Tome 4. 1 Of Lying two books 2 Of Faith and Works one book 3 Questions 10 books 4 Of the consent of the Evangelists foure books 5 83 Questions one book 6 21 Sentences one book 7 Questions to Simplicianus two books 8 To Dulcitius one book 9 Questions 65. 10 Questions of the old and new Testament 11 Of the care for the dead one book 12 Of Catechising the rude one book 13 Of the word incarnate two books 14 Of the Trinity and unitie one book 15 Of the Essence of the Divinitie one book 16 Of the Faith of Invisibles one book 17 Of the substance of Love one book 18 Of Continence one book 19 Of Patience 1 book 20 Of the good of Widdowhood one book 21 Of true and false repentance one book 22 Of wholsome documents one booke 23 Of Friendship one booke 24 Of the Lords Sermons in the Mount two bookes 25 Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans 26 Exposition of some propositions on the Romans one booke 27 Exposition on the Galatians 28 Annotations on Iob. Tome 5. 1 Of the City of God 22 bookes The occasion was by Romes devastation under Alaricus King of the Gothes 25. Tome 6. 1 Of Heresies I Book 2 Aspeech of 5 Heresies A Sermon to the unlearned 3 Against the Iewes 4 Of the Church and a Synagogue 6 Of the profit of Faith 1 book 7 Against an Epistle 1 b. 8 Of the 2 soules 1 b. 9 Against Fortunatus 1 b. 10 Against Adimantus 1 b. 11 Against Faustus 33 b. 12 Of the passages with Foelix the Manichee 2 b. 13 Against Secundinus 1 b. 14 Of the Nature of God 1 b. 15 Of Faith against the Manichees 1 b. 16 Against an adversary of the Law and Prophets 1 b. 17 Against Priscilianists and Origenists 1 b. 18 Against the Arians 1 b. 19 Against Maximinus 1 b. 20 Against Felicianus 1 b. 21 Against Jovinian 1 b. 22 Of holy Virginity 1 b. 23 To Polentius 2 b. 24 A Tract of Epicures and Stoikes 25 Of that saying I am that I am a Tract Tome 7. 1 Against Donatus 1 b. 2 Against Parmenianus 3 b. 3 Against Petilianus 3 b. 4 Against Cresconius 4 b. 5 Again Gaudentius 4 b. 6 Against the Donatists 7 b. 7 Against Petilianus of Baptisme 1 b. 8 Of the Churches unity 1 b. 9 Briefe Discourses of Donatists 1 b. 10 Of Emeritus passages 1 b. 11 Against Fulgentius 1 b. 12 Of pardon of sinnes 3 b. 13 Of Nature and Grace 1 b. 14 Of the grace of Christ and of originall sinne 2 b. 15 Of Marriages 2 b. 16 Against the Pelagians 4 b. 17 Against Julianus 6 b. 18 Of the soule 4 b. 19 Of Perseverance 1. b. 20 Of Predestination 1 b. 21 Of Grace 1 b. 22 Against the Pelagians 6 b. 23 Against Caelestinus 1 b. 24 Of the Acts of Pelagius 1 b. Tome 8. A Tract upon al Davids Psalmes Tome 9. 1 On Saint John 124 bookes 2 On the first Epistle of John ten bookes 3 On the Apocalyps 18 bookes 4 Meditations 1. love of God 1. Soliloquies 1. a Mauâ—el 1. 5 Of Christian Discipline one booke 6 The sinners looking-glasse 7 Of the praise of Charity 8 Of Pastors 9 A Psalter to his Mother 10 Of the Tree of good and evill 11 Of the profit of Fasting 12 Of the fight of the soule 13 Of the destruction of the City Tome 10. 1 Of our Lords Words Hom. 64. 2 Of the Apostles Words 35. 3 Fifty Homilies 1. 4 Of Time Homilies 256. 5 Of Saints 51. 6 To his Brethren in the Wildernesse 76. 7 Of Clergy mens lives two bookes 8 Sermons newly printed 128. These are the fruits of this Fathers labour he who desires to know which are truely Saint Augustines and which are suspected for adulterine let him read Cardinall Bellarmines observations de scriptoribus Ecclesiastiâ—is in the life of Saint Augustine but these doe shew what a painfull labourer he was in the Vineyard of the Lord. He dyed in the yeare of Grace 430. An. Christi 432. Sanctus Cyrillus Alexand. S CIRILLVS ALEXAND THis eminent Father of the Church was Bishop of Alexandria a Grecian by Nation famous for his actions done in the Church As for his parentage no doubt but that also was in some sort suitable to his breeding for Theophilus the late Archbishop of Alexandria was his owne Uncle whom also hee succeeded in that See but not without opposition Some stood for one Timothy then Archdeacon of Alexandria others came in for this Cyrill partly because of his neere alliance to this former Archbishop who they esteemed highly and reverenced for his sanctitie and holinesse of life but chiefly because this Cyrill was a generall Scholer and one well qualified with all temporall vertues much adoe there was on both sides yet at three days end this good man obtained it and was conducted to the Episcopall Chaire with greater state than ever any Bishop that was at Alexandria He was vir doctus sanctus a learned and a holy man of life by Pope Celestines injunction he â—ate President in the Councell at Ephesus amongst two hundred Bishops in which