satisfying Gods Justice and working our salvation Of serving God There are two ways of serving God when wee despise the World and love God onely this is Religion in perfection the other is when wee love God and the world and this is an imperfect affection and profession of Religion The former is perfection without imperfection which is not attainable in this life for since wee bee partly flesh and partly spirit our affections are divided in their operations I sleepe saith the Spouse but my heart waketh her better part was directed towards God her carnall part was lesse capable of heavenly raptures being sluggish and drowsie The good that we would do that doe wee not but the evill we would not doe that doe wee Wee love God and the World here as if the love of God and the World were competible but the good Christian labours as much as hee may to renounce the World to gaine God which is better then 1000 Worlds to lose God is to lose all Tolle meum tolle Deum to lose the World and get God by the losse of it is with Mary to choose the better part which never shall be taken away God is All in All. None but Christ. Of Christs Incarnation Christ that he might shew himselfe unto men and teach them the true way of adoring and worshipping his Father taking on him our nature came downe into the World his first Miracle being to shew God in the shape of a man And surely that was a great miracle farre beyond the reach of our capacitie that the Creatour should so farre stoop to the Creature as to take upon him the nature of man that hee that made woman should be borne of a woman that he whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain should be contained in the narrow wombe of a Virgin that God that made man should himselfe be made man in all things like us sin alone excepted that the Sonne should take upon him the nature of a servant that the King of Kings should be subject himselfe to the meanest vassals that he that was invested with the Robes of the Deity should be clothed with the rags of our humanity A wonder exceeding all wonder a Miracle without a parallell Of the Devils power The Devill doth worke upon the natural inclination and free will which men have unto evill thereby overthrowing States and Cities and by the flattery of pleasures drawing many soules to all kind of wickednesse taking their affections with pleasant and delightfull objects hee doth hold the World in captivity and subjection The Devill cannot compell us to commit sin hee may move externally by propounding objects but the tinder which taketh fire is our own naturall corruption We may thanke our selves for sin and the punishment of sin Eve blamed the Serpent the Serpent beguiled me this made her not excusable had shee not consented to the temptation the Serpent had not deceived her but the occasion of sinning being offered and the will consenting sin is committed and punishment for sinne is admitted Of the Apostles Christ chose illiterate men to convert the whole World which hee did that his divine counsell and power working and operating in them might be manifested and declared It is Gods ordinary proceeding by small or no meanes to bring great things to passe what were a few fishermen for converting the whole World What weake instruments were Rams Horns for the blowing downe of the walles of Iericho Elijahs Mantle divideth Iordan A little barley Cake tumbling downe the Hill overthrows the tents of Midian Thus Gods strength is perfected in weaknesse and his Majestie shines in meannesse and the more contemptible the means the greater is his glory manifested in the meanes that hee that glorieth may glory in the Lord. Of Christs Divinity Christs Divinity shined through his body as light doth through a Lanthorn with beams of humane and divine light illuminating the soules of men No marvell then that his Adversaries confesse saying Never man spake like this man his words argued his Divinity which were socelestiall and void of exception as mans wisdome could not contradict When his Adversaries would have apprehended him they went backwards and fell to the ground another argument of his Deity the rayes whereof confounded the faces and daunted the courage of malicious men When Pilate said Knowest thou not that I have power to condemne thee reply was made thou couldst have none except it were given thee from above My Deity stoops not to thine humanity Of Gods Word The Fountaines of Israel were the words which were delivered to Israel for to them the Oracles of God were first committed whence living waters should be drawn to water the Church of Christ. Therefore Saint Pauls caution was not in vaine that wee should not despise the Iewes they being broken off from the Olive tree wee being graffed in and partaking of the fatnesse of it their ruine is our rising Let us not be high-minded but feare least wee suffer by their example Of Gods Omnipotencie God doth order augment perfect penetrate and move all things in every place yet his nature is not thereby impaired or polluted and thus he becomes a Saviour and Physician to the wicked and as the Musician sheweth his Art in tuning a disordered Harpe so Christ declareth himselfe to be the soules Physician by curing mans discording affections and regulating them by his exemplary Life and Doctrine It is God that is able when and how hee will to dispose of the creature for his owne glory and our good If wee bee so fast bound with chains in prison that wee cannot get out hee turnes our captivity as the Rivers in the South if sicknesse oppresse God is our health Are we hungry God is the bread of Life to feed us thirsty God is water of life to refresh us naked his robes of righteousnesse cloath us he is every way able to relieve us Of Salvation Christ by his precious bloud wrought mans freedome and redemption his desertion by God on the Crosse was either to manifest the dignity of his passion or his miraculous affection to mankind laying downe his soule for mans salvation Admirable was his love to man in so great a worke and in the manner of performing it the worke was wonderfull that enemies should be saved who were to be destroyed and the manner of it as wonderfull that it should be procured with the shedding of his owne bloud a drop whereof is more precious then a thousand Worlds Our sins were of a deepe die which nothing but Christs bloud could expiate It was not the shedding of the bloud of Bullocks or Goats in time of the Law that was satisfactory to God they were types of the shedding of the bloud of the Lambe of God which taketh away the sins of the World manent actn tolluntur reatu This is Christ our Saviour And as hee was infinitely read in Books of Divinity so
and slavery and got some of them to bee released from their torments Titus did so love him that he gave him great Possessions and Revenues and tooke him as his Companion when hee went for Rome Where hee was received with a great deale of Honour not only of Titus but of Vespasianus himselfe and Domitianus and his Empresse and had an Annuall pension very large given him by the Emperour and it was not taken from him during life he lived in Titus his owne Court in great esteeme but not without the envy of his own Nation his second Wife was of Creta a Iewesse and nobly descended by whom hee had two sonnes Nay even Domitianus himselfe continued favourable unto him and punished with death some of his Accusers Hee was excellent for Philosophy and Rhetorick and a famous Historiographer for his time he was for the excellencie of his Wit and Learning and singular uprightnesse of life much admired of the Senate and People of Rome though being a Iew yet hee did highly prayse Christians and gave a famous Testimony of our Lord Iesus Christ as you may read in his Works His Workes were so prized that they with great care were put into the publike Library by the Romans and hee after his death had a Statue of Brasse set up for him by the Senate and people of Rome His life was long and full of paine and labour for hee lived under Vespasian and Titus even to the times of Trajan in the hundred yeere after Christ. Eusebius is large in his praise and so is Ruffinus and Hierome and Nicephorus also and others and amongst all the turmoils of warre and destruction of his Country hee set time to write worthy things which the Church of God even to this day doe greatly esteeme for their reality fidelity and truth and here are registred as Eusebius hath exprest them 1 Of the Jews Antiquities 20 Books 2 Of the Wars of the Jews in seven Books which hee not onely writ in Greeke but also in his owne Language 3 Against Appion the Grammarian two accurate Books Of the force of Rhetorick one Book So after all things enjoying the love both of the Emperour and Citizens of Rome he departed this fraile and transitory life and had solemne Funerall Rites performed for him and was generally lamented of all good men An. Christi 71. S. Ignatius S. IGNATIVS IN the writing of this Fathers life I cannot but reverence his Antiquitie and admire his Christian fortitude he is of such ancient extraction that he was one of those that enjoyed that for which Saint Augustine wished that is to have seene the Lord Iesus in the flesh and though he did not as old Simeon take him up in his armes yet he beheld him with his eyes and embraced him with his heart and at last for his Name sake endured constant Martyrdome and indeed it was a great happinesse to behold Christ who was the hope of all and therefore he himselfe spoke it that even Kings and Prophets have desired to see the same This great Star of the Church is by other Reverend Fathers reputed to have been twelve yeeres old when our Saviour suffered Hee was the third Bishop of Antioch after Saint Peter or as Eusebius saith the second A man singular for his Pietie renowmed for his Love and Zeale Dionysius the Areopagite Saint Bernard and others report a famous saying of Saint Ignatius which hee uttered with sighes and is extant in his Epistle to the Romans and it is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Amor meus crucifixus est That is My Love is crucified Either understanding by the word Love his Saviour Christ whom hee so dearly loved or else meaning that all his Affections of this World were crucified that is dead in him according to that of Saint Paâ—l Galat. 