I see our Mother and so he promised to S. Bernard to do what he would These two were his younger Brothers S. Bernard through his powerfull Eloquence inuites and allures the rest of his Brothers to follow his example with other notable Persons Chap. 4. AFter these the valiant Chaptaine not doubted also to assaile his eldest Brother by name Guido though the matter were difficult not only for his being now in good yeares and encombred with great affaires in the world but euen likewise being now marryed a good while agoe with a Gentlewōman of a noble house and hauing had some children by her Neuerthelesse S. Bernard stucke not to set his hand and though Guido at the beginning seemed to oppose notwithstanding afterwards entring better into himselfe and wisely considering heerein how the affaire of his eternall saluation was handled in being as it were wholy impossible to be happy in this and in the other life he determined also on that very day to preferre the hope of future goodes before the present commodities And how much more he was encouraged the next morning when as entring with S. Bernard and others into the Church he heard those wordes of S. Paul recited Fidelis est Deus quia qui coepit in vobis opus bonum ipse perficiet vsque in diem Iesu Christi I remit vnto the pious Reading for it seemes no other but that Guido's ioy could be very great in respect he heard this promise in the very tyme of his wauering in purpose as it were to come from Heauen Likewise S. Bernard and the rest could not but receaue exceeding comfort heereby There was only one doubt yet left whether Guido's wife would giue her consent or no. And yet howsoeuer if she denyed it he determined with a generous and pious mind to disperse what riches he had to the poore and labouring with his handes to liue in the state of pennance and to maintaine himselfe and family with his owne labours But S. Bernard deliuered him from that anxiety affirming for certaine that the Wife very soone would eyther yeild consent or end her life And indeed the same succeeded for that she shewing her selfe somewhat difficult in that busines was seized on with so grieuous and bitter an infirmity as that acknowledging the hand of God vpon her she resisted no longer and permitting liberty to her husband allowing good meanes for her Daughters maintenance became likewise her selfe a Nunne to the exceeding great consolation of Guido her Father and in that religious course she perseuered euen to her dying day not without the wonder of all Guido in this manner being quit of all temporall cares had leasure to attend very fully to the spirit It was not so easy a matter to encline Gerard to this the second Brother This man besides that he was a braue Souldiar was also very wise according to the world and likewise benigne and beloued of all This sudden mutation of his Brothers pleased him not awhit he interpreted the same to a certaine mobility and leuity of mind and in summe after he had disputed a good while he peremptorily denyed to consent euer to alter his profession When S. Bernard wholy full of fire and zeale putting forth the fingar to his side I see well sayth he that tribulation only is to giue you vnderstanding The day shall come and that ere long that a launce entring through this side of yours shall set open the doore of your obstinate hart vnto the holesome counsaile which now you will not accept from me And so it fell out for a little while after being encompassed by his enemyes he tooke a blow with a launce in the same side and being taken prisonner and dragd through the streetes began as one besides himselfe to cry out I am a Monke I am a Cistercian Monke and sayd nor amisse for that he had no sooner his liberty againe but he went to submit himself to the sweet yoke of Christ with the great ioy of S. Bernard and the rest who most ardently thirsted after his saluation The Beniamin remayned who was the youngest of all by name Ninardus This same did the others thinke good to leaue in the world for a stay of the house and for the more consolation of their old Father but he neither would be excluded of the heauenly benediction because that Guido meeting him one day in the market place togeather with some other boyes Go too Ninardus sayd he vnto him all our goods are like to fall vpon thee To which wordes the child answered not with a childish iudgement Belike then heauen is for you and the earth for me there is no equality in that partition And so after some dayes he also dedicated himselfe to the seruice of Christ. In the meane tyme it pleased S. Bernard to goe vp and downe the neighbour-neighbour-places for new conquests Going forth then in the name of our Lord he began to preach in diuers places of the instability of human things of the vanity of honours of the shortnes of pleasures of the miseries of this life and of the rewards and punishments of the other and this with such an eloquence and grace and efficacy withall as like a deuouring flame he transformed into himselfe what ere he met withall And finally the matter passed so farre as the Mothers hid their children and Wiues their husbandes and friends diuerted friendes from listning to the reasons and discourses of the feruorous youth least happily against their will they might be rapt away with that impe◅ torrent of celestiall Eloquence But for all that they could not hinder him so but he returned to his country with a precious