choyce and disposed vessell to be replemshed with so great a plenty of celestiall gifts and particularly of the spirit of fortitude as from that tyme he made a purpose to spare no labours to shun no perills nor yeild to intreaty or threats where the diuine glory or good of the Church might take place and for this very respect he liked not those rich Presents with the fresh gratulations sent vnto him from the king and so it was necessary for him to make such a resolution Because there passed not many dayes but that the King Raungers of the forest so they call in those countryes the ouerseers of the forests and of the chaces of the kings relying on their fauour in Court and on the custome now vsurpt a good while vpon light occasion layd hands vpon a Clerk and condemned him in a good summe of mony Whereof S. Hugh being fully enformed with reason sayd he these people are called Foresters as it were standing forth of the kingdome of God Heerupon calling to a Consult certaine excellent Doctours and such as feared God whereof from the tyme he was first assumpted to the Chayre he had made prouision with good care and by the common opinion of all hauing giuen due premonishments already to the delinquents he courageously proceeded to excommunicate the head of that company K. Henry tooke this act of the Bishop very bitterly but yet to satisfy himselfe better of his disposition dissembling the matter for the present he requested of him by messengers and letters in post a Prebendary then vacant in the Diocesse of Lincolne in fauour of a certaine Courtier while some freinds of S. Hugh laboured it much that he might take occasion thereby to mittigate the anger of the King to returne into grace with him but the souldiour of Christ hauing read the petition sayd These vacant places are not to be conferred vpon Courtiers but to Ecclesiastikes rather The Kings Maiesty wants not meanes to reward his seruants nor is it iust to depriue such of their rents who serue the king of heauen to bestow them on those who wayte vpon the Princes of the earth With this answere he dispacht away the messengers of K. Henry being intreated at least graciously to absolue the Raunger he could not be brought therunto Vnto such and so open contradictions of the Bishop the King being accustomed to be obeyed as a becke brake his patience at last and sending for him after the vpbreading him with so many graces fauours don him he cōplayned bitterly for so hard a measure from him And the venerable Bishop being not troubled any thing thereat with a graue and sweet countenance withall demonstrated to him how in the whole affayre he had regard next to the seruice of God principally to his eternall saluation which incurred manifest danger when through his occasion eyther the oppressours of the Church remayned vnpunished or sacred benefices were rashly bestowed And briefly S. Hugh could so wisely iustify that fact as the King being a man otherwise discreet and a freind of iustice remayned satisfyed and restored the blessed man into his ancient freindship agayne After this the Raunger shewing himselfe sorowfull and penitent for his ill deportments S. Hugh gaue him not without the publike chasticement of the verge appointed by the Canons the desired absolution and further assisted him in spirit in so much as of a troublesome aduersary he had him euer after a freind much deuoted to him and in busynesses occurring a most faythfull sollicitour With the same courage of mind S. Hugh endeuoured to extirpate many inueterated abuses from that administration among which was that very markable which we shall speake of in the next Chapter S. Hugh reformes certaine abuses K. Henry dyes the while and K. Richard succeeds which some passages besides Chap. 5. THe Clergy was wont euery yeare to present the King with a precious Mantle at the charge of the people and the care of going heere and there to make the collection the Clergy had taken vpon them reteyning afterwards and diuiding among them as it were for their paynes those moneyes which amounted ouer and aboue and that to the extreame disgrace of their Order and most greiuous scandall of the people The new Pastour could by no meanes endure this custome amongst them and hauing efficaciously made the Preists to acknowledge the shame and impiety thereof he likewise obteyned from K. Henry authentique Patents wherein he renounced such a guift and ech right which vpon any apparence he might pretend thereunto The Magistrats Ecclesiasticall Iudges in criminall causes touching that Court were wont to condemne the delinquents for the most part in mony whence it followed the rich not caring much for such penaltyes perseuered most impudently in their sinnes S. Hugh therefore opposed himselfe maynly against this inconuenience by changing the losse of mony into corporall afflictions or into publike notes of infamy or els when the case required it also into excommunications the which thunder as we shall presently see came neuer from the hands of the Saint without admirable effects K. Henry in the meane while after diuerse trauailes of mind body departed this life with much hope and many signes of predestination There succeeded him Richard his sonne who by how much he shewed himselfe lesse propitious and freindly to S. Hugh so much greater and more ample a field he gaue him of exercise of glory This King imitating his Auncestours passed ouer to the warre in Fraunce and in processe of tyme as it happens the Pay-maisters of the Campe being out of money he resolued to send back the Archbishop of Canterbury whom he had then with him into England that by the fauour and help of the Clergy he might seeke to get from his subiects the greatest quantity of mony he could possibly procure The Archbishop obeyed and calling an assembly in a fit place he found none that openly durst oppose but the Bishop of Lincolne who detesting the impious contentions betweene Christian Princes especially at such tymes when the warres of Egypt and enterprise of the holy-Holy-land waxed hoate demonstrated with solidgrounds how vnlawfull it was without very iust and vrgent necessity to squize the substance of the poore afflicted subiects To this voyce of his consented though but timerously another Bishop only whose name is not expressed For all the rest they striued to please the King Who being certifyed by the Archbishop of what happened in the said Congregation was so troubled thereat and enflamed with rage as that suddenly he gaue order to a principall Officer as he loued his life with a sufficient preparation without delay he should vtterly ruyne and destroy both those obstinate and rebellious Bishops The Cōmissary was not slack in obeying But the matter succeeded not so happily with one as with the other Because the timerous Bishop at the first noyse of the Court abandoned his Church and the sacred goods without resistance were all