6. 14. The world is crucified unto mee and I unto the world And no question but that our Saviour was planted deeply in his soul and for certainty that he did see Christ after his Resurrection take his own words Ego verò post resurrectionem in carne â—um vidi credo quia sit And truly I did see after his Resurrection in the flesh and I do believe that it is He and hee sets down the time and persons when and before whom it was Et quando venit ad Petrum adeos qui cum Petro erant It was when hee came to Peter and to those that then were with him hee said Touch and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see mee have and they touched him and believed so that his own words are sufficient proofs but yet it is the consent of all the Church Historians as Eusebius and Saint Ierome testifie and Ruffinus As hee was led through Asia with great circumspection by ten Souldiers hee strived to do good in all places whither hee came for it may be said of him as of the Apostles That they went about and confirmed the Churches even so this godly Ignatius with holy Discourses and pious exhortations did establish the Churches in his Travels and chiefly because at this time Heresies began to be broached hee gave them speciall warning that they should beware and shun them keeping the Gospell of Jâ—sus Christ which they had received with simplicitie and sincerity And that they should Mordicus adhaerescere Traditioni Apostolorum Cleave close to the doctrine and tradition of the Apostles which that it might be truly kept for ever hee thought it fit to be written out he is stiled Divinus Ignatius Inclytissimus ferventissimus Martyr that is Divine Ignatius a most famous and fervent Martyr Nay Nicephorus goes beyond that title and cals him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that saw God and one that was carried of God For when he was a Child Nicephorus reports that our Saviour would take him up and shew him to his Disciples And it may be that this was one of the little Children that were brought to Christ to touch them and why not that Childe that Jesus took and set in the midst of them to learne them Humility hee long time lived with the Apostle and succeeded Euodius whom Saint Paul mentions in the Bishoprick of Antioch on a time in a Trance he saw a Vision of Angels praising the blessed Trinitie in distinct courses alternis Carminibus by singing of Verses by turnes Whereupon he did bring into the Church of Antioch the forme of Antiphonies or Anthemes and from that the other Churches even to this day do observe them Hee sate Bishop of Antioch nine yeeres in which time he did maynly build up the Church of his Saviour being alwayes wondrous strict in reproving Superstition and Idolatry in so much that hee did not spare to reprehend the superstition of the Emperour Trajan himselfe who then was at Antioch and for that very cause commanded him to be carried to Rome to be torne and devoured
patternes could move those Heathens for Valerianus and Galienus Emperours The Proconsull Aspatius Paternus seeing of what great authority Saint Cyprian was in Carthage nor yet daring to lay hands on him commanded him to depart the City Wel Saint Cyprian obeyed his Injunction and went to Curubis for one yeere till the Proconsull died whom Galienus Maximus succeeded and then this Father returned and if the persecution had not hindred hee had sold all his Gardens and distributed the mony to the poore He told his friends the time of his Martyrdome But this Proconsul hearing where Saint Cyprian lived and how the people flocked to him commanded him to bee apprehended and carefully to bee watched in his owne house hither came a world of people supposing to have seene the Martyrdome of this Reverend Father but he knowing this purpose of the Proconsul did prevent him for he departed to Vtica and writ an Epistle to the Christians shewing the cause well though he suffered not Martyrdome in the Citie of Carthage but at Sextum six miles distant so called because the sixt great stone from Carthage was here erected as also it was called Saint Cyprians Table not for his banqueting there but because he was offered up there yet there was such an infinite multitude of people there as if it had beene in the middle of Carthage it selfe Nay this Father at the very time of suffering was so carefull to doe good as though death had not beene so neere to him witnesse his comforts that hee gave to Virgins at the same time Hee suffered under Galienus Maximus who when it was told him that the Emperour had commanded him to death answered joyfully doe fully what belongs to your office and one telling him he must lose his head Saint Cyprian answered God be thanked for delivering mee from the bonds of the flesh the people that accompanied him desired also to suffer with him When hee came to the place of Martyrdome hee put off his Bishops attire and gave them to his Deacons onely reserved one to die in and wisht them to give to his Executioner 25 pieces of Gold in testimony of his love to him All the Clergie and his friends wondrously deplored his death so that they laid their owne garments under his body because none of his bloud should fall to the ground hee covered his owne eyes and so kneeling down tooke the blow of the Executioner quietly and with all signes of joy All the Christians had a great care to see his body honourably interred not fearing all the threats of the Officers nor Heathens Hee was the first of all the Bishops of Carthage that suffered Martyrdome afterward there were two great Churches builded to his honour one was â—uilâ— in the plâ—ce of his Martyrdome the other where he was buried So many of the Fathers doe praise him that wee cannot comprehend all Saint Hierome calls him an holy and most eloquent man St. Augustine reckons him amongst the rarest and learnedst men a most sweet Doctour a most glorious Martyr an unconquered Martyr and such like glorious titles He suffered under Valerianus and Galiâ—nus on the eighteenth of the Calends of October His Sentences are these De Sanctorum passione The Psalmist tels us That preâ—ious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Whereupon saith Cyprian that though they were vexed in small things they should be required with great maâ—tâ—rs and what though they were in the 〈◊〉 yet they should come forth with the more lusâ—re and glory we know that the Prophets and Apostles are our patterns in these bonds and we know That if wee doe suffer with him here wee shall be sure to reigne with him hereafter And as hee did encourage those that were in â—onds so hee advised those that were free to cherish those that were in misery Cyprian Epist. 2. de disciplina habitu Virginis Discipline is the preserver of hope the reins of Faith the guide of salvation the encouragement of a good disposition the mistresse of vertue making us cleave to Christ and live to God and to obtaine heavenly promises and divine rewards Cyprian in Epist. An open enemy is not so much to be feared as a secret enemy that creeps on secretly as the Serpent who is so called from his secret creepâ—ng on Cyprian de 12 abusionibus The justice of the King is the peace of the people the defence of the Countrey the freedome of the people the joy of mankind the â—almnesse of the Sea the fruitfulnesse of the â—arth the comfort of the poore the inheritance of children and the hope of future happinesse Cyprian de habitu Virginis Those that are clothed in silke and purple cannot be sincerely clothed with Christ and those that are so curiously dressed want the oâ—naments of the soule Cyprian de laud. poen O Repentance thou dost lose that which is bound open that which is shut mitigate adversitie heale after contrition enlighten confusion and enliven desperation Cyprian Ep. 5. de Oratione dominica Thy will be done Christ did practice and preach the will of God humility in conversation stability in faith modesty in words justice in deeds mercy in works discipline in manners innocencie in doing wrong patience in suffering wrongs to maintaine concord with our brethren to love God with all our heart to love him as a Father to feare him as a Lord to preferre nothing before Christs love as hee preferred nothing before our love His Workes follow as they are reckoned up by worthy Writers Foure Books of Epistles in number 83. 1 Of the habit of Virgins 2 One Treatise 3 Of such as are falne one booke 4 Of the simplicity of Prelats and the Churches unitie one book 5 Vpon the Lords Prayer one book 6 Against Demetrianus one book 7 Of the vanitie of Idols one book 8 Of mortalitie one book 9 Of Almsdeeds one book 10 Of the God of patience one book 11 Of Zeale and envy one book 12 Of exhortation to Martyrdâ—m one book 13 To Quirinus against the Jews three books 14 To Jubajanus of baptizing Hereticks one booke 15 To Pompeius against the Epistle of Stephanus the Pope one book Pamelius reckons these two amongst the Epistles 16 Sentences out of the Councel of Carthage concerning the baptizing of Hereticks There are some others which are doubtfull and supposititious 17 Of Syna and Sion one Tract 2 An Exposition of the Creed 3 Of the single life of Clergie men 4 Of the Workes of Christ twelve Sermons 5 Of the prayse of Martyrdome 6 Of Discipline 7 To Novatianus 8 Of a twofold Martyrdome 9 Of players at dice. 10 Of the disposing the Lords Supper 11 Of Playes and publike Shews 12 Verses on Genesis Sodome on the Paschall Lambe 13 A prayer for the Martyrs which begins Agios 14 Another prayer which begins Domine â—ancte pater But there cannot be any certainty of the truth of these and therefore I leave it to the Readers
