himselfe notwithstanding without opening his mouth or changing his countenance arising from his seate with eyes cast downe to the earth and with a moderate pace he went into the midest of the Chapter and there falling downe on his knees craued humbly pennance and pardon of all those Fathers so as the accuser himselfe being quite confounded at so great a patience of his could not hold from casting himselfe at the feet of that innocent and in the presence of all to condemne his owne malignity And as in publike acts so likewise in priuate conuersation would D. Laurence most willingly yield to the iudgement and wills of others and as much as he might without affectation alwayes seeke the lowest place He bare all respect and veneration to Superiours he held their becks insteed of Oracles Nor only in things at large and indifferent by cutting off all sensuall appetite he purely followed their will but euen also in things other wise very lawfull and vertuous captiuing his owne vnderstanding would not dissent a whit from their rules and dictamens Whence it happened as all vertues are with a wonderfull harmony conioyned together that the seruant of God very perfectly acquiring a habit of Religion became rich and adorned with many others at the same tyme. Whereby preparing in his hart a cleane gratefull chamber for the holy Ghost in short tyme he obtayned so high a guift of teares and so much familiarity with his Creatour and Lord as that remayning with his body on earth with his soule he conuersed in Heauen and dealing with men by diuerse occurrences he departed not at all from the presence of God chasing away from himselfe with great dexterity all importune and superfluous phantasmes From this purity of conscience soone after ensued such a light as far surmonted all learning purchased otherwayes and in the will so great an ardour as all the waters of the world had not beene able to extinguish it But rather he sought allwayes to aduance forwardes according to the obligation of profession and so much abhorred to turne himselfe and looke back being as they say at the plough or to reedify that which he had destroyed or to resume agayne any thing which he had left and renounced in the world as he could neuer be brought once to put his foot in his Fathers howse allthough he liued so neere vnto them and his dearest freinds were of the best reputation and of rare example of Christian vertue Saue only at the death of his Mother and Brothers was he present to assist them with due piety in their last passage How B. Laurence conuerted a kinsman of his from his euill purpose And of the goodly saying he was wont to vse Chap. 3. B. Laurence had not beene yet many yeares in Religion when a deere companion of his in the world who for this meane while had beene in the East and but newly returned to Venice so powerfull the instigation of the Diuell is went presently to S. Georges accompanyed with musique loud and soft to allure the new Monke to his former life partly also with a band of men to vse some violence with the Conuent if need were This Gentleman was a man of great employments and of much respect so as he obtayned very easily to speake with Blessed Laurence but yet with farre different successe from his designes Because at the first fight of the new Souldiour of Christ beholding the modesty of his countenance the grauity of his gestures and composition of the whole person he remayned astonished thereat And notwithstanding vsing some violence with himselfe and taking courage withall he began the enterprise for which he came thither but the seruant of God permitting that breast full of passion and youthfull errour to vent it selfe forth with a cheerefull countenance and mild speaches began first very dexterously to feele him then with the memory of Death of Hell and of the last Iudgement and with liuely representing vnto him the vanity and deceipts of the world pressed him so hard as the good man being now compunct vpon a sudden yielded himselfe so yielded as cutting of with the force of spirit all transitory designes whatsoeuer resolued to adhere to that Rule which he had thought to haue vioted and from henceforth offering himselfe to the diuine worship he perseuered â—…n the holy Cloyster with like profit of his owne and amazement of the whole Citty In this manner the ancient aduersary departed and he who had thought to haue had a prey was himselfe caught in the net Nor with the seculars only being free and dissolute were the perswasions of the B. Laurence efficacious especially his good example and seruent prayers to our Lord concurring with all but euen also a thing to my iudgement yet more hard with the tepid and negligent Religious Since he awaked some of them more then once from the deadly sleep of slouthfullnes and withdrew them from a foolish and vnwary presumption to a sollicitous and wise feare of Christ others being now weary with the spirituall warfare or rather basely already put to flight he caused on a sudden to turne head agayne and beyond all hope to stand stoutly in the front of the battayle For the eminent Pulpit and popular preachings he wanted strength of body but yet in priuate assemblyes he would make sweet homilyes and deuout discourses to the great profit and consolation of the hearers And also in his dayly speach would often proceed very notable sentences from his mouth whereof for example sake we shall put downe some He would say It was not the part of a Religious man to fly only the greater synnes since that behoued euery one to doe but euen also to keepe himselfe from the lesse least Charity should wax cold He was wont also to note concerning fastings that they are not to be remitted wholy as soone as the body waxeth leane for as much as the wished extenuation thereof is conserued with that which procures it Three things he iudged to be necessary for a Monke to wit feruour discretion and heauenly grace because where any of these are fayling there can be no perseuerance He compared the vertue of Humility to a riuer that swells with rayne for that euen as a torrent is very low and stil in the sommer and runs outragious and boystrous in winter so the humble man being slack and remisse in prosperity in aduersity agayne appeares to be high and magnanimous He added that no man well comprehends what the guift of Humility is but he that hath receiued it from God and that there is nothing wherein men are more deceiued then in discerning this vertue and how true science consists in knowing two things that God is all and man nothing In the greater troubles of his Country which at that tyme was much infested with warrs he stuck not to admonish the principall Senatours that if they would obtayne mercy of God they should hold for certaine they were
on the way thither with soâ—… companions and while with diligence they went walking together some two or three myles before their arriuall to the sayd place S. Pachomius stopping on a sudden stood looking vp into the Heauens and beheld the soule of the Brother enuironed with Angelâ—… with a sweet harmony to mount vp into Paradise In the meanâ—… while the companions not hearing the Musique nor seeing 〈◊〉 triumphe sayd to the Father who had his eyes still fixed on the Stars Why stayes your Paternity thus let vs make hast to find the Brother aliue Whereto he answered Nay rather let vs hast to arriue whither he is now conducted that is to eternall beatitude Whereupon they vnderstood he had a Vision of the Saluation 〈◊〉 the Soule to represent it to them as well as he could And diligâ—… inquisition being afterwards made it was found the sayd sickmâ—… expired euen iust at that houre wherein S. Pachomius stood still iâ—… that manner S. Pachomius procures through prayer the gift of tongues He falleth siâ—…k appoints his Successour and so dieth Chap. 16. SAint Pachomius on a tyme visiting as he was wont his subiectâ—… to see how they carryed themselues and to demaund particular accompt of profit and conscience of euery one found himselâ—… to be much perplexed with a certaine straung Monke of great reputation who being come from the parts of Rome by how much 〈◊〉 was more skillfull in the Latin and Greeke tongues so mucâ—… more raw and ignorant was he in the Egyptian tongue In such 〈◊〉 S. Pachomius not hauing other language then his owne it was impossible for him to declare himselfe to him or to vnderstand hiâ—… well To which was added another impediment that the Româ—… Monke being desirous to discouer to the holy Pastour his ancieâ—… miseries and to confesse his sinnes committed would not admit 〈◊〉 other meanes nor communicate his secrets to a third person Wherupon S. Pachomius with great sorrow seeing himselfe to be excluded from the meanes of being able to help that soule causing the â—…nterpreter to go his wayes and hauing beckned to the Roman to expect a while he retired himselfe into a place apart and there â—…tretching forth his hands to Heauen made this deuout prayer Almighty Lord if I through defect of language be not able to help such men as come vnto me from countryes so remote to what purpose were it so send them hither And if yet thou wouldst haue me to be an instrument of the saluation of others Graunt Lord to whome nothing is impossible that I be not ignorant of that which they would say vnto me Hauing thus perseuered in this prayer for full three howers continually together with extraordinary feruour he espyed a sheete of paper in a hand written in forme of an Epistle to fall from heauen Which as soone as he read a wonderfull thing he suddenly felt within himselfe the gift of all Tongues for which giuing thankes to the diuine Goodnes he returned very cheerefull to the stranger and began to talke to him in the Greeke and Latin tongues with so much propriety and variey of words as to the other it seemed the Abbot in eloquence out stript all the learned men of the world Hauing heard his confession then and with holsome aduices enioyned him due penance he proceeded to deale with the rest These and the like demonstrations which the diuine Maiesty gaue from tyme to tyme in fauour of S. Pachomius especially ioyned as hath beene said with a perpetual tenour of a most holy life it cannot easely be explicated how much reputation and reuereÌ„ce they won him not with Religious only but euen Seculars also Through which meanes this great Gardiner of Christ after he had sent to the table of his Lord many fruites very seasonable and ripe himselfe also being called to the rewards of so great labours fell sick when perceiuing the deposition of his Tabernacle to draw neare causing the Monks to be assembled together brought before