the grieuousnes of the iniury receiued to seeke reueÌ„ge saying that besides that such things are to be remitted to God it would be also a scandall to see a religious Catholique man to recurre to the tribunall of an Arrian Howbeit to mitigate the fury persecutioÌ„ of that peruerse sect he determined to go into some place where it ruled not Wherfore withall his Monks he passed to his former dwelling as choosing rather to haue the Moores his Neighbours then the Heretiques S. Fulgentius leaues Carthage and goes to Alexandria where he met with Eulalius Bishop and returnes back againe by Rome Chap. 4. NOt farre from the Citty of Loda began S. Fulgentius and Felix to found them a new Monestery Where while they attended to their accustomed offices of piety S. Fulgentius lighted on a booke of the Liues and spirituall Conferences oâ—… the Monks and Hermits of Egipt Through this reading and meditation he became so enflamed to the greater study of al perfect vertue as without more ado he resolued to go his wayes secretly into those parts as wel to lay off the name and charge of Abbot as also to tyâ—… himselfe to a more rigorous and streight Rule Which mutation of place was in those dayes tolerated in certaine Religious as then not hauing made any expresse vow of any particular congregation So as S. Fulgentius vnder the pretext of dispatch of some affayres in Carthage being arriued to the wals of that Citty with only one companion by name Redemptus insteed of entring into the Towne tooke shipping for Alexandria without other viatique with him theÌ„ a firme confidence in God through whose disposition being caryed by the winds to Siracusa of Sicily he there met with the holy Bishop Eulalius a person of great sanctity and much affected to Religious persons as hauing moreouer a proper Monastery of his owne where he would recollect himselfe sometymes from his other Ecclesiasticall occupations S. Fulgentius with other Pilgrims being courteously receiued by this good Prelate while at table they discoursed of spirit and learning it could not be but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dent Bishop must needs be awâ—…re of 〈◊〉 doctrine and 〈◊〉 After dynner then calling him aside he sayd to him Thâ—…u 〈◊〉 mention at table of certayne Institutes and Collations of the Fathers I pray thee now bring me the Booke if thou hast it which S. Fulgentius did without delay and withall at the earnest instanâ—… of the Bishop declared the whole argument therof in a few and very apt words The Bishop admiting the yong mans wit and erudition and solacing himselfe with hauing such a Ghest in his howse began familiarly to request of him an accompt of his trauayle And S. Fulgentius to couer with humility his designe said he went to seeke his 〈◊〉 whome he vnderstood to liue in the parts oâ—… Egipt he 〈◊〉 but truth in saying so since he held all theÌ„ for his parents that might further him in spirit The Bishop perceyued the answere was ambiguous easily gathered by discourse from the other coÌ„panion who was a man of much simplicity what passed in effect When the blessed Fulgentius now finding himsâ—… besides expectation to be be discouered confessed of himselfe how the matter stood with him to wit that he had left his home with the mynd to enter into the inmost solitude of Thebais to be able there being altogeâ—…ther vnknowne and dead to the world to lead his life more perfectly with hauing euery day new examples of vertue and peâ—…nance from so great a number of the sâ—…ruants of God Thou 〈◊〉 well answerâ—… â—…ulalius to desire continually a greater perfection but know on the other side it is impossible for any to plâ—… God without the â—…iue â—…ayth The land wherto thou â—…endest is separated now long since from the Sea Apostolique Al those Monkes whoâ—… rigour and abstinence is growne â—…o renowned will be ware of comunicating with thee And then what shall it auayle thee with fastings to afflict the flesh while the soule shall want its nourishment Wherefore returne my Son whence thou camest least whiâ—… thou desirest a more holy conuersation thou sufferest shipwrackâ—… of a sound Religion I likewise for my part in my youth before vnworthy as I am I was assumpted to this degree haue had the seâ—… same thought which now thou hast but the respect which I noâ—… told thee of did quit me of it The blessed Fulgentius yielded to the counsayles of the holy Bishop yet neuerthelesse for the more perspicuity in that point â—…dged it expedient to seeke also thereupon the iudgment of the Bishop Râ—…nianus who being fled out of Affricke for the persecution of the Vandals as hath been sayd hid himselfe vnder amonasticall life in a certayne litle I land neer vnto Sicily From whome hauing likewise receiued the same answere without seeking any further he determined by all meanes to returne backe agayne yet so as he fayled not by the way to repayre of meere deuotion to the Citty of Rome Where after he had liumbly visited those holy places it chanced besides beyond expectation that he was present there at a spectacle of the greatest pompe magnificence of that Court there ariuing at the same tyme. Theodoricke King of the Gathes where in a place called the Golden Palme â—…e made a speach to the whole Nobility distinguished according to the degrees and the honour of ech one and where like wise were heard the acclamations and applauses which the people vniuersally gaue Through which sight notwithstanding S. Fulgentius being nothing caught with those transitory things but lifting rather vp the mind and affect to the celestiall glory sayd to his Friends How â—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you must the heauenly Hierusalem needs be since Rome so glitters heere beneath And if heere in this world so great a pompe and splendour be affoarded to the friends of vanity what glory â—…ow you and triumph is due in the other to such as contemplate the truth And after he had spoken many things to this purpose with the profit and consolation of the hearers taking his iourney againe with diligence he passed into Sardinia and from thence into Affrick where he was receiued with extreme ioy not only of the Monks but euen of thelay men also strangers there among which a wealthy gentleman noting with how much petill and incommodity the seruants of God there inhabited in those confines being moued of piety offered them a good and secure sciâ—…uation in the Prouince of Bizacco Which proffer Fulgentius accepting with great thanks heere founded a new howse with a notable increase of Monks and extraordinary helpe of soules in those countryes S. Fulgentius to shun the title of Abbot hides himselfe in vayne 〈◊〉 afterwards a Bishopricke is made Bishop of Ruspa Chap. 5. NOtwithstanding the great pleasure and contentment which S. Fulgentius tooke on the one side for the great fruit of soulâ—… which was made yet on the other he felt exceeding sorrow in
highest throne and thence conueighed with the same applause to the Souldiours tents Heere had he likewise the title of King afforded him with the greatest veneration and consent of all that possible might be For which benefit Geisa shewing himself to be no whit vngratful with ample donaryes with taking away the old aggreeuances with seattering of mony to the people and words of much courtesy continually obliged to him his sonne more more the harts of men and that which more imports was not behind to acknowledge the diuine goodnes with solemne sacrifice extraordinary yielding of thankes Through which in the space of a few dayes being oppressed with age with a great Catarh he dyed in the yeare of our Lord 997. and the new King as he had alwayes borne due reuerence in life to so worthy well deseruing a Father so ceased he not to performe the same after his death with deuout prayers and most sumptuous exequyes King Stephen makes peace with his Neighbours and seeks to pacify all at home but is resisted by one Cupa a Rebell whome he labours to suppresse Chap. 3. IN the meane tyme Saint Stephen applying himselfe with more liberty and exacter diligence to the gouerment the first thing he sought for was to haue the glory of God for his finall end in all his actions esteeming him euer to be no lesse a Censour and seuere Iudge then a benigne Father and bountifull rewarder And that by so much the more as he vnderstood of what importance the Example of a Prince was as well to the good direction as the ill gouerment and totall ruyne of his people And not to be at the same tyme distracted with internall and external cares and molestations and with the thoughts both of peace warre at once he earnestly laboured in the reestablishing of friendship and the Capitulations already concluded by his Father with his neighbours as well by Embassies as letters cutting off by this meanes likewise all hope of forraine succours to any male-content with the present State or who should othe◅ise be any wayes desirous of nouelty And forasmuch as he well vnderstood how the nerues and sinewes of empire and rule do principally consist in iustice as well towards God as to mortalls he trusting but litle in his owne knowledge would ordinarily recurre partly to the documēts of diuine scriptures wherin day and night he made himselfe very conuersant and partly to the counsayle of prudent and learned men such as feared God but especially of S. Adalbert who now perceiuing through diuine clemency and the valour of S. Stephen how well matters had proceeded in Hungary determined to passe ouer into other countryes more remote and which seemed to stand in more need of the light Taking then his leaue of the King though giuen with a very ill will he went his wayes with two choyce companions and no more towards Prussia where till that tyme had arriued no knowledge of the Ghospell Heere while he trauayles to deliuer the Pagans from the seruitude of the diuell from their ancient warlique exercises fierce customes of Barriers Tourneaments and the like vnto the knowledge of the true God and loue of Christian meekenes being taken by that wicked nation and tyed to a stake on the top of a high and steepy hill so transfixed with seauen launces was added to the merit of his preaching the palme of a glorious martyrdome In this interim S. Stephen ceased not also to how downe the woods and to cultiuate the deserts of that Gentility being resolued eyther to reduce all his subiects vnto the knowledge of the Creatour or in the enterprize to part with his Kingdome and life at once And for that a good part of that people being brought to be Christians rather to please the Prince and for terren ends and designes of theirs then through any deliberate consent stable will and many others by no meanes would seeme to admit of such māner of doctrine S. Stephen was enforced against his will to vse now then somewhat bitter and biting remedyes wherby he came to exasperate some Nobles in such sort as that shaking off the yo◅e of subiection partly despising the simplicity and partly hating the seuerity of the Euangelicall discipline they rose vp in armes agaynst him and in the lower Hungary began to wast rob and destroy the deuout places and persons there and such as were found to be most obedient to the name of Christ and of S. Stephen The Baron of Singia by name Cupa was the head and Captayne of the Seditious a man of exceeding power and greatly followed of many who a good while since hauing by indirect waies aspired to the Kingdome now taking occasion from these noueltyes went raysing vp the people in such sort as that what with large promises what with subtile calumnyes agaynst the persons of S. Stephen and Gheisa the Father and with horrible blasphemies agaynst the Religion brought in of new as enemy to the Gods and of their auncient ceremonies and institutes as also of the glory of the Hungarian name so alwayes mayntayned and augmented not by the way of bookes or of slouthlull ease but with hardy enterprises and expeditions of armes being not content with harrying the Champ̄enys boroughs and villages with in a few dayes he lifts vp his thorns to the assaulting euen of the walled townes nor doubts he awhit to the greater despite and contempt of the holy King to besiege the towne of Vesprinio it selfe being a Citty very especially beloued and fauoured of him Who at the first tydings of the rebellion hauing tryed with all possible meanes to temper the mynd of Cupa to winne the people and to quiet the tumults at last after many and earnest intreatyes gathering a full and competent army vnder the ensig◅es of S. Martin the glory of the Hungars and of S. George that renowned Martyr and marching along towards his Enemy he entrenches himselfe in Cupa his sight along the riuer of Gara Saint Stephen makes Vencellinus his Lieutenant Generall and giues battell to Cupa who is stayne And the Rebells being defeated the King ordaynes Bishoprickes Parishes and Monasteryes Chap. 4. SAint Stephen among other personages of quality had three noble Alman Lords with him very zealous Christians and exceeding expert in feates of Armes who from the first newes of the pious inclination of Ghiesa had volunta◅ily put themselues into his seruice to help and promote the holy Ghospell to their vtmost power One of these by name Vencellinus was by S. Stephen declared Lieutenant Generall of his forces between the other two Hun◅e and Pasna was the Cauallery or horse deuided while the charge of the Fantery or foote were distributed to excellent Collonells and Captaynes and as soone as the Souldiours had taken a little breath and repose S. Stephen was not slacke with great courage and good order to offer battayle to the perfidious Enemy Nor was Cupa
whence with multiplyed seed the number of Religious euery day increased according to the prediction and vow of S. Malachy S. Malachy arriueth in Scotland and there cureth King Dauids sonne He passeth from thence into Ireland and comes to the Monastery of Benchor Chap. 16. THE venerable Ghest being departed from vs prosperously landing in Scotland found there King Dauid in a certayne castle of his with his only Sonne lying sicke of an incurable disease Where being intreated to stay and that he would be pleased to afford him health he sprinckled him with water by him blessed looking him in the face said to him Be of good cheere my Sonne since you are not to dye at this present These were his words immediatly the effect followed For the day after the Prince recouered his health to the exceeding consolation of the King and the infinite iubiley and ioy of all the Court and finally to the stupour and amazement of al that heard and knew the same The rumour therof being spread there was nothing euery where but bon◅yers ringing of bells and giuing of thankes and voyces of prayse as well for the vnexpected recouery of their Lord as for the greatnes nouelty of the Myracle it selfe This Dauid the father and Henry the sonne being now valourous and wise Souldi◅urs are yet lyuing to this day and as at that tyme they vsed much importunity to retayne S. Malachy their Ghest with them to make much of him so while he liued they alwayes striued to honour him and to shew themselues not to be vnmyndfull and very gratefull for such a benefit and therefore offered to him many rich Presents But the wise Contemner of transitory Rewards and worldly pompe by any meanes on the next Morning would needs depart from thence and passing by the way of Crugeldus restored speach to a certaine young Girle And in the Iland of S. Michael he cured in the presence of all the people a woman so possessed with Deuils as her friends were enforced to hold her very streightly bound with cords sometymes in chaynes of Iron From thence being come to the hauen of Lapisperius while he expected commodity to passe ouer into Ireland he was not ydle but among other things gaue order and himselfe likewise put hands to a certayne Oratory of grates or lattuce-worke encompassed it round with a fense leauing in the midst a certayne space for the buryall of the dead and blessed the same Which was so efficacious as that euen to this day from diuers parts are brought thither many laguishing persons and ill affected and from thence returne with strength and wished comfort That same also was very notable which happened there to a certayne insolent fellow who being entred into that inuiolable Cemeter with soule and impious intents to profane the same he was seized vpon by an vgly and horrible Toade which suddenly shewing it selfforth with a swelling looke fell a spitting of venome vpon him Whereat the poore wretch being sorely astonished and affrighted threw himselfe ouer the sacred rayles euen headlong the shortest way But to leaue these degressions and returne to S. Malachy after he had embarqued himselfe in the said Port with a good gale he very happily arriued at the Monastery of Benchor to the end that his first Children perhaps might likewise be the first to gayne his Benediction And who were able sufficiently to expresse the ioy they felt in the reuiew and receiuing of such a Father returned safe and found from parts so remote Nor the said Congregation only but euen all those people also thereabout did shew forth such ioy for his returne that euen from Cittyes Castles and Townes they ran thither in great troupes to do him Reuerence bid him welcome And he himselfe not to hold his new Legation in vayne without delay endeauours to visit all those kingdomes distributing on euery side very holsome gifts of Apostolicall Facultyes in such sort as no Sex nor Age nor Condition or Profession whatsoeuer remayned without feeling of some part of the Comfort He celebrated likewise some Nationall Councells in the more conuenient Cities Where for the sound and Catholique Religion were most profitable Canons and Decrees established carrying in the meane while his eyes continually fixed vpon the necessityes of euery one and applying remedyes all wayes as need required now with sweetnes and now with seuerity Nor was there heere to be found any one that would seeme to contradict his precepts or proudly contemne his admonishments but they were rather accepted of all as holsome medicines and as constitutions deriued from Heauen And how could it be otherwise while al was confirmed by so many workes aboue nature In testimony wherof besides those others we haue touched already we wil in the Chapters following relate some others most to our purpose since to recount vnfold them all were not possible and I on the other side am more willing to dilate my self in things conducing to Imitation then such as may only excite Admiration A briefe Description of S. Malachyes manner of life as an introduction to the ensuing miracles which he wrought Chap. 17. IN my iudgment truly the first and most stupendious myracle that S. Malachy wrought was S. Malachy himselfe For why setting apart the interiour man whose beauty worth and sincerity sufficiently shined most brightly in his life and actions what shall we say of the exteriour only which with conformity of manners to wit most modest and decent he would be alwayes shewing in such sort as not the least thing could euer be discouered therin that might any wayes seeme to offend the eyes of the beholders Let vs come to the tongue It is surely most certayne that for a man not to trip in talking is a very great perfection And yet what man so curious let him be was euer knowne that could euer espye or note in S. Malachy I say not a word but so much as an ill gesture Who euer saw him to moue eyther hand or foote with vanity Nay wherin gaue he not Edification to his Neigbhours in walking in his habit and semblance He had so perpetuall a serenity in his cōtenance as neyther with the grauity of Melancholy or leuity of Laughing was he euer seen to be distempered All was discipline in him all harmony all Vertue He was an Enemy to scoffs but yet not austere or froward Remisse would he be sometymes but dissolute neuer Careles in nothing though in many he knew wel how to dissemble till tyme and place Quiet oftentymes but yet not once would seeme to be slouthfull From the day of his conuersion vnto his last breath he had neuer any thing proper not seruants nor farmes nor messuages nor finally any manner of rents eyther Ecclesiasticall or secular For his Episcopall table he had no assignement made him at all yea the good Prelate indeed had not so much as a determinate dwelling to put his head in as he