that Saint Basil was so beloved of God that hee was kept in the midst of all dangers as an other Noah and as Moses Aaron and Iosuah Symeon Metaphr astes names him Praeclarissimam Ecclesiae facem splendidissimum purae Veritatis Solem qui suorum claritate radiorum omnes orbis terrarum or as illustret and also Excelsam Dei Columnam Theologiae Iâ—bar legitimum ipsius sapientiae filium Consummatam Intelligentiae perfectionem Patris aeterni Legatum Divini verbi Tubam Donorum Spiritus Sancti Dispensatorem fidelem that is The resplendent torch of the Catholike Church a bright Sunne to the truth by whose lustre and brightnesse all the parts of the world are enlightned a main Pillar for the trueth of God a bright beame of theologie the very sonne of Wisdome the perfection of Understanding the Embassador of the Eternall Father the trumpet of Gods Word a faithfull Steward and Dispensour of the guifts of the Holy Ghost Thus doe these and so have many others of the Primitive Fathers celebrated this Saint Basills praise Cardinall Bellarmine speaking of his Works calls them no otherwise then Basilii Magni opera praeclarissima the most famous works of Saint Basill the Great hee flourished under Valens died under Gratianus as Saint Hierome in his Ecclesiasticall Writers doth testifie Saint Basils Sayings To know thy selfe is a difficult consideration For as the eye can see all things but it selfe so some can discerne all faults except their owne Divine Love is a never failing treasure hee that hath it is rich and hee that wanteth it is poore The love of God is an excellent ointment to cure the infirmities of the minde and cleere the eyes of the understanding Basil. in Hexamero Hee that willâ—know true love let him learne to love Christ for Christ is love Basil ibid. Divine love is a never failing treasure he that hath it is rich and he that wants it is poore Basil in hom What shall I doe shall I pull downe my Barnes Who doth not pitie his unhappinesse He wants in abundance and is troubled with too much wealth and is unhappy in his present prosperitie and as his field brought him a great increase so that increase did augment his care and trouble Basil in Hexameron There are three things which nourish Humilitie daily subjection consideration of our own frailtie and the hope of reward Basil in Hom. Every Hypocrite is like Simon carrying the Crosse on his shoulders they afflict their bodies with corporall abstinence and yet through the love of glory they live to the World Basil ibid. Three things doe settle a wandring minde watching me ditation and prayer the assiduity and fervencie whereof doe establish and settle the soule Hee being asked why wee should love those that speak ill of us answered Because for their sakes it is that we are blessed according to those words of Christ Blessed are yee when men speak evill of you Mat. 6. He likewise being demanded of Eubulus the Philosopher what was the definition of Philosophie answered The meditation of death He being demanded again Quis est mundus made this answer Quâ— est super mundum Saint Basil speaking of the joyes of Heaven saith of the sweete harmony that is there the sweet melodie the heavenly musique they enjoy would ravish a soule on earth if it were but capable of it nay farther hee goes and sayes that it is sweeter than devotion more sweete than contemplation and farre sweeter than all things in this earthly Mansion Sanctus Basil in Psal primum When he had read the Bible over saith that it is a Physicians shop of preservatives against poysoned Heresies A patterne of profitable Laws against rebellions spirits a treasury of most costly jewels against beggerly rudiments a foundation of most pure water springing up unto everlasting life The originall thereof being from Heaven not from Earth the Author being God not man the matter veritie pietie puritie uprightnesse The forme is Gods Word Gods testimony Gods Oracles are effects light of understanding repentance from dead works newnesse of life peace and holinesse the end and reward of the studie The same Basil hearing of a Senator that had renounced the World and yet retained unto himselfe some part of his meanes to live within a Cloyster told him that he had left to be a Senatour that was not made a Monke I have here set downe his Works as they are contained in foure Tomes printed at Basile in the yeere of Grace 1540. Tome 1. 1 Homilies upon the work of the six days being eleven in number 2 Homilies upon the Psalmes 17. 3 Homilies of severall Arguments 28. Tome 2. 1 Of Virginity two books 2 Of Paradise one book 3 Against Eunomius three books 4 Against Sabellians and Arrians 5 Of the Holy Ghost one book 6 Of free will one book 7 Of Baptisme two books Tome 3. 1 Sermons seven 2 Of the judgement of God 3 Of the Confession of Faith 4 The summe of Morals 80. 5 Questions largely explained 6 Questions shortly explained 7 Monasticall Constitutions Tome 4. Epistles of Saint Basil and Gregory the Divine 180. 2 An Epistle to Chilo of solitary life 3 Other Epistles of the same 4 An Oration against them who calumniate those which say there is a Trinitie Cardinall Bellarmine thinks as Saint Hierom that there are but nine Homilies of Saint Basils the other two he supposes to bee Gregory Nyssens and so this great Light went out whose memory wil ever be fresh and honorable among the faithfull An. Christi 390. The Life of S. Gregory Nazianzen S. GREGORI NAZIANZEN GRegory first Bishop of Sasima a little Citie in Cappadocia then of Nazianzen in Cappadocia and then of Constantinople whom the Graecians for his singular learning and authority first after Saint Iohn the Evangelist sirnamed the Divine was a living Library of Philosophie and Divinitie and the most eloquent Oratour of his Time attayning to the high stile of Polemon Laodicenus a most famous Sophister So that as men exceed beasts in the ability of speech so hee excelled others in the facultie of Eloquence and sweetnesse of speech whereby he allured mens minds enclined their wills and affections defended the poor and oppressed comforted the afflicted and got himselfe a generall fame and good opinion using it also to the edification and instruction of others in Divinity For his eloquence was but the expression of his divine contemplations and conceptions Non enim tam nos ratio juvaret nec tam esset in nobis manifesta nisi quae mente concepimus proferre etiam loquendo possemus Ipsa vitae praecepta etsâ— natura sunt honesta tamen plus ad formandas mentes valeant quoties pulchritudinem rerum claritas orationis illuminat Reason would not be so helpfull to us nor so manifest in us unlesse wee could by speech expresse our conceipts Even moral precepts of life although naturally honest yet are more powerfull to fashion minds when
ought to be done of such as would please God There was one Caecilius a Priest and upright man who first did enlighten his minde a man worth commendation whom this Saint Cyprian highly honoured and reverenced calling him novae vitae parentem The Father of his Christian life It is not possible to reckon up all his severall graces this adds to his credit that being but a Neophyte in Christianity yet God so disposed it that hee was chosen to be a Bishop with an unconceiveable joy of the people which did honour him but he was so humble that hee seemed not to regard their praises but at his comming out and going into his house a World of Christians attended quae illi pietas qui vigorâ— misericordia quanta quanta censura O how great his piety his valour O how admirable his mercy and his discretion His countenance full of gravity and pleasantnesse not too much expressing a severe sadnesse nor yet affecting wantonnesse but so equally tempered that it was hard to say whether hee was more loved or feared his carriage was answerable to his aspect not any wayes swelling or puft up with pride nor dejected with poverty But what was this Bishops love to the poore may be a patterne to all succeeding ages but Satan envied this good man and so at last he was banished but even in this state he performed a world of good Witnesse that speech made and sent to Nemesianus â—oelix and Lucius with other Priests and Deacons saying It is no shame but glory not to be feared but to be rejoyced at to suffer banishment or paines for Christ that such as suffer shew that they are valiant Captains of Vertue provoking by the confessions of their mouth and sufferings of their bodies the hearts of the faithfull to Martyrdome For saith he it is no new thing for a Christians body to be beaten with clubs or to be full of wounds or skars in as much as they were ornaments to them not any discouragements and though the Mines afford no beds to Christians yet they shall rest in the Lord and though their weary bodies lie on the cold ground yet they shall be refreshed though their hands and feet have bin loaden with fetters and chains of iron yet Christ will loose them and make them free men of Heaven the tying of them fast here is a meanes to make them run the faster to Heaven and though they be stripped of their garments yet Christs Righteousnesse would cover them their deformity shall be turned to honour their mourning to joy their pain to pleasure and to endlesse felicity And though they could not bee admitted the Temples to pray in yet they might offer their bodies and souls in humility and contrition to God which would be Sacrifices that would please him And concludes his comfortable speech to them with the words of S. Paul These present sufferings are not to be compared with the brightnesse of that glory that shall be revealed to the Children of God As also that saying of his shews his worth Quis doceret poenitentiam lapsos Veritatem Hâ—reticos Schismaticos unitatem filios Dei pacem Evangelicae pacis legem Who ever gave such directions to such as were fâ—lne to renew their repentance Who ever gave better directions to Hereticks to embrace the Truth Who better taught Schismaticks the way to Unity or the Children of God the pâ—th of peace and prayer By Him it was that the blaspheming Gentiles were