booty of choice men Among whome also was Hugo de Marcone a person very notable for nobility and riches who after he had made in Religion very excellent successe was assumpted to the Bishoprike of Auxerre S. Bernard and his deuout Companions retired themselues into the Monastery of Cisterce with the Exemplar life which all lead but chiefly S. Bernard Chap. 5. THis troupe of new souldiers of Christ assembled themselues in Castighone where though in secular habit yet liued they all in the same house in common with so much peace and concord that as it is reported of the Primitiue Church of all that multitude there was but one hart and soule only And through the great veneration wherein they were with the people there was hardly found any one that durst approach to looke into their actions and if perhaps any entred into their lodgings in beholding the Fraternall vnion and order and distribution of tyme and Offices the spirituall conferences the singing of Canonicall Houres other deuout exercises they acknowledged the diuine assistance to be there without doubt and eyther they remayned there also with the same intent or at least departed thence compunct and ful of good desires calling that Congregation Thrice happy and fortunate In this manner while the domesticall affaires of some of
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
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
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
blacke Bird being called a Moore-hen which for a good space did neuer giue ouer from flying in his face with such importunity and so neare withall as he might easely haue taken her in his hand if he had listed But he chose rather to defend himselfe with the signe of the holy crosse Wherupon the bird flew away leauing notwithstanding a cruell temptation with an intolerable passion enkindled in the members of the yong man In such wise as the souldiour of Christ stood now vpon staggering deliberating as it were to returne back into the world agayne when being sudenly fortifyed with diuine Grace he reentred into himself agayne and beholding a bush of sharpe thornes and stinging netâ—…les at hand with a generous force pulling off his clothes on a sudden casts he himselfe therinto so long rouled his naked body theron as that being full of wounds and bloud all ouer with the external heate he extinguished the internall and through such a noble act remayned so victorious ouer the rebellions flesh as that from thence forth as himselfe reported to his Disciples he neuer felt any more trouble therof After this it pleased God that diuers persons of sundry places should repayre to S. Benet desirous not only of saluation but euen likewise of perfection And it was but iust that he now possessing so peacefully the kingdome of his proper mynd should be applyed to the care gouerment of others For that we see also in the wriâ—…ten Law how the Leuits in the seruour of their youth were tyed to labour to serue in the Temple nor before they were â—…ull 50. yeares old at which tyme it is supposed their passions are in quiet and the heart at rest were they made the Guardians and Sacristans of the holy Vessels which are interpreted the reasonable soules But among others who approched to S. Benet the seruant of God for his help were some religious of a neighbour Monastery thereby who in those dayes being destitute of an Abbot besought him to take the charge vpon him These men were accustomed to a large and more liberall life and litle disposed to conforme themselues with the manners of 〈◊〉 Benet And he being aware thereof for a while made a strong resistance to their request But being constrayned through the prayeâ—… and coniurations of the whole Family he accepted the gouerment at last and first with example and after with words endeauoured he to take away the abuses and then to bring in a forme of liuing worthy of the profession they made But soone it appeared how the good inspirations and desires they had had taken but litle roote in their soules because that shortly they were all aggrieued with the Rule and reformation made and the diabolicall instigations had gotten such power in some as that not being able to endure in their sight such a liuely and continuall example of extreme abstinence perfect manners they determined to take him away out of hand with poyson But the diuine iustice suffered not their wicked designe to take affect because that at the tyme of the refection while one of them was presenting the holy Father with a cup of poysoned wine it pleased God with the signe of the Crosse which S. Benet according to custome vsed to make thereupon the glasse as with the blow of a stone fell suddenly into peeces and the wine from the brothers hand dropt downe to the ground Whence the Man of God knew presently that drinke without doubt to be the potion of Death which could not enduâ—… the signe of life And thereupon with a mind composed and a faâ—… serene turning himselfe to the Monkes God forgiue you sayd he what a plot was this amongst you Did I not tell you at first my manners would neuer seeme to agree with yours Then rest you in peace and seeke you out some other that may gouerne you better And heerwith leauing them quite confounded and astonished he retired to his desired Caue agayne and there attended seriously to himselfe How two principall Senatours of Rome offer vp and dedicate their children to S. Benet