force into the pallace of S. Iohn Lateran being the ordinary residence in those dayes of the Popes of Rome yet for all that had he not the desired contentment to behold things pacifyed and quiet Because the Anti-pope being obdurate in malice and continually accompanyed with armed men kept himselfe in hold and allwayes well fortifyed in Towers and more eminent places of the Citty from whence with sudden incursions and stratagems without euer entring into open battaile or once seeking to come to a parley with Lotharius he neuer left infesting both day and night the freinds and defenders of the Pope Whereupon the Emperour being now growne weary of the excesse charge and small fruite returned into Almany agayne and Innocent fynding no better remedy for so great mischeifes went out of Rome the second tyme and assembling togeather another solemne Councel in the Citty of Pisa among other things publiquely declared Pierlonio excommunicate of which censure the miserable man was neuer absolued Heere also S. Bernard through obedience assisted the cheife Bishop and was not only a helper and partaker of the whole affayres and counsells therein but may be sayd more an arbiter and vmpier in the busynes Which affayres being once dispatched it seemed good to the Pope to send him to Millan where the poyson of the Anti-pope hauing got in the whole people were found to be in a most inextricable trouble and discord among themselues Nor was heere likewise the arriuall of the man of God in vayne He soone reunited the whole Citty agayne and reduced it to the deuotiō of the true Pope From hence passing ouer the Alpes he returned to Clareuallis and being receaued by the Monks there with infinite iubiley at their instance transferred he the Monastery into a more ample situation wherof the fame being spread through out there immediatly concurred so great almes from Princes and Prelates and from other deuout persons as in very short space the building adorned withall commodityes was brought to perfection to the great increase of the diuine seruice At the same tyme the Country of Gascony and especially the Church of Bourdeaux was fallen as it were into some afflictions and calamityes from whence the citty of Milan had beene deliuered but a little before Of th◅e mischiefs Gerard Bishop of Angolesme was the principall occasione who with ambitious promises hauing gotten of the Antipope the Legacy of Gascony had drawne to their wicked designes not only a good part of the Cleargy but euen many also of the Nobles yea the Prince himselfe Lord of those Countreys called Count VVilliam through whose forces and other ill practises of his owne he had brought thinges into those tearmes as that against all those that would not consent and subscribe to the election of Anaclete they openly proceeded with banishments confiscation of goods and with other inuentions and examples of fierce and barbarous cruelty One of the chiefe of those that were persecuted was VVilliam Bishop of Poytiers a man well qualifyed and exceeding constant in defence of the Catholike Religion This man with many iniuryes was expelled from his Church and a Schismaticall and wicked one put into his place The same happened in the Diocesse of Limoges where insteed of a Catholicke Prelate was placed one Abbot Ranulfus who through diuine iudgment payed full soone the punishment of his impious boldnes since in a plaine and euen way being fallen from his horse he pitcht his head so shrewdly on a stone which lay in the way that dashing out his braynes he dyed suddenly S. Bernard hauing excommunicated Duke William he submits himselfe with the iust iudgement of God shewed on the schismaticall Bishop of Angolesme Chap. 15. AS soone as Gaufrid Bishop of Chartres had notice of so great disorders and inconueniences to whom the Legacy and euen spirituall gouernement of Gascony was committed by Innocent he was hartily sorry for it and layng other busynes asyde determined to succour those Churches as soone as he could which were in extreme daunger and for that he knew well how noble an instrument of the diuine prouidence the Abbot of Clareuallis was for such effect he intreated him very earnestly to accompany and assist him in such an enterprize And the man of God made no resistance thereunto But only required they might passe by the way of Nantes where Ermengarda the Countesse had founded a Conuent of his Monks and it was necessary for him to passe that way to giue order as he would quickly doe to the affayres belonging to the sayd Monastery Gaufrid and S. Bernard then put themselues on the way with an honourable trayne of Prelates and other Catholiques and the matters being dispatched which were to be done in the Citty of Nantes they entred into the cōfines of Gascony where Gerard already with consent of the Count William had intruded himselfe into the administration of Bourdeaux and possessed the two Churches at once of Bourdeaux and Angolesme Now the Count vnderstanding of the comming of the Bishop of Chartres and of the Blessed Bernard as also of other Bishops and Religious with him to treate with him in the affaires of Ecclesiasticall matters he thought it not fit for many respects to refuse that parly They were all then assembled togeather by agreement in a place which was named Pertinaco whereby the Seruants of God had fit oportunity to expresse their mindes to the full and it was proposed among other thinges how vnseemely it was that all France being now at the deuotion of Pope Innocent Gascony should only diuide her selfe from the common communion and accord cause so great and so miserable a separation and defection in the people of God how he could not but know that the Church of Christ is but one only and whatsoeuer out of it as found out of the Arke of Noe must of necessity sincke and perish They likewise reduced to his memory the dreadfull euent of Dathan Abiron who for no other cause then for making disunion were swallowed vp aliue in the earth To this they added other examples of manifest vengeance and wrath of God against seditious persons and Schismatiques Count VVilliam being moued with these exhortations menaces partly became flexible thereunto offering himselfe to accept Innocent for lawfull Pope and partly shewed himselfe obstinate and hard being not willing by any meanes to restore the Catholike Bishops againe so violently deposed and sent into banishment and that not so much through occasion of the publique cause as for some particuler grudges which he had against them This article was disputed a good while in two assemblyes the second tyme S. Bernard perceauing that nothing could be concluded by way of wordes he straight recurred to more efficacious and potent meanes as in such occasions he was wont to do Wherfore breaking off the discourse he goes directly to the Altar and prepares himselfe for Masse Those only entred in who were not forbid to assist at that dreadfull sacrifice
S. Antony commonly called of Padua and so much more worthy to be renowned by the world as through the sollicitous cooperation of this most noble Confessour they are seene to be accompanyed with the cleere examples of an Apostolicall spirit and of ech Christian vertue The blessed man was borne in the famous Metropolis of Portugal which is called Lisbon K. Alphonsus raigning in those partes the second of that name in the yeare of our Lord 1195. His Father was called Martin Boglion his Mother Mary Tauera both of ancient and very honourable families dwelling right ouer against the great Church dedicated to the Mother of God wherein the Reliques of the glorious Martyr S. Vincent are kept with much veneration From so noble a couple in the flower of their youth sprung forth this blessed Bud and in Baptisme was named Hernando In the first rudiments of learning and Christian manners he was with diligence instructed by the Priestes of the sayd great Church so as an exact education being added to an excellent inclination vnder the protection of the most Blessed Virgin Mary and that most inuincible Martyr he came very soone to bring forth most euident signes of his future greatnes because as it is likewise reported of some others elected of God in their childish age being farre off from childish thoughtes he tooke pleasure in imitation of his Parents to frequent holy places and to distribute almes to the poore as he was able that saying of Iob well suiting with him Ab infantia mea creuit mecum miseratio With these passages of his childish innocency being come to the dangerous ticklish point of youth in choice of an estate of life he felt himselfe not a little to be allured by sensuality with enticements of flatteryes but preserued doubtles by the diuine Mercy very generously withdrew his foot resolued to follow by the sharp way the guide of reason and splendour of honesty And to secure himselfe the better with perseuerance with a voluntary holocaust he dedicated himselfe to our Sauiour Iesus Christ in the Monastery of S. Vincent of the Chanons-Regular which Monastery howbeit scituate forth of Lisbone yet was it not so farre but many as it happens some for loue some for curiosity came to visit the new souldiour of Christ whence he perceauing himselfe to be disturbed in his deuout exercises obtayned with much difficulty to be remoued from thence some three dayes iourney into the Monastery of the Holy Crosse of Conimbria where yet to this day that Order flourisheth to the great benefit and ornament of that Citty Heere the feruorous disciple of Christ besides the learning and diligent obseruing the holy Ceremonyes so imployed himselfe in the grauer studyes as he alwayes reserued the better part of his tyme and trauaile for spirit nor suffered he as often it fals out with they vnaduised the vehemency of speculation should come to oppresse or diminish deuotion but with a sage temper helping himselfe with the sacred Scriptures partly for finding out of deep senses partly to enflame himselfe with diuine loue and making no lesse often acts of the Will then of the Vnderstanding he arriued within a little while to so high a degree of perfection as he had no greater thirst then to spend his bloud for the Catholicke fayth And in this so laudable a desire of his he became much more confirmed through the occasion we shall presently declare The occasion that moued S. Antony to endeauour to change his Rule and what it was Chap. 2. THe venerable Family of Fryars which through Christian humility doe call themselues Minours was by the Eternall Pastour newly founded to the help and reduction of wandering soules The head of these was the most blessed Francis of Assisium who with the approbation of the Sea Apostolike and with the example and profit of his holy manners and speaches trauayling into diuers Countryes and especially into the vtmost confines of Spayne had with admirable increase spread his name and ministery by the many residences of his children And by this way had sought with all industry to prouide for the extreme necessityes of the afflicted Christianity After this being not able to suffer the other so great a part of the world to be seduced by the fabulous lyes of the Mahumetan perfidiousnes he very freely determining to bring to his power some light and succour to those miserable nations and when he should be able to profit no more with a glorious end at least to lay downe his life in confirmation of the Ghospell Into which enterprize hauing put himselfe more then once but through diuers impediments being not able euer to prosecute any thing at last assembling together two squadrons of choyce workemen with one of Eleuen he himselfe passed from Ancona into Egipt where vnder Damiata the Christian army was encamped against the Saracens the other of Six he sent vnder Fryer Vitalis an Italian into the land of Granata and of Andaluzia being tiranically handled by Miramolinus King of Morocco a great vpholder of the name and sect of Mahomet These two expeditions concerning the litle fruit they wrought with those blind and obstinate people had in a manner the same successe but for the dealing with Apostolicall persons they were farre different Because S. Francis passing boldly from the Christian tents vnto those of the Saracens was by the Soldan though for that tyme he resolued not to accept the Ghospell more then once yet graciously heard and with diuers courtesyes and fauours much honoured and entertayned not without the infinite wonder of the standers by But the troupe which vnder Vitalis went into the West by his order continued their way and with incredible fortitude preaching the truth of Christ and accusing the vanity of the false Prophet not only in Seuill of Andaluzia but euen also in the Citty of Marocco it selfe and in Affrica and confirming their doctrine with workes aboue nature they were first scorn'd pelted ouerwhelmed by the people with stones cudgells and prisons and afterwards by Miramolinus himselfe to reuenge the iniuryes of his Mahomet with his owne hands very cruelly slayne through the strokes of a Semiter in the presence of his people Whose bones now renowned with new and euident miracles being diligently gathered by the meanes of the Infant Don Pedro the King of Portugals Brother who was very acceptable at that tyme in Marocco to Miramolinus himselfe and decently conuayed to the Church of the holy Crosse of Conimbria caused in that deuout people diuerse motions of Christian piety but in the Chanon Don Hernando through holy emulation increased so the thirst of Martyrdome as he could find no rest by day or night and he was much more rouzed vp being taken with the triumphall palmes of those valorous Champions thē was Themistocles awakened from sleepe through the Tropheyes of that other Athenian there In fine the enkindled flames of charity at this spectacle increased so in him as Hernando being not
