we must so commend this as to leaue the other in its due reuerence and esteem To come now to our B. S. THOMAS his father was William Lord CANTILVPE a person for his worth and greatnes often mentioned in the English History and Records of Heralds The father of this Lord was also another william who ioyntly with his Sonn stood euer firme in the Barons Warrs to both the Kings whose fauovr in employments of highest trust and honour they well deserued Though as a knowne Historian of those Matt. Paris times affirmes theyr family receiud not so iust a measure as theyr meritt requird Yett the father of our Saint bore no less a charge in court then that of great Master or Lord steward of the kings house Which as in other kingdoms so in this of England was euer esteemd of chief fauour and dignity being the eye and hand of the king not onely at a distance and in absence but commanding all in his very presence and in a manner seated vpon the same throne Neyther was this honour or whatsoeuer else they receiud from theyr soueraigns aboue the rank of theyr birth and quality The Cantilupes or Cantelowes vulgarly so calld from the originall Champ de Loup or Campus Lup◠were a noble family of speciall note and eminency among those braue Aduenturers who-followd the Norman conquerour in his enterprize of our English Monarchy and purchasd him that crowne with the hazard of theyr liues and fortunes And as they brought with them a fayre inheritance of estate and honour so still continud theyr course with successiue increase as great riuers the further they goe the more they dilate themselues with the reception of other streames The Heyres generall of the Strong-bowes and Marshalls Earles of Pembroke of the Fitz Walters Earles of Hereford of the Breoses or Breuses Lords of Abergauenny left theyr estates and greatnes by right of marriage vnto the Cantelupes Such being the Paternall line of S. THOMAS and his father a person of so high command and creditt the king vpon an exigence being to make a voyage into france could not think of a more powerfull and faythfull hand beyond all exception and enuy to intrust with his crowne and kingdome then VVilliam Cantelupe it was an equall and happy match between this Lord and the Lady Millescenta countess of Eureux and Glocester Mother of our Saint She was daughter of Hugh lord Gournay and the Lady Iuliana sister to Reginald Earle of Dammartin and Boulogne The Gournay's were of the prime nobility of Normandy neerly allyd to the soueraigne Dukes of that country and as neer to our gloirous and blessed King Edward the Confessour The counts of Dammartin were of an inllustrious family in france matchd with the greatest Princes of Europe And this Reginald vncle to the Lady Millescent in right of his wife lda grandchild to Stephen king of England became Earle of Boulogne which title he trāsferrd againe with his daughter Matilde marry'd vnto Philipp Earle of Clermont onely brother to Lewis the 8. king of france and vncle to S. Lewis This the allyance and desent of that noble Lady She was first marry'd to Almerick Montfort Earle of Eureux in Normandy as also of Glocester in right of his mother Mabelle eldest daughter heyre to william Earle of Glocester Grandchild to Henry the first king of England This Almerick being head of that illustrious family of the Mōtforts descended from Robert surnam'd the Pious king of france and dying without issue was the last of that race in Normandy leauing his noble and vertuous Confort the Lady Millescente to be blessd with a happyer and more fruitfull marriage especially in this her sonn who alone illustrated that renownd family with more honour then all the greatnes and titles of theyr famous Ancestres III. CHAPTER Of his Childhood and domestique Education TO looke into the infancy or Childhood of Saints may seeme as little pertinent to theyr meritt as to the glory of God that part of the life of man being Commonly held for a meer Prologue or dumb show before a tragedy of miseryes a dreame or slumber before the soule awake to the light of reason a state of Neutrality betwixt man and beast as vncapable of prayse as blame and onely happy in this that it is vnsensible of all vnhappynes Yett experience and reason teaches vs that this twylight of life is not so dark but that we may read sundry characters though written in a small letter by the hand of God This mute part of the age of man is not so speechless but that it fore-tells vs much of what will follow In fine euen childhood it self hath not so little of the man but that it is capable of deep impressions both of grace and reason as the louely and sweet variety of colours in many flowers receiue theyr first tincture in the very root and the value of Pearles depends much vpon the first dropps of dewe which falls into the shell when thy are newly engendred That the divine Prouidence hath a speciall eye vpon the infancy of man is an vndenyable truth both in humane and diuine history neyther doth this onely consist in certaine prodigyes and dedemonstrations of a power aboue the reach of nature but also and that most vsually in a particular fauour and protection of the diuine hand by connaturall meanes of Education and other circumstances to with draw from euill and lead to vertue The whole sequele of our S. THOMAS his life clearly shewes how highly he was priuiledg'd with both these blessings from heauen A nature he had eleuated aboue the Common strayn a minde full of generous heat and vigour euer tending to a higher sphere like a fire without smoke or mixture of grosser elements which mett with soe noble a temperature of body that though of a prosperous and liuely habitude he neuer knew in his whole life what any thing meant which was not agreeable with the purity of Angells He the first fruit of that happy marriage was borne at a Mannour of his fathers in Lincolnshyre Hameldone by name where he alsoe receiud the Sacrament of Baptisme regenerated therby to the pretious adoption of the Children of God In memory wherof Edmund Earle of Cornwall sonn to Richard once king of the Romans and a great admirer of out saints perfections built there an Oratory to the honour of God and his in the which Oratory our Lord is sayd te haue wrought frequent Miracles by the intercession of the same saint Besydes him his Parents were blessd with a numerous offspring of 3. Sonns and 3. daughters which like so many young Oliues enuironnd theyr table to theyr great loy and the latter were all bestowd in an honorable wed-lock To cultiuate duely these hopefull endowments both of nature and grace by a Good education was the care and endeauour of his pious Parents who as in his infancy they had prouided him of vertuous Nurse the Process of his