and how a Monke was led away by a Deuill which S. Benet discouers and remedies Chap. 3. TRue it is that S. Benet was not suffered to enioy that estate any tyme because that the odour of such a sanctity continually spreading it selfe more and more there repayred to him a new coÌ„curse of people much touched with the holy Ghost and cloyed with the world With which multitude after a sufficient instruction had he founded in those countryes about a dozen Monasteryes appointing Lawes offices and an Abbot to ech So as diuers personages and Senatours of Rome began now to hold it a great felicity to haue any Children at such a tyme to send to S. Benet and to dedicate theÌ„ vnder the care of such a Father to the seruice of the diuine Maiesty Among which were two principall Eutitius and Tertullus Wherof one offered Maurus a yong man of so rare a wit and of such a spirit withall as in short tyme he became an assistant of the Maister himselfe The other greatly addicted to the same discipline with much veneration offered in person his eldest sonne Placidus to him yet a Child then after made likewise a free donation of a great masse of riches farmes manners and Castles to the Saint with cittyes both maritime and in land wherof the Catalogue would be heere too long surely to the great confusion of our tymes in which as the entring into Religion is ordinarily held desperatioÌ„ shame madnes so the taking away of subiects reputation and goods froÌ„ them is reputed and that euen of those who call themselues Christians to be good prudence valour and Iustice. But to returne to S. Benet vnto whome as well in the beginning as in the progresse of his administration there happened many notable things The vigilant Pastour with the greatest sollicitude that might be was wont to apply his subiects to the study of prayer as knowing well how necessary the succour of Heauen must needs be for the cutting off of disordinate affects and repressing of passions withall which euen from the mould whereof we are framed do continually spring For which cause besids the particular deuotions of ech one at certayne houres he would assemble them all togeather in a certayne place deputed for holy exercises Now it happened that in one of those assemblies while diuine office being ended the Monks were meditating conuersing with God one of them being vanquished with rediousnes weâ—… forth of the Quire and partly went idly vp and downe heere and there and partly busyed himselfe in some temporall matter of litle moment Which being known to his Abbot Pompeanus after he had admonished him thereof diuers tymes but all in vayne he brought him at last to S. Benet himselfe who with a good reprehension sent him backe againe But yet this auayled not much because after two dayes the Monke returned
great violence of theirs with the efficacious help of diuine grace the same lyne comes once to be broken asunder With such holy documents as these the holy man dayly excited himselfe and others to the custody of the hart and purchase of vertues But to returne from whence we haue digressed King William after he had vnworthily banished from his presence the venerable man so that S. Anselme seeing now all things to passe continually from ill to worse without hope of any present remedy through the occasion of obieyning his Episcopall Pall resolued to go to Rome to recurre vnto the Pope for help and counsaile who in those daies was Vrban the second for this end he went to demaund licence of the King and after many repulses affronts and iniuries receyued at his hands did finally obteine it with condition neuer to put foote into England more Heerupon with great feeling and teares taking his leaue first of the Monkes and then of the Clergy and people he went to Douer and there embarqued himselfe for France but in the midst of his course behold a contrary wind arose in such sort as the mariners began to protest that vnles he would needs be drowned of necessity they must be fayne to turne backe agayne from whence they came This newes did much afflict the good Archbishop enforcing him to say with sighs Since then it pleaseth the Almighty God of his iust iudgments to send me againe backe to my passed miseries rather then to let me go whither I had intended to arriue let his diuine Maiesty do with me what he thinkes best gouerne and dispose of euery thing according to his good pleasure With these words growing tēder his eyes were all bathed in teares when through diuine Clemency the wind suddenly began to come about so as with a prosperous gale the ship arriued in France at a place called Whitsand where they landing was discouered another wonder to wit a leake in the barke of two foote broad which through the merits of the holy man amidst so great a tempest and storme had receaued no water As soone as it was known in Court that S. Anselme was now on the other side King William with impious boldnes caused his possessions and goods to be seized vpon in his name he cut of all the Acts decrees by him made in the same Dioc◅sse with strāge iniuries wrongs stuck not to molest and euen sucke out of the Church for himselfe and his hungry flatterers as much bloud as he could In the meane tyme the Seruant of Christ being arriued at Lyons there rested himselfe a while from thence passed safe to Rome being euery where receyued of al with much honour reuerence and especially of the Pope himselfe causing chambers to