him with a louing and gratefull countenance he said to them in this sort I Brothers now at last am entring into the passage which al the children of Eue are to make and do feele how our Lord now cals me to him Do you then reteyning in memory the fatherly aduices which I haue giuen you endeauour to stand continually on the guard of your soules Eschew all things that may any wayes coole fraternall charity in you and bring in factions or discords amongst you Attending to the marke which our Sauiour gaue vs to know his disciples withall which truly is no other then a mutuall loue sincere coniunction of mynds Wherfore I do exhoâ—… you aboue all things to abhor the commerce dealing not only with Meletius and Arrius but euen likewise with any other who shall but step an inch from the Apostolicall Traditions and from the holy vniuersall Church And since I am to depart as I haue said endeauour you to choose in my place a person that may be a spirituall help vnto you and conduct you at last to the end you haue all proposed To which enterprize I do see none more sufficient them our most beloued Petronius This said the brothers sent sudenly to the Monastery of Chenâ—…boscus to call for him And S. Pachomius in the meane tyme composing his body and recommending himselfe to our Lord with due preparations very happily expired betweene the armes and sigheâ—… of his deere Congregation on the 14. day of the month of May. As for the yeare and other circumstances of tymes and places there is no memory to be found The sacred corps with much veneration and solemne offices was committed to the Sepulcher the blessed spirit with singular feasting receiued into the heauenly countrey leauing on earth an exact modell of perfect exercitation to al those who being aware of the false flatteryes of the flesh of the vayne hopes of the world and of the pernicious subtilityes of the deuill aspire to the durable goods to the blessed vision of the most holy Trinity To which be all glory benediction and yeilding of thaÌ„ks for euer and euer Amen FINIS S. MARTIN THE ARGVMENT IN warfare bred I chose a nobler foe By nature then the worlds vast realme doth yield My selfe I first then him did ouerthrow Subdu'de I gaind the glory of the field Conquerd and Conqueror in one fight I show Our owne depression is our strongest shield To check his fierce assaults and soules to free From Sathans rage and hellish slauery Dead to the world like Nigers streames I rose That in the earth his buried floud enwombes And hauing made a naturall bridge he goes Farre vnder ground but vp farre greater comes WheÌ„ the dead world to quicken Heau'n me chose And in a Bishops Chaire to shew his doomes Who cloathd himselfe for man in flesh of Man He cloathes receiues from me his Ionathan THE LIFE OF S. MARTIN BISHOP OF TOVVERS Taken out Seuerus Sulpicius and
Father of all Monkes in the West pag. 235. S. Stephen the first King of Hungary pag. 259. S. Edward Confessour King of England pag. 287. S. Anselme Bishop of Canterbury pag. 308. S. Otho Bishop of Bamberge in Germany pag. 169. S. Bernard Abbot of Clareuall in France pag. 187. S. Hugh Bishop of Lincolne pag. 155. S. Antony of Padua pag. 282. S. Thomas of Aquine the Angelicall Doctour pag. 316. B. Andrew Bishop of Fesula in Italy pag. 344. B. Laurence Iustinian first Patriarch of Venice pag. 361. S. MALACHY THE ARGVMENT BOrne in the Land surrounded with the mayne Of the Vergiuian deepe S. MALACHY Appeares and shewes vnpolisht shells containe Pearles often fraught with richest brauery We honour by our deeds not Countries gaine And do our selues infect vnstaynd thereby And learne to note how ere we rise or fall We and our Soiles are not reciprocall See how in tender yeares the world he leaues And from his childhood beares th' appointed crosse Try'de with affliction nothing Grace bereaues No paynes are hard no worldly domage losse No false allurements mooue no fraud deceyues Him of his hopes no Vanity doth tosse His constant soule nor from his Hauen driue Where we if like shall like to him arriue THE LIFE OF S. MALACHY BISHOP OF IRELAND Written by S. Bernard Of his Birth Minority and the first Flower of his Youth Chap. I. SAINT MALACHY borne in Hybernia or as we call it Ireland in the Citty of Ardmach was there through the particular fauour of the Diuine Clemency bred and brought vp in such sort as from the Natiue Barbarisme of the place he drew no more then Fishes do from the brackish Seas Whence it comes to be a thing most delightfull that so vnciuill and rude a Nation should seeme to yield vs a person of so gentle behauiour celestiall manners He who deriues the hony from Stones fetches oyle from the hardest Rockes hath moreouer wrought this 〈◊〉 True it is the Parents of S. Malachy were both of noble Bloud and of high Degree and the Mother no lesse generous of Mynd then Lineage was very solicitous to shew to the Child as yet tender the true way of Saluation making a great deale more reckoning thereof then of the swelling Literature oâ—… the world and yet wanted not the Child a good towardnes for eyther of both professions In schoole he learned the GraÌ„mer at home the feare of God continually through his profit did satisfy both Mother and Mayster Which thing should not seeme to others to be any whit vntrue he hauing through especiall fauour from heauen the lot to haue so good a Soule which made him as well docible as strangely amiable and gracious From Mothers breast insteed of milke he sucked the waters of wisedome and day by day became more wise More wise shall we say or more Holy If I say both the one and other I should not much repent me because I should haue sayd but truth For manners he was graue a child indeed yeares but voyd of childish sportfullnes and howbeit held in veneration and admiration of all yet became he not thereby as generally others do haughty or insolent but rather quiet and submisse with all meckenes He was not impatient of gouernment not stubborne to discipline not dull for studies and finally not delighted with games the proper and general affect of that age so as in learning which was competent for him he out-stript all his equalls of the same age but in Goodnes of life and purchase of vertues he excelled as many as taught him and that not only through the industry of his Mother but euen also by the Vnction of the spirit wherwith being interiourly solicited pushed on he was neuer backward in diuine Exercises as to retire himselfe in solitude to meditate the holy law of Christ to make oâ—…en prayer to be temperate in dyer to vanquish sleep And wheras from publique frequenting of Churches he was partly hindred through schoole and partly kept backe through a certayne respectfull modesty yet forbare he not the lesse to lift vp his Mynd to the supernall Father to adore him euen likewise with exteriour gestures wheresoeuer in secret he could find occasion there vnto being at such tymes very cautious and circumspect to eschew vayne glory the most certaine poyson of vertues There lyes not farre off from Ardmach a village whither his Maister went often to walke without other company the this beloued Disciple Now therfore on a tyme while they were walking both together Malachy obseruing the Maister in a deep study with himself making a step as he related afterwards remayned somewhat behind and on the suddayne lifting vp his innocent hands from the how of his 〈◊〉 euer bent 〈◊〉 forth enflamed Iaculatoryes to the Starrs for not to be discouered very â—…lyly would he be putting himselfe agayne somewhat handsomely on the way and with so pious a theft would the blessed youth from tyme to tyme be deceiuing his Guide It boots not heere to relate all the acts which made his greener yeares very illustrious and admirable My penne makes â—…hast to much greater things And yet neuerthelesse will I not seeme to let passe this one thing by the way which in that teÌ„dernes of his gaue matter not only of a good but of a soueraigne hope Being now arriued at last somwhat towards the end of the first arts and thirsting after the grauer Sciences being moued through the fame of a learned Doctour he went his wayes with great diligence though somewhat farre off to be acquainted with him But finding him at his entring into the howse very busy scoring of the wall very impertinently with an awle being disgusted with such a leuity and immediately pulling backe his foote from thence he had no list to reâ—…te him any more so much howbeit neuer so greedy of Learning he were he preferred honesty before knowledge In this sort then he passed ouer his childish yeares and yet in Youth reteyned he still as it were the same tenour of candour purity sauâ—… only that together with yeares did Wisedome and grace both with God and men alike increase in him with this besides that continually there beganne more high and sage reflections and discourses to awake in his breast For that the prudent youth beholding on the one side the malignity of the world and on the other the quality of the Spirit which swayed within his mind came more theÌ„ once to speake within himselfe in this sort My spirit is no whit secular for what hath it to do therewith since there is no more resemblance betweene them then betweene night and day Mine seemes to proceed from God nor am I ignorant of the gifts which he hath vouchsafed me From him do I acknowledge the stole of innocency I enioy with the flower of continency in me preserued hitherto From him that glory of myne so much securer as it is more secret consisting wholy in the