comparison of my demerits With such like answeres Siluanus stopt the mouths of such as ◅ealt with him about this matter nor was it contrition of words ◅nly as often it happens but his sayings and workes accorded in ◅uch manner as S. Pachomius himselfe being full of meruayle there◅t for true humility preferred him before all in the Monastery and within eight yeares afterward was certifyed how be was nothing deceiued when he beheld that Soule going forth of the body to ◅ly vnto Heauen with a great troupe of glorious Angells in company with it This then was the fruite which sprung from the seasonable rigour of S. Pachomius and no lesse worthy of memory likewise was another act of seuerity of his which we will put down in the Chapter following How a Monks was penanced by S. Pachomius for Vayne glory and anoth◅ for Disobedience Chap. 12. IT happened on a tyme while S. Pachomius was sitting in company with other graue Fathers that a Brother who had made tha◅ day two mats with double the labour he was obliged to do by th◅ Rule being ouercome with vayne glory would by no meanes cōteyne himselfe but needs must he set them forth to view at his cell right ouer agaynst the place where S. Pachomius was as thinking verily to haue been much praysed and esteemed of him for his diligence therein whereof the wise Pastour being aware fetching a deep sigh said to the standers by behold I pray this Brother hee◅ who hath been labouring all this while from the Morning hither to to dedicate afterwards all his sweats to the Diuell without leauing any merit or fruite thereof for his owne soule since he hat◅ had for end the satisfaction of men rather then the pleasure of God Heerupon causing him to come before him he gaue him a sound reprehension for it and to the end he might learne to rectify the intention in whatsoeuer he should worke heerafter enioyned him in pennance that while the Brothers were in prayer he holding both those mats in his hands should cry vnto them with a lowe voyce I beseech you Brothers to pray for this miserable soule of myne which hath preferred two small mats before the Kingdome of Heauen And in the same manner caused him to stand in the Refectory till the Table was ended and for addition shut him vp in his Cell for fiue moneths space with order that no man sho◅ visit him the while that he should eate nothing but bread and salt Such accompt was made in those dayes of purity of hart and to fly those sinnes which in our age peraduenture are accompted very veniall and light And if yet this chastisement perhaps shal seeme to any to be too disproportionate to the fault let him know that to the Man of God there wanted no sufficient motiues for the same The holy Abbot made great accompt also of sincere Obedience which especially consists in simply executing what is commāded without curiously examining the designes of the Superiours nor putting into controuersy the quality of the thing commaunded Now he hauing committed to some Officers that while he went on a certayne Pilgrimage they should haue some respect to the tender age of certayne Nouices who were not able to performe so much abstinence as the other It happened the same Officers perceyuing the Community had not eaten the herbes and Oliues which were boyled had giuen ouer to prouide any more of them contenting themselues with distributing of dry bread onely to ◅ll the Refectory S. Pachomius returned and all the Monkes being gone forth to meete with him and to receyue him one of the ◅nnocents began to say with a lowd voyce Verily Father since ◅he tyme that you went from hence to this day hath there beene ◅o herbes boyled for vs. To whome the Saint answered with a cheerfull countenance Trouble not your selfe my Sonne for I will prouide for you Entring then into the kitchin and the Cooke being busy in knitting of rushes he sayd to him in this manner Tell me Brother how long since is it that you boyled any herbes It is now some two Monthes ago answered he and being demaunded the reason he alleadgeth that scarce any of them had eate thereof when they were before him but only the youths whereupon he had a scruple to bestow so in vayne both the labour and the cost And to the end this same might not be imputed as Slouth vnto him he had employed himself in the meane time with his fellowes to worke the Mats And how many haue you made of them demaunded S. Pachomius Some 500. answered he Now bring them hither then to me sayd the Father Which being brought he caused them suddaynely to be all cast into the fi◅e giuing cleerly to vnderstand by that act of his and with the words he spake to that purpose that as it is the proper office and prayse of the Superiour to moderate and discerne so from the subiect is not required so much prudence and circumspection as a prompt execution and perfect Obedience To this example the same also was not much vnlike which followes in the next Chapter How two Stewards of S. Pachomius were checked by him for doing against Obedience Chap. 13. THere hapned so great a dearth of corne as scarcely was any to be found throughout all the Land of Egipt Which S. Pachomius wel knowing sent one of the Brothers to make his prouision therof as much as an hundred peeces of gold of a certaine coyne was able to procure him being taken out of cōmon stock of the Labours of the Monastery The Procuratour or Steward went his wayes ther with into diuers forren parts without finding the desired cōmerce till lastly arriuing at the citty of Hermothen it pleased our Lord that he should meete by chaunce with an honest Gentleman who had the whole corne of the countrey in his custody This man being required of the Monke so much corne as might amount to the said summe answered Truly Father I haue not any of myne owne but if I had I would take it from my childrens mouthes to spa◅e it for you whose vertue and holy life hath now a good while since beene notifyed to me But harke you Father I haue yet now the publique grayne vnder my charge which hitherto the Magistrates haue not seemed to require at my hands nor do I thinke they will demaund it till the new be gotten in If you suppose by that tyme you can restore it me agayne do you take therof as much as you please When the Monke told him how he durst not vndertake to returne it so soone but if it seemed to him that he might well dispose thereof as he had said he would willingly take a quātity to the valew of the price aforesaid of a hundred peeces I shall not only afford you so much replyed the Commissary but euen likewise as much more if it please you to accept the same Do me but only the fauour the while to