with a great deal of learning and judgement hee absolutely confuted and condemned those two arch disturbers of the Churches peace Nestorius and Pelagius hee was admirably experienced in the holy Scriptures he flourished chiefly under the raigne of Theodosius the yonger â—Ì„ one gives him this faire Encomium Nestorii omnia occulta venena refellit he discovered all the secret poison of Nestorius There are some who have related that hee was a Monk a Carmelite as Tritenhem but Baronius the Cardinall doth absolutely hold that to be a ridiculous opinion for these are Baronins his own words Facessat igitur ejusmodi fabella de Moâ—achismo Cyrilli in Carmelo that fained fable of Cyrillus being a Monke of Mount Carmel falls to the ground and indeed it is strange that St. Hierome Palladius Euagrius Cassianus Theodoret with others that often mention the Monks that liv'd in Palaestine at that time yet not so much as once remember this great Father of the Church and indeed I doe much wonder that the Great Cardinall Baronius would condemne that Tenet if there had been but probabilitie of truth in it it making for their cause But to proceed this famous Cyrill was so admired for his singular piety eloquence and wit that Gennadius reports that the Grecian Bishops got some of his Homilies by heart and so recited them to the people with wonderfull delight and approbation and truly besides many other things which are reported of him to his praise let this also be one that Iohn the third King of Sweden gives him when as hee was sent into England by his brother Ericus then King When the Commentaries of Saint Cyrill upon the holy Gospell of Saint Iohn were delivered to his hands and hee had read them hee plainly and ingenuously confest that many new Writers had much swayed him but
blasphemiae that name of blasphemy How did he wisely stop the fury of the Longobards and reduced them to peace by writing his book to Theudalinda the Queene in a word having with great care and piety amongst a world of troubles governed the Church thirteen yeers six moneths and ten days in the spight of all oppositions he died quietly and comfortably rendred up his soule into the hands of his Maker in the second yeere of Phocas the Emperour and was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Peter in which Leo Simplicius Gelasius and Symmachus were formerly interred with a large Epitaph in commendation of his labours and studies His Deacon is highly to be praysed for preserving some of his Workes from the fire even to the hazard of his owne life Heare but what a man he was by the testimony of Paulus Diaconus Iisdem diebus sapientissimus ac beatissimus Papa Gregorius Romanae urbis Episcopus c. that is In these dayes that most wise and blessed Father Saint Gregory Bishop of the City of Rome which when he had written many things to the profit of the Church composed foure famous bookes of the lives of the Saints which he called his Dialogues which books he sent to Theodelinda the Queen whom he knew to be a Protector of the faithfull and which did much good to the Church for shee perswaded her husband to give meanes and Revenues to the Church and caused those Bishops which were in misery and cast out to be restored and peace was by her meanes procured to Gods people Sabinianus was the man that did succeed him in his Bishopricke and as one testifies there was a great dearth the next yeer after his death and hee saith debuit enim mundus famem sitimque pati c. The world must needs suffer a famine and thirst when such a Doctor as was both spirituall food and drink to their souls was taken away He wants not divers to afford him commendations and indeed there was a cloud of Witnesses who doe extoll him Isidore cals him timore Dei plenus humilitate summus that is full of the feare of God and chiefe for Humility endued largely with the gifts of the Holy Ghost and saith thus in conclusion Foelix tamen nimium foelix qui omnium studiorum ejus possit cognoscere dicta that is Happy is hee nay thrice happy that can know all his Works and Sayings Honorius Augustodunensis termes him no lesse then Organum spiritus Sancti c. that is The Organ of the blessed Spirit Incomparable for his wisdome who writ many things more precious than the refined Gold Trithemius cals him Theologorum princeps splendor Philosophorum Rhetorum lumen vitâ conversatione integer sanctissimus c. the Prince amongst Divines the beauty of Philosophers and the light to Rhetoricians of life and conversation most upright and holy And to shut up all heare but what Ildephonsus of Toledo saith of him Vicit sanctitate Anthonium Eloquentia Cyprianum Sapientia Augustinum that is he exceeded Saint