most well-beloued Sonne but rather in satisfaction of our debts deliuer him ouer to so cruell and bitter a death With which discourses and adâ—…nishments S. Antony went mouing the people in such fort as many conceauing a like desire of the Eternity and contempt of the world determined themselues likewise to be sequestred from the vulgar to giue themselues to a solitary life From hence so many Monasteryes tooke their beginnings where with in a very short tyme were all those craggy mountaynes and champians of Egipt filled And he so long as he liued had the superintendency and sollicitous care ouer them all receauing with singular affect of charity such as for diuers occurences of good goâ—…rnement would be making their repayre vndo him and he himselfe also would no lesse be visiting them in person when tyme reâ—…ired without sparing any labour or respect of manifest perils haâ—…ing alwayes the heauenly custody with him which miraculously â—…efended him from all disasters As it happened once among other tymes in his visit of the couÌ„â—…y of Arsinoe whither trauayling with some of his and being to â—…ade ouer a branch of the riuer of 〈◊〉 full of Crocadills most â—…uell Enemyes Deuoures of men hauing made his praier a litle â—…tred into the water and passed quite through it both going and â—…omming without any manner of hurt at all of himselfe or his CoÌ„anions Being now returned to his Cell he gaue himselfe to his â—…onted labours and exercises as before and aboue all to his pastorall care by inducing alwaies the Monks to greater perfection with words and deeds full of holsome incite ments and holy doctrine Nor was it hard for him to assemble an Auditory so great was the â—…unger which euery one had of his words and so singular the grace 〈◊〉 his discourse vouchafed him by our Lord But especially one day â—…ere being 〈◊〉 together a very great â—…course of people to heare â—…im the venerable Abbot with accustomed modesty candour of â—…ynd in the Egyptian tongue began to deliuer himselfe as it followeth in the next chapter The Exhortation of S. Antony to the Monkes and people of the Disart Chap. 6. ALthough the diuine Scriptures my Children and most beloued Brethren are sufficient of themselfes for the instruction and erudition of men Yet is it a thing notwithstanding very reasonable and iust that euen Men no lesse knowing themselues with mutuall incitements excite one another to the execution of that which they haue well vnderstood and with pertaking ech one with the rest the inspirations and lights he obteynes of God they may all come to be euery day more wife and expert in his holy serâ—…ce Wherfore you my children whensoeuer you shall haue any good conceipt to propose vnto others to me your Father omit â—…not and I also as more ancient in yeares and most ready for the glory of God will participate with you in a much of that kind as I haue hitherto any wayes eyther by document of others or of my owne experience been able to comprehend The first then and principall aduertisement for all is 〈◊〉 that ech one of vs endeauour two things The one not to diminâ—… a whit of our labour or industry reputing our selues to haue doâ—… inough The other not to loose courage while the affayre seeme too prolix and tedious to vs but rather we are to make accompe that euery day is the first beginning and to be alwayes a conseruing and increasing our holy purposes Because that as the whole age of a man is very short in comparison of what succeeds so is al the created tyme as nothing being paraleled with Eternity And truly in this life things are ordinarily bought at a iust price in human traffiques is accompt made of so much for iust so much but in 〈◊〉 case it is not so while the Eternall Crowne seemes to stand vs 〈◊〉 deed but in a very little We read in the Psalmes Dies annorum nostrorum in ipsis septuagâ—… anni Si autem in potentatibus octoginta amplius eorum labor 〈◊〉 Whence put the case we do spend the same whole space of eighty or a hundred yeares in the diuine seruice thinke you the rewâ—… therof to be equal The trauaile exceeds not an age the guerdon endures foreuer the toyles are on earth the recompence in heauen the body comes to be rotten and consumed but recouers a glorious and vncorruptible one So as my Children let vs not go foulding oâ—… armes Let vs not thinke it to be ouer long or that we haue done already any great matter since according to the Apostle The Tâ—…lations of the present life haue not any proportion with the glory which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 manifest in vs. Nor casting our Eyes to the world belieue that we haue forsaken any great matter For as much as the whole roundâ—… of the Earth is but a point in respect of the vniuersall fabrique of the world and yet supposing we were Lords of as much as the Sâ—… warmes and should haue quite renounced such a Monarchy for the Loue of Christ yet for all that would it be nothing at all if we regard but the Realme of the Heauens which is proposed to vs. And who is he that would not willingly seeme to cast away a dramme of yron to haue for the same a hundred of gold Euen so a Man that should abandon for God all these earthly Signoryes should afford very little and receiue a hundred for one Now if all the Earth at once may not seeme to contest with the worth of Paradise it is cleere that for one to depriue himselfe of armes or houses or summes of money he should not yet seeeme take eyther any vayne glory or foolish sadnes for the same esâ—…ially considering that though we despoyle not our selues of â—…se things for the loue of Christ yet of force are we very soone to â—…go them when we come to dye and to leaue them very often 〈◊〉 such as we thinke least of as Ecclesiastes well notes Why then 〈◊〉 we not make a vertue of necessity Wherefore exchange we not â—…sitory patrimony for an incorruptible inheritance And if it â—…olly to be tenacious of that which we possesse much lesse beâ—…g once disentangled from the same should we be turning our â—…ought agayne vpon such a purchase but alwayes aspire to the gaâ—…ing of such things as follow vs after the departure of the Soule â—…m the body such as are the merits of Prudence Temperance luâ—…ce Wisedome Fortitude Humanity Liberality Fayth in Christ â—…eekenes Hospitality and other such like merchandise whereâ—… if we make vs prouision in tyme being once recalled from this â—…nishment we shall find them to haue gone before vs as Harâ—…ngers to prepare vs a Mansion in the Citty of the Blessed These things being well considered should surely shake off â—…om the mynd all negligence and weake pufillanimity but when â—…ey suffice not at least we ought to be moued with the
in thee be darkenes â—…ow great then shall the darknes it selfe be And in truth who sees not â—…hat when the iudgement through ignorance remayning in the darke goes doubtfull and wauering but needs must the thoughts â—…nd actions depending thereon come thence to be entrapped in a greater and thicker myst of sinnes Of which truth he doth giue vs â—…ufficient testimony who by the eternall Maiesty being chosen the first King of Israel for not hauing this eye of discretion sound but â—…ll members ill affected with darknes deserued to loose the Kingdome while he thought to be more seruiceable to God in sacrificing to him then obeying of Samuel incurring thereby the diuine â—…ffence in the selfe same thing wherein he made full rekoning to gayne his fauour The defect of this knowledge after that glorious triumph â—…erswaded Achab that mercy and clemency were better then seucâ—…ity and the execution of that rigorous and cruell command as it â—…eemed to him Through which coÌ„sidering being mollifyed whilst â—…e would needs seeme to be contemning with an act of piety the â—…loudy victory as he thought through indiscreet compassion beâ—…ng himselfe likewise obscured in his whole person was without â—…emission condemned to death This is that Discretion which is not only called by the Apostle a Lampe but a Sunne also where he saith â—…et not the sunne seeme to set vpon your anger This in like manner is called â—…he Gouernment of our life according to that saying Such as haue â—…o gouernment with them do fall like leaues This is worthily termed Counsayle without the which to do any thing is by the holy Scripture so precisely forbidden vs as neyther are we to take otherwise the spirituall wine it selfe which is that Gladnes that cheeres vp the â—…hart of man while Salomon saith Do you euery thing with Counsaile and with Counsaile likewyse do you drinke your wyne And elsewhere Who workes without Counsayle is like to a Citty which is dismantled quite and destroyed as shewing with this similitude how pernicious to the soule is the lack of such a vertue In this knowledge in this the vnderstanding and iudgment consists according to that aduertisement which saith with wisedome is the house built with vnderstaÌ„ding repayred with iudgment is the Cellar replenished withall the best and most precious things This I say is that solid foode that cannot be taken but of strong perfect men Whence the Apostle sayth To the perfect belonges a solid foode who through long experience let tâ—… senses be well exercised in the discretion of good and ill What more It is so profitable and necessary as it comes to be numbred among the other diuine attributes according to the sentence of the same S. pal Quick and liuely is the word of God and very efficacious and more penetrate farre then the sharpest knife arriuing to the diuision of the soule spirit â—…ea euen to the ioynts marrow is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the hart Out of which authorityes it is manifestly shewed that with out the grace of Discretion it is impossible eyther perfectly to purchase or long to conserue any vertue whatsoeuer This then in matter of Perfection was the iudgment this the Doctrine of S. Antony The which being first by that sacred Session of Fathers without reluctatioÌ„ approued after with good reason by Cassian as we said inserted into his Collations hath also seemed good to vs for the publique vtility to transferre into our present discourse The multitude of Monks increaseth The Angelicall life of S. Antony And of the persecution raysed by Maximinian against the Church Chap. 9. IN the meane season the number of Monks did meruaylously increase and throughout all those hills could nothing els be seene but Cells and Monasteryes like to Pauillions applyed to a sacred warfare full of Psalmes Conferences Lessons Prayers Fasts and vigils accompanyed partly with a iubiley of hart through expectation of the future goods partly also with the industry and labour of the hands to purchase almes for the poore Who shall expresse then the chast dilection and streight concord amongst theâ—… In such sort as casting the eyes vpon those countryes a Man verily seemed to behold a Region as wholy dedicated to the worship Iustice of God Heere raigned not eyther open or hidden factions not practices or designes of transitory or terrene things but only a multitude well ordered of men all applyed to the study of the more eminent vertues So as one beholding them the Orders withall might truly breake forth into that exclamation of Numbers the 23. chapter Quam bona domus tuae Iacob tabernacula tua Israel tamquam nemorâ—… obrumbrantia tamquam Paradisus super flumina tamquam tabernacula qua fixâ—… sunt à Domino tamquam cedri Libani circa aquas But yet in so vniuersall a feruour did the Lampe of S. Anteny alwayes seeme farre to exceede both in heate and splendour the other lights who neuer ceasing his angelicall customes did alwaies â—…o his power keepe silence and augment his pennances aspiring day and night to the happy mansions of Heauen Whereupon as