be prouided him in his owne Pallace and admitting him to audience and kissing of the feet tooke him vp and deerely imbraced him in the presence of all the Prelates spake so much good of him as the humble man being confounded thereat had not the hart to lift vp his eyes from the ground much lesse to endure such māner of discourse Wherefore with good opportunity he declared the state of the English Churches and particularly that of Canterbury when the Pope with gracious words promised to take the businesse to hart prouide for the same in due tyme. S. Anselme being at Capua miraculously causes water to spring vp in astony soyle And goeth with the Pope vnto the Councell of Bari and thence to another Chap. 16. IN the meane tyme by reason it was then Summer it seemed good to the Pope that S. Anselme being a person of so tender cōplexion as he was should retire himselfe from that ayre into a village of the Benedictin Monks called Schiana not far from C◅pua This village was seated on the top of a high and pleasant hill but defectiue of water in somuch as they could get none at all but at one Well only which was there by on the ridge of that hill this also but at certaine houres of the day it remaining afterwards dry in so much as the Guardian of the place with the inhabitants thereabout did suffer very much Now the said Guardian cōceiued a great hope that though the sanctity of S. Anselme some remedy would be easily obtained from Heauē for so great a difficulty And therupon he determined to dig a well in his owne house howbeit the place being craggy and stony of its own nature was very vnapt for the purpose but yet before he would put hand to the worke he prayed the Man of God to affoard his benediction to the enterprize to be the first to open the Earth with his holy hands Whose request S. Anselme did not resuse but for his Hosts consolation went in person to the place designed making his prayer for a happy successe with a pickaxe strooke the earth three tymes and then gaue place to others to finish the worke When it was not long ere there sprung vp a most limpid and excellent water from the stony soyle which being enclosed within a pit of a small depth there followed after a perpetuall aboūdance from thence inough to supply not onely the necessityes of all those parts thereabout but euen likewise to cure the diseases and infirmities of many who had faithfully recourse to that succour which thing being once diuulged gaue no small credit of more then human power to the B. Anselme and from that tyme forwards it was worthily called The Bishop of Canterburies Well Heere now remayned the Seruant of God a pretty while recollecting himselfe and greatly attentiue to diuine contemplation and serious studies to his most extraordinary delight as seeming to him in a certayne manner he was now returned to his wonted monasticall life againe where among other things he finished a Booke intituled Cur Deus homo which heertofore he had begun in England In those dayes was Capua besieged by Roger Duke of Puglia who moued with the fame and neighbour-hood of S. Anselme sent to inuite pray him to vouchsafe to come vnto him The holy Man went presently and with his presence humility and charity so edifyed the Duke and gayned so the minds of the whole army vnto him that whersoeuer he shewed himself he was blessed glorifyed of euery one in so much as many Saracens being moued with his good example the good entertainement he gaue them were euen ready to be conuerted to the holy Fayth and had beene so indeed if through diabolicall suggestion they had not been hindred by a Count of Sicily who at the instance of Duke Roger had trained and conducted them to that Seruice After this came likewise Pope Vrban himselfe vnto the campe and the siege being ended S. Anselme very earnestly besought him he would please to discharge him of the dignity Pontificall cu◅e and to affoard him the fauour to let him retire againe to his ancient quiet and
so curious exact perfection of all as the poore disciples besides hope of gayning it came to loose the desire will of procuring it With these and other such proceedinges the greater part of the Monkes especially of the yonger of them were soone oppressed with a certaine sadnes and timidity withall which both tooke away deuotion and hindred their profit in solid vertues Among which inconueniences was yet this good besides that the Monks through the great opinion they had of their common Father would lay the whole fault thereof partly on their owne tepidity and partly also on their poore wit and small capacity without euer once complayning of the Abbot or opposing any thing which he sayd or diminishing awhit the reuerence they bare him It pleased God this humility of the subiects should get the vper hand vpon the Superiour because that he being lastly ouercome and compunct in a manner at so much submission and modesty of theirs began to assume to himselfe the occasion of losse and to say within himselfe O Bernard how much better were it for thee to attend to the amendement of thyne owne imperfections then so to disquiet with too much seuerity and importune discourses the soules more timorous of God and more religious then thee Now are not these seruants of Christ better able to walke with their simplicity then with thy indiscretion And to learne much better the spirituall doctrine in one only meditation in dealing with the Highest Wisedome