Anthony in Sanctitie Saint Cyprian in Eloquence and Saint Augustine in Wisdome and so heare onely what Cardinall Bellarmine relates of him who calls him Doctorem eximium meritò magnum that is a most egregious Doctor and well deserving the name of Great Hee died in the yeere of Christ Iesus 604. Sentences out of Gregory Magnus Of Poverty Hee is poore whose soule is void of grace not whose coffers are empty of mony the contented poverty is true riches Of the holy Scriptures The holy Scriptures are direct and right for admonition lofty for promises terrible for threatnings Of God God is never absent though the wicked have him not in their thoughts where he is not by favour he is by punishment and terrour Of conversion to God Every convert hath a beginning a middle a perfection in the first there is sweetnesse to allure him in the second bitternesse to exercise him in the third fulnesse of perfection to confirme him Of the Incarnation Will you observe our Saviours motions hee came from Heaven into the wombe from the wombe to the cratch from the cratch to the crosse from the crosse to the Grave from the Grave to Heaven On the Crosse of Christ. Christ shewed patience in his passion commended humility fulfilled obedience perfected Charity those were the four Jewels that adorn'd his Crosse. Charitatis Humilitatis jubar These are onely true riches which make us rich in vertue therefore if thou desire riches love true riches If thou aspire to honour seek the Kingdome of Heaven If thou affect glory strive to bee enrolled in the high Court of Angels Hee that loves this present pilgrimage in the midst of sorrow knows not how to shew sorrow for the words of a just man are full of sorrow for in regard of present sufferings his speech and sighs aspire to heaven He is most perfect in piety that doth most perfectly feele anothers misery The best eloquence and expression is to declare the mind by good action for conscience doth not check the speaker when his life is better then his speech Hee that lives obscurely and doth not profit others by his example is like a burning coal but hee that imitates holinesse shewing the light of uprightnesse to others is like a lampe burning to himselfe and shining to others True Faith doth not onely consist in verball profession but in actuall operation The fortitude of the Just is to overcome the flesh to contradict the will to forsake the delights of this life to love affliction for an eternall reward to contemne prosperity and to overcome adversity Joy doth discover the mind but adversity as it doth outwardly oppresse so it doth inwardly suppresse the thoughts and make us more close and cautious Gregory Magnus would say of himselfe that hee could never reade those words in the Scripture which Abraham spake to Dives Sonne remember that thou in thy life time receivedst good things without horrour and astonishment lest having received such good things of this World meaning such dignities and honours as he had he should be excluded from having any part and portion in the happinesse or good things in the world to come Of Gods Word Saint Gregory saith and wishes all men that heare the Word of God to taste the Word of God with the palate of their hearts Not to have a slavish feare Feare not man who must die nor feare the sonne of man who is but grasse Of godly Desires Our desires saith this Father do sound more powerfully in the secret eares of God than our words Againe the more earnestly God is desired of us the more sweetly is he delighted in us Saint Paul saith Hee that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the minde of the spirit Rom. 8. I have here set downe his Works as they are set
him Omnium Doctrinarum curiosissimum Exploratorem that is the exquisitest or curiousest searcher out of all 〈◊〉 of Learning And God having laid him out for a famous Instrument in his Church Irenaeus sets himselfe seriously and ardently to the study of the sacred Scriptures and did take wonderfull paines and delight in that studie and for his better helpe this way he put himselfe to Polycarpus to be his Scholler which had not onely heard Saint Iohn but most of the Apostles which had seen Christ in the flesh and no question it was a great joy to that old Father to see that hee should have Children who would be constant professours of the Faith in Christ Iesus and Eusebius gives him that prayse that he did truly observe all the sweet speeches that fell from Polycarpus lips and omitted nothing that hee spake of Christ his Actions Miracles or Passion Nay hee was not onely with Polycarpe but also with Papias Bishop of Hierapolis and Iohn Bishop of Ephesus and Aristion with other who were all