convinc'd in themselves of those things whereof they accused the Christians By Him it was that the weaker Christians were so willing to forsake all worldly preferments in hope of a reward in heaveu Hee it was of whom wee may truly learne pity and patience It was this Cyprian that overcame the malice of his Eâ—vious Adversaries by a sweet and Christian-like meeknesse Who was it that afforded stronger Cordials and Counsels to conquering Martyrs and to speak truth Quis denique tot confessores frontium notatarum secunda inscriptione signatos ad exemplum Martyrii superstites reservatos incentivo tubae Coelestis animaret Who ever did by the heavenly trumpet encourage so many Confessours branded and twice written downe and signed and daily expecting Martyrdome to stand firme in the faith as Saint Cyprian It was then the singular providence of God that this man should be yet reserued so that his feare and his departure was divine and approved that yet he might confirme many convince others and comfort many others in their sufferings for at this time the Church of God was deeply wounded by the common adversary and therefore fit it was that hee and such like as he was should binde up and cure the wounded and broken Lactantius gives this Cyprian a great commendation for his gravity and cleernesse of stile he was unwilling to have been Bishop but the voices of all cried out either Saint Cyprian or none and indeed who can sufficiently set forth either his wisdome or diligence in feeding Christ his flock so that hee was like a loving Father to all A vigilant Bishop and an heavenly inâ—pired Master when as the Church 〈…〉 miserably wasted by persecution under 〈◊〉 the Emperour whose governmenâ— was â—ut short but as Saint Cypriâ—n witnesseth himselfe extremly bloudy for the Church saith 〈◊〉 having enjoyed a long peace under his â—â—ther all men studied their private wealth so that Devotion and Religion and good 〈◊〉 were quite neglected and all estates and â—orts of men and women were fearfully corrupâ—ed sâ—vit hoc â—â—agellâ—m Deus God suffered thi◠〈◊〉 of persecution to reforme it which Saint Cyprian avoided by flying as 〈◊〉 testifies but his Adversaries sought for him to have cast him to be devoured by Lions in the Amphitheatre so that they that would â—ot believe him a Bishop in prosperity should 〈◊〉 him one in banishment but what great goâ—â— in his banishment did hee performe doth easily appeare by his care to see the slaughtered christians to have decent buriall to care that 〈◊〉 wounded and mangled should have releafe and comfort and it pleaâ—ed God to afford him â—uch a perswading power that he obtain'd whatsoever he desired for them but this storme of persecution was but of one yeers continuance For 〈◊〉 raigned but one yeer and three moneths so that all things being â—alme this Saint Cyprian returned to his charge againe gathering together the dispersed â—lock yet for all this the Barbarians entred Nâ—midia wasting and destroying many Christians whom Saint Cyprians provided for and got monies for the ransome of such as were captives About this time a grievous pestilence raged in Africk in which Saint Cyprian shewed a marvellous measure of Piety and Charity Hee comforted some administred to those that were in want hee stird up those Christians that were persecuted by Pagans to afford them neverthelesse reliefe in the time of Contagion teaching them to doe good even for evill but yet not all these unparalleld
led a Monastick course of life and was over the Church of Edissa as Trithemius reports in his booke of Ecclesiasticall Writers He was made Priest by Saint Basil the Great borne he was of Christian parents in the time of Constantine the Great a Syrian hee was by Nation even from his childhood abstemious and shunned the appearance of evill His parents in a Vision saw a fruitfull Vine branch spring forth of Ephraems mouth and they saw it spread as it were into most parts of the world and though all the fowles of Heaven came and eat of the fruit yet still there remayned a great quantity this as they verily judged shewed how his doctrine of the true Vine Iesus Christ should be so copious and delicate that all Nations in all ages might out of his Works gather nourishment and yet there would be store enough for others that should come after and certain it is that this man had admirable endowments whom all the worthy Fathers of the Church have so highly commended it will not therefore seeme false what here is recorded of this Father if so many worthy Writers may be credited and it hath alwayes been the custome of the Church to celebrate the memory of pious and religious men especially of those who did as this Ephraem optabat enim non videri sed bonus esse he did not onely desire to seeme but to be really good whose minde was as a golden Ring all enchased and decored with rich jewels heare therefore what a man he was of whom Gregorius Nyssenus speaks thus Celebrandus est mihi igitur Ephraem ille qui cunctis Christianis versantur in ore that is That Ephraem the Syrian must be praysed of me who is well known to all Christians in the World neither is hee ashamed of his Kindred whose Vertues are as a generall light to all whose life and doctrine have made most men wonder at him there are none but such as be ignorant of great Saint Basil but know him And as the same Father speaks the prayses which he gives this man are not small or such onely as are worldly neither doth hee speake of his education or forme of bodie or comelinesse of his person but as hee witnesseth they were Actio Contemplatio Fides Spes Charitas Pietas erga Deum c. that is Action and Contemplation Faith Hope and Charitie Pietie towards God Meditation on the holy Scriptures puritie of minde and bodie strict Mortifications privacie of life diligence in prayer often changing his place by trials and hardnesse a flying from evill being instant in preaching no lodging but the cold earth an incredible austeritie of life poverty with singular Humility mercifull in a manner beyond humane condition opposing and indeed not enduring the Broachers of Heresies in a word furnished with all the gracious endowments that should bee in the man of God how zealously did He in His Writings by sundry places of Scripture and severall undeniable arguments detest those furious and mischiefe working Hereticks as Sabellius Arrius Apollinarius Anomius Novatus and others in so much that He was stiled the Pancratiastes or the unconquered Souldier of Iesus Christ For his great love to God and his Neighbours the words of his own will do sufficiently declare which deserve to be engraven in Golden Characters Nullo modo in tota mea vita contra Deum contumeliosus extiti nec sermo stultus è labiis meis egressus est Neminem in tota vita maledict is onerari nec cum ullo Christiano homine contentiosum me praebus that is By no means in all my life saith hee have I reproached God or suffered foolish words to flie out of my mouth never did I burthen any man with curses nor did I ever shew my selfe contentious with any so that it doth plainly appeare what circumspection hee had over his wayes Hee was wondrous studious in the Word of God and made divers very comfortable and learned Commentaries and he was wonderfull eloquent to perswade men to embrace the Word of God hee kept his bodie and minde chaste and pure as doth appeare by repelling the shamelesse behaviour of a lewd woman which being instigated by the Devill thought to have entic'd him to lust but this grave Father what with his exhortations admonitions and divine speeches caught and overcame the Tempter so that shee which had beene light of behaviour by his fatherlike advise prov'd a grave modest religious Matron He would very often weep for and bewaile the calamities of men the losse of time his inbred corruptions Hee that reads but that one Tract of his of Humilitie seriously will if endued with any sparke of grace remove all pride and self-conceit and will with that King and this Father confesse That hee is a worme and no man corrupted with sinne and iniquitie Indeed Humility for her excellency should be the sister of true Nobility for God hath more respect unto them that with humblenesse of heart can cast themselves lowly before the presence of his Majesty For as the lowlinesse of heart maketh man highly in favour with God even so meeknesse of words maketh him to sinke into the hearts of men such was this our Ephraems condition of humilitie Who shall read his booke of Divine Love whose heart will not be inflamed For the greatest argument of godly love is to love that which God willeth and commandeth and contrariwise not to love that which God loveth not And the true lover of God which is properly the charitable person is under no rule but he is Lord above all inventions all precepts and all commandements that God hath given to man for love is not confined or limited within any bounds Who shal read his Tract of Chastity Virginity wherin it is praysed but wil studie to keep his body and soule free from adultery and lust and say as Saint Paul did that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost For Chastitie is the beauty of mans life consisting either in sincere Virginity or in faithfull Matrimony For chastitie puritie of life continencie or refusing the corrupt pleasures of the flesh and of this witty wicked world are precious in the â—ight of our Creatour and doe possesse such as keepe their bodies cleane and undefiled and in life and conversation refraine from evill And who is hee that hath any sence in him or faith meditating his Divine Sermons of the last judgement and Christs second comming but will speedily prepare himselfe to appeare and strive ever so to live as if he was presently to give an account of his whole life for our whole life is nothing else but as it were a glue which in a man fasteneth the soule and body together which proceedeth of the temperament of the Elements whereof the bodie is made which if it bee not violently melted before through our owne distemperance or loosed with the moysture of our owne merits or suddenly consumed with the