multitude reduc'd them to order and made them doe pennance for theyr insolency This of Chancellour was the First publick office which S. THOMAS bore this that Candlestick of gold which first shewd that burning and shining light to the world this that Hill where that well built Citty by the hand of God himselfe first appeard and where there neuer was heard any other note but of ioy and Comfort And happy would that University haue deemd it selfe if it might still haue bin exhilarated with these sweet notes enlightend with his knowledg and refreshd with the streames of his wisdome of which they drunk with much gust and he no churle in Communicating them But they like the fountaine of paradise were not to be confind to so narrow a current fitt to water the surface of the whole kingdome to which they were both sufficient and the King at the lowd report which sounded euen to the Court designd them He thought that famous Uniuersity to little a sphere for so great abilityes and that it was an injury to the whole Realme to confine such a person to any particular place though neuer so honorable and therfore resolu'd to make the whole pertake of this vniversall benefitt VIII CHAPTER He is made Lord high Chancellor of England KIng Henry the 3. a pious and gratious Prince as you haue heard before lou'd te employ and preferr the vertuous to great Offices as knowing that weighty affayres were neuer better mannagd and consequently thriue better then in the hands of such For besydes the peculiar blessing and light which they receiue from Almighty God vertue giues them both industry and application and remoues many impediments which lye in the others way towards a due discharge of theyr trust And therfore synce our holy saint carry'd in the opinion of all such a Commendatory of sanctity of life and integrity of conuersation and withall his naturall abilityes corresponded to his supernaturall compleating him in both I wonder not at all that the good King cast his eyes vpon him and entrusted him with the great office of Lord Chancellor As to the Saint himselfe as he neuet sought the employment nay resisted what he could so he came with a disinteress'd hart disburdend of all respects but what he ought to God and his King but seeing himselfe in the eyes of the court and kingdome he thought it stood him vpon to be more circumspect in his actions and behauiour and therfore the Authour of his life sayes Eo honore decoratus mores actionesque arctiori virtutis praescripto deuinxit raysd to that dignity he endeauourd to square his actions and proceedings according to a straighter line of perfection He had learnd to be so farr Master of himselfe that no exaltation could rayse him aboue himselfe Psal 130. so that his hart and eyes were the same nor did he now walk in mirabilibus super se in the cloudes of wonders aboue himselfe He knew he was made the vice-gerent of diuine wisdome as to this pittance of trust and therfore he sayd as it taught him arrogantiam superbiam viam prauam os belingue detestor arrogancy and pride and wicked way and a double tongu'd mouth I doe detest and I wish Prou. 8. 13. all that beare the place would say the same and especially the last of a double tongue fitt onely for a double hart destroying all syncerity and playne dealing He ownd and practisd that which followes Meum est Concilium aequitas mea est prudentia fortitudo Myne is Counsell and equity prudence is myne strength is mine and how he behau'd himselfe in these particulars shall be shewd in the end of this Narratrue To giue now a small hynt at the nature of this office it may be obserud that the word Cancellarius or Chancellor signifyes not onely now but many ages agoe an employment or trust of highest concern and honour next the King himselfe most eminent for power and autority and till Sr. Thomas More 's time when worse changes and innouations followd the dignity of Chancellour was conferrd vpon single or not marry'd persons though Laymen as not to be vncapable of Ecclesiasticall Prelacy eyther Arch-Bishops or Bishops as the ordinary stile of England was As to the etymology of this word Cassiodorus that learned and graue person deriues it from Cancelli that is the grated enclosure wherin the Chancellour sate separated from the common throng not to be disturbd in his office accessible onely to mens eyes and therfore the same Authour calls these barrs or Cancells lightsome doores open Cloysters gates with windowes This was a friendly admonition or caueat giuen by Cassiodorus to a Chancellour newly exalted to that eminent office to putt him in mind that though he was raysd and separated from the common rank of men yet he was exposd to the common view of all and therfore must proceed accordingly not please himselfe as if he were to dance in a nett but to assure himselfe that he was like to haue as many censures and sharp judgments of him as men had eyes Others say he is so calld because the Chancellour is as it were the mouth the eye and eare of the Prince or Soueraigne and hath the reuie wing of all Memorialls or Petitions presented to the Prince and euen decrees of the Prince himselfe what he