followed his dealing securely with men In his preachinges as we haue sayd also of his Lessons he attended more vnto profit then pompe he attempered himselfe to the reach of the people and aboue all conformed his life with his wordes Whence he came to be heard with so great concourse veneration and silence as he had beene an Angell descended from Paradise And sometymes our Lord God would concurre with euident miracles as it happened once on an Easter day in the Citty of Rome at S. Peters where he descending from the Pulpit a certaine woman now troubled and afflicted a long tyme with an incurable fluxe of bloud approached vnto him in a presse of people and touching him by the hemme of his Cloake with much fayth she was immediatly made sound and as strong as euer His priuate discourses also were of marueilous efficaay wherin he studyed alwayes to insert vpon good occasions some thing of edification and if perhaps in any graue matter it were needfull to perswade or to examine out the truth of any thing with reasons there was hardly found any that were able to make resistance against him as may easily appeare by the action following Being once present at the feast of the Natiuity for certaine occurrences with the Cardinall Riccardo at Molara a place somewhat neare to Rome there met also by good happe two Iewes by how much richer in substance and more learned in the ancient Law so much the more were they addicted to flesh and more obstinate in their perfidiousnes Hauing taken in hand then to treat with those two soules at the instance of the Cardinall after an encounter had with a long dispute he conuinced them in such sort that hauing both by accord taken the space of a night to thinke vpon it while he in the meane tyme was praying for them at last they yielded and the infant Iesus now corporally borne in a vile manner was spiritually borne anew in their hartes So as repenting themselues of their life past and comming forth of darknes into a cleare light they were both baptized with the common ioy and gladnes of all This singular Man had a notable zeale of the saluation of all but yet notwithstanding his familiar freindshipps were restrayned to few One of his deerest and beloued was the Seraphicall S. Bonauenture to this purpose it is recounted that going once to visit him at such tyme as the Saint was writing the life of S. Francis finding him in an extasy and with the body eleuated in the ayre he stopt awhile and turning to his companion sayd Let vs suffer one Saint to work for another One quality also was seen in him very proper for perfect men that he being so rigid seuere to himselfe was yet exceeding benigne and mercifull to those that synned out of human frailty in taking compassion vpon their defects yea weeping also alike for them as they were his owne And besides had a pious and officious memory of the faythfull departed so as his Sister once being dead appeared to him in Paris crauing succour at his hands to be deliuered from Purgatory And he as well by himselfe as others afforded such helps and suffrages togeather as a litle after he being in Rome she returned to him to let him vnderstand that now she was quit of her paynes for euer blessed beholding the face of God Vpon this occasion S. Thomas required of her some newes likewise of his of two Brothers both deceased she answeared that Landulph continued yet in Purgatory but Arnold reioyced now in heauen and thou soone shalt be also in our company but with a great deale more glory for thy labours endured in the seruice of the holy Church The death of S. Thomas with his funeralls and what happened there upon Chap. 10. AS this great Seruant of God had so much charity towards euery one so he was ordinarily esteemed and loued by as many as knew him but especially he was gratefull and acceptable to three seuerall holy Popes Clement the IV. Vrban the IV. Gregory the X. The first whereof as hath been sayd endeuoured in vayne to make him Archbishop of Naples the second helped himselfe much by him in writing things of great importance and especially in confuting the errours of the Greeks the third hauing intimated a Councell at Lyons in France for weighty necessityes of the Catholike Church among the cheife called for S. Thomas thither and heere with not thinking thereof he hastened his end and the reward of his labours Because being then at Naples not wel disposed for health to obey the Pope he put himselfe on the iourney without delay and being arriued at S. Seuerine a Castle of his Sisters there fell sick From thence being yet not well recouered sustayning the weakenes of his body with the forces of the mind against the will of his deerest freinds he went forwards vntill such tyme as he fell into a relapse at Fossa noua a place of the Cistercians in the Diocesse of Piperno in so much as he felt and so told Fryar Reginald in secret that now approached his last day Heere he was receaued by the Abbot and the other Monkes with the greatest Charity that might be who the more they laboured in curing and seruing him in carrying among other things some fuell from the wood on their owne shoulders being then the tyme of winter so much more was the sicke man sorry and troubled to haue them suffer so much for his sake saying with great feeling And who am I that the seruants of Christ should trauaile so much for me Nor would he likewise in that space be found to be idle because at the instance of some of them who desired some yssue of his noble wit he briefely expounded the Canticles of Salomon foreseeing his passage out of this life and aspiring vnto the Eternall Canticles And for that now his forces began to fayle him he deuoutly required the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist which being brought by the Abbot withall the Conuent though now reduced to extremes yet he leaped from his bed and cast himselfe on the ground with many teares Being afterwards demaunded according to custome if he belieued indeed the true Sonne of God for our saluation borne of the Virgin dead on the Crosse and then risen agayne to be contayned in the sacred Host with a cleere and confident voyce he sayd I wholy beleiue it or rather more then certainely I know this to be IESVS CHRIST true God and true man the Sonne of the eternall Father and of the Virgin Mother And as I beleiue it with a pure hart so doe I also with sincere mouth confesse the same That sayd very reuerently he receiued the Viatique and the day following he craued the extreme Vnction remayning allwayes in his perfect iudgment so as himselfe did answere very punctually to euery thing and finally with hands vnited lifted vp to heauen-wards recommending his spirit to the
Creatour he happily departed in the morning on the seauenth day of March in the yeare of our Lord 1274. which was of his vocation the 32. the 50. of his life At this his passage besides the Cistertians were present many Dominicans and Franciscans being come at that tyme to visit him from sundry Monasteryes The Bishop of Terracina likewise was there present But the Nephew of the Saint running thither at the report of his danger now finding him departed this life and being not able to enter into the Monastery obteyned with much prayers the sacred corps might be exposed at the gate that he might behold the same Heere arose a great and vniuersall playnt for the losse of such a personage Yea the writers doe affirme for certaine that the beast it selfe which he was wont to ride on breaking the halter by force wherewith he was tyed ran thither at the same tyme also to the Beere or hearse and there in the presence of all falling to the earth fell suddenly dead Whereat the standers by being astonished did glorify God and carrying the body into the Church of S. Thomas with such and so great veneration they buryed it as cannot easely be xepressed and that before the high aultar He was of complexion very corpulent though he were so strict an obseruer of fasts and abstinence He was of a very delicate flesh sensitiue and conuenient for the most excellent temperature of his organs of stature straight and tall of the colour of wheat of eyes most modest for strength robustuous his head somwhat great and bald in diuers parts Of two notable presages of S. Thomas his death before hand Chap. 11. SOme notable signes did prognosticate the death of this our Saint Because he lying at Naples so indisposed as he was at first before his departure to the Councell a most bright starre was seene by two honourable persons of the house of Coppa who were then with him to enter in by the window and to rest a good while vpon the Saints head Besides this some three dayes before his death appeared a Comet ouer his Inne at Fossa-noua and when he gaue vp the ghost the same vanished away Moreouer at the very same houre that he was in his passage a Dominican Father of great vertue by name Fryar Paul Aquilin in the Conuent of Naples saw in his sleep how S. Thomas reading in the same Citty vnto a great Auditory S. Paul entred into the Schoole with a great troupe of Saints in his company and the Angelicall Doctour being willing to descend from the chayre the Apostle commanded him to proceed in his lesson and at last demaunding of the same Apostle whether he had penetrated the sense of his Epistles or no he answered Very well truly as much as humane vnderstanding in a mortall body can possibly arriue to But I wil lead thee into a place where thou shalt vnderstand them much better and heere with taking him by the garment he lead him out of the Schoole And Fryar Paul began to cry out with a loud voyce Help Brothers help because Fryar Thomas is taken away At which cryes of his many in hast running in requiring wherefore he declared vnto them the whole vision in order The houre was noted and diligent inquisition being made thereupon it was found that at that very instant the blessed soule departed from the body Many miracles afterwards of health and of other supernaturall effects ensued to the perpetuall prayse and exaltation of the Saint which would be too long superfluous to relate in this place But howbeyt by such euents is discouered in a manner the greatnes of the merits and rewards of the man of God yet more euident testimony therof gaue another vision which Fryar Albert a Dominicā of Brescia had afterwards being a man very famous alike both in sanctity and learning This man being giuen to the doctrine of S. Thomas and much deuoted to his diuine vertues had now a great while desired to know what degree of glory he was to haue in Heauen With this ardent desire being once in prayer with teares before an Aultar of the most Blessed Virgin after many enflamed sighs and feruent prayers there appeared at last two persons vnto him no lesse venerable in aspect then for ornament and splendour admirable the one in Pontificalibus with a Miter on his head another with the habit of the Dominican Fathers with two very rich chaines about their neckes one of gold the other of siluer and a Carbuncle on the breast which with its rayes did illumine the whole Church The rest of the garments besides were powdred beset with most noble Pearles Diamonds and Rubyes Then he in the miter sayd Brother Albert what lookest thou on I am Augustine the Doctour of the Church sent hither to let thee vnderstand the glory of Thomas of Aquine who is now-heere present with me in following the Apostolicall traditions and illustrating the Church of Christ. That same so resplendant iewel which thou seest at his breast signifyes a most right intentiō which he hath had continually in teaching and defending the Catholike fayth Those other pretious stones heere and there do shew the multitude and variety of bookes he hath written and put to light for the help of soules In summe we are both equall in the essential of glory for the rest he exceeds me in virginall purity and I him in Pontificall Excellency which saying they vanished away Of this singular chastity of the holy Doctour besydes what hath been sayd allready there appeared very euident signes thereof in his funeralls Of the diuers translations made of the holy Body of S. Thoma and where it rested at last Chap. 12. A Litle after the corps of S. Thomas was enterred the Abbot of Fossa-noua with others of the Conuent fearing that such a treasure would be taken away from them especially since Fryar Reginald by Notary witnesses now had consigned him as in deposito in the midst of the night they secretly conueighed him into the Chapell of S. Steuen But S. Thomas appeared to the Superiour in sleepe threatning him much if he carryed it not backe into the place agayne Whereupon being terrifyed he went with some lay men vnto the sayd Chapell of S. Steuen opened the sepulcher from whence proceeded an odour so fragrant as presently drew thither all the rest of the Monks in whose presence that chast lodging of the holy Ghost was found to be wholy and throughout entire together with the garments Being a thing somuch the more to be wondred at as the place was more humid and the body as hath been sayd more full and corpulent Replenished then with all consolation and meruaile atonce they honourably conueighed him back where he was at first And the day following hauing a scruple to sing the Masse of the dead for him through diuine instinct they celebrated Masse of a Confessour not Bishop This first ranslation was made 7. monthes after
difference betweene vs two We will be all one thou shalt euer dispose of my Wardrob seruants and rents with the same security as of thine owne But if perhapps certayne gusts allure thee which these Saints and precise Hypocrites tell thee are found in that solitary and extrauagant life make this accompt as so it is likewise their owne doctrine too that after a little hony shall follow a great deale of gaul The memory of the commodityes and hopes so left shall vex thee vnprofitable repentances shall gaul thee and the rage of persecutions infirmityes of the body and bitternes of mynd shall torment thee and when there is nothing els thou shalt euen cary thy selfe with thee nor with the flying world hast thou layd away thy flesh whence the more continuall the wills are that do spring from thence especially of thinges that are wholy forbidden vs so much more shalt thou find thy selfe to be suspended and strangled as it were amidst the incentiues of thy appetit impossibility to quench them Wherupon of necessity eyther thou must needes dye of sadnes or prolong thy dayes in infinite dolours or abandon thy profession with eternall infamy Remember how the lyllies flourish not alwayes nor the leaues are euer greene Let so many others be a warning and example to thee who eyther in Cloysters being forlorne of al in their greatest necessity haue finished their dayes vpon straw or after many yeares of Religion being vanquished with the labour tediousnes thereof and lastly turned backe from Religion are at this day to their endles reproach now pointed at in the Citty So as now while matters are yet but fresh and entiere doe thou looke to prouide for thy selfe and throwing away in good houre these keyes and raggs of thine come along with me without delay And belieue me from others thou shalt receiue but wordes only but deeds at my hands thou shalt really find who vaunt my selfe that I will be to thee no seigned Fryar but a true friend and louing kinsman to my liues end Therefore deerest Nephew let me preadmonish thee of these future euents and seeke with all thy diligence to preuent them and returne agayne to thy most louing Companions who will exceedingly reioyce at thy presence With these and other such like fiery darts was the fayth and constancy of B. Andrew assayled this day In which conflict he defending himselfe with the signe of the Crosse and resolute silence stood as firme as a tower in such sort as the domesticall enemy being astonished at such fortitude and confounded at his proofes so deluded departed without more ado It is held indeed by many with probable coniectures that some spirit of Hell had appeared in the figure of that Gentleman but whether the Diuell or some Minister of his for euen also among the Children of Adam there want not such it is manifest that with such assaults he wrought no other effect then to affoard to the new Souldier of Christ both matter occasion of a noble fight and of a glorious victory Hence taking more courage and new vigour and after many other experiences B. Andrew being admitted with solemne ceremonyes into the body of Religion he gaue himselfe together with the study of perfection to the purchase also of sciences with particuler caution that the vehemency and assiduity of speculation as happens but too often consume not or quite extinguish the oyle of deuotion and the ardour of spirit Of the zeale of soules which B. Andrew had and how he conuerted a Kinsman of his from a lewd life Chap. 4. B. Andrew had yet reguard to the age he was of to the strength and liuely temperature of his complexion and aboue all things held it a great basenes a barbarous ingratitude to abandon Christ in his passion and to haue no will to tast of the chalice which the heauēly Phisitian so benignly for vs would first be prouing himself So as besides the continuall guard custody of the hart besids the familiarity with God by the meanes of holy prayer besides the frequent interiour acts of humility and of charity he left not also at tymes to macerate the body with abstinences vigils and sharp labours He wore on his bare flesh a cruell cilice he made frequent disciplines he kept most exact and entire silence at due howers he fasted besides other obseruances of the order in bread water for three dayes of the weeke would take euery occasion to serue and obey ech one euen the least of all He would goe forth with a wallet on his back to beg from doore to doore especially In via maggia a Way so called where many of his noble freinds kindred and acquaintance were assembled together reioycing not a litle to labour in so ◅ase an occupation for sustenance of the Monks And much more for hauing by that meanes frequent occasion to be mocked scorned and intured not only by those who call holy mendicity a lazy and Gipsian life but euen also by such that through his appearing so in that habit with a foolish pride reputed themselues to be much disparaged and digraced by him Vnto this loue of purity and contempt of himselfe and of true pennance indeed and voluntary pouerty was added an inflamed desire and zeale of saluation of soules whereto he attended not only with feruent prayers and good examples of life but also as occasion serued with exhortations counsailes and aduises And the Eternall Goodnes also sometymes fayled not to concurre thereto with diuine workes as it happened perticulary in the conuersion of a kinsman of his by name Iohn Corsino Which fel out as followes This man being afflicted with a most trouble some disease of the Wolfe the lesse hope he had to be cured thereof so much sought he out solaces and allurements to diuert the thought thereof and among other thinges gaue place to vnlawfull games with such a number of debauched people as his house at last was become a publique house of mis-rule and was commonly called the Dieinghouse The Blessed Andrew not brooking so hellish an errour to so great an infamy of the name of Corsino and so grieuous a scandall to the whole Citty First calling vpon diuine succour as he was wont he went at a fit hower to visit the sick patient after mutuall salutation and demaunds had between them which in such encounters are vsuall with those of the best breeding with a liuely sayth and a louely face he sayes to him If thou wouldst but doe as I would haue thee Iohn I doe heere promise thee with the grace of God to deliuer thee suddenly of this soare which seemes so incurable and from the snares and deceipts of thine enemyes that so persecute thee To this promise of his the sick man though he could hardly afford any credit yet for the great desire he had to be rid of his paynes did offer himselfe very prompt and ready to any thing that B.