excellently Learned and Apostolicall men and he did eagerly desire the company of such as had conversed with the Apostles for so he made himselfe the abler to contradict all Gainsayers so that Saint Hierome and Saint Epiphanius terme him the true Register of the Apostles actions He came to be Governour of the Church of Lions in France or rather indeed setled the Gospel there for hee saith that inter Celtas commorabatur and that Rhodanensem Regionem incolebat that is that he abode among the Celtae and dwelt in the Countrey not farre from Roan and hither he was sent a Beato Polycarpo by blessed Polycarpe if you will believe Gregorius Turonensis Here with what faith and diligence paines and carefulnesse with what issue and happy successe you may easily judge for he did constantly preach and carefully and reverently deliver the Eucharist to the people committed to his charge take his owne words Oportet nos Deo oblationem facere in omnibus gratos inveniri fabricatori nostro Deo in sententiâ purâ fide sine Hypocrisi in spe firmâ in dilectione fâ—rventi that is That it behoves us to offer our selves to God and in all things to be thankfull to our Maker who is God with a pure mind and purpose with faith without hypocrisie with stedfast hope and in â—ervent Love and Charity and so for his delivering the Sacrament Quemadmodum qui est à terra panis percipiens invocationem Dei en consecratio jam non communis panis est sed Eucharistia ex duabus rebus constans terrena coelesti gratias agimus Dominationi ejus that is For as ordinary bread after prayer and consecration is not any longer common bread but is the Eucharist consisting of two parts earthly and heavenly and so wee praise God And againe Populo dedit Verbum praeceptum faciendarum oblationum The Word did command us to offer Sacrifices to God not that he needed them but that hee would be served by us and therefore hee would have us to bring our Oblations daily to the Altar This Reverend old man became famous at Lions and brought by his preaching and holinesse of life most of that Citie from Gentilisme to the knowledge and service of the true God but the common enemy of Mankinde envied â—his great successe and so troubled the peace of the Church with a double mischiefe for hee brought in a most cruell persecution against the Church of Vienna and Lions which agreed with those of Asia and Phrygia in the same â—oints of faith and also stirred up a spirit of Errour and Lying in some Heretikes as Montaâ—us Theodotus and Alcibiades and Maximilâ—â— by both which hee disturbed the Christians and the peace of the Church the French hereupon take care for the Brethren and therefore sent large Epistles of things done amongst them as also the Tenents of Montanus into Asia with their judgments upon them as Eusebius testifies and not onely so but dispatched likewise Letters to Eleutherius then Bishop of Rome whom they desired heartily to keepe the Church in unitie Now whom could they finde and chuse out to be imployed in this weighty imployment for holinesse and gravity and sinceritie praeter unum Irenaeum but onely this one Irenaeus whom they knew would undergoe all travaile labour and danger for Christ and the Churches good so Photinus and other chiefâ— men of the French Churches with some Martyrs that were imprisoned asked him to goe Embassadour to Rome about some questions of the Church and so into Asia which he willingly performed as Hierome testifies and presents to Eleutherius the letters in his name certifies the Bishop of the doubts he desires his approbation confirmation of the judgment of the French concerning the Montanists and so having all things to his harts desire at Rome he very readily prepares for Asia his own Country where he did by his owne presence and doctrine afford much comfort to those distracted and afflicted Churches by declaring to them the Conformity of the Westerne Churches and the See Apostolicall of Rome and mainly setled in points of Faith God then giving great successe to his labours he was present at Caesarea in Palestine at the Councel where he spoke couragiously and learnedly in the matters of Faith as Nauclerus Vincentius Bellovacensis and Hugo Floriacensis have recorded Cardinall Baronius doth deny that this Irenaeus went into Asia because that neither Eusebius nor Ierom do mention it and because Eusebius doth speak of his Embassage to Eleutherius to Rome indeed to speake strictly what time he spent and how long it was ere hee did returne to Lions cannot be distinctly known but certain it is that when Photinus was ninety yeeres old and when hee with divers other Martyrs departed this life that Saint Irenaeus returning from his Embassage was