finds not conuenient to Law or prejudiciall to the Prince's or publick good it is his Office to cancell or cross out as voyd and wholly illegall and not to signe it From this Cancelling or crossing out with such vncontrould autority they will haue the name of Cancellarius or Chancellor deriu'd As for the Chancellor of England's office it is a dignity that makes him esteemd in the kingdome aboue all and next to the King himselfe In so much that on the other part of the Kings Seale wheroff the custody belongs to the Chancellor he signes his owne Orders that the Kings Chappel be in his disposall and care that vacant Arch. Bishopricks Bishopricks Abbeys and Baronyes falling into the Kings hands be receiud and kept by him that is the Chancellor who likewise is to be present when soeuer the King sitts in Counsell euen when he is not calld that all things of the Clark or Clergy man who carryes the Kings Seale be signd by the Chancellors hand that all things be disposd of by the aduise and Counsell of the Chancellor in fine that by the grace of God his desert and meritt concurring he neuer ends his dayes but in the See of an Arch Bishop or Bishop if he will accept of it And for this reason the office of Chancellor is neuer to be bought as hauing so much connexion and Relation to a Clergy state for danger of incurring Simony The manner or ceremony of creating Chancellors in the Raigne of Henry the 2. Grandfather to King Henry the 3. who enstalld S. THOMAS in that dignity was to hang the great Seale about the chosen
the greatest rigour of Pennance and pouerty then to see them seated on the highest Thrones of Monarchs When infine those two great Patriarchs S. Dominick and S. Francis peopled the world with so many quires of Angells and brought Euangelicall perfection out of vnknowne retyrements and solitudes to the Common habitation of men Our country of England though separated by nature from the rest of the world was not excluded from that vniuersall influence of deuine grace wherwith it please'd God to bless those times The blood of the glorious Martyr S. Thomas of Canterbury as the true seed of the Catholique Church was not spilt in vayne and being in this age yet fresh and warm brought forth speciall fruit both in Lay and Clergy But in all none more eminent then another S. Thomas another Chancellor of England another Prelate another Champion of Ecclesiasticall libertyes and though not slayne by the sworde yet lost his life in the cause Thus the mercy of God powr'd downe sweet showers of deuine blessings upon that Kingdome by the mirits of his H. Martyr yet his iustice layd not downe the sword of due reuenge for that bloody sacriledge nor was it yet satisfyed with the personall disasters of that vnfortunate King Henry the second who hauing found as many Absoloms as he had Sonns ready to teare the Crowne from his gray hayres and to bury him aliue who had giuen them life after he had seen two of them lead him the way to his graue followd not long after and left the other two his Curse for inheritance of which they had each one theyr share by succession The former of whome was Richard the first third Sonn of the aforesayd King who though otherwise a valiant and great Prince and therfore surnam'd Coeur de Lion yet for that curse entayld vpon him by his father and much more if there were true cause of deseruing it had his Crowne torne from his head by a violent and vntimely death And that it might not fall to a more innocent hand left no child but a brother farr worse then himselfe who that his royall purple might be of a more lasting tincture gaue it the second dye with the blood of his Nephew Arthur next heyre by birth to the Crowne of England as Sonn of Geffrey Earle or Duke of little Britannie in France which Geffrey was fourth Sonn of Henry the second King of England And though it is not certaine that Arthur was murderd by his Vncle 's owne hands as the French do tell vs yet all agree that Arthur was put in prison in Rouen by his vncle King John and neuer appeard after the manner of his death is best knowne to God alone before whose invisible eyes all things lye visible Howeuer King John fift Sonn of Henry the second and surnam'd Sans terre makes the land his owne and on this wrong builds all his right which he euer mannag'd withan equall tenour as weakly as wickedly Till at last calld to an account by a stranger for oppressing his country left the world like an Outlaw and a poore child to pay his forfeyt Who though otherwise most innocent could not altogeather plead not guilty being he claymd all his right from so great injustice In the midst of this dismall and dark cloud our morning starr first appeard in the hight of this horrid storme which threatned no less then a totall destruction of the nation it pleasd God to giue a pledg of attonement between heauen and earth to bless the world with our glorious S. THOMAS CANTILUPE as a Rayn-bow after a deluge of blood and misery whose birth not like another Benjamin purchasd his life with his Mothers death but finding his country in Agony restord life Neyther was he onely a Common benefitt and happy presage to the plublique but a speciall blessing and reward of his fathers loyalty who when the greatest part and power of the kingdome eyther out of personall offence and hatred of the deceased king would yett pursue him in his image or led by interest the common Idoll of the world thought sitt to combine with the stronger party and rather adore the preualent might and fortune of an a inuading forraigner then to support the weaknes both in yeares and forces of theyr natiue Prince Yett William lord Cantilupe father of our glorious Saint lookd vpon the present state of things with another eye and was resolu'd to lay downe his life and fortune at the feet of iustice leauing the euent to the diuine ballance whether he stood or fell being secure of victory which euer crownes them who sacrifice