in his functions and how he goeth to Maâ—…i Biâ—…op of Lesmoâ—… Chap. 3. BEhold how S. Malachy anon with his mystical tooles pâ—…ts himselfe to delâ—… vp stumps to breake vp lands to tread out pathâ—…aies to louell banks with a Gyants hart to be aâ—…haÌ„d now heere now there He seemed to be a flame amidst the Forrests a hooke among naughty plants In lieâ—… of barbarous customes he inserts Ecclesiasticall rites All ranke superstitious which were not few all diabolicall charmes finally whatsoeuer heeretofore he iudged to 〈◊〉 disordinate indecent or out of square endured not long in his fight but as fruite with the hayle or as dust with winds So before the face of this holy Reformer abuses and vices were quite defeated or dispersed But as on euery side he endeauoured to set down Lawes Rules full of iustice and honesty yet laboured he still with particular care to incroduce the Apostolicall Constitutions the approued Councells and aboue all the Traditions and Obseruances of the holy Roman Church And hence it grew that whereas at first noâ—… so much as in the principall Cittyes of Ireland were Diuine Offices celebrated with solemne harmony now not only in Cittyes but in Townes and Villages also were sung the Masses and Canonicall howers no lesse then in the rest of Christianity Wherto it helped not a little that S. Malachy from a youth had attended to his part in Musique But that which more imports he renewed the vse of the Sacraments and in particular of Confession Confirmation and of Matrimony things that eyther out of malice or ignorance had bene heeretofore as it were wholy forgotten and dismissed Amidst these labours and trauailes and many others which for breuity sake are letpasse we may belieue for certayne this Seruant of Christ had receiued great gusts and consolations from heauen and yet neuerthelesse being as he was of a most delicate Conscience thinking very lowly of himselfe for that to him it seemed he had neyther practice nor Learning sufficient for so high employments those same delights came to be much watered with a continuall seare which he had least through his imprudence any opinions or customes might be introduced in some points discordant to the Custome of Catholique Institutes So as to get out of these anxietyes for his better instruction he was resolued with the approbation of the Prelats to transferre himselfe for a tyme to Malcus Bishop of Lesmor being a famous Citty of Momonia in the Southerne part of Ireland Which Malcus being now surcharged with yeares as well for profoundnes of wisedome as for singular sanctity of life likewise for the gift of Myracles which he had was held in those Regions as an Oracle of Truth and a common refuge of the afficted S. Malachy being courteously receiued by this good oldman while he carefully ministers to him and likewise with diligence goes on obseruing the things appertayning to diuine Seruice to the cure of Soules through an vnlook't for accident was a noble field laid open to him to exercise Charity How Cormacus King of Momonia repayres to Malcus and being put out of his Kingdome is by friendly saccours restored againe Chap. 4. IRELAND in those tymes as it likewise ought to be at this present was deuided into certayne little kingdomes and by consequence subiect to warres seditions and tumults Now there being a great discord risen betweene Cormacus King of Momonia a wicked brother of his the King being vanquished in battayle and thurst out of his seate made his recourse in persoÌ„ to the Bishop Malcus to be succoured by him not for recouering his scepter but rather to saue his soule as being timourous of him who takes away the spirit of Princes as very much alienated from sheding of Christian bloud for temporall interests At the newes of such a Ghest did Malcus make preparation to receiue him with due honour but he would not consent thereto affirming his intention was to liue with him in a priuate and quiet manner and laying aside all memory of royall pompes to betake himselfe to the discipline and fare of the other Canonists Malcus at such a resolution by how much more astonished accepting the offer of a contrite hart assigned to the King a little howse to lodge in S. Malachy for his Maister with bread and water for his sustenance Nor did the Prince himselfe desire hence forth any cheere or delicates remayning in a place of all other sweetenes most satisfied with the incorruptible gusts and celestial viaÌ„ds ministred him by S. Malachy Through which notwithstanding remayning more mollifyed he rightly bewayled his sinnes and extinguished the incentiues of the flesh with baths of the coldest water with Dauid crying to our Lord Behold my â—…asenes and my misery pardon me all my offences Nor were the Soueraigne Iudges eares found deafe to such a prayer but rather heard he the supplication made not only in the sense he vttered it wholy spirituall and internall but euen like wise conformable to his infinite Goodnes in the materiall and extrinâ—…ecall And as he reserues not all sentences to the Tribunall there he was pleased to succour likewise in this life the depressed innocency of Cormacus by exciting the spirit of a certayne King neere vnto Momonia into so great an indignation for the iniustice offered as that coÌ„ming in post to the Cell of the poore Penitent he laboured to encourage him to a generous returne in setting the goodnes of the cause before him the perfidiousnes of the Rebels the fauourable right hand of the Highest this for the more efficacy with feruent exhortations mingled with large promises With engines thus addressed he sought to stirre vp prouoke that afflicted Prince but perceiuing the obiects of Soueraignity and motiues of selfe-loue were not of force inough to preuayle with him he turned himselfe with dexterity to those of Christian piety and the publique weales most liuely representing to him the miserable oppressioÌ„ of his subiects the insolencies and iniuryes of the intruding Tyrant and the obligation which a lawfull and naturall Lord hath to deliuer to his power his vassals from so great afflictions and miseryes In which point the friendly King dilated himselfe with greater vehemency then before as hoping sure with such a battery at last to make the mynd of Cormacus to render vp its hold But finding him to be firme notwithstanding all this in his determinatioÌ„ more fixed then euer at last as to a sacred Anker he made his repayre to Malcus the Bishop and to S. Malachy who both being voluntarily enclined therto as to be the greater glory of God without much difficulty was he won to their opinion In such sort as Cormacus enforced through the authority and commaund of both the one and other did finally accept the humanity promptnes of his Neighbour and with his ayde and much more through his presence Who can do all the impious and wicked Intruder was put
they were snatched out as it were froÌ„ the clawes of the rauenous and greedy deuourer in whose hands they had alwayes beene out of whose diabolicall custody being set free they made so notable a change as at this day to those people these words suite well which God seemed to vtter by Esay the Prophet The people which heeretofore were none of mine are now become my people The Citty of Conerthen is destroyed and S. Malachy with his repayretâ—… Cormacus The Church of Ardmach fell into Seculars With the Resolution of Celsus therupon Chap. 8. AFTER a certayne number of yeares now passed ouer for better purging of sinnes succeeded an incursion vpon them by the barbarous Inhabitants of the North when a great part of the Citty of Conerthen was destroied in so much as S. Malachy with his Religious who were about an hundred and twenty was constrayned to go his wayes out of that Citty But yet his departure froÌ„ thence proued not altogeather vnprofitable because that repairing himself into the kingdome of Momonia whereof we haue spoken before hee erected there a goodly Monastery at the cost of Cormacus being very mindfull of the good Offices and Charity affoarded him in tyme of his banishment So as besides his coÌ„ming in persoÌ„ to meete and receaue him and his conuersing with him afterwards with the rest of his Company with much familiarity loue he concurred moreouer as we said very royally to the Fabrick Whereby in short tyme it was fully accomplished and wonderfully increased in annuall rents and moueables and that which is yet more to be esteemed in subiects Who to the end they might walke with the better will by the strait and difficult way the Blessed Man ceased not being a Bishop and a Maister as he was as if but then he had newly become a Nouice to be the first in obseruing the Traditions and Rules He serued in his turne now in the Kitchin now in the Refectory In the Antiphons Lessons Ceremonyes or labours of the Quire he would haue no manner of priuiledge at all performing alwayes his part as one of the least Heere likewise he shewed himselfe to be so ardent a louer of voluntary Pouerty as in courting and â—…uing the same among all the Riuals there was none could seeme 〈◊〉 come any whit neare him And howbeit for the maintenance of 〈◊〉 place he iudged it fit to admit of reÌ„ts in coÌ„mon he was yet notwithstanding very vigilant least the publique through human fraâ—…y might degenerate into priuate Amidst such cares as these whiâ—…st in holy peace he aduaunceth by all meanes the profit of his â—…e glory of God for his greater probation there came an assault â—…on him no lesse slyly then vnlooked for Which truly the better 〈◊〉 vnderstaÌ„d it shall be needfull for vs to fetch the narration a prety â—…ay off The Church of Ardmach as it is the Mother of the other Churches 〈◊〉 Ireland so is it more illustrious and farre more reuerenced then 〈◊〉 Besides that heere was the residence of S. Patrick and the saâ—…ed bones heere left of that first Apostle first Father of all those Nations Whose fame esteeme with great reason is heere so famous â—…at euen his Successours be what they will do come to be feared â—…d obeyed not only of the inferiour the rest of the Clergy but â—…en likewise of any Baron Lord or Peere of the Iland But as all â—…e affayres of mortal meÌ„ seeme euer to incline to the worse there â—…d entred in now a good while since a very execrable abuse to retayne forsooth the Pastorall Chayre in a certayne family In so much as from one Vsurper passing to another it had there so enduâ—…d now for fifteene continuall generations and vnder a Diabolicall tytle of imaginary Prescription they were so rooted in the wicked possession as that when there were found to be no Clerks in the family they would be substituting the marryed and of the â—…me condition before Celsus there had beene to the number of â—…ght men though learned for the most yet as I sayd without sacred Orders And hence came the dissolution of the whole Christianity with the spirituall ruine and temporall likewise of all Ireland in creating and changing heere there Bishops at euery caâ—…riccio of the wicked Metropolitan yea a thing which was neuer â—…eard of in making in one Bishopricke only for euery people as 〈◊〉 were an infamous Bishop with a hellish multiplication of most vnworthy administratours Now then to take away so pernicious a scandall it pleased the Diuine Maiesty the Miter should lastly light on the head of Celsus Who though of the same stocke yet notwithstanding he being prickt with the feare of God as soone as through a mortall infirmity he perceiued the end of his dayes to approach he determined to put in execution the designe which he had a pretty while before that is to cut off indeed that infenall line of inheritance by freely yielding vp the Archbish opricke into the hands of S. Malachy whose reputation and credit he knew well to be very sufficient in this case to purchase to himselfe the fauour of the Citty and to oppose himselfe as a firme wall to the ambition and greedines of Tyrants To which effect as it were by way of Testament he declared his mynd to be that the Sea being vacant by all meanes the holy Bishop Malachy should be placed therein since there was not to be found a person more deseruing it then he To which purpose he most earnestly desired that the Primacy might be after his decease transferred vpon him For the better manifestation of his ardenâ—… desire he not only declared this intent viua voce to the standers by but euen likewise did intimate and recommend the same by letters and precepts on the behalfe of S. Patricke to such as were absent and especially to personages of quality and very particulerly to both the Kings of the vpper and lower Momoniâ—… These through diuine inspiration were the thoughts of Celsus and they had a glad successe though not so easy nor yet so speedy as he would haue wished S. Malachy is elected Bishop Mauritius holds stillpossession whilst S. Malachy refusing the charge is enforced by Malcus and the Popes Legâ—… to accept it Chap. 9. THE occasion of the delay was for that Celsus departing this life the Electours being come to the Diet the greater better number of suffrages without controuersy elected S. Malachy and the rest of the voices were for a certaine Cousen of Celsus called Mauritius This man through his presence and power ouer-swaying quite all iustice and reason was temerariously planted in the Archiepiscopall Throne to the infinite griefe of all good men and especially of Malcus the Bishop euen now so extolled by vs and of the Bishop Gilbert Legate of the Apostolike Sea for all the Kingdomes of Ireland These two great Prelates with many others of ech quality made great instance and
the quantity and brightnes wherof while S. Antony wondered to the end so betwitching an obiect might not penetrate thâ—… mynd starting away from it as it were from fire he passed on his way with his eyes shut flying through the playnes neuer made stop till he had quite lost the sight of the place When taking some breath renewing his holy purposes againe he arriued at a MouÌ„tayne where was a Castle halfe ruined and inhabited with serpâ—… and hurtfull beasts insteed of men Which at the appearing of the Saint as if they had been chased went headlong away in al post he damming vp the gate with stone tymber remayned within with prouision of bread for six months hauing left order with his friends that twice a yeare for which space and more some Egiptians knew especially the Thebans how to bake breake make it last should supply be made him from tyme to tyme with which sustenance and with a little water only to be had in the same place continued he his admirable sobriety and singular abstinence There came many to visit him while he himself not withstaÌ„ding being shut vp saw them not nor would suffer himselfe to be seen of any and the bread I spake of was let downe to him by certayne holes in the roofe In the meane while his friends attending with great desire at the doore and passing that way many tymes by day and night might heare from tyme to tyme a very great noise within the roome with raylings and outcryes which sayd to him Get you hence out of our house What haue you heere to do in this desert You shall neuer be able to endure our persecutions The friends of S. Antony now hearing such quarrels and menaces without did verily belieue some ill disposed persons and enemies of the Saint had byn gotten in with a ladder from the top but afterwards looking in very curiously through a chincke they caused some to get vpon the roofe and by diligent search they could finally discerne no such matter It was presently knowne that those horrible clamours proceeded from none but infernall spirits Whereupon the poore people being now affrighted began suddenly to call vpon S. Antony by name to craue his succour Whâ—… regarding the good of these more then the menaces of those approching to the doore exhorted theÌ„ with fayre speeches to retire from thence and not to feare since the Deuill is commonly wont if you be fearefull to increase your vaine and needles feares Go home then on Gods name and do you make the signe of the holy Crosse. Go your wayes home I say in the name of the Highest leauâ—… them heere in fine to be illude themselues With this conge the visible friends giue backe and departed thence and he alone remayned behind to stand in contest with the inuisible Enemies although from henceforth in all bickerings he had not much to do with them partly in regard that they through so many losses became continually more weary feeble partly also because he felt himselfe euery day more couragious and stoute being very often comforted with diuine Visitations and with often triumphes ouer his now vanquished Enemyes In the meane time new troupes of people ceased not to resort from Cittyes and Villages to S. Antonyes Cell Who making accompt to haue found him allready dead beyond all hope did heare him sing Exurgat Deus dissipentur inimici eius fugiant qui oderunt eum à faciâ—… eius sicut deficit fumus deficiant sicut fluit cera à facie eius sic pereant peccatores a facie Dei And like wise Omnes gentes circumdederunt me in nomine Domini quia vltus sum in eos With such and other like darts the valourous Champion transfixed so the rebels of Christ as in all the encounters they had euer the worst S. Antony remaynes reclused His fame spreads through all parts whereby many come to renounce the world Chap. 5. IN this manner of inclosure the seruant of God remayned for 20. yeares continually without once seeing to yssue forth or euer being seen of any person Whereupon the fame of S. Antony was so spread and was in so great credit of more then humane vertue as day by day there assembled about him a greater concourse of diuers Nations and conditions of persons then euer Some came with desire to be instructed and trayned vp by him others to be deliuered from the Deuill and from sundry infirmities Others in fine desired to behold such an Hermit as he with their proper eyes and so rare and liuely example of perfection and to speake in a word such an Angell on earth Who by how much more through humility retyred so much greater thirst was excited in men of his conuersation And in briefe the matter went so farre as they being able no longer to endure the expectation pulling a way the obstacles by violency and breaking vpon him with boldnes and reuerence alike they intreated him so much as he was able to resist no longer but forth with he came out of a Sanctuary where he had beene as it were annoynted with the diuine hands consecrated and promoted for the gouernement of soules And it may well be conceyued the while what a plenitude of graet he receiued from Heauen since loc the very same redounding like wise to the body after so many yeares of pennance so great fastings and such meditations combats and vigils appeared to be of so good a coÌ„plexion as if in all that tyme he had attended to his health and had entertayned himselfe in pleasant pastimes With this was matched such a manner of composition modesty and grauity as well beseemed a foster-child of the supreme wisedome and Citizen of the supernall country In such wise as to haue met him after so long a retirement in so great a multitude of men applying themselues to him and euen profuse in his prayses renowne yet should you not haue seene any signe of perturbation in him or of vayne contenâ—…meÌ„t but was alwayes found with Reason in the Sterne most firme constant and equall He had so 〈◊〉 refull serene a couÌ„tenance as all men that looked vpon him were comforted therwith But what shall we say of the other Gifts of the holy Ghost The dispossest of euill Spirits may suffice to winne beliefe the infirme also whome he hath restored And the many besides aflicted and disconsolate through diuers occasions which with sweet efficacious words he hath recomforted How many emnityes and how many strifes hath he reduced to peace and concord He would exhort all with great vehemency of spirit noryâ—… lesse with the weight of reason and examples by no meanes to preferre any wordly thing before the loue of our Lord Iesus And he would also discourse of the future goods and of the excessiue charity of God towards miserable mortals since for their Redemption and Saluation he would not seeme to pardon his owne