S. Antony commonly called of Padua and so much more worthy to be renowned by the world as through the sollicitous cooperation of this most noble Confessour they are seene to be accompanyed with the cleere examples of an Apostolicall spirit and of ech Christian vertue The blessed man was borne in the famous Metropolis of Portugal which is called Lisbon K. Alphonsus raigning in those partes the second of that name in the yeare of our Lord 1195. His Father was called Martin Boglion his Mother Mary Tauera both of ancient and very honourable families dwelling right ouer against the great Church dedicated to the Mother of God wherein the Reliques of the glorious Martyr S. Vincent are kept with much veneration From so noble a couple in the flower of their youth sprung forth this blessed Bud and in Baptisme was named Hernando In the first rudiments of learning and Christian manners he was with diligence instructed by the Priestes of the sayd great Church so as an exact education being added to an excellent inclination vnder the protection of the most Blessed Virgin Mary and that most inuincible Martyr he came very soone to bring forth most euident signes of his future greatnes because as it is likewise reported of some others elected of God in their childish age being farre off from childish thoughtes he tooke pleasure in imitation of his Parents to frequent holy places and to distribute almes to the poore as he was able that saying of Iob well suiting with him Ab infantia mea creuit mecum miseratio With these passages of his childish innocency being come to the dangerous ticklish point of youth in choice of an estate of life he felt himselfe not a little to be allured by sensuality with enticements of flatteryes but preserued doubtles by the diuine Mercy very generously withdrew his foot resolued to follow by the sharp way the guide of reason and splendour of honesty And to secure himselfe the better with perseuerance with a voluntary holocaust he dedicated himselfe to our Sauiour Iesus Christ in the Monastery of S. Vincent of the Chanons-Regular which Monastery howbeit scituate forth of Lisbone yet was it not so farre but many as it happens some for loue some for curiosity came to visit the new souldiour of Christ whence he perceauing himselfe to be disturbed in his deuout exercises obtayned with much difficulty to be remoued from thence some three dayes iourney into the Monastery of the Holy Crosse of Conimbria where yet to this day that Order flourisheth to the great benefit and ornament of that Citty Heere the feruorous disciple of Christ besides the learning and diligent obseruing the holy Ceremonyes so imployed himselfe in the grauer studyes as he alwayes reserued the better part of his tyme and trauaile for spirit nor suffered he as often it fals out with they vnaduised the vehemency of speculation should come to oppresse or diminish deuotion but with a sage temper helping himselfe with the sacred Scriptures partly for finding out of deep senses partly to enflame himselfe with diuine loue and making no lesse often acts of the Will then of the Vnderstanding he arriued within a little while to so high a degree of perfection as he had no greater thirst then to spend his bloud for the Catholicke fayth And in this so laudable a desire of his he became much more confirmed through the occasion we shall presently declare The occasion that moued S. Antony to endeauour to change his Rule and what it was Chap. 2. THe venerable Family of Fryars which through Christian humility doe call themselues Minours was by the Eternall Pastour newly founded to the help and reduction of wandering soules The head of these was the most blessed Francis of Assisium who with the approbation of the Sea Apostolike and with the example and profit of his holy manners and speaches trauayling into diuers Countryes and especially into the vtmost confines of Spayne had with admirable increase spread his name and ministery by the many residences of his children And by this way had sought with all industry to prouide for the extreme necessityes of the afflicted Christianity After this being not able to suffer the other so great a part of the world to be seduced by the fabulous lyes of the Mahumetan perfidiousnes he very freely determining to bring to his power some light and succour to those miserable nations and when he should be able to profit no more with a glorious end at least to lay downe his life in confirmation of the Ghospell Into which enterprize hauing put himselfe more then once but through diuers impediments being not able euer to prosecute any thing at last assembling together two squadrons of choyce workemen with one of Eleuen he himselfe passed from Ancona into Egipt where vnder Damiata the Christian army was encamped against the Saracens the other of Six he sent vnder Fryer Vitalis an Italian into the land of Granata and of Andaluzia being tiranically handled by Miramolinus King of Morocco a great vpholder of the name and sect of Mahomet These two expeditions concerning the litle fruit they wrought with those blind and obstinate people had in a manner the same successe but for the dealing with Apostolicall persons they were farre different Because S. Francis passing boldly from the Christian tents vnto those of the Saracens was by the Soldan though for that tyme he resolued not to accept the Ghospell more then once yet graciously heard and with diuers courtesyes and fauours much honoured and entertayned not without the infinite wonder of the standers by But the troupe which vnder Vitalis went into the West by his order continued their way and with incredible fortitude preaching the truth of Christ and accusing the vanity of the false Prophet not only in Seuill of Andaluzia but euen also in the Citty of Marocco it selfe and in Affrica and confirming their doctrine with workes aboue nature they were first scorn'd pelted ouerwhelmed by the people with stones cudgells and prisons and afterwards by Miramolinus himselfe to reuenge the iniuryes of his Mahomet with his owne hands very cruelly slayne through the strokes of a Semiter in the presence of his people Whose bones now renowned with new and euident miracles being diligently gathered by the meanes of the Infant Don Pedro the King of Portugals Brother who was very acceptable at that tyme in Marocco to Miramolinus himselfe and decently conuayed to the Church of the holy Crosse of Conimbria caused in that deuout people diuerse motions of Christian piety but in the Chanon Don Hernando through holy emulation increased so the thirst of Martyrdome as he could find no rest by day or night and he was much more rouzed vp being taken with the triumphall palmes of those valorous Champions thē was Themistocles awakened from sleepe through the Tropheyes of that other Athenian there In fine the enkindled flames of charity at this spectacle increased so in him as Hernando being not