them selues to truth and loyalty Wherfore as a person of eminent ability and honour he giues strength to the better but lesser party and as he euer maintaynd his fayth inuiolable to the faâ—her though a Prince of most odious and lawless gouerment he could neuer forgett the respect of soueraignty so he continu'd the same vnto the sonn with all the disaduantage of humane interest The Barons with theyr French Protectour were not only masters of the field both in strength and number but also many months possess'd of the head Citty of the Kingdom a thing euer held of highest consequence as being the ordinary residence and Court of Kings whosoeuer winns it seems to weare the Crowne The little king at nine yeares of age being sollemnly Crownd at Glocester was in a manner Confind to that Citty and other two Bustow and Worcester though some other particular places and Castles in seuerall parts of the kingdome stood firmly to him And chiefly Lincolne which was our Orleans where a lady not inferiour to the french sheepardess in Courage as she was farr aboue her in birth and quality defended the Castle of Lincolne the space of a whole yeare against Gilbert de Gant a prime Commander of the french forces though he had possessd himselfe of the Towne and pressd the Castle with a vigorous siege The kings honour Besydes his interest was Conceiu'd to be not a little Concern'd in the reliefe of so much fidelity especially of so rare and vnusuall example in the weaker sexe The Lord Cantilupe therfore with other Nobles of the Royall party accompany'd likewise by the legate of the see Apostolique with what power they could make marchd forth vpon this designe Being arriu'd within 8. miles of Lincolne they all Confessd and receiud the holy Eucharist with a plenary Indulgence which the Legate granted them and sollemnly declard the aduerse faction separated from the Communion of the holy Catholique Church Thus armd and encouragd from heauen they fall on with such irresistible violence that though the defendants exceeded the assaillants farr in number besydes the aduantage of theyr walls and trenches the Towne was soon ground with a totall defeat of the Enemy THOMAS Earle of Perche a person of highest nobility and Command in the Barons army allyd to both the Crownes of England and France being with many others slaine vpon
Chancello'rs neck But afterwards both the ceremonyes of enstallment and his court of Chancery was augmented three seales one of gold two of syluer a great one and a lesser and for the Lawyers abuses and quirkes in the Common law the Chancello'rs court or Chancery erected to moderate all as Vmpire meerly out of equity and justice independent of sophisticall tricks and verball cauills This was the office of the Lord Chancellor of England synce the Norman conquest for the most part with some ceremoniall changes rather accidentall then in substance as the Kings who raignd thought fitt In the administration of this office as our Saint shewd great wisdome so did he also great integrity and these two compleated his justice so that the former securd him against mistakes and ignorance the latter against bribes and extorsions neyther of which eyther was or euer could be justly layd to his charge Nay he was so scrupulously nice in the latter that he would not haue so much as the shadow of it to approach him It is recorded particularly that certaine Religious men who had a suite depending at Law applyd themselues to him for his fauour and furtherance in the dispatch of the same and therto presented him with a jewell of value which he rejected not without indignation asking them whether they thought him to be wonn with guifts Nor was his courage inferiour eyther to his wisdome or integrity vpon which account when reason and equity dictated that such a thing was to be done he was vndaunted as to the execution euen though the king himselfe stood in the way yett none more obseruant of his Majesty then he This may be confirmd by what happend at the councill table and was driuen on by many great ones who perswaded the king to conferr an office vpon a new conuerted Iew wherby he was impowerd ouer the liues and persons of such subjects as were found to be coyners of false money He opposd it with much earnestnes saying it was too unlimited a power ouer Christians to be committed to a new conuerted Iew who might easily be tempted according to his former ill habitts to abuse it and therfore besought his Majesty with teares eyther to reuoke it or giue him leaue to absent himselfe for he could not approue it The king mou'd with his teares and candour as well as the force of his reasons bidding him sit still changd ther vpon his determination I shall say more relating to this in the last Chapter Now how satisfactory his mannagement of affayres in this ticklish charge was both to Prince and people is euidenc'd by this that the King vpon urgent occasions being calld into France left to him during his absence the trust and charge of the whole kingdome IX CHAPTER King Henry dyes his Sonn succeeds S. Thomas with License giues vpp his Seale and retyres IN this equall track of justice declining neyther to the right hand nor the left did our Saint walk all the respitt of King Henry's life Full often during this space of time did he sigh after his former Retyrement and ceasd not vpon fitt occasions to importune the same but the good King who had found his assistance and dexterity so seruiceable in the dispatch of affayres would by noe meanes harken to that request giuing him leaue to groane vnder his burden and he in complyance with his will submitted to it making the best of the worst and a vertue of necessity At last hauing finishd the course of nature as well as of a vertuous life he payd the common tribute of mortality to death and Edward his eldest Sonn calld the first of that name immediately succeded in the throne of whome it will not be amiss to giue some short