a most c◅uell Persecutour of Catholiques and particularly of the Religious in so much as he made the Monkes to be publiquely whipt starke naked nor was ashamed likewyse to scourge the sacred Virgins and the Seruants of Christ. Where with S. Antony being moued resolued to write to him a briefe Letter of the tenour following I see the wrath of Heauen to come vpon thee Do thou cease then to deale with the Christians in this manner that it may not come and ouertake thee The Heretique laughed and scoffed at these menaces of his and casting the letter to the ground spitting vpon it he bad the bearers thereof after he had vilely intreated them to returne to S. Antony with this message Since you seeme to take such thought for the Monkes it will be now tyme for mee to call you to accompt also But there passed not ouer a full day when the diuine vengeance appeared vpon that vnhappy Wretch Forasmuch as he and Nestorius going to a place called Cherius but a dayes iourney distant from the Citty vpon two horses that of Balatius being the gentlest in his stable the sayd horses began to play together when as that wheron Nestorius fate being they stiller and quieter of the two giuing suddenly a gripe to Balatius pulled him downe and leaping vpon him most cruelly brake his hippe whence being carryed to Alexandria he dyed within three dayes while all remayned astonished to see how suddenly S. Antonyes menaces were executed vpon him In whose soule besides so noble a gift of Prophesy was seene also a rich ornament of Wisedome not sprung from the curiosity of vnderstanding but from purity of affect not founded in meerespeculation or discourses but in a sensible knowledge and diuine Loue not refined with the chayres and scholasticall disputes or written Bookes but with liuely fayth deuoute aspirations vpon the meruaylous volume of this great fabrique Insomuch as the immensity and most swift and ordinate motions of the heauenly sphears the generation corruption of sublunary things the discording concord of simple bodyes the formes and differences of the mixt the variety of inuentions arts customes and accidents of men but aboue all the sweet disposition and infallible gouernement of the Eternall Prouidence were to him as well a glasse of verity as an incentiue of Charity And that which is more to be celebrated with these so great gifts and treasures of profound knowledg he was so farre from being puffed vp with them or once to thinke but vainely of himselfe as how much more knowledge he got so much the more he increased in true Modesty and Humility And especially he carryed a very singular respect with an interiour and exteriour reuerence to the Interpreters Depositarians of the diuine Scripture such as are the Clarks and Prelates of the holy Church and as willingly demaunded learned of them all as if he had been the most rude and ignorant of the world albeit on the other side when need was he would not sticke to giue a good account of himself and of the fayth he imbraced to any person of what quality soeuer The Arrians had spread throughout all Alexandria with subtile lying that S. Antony was of their opinion which the Seruāt of God hearing admiring so great impudency in them by the iudgement of the Catholike Bishops and of the Brothers withall he descended from the hill and being in the citty in the presence of al the people beganne to detest that peruerse Sect calling it a pestilent heresy the Messenger of Antichrist teaching and aduertising all how the Sonne of God is no created thing nor made of nothing but is the selfe same substance and wisedome of the eternall Father Whence were it a great impiety to say there was once a tyme when he was not for as much as he the word of the Father was eternal with him wherupon he concluded Wherfore haue you no communication with those wicked followers of Arius since the light hath nothing ◅o do with darkenes and you that obserue the due Worship of God with reason do call your selues and are truly Christians But they in ◅earming the Sonne and the Word of God the Father a creature are nothing different from Gentils nay rather do you hold it most certaine that the creatures themselues are al incensed against such wicked persons that dare to number and put among things created the Creatour and Lord of the Vniuerse in whome through whome hath beene made and hath being whatsoeuer is therin From such like aduertisements and protestations of the Saint the hearers tooke a great deale of pleasure in seeing that pestiferous opinion so anathematized by such a Man and all the inhabitants of the Citty as well the Laicks as Ecclesiasticall as well Gentils as Christians did striue to be the first in the Temple to see the Man of God for so was he called of all and there likewise in the sight of them all would he worke many Miracles partly in expelling deuils partly in curing in so much as the very Pagans themselues made instance to be touching at least of the garment of S. Antony Finally in that short space of tyme there were made more Christiās then were in a whole yeare before and he himself besides the truth of the doctrin he deliuered the vertue of the miracles he wroght and the Prudence which in his dayly actions he shewed was of so attractiue and gracious a countenance as how beit of stature he were not different from others neuerthelesse the strangers that arriued thither hauing neuer seen him before could easely distinguish him from the multitude and point him out with the fingar to be such a one To this serenity of countenance were answerable his behauiours so iudicious and complete as if he had alwayes liued notin Caues or in the Forrests but in populous lands and in conuersation with the Nobles S. Antony sends away two Philosophers well satisfyed who came to proue and tempt him Besides others that came to iest at him Chap. 19. THERE came on a tyme as S. Antony was on this syde of the Mountayne two Pagan Philosophers to him to try him awhile and to proue what was in him and he knowing a farre off what manner of men they were went forth to meete them said to them by meanes of a good Interpreter Wherfore haue you being sage and Philosophers as you are taken such paynes so to come to the house of a foole When they answering he was no foole but prudent and wise S. Anthony replyed and pressed them with this dilemma If you would seeme to visit me your labour were superfluous If you take me to be sensible and wise then do yee become Christians as I am since conuenient it were we should seeke to imitate the better and if I were to repayre to you I would surely endeauour to follow your steps so do you that haue procured to see and know mee thus not refuse to do
while laying hold of the Psalter â—…egan to read the first verse as it lay before him being iust that same of the 8. psalme which saith Ex ore infantium lactentium perfecisti â—…udeÌ„ propter inimicos tuos vt destruas inimicum defensoreÌ„ the last word 〈◊〉 that Text being so translated insteed of vltâ—…rem At which word â—…o pronounced was lifted immediately a cry of the people vnto â—…eauen to the extreme confusion shame of the aduersary and S. Martin with out more resistance of any besides himselfe was elected â—…r rather forcibly constrayned to the Bishopricke In which administration it may not easily be explicated how fully or rather suâ—…er aboundantly he gaue correspondency to the full expectation which was had of him forasmuch as being disposed to that degree with the exquisite addresses of a most chast mynd in the sacred Vnâ—…ion besids he receyued so great aboundance of new graces and gifts of Heauen as continually outstripping himselfe he reteyned â—…oth the vertue of a priuate person further added to his singular prayse all the good qualtyes of a publique man S. Martin retires himselfe out of the Towne with his Monkes and their manner of liuing there Chap. 6. SAint Martin in the treating of his owne person would change nothing of his wonted manner his fare and apparell was still the same as before for habitation only he betooke himselfe into a litle Cell hard by the Cathedrall Church but euen likewise from thence through too much importunity of frequent Visits he suddenly retyred himselfe out of the Citty into a maruey lous commodious place to distribute his tymes vnto Martha and Mary since it was about two miles distant from the Towne On the one side it was girt in with a high in accessable rock on the other enuironed with the riuer Loyre in so much as there could be no entrance therinto but by a narrow path Within that enclosure S. Marâ—… had built him a litle Cell of boards a part of his Monkes who were some eighty in number had done the like and some agayne with instruments had digged them in the rocky hill certayne receptacles but narrow and more fit to medicate vpon Death then to coâ—… life withall Heere no man held any thing proper to himselfe all thingâ—… were in common To buy or sel was not there permitted To no manner of art applyed they themselues but to writing and to the only were the yoâ—…ger deputed Those of the more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 attended as it were to nothing els then to things diuine Very râ—…rely went any out of his Cell but when they all assembled togâ—…ther in the Oratory to pacify God besides they did eate all togâ—…ther in the Euening Wine was not affoarded to any except to 〈◊〉 sicke The greaâ—… part would be wearing of cilices clothes whiâ—… had any fineâ—…â—…sse in them were abhorred of â—…ch one 〈◊〉 manifest scandall A thing so much more admirable as many 〈◊〉 them were Noble of bloud and dainetily bred But for the louâ—…d Christ and the Crosse they did all very voluntarily submit themâ—…ues to such a peâ—…ance Of which number afterwards were many of them seen to be Bishops while Ciâ—…ties striued to be gouerned 〈◊〉 spirit by the Children of such a discipline Nor could it be oâ—… wise but needâ—… must succeed very excellent men vnder S. Mâ—… because not only with aduises and words went he alwayes 〈◊〉 them but euen with workes and liuely incitements also of all pâ—…fection and especially sincere humility togeather with an ardent â—…oue of the Neighbour Sulpitius Seueras declared who liued in those tymes knowing the Saint domestically as he did very diligently wrote his life how that going sometimes to visit him from countryes somewhâ—… remote he could neuer hinder him from washing his feet and â—…ing to sit downe at table from reaching him water as well â—…t his hands as for those of his fellowes The same man adds how after he had fed the bodyes of his ghests with moderate victâ—… 〈◊〉 would be afterwards affoarding them a most sweet food of â—…tuall discourses for their soules exhorting them with like modesty and efficacy to nothing more then to fly the sensualityes of the present life and to leaue the perilous trash of the world to be able tâ—… more â—…imbly and free to follow Iesus And to this purpose he would set before them the fresh example of S. Pâ—… Bishop of Nâ—…a who after he had distributed very â—…mple 〈◊〉 â—…or the loue of God and help of the poore did finally with an example of Christian piety neuer heard of before sell himselfe into a most cruell bondage for the ransome of his subiects who were held in Affricke slaues to the Saracens With such manner â—…f comparisons as this and moreouer with precepts taken out of the â—…red Writ went S. Martin exciting in spirit as many as came beâ—…re him Nor was it any great matter for him that he should haue 〈◊〉 much to giue to others who so continually treasured vp for himself remayning euen amidst exteriour actioÌ„s alwayes with the hart 〈◊〉 vnited with God as neyther in words nor deeds he would euer â—…o forth of his presence And as Smithes without other matter to worke on through vse for their pleasure only will sometymes â—…e laying on the anuile so S. Martyn not only in the tymes depuâ—…d to the Sacrifice and diuine worship but likewise at all houres â—…sides would eyther read or write or be dealing with men and â—…hrough the great habit he had gotten he would be continually â—…collected in the interious man conuersing sweetly with the heaâ—…enly Spouse and with the giuer of all Graces He would neuer loose tyme in the day and whole nights he would often passe ouer in labours and watchings To the body â—…e gaue that refection and that repose which extreme necessity reâ—…uired lying on the bare ground couered only with a sharp cilice He tooke heed with all caution from iudging the intentions of oâ—…ers interpreting what he could ech thing to the better part and â—…wayes very highly esteeming the reputation fame of the neighâ—…our the iniuryes detractions the enuyes of Persecutours which 〈◊〉 the whole course of his life were not wanting to him he would â—…compence with weeping bitterly for their offences and also as â—…ccasion serued with affording them benefits seruing them not â—…xcluding any what lay in him from his holy freindship He was â—…euer seen to laugh vainely or to be contristate at any thing conâ—…ruing alwayes the same tranquility of hart and serenity of counteâ—…ance amidst al the varietyes of human accidents eyther prosperous â—…nd cheerefull or how straung and aduerse soeuer they were Wherof those few actions which we shall tell you anon shall giue â—…rth a very euident testimony though in ech one of these preciâ—…s examples do shine withall as often it happens many other verâ—…es besides S. Martyn is much honoured by a miracle from God for a charitable
this he dispoâ—…ed of the monyes which as yet were left him as a most faythfull Steward as he had alwayes beene of the Ecclesiasticall rents and â—…ecounting by name all the widowes Orphans Pilgrims other â—…f the poore as well of the Lay as Clerks one by one he ordayâ—…ed what he had to be giuen by poul without leauing so much aâ—… 〈◊〉 farthing vnbequeathed Heereupon turning himselfe to prayer and tenderly blessing â—…s many as entred vnto him he remayned in his senses and iudgâ—…ent vnto the last breath which he rendered vp to our Lord towards the Euening in the yeare of our Lord 461. on the first day of Ianuary in the 65. yeare of his age which was the 25. of his Bishoprike In the meane space while the prouince of Bizacâ—…na was â—…acked and harrowed with fires and assaults of Moores the country â—…nd Citty of Ruspa through the merits doubtles of the holy Pastour â—…ad alwayes enioyed a secure and quiet peace His body was watched all the night with psalmes and spirituall Canticles Thâ—…n 〈◊〉 morning being come with an infinite concourse of people 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carryed and layd by the hands of Priests in the Church which 〈◊〉 called Secunda where himselfe had deuoutly placed the veâ—… Reliques of the Apostles and where for the reuerence of the plaâ—… till that tyme no man had beene buryed FINIS S. THEODOSIVS THE ARGVMENT DEare Saint The ancient Ages did esteeme Thy Country-men as Pigmyes so they seeme Compard to others yet thy Towring mynd Did ouerlooke the world which thou didst find A painted Harlot whose discoloured face Did maâ—…ke in faygned beauty borrowed grace Her thou discouering with a piercing eye Such base indearments quickly didst descrye And taughtst to others thousaÌ„ds didst thou free When her impostures blazond were by thee Both friend and foe one action doth auerre Thee to the world no friend no foe to her Might tyme but like the billowes of the maine Reduce it selfe into its spring agayne Oâ—… Eagle-like could once it selfe renew That we its ancient ofspring might reuievv We should confesse past Ages hardly saw One from the world the world more to withdraw THE LIFE OF S. THEODOSIVS ABBOT The Parents Country and Education of S. Theodosiâ—… His Vocation and how he met with Stelites With his aâ—… 〈◊〉 afterwards at Hierusalem Chap. I. THE great Father and Maister of Monks S. â—…dosius was one of the number of those who not receiuing from their Natiue Countrey eyther splendour or renowne haue yet through 〈◊〉 proper actions and eminent vertues enobled the same The blessed MaÌ„n was borne in Mâ—…assus of Cappadocia a place obscure and vnknown before but after by so happy a plaâ—…t deseruedly famous and illustrious His Parents were 〈◊〉 â—…gia both Christians according to the quality of the land there very honourable wealthy By these the Child being nurtured with great care both in the feare of God and in some knowledge of good literature assoone as he arriued to yeares of discretion as he was among other his gifts of a prompt and ready wit and of a cleare voyce and distinct proâ—…ciation he was 〈◊〉 to recite the â—…ine scriptures to the people assembled in the Temple on determinate dayes In which exercise while many examples precepts of sancâ—…y were presented 〈◊〉 him and while he notes in the old Testaâ—…nt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 obedienâ—… of Abraham in going forth of his Country and â—…ing hâ—… only begotten sonne and in the sacred Ghospell considers the rewards proposed to such as leaue their PareÌ„ets or goods for the loue of God â—…his doctrine anon â—…unck very deepe