together an infinite number of people from all parts of Christendome as Greeks French Almans Spaniards English and of other nations by all which the blessed S. Antony was heard to preach at once ech one in their proper language as in the Citty of Hierusalem heeretofore the Apostles were heard on the solemne day of Pentecost that supernaturall effect being renewed with the astonishment of as many as heard the same In Arimini the Citty being full of Heretikes S. Antony endeuoured cheifly and not without much trauayle to reduce the Heresiarcke Bonuillus or as some would haue it Bonellus to a better mind who for thirty yeares continuallly had persecuted the Church of Christ and after his amendment notwithstanding many others yet remayning most peruerse in their obstinacy and shutting their ears vnto the truth after that S. Antony with many prayers in vayne had inuited them to a Sermon there being a great number of them as then forth of the wals where the riuer called Marechia discharges it selfe into the Sea with great cōfidence in our Lord he begins to call the Fishes vnto the word of God since men of reason redeemed with his precious bloud would by no meanes seeme to harken to him And incredible thing had it not been euident he had scarce giuen forth the commaund when an innumerable multitude of fishes of sundry formes and bignes were seene to appeare on the waters of the Sea and riuer which euen of their owne accord came in by sholes and with heads erected accommodating themselues to listen to him in so much as the lesser put themselues neer to the bancks side and then the greater and bigger in order with so goodly and fayre a dispose as a more pleasing sight could not be seen To these squadrons so well ordered the blessed S. Antony lifting vp his voyce began to vnfold vnto them the benefits vouchsafed them from the Creatour the guift of swiftnes and colours and of their beauty in particuler the medicine subministred from them by Toby the tribute and food of our Lord himselfe the mistery of the Resurrection represented in the Prophet Ionas For which reasons with many others besides did S. Antony exhort them to yeild God thanks To which aduise of his those Marine troups since they could not by words with sundry motions at least did signify their obedience stooping with the head sporting with iubily and shewing a will to honour the messenger of Christ. Nor would they depart from the place vntil they were licēced thence through his holy benediction And so in the meane tyme the concourse of spectatours being now continually growne greater the man of God taking then occasion vpbrayded those obstinate and peruerse men of their malice and impiety since in acknowledging the high Creatour admitting so his holy law they would so manifestly suffer themselues to be vanquished by beasts whereupon the Heretikes at last remayned confounded and the Catholikes continually more confirmed in the holy doctrine and veneration of the Sea Apostolike Other miracles which S. Antony wrought in the sight of Heretikes to the conuersion of many and confusion of others Chap. 13. MOst famous was that which happened in the exequyes of a certaine publike Vsurer now buryed allready at which exequyes it belonging to the blessed S. Antony to make the sermon he tooke for text that saying of our Sauiour Vbi est the saurus tuus ibi est cor tuum To which purpose with accustomed liberty he inueighed against the disordinate loue of gold and siluer and weighed the inestimable domages which grow from thence finally to let them see with their eyes themselues the truth of that sentence turning himselfe to the neerest parents of the dead Go your wayes sayd he by and by to the chest of the miserable wretch and there within shall you find his very hart it selfe which they did without contradiction and to the great terrour of them and of the whole land in the midst of his monyes they found the said hart as yet not wholy cold We shall now ad another of no terrour awhit but of meere consolation S. Anthony being Custos at Limoges after he had passed through France still preaching heere and there chaunced to discourse with the inhabitants of Burges But the presse was so great of such as came to heare him as that the Canons of the Church putting themselues in procession with the whole Auditory went forth of the gates of the towne into the open fields where while the man of God puts himselfe to discourse in an eminent place behold there gathered togeather very blacke clouds in the ayre which threatned a terrible ◅pest for feare wherof the people flying from thence beginning to shift for themselue S. Antony sayd with a loud voyce Bee of good cheere my maysters stirre not a foot there shall not a drop of water light vpon any of you The people obeyed and behold suddenly a mighty storme of hayle and rayne to fall from heauen which enuironing the Auditory as a wall did not wet the breadth of a palme in the whole circuit but left the people dry vntouched Whence followed many prayses vnto God and extraordinary credit and reuerence to S. Antony And now to speake something likewise of meruails succeeding in his disputations with Heretikes It is reported for certayne how the diuine man being at Arimini on a tyme or as others would haue it in the Citty of Tholouse a malapert minister of Sathan of the Sect of Berengarius being not able to maintayne himselfe in a controuersy of the most holy Sacrament agaynst the reasons alleadged by S. Anthony sayd finally vnto him Thou confoundest me with words as more learned then I but not because they haue more foundation of truth But let vs come to some more cleere experiences in effect Whence I may be certifyed indeed that God is really present in the consecrated host and I promise and sweare vnto you when it shall succeed that I will confesse to be vanquished and belieue this article in the manner as you teach it S. Anthony accepts the condition nor doubts awhit to put the quality of the tryall to his owne choice Let vs do it then in this manner replyed the Heretike This day will I beginne to keep my Mule without meate after three dayes againe shall I bring him forth so hungry into the market place togeather with a pecke of oats for the purpose And at the same tyme thou likewise come thither with thy azime or host and if the beast in presence of the one and other shall forbeare to eate the oats and turne to bow vnto thy bread I am content also to adore the same without more adoe In the name of God sayd S. Antony let the matter be published through the Citty The third day being come both parties repayre to the market-place with such a thronge of people as euery one may iudge Heere S. Anthony sacrificeth vpon an Altar set vp
