerne the worne and decayd members flew directly to thoâ—… mansions of heauen whereon he had euer his eye fixed on the 20. day of August in the yeare of our Lord 1153. leauing by his meanes founded more then 160. Monasteryes of the family of Cisterce among which in the Conuent only of Clareuallis liued 770. seruants Christ. He was
together an infinite number of people from all parts of Christendome as Greeks French Almans Spaniards English and of other nations by all which the blessed S. Antony was heard to preach at once ech one in their proper language as in the Citty of Hierusalem heeretofore the Apostles were heard on the solemne day of Pentecost that supernaturall effect being renewed with the astonishment of as many as heard the same In Arimini the Citty being full of Heretikes S. Antony endeuoured cheifly and not without much trauayle to reduce the Heresiarcke Bonuillus or as some would haue it Bonellus to a better mind who for thirty yeares continuallly had persecuted the Church of Christ and after his amendment notwithstanding many others yet remayning most peruerse in their obstinacy and shutting their ears vnto the truth after that S. Antony with many prayers in vayne had inuited them to a Sermon there being a great number of them as then forth of the wals where the riuer called Marechia discharges it selfe into the Sea with great cōfidence in our Lord he begins to call the Fishes vnto the word of God since men of reason redeemed with his precious bloud would by no meanes seeme to harken to him And incredible thing had it not been euident he had scarce giuen forth the commaund when an innumerable multitude of fishes of sundry formes and bignes were seene to appeare on the waters of the Sea and riuer which euen of their owne accord came in by sholes and with heads erected accommodating themselues to listen to him in so much as the lesser put themselues neer to the bancks side and then the greater and bigger in order with so goodly and fayre a dispose as a more pleasing sight could not be seen To these squadrons so well ordered the blessed S. Antony lifting vp his voyce began to vnfold vnto them the benefits vouchsafed them from the Creatour the guift of swiftnes and colours and of their beauty in particuler the medicine subministred from them by Toby the tribute and food of our Lord himselfe the mistery of the Resurrection represented in the Prophet Ionas For which reasons with many others besides did S. Antony exhort them to yeild God thanks To which aduise of his those Marine troups since they could not by words with sundry motions at least did signify their obedience stooping with the head sporting with iubily and shewing a will to honour the messenger of Christ. Nor would they depart from the place vntil they were licēced thence through his holy benediction And so in the meane tyme the concourse of spectatours being now continually growne greater the man of God taking then occasion vpbrayded those obstinate and peruerse men of their malice and impiety since in acknowledging the high Creatour admitting so his holy law they would so manifestly suffer themselues to be vanquished by beasts whereupon the Heretikes at last remayned confounded and the Catholikes continually more confirmed in the holy doctrine and veneration of the Sea Apostolike Other miracles which S. Antony wrought in the sight of Heretikes to the conuersion of many and confusion of others Chap. 13. MOst famous was that which happened in the exequyes of a certaine publike Vsurer now buryed allready at which exequyes it belonging to the blessed S. Antony to make the sermon he tooke for text that saying of our Sauiour Vbi est the saurus tuus ibi est cor tuum To which purpose with accustomed liberty he inueighed against the disordinate loue of gold and siluer and weighed the inestimable domages which grow from thence finally to let them see with their eyes themselues the truth of that sentence turning himselfe to the neerest parents of the dead Go your wayes sayd he by and by to the chest of the miserable wretch and there within shall you find his very hart it selfe which they did without contradiction and to the great terrour of them and of the whole land in the midst of his monyes they found the said hart as yet not wholy cold We shall now ad another of no terrour awhit but of meere consolation S. Anthony being Custos at Limoges after he had passed through France still preaching heere and there chaunced to discourse with the inhabitants of Burges But the presse was so great of such as came to heare him as that the Canons of the Church putting themselues in procession with the whole Auditory went forth of the gates of the towne into the open fields where while the man of God puts himselfe to discourse in an eminent place behold there gathered togeather very blacke clouds in the ayre which threatned a terrible ◅pest for feare wherof the people flying from thence beginning to shift for themselue S. Antony sayd with a loud voyce Bee of good cheere my maysters stirre not a foot there shall not a drop of water light vpon any of you The people obeyed and behold suddenly a mighty storme of hayle and rayne to fall from heauen which enuironing the Auditory as a wall did not wet the breadth of a palme in the whole circuit but left the people dry vntouched Whence followed many prayses vnto God and extraordinary credit and reuerence to S. Antony And now to speake something likewise of meruails succeeding in his disputations with Heretikes It is reported for certayne how the diuine man being at Arimini on a tyme or as others would haue it in the Citty of Tholouse a malapert minister of Sathan of the Sect of Berengarius being not able to maintayne himselfe in a controuersy of the most holy Sacrament agaynst the reasons alleadged by S. Anthony sayd finally vnto him Thou confoundest me with words as more learned then I but not because they haue more foundation of truth But let vs come to some more cleere experiences in effect Whence I may be certifyed indeed that God is really present in the consecrated host and I promise and sweare vnto you when it shall succeed that I will confesse to be vanquished and belieue this article in the manner as you teach it S. Anthony accepts the condition nor doubts awhit to put the quality of the tryall to his owne choice Let vs do it then in this manner replyed the Heretike This day will I beginne to keep my Mule without meate after three dayes againe shall I bring him forth so hungry into the market place togeather with a pecke of oats for the purpose And at the same tyme thou likewise come thither with thy azime or host and if the beast in presence of the one and other shall forbeare to eate the oats and turne to bow vnto thy bread I am content also to adore the same without more adoe In the name of God sayd S. Antony let the matter be published through the Citty The third day being come both parties repayre to the market-place with such a thronge of people as euery one may iudge Heere S. Anthony sacrificeth vpon an Altar set vp