into the hart of the prâ—…dent youth so as now generously contemning the delights of that age reiecting with a sterne brow the 〈◊〉 flatteryes of the Sensâ—… he determined to walke by the narrow and vnbeaten way vnto the glorious confines of the true Beatitude To which effect knowing what need there was of the celestiall grace to obtayne it more easily and in greater aboundance the first thing he did was that recommending himselfe to God he applyed his thoughts vnto the pilgrimage 〈◊〉 Palestine to see adorâ—… the Land so dyed with the bloud and printed with the steps of our Sauiour and through the liuely memory of his cruell torments to gather from thence aboundant fruite of spirit and perseuerance Such in summe was the Vocation of S. Thedosius while the Councell of Calcedon was then assembling And forasmuch as at that time the same of Simeon Stelites the Greater was very illustrious who â—…eare vnto Antioch standing day and night on the top of a pillaâ—… wholy exposed to the iniury of the elements to the great admiration of the world performed very shaâ—…pe pennance it seemed good to the deuout Pilgrime to go that way to take thereby the benediction and spirituall precepts of so worthy and admirable a personage Tâ—…yling thâ—… towards the same Countrey he no sooner approched to that strange habitation but that before he opened his mouth he heard himselfe with a lowd voyce to be called vpon and saluted by the holy old man by his proper name who hauing â—…otice from Heauen of the quality and intention of this new Traâ—…aylour thâ—… began to cry out aâ—… the first sight of him Thou art wellcome Thou man of God O Theodosius At which very sound the fresh Disciple of the eternall Wisedome being stooke with 〈◊〉 as it were and prostrating himselfe on the ground most humbly saluted him agayne and then recollecting himselfe from the feare he was in and with a set ladder getting vp the Pillar he was not only most deerely imbraced by Simeon but also fully certifyed of all his foture euents and aduentures of the numerous raâ—…nall stocke which in processe of tyme he was to assemble togeather and to seed and of the great multitude of soules which he through 〈◊〉 help was in time to take forth of the iawes of the internall 〈◊〉 as much also in summe as in the whole course of his present 〈◊〉 through diuine disposition were like to betyde him To this prophesy were adioyned counsayles and exhortationâ—… full of wisedome and truth where with S. Theodosius being much comforted very cheerfully proceeded in his way and safely 〈◊〉 at Hierusalem while the Blessed Inuenall did gouerne that Meâ—… Heere hauing visited with great coÌ„solation those most holy place he began to thinke with himselfe what manner of life he might choose to discharge himselfe of all terrene affects and to be vnited more easily with the eternall goodnes A consultation by how much more necessary so much the more dubious and perplexed it was vnto him as appeares in the Chapter following The conflict S. Theodosius had in himselfe about his vocation with his resolution thereupon And how searing Prelacy he flyes into a Caue Chap. 2. THeodosius heereupon on the one side felt himselfe to be 〈◊〉 with a vehement desire vnto solitude while to him it 〈◊〉 that therein without al impediment he might
himselfe awhit behind to go forth to meete him with great vehemency and with equall hope of victory The encounter endured many houres not without a great slaughter betweene them still with vncertayne and doubtfull euent the King himselfe went heer and there very manfully vp and downe the troups encouraging the doubtfull inciting the valiant hartening the cowards and very readily sending still succour where greater necessity appeared and aboue all neuer ceased he to inuoke the diuine aâ—…nce in a cause 〈◊〉 iust and his prayers were not cast into the winds because that Vencellinus who had the right wing in charge perceiuing himselfe to be secretly renforced as it were with new breath after he had â—…ought a good while with his eye vpon the disloyall Capa finally knew him and went suddenly to meete him while they both were buckling together hand to hand the King perceyuing the encounter with a good number of choyce horse made â—…ast to succour him wheÌ„ approching neerer he sees Vencellinus hauing now vnhoâ—…sed his enemy to be cutting of his head with his owne hands the which to the great ioy of the Christians was put on the point of a speare and being carryed heer and there did giue great terrour to the Rebels for without more adoe they fell into route and direct flight while our men pursued them with hoat executions and with the same violence entring into the enemies trenches neuer gaue ouer from cutting in peeces as many as they found therein vntill S. Stephen who grieued at the effusion of so much bloud caused the retrayt to be founded The Captiues as guilty of high treason escaped not without coÌ„uenient punishmeÌ„t one quarter of Capas body in terrour of the rest was affixed on the gate of Vesprinio another of Strigonium the third at Gauerino and the fourth at Alba Iulia the principall Citty of Transiluania And if S. StepheÌ„ in chastizing had vsed iustice he shewed it no lesse in largely rewarding his Captaynes and souldiours according to the dignity and deportement of ech one but his principall study was amidst such prosperous euents to shun vayneglory and to shew forth that piety and gratitude which he owed to the Authour of all good and the Court of Heauen And to that end deuout processions being made with solemne masses he began from the very foundations a magnificent Temple to S. Martyn his Protectour in a scite which is called the holy Hill where is sayd the great Seruant of God was wont to remayne in contemplation for the litle tyme he abode in that Country and besides the applying of the third part of the spoyles to the fabricque he assigned for all the Priests that should inhabite there the whole Tithes of corne wine of cattell and moreouer of the children themselues of the inhabitants of the Citty and territory of Simigia And the rest of the goods which he might well haue put into the Fiscall he deputed part to the maintenance of the poore part to the increase of the diuine worship And being inflamed with new feruour of charity he neuer left crauing of the Highest at all houres somtymes in sackcloth ashes the grace to see before his death all Hungary conuerted vnto the fayth as forseing for certayne that being so it should come to be as it fell out afterwards a perpetuall and strong bul warke for the Church of Christ agaynst the violence of the Barbarians Many difficultyes seemed to crosse this pious desire of his but none greater then the want of sufficient Cathechists Preachers while the number of them who had come to those parts in the tyme of Geisa through diuers accidents was much diminished Whereupon in imitation of his Father with ample patents and very liberall offers he sent to al the religious Orders of Christendom to inuite the good and learned vnto him In somuch as many Monkes and Priests repayred thither partly moued at so honest a request and partly also of their proper will Among which was one Astricus a Benedictin Abbot called Anastasius by another name with some disciples of his who in the lower Hungary receyued some wounds for Christ. From Polony resorted two famous Hermits Andrew and Benet whereof the one was famous for miracles the other honoured with sacred martyrdome By meanes of these others who came to that worke the King attended to instruct the Gentils in the principles and manners truly Christian alluring them with sweetnes of words and workes and likewise when need required constrayning theÌ„ by mayne force to forsake the impious worship of the Idols Nor euer ceased he from the worke vntill such tyme as he had purged all those lands of their profane rites and abhominable filth of the Diuells And to the end that all might proceed with due forme and that the fruit of these labours might be durable he takes in hand with mature consideration with the counsayle of the wise to ordayne in fit places with sufficient rents Parochiall and Collegiate Churches diuers Conuents of Monkes and diuided the Kingdome it selfe into ten Bishoprickes declaring the Citty of Strigonium the Mother of them all choosing Prelates of honourable fame for ech one and such as were apt with the word to feed the flocke and to lead them with good workes King Stephen sends to Rome an Embassadour to submit himselfe and his Kingdome to the Sea Apostolique marryes with Gisâ—…a of the house of Bauary Chap. 5. THe rumour and applause of these so heroicall actions of S. Stephen immediately ran through all Europe and there was none who vnderstood the noble proceedings and spirituall conquests of the new King that deemed him not worthy of eternall prayse and royall Maiesty Yet he alone could not satisfy himselfe nor euer repute that Hierarchy Canonicall or the Title acceptable to God vnles the free assent and full confirmation of the Pope were added thereunto who in those dayes was Benedictus VIII Some foure yeares then after the death of Geisa the Rebels for the most being suppressed the publique affayres put in good order and the faith dilated now as farre as Danubius he sent Embassadour to the Citty of Rome with a goodly and decent pompe the aforesaid Anastasius by him named already Bishop of Coâ—…otz who after kissing of the feet and tender of obedience and a full relation of what had happened in Hungary in these latter yeares was humbly to beseech his Holyâ—… for three things First that he would daigne to blesse and admit that new Christianity into the my sticall body of the faythfull The second to ratify with his supreme power what S. Stephen had al ready disposed about the Bishopriques Metropolis The third to approue and declare valid the name of King wherewith he had beene voluntarily honoured by his subiects to the end that the iudgment of the vicar of Christ concurring thereunto he might with so much the greater authority seeme to promote the diuine seruice whereto only had
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
shewed it selfe very shye and coy to the Bishop only it would be most domestike and giue forth infinite shewes of welcome it would take meate from his hand it would thrust as in a poole the head and neck within those large and ample sleeues of his and not contented therewith leauing the fresh waters and its accustomed haunts would stand all night a watching and keeping centinell at his chamber doore Moreouer it had taken vp a custome as often as the Bishop was to retyre thither to be very iocund to cry out and flap with the wings in so much as the keepers of the castle as they had been aduertized by some harbinger would be accited thereby to prepare the chambers and to put all things in order against his coming Now the last tyme that S. Hugh came thither the amourous Swan leauing its accustomed dauances would so hide it selfe with the head drooping and with other signes of sadnes and frowardly sequestring it selfe from his sight which it was neuer to behold more as the seruants were fayne to take it and bring it in by force And thus much of this new prognosticate The death and funeralls of the Venerable Bishop not without some miracles accompanying the same Chap. 11. IN those dayes was assembled at Lincolne a most famous nationall Councell and S. Hugh being then in the Citty of London vpon vrgent occasion with purpose to hye himselfe as soone as possibly he could to the sayd Assembly being there ouertaken by a suden vehement feuer was forced to keep his bed and yet in despite of the disease re-enforcing his prayers vnto God and to the most blessed Virgin and deuout colloquyes with his Angell Guardian and with the Citizens of Heauen he ceased not withall to afford gratefull audience with holsome admonitions to as many as came to visit him Being admonished to make his will It greiues mee said he for this custome of making wils introduced into the clergy I neuer had nor haue at this present any thing that is not wholy of my Church and yet that the Fiscall may not lay hand thereon let all be distributed to the poore as soone as may be whatsoeuer may seeme to others I possesse Heereupon the Feast of S. Mathew being come wherein he remembred he was consecrated Bishop he caused the celestiall Viatique and the Sacrament of Extreme vnction also to be ministred to him as thinking very probably that immediately he was to depart but it pleased our Lord to differre the same vntill the 17. day of the next moneth in which space he ceased not from deuotious for himselfe and exhortations for others and moreouer with the spirit of Prophecy very cleerely foretold the great disasters which soone after were to happen to that Kingdome and particulerly to the Clergy The foresayd terme being afterwards arriued the holy Bishop being interiourly certifyed of his departure caused besides his Chaplyns some Monks and Preists to be called to assist him and seeing them all to weep bitterly he sought with interrupted speeches but graue and affectuous withall to comfort them and laying his right hand vpon ech one he recommended them to the diuine custody And now his feeble voyce began quite to fayle when he willed that the flore being swept a crosse of hallowed ashes should be formed thereon and that a seruice should be sayd in manner of a Quier whereat being present with great attention as soone as he came to that verse of the 90. Psalme Clamabit ad me ego exaudiui cum cum ipso sum in tribulatione causing himselfe to be lifted from his bed he stretehed his withered and frozen members being mindfull of the Passion of Christ vpon the sayd Crosse and presently beginning the Canticle of Simeon very happily expired in the yeare of our Lord 1200. of his age 60. and of his Episcopall charge the 15. In this manner it pleased the Prince of Pastours to put an end to the trauailes of his most faythfull Coadiutour of whose passage into heauen some persons worthy of credit haue had vndoubted reuelation The body being spiced with Balme and other odours was in pontificall habit exposed in a Coffin ready to be carryed according to the order left by him vnto his Church but through the infinite concourse of people which pressed in to touch or at least to behold more neere that sacred Treasure there succeeding by turnes very Honourable personnages to carry the corps the way became to be so taken vp and stopt the while as it was there fayne to stay for no lesse then six dayes In approaching to Lincolne the two Kinges Iohn of England and VVilliam of Scotland who then were present came forth to meet them with a most noble trayne and both being desirous to submit their shoulders to the venerable Beer the Scottish King among others who loued him deerely powred forth a floud of teares After that in the Cathedrall were the solemne exequies celebrated with the pompe that became both the dignity of the deceased the quality of the standers by among which two crowned heads three Archbishops fourteene Bishops more then a hundred Abbots very many Earles and Barons drew the eyes of the people vpon them the diuine Prouidence so disposing that the promptnes and perseuerance of S. Hugh in taking so great care to bury the bodyes of others was thus recompenced with so magnificent and glorious a Sepulture To this were added for greater splendour new famous miracles which to recount throughout were a thing too long it may suffice for example only to add heere also that within few dayes at his monument were cured six Palsey men three blind receaued their sight and two dumbe men recouered their speach Moreouer the deposition customes and heroicall prowesse of the Saint were afterwards not only celebrated with a liuely voice by that age but by many Writers also registred with a faythfull pen to the glory of God the memory of him and the noble example incitement to posterity FINIS S. ANTONY OF PADVA THE ARGVMENT RIch LVSITANIA yields thee vitall ayre And first of others shines with such a gemme Thy countreyes Father thou dost her prepare Thou dost dispose her vnto Heaun's diademe By doctrine and example they declare How gratefull was such charity to them Thou Solons doctrine well dost ouerthrow Shewing the Countrey to her brood may owe. Padua adopts thee hers whose spacious Fanes Could not containe thy happy audience The larger fields and open spreading plaines Did seeme prepard for such a confluence Thy heauenly doctrine sweetly entertaines The hearers charm'd with golden eloquence A second Orpheus whose commanding Lyre Euen senselesse thinges do follow and admire THE LIFE OF S. ANTONY OF PADVA Taken forth of Laurence Surius Of the family and youthfull age of S. Antony and how he became be of the family of the Chanons-Regular Chap. 1. THE marueilous Mysteries of the diuine prouidence are discouered as it were through the whole pilgrimage of