be gathered how well subdued he had his passions how farre he was from all rapine of others goods that was so prōpt to yeild his owne To which purpose likewise we may not let this passe there hauing beene in his Fathers tyme a most grieuous taxation layd on the people in respect of an army to be leuyed against the Danes and yet the same exaction still continuing as it happens though the warre were ended S. Edward as a good Father and Pastour of his people with princely liberality discharged them thereof for euer whereto besides the greatnes of his mynd he was likewise moued by seeing playnely vpon a heape of the same money an vgly Deuill to sit and sport himselfe In such like acts as these of religion equity and bounty with the edification of all the world would S. Edward spend the tyme afforded him for the purchase of the Eternity And yet among these same honourable thoughts he forgot not a whit the virginall title so seriously recommeded to him by S. Peter the Apostle which thing indeed proued to be so much more violently assaulted by his green yeares hoat complexion easy accesse vnto delights as through the fubtilityes of the enemy and store of seruants most prompt to him at euery becke Which assaults notwithstanding though grieuous and fastidious yet most commonly being open and manifest S. Edward did manfully resist through diuine grace and went continually away with glorious triumphes The battayles which perpetually day and night he suffered from the Communalty and states of the land were cloaked with honesty and coloured with the publique good and consequently more treacherous and terrible to him who shewing infinite care of the vniuersall peace and security which greatly depended on the future succession of the King neuer left vrging opportunely and importunely in tyme and out of season with reasons and examples with prayers and coniurations and those mingled now and then with some manner of threats that he forsooth hauing pitty on his country and of the daungers that hung ouer it through his single life would be pleased to differ no longer to prouide for progeny to wit some fruitfull and honourable ma◅e Such were the requests and supplications of the people and Barons Among which with apparence of right intention and holy zeale the Earle Godwin shewed himselfe most earnest being a person very potent politique and ambitious and who by the opinion of all had a hand with the tyrant Canutus in the impious murder of Alfred and now with thoughts wholy pointing to his priuate greatnes plotted to mary his daughter Edith with Edward and that to the notable increase of his estate to see her Queen This Lady was not any thing like to the Father as one that feared God being a friend of abstinence very prompt to read and worke farre from pratling all feminin disports in summe a rose sprung from thornes ordained by God for a faithfull Companion of S. Edward in all vertues This yong Virgin by publique decree was commended and tendred to the good Edward with the common importunityes and prayers perseuering still so much more liuely as the necessities of the Kingdome and qualityes of the Spouse made a repulse to the more inexcusable All this now the King knew very wel but on the one side being resolued not to manifest or breake his solid purpose of virginall chastity on the other very hardly able to resist any longer the petitions and most earnest importunities of his subiects being put into such streights and fallen into an agony he could find no better remedy then euen the same by him so often tryed of voluntary pennances and feruent prayers So as after many fastings and other corporall afflictions which doubtles do serue very much to render the diuine Maiesty propitious to a man being prostrate on the earth full of humble affect and firme fayth he spake to his Creatour Lord in this manner following O good Iesu by thee the three Childrē haue been deliuered from the Chaldean flames of old Through thee Ioseph leauing his cloake behind had saued this honour and the constant Susanna got the victory of the lewd old Men and the holy Iudith through thy help could not be tempted by Holofernes Behold mee heere thy seruant and as I haue beene heertofore fauoured and beloued of thee in diuers accidents So succour mee now also O Lord in this necessity and graunt that in some manner of imitation of Mary thy Mother and Ioseph her faythfull Guardian such espousalls may be had betweene Edith and Mee that my Chastity may suffer no wrong or empeschement whatsoeuer So Edward prayed and moreouer added thereunto the efficacious intercession of the Queene of Angells herselfe by whose intercession and meanes so great desire of purity was infused into the Spouses mind as that being brought with solemne pompe and royall preparations to her husband she was by him without the mediation of any other testimony at all in the diuine sight very easily brought to a perpetuall purpose of entire Virginity in such sort as being both vnited with the holy band contenting themselues with the Sacrament of Matrimony they alwayes kept themselues pure and far from any worke of wedlocke S. Edward being myndfull of his vow of Pilgrimage consults with the Peer◅s of his Kingdome thereof But after debate resolues is dispensed therewith by the Pope Chap. 4. THis difficulty now by diuine help being so passed ouer there remayned yet another of some moment which was the fulfilling of his vow as we haue sayd heertofore in his greater troubles to visit personally in Rome the Memory of the Apostles The pious King kept faythfull record still of this so great an obligation and the care he had of performing the same did now continually burne in his breast Whereupon as soone as matters seemed to affoard opportunity he immediately began to make prouision of magnificent and sumptuous gifts for to offer vp at the holy Aultars of Rome besides went putting of things in order for the voyage To this effect calling the chiefe of the Kingdome into counsayle he discouered this thought of his vnto them and reducing to all their memoryes the vnhappy state and extreame calamityes of their country which had brought him to recommend himselfe to the diuine Clemency and to make a vow of pilgrimage to Rome to obteyne more easily the Protection of the Prince of the Apostles he demonstrated with many reasons how abominable and impious it was to forget ones duty and to become vngratefull to him who had deliuered the whole nation from the hand of most cruell enemyes wherefore euery one sincerely should propound what best occurred to him about the accommodating of things in such sort as through his absence might neyther the traffique by sea nor cōmerce by land nor Townes Castles or Cityes nor finally the priuate or publique affayres come to suffer any hurt and lastly bids them be of good cheere affirming he was