then by all the preachinges and exhortations thou art able to make them Learne then at last that the Abbot Stephen hath layd a pack-sadle on an Oxes backe that this gouerning of others is not thy talent With these thoughtes the man of God began to enter into so great a bitternes and hatred of his actions as he determined to retyre himselfe more then euer and to abstaine from all pastorall functions what possibly he might vntill such tyme as had some cleere signe of the diuine will nor was his expectation awhit in vaine because it was not long but there appeared to him by night a little child cloathed all with eternall light expressely commanding him he should desist to propose vnto him what his hart seemed to dictate to him since it was not he that spake to them but the Holy Ghost discoursing by his mouth And togeather with an inestimable guift besides of a sweet discreet maturity whence he might learne to compassionate the weake to temper himselfe to the capacity of the rude and to condescend to ech what he might well do with the safety of Monasticall discipline Heereupon the rigourous Abbot in this point being changed as it were into another man began with extraordinary tendernes and solicitude to preuent the necessityes of ech one and not only of the soules but euen also of the bodyes prouiding as much as possibly he might that euery one being free and deliuered from temporall troubles and molestations might attend with the whole mind to the purchase of vertues and to the diuine seruice Howsoeuer yet to himselfe only and his owne person the man of God not altered awhit his former customes for that indeed in him as is signifyed already the appetite was naturally much subiect to reason and had no need through force of chastisements scourges to reduce it to seruitude Whence came the flesh to be a great deale more weakned in him and afflicted with sundry infirmities in so much as the Phisitians were astonished how the Holy Abbot amidst so many dolours could attend to occupations of any sort and resembled him iust to a Lambe being put to the plough he himselfe also at the latter end of his age was finally aware thereof and accused himselfe for excesse of maceration of the body and for destroying his complexion with austerityes enfeebling the organ of the Holy Ghost and consequently for hindering on his part the greater glory of the diuine goodnes But for these new proceedings of his which we spake of it cannot be expressed to what edification publique commodity they redounded Because which are the effects of knowne loue there sprung very suddenly a noble strife and contention betweene the fatherly indulgence of the Maister and generous feruour of the disciples being all for the most part well descended so as by how much he shewed himselfe to them to be a lesse strict exactour so became they ordinarily more rigid censurers of themselues extending themselues to the perfect obseruance of vowes and rule not leauing a defect vnpunished and holding the allurements and enticements of sensuality farre off from them And the matter proceeded so farre indeed as not without some manifest perill of life they went about in diuers kinds to take away all tast and relish of meate and drinke as seeming to them a thing vnlawful that he who hath layd vp his treasures and delights in heauen should take any gust or pleasure in terrene things And they were so rooted in such an opinion as hardly with sundry examples and reasons and with the authorityes of the sacred Scriptures themselues could they be brought to vnderstand that ech creature was good being vsed in tyme and place and with due moderation Note this finally they left that pernicious errour but yet they wanted not matter of mortification First the diuine offices were celebrated with greatest attention and that for a good space of the day and night Moreouer the Monastery as yet not hauing any manner of rents their holy pouerty was heere so much the more easy and familiar vnto them as it was more straitly embraced and cherished of ech one Heerreto was added the straitnes and incommodity of the dwelling which while they sought to remedy their continuall labour of the hands at certaine houres appointed affoarded them no leasure for slouth and idlenes The sage and prudent gouernement of S. Bernard in guiding his Monkes with his enflamed Charity to his Neighbour Chap. 11. AMong all the labours and trauailes of these blessed men as there were many things of excellent example yet was there none of greater edification to the beholders then the continuall recollection and silence of so many seruants of God so as within the same habitation was ioyntly to be seene a noyse of a multitude and a silence of a solitude and that surely not without cause For that as a man which is solitary if he be inwardly vnruly and distracted makes of his hart a very Inne or Market-place so a number of persons well disciplined and composed through meanes of good order and custody of the senses represents in the thickest concourse of people a very desert or hermitage This continuall discipline and custody of the monks was to them an exceding help for the vnion with God Whereto also they approached so much the neerer as they had allwayes more liuely and admirable examples of all Christian vertue before their eyes in the person and actions of the holy Abbot In whom was
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