Iezabel but now the Empresse being angry studied revenge and so Theophilus comming to Constantinople with some other Bishops of whom as Palladius affirmes Acacius of Beraea was of greatest note and indeed Chrysostomes greatest adversarie for they sent to Antioâ—h to enquire of his life when he was young but finding nothing worth objecting they then sent to Theophilus to Alexandria and set his malice on working who was glad at such an occasion but they found accusation against him for that Sermon which he preached out of 3 Kings 18 for they alleaged that what he said against Baals priests was meant of them and what he spoke of Iezabel he meant of Eudoxia Thus Chrysostome was beset with the malice of the Empresse and of three other women whose names were Martia the wife of Promotus Castritia the wife of Saturninus and Eugraphia as also by those some Bishops whom before he had deposed and loose priests of Constantinople and the East and West Bishops for receiving the Origenists But Theophilus workt upon two priests which Chrysostome had deposed the one for murther the other for adultery so Theophilus calls a Synod against Chrysostome and brings these and others to accuse him Saint Chrysostome thought them not competent Judges nor the other sufficient accusers So amongst all these troubles he preaches to the people wondrous godlily but they desist not but produce 29 Articles to accuse him of which Baronius sets downe compleatly so they never left until they procured his banishment so they gain'd upon the Emperour to banish him and so not having heard his accusation hee is forced to Heiron but upon an Earthquake that fell hee was recall'd but staid not long for a few moneths after Hee was by their malice banished to a little Towne of Armenia call'd Câ—cusus from thence to a place that lay upon the utmost confines of the Roman Empire exposed to the cruelty of the Barbarians but God prevented for at Comana He did quietly and peaceably commend his soule to God and his body was inâ—erred hard by Basiliscus the famous Martyr many Bishops suffered for his sake and few of his adversaries escaped unpunished The Bishops of Europe hated the proceedings The Bishops of the West would not communicate with those of the East untill they had set and enrold his name in the Table of the most famous constant Bishops and after this his later Writings were brought to Constantinople and there by a company of pious and devout Christians were reserved and so after a long and tedious troublesome life this famous Chrysostome departed Sentences out of Saint Chrysostome Of Continencie and Chastitie As a great showre of raine falling upon the fire doth streight extinguish it's force so the Word of God in the soule by meditation puts out all the fire of lustfull concupiscence Of Riches They are unthankfull Fugitives and destroy them that love them most as a boat if overladâ—n it sinkes but being justly ballasted sailes prosperously so when men stirre to heape up too much wealth they drown themselves in perdition Doe not hord up more therefore then is usefull for feare thou losest what is necessary be rich in necessaries not in superfluities Of covetous thoughts If thou wouldest not feare a storm in a calme or sicknesse in health nor beggery in wealth do as the dresser of Vines cut off the superfluous branches that the tree may bring fruit and not leaves onely so cut off those insatiable thoughts of wealth and thou hast enough Of brotherly love A bulwark of Adamant is not more impregnable than the love of Brethren as a City compacted and united is fortified against all assaults so Brethrens hearts knit up in love are unconquerable T was love that brought the Sonne of God from Heaven to reconcile all things to himselfe Against Covetousnesse A covetous man is as bad as the plague for as it infects the aire the house the body then the spirits now it makes men to be inflamed now they are distracted and can take no rest so is it with the covetous For there cannot be a worse infection in a Common-wealth than covetousnesse nay they are worse than Whores for as the Prophet says of them They open to all passengers so doth the covetous oppresse father mother brother sister servant or friend What he stands not in awe of God nor his sacred Word but laughs and derides his threats Of Faith Solid Faith is like a mighty Rocke which though the winds and waves and weather doe all beat against it to overthrow yet it stands unshaken So true faith grounded on that great Rock Christ holds out in all temptations and spirituall combats Man discerneth anothers fault easily but his owne very hardly because in anothers case his heart is quiet in his owne troubled and a troubled heart cannot consider what is good Contemne riches and thou shalt be rich contemne glory and thou shalt be glorious contemne thy enemies and thou shalt overcome them contemne slothfâ—lnesse and thou shalt enjoy rest and quietnesse Discourse and sudden speech declare a mans inward affection for a lascivious man craftily conceals his vice is discovered by his filthy speech For the conscience cannot be so dissembled but that the wantonâ—esse of the mind may be discerned in the countenance and the secrets of the heart are discovered by the motions and gestures of the bodie Spend an hundred yeeres in delights and another hundred nay ten hundred what are all they to eternitie Is not all the time of this life wherein wee enjoy delights and pleasures but like one Nights Dreame in comparison of eternity The Devils first assault is violent but if he be then valiantly resisted his second temptations will be weaker and being once foyled hee proves himselfe a coward If it were possible to be revenged on the rich you should see all the prisons filled with them but amongst other evill qualities belonging to riches this is one that they deliver and protect offenders from punishment If thou separate art and exercise exercise without art is more profitable than art without exercise For art is unfruitfull without practice and practice is rash without art Saint Chrysostome saith that Iohn Baptist spake more when his head was off than when it was on For saith he he then spake of Christ but with one tongue but being dead all that heard him speak of Christ spake by him Of prayse When God is praysed and when thanks be given unto him of men then the more plentifull blessings are given of him even for their sakes by whom hee is blessed for hee that prayseth God maketh him a debtor of a greater blessing When Eudoxia the Empresse who was wife of Arcadius had sent Messengers unto Saint Chrysostome with many threats and terrours how she would molest and vex him if he did not condiscend unto her desires The messengers failing of their purpose when they returned told her saying
his death and all that while hee prayed fervently at the time of his death his sight and hearing were good and divers priests being present and praying with him he departed this life in fulnesse of days and gave order to them for his buriall and so offered himself as a sacrifice to God hee made no Will at all but gave order that his Library and all his Bookes should be safely reserved to posterity for the Church he left an able Clergy after him his Epitaph was this Distich Vivere post obitum vatem vis nosse Viator Quod legis ecce loquor vox tua nempe mea est This doth sufficiently shew what a jewell this Saint Augustine was in the Church of God Sentences out of Saint Augustine What availes it to keepe the flesh entire if the minde be corrupted holy marriage is more excellent then proud virginity a solid hope a firm faith a sincere Charity is the virginity of the mind Of servitude Doest thou desire to have thy flesh serve the spirit let thy spirit then serve God that must be ruled that the other may rule Of Prayer If it be pure and holy it pierceth the Heaven it returnes not empty thy prayer is thy speech to God when thou readest God speaks to thee when thou prayest thou speakest to God More of Prayer It is the shelter and safeguard to the soule a sacrifice to God the scourge of the Devill Of Death There is nothing doth more abate sin then a frequent meditation of death hee cannot dy ill who lived well nor seldome doth hee die well that liv'd ill Of Riches If men want wealth it is not to bee unjustly gotten if they have wealth they are by Good works to lay it up in heaven a Christian must not be proud in their aboundance nor despaire for their absence Non verborum flores sedsequere Mores If thou wilt be perfectly purged from all vices strive to kindle in thy self the fire of divine love For if thou hast perfectly tasted the sweetnesse of divine love thou wilt not care for any temporall sweetnesse The reasonable soule made to the likenesse of God may find in this world much careful distraction but no ful satisfaction for it being capable of God cannot bee satisfied with any thing but God The covetous man like Hel devoures all and desires that there were no man else in the world that he might possesse all the World The blessednesse of this life doth consist in the heavenly wisedome quietnesse of conscience and sublimity of vertue For not to be without affliction but to overcome affliction is blessednesse Love is as strong as death for as death kils the body so the love of eternal life doth kil al worldly desires and affections for heavenly love grown to perfection grows insensible of earthly affection and he that will mortify his body must first mortify his mind Hee is a Christian that at home and in his own house thinks himselfe to be a stranger our countrey is aboue and there wee shall not bee strangers None can separate Christ from thee unlesse thou separate thy selfe from Christ. Our Redeemer was born like a child died like a Lambe rose from death like a Lion and ascended into heaven like an Eagle If Adam for one sin was cast out of Paradise O Lord what shall a