â—…ikewise the imitation of the more glorious Saints he had so fixed â—…is mynd that whensoeuer it was needfull for him to eate or sleep â—…r in any other manner to serue the body he beheld the noblenes â—…f the Soule so miserably abased with so vile an exercise And thus â—…hrough compulsion he would take his refection now alone â—…ow with others not omitting through occasion thereof to remeÌ„â—…er his disciples how much it behoued them very seriously to atâ—…end to the soule and to seeke after the profit thereof in spending as â—…tle tyme as might be in the care of the body that the spirit be not â—…ulled downwards by sensuall delights but the flesh to be reduced â—…ather into the seruitude and power of the spirit and this sayd he â—…as the sense of those wordes of the Ghospell Nolite soliciti esse animae â—…estrae quid manducetis neque corpori quid induamini haec enim omnia genâ—…s inquirunt Scit enim Pater vester quod his omnibus indigetis Querite auâ—…m regnum Dei haec omnia adijcientur vobis At the same tyme while S. Antony was instructing and guiâ—…ing his Monkes in this manner was raised in Egypt that cruell perâ—…cution of Maximinian agaynst the Church of God At the newes â—…hereof the holy Abbot being desirous to shed his bloud for Christ â—…ent his way in hast to Alexandria accompanyed with many sayâ—…g let vs be present by all meanes at the glorious combats of â—…e Champions of Christ for that God will eyther make vs worâ—…y of that glorious Fellowship with them or at least if our Voâ—…ation extend not so high their fayth and fortitude will affoard â—…s a noble spectacle and of much edification In the meane tyme â—…e puts himselfe in publique to help and encourage them First in â—…e mines and in prisons and afterwards much
after fell sicke and calling his two disciples to him who had now some fifteene yeares been present with him he spake to them in manner following I am now my deerest vpon walking the way of my Fathers and I feele my selfe to be called of our Lord. As for you be you wary and vigilant and take heed you loose not the labours of so long a tyme but as if you had but now begunne do you enforce yoursel◅es to maynteynly out wonted feruour and study Then know yo◅ the snares and rages of the inuisible Enemies and know you likewise how through diuine Iudgment they haue lost their forces Do you not feare them then but alwayes aspire to Christ and fixing a ◅iuely fayth in him expect euery moment to be cited before him so attend to your selues still remembring the rules and documents you haue had from me especially to fly as fyre the conuersation of Arrians and Meletians and whosoeuer shall haue seuered themselues from the Fayth and communion of the Catholique Church since you know how I no lesse haue alwayes abhorred them But rather seeke to vnite your selues with Christ and with his Saints that after death they may acknowledge you as Friends and be receyuing you into the Eternall tabernacles Be this your opinion then and this your discourse And if you haue any care of me also as of a Father doe not suffer my Corps by any meanes to be carryed to Egypt with the hazard of being put vp in some house according to the peruerse custome of the Country there but hide me rather in the earth in a place where no person of the world may know besids your selues because if it be cōsumed for the present it shall yet be restored agayne very glorious in the Resurrection You shall distribute my Garments in such sort as that Athanasius the Bishop may haue one of my Melots which were only poore sheep skins sowed together and the Mantle whereupon I was wont to lye To the Bishop Serapion you shall giue the other Melot and you in memory of mee shall keep the Cilice and with this my Sonnes remayne in peace for Antony passeth and shall be no more abiding with you These were his last words and then with a cheerefull countenance shewing the Angels and Saints to reioyce who came to meete him he gaue vp the Ghost And the disciples though sad for loosing such a Father on earth neuerthelesse being recomforted for hauing purchased such an Intercessour in Heauen did bury him according as he had ordyned And to the Bishops they gaue the garments as welcome and as much esteemed of them as those who had gotten a very rich inheritance And the great Athanasius recounts of himselfe how he wore the same afterwards very willingly whereby it seemed to him that he carryed about him a perfect Memorial of the wholesome aduises and documents of S. Antony Such a course and end made the great Seruant of Christ whose life as we insinuated aboue Athanasius himselfe first wrote in the Greeke tongue who though he were of another vocation notwithstanding in fayth will was he most vnited with him The blessed Euagrius translated the same into latin who liued very neere those tymes and was the disciple of both the Macarius enriching the same with some things receiued as it is probable of such as had much familiarity conuersation with the Man of God Moreouer as many as haue framed the Ecclesiasticall History and other most graue Authours besides haue likewise touched his acts and made very pious and honourable mētion of him God vndoubtedly so disposing the same not so much in recompence of the labours of S. Antony who enioying eternall felicity in heauen should seeme to care very little to be renowned in earth as for the profit of all man kind To the end so perfect and noble deeds words and manners might not seeme to be shut vp within the termes of one people or of one age only but should dilate themselues into all parts and serue for instruction glasse incitement to all Nations and to all posterity FINIS S. PACHOMIVS THE ARGVMENT I BORNE of misbelieuing Parents gaind Not by my selfe but Heau'n the sauing light Quickned the grace which I had entertaind And left the world that I more safe might fight Against my foes I victory obtaind Finding this way to countermand their spite And slighting what the world doth most commend More easily I did my selfe defend What ere he be that striues to haue a share Within the mansion of Eternity Let him in this bestow his greatest care To shun th'indearements of Mortality Soules haue no parts harts vndeuided are Heau'n and the world haue no affinity Like as of Sense on seuerall obiects bent The strength is weakned and is lesse intent THE LIFE OF S. PACHOMIVS ABBOT Written by Simeon Metaphrastes Of the Birth of S. Pachomius and his miraculous Conuersion to the Christian Fayth Chap. 1. IN the same age some few yeares after the blessed Pachomius did flourish a great Father likewise and an excellent Mayster of Monkes whose vertue and Religion no doubt was so much the more memorable as the helpe of Education which he had was lesse being borne of Gētiles both Father and Mother brought vp in Thebais without any knowledge of our Sauiour Christ vntill such tyme as he arriued vnto military age Some notable signes did fore-run his Vocation One was that when they gaue him to drinke any wine or other liquour which had been offered to the Idols with a certaine hidden auersion of the stomacke he would suddenly be vomiting it forth And another signe also was there yet of more wonder for that he being once conducted to a Sacrifice which was to be performed by a riuers side hard by there could be nothing done for that at his presence the Priest could neyther finish his ceremonies nor would the Diuels seeme to enter into the Statues to giue forth answeres from thence as they were wont so as their wicked Minister hauing finally vnderstood the occasion thereof with furious brawling began to controule the Parents of Pachomius as hauing brought thither an enemy of the immortall Gods and commaunded them suddenly to thrust him forth as fearing least some heauenly wrath or vengeance might light on their Sonne Amidst so impious superstitions of his house the rudiments of Egiptian learning and doctrine S. Bachomius being arriued to the twentith yeare of his life was enrolled as a Souldiour in a new leuy of men which in the name of Constantius was then made in diuers parts against the Tyrant Maxentius And with this occasion being conducted by water with others to a certayne Citty neare vnto Thebes he fell into great necessity together with the whole army through the smal prouision that was made of victuals for thē Which being vnderstood by those of the Country there who by good hap were of the faythfull people of Christ and very friendly to the Neighbour
vs returne agayne to S. Pachomius who neuer ceased with words and deeds to enflame and guide his disciples to Perfection exhorting them sometymes and sometyme agayne resoluing their doubts with a great deale of wisedome and no lesse charity He was demanded once among other things by one of hiâ—… Monks What was the cause that while a man is in peace before temptation he discourseth so well of Temperance Humility and other Vertues and when the time of execution comes afterwards 〈◊〉 put that in practise which was in discourse we find our selues so â—…ayle and feeble to performe the same As for example in the tyme 〈◊〉 Anger to shew acts of Patience in bitternes and rancour to be â—…rgetfull of iniuries receyued when we are paysed of others to be â—…ary of vayneglory in these I say and other the like occurrenâ—…es Then the Saint The reason is answered he for that we â—…now not how to prepare ourselues nor to meditate as we ought â—…or to keepe the spirit prompt and vigilant in the tyme of battayle Whence it behoues vs euery day and euery houre with a fresh reâ—…olution to renew our good purposes and to power into the conâ—…eÌ„platiue part of the Soule the oyle of holy feare which may serue â—…s well to re-enforce it to do good as to illumine the same to disâ—…erne and distinguish the Obiects which are represented to it by â—…he wily and subtile Aduersary In such wise as standing coÌ„tinually vpon its guard it suffer not it selfe to be easily moued to disdayne â—…orrancour nor to other disordinate passions and besides that raysing it selfe aloft and thinking of inuisible and eternall things it may come to assume great courage and consequently to contemne all diabolicall suggestions and finally to walke as the Scripture sayth vpon Serpents and Scorpious and aboue all the powers of the Enemy With such aduertisements and counsayles went S. Pachomius opportunely encouraging and instructing his Subiects And howbeit in amending their defects he would more willingly be vsing of sweet remedyes and lenitiues as more conformable to his proper genius and to Christian clemency notwithstanding when it was expedient for him he knew well also how to apply more