account as also how things went in the course of affayres This Edward was not onely a warr-like but wise Prince and as he had receiud both Crowne and life from his father so he restord both againe by cutting off with his owne hand the last and most dangerous Rebellion of all This was raisd by Simon Montfort a great souldier and of a high Spiritt otherwise a pious and gracious person to most men by reason of his forward zeale to engage in what he conceiud did concerne the common good which cost him first expulsion out of France and after his being receiud in England and made Earle of Lecester noe less then his life This great Warriour obseruing the march and approach of Prince Edward to giue him battaile turnd to his Commanders and thus aduisd them let vs commend our soules to God for our bodyes are theyrs as it fell out and he dy'd with the rest The same great Prince Edward the first after he had brought the kingdome of Scotland to the vtmost extremity but preuented by death could not compleat the full conquest he chargd his Sonn Edward the 2. or of Caernaruan calld so from his birth in that castle not to enterre his body till he finishd the work begunn by him of which little remayn'd to be atchieu'd But those court Parasites the young Kings fauorites hating as death the life of a Souldier drew him of from that noble designe to court againe to the shame and infamy of the English Nation and wretched end of that vnfortunate Prince A sad example of disobedience to the last words of a dying father and such a father as England had scarse his like for valour conduct and wisdome In the very beginning of whose Raigne and first stepp into the throne S. THOMAS as his place and office requird brought him the great Seale of England with most humble acknowledgment of his obligation to his Majesty's father for honouring him aboue all desert with that eminent charge which he resignd into his Majestyes hands with this humble petition that with his Majestyes approbation and leaue he may retyre to that knowne mother of learning and wisdome Oxford where he may more enable himselfe for the seruice of God and of his Majesty and the assistance of his country To which the King answerd first with thanks as the manner is for the great seruice done to the King and kingdome and for his petition that he assented to it and for the present gaue him full liberty to dispose of himselfe as he thought fitting This was it which our Saint much more addicted to the Schooles then the court so earnestly breathd after and as cheerfully hastend to them as a stone to its Center or fyre to its element „ trahit sua quemque voluptas And heer I cannot but pawse a while vpon this noble and heroicall act of S. THOMAS which if we measure by a humane ell and mans naturall inclination to greatnes was perchance one of the noblest of his life For where in the world shall one find euen vertuous and holy men who make not preferrments a part of theyr ayme and reward of theyr studyes much less who will diuest themselues willingly of it especially the highest when they
Prelate the onely of our Iland which has sanctifyd your Tuscany with a holy death and enrich'd it with his Reliques Another Saint and King also about the yeare 741. Richard by name Father of the Saints Willebald Wunnebald and Walburga Virgin renouncing both Crowne and Kingdome for the loue of Christ and a vertuous life after a long pilgrimage to holy places Settled in fine at Luca and there concluded the whole journey of his life with great opinion of Sanctity where he also was bury'd in the Church of S. Frigidianus his Tomb being afterwards illustrated with many miracles what euer memory may at this present remayne there of him and them So that great Sr. you see our fauours from Tuscany are not groundles wee hauing two such noble Pledges there of intercession and who more powerfull then they that is then the Saints when the Concern relates to the glory of God and aduance of Catholique Religion And giue me leaue Sr. to ascribe and I think not rashly these your present pious inclinations towards our Country and distressd Catholiques to this Originall source the Saints seeming to haue infus'd these noble Sentiments of a feeling ressentment which I mention'd before from your owne pen and cannot too often reflect vpon These pious inclinations haue already produced great and good effects of which we are most sensible and for which we shall hould our selues obliged euer to be most thankfull And now I haue sayd all as to the Apologizing part what remaynes to be sayd further is onely this that your Highnes will daigne to accept what is sayd in good part as also what is humbly offerd by so vndeseruing a hand If it be the first from an English pen the nouelty will in some sort recommend it in hopes it may draw more after it who will suppley for its deficiencyes and it is somthing to lead the way and break the yce If others haue preceeded and I wish they may it willingly for theyr better meritts beggs admittance at least for the Saints if for none of its owne As to him as humbly as hartily I wish you his Patronage and that he may be as fertile to you in heauenly blessings as he was heertofore to his country in supernaturall miracles and what miracle but imports a blessing And Sr. while you haue this Paper-picture before you if in the perusall of his vertues you find any thing for your aduance or aduantage in the same I humbly propose it to your imitation as I doe to others The world is wittnes of your endowments in this but they must be more then very good that cannot be better nor is it any disparagement to be still improueing in the science of Saints and Christian perfection to which each one in his degree and quality be he who he will by that Estote perfecti of our B. Lord and Sauiour is oblig'd What is there prizable in this lifes intercourse but piety and the seruice of God no body being more then he is in that and what