poore sinner be become that hath a world of sins St. Augustine saith he that gave his son for his enemies surely hee will give his Sonne to his friends Reject not ô Lord the worke of thine own hand but be favourable and shew mercy upon me who hath been a sonne of perdition and a child of rebellion And though ô Lord I cannot weare out my tongue with praying nor my hands with lifting up to Heaven for my sins I may weare out my eyes with weeping for them And be thou ô my God more gratious to heare then the Devill is ready to be malicious to hinder Of Ingratitude Saint Augustine calls Ingratitude the Devils sponge wherewith he wipes out all the favours of the Almighty Saint Augustine was so great a lover and admirer of the seven Penitentiall Psalmes as wee call them those Psalmes that expresse the Prophet Davids sorrow for this grievous sin that hee commanded them to be written in a great letter and hung about the curtains of his death-bed within next unto him that so hee might give up the Ghost in the contemplation and meditation of them Saint Augustine speaking of the conversation of the wicked amongst the godly used to say For my part I am a man and live among men how dare I promise to my selfe that my house shall be better than Noahs Arke for there were in it both clean beasts and unclean good and bad Saint Augustine saith ô let ô let the Scriptures be my pure delight let mee not be deceived in them neither let me deceive by them Of Prayer Saint Augustine saith Lord give first what thou requirest and then require of mee what thou wilt And again saith Saint Augustine hee that prayes well cannot chuse but live well and prayers is a private expression of the soule to God for by prayer Gods eare is tied to the tongue of man we speak to God by prayers and he speaks to us by preaching I have here also set the Catalogue of his Works which are many and rare so that they may be called a little Library Tome I. 1 Retractations two books 2 Confessions thirteen books 3 Of Grammar one book 4 Of Logicke one book 5 Of the predicaments one book 6 Principles of Rhetorick one book 7 Of Musique sixe books 8 Against Academick three books 9 Of order one book 10 Of a blessed life one book 11 Soliloquies two books 12 Of a Master one book 13 Of the immortalitie the soule one book 14 Of the quantitie of the soule one book 15 Of Free Will three books 16 Of true Religion one book 17 Of the manners of the Church 18 Of the manners of Monks 19 Against the Manichees two books Tome 2. 1 Epistles of St. Augustine with rescriptions being 222. 2 Epistles to Deo gratias 49. 3 Two to Januarius 4 To Honoratus 120 5 To Paulinus 112. 6 To Boniface 150. 7 To Dardanus 57. Tome 3. 1 Of Christian Doctrine foure books 2 Speeches of holy Scripture 7 books 3 Of Faith one book 4 An Enchyridion 1 book 5 Of the Trinitie 15 books 6 Of Genesis twelve books 7 Of the wonderfull things of the Scripture three books 8 Of a Christian fight one book 9 Of the worke of Monks one book 10 Of the spirit and letter one book 11 Of Divination one book 12 Of Ecclesiasticall tenets one book 13 Of the spirit and soule one book 14 Of faith to Peter one book 15 His looking-glasse one book 16 Questions of the Trinitie one book 17 Of the Patriarchs blessings one book 18 Sentences one book
he resolves to returâ—e into his owne country hoping to finde more mercy amongst the Barbarians then amongst the Arrians so going for Sicily hee was driven into Syracuse where he was kindly entertained by an old Bishop cald Eulalius and by one Ruffinianus who were fled from the Arrians so past he to Rome and so into Sardinia where hee was received with great joy Here having setled himselfe there resorted to his Cell great store of Christians whom he daily taught and instructed but he intended to lead a more private life but hee was forbidden by Faustus a Bishop who made him priest and not long after made him Bishop of Ruspa a great and populous Citie though Fulgentius was unwilling to accept this great preferment being thus invested he kept his ancient Humilitie Pietie and Constanciâ— but was the same in the height of Honour as he was in the deepest ebbe of Adversitie and where so many graces as humilitie c. are connext with meditation they give an edge unto the soule and make it unpierceable as steel hardly to endure the sharpest point of envie Hee was much addicted to studie for hee would rise in the night to reade and pray hee obtained ground of one Posthumianus a Noble man to build a place for Religious Monks But now Thrasimund King of the Vandals proscribed all the Orthodoxe Bishops and so this Fulgentius was banished with the rest where what good he did is easily seene for he resolved all doubts relieved the poore reconcil'd the differences of many made friendship between those that were at difference reduc'd those that were fallen into sinne gave instructions to some encouragements to others none wanted that good that he could supply with all At the same time Symmachus was Pope who hearing the wasting of the African Churches sent provision to these Fathers that were fled and a worthy Epistle of Comfort which begins thus Ad vos specialiter dictum est Nolite timere pusillus Grex c. to you it is specially spoken Feare not little flocke it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdome But now Thrasimund the King dealing politikely intending to overthrow the Church Orthodoxe made as though hee was turned Orthodox himselfe and so he seemd to desire to have some eminent and Orthodox fathers by him to resolve all doubts and questions and so hearing of the â—ame and learning of Fulgentius hee sent for him to come to him to instruct him whither when Fulgentius was come he effected much and converted many Arians to the Faith And writ a booke of the Trinitie which was so soundly and judiciously written that it astonished the King and yet by wicked Councels hee did command him to returne by night to Sardinia lest the people should mutinere but yet it pleased God by contrary windes to bring him iâ— again into Harbour by which meanes all the people did lend him prayers and prayses and wept for his departure and great numbers went along with him but not long after Thrasimund dying Hildericus succeeded him who recalled the banished Bishops and restored them to their places but this Fulgentius of them all is said to be Decus Ornamentum Corona the Grace Ornament and Crowne Here he reformed many abuses in the Clergie gathered together the scattered flock was highly honored of all good men He had an admirable dexterity in preaching and was powerfull in convincing and reverend in his carriage In the time of his sicknesse this was his familiar speech Da Deus mi hic patientiam post indulgentiam Here ô God give me patience and then pardon and mercy falling sicke he lay so forty dayes and calling the Clergie about him declaring his faith and exhorting them to stand in the same hee quietly gave his soule into his Creatours hands in the yeere 529 and of his Bishopricke the five and twentieth aged sixty five and was honourably buried and greatly lamented of all Religious Christians and was buried in a Church called Secunda Fulgentius Sayings Of Christs Death He died for Men and Angels for men that they might rise from sinne for Angels that they might not fall into sin for them that they might not bee wounded for man that hee might bee healed of his wounds He tooke infirmity from man gave confirmation to them Certainly he was the wisdome of the Father to enlighten the vertue of the Father to uphold Another of his sufferings It was necessary he should be both God and Man to worke our Redemption as he was God he was able as he was man he had aptnesse no Man nor Angell could haue effected it not man for how could hee who was dead in sinne give life to others not the Angels for they had not sufficiencie to stand upright themselves Of Prayer Though thou boast in the darke yet pray for thy Father is Light thou canst not lie hid from his eye and therefore neither faint in thy devotion nor dissemble in Hypocrisie for thy God heares thee in secret as well as sees thee 4. Of suffering persecution Though thou be banished yet Christ is thy associate though amongst Thieves or wilde beasts though at Sea in tempests or on Land in troubles though in hunger cold and nakednesse Thy Captaine stands and sees thee combating hold out then for hee will Crowne thee 5. To incite to good Workes If they goe to hell not because they tooke away the garment from the naked but because they did not cloath them not because they took away the bread froÌ„ the hungry but because they did not give their bread to them what shall become of them who doe not give nor cloath but doe strip off and rob the indigent Remember the torment of the rich man and relieve Lazarus that thou maist escape damnation Of Divine Love The thoughts and affections do follow loves direction wherefore the truth saith Where your treasure is there will your heart be Therefore if our treasure be in Heaven our affections will be in heaven To lay up this Treasure mark thy thoughts so thou shalt know thy Treasure by thy love and thy love by thy thoughts Of Covetousnesse If Barrennesse be cast into the fire what shall Covetousnesse deserve or what shall covetous capacity receive when want of Charity shall be tormented in Hell-fire And if hee shall have judgement without mercy that hath not shewed mercy what judgement shall he receive that hath done others injury Of Charity Stephen that he might deserve the Crowne as his name doth import used no weapons but Charity whereby he obtained the victory by Charity he resisted the Iewes cruelty by Charity he reproved and corrected others impiety and by Charity prayed for those that stoned him cruelly He writ many famous works but some were lost by the injury of time and malice of adversaries Those that are really his and extant are here registred by Antwerp Edition 1574. 1 Three books to King Thrasimund 2 Of