bitter and biting medicines as by reading this ensuing discourse the iudicious Reader may easily perceiue The life of Siluanus the Monke And what a blessed end he made through the help of S. Pachomius Chap. 11. SAINT Pachomius had in his Conuent a certayne Monke called Siluanus This man in the world had been a Comediant and of a lyfe as commonly such persons are very wild and dissolute Whereupon at his entrance into Religion S. Pachomius had particulerly exhorted him to stand vpon his guard and to mainteyne himselfe sober and vigilant that he might not be carryed away with sensuality and the diuell to vices and leuityes past And so had he promised to do then he tooke the habit and indeed so walked he as long as the feruour of deuotion lasted but afterwards through wearines of combating and subtraction of grace as it happens for one to be tepid without being as it were aware of it so began he by litle and litle to grow looser in his conuersation and to returne to his secular iests and scoffs as before S. Pachomius gaâ—… him many wholesome admonitions which being not inough 〈◊〉 likewise added sundry seuere chastisements and at last while 〈◊〉 seemed to him to be incorrigible some twenty yeares after he had receyued him he ordeyned in the presence of all the Monkes that he should be stript of his habit and thrust our of the Congregation Whereat Siluanus being wholy confounded and contrite did casâ—… himselfe at the feete of the Saint with saying Pardon me Father yeâ—… for this tyme for I hope in our Sauiour that he will graunt me truâ—… Penance and to your Paternity much consolation in my actionâ—… To whome S. Pachomius answered Thou knowest how I haue borne with thee all this while how many chasticemeÌ„ts haue I both against my wil and custome inflicted vpon thee since then neyther with fayre meanes nor yet with foule thou wilt amend thy selfe how can I or how should I permit so contagious and infected a meÌ„ber should go wasting thus and consuming the whole body of Religion To this so bitter an answere Siluanus replyed with new humiliations and promises And yet S. Pachomius stood firme in his purpose till being conuinced with the perseuerant submission of the other he required pledges which might giue security of his chaunge of manners When immediatly a venerable man by name Petronius being moued out of Charity tooke the Obligation vpon him and full of diuine confidence gaue his word that Siluaâ—… should be renewed in spirit and should giue himselfe seriously to the exercise of vertue With this intercession was S. Pachomius content to prolong his tearme Nor was the grace afforded in vayne or the promise any way temerariously made since from that tyme Siluanus began to wage a sharpe warre with himselfe and to go forward in such sort as in a short tyme he became a mirrour of perfection to all the CoÌ„uent hauing got among other things so great a gift of teares as they streamed from his eyes like a perpetual riuer so as neyther in the presence of strangers nor at the Table could he possibly conteyne himselfe from them While that saying of the Psalme agreed with him Cinerem tamquam paâ—… manducabam poâ—… meum cum fletu miscebam He was instanced by some that if he could not absteyne altoâ—…ather yet by all meanes at least he would forbeare in the preâ—…nce of the Ghests When he affirmed he had endeauoured the â—…me many tymes but not by any meanes could he refrayne they â—…swered that a deuout soule may well abide allwayes with inâ—…rnall compunction without breaking into open demonstration â—…erof and in summe they brought him to represse them in tyme 〈◊〉 refection because many being confounded moued with such â—…spectacle refrayned from taking their necessary nourishment wheÌ„ â—…luanus not being angry with any other then himselfe only with â—…reat feeling brake forth into those words Would you haue me to â—…int my teares I pray in seeing so many Saints with whome I 〈◊〉 not worthy to be numbred to attend vpoÌ„ me most vile wretch â—…ith so much diligence hauing been accustomed heeretofore to â—…ayne my liuing on the Stage Whereas rather I deserue not to â—…sse the very place where they set their feet I weepe indeed as â—…aring euery houre least the earth should swallow me vp as once 〈◊〉 happened to the profane Dathan and Abiron since I hauing had â—…om Heauen both light and grace more then inough should haue 〈◊〉 them so ill haue reaped so litle fruit Then am I not through â—…ame to forbeare from discoueting my selfe to be a sinner since for â—…uch indeed do I acknowledge my selfe to be Whereas truly if I â—…hould lay downe my life in doing pennance for the same yet were â—…t nothing in
a false Bishop of his called Pinâ—… rather through intemperance of tongue then sufficiency of learning would needes be replying I know â—…ot what thereunto giuing heere with occasion to S. Fulgentius to frame another worke therupon to conuince anew the temerity ignorance of the enemyes of Christ. There was likewise moued 〈◊〉 to him a certayne controuersy about the holy Ghost by a Priest called Abrazilla which further gaue a fit occasion to S. Fulgentius to let it appeare with many and cleare demonstrations how the Holy Ghost with the Father the Sonne ought simply to be confessed one God Which things by how much they brought more honour and esteeme to the seruant of God so much the more the Ministers of the Deuill conspired in one to aduise the King not to let the matter proceed any further protesting withall the harbouring of such an aduersary in Carthage would be the ruine of the Arrian religion and that if he remedyed not the fame in tyme he would come shortly to haue so many Followers as that with al the forces of the kingdome they could hardly be resisted The King being terrifyed with these and such like suggestioÌ„s though in a manner against his will commaunded without more delay that S. Fulgentius should returne to his former confines and for auoyding of all popular tumult he should be embarqued in the night Whereto he obediently yielded for his part but the diuine Goodnes being not willing with such a departure the faythfull should seeme to be depriued of the sight comfort of such a Father deteyned the ship so long with contrary winds in the Hauen as well nigh all the Citty had space to salute him and to receiue the most holy Sacrament at his hands When behold a faire gale of wind now comming about and a certaine religious man one Ginliatus by name among others bewayling his departure the holy Bishop being moued to compassion vpon him and full of a propheticall spirit sayd cleerely to him Trouble not your selfe my Son for soone shall this whole persecution cease and we shall returne to you agayne but I pray thee keepe this secret for I could not choose but discouer it to thee being moued so with tendernes and Charity towards thee And this S. Fulgentius added for the great care he had to conceale his gifts and to eschew all human glory contenting himselfe the while with the testimony of a good conscience and with the inward grace affoarded him so as likely he did not nor euer would worke Myracles and if now then perhaps he did any he would still rather attribute the same to the fayth of another then his owne vertue But for the most part whensoeuer he was sought vnto to pray to our Lord for the sick and afflâ—cted he would frame his prayers with these words or the like Thou knowest O Lord what is fit for the health of our soules while thou succourest our corporal necessities in such sort as they hinder not the spirituall profit He was wont to say that the Gift of miracles serued not to make a man more iust but to cause him rather to be renowned in the world A thing truly which auayles but litle to eternall beatitude where vertuous and hood men howbeit obscure and vnknowne are not hindred awhit from getting into Heauen Though if we speake of supernaturall effects those workes which others performe in curing of bodyes seeme vnto me not to be so admirable as those which he wrought in curing of Soules in conuerting with his fayre exhortations and good example so many Heretiques to the Church and so man sinners vnto pennance S. Fulgentius builds him a new Conuent in Calari The persecution ceaseth Prelates are recalled from banishment Chap. 8. VVIth these and other the like exercises which accompanyed S. Fulgentius still in ech tyme and place being now brought backe to the Iland of Sardinia he was agayne no small coÌ„solation to the afflicted Bishops And hauing led with him from Affricke a good number of Monkes with the leaue of Brumasâ—…us Bishop of Calari he built him there a new Conuent without the Citty neare to the Church of S. Saturninus attending with all care and sollicitude to conseue religious discipline most pure hauing principally an eye that none of the Monkes who were about some 50. in number should seeme to haue any thing proper And for to take away all occasion thereof he would himselfe distribute with great discretion the necessary things appertayning to them according to the forces and infirmity of ech one True it is that such as enioyed any particular thing at his hands he would require to be notable in humility protesting vnto them that in Congregations whosoeuer receiues of the publique substance more then others becoms a debtour to each one of them to whome the goods do belong and how he cannot satisfy the debt as iustice requires without shewing himselfe very obedient lowly meeke and tractable to all By these waies the Saint would seeme to remedy the scandals from such inequalityes And as he was exceeding sollicitous in preuenting the suites requests importunityes of the Monkes in giuing them before haÌ„d what reason or necessity required so towards the importunate not resigned he would shew himselfe to be very seuere in denying them sometimes euen that which they had otherwise deserued affirming that they should otherwise incurre the displeasure of the Highest if they should desire things superfluous and that it playnely denoted a weake spirit and of litle vertue Forasmuch as such as they through a former renunciation now seeing themseluâ—… to be shut of all manner of trafficque and gayne of the world with such kind of demaunds do seeme to supply the vse of trading He added moreouer that such only are worthy of the name of religious who mortifying quite their proper wills are ready to will and not to wil that only which is insinuated to them by the Superiour Nor made he any reckoning of those handy workes not well conioyned with interiour acts as wishing that the spirit of deuotion should be the season of ech operation Besids he would shew himselfe to be sweet and affable to all without any arrogancy or imperiousnes a whit though in his tyme he knew also to vse due grauity and the subiect how simple and ignorant he were had full freedome to make any request vnto him and that as often as he would the good Father would likewise heare him with all patience or without shewing himselfe weary with reasons examples vntill such tyme as the party himselfe had freely confessed he was throughly satisfyed and contented In this tyme of banishment he wrote to those of Carthage an Epistle of high Counsails and Aduertisements discouering among other things with great cleerenes the deceipts flatteryes wherwith miserable soules are conducted to Hell And at the instance of one Monimus a religious person he coÌ„posed two bookes Of theremission of sinnes and instructed him besides