for whatsoeuer he should say vnto them they should take any reuenge vpon him but without any reply at all returne backe againe With such commission those Russians being come to S. Antony and intreating him with the greatest courtesy they could to accept of that small charity which Ezelinus sent him and to remember him only in his deuout prayers by so liuely experience they presently knew what he was since with a seuere looke shew of anger he thus answered to the message God forbid I receaue in signe of liberality the very bloud of the poore of Christ for which shall Ezelinus ere he be aware thereof make an exact accompt to the diuine iustice and get you hence also without delay least through your iniquityes eyther the howse ouerwhelme vs with a sudden ruine or the earth come to swallow vs vp with a horrible rupture Whereat those miserable wretches with bowing downe the head went silently and fearefully away to giue account to their wicked maister of the whole successe who being cleared in this manner of the suspitions falsely conceaued by him touching the seruant of God from that tyme forwards held him in the esteeme he ought and gaue order to his souldiers they should let him say of him what he listed himselfe and though the Tyrant through his inueterate custome in sinning was neuer conuerted from his lewd wayes yet certaine it is that the memory of S. Antony serued him often tymes for a bridle and through feare and reuerence of so great a man he forbare afterwardes to commit many outrages which he had otherwise effected without respect These then and the like assaults the couragious Champion of Christ would not fayle to make at any tyme when need required Though indeed no merueyl it be that for the defence of the truth he should not feare the face of any man how angry soeuer who with so much desire heretofore had sought to drinke of the chalice of the passion The excellent guifts and talents of S. Antony especially necessary to so notable a preacher as he was Chap. 7. LEt no man thinke by the former Chapter that S. Antony shewed himselfe to be so rigorous and terrible to all He wanted not iudgment to discerne the difference of his Auditours nor skill and practize to deale with the rich with the poore with the noble and ignoble according to the capacity and nature and state of ech one And how beyt the principall foundation of his preaching was placed as we haue sayd in frequent prayer and continuall abnegation of himselfe neuerthelesse he tooke light and nourishment of sound and sincere knowledge from the auncient Doctours sacred Councells and diuine Scriptures wherein he was so versed and dexterous as it is affirmed for certaine that when by any misfortune they might hap to be lost he alone from the Cabinet of his memory was sufficient to recouer them agayne as heeretofore Esdras had done and to put them faythfully in writing Wherof among other persons of authority Gregory the Ninth his Holynes gaue truely a most cleere and graue testimony for that S. Antony being come to the Court of Rome for this likewise was a notable exployt of his to oppose the designes and endeuoure of Fryar Elias and of others who sought to wrest the Rule and enlarge the Religious discipline he not only laboured efficaciously in this matter but preached also to the Court and people of Rome in diuers places and tymes with so great abundance of true and profund conceipts with such subtilityes and art in discouering the origens and causes of vices and in appling apt remedyes to each one and with such sharpe and sound interpretations of the Psalmes and the Prophets and of all historyes Oracles and diuine precepts as the Pope himselfe being astonished besides infinite other prayses afforded him with a Pontificall spirit daigned to call him The Arke of the Testament There were added to these so rare guifts of a Christian Oratour a dignity of aspect a grace in his gestures á sweetenes and cleernes of voyce and all in so eminent a degree as he seemed to be an organ for honest delectation and for a holesome mouing of soules framed by the hand of God himselfe And that which more increased the wonder was so great a variety quaintnes and propriety in the Italian tongue in a man trayned vp in Prouinces so remote and come into Italy being of yeares so mature and so late brought forth to the light of the world and to the eminency of Pulpits Whence it is not very easy to explicate the concourse of people of all conditions that assembled together at the sound of that celestiall harmony and diuine Trumpet in shutting vp their shopps leauing their traffikes in the market places and the noyses of the Pallace and taking vp places before day at the sacred audience with such hast and strife withall as many tymes the seruant of God was constreyned to abandon the Churches and Cittyes and goe forth into the spacious playnes and there from the higher bancks to breake the bread of the diuine word vnto the hungry multitude And he howbeyt corpulent by nature and much subiect to sweating and diuers infirmityes left not for all that to expose himselfe with great promptnes and without sparing any labour or trouble where the greatest need was hope of a more certaine copious haruest Now who were able to set downe what fruite followed to the glory of our Lord and saluation of men Who could number the rancours and enmityes deposed the restitutions made the Concubines forsaken the processions disciplines fasts the pious works both common and particuler instituted for behoofe of body soule Many contemning the vanity of the world though rich and potent otherwise eyther dedicated themselues to the diuine seruice in Religion or the better to assure their conscience very freely subiected their whole substance and their life it selfe vnto the dispose of the faythfull seruant of Christ the good and faythfull through his discourses would depart from him very full of consolation of new courage and purpose afresh The sinners chasing away darknes and sleep astonished at the diuine prouidence acknowledging their perilous estate and the greiuousnes of their synnes as wounted Harts to the fountayne so ran they to the tribunall of Confessours with teares and sighs How S. Antony mountes into the Chayre of Theology and was the first of his Order that read in those Schooles Chap. 8. VVE may not seeme to passe ouer in silence how 22. Theeues being accustomed to rob and murder trauaylours in a certaine thick and obscure forest and then after vnknowne in the Citty to appeare in the habit of Honourable persons being lastly moued with the fame which ran euery where of the Angelicall preaching of S. Anthony resolued to goe all at once to heare him And found the report of him to be nothing false but rather remayned so mollifyed and softned at his fyery speaches as the
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
malady with all deuotion he receiued the holsome Sacraments and with hands ioyned together and lifted vp not without extraordinary feeling he recited the seauen Penitentiall psalmes and a deuout hymne to the most Blessed Virgin whose protection with particuler seruice he had allwayes sought to rely vpon From thenceforth he begins suddenly to lift vp his eyes and to fix them on heauen being demaunded what he looked vpon I behold sayd he my Lord Iesus Christ and after a short repose among a thousand benedictions and pious teares of his deerest freinds he yeilded vp his spirit to the Creatour with all the tranquility and serenity that might be in the yeare of our Lord 1231. and the 13. of the month of Iune on a Friday he being then but 36. yeares of age whereof 15. he had spent in his Fathers house two in S. Vincents of Lisbone 9. at the holy Crosse of Conimbria and about some 10. in the Order of S. Francis After the passage that blessed flesh which through euill vsage was before so horrid to see so rugged dry and wrincked to be touched became in a moment so white soft and plump as if it had been of a tender and delicat child His beloued freind maister the Abbot of Vercells whom we mentioned aboue at that tyme was much afflicted with a disease of the throat And euen loe the same day when S. Antony dyed being in his chamber alone at prayer he saw him suddenly to appeare before him and after mutuall salutation imbraces Behold sayd he my Lord Abbot hauing left my Asse at Padua how I goe in hast to my Country And saying so with a light touch only he cured his throat and so vanished But the Abbot stedfastly beleiuing that S. Antony was really passed by to Lisbone going forth of his chamber began to enquire of hiâ—… familiars where he was from whom not gathering any thing at last returned into himselfe and coniectured by that vision the happy departure of the man of God whereupon making new diligence by letters he found the encounter of howers and moments to be iust the same as he himselfe did afterwards testify In the meane while the Fryars of Arcella fearing some tumultuous concourse would be at the body endeuoured to keep the departure of the seruant of Christ very secret but in vayne Because the very innocent boyes through hidden instigation of the spirit began in many troups to goe crying through the countryes The holy Father is dead the Saint is dead With which voyce the people being awaked on a sudden they shut vp their shopps and laying all other businesse aside put themselues in armes with great effusion of bloud while one part stood for retayning the sacred treasure in Arcella and the other to conueigh him into the Citty but after many and perilous bickeringes betweene them by the humble prayers of the Fryars the authority of the Magistrates it was obtayned that as himselfe being neere to death had requested he should be carryed to the Church of Sancta Maria Maior and so he was accompanyed thither by the Bishop the Clergy and by persons of quality in good order with such aboundance of lightes as the whole Citty seemed to be on fire Heere the high Masse being sung by the Bishop began continually new and stupendious miracles to manifest themselues in diuers infirmityes of soules and bodyes To which fame with incredible feruour continued a long tyme whole troupes of Pilgrims to resort thither not only of those confines but of Italy also and as it were of all Europe with such a number of large guifts and precious offeringes as they were fayne to appoint chamberlaines and keepers for the custody of them of the chiefest most honourable persons of Padua With the help whereof and with that moreouer which the Citty it selfe adioyned thereto changing the title of the Temple which was first of Iuno after of the Blessed Virgin Mary in honour and inuocation of the Saint was built in the same place one of the magnificent and sumptuous Churches of Christendome Lisbone it selfe being the natiue Countrey of the Saint concurred in a manner with the deuotions of the Paduans in making by command of the King of one part of the House where he was borne a fayre little Church as we sayd and of the other a Hall where the Ancients with the Senate vnto this present day are wont to assemble to deale about matters of the Common wealth But aboue all Pope Gregory the IX himselfe who before in Rome had with so choyce an Elogy commended the doctrine of the seruant of God concurred to the exalting of his glorious memory So as scarcely had a moneth passed ouer from the death or to say better from the natiuity of S. Antony but causing a most exact inquisition to be made of his life and miracles with the high approbation of all the Cardinalls and Prelats of the holy Church he canonized him solemnly and enrolled him among those spirits who arriued in the eternall country doe securely enioy the beatificall vision of God there making intercession for others who being on the way are yet doubtfull continually of their progresse and tearme Through which iudgment and approbation of the Sea Apostolike was enflamed in all Christendome a new desire to accumulate honours vpon the sacred depositum a liuely sayth in presenting supplications to that glorious soule the Paduans yet in this part shewing themselues most remarkable of all who being constant in their auncient piety follow in celebrating euery yeare the day of the deposition of the Saint with most exquisite pompes psalmes panygeriques other triumphs truly belonging to the immortall merits of the noble Confessour of Christ and particuler protection he affords that famous Citty whence he renouncing in a manner his proper Country hath been pleased to accept the perpetuall sweet Surname of Padua FINIS S. THOMAS OF AQVINE THE ARGVMENT THe Tree that beares the dainty Cyprian flower Vnles oft prun'd by skillfull workemans art Growes wild fruitlesse Loue doth loose his power And vigorous force vnlesse our Soules do dart And force it oft with often acts on high Or feeble soone it growes and soone doth dye The smiling leaues ech other seeme to kisse Giue heau'n thy Loue Loue shall from thence descend Cropt bruiz'd distill'd more sweet by farre it is Troubles make ours more gratefull in the end And oppositions nobly borne away Crowne our afflictions with a nobler Bay Oppos'd by Friends their force I ouerbore My wish at last obtayning to enioy Heau'ns Loue I found in me augmented more While more to gaine it I my Loue employ By painefull acts this Passion I dilate And keep my soule by weaknesse in her state THE LIFE OF S. THOMAS OF AQVINE Written by the Reuerend Fathers Preachers Of the Parents and education of S. Thomas with the signes of his futnre greatnes Chap. I. SAINT THOMAS Doctour for the excellency of his learning
Prelates and Princes are worthily called and sayd to be honourable seruants for want of this sollicitude and prouidence murmurs and scandalls doe openly follow and finally vnhappy propriations the certaine pest and vtter ruine of Congregations and Orders Which thing the man of God well foreseeing did not only heare benignely but euen preuented the honest suites and necessityes of his Monkes whence after would appeare that it was no hard matter to exact the rule and discipline of euery one while to all it was manifest and cleere that he being wholy attentiue to the weale publike had no reguard to his particular interests gusts or greatnesses In summe he in that Superintendency of his gaue such proofe of the talent he had in dealing with and guiding men as that euen both heauen and earth might seeme to haue accorded togeather to exalt him with the occasion that followes How B. Andrew was miraculously elected Bishop of Fesula Chap. 7. IN those dayes Fuligno the Lord Bishop of Fesula a most noble Citty neere to Florence though now quite destroyed as it were dyed Whereupon the Canons and the rest to whome belonged the nomination of a new Pastour being assembled togeather in the name of God and mooued through the constant fame that resounded euery where of the name of B. Andrew preferred him before any other that might be destined to that Chayre The newes wherof was speedily brought to the Man of God But knowing well the greatnes of the weight and esteeming it farre too burdensome for his shoulders he retired himselfe from his Conuent into the Monastery of Carthusians a little out of Florence there hid himselfe in such wise as the Fesulans hauing sought him through the Citty and Prouince were resolued at last to come to a new election But to the end it might euidently appeare how that tytle was reserued by the diuine Prouidence to no other then B. Andrew behold while the Assembly was ready to enter into the Scrutiny a Child there present cryed out with a lowd voyce saying Elegit Deus Andream in sacerdotem sibi who is now in the Charterhowse making his prayer there shal you certainely find him out At which voyce those of the Councell being astonished without more adoe confirming the former election sent immediately messengers to the Carthusian Fathers beseeching them very earnestly to worke so as their Bishop with so marueilous an vnion chosen of men and with a greater wonder approued of God might accept now at last the enterprise whereto with so cleere and euident signes he was called so by the high Rectour and Ruler of all And euen iust at that tyme while this passed in Florence there appeared to B. Andrew then being in deepe contemplation another Child in a white garment which openly declared to him the will of God to be that he should goe forth to that charge nor feare the while any danger nor fly the trauayle By this declaration the seruant of God being finally assured and arysing from his Oratory went to meet with the messengers of Fesula that sought for him and taking a sweet leaue with a thousand thanks of his Hosts he went cheerfully to his diocesse being then some 58. yeares of age through diuine fauour completly answered to the great expectation which all had already conceiued of him How B. Andrew demeaned himselfe in his Bishoprike and how charitable he was to the poore Chap. 8. OVr B. Andrew knowing both by learning and experience that the office of a good Prelate consists in feeding the subiects as well with example as with the word and also in temporall necessity with meate and drinke first of all he reteyned his ancient maxime in preaching Christ aboue all with works So as he endeauoured to shew himselfe continually a Maister of all disordinate passions to restrayne sensuality and to macerate the body with abstinencyes and with wearing on his bare flesh not sackcloth and cilices now as he was wont to doe but an iron chayne to sleep insteed of a matteresse vpon hurdles to fly all banquettings to beware as much as possibly he might from discoursing with women to shut his ears to flatterers to trample on vayne confidence or esteeme of himselfe not to remit the study of meditation to walke alwayes in the presence of God to acknowledge him with amorous affects in all creatures whence afterwardes deriued that charity of his towardes his neighbour and that so tender cōpassion on the afflicted and distressed as that in hearing their calamities he could not hould from teares and none had recourse to him for comfort or succour but he indeauoured by all meanes to send them away both comforted and contented Yea following the stepps of the great S. Gregory he would haue an exact catalogue with him of all the poore especially of the shamefast and continued to susteyne them with all possible secrecy With which humanity and bounty of his how much the Giuer of al good was pleased very manifestly appeared in tyme of a cruel Dearth wherewith the people of Fesula being much tormented oppressed not finding on earth any retuge more fit and opportune then the benignity of their Bishop they came running in troupes vnto him and he shut not vp his coffers or dispense from any in so much as hauing one day very liberally distributed what bread was in the house and now beggars continually comming in he commanded more bread to be giuen vnto them and his seruants knowing very well there was not so much as a loafe left they endeauoured to certify the Maister therof who notwithstanding perseuering in calling for it and bidding them earnestly to seeke yet better they not to seeme contumacious though against their wils turning backe found to their extreme wonder a great quantity of loaues and with great ioy brought them to the man of God Which presently he deuided among the hungry imitating in this also the mercy and representing the infinite power of the Sauiour Besides this he was wont truly in memory of our sayd Redeemer and Lord the singular Maister of holy humility to wash euery Thursday with his owne handes the feet of some poore folkes wherin he felt particuler gust and consolation Now it happened once that among those Beggars was called in one who had his legs in a loatsome manner very soare and corrupted who as he was well bred and modest began to resist the admirable man not suffering by all meanes he should wash his feet and B. Andrew demanding wherefore The other answered My leges are so soare and putrifyed as I haue good cause to feare they will turne a Prelats stomake and breed a loathing Then answered the Saint haue confidence my sonne in our Lord Iesus Christ so hauing sayd he powred out the water into the vessel straight and sets himselfe to wash his feet A wonderfull thing scarcely had he finished to wipe that happy man but his feet were made cleane and his soares cured Such was B.