compassion of his Maisters extreme abstinence began modestly to ex hort and pray him to refresh himselfe a litle therewtih and to en ioy that blessing which the common Lord had destined for him◅ But the blessed Bishop with eyes not allured and vanquished wit◅ that present food and eares shut to the prayers and enticement made him sayd to him What hast thou layd out vpon this fish heere and the other answeared some two crownes God forbid replyed S. Otho that my belly should me so deare Go too then goe thy wayes presently and cary it to my Iesus meaning by that word some needy sick and diseased person as for me that am thanks be to God so sound and able this loafe of bread shall suffice Such were his delicacyes amidst so much riches Through which and other most excellent qualityes of this man of God◅ and principally for the great zeale which he had of his Neighbours good his fame being dilated through all parts a noble occasion was offered him of dilating of the Ghospell The Duke Boleslaus ruled the Poland nation at that tyme a personage of much valour and singular piety This man hauing with the ayde of the Bohemians and Hungars subdued Pomerania that lay drowned in Paganisme was much enflamed through heauenly sparks to the conuersion of that people but as the same in those tymes besides the seruitude of the Idols by nature also was very barbarous and fierce the good Duke could not find any labourers to cultiuate that land so wild and sauage as it was and yet not ceasing for all that to thinke of the saluation of those whome the diuine Maiesty had committed to his gouernement at last the person of the Bishop of Bamberge came into his consideration now liuing as we haue sayd very laudably in Polony with whome he was so well acquainted eyther by sight or heare say as among other gifts he knew he had the skill of the Pomeranian tongue and promising himselfe with good reason all help from the charity of S. Otho he besought him by letters and messages he would be pleased to permit him some little absence from his flocke now a long tyme so increased and instructed in sound Religion to affoard some part of himselfe vnto a people drowned in Idolatry and miserably tyrannized by the powers of darkenes The prayers and perswasions of Boleslaus were not in vayne Like a generous Falcon that discouers its prey so was S. Otho immediately inflamed to the spirituall purchase of that Prouince and yet distrustfull of his proper forces he recommended earnestly the whole busines to the diuine Goodnes through which though he well perceiued the vocation to be approoued yet neuerthelesse to proceed with the more stable well gouerned designes he would not seeme to vndertake the enterprize though otherwise holy without first hauing the consent and dispatch of the Pope of Rome By whome being encouraged to so noble a Conquest and prouided of necessary facultyes for the purpose he puts himselfe on the way from thence passing through Bohemia into Polony with three Priests only for his helpfull assistance he arriued in Pomerania being honourably met in the Confines thereof by Christiernus Prince of those Countreyes who at the instance of Boleslaus against the will of his Wife and Subiects had been now already baptized The great labours and difficulties of S. Otho in conuerting the People of Pomerania with baptizing the VVife of Christiernus and Wenceslaus his Sonne Chap. 5. IT is no easy matter heere to number much lesse to vnfold the labours trauailes and toyles of S. Otho while with infinite patience and sweetnes he seekes first to purchase to himselfe the good will of the people of Pomerania and then likewise to let them see the darkenes wherein they lay as buryed through ancient errour now awaking them with the help of the light of nature it selfe to the knowledge of the Creatour and now proposing the Articles of the Catholike fayth vnto them and with apt comparisons and examples shadowing and figuring the ineffable misteryes of the most holy Trinity And on the one side shewing the conueniency and necessity of the Incarnation and Passion of the Sonne of God and on the other the necessity of obeying the Precepts and of imitating his actions and in doing pennance To which effect the diuine Catechist adding and prouing with liuely reasons the eternall rewardes and punishments proposed for the merits of ech one he endeauoured with all his power to roote out the fabulous opinions through diabolicall illusion and long course of tyme so rooted in their mindes and withall to pull them from their impious worship wicked ceremonyes and sacrilegious feasts of the Idols the which how much more accompanyed with carnality pa◅ymes and riotousnes they were so much stronger an arme was needefull for so hard a separation and so bitter a diuorce But aboue all was this wise proclaymer of the Ghospell made more vigilant with the care he had of the perpetuall edification of his Neighbours and with the gouerning not only of himselfe but also of his companions and familiars so as neyther in their facts words and carriages might appeare any thing that might seeme to destroy with scandal what he endeauoured to edify with doctrine and with these and such like meanes S. Otho did proceed with the enterprize so farre as within few dayes came aboue seauen thousand persons to the sacred Baptisme whereunto for a cōplete ioy was added not long after the wife also of Christiernus himselfe and moreouer the Prince VVenceslaus who was so giuen and addicted to worldly pleasures as it was necessary not without exceeding trouble to go by little little a weeding away some foure twenty concubines from him and to leaue him contented with one lawful only Consort For conseruation of which purchases the seruant of God hauing erected Temples in those Prouinces and ordayned as much as the scarcity of subiects would permit Pastours and Priests he passed from thence more inward into the Countrey where he dealt with inhabitants so inhuman as would not endure by any meanes to be diswaded from their ancient customes but insteed of complying with the zeale of the Messenger of Christ did exercise their natiue fiercenes against him with scornes ◅niuryes with throwing of dirt vpon him rudely smiting him withall vntill being vanquished at last through his vnheard of ◅eekenes and holsome aduices most humbly crauing pardon at his hands for so great pertinacity and boldnes they accepted likewise of the sweet yoke of Christ. Among which occupations and paynes of his S. Otho not forgetting a whit his first and deerest vineyard fearing least through ◅is too long absence from it the same might hap to suffer some do◅age setling affayres in those countryes the best he could he made a progresse as short as possibly he might vnto Bamberge where ◅he fame of his so glorious actions hauing already arriued he was ◅eceiued as a