the fruites of human prayses and fly the purâ—…hase of solid vertues could by no meanes endure so much reputaâ—…ion so prosperous successes of S. Benet This vnfortunate wretch â—…eing stirred vp and excited through blind passion began first with â—…uill words to detract from the merits and actions of S. Benet and â—…hen to hinder by all meanes possible the concourse of people that went vnto him After which perceiuing how he trauailed in vayne â—…nd that by how much he endeauoured to vilify and depresse him â—…e was the more exalted by God and reuerenced of men he suffered â—…imselfe at last to be led into the same very deuilish plot whereinto â—…hose former traytours of the Saint had beene caryed True it is that whereas they hid the fraud vnder a cup of wine this vnder a loafe â—…f bread But as that was not able to deceiue the eyes of the Man of God so was this also reuealed vnto him Because Florentius vnder â—…he shew of charity hauing sent him in almes a Loafe of bread coÌ„â—…empered with deadly poyson the holy man stuck not to receiue it with thanks giuing But being soone certifyed through diuine power of the wicked deceipt at the houre of refection he threw it â—…owne to a Crow which at that tyme was wont to come to him â—…o take her meate at his hands said to her On behalfe of our Lord â—…sus Christ take you heere this loafe of bread cary iâ—…to some place where it may not be touched of any person lyuing At which words â—…he Crow spreading her wings and opening the mouth began to â—…oure with croaking and shewing a will and feare alike to touch â—…hat pestilent food but the Man of God vrging her to obey with â—…onfidence tooke it vp with her clawes and flew away with it and â—…hen after some three houres space returned agayne to her wonted â—…eate At such ill demeanours as these S. Benet was exceedingly sory â—…ot so much for his owne sake as for compassion of his aduersary â—…ut Florentius the while being full of gaul and obstinate in malice â—…nce he could not murder the body of the Maister endeuoured to â—…estroy the disciples soules And among other things he had the imâ—…udence to contriue in the very garden of the Monastery and in the â—…ght of the Monkes themselues a lasciuious daunce of naked womeÌ„ â—…t which spectacle the Abbot with reason fearing some notable disorder determined to giue wholy place to the fury of the 〈◊〉 and to abandon the Country and mansion there built vp by hiâ—… selfe with so great expences Setting then the affayres of the Coâ—…uents in order and exhorting the Monks to perseuere in the stâ—… of perfection with some of his companions he puts himselfe 〈◊〉 his iourney and through diuine instinct or rather through a cleâ—… voyce which came to him from heauen he trauayled towardâ—… Castle about some two dayes iourney from thence by name Câ—… with ful purpose to announce the true light of the Ghospel vnto tâ—… Country people that in habited there which miserably lay yet bâ—… in the darknes of Gentilisme and the shadow of death Hardly was the seruant of God departed from Sublacum whâ—… as vengeance from heauen appeared vpon Florentius because 〈◊〉 howse being otherwise safe and sound the roofe only of the rooâ—… where he then remayned falling downe on a sudden with a reâ—…dyles ruine burst all the bones of his body and for his soule 〈◊〉 went to the tribunall of the eternall iustice The accident was 〈◊〉 denly diuulged and one of the Monks ran immediately in hast aâ—… the holy Abbot to carry him the newes as he thought very glâ—… and welcome to him but S. Benet insteed of reioycing thereat sâ—… forth sighes vnto heauen for that soule with seuere words gaâ—… a sharpe rebuke to the Monke who therein had shewed in himselâ—… not so Christian a mynd as he ought From thence proceeding oâ—… his way he arriued at last at the foresaid Castle scituated on the sâ—… of a steepy and high hill in the top wherof was a Temple seene amid the thickest of the woods being dedicated to Apollo Where S. Benet wanted not matter to worke on or what to encounter But before he would enter into battayle he would seeme 〈◊〉 prepare himselfe for that purpose with especiall care by retyring him into some remote place and there for fourty dayes continually together remaynes he in prayer fastings and vigils After whiâ—… with the odour of so good a life and with the efficacy of his preaching being the fittest batteryes to Fayth he sets himselfe through diuine fauour couragiously to destroy paganisme and so brake the Idol demolisheth the Aultar hewes downe the woodes where before was the Oracle of the false God he erects an Oratory to S. Martin and in place of an Aultar builds a Chapell vnto S. Iohn Bâ—…tist through whose intercession obteyning alwayes new graces offering vp most pure and acceptable sacrifices to the Creatour he neuer left labouring to acquit and discharge poore mortalls from the â—…ruell seruitude of the Deuill The Diuell appeares to S. Benet He throwes downe a wall new built vp and kills one of â—…he Monkes in the ruines thereof who is restored to lyfe agayne with other illusions of the Diuell Chap. 6. THe ancient Tyrant no longer able to endure to foresayd enterprises of S. Benet besides the diuers difficultyes and impeâ—…iments which in vayne he stirred against the messenger of Christ â—…egan also to appeare vnto him not through in imagination or â—…reame but with open vision and with dreadfull figures casting â—…rth by the mouth and eyes infernall smoake and flames of sulâ—…hure and with a raging voyce howling and lamenting in such â—…anner as that the disciples though they were not permitted to â—…ehold him yet playnely might heare him to say among other â—…ings Benedicte Benedicte and while the Man of God vouchsafed â—…ot to answere him outragiously he added Maledicte and not Beâ—…dicte what hast thou to do with me Wherefore dost thou persecute me thus â—…nd heere with fell a vomiting of most horrible blaspemies and â—…enaces whereof though the Saint seemed to make but light acâ—…ompt yet the standers by euen the while feared grieuously That which increased his fury was a certayne building begun â—…y the Monkes for their habitation which in processe of tyme â—…om meane beginnings amounted after to the magnificence we â—…e at this present Whereupon being incensed more and more â—…ith anger he appeared one day to S. Benet in his Cell while â—…e Monkes were a labouring and fretting sayd openly to him that â—…e was then going to worke what mischiefe he could both to the â—…bourers to the worke in hand Whereat the holy Father sends â—…ddenly to aduertise his disciples thereof and to admonish them 〈◊〉 retire theÌ„selues without delay but the messenger arriued not so â—…one but that the diuell had already throwne downe to ground a â—…ery high wall which they had built and thereby
peceyuing himselfe to decay causing the Prelats and Barons which were in Court to be called vnto him he delt with them about a future Election hauing alwayes an eye on the diuine seruice increase of his holy fayth exhorted them with fatherly affect◅ to est◅ it aboue all things and for the same to be ready to spend their bloud when oceasion should require Moreouer he recommended to them the obseruance of the diuine precepts of the Popes ordinations the maintenance of Iustice concord and of peace not only among themselues but like wise with-strangers In summe to shew themselues Christians to euery one and faythfull no lesse in hart and deeds then profession and title In this manner in substance S. Stephen spake to the principall of the Kingdome with the great resentement and sorrow of as many as heard him when lifting vp his eyes and hands to heauen not without teares but with voyce interrupted he spake in this manner O glorious Queene of Heauen O noble restorer of the world into thy hands do I recommend togeather with my soule the Churches the Clergy the Primates and the people of Hungary Heerupon hauing receyued in the presence of all after the Sacrament of Pennance the celestiall Via◅ique Extreme vnction he quietly rendred his spirit vpon the very Feastof the Assumption as he had alwayes desired a happy day and with reason euer celebrated by him from a child with singular ioy being then the yeare of our Lord one thousand thirty eyght or thirty foure as some will haue it being the 69. of his Stephens life and 41. of his Crowne His body with magnificall pompe and most frequent concourse of all the States was carryed likewise to Alba regalis there ◅o be deposed in the Temple of the most blessed Virgin by him built as we haue said aboue but being not yet consecrated it seemed good to the Bishops that ceremony should first precede the funeralls which being ended he was there placed with psalmes and canticles and other solemnityes in a vault of white marble where a long tyme the diuine Goodnes continually glorifyed his seruant giuing health to the lame and diseased and consolation and ◅cour to the miserable afflicted There were heard also in the same place often tymes by night angelicall songs with a most fragrant odour diffused on euery side The precious members lay there in a Sepulcher some 45. yeares at which tyme Ladislaus the 7◅ raygning there came order from R◅ that diligent search and enquiry should be made of all the reliques of such at from the beginning had been the instruments of God in the preaching of the Word conuersion of Hungary and for the renewing of the memory of such labours and so great merits that a very Honourable and Noble translation should be made of their bodyes In veriue of this Order by the vniuersall Dyet was a Fast intimated of three dayes with prayers and almes after which Ladisslaus with much veneration being accompanied by the Court people came first to the Monument of S. Stephen but with all the engins and strength that might be was it not