imprints this truth more liuely in vs then the liues and examples of Saints wee seeing by what was done by them not onely what is to be done but what is fesible to and by vs. This is the thing I endeauourd to ayme at in this Narratiue by inserting reflexions to that purpose and chiefly of the 4. Cardinall vertues as both propper and common to all states and conditions And if your Highnes or any Reader may be benefitted therby to a due discharge of theyr incumbent duty in the same I haue my desyre which is no other then glory to God honour to the Saint and aduance of soules in vertu and piety A Table of the Chapters Chap. Â Page 1. THe time and Circumstances of his birth 11 2. Of the Parents and Discent of S. Thomas 23 3. Of his Child hood and Domestique Education 33 4. His first Studyes in Oxford 48 5. S. Thomas his Study of Philosophy 56 6. His Study of the Canon-Law at Oxford 63 7. He is made Chancellor of the Vniuersity of Oxford 72 8. He is made Lord High Chancellor of England 79 9. King Henry the 3. dyes his Son Succeeds S. Thomas with license giues vp his Seale and retyres 89 10. S. Thomas returns to Oxford proceeds Doctour of Diuinity the testimony giuen of him c. 97 11. He is made Bishop of Hereford 109 12. His Retyrement and Vnion with God 121 13. Of his Loue to the Poore 136 14. His Charity to all and detestation of detraction 149 15. His Courage in defence of Ecclesiasticall Libertyes 162 16. His journey to Rome and entertainment there 173 17. His returne homewards and death on the way 186 18. The Buriall of his H. Body and returne of his Bones into England 200 19. The Translation of them into a more eminent place 212 20. The multitude of miracles wrought by the Saint 230 21. His Canonization and generall Deuotion of all vnto him both Prince and people till this vnhappy breach 258 22 His Humility and Abstinence 270 23. His Discharge of Duty towards God and his Neighbour 286 24. His Purity of body and mind 301 25. His Iustice and Prudence 314 THE LIFE And Gests of S. THOMAS CANTILUPE Sometimes Chancellor of England and afterwards Bishop of Hereford in the same Kingdome PREFACE THe liues and memory of divers Illustrious persons seem to carry no small resemblance with those great Rivers Nilus Ganges Tigris Euphaates whose names and greatnes are as generally frequent in the mouthes of men as the particulars of theyr course and originall scarse kuowne to any Nor need we wonder it is so especially in the Saints of God for Sanctity is alwayes built vpon humility and with its mantle shrowds it selfe from the eyes of the world neuer better content then when conceald and the profounder it is like the same Rivers the less noyse it makes soe that none but an obseruing eye can discouer its course And if this were true in any it was I may say in our Glorious Prelate S. THOMAS CANTILVPE Bishop of Hereford who the greatest part of his dayes as he liu'd to the eyes of men a secular orderly but ordinary life nothing extraordinary to outward appearance so they knew no more of him then what could not be hid a great vprightnes singular innocency vertuous Conuersation set of with none of these surprising Commendatoryes Raptures Visions Miracles which vsually accompany sanctity True it is that the Common Legends haue left enough to conuince that he was a great Saint and wrought many Miracles Yett if we decend further to particulars we shall find that the greatest part of what we know oâ— him is the least part of what we are ignorant and all compriz'd in a leafe or two For though he were renownd both at home and abroad for his noble Extraction Learning Sanctity yet he was little knowne as to most particulars of his heauenly life and appeard rather visible to the world
And if sayd he you demand of me how I come to haue such a confident assurance therof I answere in the presence of God that I haue read it all along as clearly in his life and conscience by hearing his Confessions euen ftom his youth as any of you in a book legibly writt can read characters layd open to your eyes nor doe I feare but God a louer of purity who has thus long preserud him without spott will keep him spottles euen till death This was a rare Elogium of the virgin integrity of our Saint well worth our admiration and veneration I may also add imitation it falling especially from the mouth of one who might be accounted an Oracle as to truth and as free from flattery as interest by it Why then should any one suspect such a disinteress'd testimony of a sacred personage farr aboue censure and not rather censure those that censure him Euery thing is as it is taken I read this Elogium of a venerable Prelate and I think I doe prudently in framing ther vpon a most high conceyt of the Saints purity why doe I not he being one of vnquestionable credit another comes and he censures all both Primate and Saint both the testimony of this and the integrity of the other I hold this discourse because Doctour Godwin once pretended Bishop of Hereford and Recorder of all the English Bishops liues vpon the rehearsall of this very passage makes this reflexion by way of a prudentiall note „ Omnis homo sayth he mendax eyther Confessor or Confessed or the reporter ly'd I doubt not Whence may be seen what gloss this Historian putts vpon so graue an asseueration and how easily he waues any autority besides his owne What meanes the man by omnis homo mendax doth he ayme at the Saint or at the Primate or at himselfe for if all be lyars by consequence he too and how non-sensically is this thrust in What need he doubt but such a poynt of perfection may be asserted and neyther Confessour nor Confessed nor Reporter a Lyar by what Diuinity doth Doctour Godwin conclude this It may be a wonder beyond beliefe in the Protestant church that any one keep his baptismall purity in an integrity of body and mind but in the Catholique it is not at all and I doubt as little of this as he of the other How should we know