Andrews care diligence of the corporall necessityes of his flocke and vpon these foundations of well knowne goodnes did after securely arise the celestiall building of soules because he had gotten so much credit and authority with those carriages of his as to reclayme and pull away ill liuers from their lewd life one word or becke of his had more moment with it then the longe and premeditated disswasions of others How B. Andrew reconciled most deadly emnityes and debates and how his death was mir aculously foretould him Chap. 9. THough B. Andrew had great efficacy with him in ech kind of spirituall remedyes yet shewed he to haue a particuler talent in contracting honest friendships in taking vp quarells in composing controuersies and so much the more willingly laboured he in these thinges as the Holy Ghost had giuen him to vnderstand that in mutuall fraternall loue consists the whole summe of the Christian Law The honourable fame now of all these noble actions dilating it selfe through all parts Pope Vrban the V. tooke particuler contentment therat and for some dayes gaue a large field vnto so eminent vertue to exercise it selfe in The Citty of Bologna in those dayes was enflamed with perilous tumults and discordes nor was there any remedy of that euill to be found through the inueterated hatreds disordinate passions and obstinate pertinacity of the partyes The common Pastour being worthily anxious and sollicitous for it after many cares and diligences in vayne vsed about the same resolued with himselfe to make vse of the person of the Bishop of Fesulae for that busines and with an ample power sent him as his Nuntius to the Bolognians nor was he awhit deceaued in his opinion because B. Andrew being arriued thither began immediatly to mitigate the exasperated woundes of their mindes and with the didiuine help had so lucky and dexterous a hand as he shortly recouered them reducing the nobility and people without new noyse to a desired peace and tranquility And some few more stiff and obstinate then the rest by diuine iudgment being strook with a greiuous and sudden infirmity and agayne through the merits of the Saint deliuered thereof did willingly yield themselues likewise and he with the like contentment of Citizens and Pope Vrban also and with the vniuersall applause of all Italy returned home agayne to his residence Where besides the mayntayning and nourishing as we haue sayd with great charity the bodyes and soules committed to him he tooke likewise particuler accompt of the sacred buildinges and among other restaurations sumptuously repayred the Cathedral Church which was euen threatning ruine With these passages being arriued to the 71. yeare of his age while he was celebrating solemne Masse on the most happy night THE LIFE OF B. LAVRENCE IVSTINIAN THE FIRST PATRIARKE OF VENICE Written by the Honourable Leonard Iustinian Of the parentage infancy minority of B. Laurence and what a strange vocation he had Chap. I. BLESSED LAVRENCE was borne in the Citty of Venice of the Magnifico Bernardâ—… 〈◊〉 and of Quirina his wife both of a high and noble linage in the yeare of our Lord 1380. He was left a child with other Brothers of his by his Father who dyed very soone His heauy and disconsolate Mother being yet but yong macâ—…rating her body as well with fastings and vigils as with a sharp cilice and a brazen girdle kept viduall state not without a prosperous and perpetuall same of purity nor attended she with lesse sollicitude in the meane tyme in bringing vp her children in learning and that which more imports in Christian manners and though they all gaue much â—…ope not to degenerate awhit from their Ancestours notwithstaÌ„â—…ing a particuler towardnes of a great spirit and generous thoughts went discouering itselfe in the B. Laurence since that in those his first yeares scorning and loathing the sports and other leuityes which are permitted to that age with a certaine sage maturity he conuersed with men of stedder iudgments and of thinges indeed not childish in so much as this manner of proceeding of his was attribured by some to an ouermuch desire of greatnes of glory Yea his owne Mother fearing he would giue vp himselfe as a prey to Ambition as most commonly the nobler wits are wont of purpose sayd to him on a tyme Goe to Laurence leaue this manner of thyne this thy pride euen sauours of Hell Where to he smiling metâ—…y made answere Doubt not Madame you shall yet see me a great seruant of God Nor was the prediction awhit in vayne because he being now come to nineteen years of age when as man commonly stands vpon the point of taking the good or ill bent in vision there appeared to him a woman more bright then the Sunne who with a pleasing and gratefull countenance spake to him in this sort My beloued youth why distracts thou thy hart into diuers parts and seekest rest forth of thy selfe now in this thing and now in that Looke what thou wishest for is in my handes and I promise to affoard it thee if thou wilt take me to thy Spouse At which wordes B. Laurence being at first astonished and taking after more courage to demand her name and what her condition was the Virgin replyed I am the Wisedome of God who for reforming the world heeretofore haue taken mortall flesh Which the happy Louer hearing soone yielded his assent and she reaching him a chast kisse of peace very suddenly vanished At this vision now B. Laurence being stirred vp to new cares feeling vnwonted flames of fire to burne within his breast yet could not fully interprete the inuitation made him nor to which to betake himselfe aboue others It is true that inwardly he found himselfe to be much enclined to a religious and perfect life but as yet not â—…ing to his owne iudgment he went for counsaile to a certaine Cousin of his Mother called Marinus who leading a monasticall life in S. Georges of Alga of the Congregation of Celestines was held in great opinion of learning and sanctity He now vnderstanding the inspiration and motiues of the yong man more maturely to examine the whole exhorted him first ere he entred into Religion or changed the habit he would secretly make some experience what he were able to suffer in a strict life To which aduice B. Laurence did very promptly obey and among other industryes began insteed of a soft and downy bedde to ly in the night vpon crabby and knotry wood And with all to make his accompts the better he endeauours of purpose one day to contemplate on the one side Magistracyes Honours Wiues Children riches sundry sorts of pastimes and sports and all the pleasure besides which the world may afford and on the other abstinencyes fasts vigills pouerty incommodityes heat cold the abnegation of himselfe with perpetuall seruitude and other difficultyes besides which present themselues in the narrow way of more perfect vertue and diuine seruice Heereupon as
cheerefull countenance Doe not trouble your selfe my Sonne for God will haue care of his honour and so indeed it fell out since that wretched accuser with his followers was soone very grieuously punished by the Magistrates vpon other occasions I will add another example like to this The vigilant Bishop with great equity had condemned a certaine Clerke for ill life not regarding much the protection which a seditious Lay-man gaue vnto him Whence this other lewd coÌ„panion was so enraged against him for it as the solemne Procession of Corpus Christi passing before his doors at the approach of the Bishop who carryed that sacred Custody with a loud voyce he vomited forth a number of vile reproaches contumelies vpon him calling him among other thinges a Cosener an Hypocrite and warning the people to beware of him From which sacrilegious affront ensued so great a scandall and choler of the standers by that the Maiesty and reuerence of that great Feast could hardly hold them from running suddenly with their burning torches to set his house on fire But the Priest of God what did he in this case Holding his eyes fixed on the Venerable Sacrament without altering his pace awhit or changing his countenance he went forwaard with great grauity on his way Although indeed without indeauour of the Saint the vnbridled presumption of the Wretch was soone punished because being constrained by the Senate to recant publiquely he was afterwardes miserably banished also Nor amidst persecutions and trauailes likewise the B. Laurence would shew himselfe to be stoute and constant but euen also a thing much more rare and difficult amidst fauours and greatnesses themselues He was more then once inuited by Pope Eugenius to Rome but alwayes in vayne since he finding out new excuses euery houre eschewed honours and pompe as much as others sought them True it is the same Eugenius being come afterwardes to Bologna and renewing the inuitement the Seruant of God could no more alleadge as he was wont eyther the weaknes of his complexion or the difficulty and length of the way so as recommending himselfe to our Lord he went his wayes thither and in the presence of many Cardinalls was very graciously receaued by the Pope and saluted with these wordes VVelcome the ornament and splendour of the Episcopall order And froÌ„ henceforth his Holines with the rest of the Clergy and the Citty held him in great veneration all the tyme that he remayned there which was but short through the care and sollicitude he had to returne to his Diocesse as soone as might be And howbeit the Pope much desired to haue him with him with humble instance notwithstanding effectually taking his leaue he departed from Court without the leaâ—…t rust of auarice that could once take hold of the fine polish of his Charity How B. Laurence was made Patriarke of Venice and what testimony was giuen of him by a holy Hermite Chap. 7. AFter Eugenius the IV. suâ—…eeded Nicolas the V. who in a certaine manner contending with his Predecessour to exalt B. Laurence determined to create him Patriarke of Venice translating the Primacy into that Citty from another Citty and Island of thâ—… Adriatique Sea called Gradus very famous magnificent in tymes past though now as humane vicissitudes are as it were forgot vtterly destroyed This newes at the beginning was not very gratefull to the States of Venice fearing least in processe of tyme with such augmentation and aduancement of the Prelacy and the Title the troubles and factions againe might come to increase which had anciently growne between the Ecclesiastical secular Court. As soone then as the Blessed Laurence had notice thereof to shew himselfe in deedes to be no lesse a good Cittizen then a good Religious man and a good Bishop he went to the Senate and there publiquely declared his desire was to retire himselfe rather and to lay downe the charge now borne for these eighteene yeares against his will then now in old age to charge himselfe a new with such a burden But for as much as the name and title of Patriarcke offered by his Holynesse redounded not so much to his honour as thâ—… reputation and Maiesty of the Common wealth he would by no meanes dispose of himselfe any thing in that case without first comunicating the matter with the Superintendantes and Tutours thereof Wherfore they should plainely signify in the meane tyme their owne inclination since he would wholy gouerne himselfe according therto in a busynes of that importance looking alwayes a great deale more into the common good then to any particuler consolation or disdaine of his These wordes and the like sayd the B. Laurence with such affect and candour withall as the Duke himselfe through tendernes being not able to hold from teares and the Senatours astonished at so great a height of courage conioyned with Charity alike by a common consent made answere By all meanes and without respectes he should accept the offer as after he did with the extraordinary iubily and ioy of the whole people About the same tyme to the new glory of the B. Laurence fell out another thing of great wonder There liued for more then 30. yeares neare to Corfú in a craggy and desart place a Man very famous for continuall prayer and strict abstinence and that which men more esteeme of for a notable spirit of Prophesy Now the Venetian Republike at that tyme being much oppressed and reduced to ill termes by the armyes of Philip Duke of Millan It came into the mind of a certaine noble Venetian who had then some busynesse at Corfú at that tyme so curious and sollicitous are men about future things to learne of that solitary man whether true it were as it was commonly spoken that the Venetian Empyre was neere vpon ruyne To which demaund the Prophet answeared without delay You may all be thankefull to the bitter plaints and earnest intercessions of your Bishop without which take this for certayne you had now a good while since been quite vndone that which had of old happened to those fiue infamous Cittyes had falleÌ„ vpon yours since you haue so turned your backes to our Lord and put his holy Law so quite in obliuion This testimony gaue the deuout Hermite of the blessed Laurence not knowing the same by any humane way nor vnderstanding but by diuine inspiration what passed in the world in those dayes Which thing being suddenly diuulged confirmed the vniuersall opinion which was then had of such a Patriarke So as there arriued into the Citty of Venice no personage of quality nor pilgrime who then for sundry deuotions came flocking from Hungary Germany France and Spayne who endeuoured not to enforme themselues exactly of his sharp and austere life and of his most irreprehensible manners to receiue his benediction to reuerence his Reliques as holy the lodging he dwelt in the Couch where he lay in and the clothes which he had worne They neuer tooke vpon