blasphemer To which so sharp and biâ—…â—…proach answered the seruant of Chrâ—… with these wordes I cannot beleeue now I haue the spirit of blasphemy in me nor was 〈◊〉 euer any intention of myne to speake ill of others and especially of my soueraigne Prince And this Answere of his he afterwards accoÌ„panyed also with actions so louing and with so much obseruance towards him who had so wronged him as he gayned him at last and made him his greatest freind After the enterprise of Sozia which vnder the conduct of Lewes King of France through wicked perfidiousnes of the Grecian Emperour had taken but ill successe there were some that traduced the fame of S. Bernard as who had beene the principall authour of that expedition Whereunto being not able to giue a particuler account to euery one of his motiues and of what had passed in the voyage at least he prayed often for them all being a great deale more sorrowful for their sinne then for his proper infamy being not able to suppresse such murmurs reioyced at least that those poysonous shafts of the slanderous ignorant were aymed all at himselfe who did little respect them and much reioyced that the diuine Maiesty and Prouidence was come to be entire and vntouched by those impious people There were once 600. markes of siluer intercepted by the way from the seruants of the man of God being magnificently assigned by the Abbot of Farco to the behoofe and benefit of the Order To which newes the Saint replyed with a cheerefull countenance Blessed be God who hath deliuered vs from such a burthen and he truly who hath taken away the money in some sort deserues to be excused since such a summe might well giue a shrewd temptation The same tenour he kept of a serene mind without contention or strife at all when there were taken from him partly through deceit and partly by force about some ten Monasteries or places at least very apt to erect foundations for them A certaine Regular of another Monastery being temâ—…ted and not sound in his vocation hauing read some spirituall trâ—…ses of S. Bernard went his wayes to Clareuallis to make instance vnto him to receaue him among his to whome the blessed Man sweetly answering wished him to returne not seeming good to him for iust respects to yield to his request Why haue you then replyed the wretch Father so extolled Perfection in your writinges if you will not succour and help him who desires the same And being vrged by the infernal spirit added Now then if I had those books in my hands I would surely rent them in a thousand peeces To this the Man of God answered I do verily thinke sayd he that in none of them thou shalt find Thou mayst not be perfect in thy cloyster the amendement of manners change not of places if I well remember I haue proposed and commended in my bookes Then went that frantique man quite out of his wits and lifting vp suddenly his most sacrilegious hand he gaue so huge a cuffe on the eare to the holy Abbot that his cheeke was presently swolne wherat with reason the standers by being incensed began to rise vp to handle the Wretch as he deserued but soone the Seruant of God preuented the same exclayming and coniuring them by the name of Christ not to touch him but warily to lead him away procuring by all meanes possible he should take no harme And thus the wretch all pale and trembling escaped thence without the least punishment Moreouer this defendour of the Truth and promoter of the diuine seruice wanted not his emulous and persecutours though he through the eminence of his qualityes and glory of his wordes and deedes had very much ouercome their enuy With such a pest of men the Iouer of Christ vsed this manner of proceeding first according to the precept of the Ghospell he would make feruent prayer for them after that with might and mayne he sought to extingnish that malignant passion with all manner of submission and good offices in rendering benefits for iniuryes honour and reuerence for contempt and affronts as he who had their saluation as deere as his owne and felt particuler torment at the scandall of those to whome he had giuen no occasion at all and the malice of others did excruciate him more then his conscience seemed to satisfy him it seeming a matter too difficult for him to cure a malady whose origine he could not discouer and whensoeuer he was able to come to the knowledge therof he tooke no greater pleasure then to roote it out although he were thereby to haue his handes all mangled and bloudy The most holy Abbot was ariued to such a point of the loue of God and of his Neighbour through the continuall meditation of the life and passion of Christ being truly become the forme and example of the flocke which he had in charge as that now with great reason was the good odour of Clareuallis spread and dilated through out all Christendome and in all partes as we sayd aboue with cost and diligence were the grafts of this happy plant both craued and procured nor were there only Monasteryes of S. Bernard founded heere and there but euen whole Conuents likewise of other families came voluntarily to submit themselues vnto his obedience and to conforme themselues with all study to the rites and profession of the Cisterce yea euen he himselfe whose principall care was as we sayd to remaine hidden and vnknowne in that corner and valley was yet very suddenly more highly placed by the diuine hand in the light and sight of men and obliged to dispense to the benefit of the world the treasures and graces which he heaped vp togeather in his Cell Whence Schismatikes were reconciled to the Roman Church Heretikes publikely conuinced and Catholikes promoted and established in peace A Schisme in the Church ariuing about the election of a Pope was happily ended through the wisedome of S. Bernard Chap. 13. THe first achiuement the Saint happened to make for the good of all christendome tooke occasion from the Schisme of Pierlonio the Roman who after the death of Honorius with euill practises making himselfe a false Pope and taking the name of Anaclete opposed himselfe to the true and canonically elected Pope Innocent in which so scandalous a diuision both the one and the other endeauouring as well with messages as letters to draw whole Kingdomes and Christian nations to their obedience the world was put into a great confusion and perplexity being as yet not able to discerne which of these two fornamed Popes they were to acknowledge and adore for lawfull Successour of S. Peter and vicar generall of Christ. Vpon this then so important an article were assembled in diuers parties of Europe nationall Synods and particulerly in France was called the Councell in the Land of Tampes where to be able with the more light more fauourable assistance of the holy Ghost to decide so great