the gestes of Saints synce we haue them not by Reuelation but by the Relation of creditable men No more Certainly is requird heer then suffises to ground a prudent beliefe if euery graue historian pretend to this euen Doctor Godwin himselfe how much more a Prelate a Primate But enough of such stuff he would onely haue shewd a piece of his Diuinity and confirmd it with an I DOUBT NOT and it suffises to haue taken notice of its strength I doubt not for all his doubt but the Primates testimony will stand good synce so many great vertues giue force and warrant to his veracity and vpon the same that our Saint as he deserues will be thought to haue preserud his vnblemmish'd integrity in the candour of its first innocency About this time it was while S. THOMAS was attending his Studyes that Gregory the to gaue a beginning to the 2. Councill of Lions and that an interruption to him from the sayd studyes The improuement which he found by the former would not let him slipp the opportunity of redoubling the same by the latter A Generall Councill is the Schoole of the age in which it is held the great mart of knowledg where one may buy wisdome at an easy rate and become acquainted with all the worthyes of all Nations An obseruant bee comes hither as into a garden of choysest flowers where it may pick and chuse the honey of all good improuement at pleasure whether it be in poynt of vertue or whether it be in poynt of science heer he may find patterns of the former and no less of the latter heer he may heare the Oratour perorate the Philosopher discourse the Diuine dispute the Interpreter expound the Antiquary impart his hiddenest treasures of rites customes traditions and the like In the yeare 1274. vpon the Summons of the chiefe Pastour of Gods church Gregory the 10. there mett 700. Prelats in the Citty of Lions Latine and Greek gatherd togeather from all the parts of the Christian world to Consider vpon the State of the Church not onely to seek a second time reliefe for the H. Land and its oppressions by infidells but also to Ciment vpp the breaches of the same church causd by that vnfortunate schisme of the Greeks about the Procession of the H. Ghost 13. times had that perfidious Nation sworne and subscribd in full Councell to an open Reuokement and disclayme of that schisme and as often had it relapsd to vomitt nor dit it now any whitt less as to both submission and reuolt Further account of this our Saints Iourney then meerley of his going I find none he went I suppose in the quality of a priuate person because the Record which mentions it specifyes no more and going as such Saints do not vse to carry any great noyse or clutter along with them he returnd when he thought good as silently as he went And this must probably haue happend after the time of his Studyes and Graduation because that past and he commenc'd I find he was immediately calld to a chayre in the same Vniuersity where hauing read and presided 16. months the fame of the indicted Councill calld him away not by any other Summons then those of his owne improuement For pretensions of aduancement were as farr from his thoughts as they were from his desyres or hart yett honours are like shadowes following those that fly from them and so they did him For shortly after this his returne from the councill he was chosen to shine in the Ecclesiasticall Magistracy as he had before in the Schooles and secular Tribunalls and how this came to pass must be the subject of the next Chapter XI CHAPTER He is made Bishop of Hereford VVE haue hitherto accompanyd our Saint through the priuate passages of his life and beheld him for the most part immur'd as it were within the walls of the Schooles attending chiefly to the perfecting himselfe not others Not but that he hath appeard and very illustrious too in the eyes of the world and gloryes of the Court when made Lord Chancellor of England he diuided justice with such an equall and satisfactory ballance to the whole kingdome that none besydes himselfe was glad at the resignment This was but a forc'd lending himselfe to what he could not with stand or a voluntary admittance of what was putt vpon him whether he would or noe otherwise if it had bin as much according to his gust as that of the rest of the world he would neyther haue so earnestly sought his owne release nor ioyd so much in obtaining it as
superiour as brass or syluer with gold Whence I conclude that the greatest Saints are fittest to make the gratest Statesmen not onely because they are freeest from Corruption and least swayd with passion and interest two great blinders of judgment but also for the singular aduantage theyr naturall abilityes receiue from the light and assistance of diuine grace Whence it is obseruable in our Historyes that in Catholique times Learned Bishops and vertuous Prelates were employd ordinarily both at home and abroad in the mannagement of weightyest affayres and who I pray more knowing then they or ought to be of greater integrity As a generall opinion acquird by his just and vpright Carriage preferrd him to the Chancellorship of the Vniuersity so his prudent demeanment in the same made King Harry the 3. preferr him to that of the Kingdome And though vpon that good Kings death at his owne earnest request he were licenc'd by his Sonn Edward to relinquish it yett he keept him still of his Priuy Councell and how much he esteemd his aduise is seen by what we recounted in the 23. Chapter He that could wade through the deep affayres of two Chancellorships and a Bishoprick and keep still aboue the waters of any dislike or dissatisfaction where so many sinke must needs haue bin supported with a great prudence The meanes he vsd for this support was to haue knowing and conscientious men about him who vnderstood both what in prudence was to be done and would execute it honestly and when all Circumstances duely weighd he found that according to the Dictates of