the one side and the paines of hell on the other side and that he must of necessity bee cast upon one of them that he had rather bee thrust into hell without sinne where the drowned are tormented than goe to heaven cloathed with sinne where the Saints onely enjoy everlasting life Idem de Venatione Diaboli Cap. 183. The Devill goes out every day a hunting First he seizeth on them that never sorow for their sinne but he begins to let them goe that he perceiveth to be cast downe in the sight of their offences yet there 's a third sort that upon repentance are healed from their sinnes those hee looseth altogether Let the first sort lament and mourne let the second grieve on still but let the third rejoyce for evermore Id. de quadrato lapide Cap. 173. de similitud Every foure square stone hath sixe equall sides let it fall upon which it can it lyes fast so must a just man persist in his integrity for hee hath sixe sides to fall upon too Prosperity Adversity Liberty Subjection Private and publicke employment Now upon which of these soever the Dye turnes let him stand fast and immoveable maugre the Devill and all his opposition Id. de Iustitia Justice is the freedome of minde giving to every one his due To betters reverence to equalls love to inferiours instruction to God obedience to it selfe sanctity to enemies patience and to the poore workes of compassion Such was the detestation which this good man had of sinne that hee would use to say If I could see the horror of sin and the dolour of hell both with my bodily eyes before mee and must of necessity passe through one of them I would rather chuse Hell than sinne Another saying of his was I had rather enter Hell being free from sinne if it were possible than reigne in Heaven with the pollution of sinne upon me Likewise humane frailty made this good man thus to crye out O durus casus Heu quid perdidit homo quid invenit perdidit beatitudinem ad quam factus est invenit mortem ad quam factus non est O hard hap alas what did man lose what did he find He lost the blessednesse to which he was made and found death to which he was not made His Workes are thus registred by Cardinall Bellarmine Three Bookes 1 Of Truth 2 Of Free-will 3 Of the fall of the Devill then 3 more of 1 Grammar and prose 2 Enarrations on St. Matthew Explanations on some of the Evangelists Vpon the Canticles Tome 2. Vpon all the Epistles of St. Paul On the Apocalypse Tome 3. Of the contempt of the World Hymnes 4 Soliloquies 5 For an unwise man 6 Against an unwise man 7 Of the Incarnation 8 Why God was made man 9 Of the Virgins Conception 10 Of the Sacrament 11 Annotations on the same 11 Of the proceeding of H. G. 12 Of Similitudes 13 Of Gods will 14 Of the concord of Praescience and Predestination 15 Of mans misery 16 Of members and actions attributed to God 17 Of the measuring the Crosse. 18 Of Meditations 19 A meditation of our Redemption 20 Of the Passion 21 Pricks of divine Love 22 Homilies on Saint Luke 23 Of the Virgin Maries excellence 24 Of the Image of the World 25 Dialogues containing the summe of Christian Religion Tome 4. Divers Epistles in three bookes An. Christi 1119. Sanctus Rupertus RVPERTVS HE that reades this mans life must expect that nor my pen nor any other can compleatly in each particular act fully delineate it but yet as Authours have publikely blazoned his worth it hath beene my care to register it in our native tongue and I hop◠not in vaine for good examples prevaile much and are to an ingenuous spirit as a whetstone or patterne to imitate To begin therefore with his parents He was borne in Germany as Trithemius and Cocleius doe testifie but they were not so able for wealth as vertue they had an especiall care that this their sonne should be vertuously educated our birth-places nor our parents cannot diminish the worth that wee practise the house is never the worse for being little in Israel the Family disparages not so there be a David in it wee are not bound to answer for other mens faults neither is it to be concluded because our Fathers have halted that therefore wee should be lame Vertue deserves commendation as well in the Cottage as in the Court and many times is not accommodated with the affluence of worldly endowments The greatest Rivers flow from Springs and the Tree is not to be disliked because it is low if the fruit be good it makes not whither it grows on an Hill or a Valley According to that of Ausonius Non obstare locum cum valet ingenium Question not the Tree When the minde you good doe see This Rupertus was in his youth brought up in all offices of pietie and duty in the Monastery of Leige under the tuition of Heribrandus an upright and prudent man of whom hee acquired the principles of those Arts that were fitting his age and it seems his Tutor did not neglect his charge but finding him to be an ingenuous youth mildly imposed some duties of Religion upon him which he performed as carefully and reverently an admirable patterne the onely way to have men prove absolute is to have them well at first seasoned seldome fals that fruit by stormes which is cherished by a milde spring There are few that faile in age whose youth have been accustomed and inured to pious performances being by this good Instrument so fitted now hee proceeds to higher actions hee made godlinesse the very food of his soule and profited in the practice of it daily more and more so that following that he gained knowledge and reputation as it is said I bone quò virtus tua te vocat I pede fausto Grandia laturus meritorum praemia That is Proceed ô Goodman with an happy pace In tracks of vertue take th' rewards with grace He was not carelesse of any kinde of Learning that might conduce to Religion so was hee admirable for divine poetry as may appeare by his expressions of the Holy Ghost in excellent Verse as also the life of Saint Augustine and Odolia a Virgin as also his Hymnes upon Severus the Confessor so likewise hee alwayes thought upon that of Saint Paul give attendance to reading Did hee not also restore the Greeke Tongue at this time almost decayed in Italy nay did he not fairly recover them from their Barbarismes that were then encroaching upon the Latine so that it appeares this Rupertus was not onely famous for Poetry and the Greek tongue but also for Oratory in the Latin phrase a rare thing living in those barbarous times to restore Languages to their Genuine beauty And if I should but a little digresse it would not be an errour a little to insist upon the praise of Divine Poetry if there were nothing
restrained the persecution Did not he being sent for to Rome oppose the Schismaticks that hee stopt their mouthes and so by his care and diligence peace was restored to the Church Did hee not so gaine the love of Prince The obaldus that he was joyfull and ready to part with all his titles and dignities and means for the maintenance of Gods Churchâ—â— Oh should I or could I indeed reckon up all his eminencies and gracious endowments How incredible nay how unimitable are they For God brought mighty things to passe by this Saint Bernards meanes Take his commendation as one gives it him Serenus vultu modestus habitu circumspectus in verbis in sacra meditatione assiduus c. that is Of a gracious countenance a modest habit circumspect in his words assiduous in meditation devout in prayer strong in the faith patient in hope made up of charity chiefe for humility principall of all in piety in counsels provident powerfull in deeds never idle rejoycing when reproached modest to petitioners flowing with abundance of wisdome vertue and grace with God and men apt in speech fitting himselfe to his auditory admired for his dyet and not affecting any earthly promotions nay he is termed Olivaspeciosa Vitis fructuosa Palma florida Cedrus multiplicatâ— vas Electionis vas Honoris in domo Dei vas auri solidum c. that is A beautifull Olive-tree a fruitfull Vine a flourishing Palm-tree a lofty Cedar a vessell of Election a vessell of Honour in the House of God a pure vessell of solid Gold set with precious stones He foretold his death and hee that desires to read copioâ—sly of each circumstance there is an Epistle extant to Arnaldus an Abbot thus much in briefe after so many great labours in the Churches cause having happily finished his â—ayes being the first Abbot of that place at the age of sixty three yeeres having setled above a hundred and sixty Monasteries for Religion He sickned and commended his soule devoutly into Gods hands a great concourse of people shedding teares for the losse of such an Angelike man This hapned in the same yeere that Eugenius the third of that name an holy man departed this life Anastastus succeeding him in the Roman See then reigning that illustrious Fredericke over the Romans and Ludovicus that godly Prince the sonne of Ludovicus governing France Hee was buried on the Calends of September with great state and pompe Anno 1130. Bernard his Sayings Of sloth Sloth is a certaine languishing sluggishnesse of the minde whereby one neglects to begin that which is good or to finish that which is begun Of brotherly love Then selfe love is just and temperate when that which is withdrawne from pleasurable vanitie is bestowed to relieve our brothers necessity for true love regards the common good Helpe is in vaine expected where punishment is deserved Expectation from others must be according to our dealing with others Of Ambition Ambition is a gilded misery a secret poyson a hidden plague the Engineere of deceit the mother of hypocrisie the parent of envy the originall of vices the moth of holinesse the blinder of hearts turning remedies into diseases and medicines into sicknesse Of Gods love God loved us sweetly wisely and valiantly sweetly because hee put on our flesh wisely because hee was blamelesse valiantly because hee suffered death Learne therefore O Christian from Christ how to come to Christ Learne to love him sweetly lest we be allured wisely lest we be deceived and valiantly lest we be subdâ—ed and vanquished The Soules three estates There are three estates of holy souls the first in the corruptible body the second without the body the third in the glorified body The first in warfare and unperfectnesse the second in rest and quietnesse the third in perfect felicity and happinesse Of the hearts Ascension There are foure degrees of ascension first to the heart secondly in the heart thirdly of the heatt and fourthly above the heart In the first God is feared in the second his counsel is heard the third is the desire of Christs comming the fourth is the fruition of Gods presence Saint Bernard when he entred the Temple or any other holy place when he came to the door of entrance said thus to himselfe Stay here all my worldly thoughts all vanity that I may entertain heavenly meditations His Works are these that follow registred by his owne Scholer who wrote his Life and by Cardinall Bellarmine Such as are reckoned by Godfrede his Scholer are these 1. Homilies in praise of the Virgin Mary 4 books 2 Of the degrees of Humilitie one book 3 Of loving God one book 4 Apologie to William one book 5 Of Precept and dispensation one book 6 Exhortations to the Souldiers of the Temple 7 Of grace and Free will 8 Of consideration five books 9 Sermons on the Canticles 86 books 10 Epistles to divers 351. 