possible to be opened and discouered vntill such tyme as by the aduise of a Virgin whose name was Carite who being immured besides the Church of our Sauiour was held in great opinion of sanctity he was resolued to deliuer Salomon his brother imprisoned by him for grieuous strifes and disgusts betweene them Heerupon now the Fast being redoubled that immoueable stone was so easily remoued as it had been of wooll of straw The Coffin then of lead being taken from thence and carryed in procession and the Vespers sung it was reuerently deposed vpon a most glorious Aultar in the midst of the Church and all that day and the night following there continued very euident miracles In the morning which was the 20. of August the Masse being celebrated and prayer ended the King with the principall of the Clergy and Nobility approching to the coffin keeping the multitude off for feare of some theft with deuotion they opened the same and now the flesh being dissolued the bones appeared to lye within a certayne liquour like balme which euen sauoured of an odour of Paradise being much consumed with tyme. Ladislaus beheld it attentiuely and with great curiosity seeking for the ring of S. Stephen caused for that purpose the said oyle to be laded forth by hands of the worth yest Prelats into siluer vessells but by how much the coffin was emptyed by others it was agayne filled vp of if selfe and all their diligence succeeded in vayne being then amazed thereat they powred it in agayne and yet the quantity increased not a whit eyther more or lesse When the borres withall being put thereinto they were thence translated into a most sumptuous and rich Chapell An Angell appeares to Mercuriu◅ a Monke and deliuers him a hand with the Ring of S. Stephen With a Miracle happening at the shrine of Emericus Chap. 11. OF the number of those to whome in the ministery of the Priests was denyed accesse to the sacred reliques was a Mōke whose name was Mercury deputed to the seruice and custody of that Church This man taking it very heauily to hart that he could not be suffered at pleasure to be hold and kisse that great treasure retired himselfe a part and there in the dead tyme of the night sat mourning and lamenting when besides all hope there appeared to him a yong man of a heauenly countenance who reaching him a peece of fine holland enfolded and wrapped vp together Take heere said he O Mercury the same which thou hast so much desired when thou hast kept it in deposito for a day do thou carry it to the King After these words the Angell vanished away and Mercury ful of vnspeakable sweetnes vnfolding the cloth found there the hād and Ring so much sought for of the King and when it seemed to him to be now high tyme he went and made a present thereof to the King Ladislaus who receiued it most ioyfully in a sumptuous Reliquary caused it to be layed apart in another Oratory And it was but iust that so beneficious a right hand with particular care without all iniury should be kept and reuerenced in a place by it selfe which so often had beene so profusedly stretched forth to the benigne succour and liberall reliefe of the poore This particular from a heape of relations we haue thought good to select forth about the life customes and greatnesses of S. Stephen the first King of Hungary With which since we haue accidētally like wise fallen vpon those of the blessed Emericus it may not happily be amisse to conclude the whole narration with an admirable effect wherof they both though not equally might seeme to participate In the tyme of the same King Ladislaus before mentioned by vs a certaine High-dutchmā one Conrad by name a man of a most wicked life and plunged in
vnextinguished And by it selfe conseru'd and nourish'd Those that Christs flock appointed are to feed And gouerne it must take attentiue heed The inward man doe with their Robes agree And like to that like fire do signify Euer conseru'd Heau'ns loue which drawne from thence Their nobler soules should purge and quintessence This in my Rule I fostered this my Hart Did purify and cleanse my better part From worldly cares and sensuality And fruitefull made in acts of Charity My selfe of all the wretched'st I esteem'd And worldly ioyes I like those Meteors deem'd Compos'd of grosser substance yet exceed The starres we thinke and greater wonder breed Preferment me abased rays'd more high Deiected more more low in dignity THE LIFE OF S. OTHO BISHOP OF BAMBERGE Written by Laurence Surius Otho being well descended his Father hauing left him poore goes into Poland whence being sent Embassadour to the Emperour is preferred by him to be Chancellour Chap. I. OTHO who was after Bishop of Bamberge a Sueuian by nation whose proper place and Surname is not knowne was borne of the Count Bartold and of the Countesse Sophia his wife more noble of bloud then rich in substance goods Who after they had bred with diligent care and with the help of a good Maister brought vp this sonne dyed and the gouernement of the house fell into the hands of another Sonne whose name was Fredericke at such tyme indeed as in forraigne parts as it happened Otho was busyed at his booke Where he hauing with good applause attended to the study of humanity and to some part of Philosophy and wanting sufficient meanes to proceed any further by reason of the short allowance which his Brother and other friends affoarded him he resolued to the end he might not be grieuous burdensome to them to passe ouer into Polony where was as that tyme a great scarcity and want of learned men Heere then for the teaching and instructing of youth and withall likewise for his greater profit he set vp open Schoole And with this manner of life comming shortly to be well knowne not only for a pious and a learned but euen also for a wise and discreet Man he purchased to himselfe besides an honest and competent meanes to liue much reputation and fauour also with the principall personnages of those Countryes There was added also to the learning and integrity of this seruant of God a maiesty in his countenance and such a garb in his behaviour and so noble a dexterity in his conuersation as that after he had in diuers occurrences handled and negotiated affaires of no small importance he was by the Duke of Polony for as yet there was no Alteza or Highnes of a King sent in weighty affaires vnto the Emperour Henry the fourth his Cousin Who was likewise so pleased with the carriage and prudence of Otho as that the Embassage being ended with the good leaue of his Cousin he retayned him with him with some honourable title among his Chaplaines and a little after the dignity of the great Chancellour being voyd he most graciously conferred it vpon him In which charge Otho carryed himselfe so faythfully to the Prince and with so much courtesy and humanity towardes others as he made a notable increase of loue and credit with persons of all sortes S. Otho is preferred by the Emperour to be Bishop of Bamberge and after some difficultyes is by the Citizens ioyfully receaued Chap. 2. THERE was in those dayes introduced among Christians an abuse of much preiudice to the holy Apostolike Sea and I would to God there were not as yet some reliques thereof to be seene likewise in these our dayes that many Princes and especially the Emperour vnder the name of inuestitures bestowed the Churches at their pleasure and when a Bishopricke was vacant at any tyme the Chapter would send to Caesar the Pastorall staffe ring beseeching his Maiesty to vouchsafe to prouide them a Successour Whence it came that many personages the children nephewes of Barons and great Lords vnder diuers colours of seruices done would follow the Court of Caesar to be promoted to some Bishoprike or other as it chaunced to fall Now Robert the Bishop of Bamberge a noble Citty of Franconia being then deceased and the sacred Pledges caryed vnto Court with the wonted supplication Henry answeared he would take tyme for the space of six months to thinke of a new election In the meane while in Bamberge were made continuall prayers and pennances for that effect The terme being ended it was signified them by the Emperour that now he had found a sufficient Pastour for that Church though for the present he suppressed his Name while that good people continued still more feruent then euer in redoubling their deuotions And among others on the Vigill of Christmas day was a solemne procession ordayned where none was absent from the Cathedrall to the Church of S. Michael on the Hil taking that glorious Archangell for intercessour with the diuine Majesty to obtayne a Prelate of the sufficiency and goodnes which they desired And on the other side they sent Embassadours to Henry to sollicite the expedition in fumme neglected not any thing that concerned the happy issue of so important a busines And the diuine Clemency accustomed to heare the prayers of such as concurre on their parts and manfully to set hand thereto was pleased with the piety and industry of Bamberge in putting into Caesars mynd to put the designes in execution as soone as might be Thereupon sending for the foresayd Embassadours to come vnto him he spake to them in the manner following How deere to vs Embassadours your Church is and euer hath been from hence you may easely gather that wee haue thought it not good to giue you a Rectour till after a long mature consult thereupon and that surely with good reason Forasmuch as the said Church as you know hath beene founded by our Progenitours and adorned and furnished of all things that seeme to appertayne to the splendour and mantenance of Christian Religion and which is more and which cannot be affirmed but of few other Seas the same ornaments furnitures and ancient riches are kept very safe and entire vnto this day so as reason would for the custody and administration of them should be placed ouer them not an ordinary man but one who were sage prudent and zealous of the honour of God And the Emperour proceeding to manifest more at large this good disposition of his towardes the Communalty of Bamberge some of the Embassadours being wearied already with such long and tedious ambages could not hold themselues but they must needs ingeniously demaund of him where and who he was whome his Maiesty had so destined for the gouernement Then Henry cheerefully looking about Behold him sayd he and taking Otho by the hand that was as we sayd of a venerable aspect and decently clad in a Clericall habit This sayd he is your Lord this is
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