prudence and Conscience this was to be effected or that omitted he stuck so close to his principles that neyther feare nor respect could moue him in the least and this we confirm'd with an example in the 8. Chapter We must also Consider the times in which hee bore the aforesayd Offices most vnquiett and turbulent and to keep sure footing on such slippery ground argues a great prudence and wisdome it argues that he could Master both the times and himselfe not they him And now hauing giuen as good á Character of this vertue in our Saint as my breuity and informations will allow it is time to make an end and though I haue sayd little in regard of what might be sayd yett I think I say much to its and his Commendation when I shew that by it he orderd both his Spirituall and temporall Concerns so as to proue himselfe a great Saint in the former and a great Statesman in the latter In his declining age especially after he was made Bishop he withdrew himselfe as much as he could from all worldly employments the more to apply himselfe to heauenly and that was the greatest poynt of prudence which euer he exercisd teaching him that the Kingdome of heauen was to be sought in the first place and aboue all For what will it auaile one to gaine the whole world if he loose heauen and his owne soule or with what exchange will he be able to redeem that loss What matters it if one enioy all the pleasures of the world all the treasures of the world and all its highest preferrments if he haue not heauen at the end of them that is to say what matters it to enioy heer a seeming momentary happynes and be most vnhappy heerafter for all eternity To be truly prudent is to be prudent to eternity and so was our Saint and who euer is not thus prudent proues himselfe a very foole True prudence guides to true happynes as there is no true happynes but eternall so neyther true prudence but which leads to this eternity This is true prudence indeed its great Act and Master piece at which all our practicall prudence in this great mannagement must leuell as at its finall scope and the purchase of all our endeauours in this lifes Commerce As nothing less then eternity will doe our work that is make vs eternally happy so must we acquiesce in no other none but that being truly satiatiue and all the rest an empty shadow The prudence of the flesh sayth the Apostle is death Rom. 8. 6. and operates it the wisdome of this world sayth the same is folly with God that Cannot be a guide of our 1. Cor. 3. 19. proceedings Ours must be refin'd aboue the world and death the issue of diuine Wisdome and therfore is calld by it the Science of Saints Scientia Prou. 10. Sanctorum prudentia This Science our B. Saint study'd all his life long and learnd more true knowledg out of it then he did out of all the Philosophy of Aristotle or Idaeas of Plato He learnd to be vertuous to keep a good Conscience his duty towards God his Neighbour and himselfe to subdue sense to reason and the whole man to the Obedience of the Diuine Law He learnd to preferr a solid happynes before a seeming one eternity before time the soule before the body and God and his Seruice aboue all Christ our B. Sauiour Matt. 10. 16. sends vs to the Serpent to learne this prudence and it teaches vs a twofold to expose the whole body to saue the head the seat of life and so must wee all our externall goods body and all for the preseruation of our fayth and safety of our Soules The Serpent say Naturalists stopps one eare with its tayle the other it clapps close to the ground so to become deafe to charmes and enchantments and prudence bidds vs imitate this amidst the enchantments of Sinnfull pleasures according to that of the 57. Psalme to which our Corrupt nature inclines Common errours lead the way Custome like a torrent carry's vs head long and engulfs vs in a sea of Spirituall Miseryes To these two we may add a third and it is that the Serpent by forcing her passage through a narrow Cranny stripps her selfe of her old coat and togeather of her old age and so becomes young Wee by endeauouring as our Sauiour aduises to Luc. 13. 24. enter by the narrow gate may effect the same and stripping our selues of inueterate habitts putt on a newnes of life Let vs learne at least to auoyd gross mistakes against prudence if we cannot all Euen Common prudence bidds vs secure the mayne Concern when we cannot all particulars it being accounted no indiscretion to hazard something to saue the whole What is our main Concern but our Soule if we loose that we loose all to venture a limb to saue our life is a dictate of nature and to exspose both body and estate to saue our Soule is a Certain Maxime of grace If we must quitt eyther a lease for life or an inhereritance it would be deemd madnes to part with the latter to secure the former this being as much in its Kind as to exchange pearles for peebles and gold for Clinquant and is the same when euer Soule and body time and eternity heauen and this world come into Competency To make heer a right Election is the part of prudence and our glorious S. THOMAS both did it and teaches vs to doe it and of all the vertuous lessons of his whole life none then this is more important none more prudent God in his grace and light giue vs strength to make the same resolues and execute them with an equall fidelity Amen FINIS APPROBATIO LIbellum cui titulus The Life and Gests of Saint Thomas Cantilupe Bishop of Hereford Anglicè conscriptum à Theologo mihi noto lectum praelo dignum censeo Actum Gandavi 27. Augusti Anno 1674. H. HESIUS Libr. Censor ERRATA Fol. Lin.   17 12 glorions glorious 19 20 theyr they 23 11 hough though 31 29 inlustrious illustrious 33 5 chidhood childhood 45 9 figh fight 57 15 particulari particular 69 4 thiter thither 73 18 buh but 106 19 bee hee 117 20 reccuid receiu'd 135 11 aftording affording 160 3 oue one 175 4 fitting sitting 186 20 the hee 256 18 reahd reapd 270 7 many may 310 13 by bee