a difficulty it seemed good to the King himselfe and the more principall Bishops that aboue all the Abbot of Clareuallis should be called thereto so great was the conceipt had euen at that tyme of the wisedome spirit that spake by him Being inuited then on behalfe of the King and exhorted withall by the other Abbots of his Order to whome he was euer most obedient he went his wayes thither wholy full of feare and trembling considering the waight and danger and the other qualityes of the busines And yet he felt notwithstāding great comfort in a vision which he had on his way by night wherein was represented to him a very great assembly of Ecclesiasticall persons who with sweet harmony praysed and glorifyed God from whence he conceaued firme hope that soone after would follow the desired vnion and concord of the Christian people When he came then to the place designed and that the Councell was opened the Faste◅ and deuout Processions according to Apostolicall custome being celebrated in the same first Sessi◅on with iudgment and consent resolution was made that the whole controuersy should be remitted to S. Bernard the seruant of God and nothing should be done therein but what he determined Which charge truly as vntolerable the man of God refused with great modesty but won at last through the prayers and authority of that holy multitude he accepted the same and buckles himselfe to the enterprise so much mote stout and confident in God as he was more dif◅ident and weake in himselfe So as inuoking the ayde of Heauen making a most exact inquisition and examine first of the manner and order of Election then also of the qualities and merits of the Electours as of both the elected Popes themselues he securely nominated declared Innocent for the chiefe and true Pastour to which proposition was not one in the whole Councell which opposed awhit but suddenly singing a ioyful Hymne with the accustomed prayers and thankesgiuings they all with one accord subscribed to the sayd declaration In the meane tyme Innocent being not able to resist the power and fury of the adursaryes going forth of Rome and receaued with due honour reuerence of all Tuscany he came into France and the glorious Abbot with the same greatnes of courage pa◅ed ouer into England where King Henry through the persuasion of some Prelates declared and shewed himselfe very backward and hard to accept of Innocent But the venerable Abbot after many reasons alleadged in vayne at last full of zeale fortitude sayd to him What feares your highnes doubt you to commit synne with affording obedience to Innocent Go to then do but thinke as you ought to doe to render accompt to God for your other synnes and doe you leaue this to me and I will take it vpon my charge With such an offer made that mighty King without more adoe was satisfyed and was so assured thereof as he determined to goe forth of his kindome to goe meete and humbly receaue Innocent who through Prouence and Burgundy being come to Chartres Henry came thither to kisse his feet who with great common iubiley and giue him the Apostolicall benediction While many matters touching the diuine seruice and the holy Church were there handled and defined in the sayd place behold the Popes Nuntio's to arriue thither from Germany with letters frō those Lords and those Countryes full of affectious prayers that his Holines would daigne so much as to comfort those Northerne parts with his presence since now all through the example of France and England acknowledged him for supreme guide and head of the Church militant But the Pope so soone could not affoard himselfe to those nations being with so much deuotion cōtinually entertayned and desired by the Cittyes of France through which hauing made his progresse a while he intimated a Councell in Rhems where likewise hauing ordayned many things to the honour of God he after with many solemne ceremonyes at the instance of King Lodouik the Father crowned and annointed Lodouike the sonne in the place of Philip his elder brother deceased In these and other actions the Pope would neuer suffer the glorious Abbot of Clareuallis to depart from his side yea diuers supplications of moment were presented vnto him and he would afterwardes propose them in the consistory where S. Bernard was forced to be present and to sit with Cardinalls themselues vndertaking the protection of the opppressed and shewing continually fauour to what was honest iust after which the Councell brake vp and the Pope going to meet with the Emperour Lotharius at Liege was entertayned with much solemnity and great veneration But al that ioy was changed very soone into sadnes and bitternes because while it seemed to Lotharius he had a rare oportunity without trouble and difficulty to strayten the Pope and draw him to his designes he began to make suite to recouer agayne the inuestitures of Bishopriques taken away heeretofore from the hands of Henry his Predecessour Innocent with his whole Court being strooken with so harsh a proposition and so vnexpected grew pale thereat and stood as a man wholy voyd of counsayle as seeming to him he met in Liege with a greater checke then formerly in Rome it selfe when the venerable Abbot with freedome of mind and meruaylous liberty counterposed himselfe as a solid wall to the demaund pretension of the Emperour and so well disswaded and discoursed as he soone drew him from that couetous and ambitious thought An exployt surely of a poore Monke truely glorious and hitherto vnheard or howbeyt perhapps for so happy a successe may some prayse also be giuen vnto those tymes wherein commonly the Signors and Potentates of Christendome applyed themselues of their owne accord or easily at least were brought to exalt propagate the splendour and authority of the Apostolique Sea whereas at this day O vnworthy spectacle it seemes as all were striuing to abate the same to weaken and euen to extinguish it quite But heere let vs silence all odious and vnprofitable complaints Troubles arising in the Church through the faction of the Antipope were by S. Bernard pacifyed in fauour of the true Pope with the miserable end of a cheife Party of the Schisme Chap. 14. INnocent being thus freed by meanes of S. Bernard from the anxiety he was in and hauing taken moreouer a firme purpose and a inuiolable promise of Lotharius to come with his army to Rome as soone as possibly he might to quiet the tumults there and to place him in the pontificall Throne tooke his leaue of the Church of France and ioyfully went towardes Italy making his iourney through Burgundy and by the way was pleased to visit and take Clareuallis for his Inne where receiuing much consolation of the voluntary pouerty and abstinence religious conuersation of the Monks he prosecuted his iourney and arriuing at Rome found Lotharius there ready with his army by whom being brought through