nothing nor could do any thing of themselues He aduised that none should be receiued into Religion without mature examine least by admitting the bad the good might be hurt Besides that when the number of subiects is too much increased the Rule cannot long last in its rigour because perfection is of few only A Gentlemans sonne being come to S. Georges for the habit as soone as the Blessed Laurence heard that he was induced thither through the artificious inticements of the Monkes he renders him to the sollicitous Father with these wordes Heer take him to you againe for this renouncing of the world should proceed from the Holy Ghost and not for human instigation and much worse it is to fayle afterwards then to haue neuer begun at all From the day he was made Priest he fayld not to celebrate euery day vnles by occasion of infirmity and concluded that he who neglects when he may to enioy his Lord declares sufficiently that he maks little account of him To goe about to keep chastity amidst commodityes and ease he protested to be as much as with fuell to extinguish the fire In the matter of Christ his counsails he resolued among other thinges that no man vnderstands how great a good this Pouerty is but he that loues when tyme is contemplation and his Cell and that God of purpose keepes secret the felicity of the Religious state because that if it were knowne euery one would be running into it He often remembred that we are neuer to loose our hope in God since heerin consists the life of the soulâ—… As for the rich he affirmed that they cannot be saued but by dealing of almes He held the Pastorall care to be so much more greiuous and difficult then the gouernment of the state of warre is as the rule of inuisible things is harder then that of the visible He likened a good Prince to a head especially for this reason that euen as the head tongue are sufficient to craue help for the whole person though the rest of the body be quiet stand still so the seruent prayer of a Prince sometymes is inough to appeale the wrath of God though the rest of the Citty apply not it selfe or attend thereunto These violent enterprizes and such as meete with encounters euery foot he counsayled to forbeare as growing from an euill spirit since to the good and holy the diuine Prouidence it selfe is wont to open the way and quit the obstacles that hinder How B. Laurence was chosen to gouerne the Religion and how afterwards he was made Bishop of Venice Chap. 4. BY these and other such like aduices may well be discerned what light the man of God had not only in abstract spirituall matters but euen also â—…in the morall and practique yea and without euer hauing attended to Scholasticall doctrine or subtile disputes he would answere when need was to profound interrogations of Theology with so much acumen and clarity as euen the Doctours themselues would be amazed therat With the same wisedome surely infused more from Heauen then borrowed from bookes he composed diuers workes fraught as well with soueraigne conceits as with amorous affects Which labours being publiquely set forth and put in print doe walke and passe at this day through the handes of learned men with notable fruite and help of soules Amidst these thinges after the Blessed Laurence had giuen a long and sufficient proofe of himselfe he was elected by the Monkes full sore against his will to the gouernement of the Religion and he bare that burthen with singular approbation vnto the 51. yeare of his age At which tyme the good odour of such vertues being now spread into diuers parts it seemed good to Pope Eugenius the IV. without doubt through diuine inspiration to create him Bishop of Venice At which tydinges it may easily be imagined how much the holy man was confounded and troubled Twice he was ready to fly away and to hide himselfe but the matter not succeeding so with him he determined at last to remit himselfe to the iudgment of his Congregation And first hauing made for that intent many fastes and prayers the Fathers resolued at last to dispatch a man of purpose to the Pope humbly beseeching his Holynes not to depriue their Order of such and so great a Guide-maister and Pastour And being not heard the first tyme they replyed the second with more instance but al in vaine as appeares by the two Briefs written by the same Eugenius to the sayd Congregation with words very amorous and consolatory withall The Blessed Laurence then being not able to resist the Pope without sinne accepted the power in such sort as he not only changed not his manners to the worse as it happens but continually made them more admirable and perfect then euer One day about the euening he tooke possession of the Bishopricke so simply and so without all pompe as euen his nearest friendes had no knowledge therof till he was entred therinto Then all that night without shutting his eyes he remayned in prayer beseeching our Lord with many teares since for the only seruice of his diuine Maiesty so wholy against his owne inclination he had condescended to that degree he would not depriue him of his protection and clemency that he knew very well the importance of the charge the greatnes of the Citty the variety and multitude of the Orders and states the forces of the secular power and how great disgusts had passed heeretofore betweene that Domination and the Bishops his Predecessours and how poore a stacke he had for such a manage and for such accidents being so a sily wretch as he was and euer shut vp in a Monastery His deuout prayers and seruent sighes were not powred in vayn Because they found the eares of the diuine goodnes to be opened to them Whence being illustrated with a sudden and new light he tooke so much vigour and comfort thereat as he afterwards gouerned the whole Diocesse as easely as he had been but to rule some Conuent as shall appeare in the next Chapter How B. Laurence gouerned his House and the Citty with singular fruit and edification of all Chap. 5. TO begin with domesticall matters Blessed Laurence ordayned his family in this manner He chose out two vertuous companions of his Congregation one for diuine offices the other for the more weighty cares of the Bishoprike For the seruice of the house he would haue but fiue assistants and no more To this retinue of Courtiers was his Table and Wardrobe answerable He had no plate but of earthen-glasse Arras or Tapistry were not there to be seene at any tyme. In his cloathing he neuer altered the purple habit In the night he lay vpon a scanty bedde of straw couering himselfe with a grosse and course rugge His table by how much more exquisite it was for neatnes so much the more was it purposely neglected in vyandes He neuer had longing for any
so When behold in the midst of Masse after he had eleuated the sacred Hoast being rauished quite besides himselfe without departing awhit from the peoples eyes he caryed the holy CoÌ„munion and gaue it by diuine priuiledge to the aforesaid Virgin alone who the other being distracted vpon sundry occasions was euen at the selfe same hower in secret in her Cell rapt likewise in deep contemplation and burning desire of receauing her Lord. From which office of Charity the Seruant of God returning immediatly againe into himselfe so ended the Masse as none of the standers by could beware of what had happened the Confessour only of the Virgin had knowledge thereof and told it to the Patriarke who exhorting them both to yield thankes vnto God only for it imposed vpon them a strict silence thereof so long as he liued And with this came to be renewed the ancient miracles which are recounted of some other Saints likewise in the same matter The other miracle was that after the happy passage of the B. Laurence there growing a contention betweene the Chanons of the Cathedrall and the Monkes of S. Georges about the custody of that sacred Treasure and there wanting no reasons for eyther part it was necessary while the strife was deciding to keepe it in deposito aboue ground and so being a day or two not only without signe of corruption but with yielding also a most sweet odour on the third day began moreouer the cheeks to looke red and the bloud to come with so much the greatet astonishment of all as they were certifyed there was vsed no preseruatiue of Balmes or of any other druggs about the same and the Phisitian sincerely affirmed the feauer to haue been malignant and pestilent and of its nature apt inough to corrupt withall Whereof the rumour running through the Citty there was agayne such a multitude and presse of people at the Gates as from the Sacristy where he was kept they were fayne to cary him to the Temple to satisfy the peoples eyes who not contended with a simple view began with an audacious piety to seize on his reliques so as his shoes on a sudden were vanished his garments were cut asunder and perhaps the feruour had proceeded further if betymes remedy had not been found by a Guard set vpon the body From thence being conueighed backe againe into the Sacristy it perseuered entire vntill notwithstanding the Order left by him sentence was giuen in fauour of the Chanons while in the Cathedrall Church remayned a continuall concourse of people men and women who being stirred vp at so great a newes came running thither not only from the neighbour-countreyes there about but euen also from diuers partes of Italy and Sclauony it selfe for the space of 65. dayes at the end whereof still vntouched as at the first in the same Cathedrall it was reuerently layd in a Vault which to this day also is visited by the faythfull with much deuotion and not without fruit since that Blessed spirit being there inuoked obtaynes them many graces from Heauen And to speake some thing also of his exteriour person the holy man was tall of stature of well knit ioyntes of a pale coulour of gracious eyes and the whole aspect both venerable and amiable a thing truly not vsuall because indeed we do see many fayre soules to be enclosed by the mighty hand and sweet disposition of the Highest in proportionable lodgings To whom be all prayse power and glory for all Eternity FINIS Gentle Reader THE faults which haue escaped in printing by reason of the vncorrected copy and imploying of strangers not skillfull in our language I hope are not very many nor yet such as may not easily be corrected by thy iudicious Reading * Expoliauit so IonathaÌ„ tunica qua erat indutus dedit eam Dauid 1 Reg. c. 18. * The Cappadocians vvere esteemed Pigmyes as the Chaldean 〈◊〉 Ezech. 27. interpre teth the Hebrevv vvord * The Dâ—… * Novv VVestminster * Sal. Iâ—…chi vpon those â—…ords Num. 4. Et togent altaâ—…e purpura * An allâ—… to the Rose called in Hebrevv Loues â—…haddovv Cant. 〈◊〉 * His Mothers dream 〈◊〉 * This Saint 〈◊〉 Câ—…