11 On Saint Malachies life the Bishop of Ireland These are of the second order and no doubt to bee made of them as Bellarmine Writes 1 Of the Lords comming seven sermons 2 On the Vigils of Christs Nativitie 6 sermons 3 On Christmasse day 6 sermons 4 On New yeeres day 3 sermons 5 On Twelfth day 4 6 On the first Sunday after the Epiphany two sermons 7 On St. Pauls conversion two sermons 8 On Candlemas day three sermons 9 On Septuagessima two sermons 10 On Quadragessima seven sermons 11 On St. Benedict one sermon 12 On our Lady day three sermons 13 On Palme-sunday three sermons 14 On Easter day foure sermons 15 Sunday after Easter two sermons 16 On Rogation weeke one sermon 17 On Ascension day one sermon 18 On Whitsontide one sermon 19 On St. John Baptists one sermon 20 On Saint Peter and Paul foure sermons 21 On David and Goliah one sermon 22 On the seven houres three sermons 23 On St. Victor two sermons 24 On St. Mary Magdalen one sermon 25 On our Lady day five sermons 26 On these words it is a great signe one sermon 27 On the Virgin Maries birth day one sermon 28 On Saint Michael two sermons 29 On All Saints day five sermons 30 On St. Malachies one sermon 31 On Esayes words five sermons 32 On St. Martine one sermon 33 On St. Clement one sermon 34 On Saint Andrews Eve one sermon 35 On Saint Andrews day two sermons 36 On Humbertus one sermon 37 At the Dedication of a Church six sermons 38 On the 90. Psalme seventeen sermons 39 On divers Arguments 35. 40 Of the depth of the heart foure sermons 41 Of conversion to the Clergie one sermon 42 Short sermons 66. 43 Of the gifts of the Holy Ghost one sermon 44 St. Bernards sentences 45 A Declamation on that saying We have left all Those of which there is some doubt made are these 1 To his Brethren 2 Meditations 3 Of the inward house the soule 4 Of the order of life 5 Of the Ladder of Monks 6 Form
of honest life 7 The Monks Looking Glasse 8 Divers sermons 9 A description of his Monastery 10 The lamentation of the blessed Virgin 11 The doctrine of St. Bernard 12 Homilies on them that went to Emaus 13 Of Gods love 14 Of the nature and dignitie of divine love 15 On the Lords Passion 16 A Tract of the Passion 17 St. Bernards Rhetorick 18 Of the manner of living well to his sister 19 Of Conscience 20 Sermons on divers Arguments 15. 21 Vpon that Salve Regina 22 An Epistle to one to shew what God doth require of us 23 Of Burtheâ—s Cardinall Bellarmines judgement of these is this some of these are known manifestly not to be Saint Bernards yet are full of weight and profit Some of them have their Authours names noted some are so slight and not any wayes relishing Saint Bernards stile nor spirit and some are so like his Works that it is hard to make distinction of them those that either for curiosity or satisfaction desire to know may see the Cardinals observation upon each Tract in his booke of Ecclesiasticall Writers pag. 142. 143. An. Christi 1145. Peter Lombard PETER LOMBARD HEaven hath been pleased to send many famous Divines into the world who like Embassadours comming from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ have expounded the Gospell of Salvation and defended it from the schismaticall interpretation of Hereticks As therefore Solomon saith memoria justi cum laudibus the memory of the just is pretious and praise-worthy it must needs follow that the praises of these deceased holy Fathers will encourage others to give God thanks for raising up such worthy instruments in his Church and also in their lives and conversations to follow their example Amongst the other renouned Fathers famous for Learning soundnesse of Doctrine Piety and integrity of life Peter Lombard deserves a prime place For as it is a Divine gift above the nature of man to instruct men concerning God and Religion and to move and incline their minde to piety and sanctimony of manners so it is necessary that Divines should bee furnished with Ecclesiasticke Eloquence and sentences to bring about this great work which famous men even from the first infancy of the Church have endeavoured and laboured to effect And from hence proceeded so many Greek and Latin Commentaries Meditations Homilies Precepts and Ecclesiasticall instructions written by the holy Fathers who that they might by their laborious writings illuminate the Church in mysteries of salvation were all brought up to scholasticke learning that some by Commentaries some by Sermons and some by Sentences might all helpe to edifie and build up the Church of God And this Father the most renowned Peter Lombard of Novaria Bishop of Paris was as Sixtus Senensis and others have written by all Schoole Divines for a certaine singular excellence of Veneration called the Master of the Sentences upon whose compendium of Divinity and Volumes of innumerable disputations the most learned Divines of the most famous Universities in the whole Christian World have elaborately written He was contemporary with Gratian and as hee gathered Canons and was the Master of the Canons so he collected out of the sentences of Ambrose Hillary Augustine Cassiodorus and Remigius suppressing their names most learned sententious Commentaries on all Davids Psalmes and on all Saint Pauls Epistles inserting some things of accompt of his owne The Commentaries on the Psalmes begin Cum omnes Prophetas Sancti spiritus revelatione constat esse locutos The Commentaries on Saint Paul begin Principia rerum sunt inquirenda So that this Peter Lombard being endowed with all naturall qualities improved by education and learning in the schools and being also painfull and industrious to advance Religion to increase spirituall knowledge and to furnish Students in Divinity with most exquisite and mellifluous sentences so sweet so admirable and patheticall hee I say to this end collected the Sayings and Sentences of the Fathers which may be thence gathered and cited to various and divers purposes either to confirme any Doctrine to amplifie matters or to delight the audience Sentences being the Creame of wit the abstract and epitome of words for instruction necessary easie to be retained in memory as briefe rules of Life and Religion How ought then posterity to be thankful to this famous Father Peter Lombard who out of so many learned Divines painfully collected so many Sentences out of their Gardens gathering Divine flowers which are all bound together in his Workes And therefore although Laus est or atio bona alicujus enumerans praise is but the repetition of particular vertues and goodnesse Yet the life of this worthy Father would deserve a whole volume of praises fild with Encomiums and sententious Eulogyes but because they cannot reach his desert both for Piety Religion and Sanctity it will bee his best commendation to read some of his sweet Sayings collected out of his owne Workes Peter Lombard his Sayings Of Sinne. Every sinne that is not speedily by Repentance discovered becomes a new Sinne and the punishment of former sinne Of the Will There can no good dwell in us that cannot will good nor can we perfect good that cannot desire good Of the Law Death is not by the Law but by the fault of man but sinne is the procurer and efficient cause of Death because it turneth that which is good into evill For so Physicke is not the cause of Death though it discovers deadly poysons nor the Law discovering the poyson of sinne in reprobate men There are in us evill concupiscences and desires which are the Devills weapons whereby when God for sakes us he overthrowes us and gives our soules a deadly wound Of Predestination God condemneth none before he sinneth he crowneth none before hee over-commeth but he hath a definitive prescience of every ones will whereby hee shall bee condemned or crowned If God be for us by predestinating us before our being by our vocation when we were enemies by justifying us when we were sinners by glorifying us when we were mortall nothing can hurt us but all things worke for our good Of Gods Love If nothing can separate us from Gods love what more certaine and greater good can there be For he that loveth God cannot dye but it is death not to love God or to preferre any thing before the love of God therfore the love of God is a right affection of the minde which joyneth us to God and God sheweth his love to us in Christ whom for us hee delivered to death Of gifts Let none glory in the gifts of Preachers or men in that they edifie more by them for they are not authors of grace but ministers Of Love The reall vertue of Piety is the love of a pure heart a good conscience and faith unfeigned This is vertue which nothing overcommeth no fire or windes of persecution no flames of temptations can extinguish of this vertue it is said Love is as strong as