chosen Bishop of Lions His enterance into it was full of danger unquiet and troublesome because the Emperour was then cruell to the Christians and had not called in the Edicts of Nerâ— for the fourth persecution but even in this dangerous time Irenaeus was valiant and laboured exceedingly by prayer by preaching instructing arguing reproving with patience and wisedome hee seeketh the lost strengthneth the weak recals the wandring binds up the broken-hearted and settles those that were strong take Tertullians words of him Tanta vitae integritate et doctrinâ—â— sinceritate gregi is praesidet c. He governed the flock of Christ with such integrity of life and sincerity of Doctrine that à suis amatur ab exteris suspiciatuâ— His own lov'd him exceedingly and others feared him but God sent peace to the Church in the end of the reigne of Marcus Antoninus Verus who was moved by the Apologies of Melito Apollinarius Athenagoras and by the teares and grones of Christians but chiefly by Gods mercy to yeeld quiet rest to the Church as also
who strive to corrupt the Christians by their Idolatrous shews then Tertullian wrote his learned Treatise de spectaculis wherein hee handles the case to the full And at the same time how did hee stop an Heresie arising in Affrick called the Apelletians from one Apelles which worke is desired but not as yet enjoyed In the fifteenth yeere of the Emperour Severus did hee not famously write against that great Heretick Marcion and set forth his Book De Resurrectione Carnis And presently after wrote his Booke De Carona Militis worthy here to be spoken of a little upon a Triumph all the Emperours Souldiers for the greater pompe were to weare Crowns made of Bayes but one Christian there was who when he had his Crown given held it on his arme but would not weare it whereupon being demanded why hee alone had refused to set forth the pompe of that day he did boldly answer Non decet Christianum in hac vita coronari A Christian ought not to be crowned in this life a true and a worthy answer And so upon this Tertullian wrote his Book so entituled I read not after this that Tertullian did write any thing for the Church but against it The more is the pitie so great a Scholer should fall so fouly There are many Fathers who have discoursed what might be the cause of this Tertullians revolt Some as Saint Ambrose say it was Envie Vincentius Lirinensis makes a good application of it It was saith he a great tentation and triall The Lord saith Moses tries us whether wee love him or not when there ariseth up one of these false prophets or teachers or dreamers Saint Ierome gives him a great praise for his wit but laments his losse Saint Cyprians phrase was when hee would read Tertullian to say Da Magistrum Give me my Master Trithemius terms him Tam in divinis quà m in saecularibus Scripturis doctissimum The most learned in sacred and secular affaires And that hee taught Rhetorick at Carthage a long time Gloriosè saith he with great glory and credit and againe scripsit Latino sermone penè c. That hee wrote almost infinite Workes in Latine wherein he hath most judiciously confuted and overthrown all the Heresies hee wrote against licet in aliquibus c. and though saith he he erred in some things yet he wrote profitably in many other his Books Hee lived till hee was old and decrepite and so yielded up his spirit after that he had painfully and learnedly studied the Word of God and carefully and discreetly answered all those that proved Hereticks to the Truth I have here not followed Trithemius Catalogue nor yet Bellarmines concerning his Works but as Pamelius hath registred them in the Collen Impression Anno 1617. Hee hath a learned commendation set under his Effigies wherein as Tullius was the Pillar and praise of Rome so Africk glories in her Tertullian His Oratory was famous and Tertullians speech was sweeter then honey as may appeare by some of his Sentences Tertul. de poenitenia If thou be backward in thoughts of repentance be forward in thy thoughts of Hell the flame whereof only the streame of a penitent eye can extinguish and first so thinke on the greatnesse of the punishment that thou mayst not doubt of getting a remedy against it Idem de fuga in persecutione The Legion of Devils could not have conquered a Herd of Swine if God had not given them power farbe it then the Devill should have power over Gods owne Sheepe I may say That even then the bristles of those Swine were numbred before God and much more are the haires of his Saints De Fide Ex personis probamus fidem an ex fide personas Doe wee try mens faith by their persons we should try their persons by their faith Idem de Oratione The remembrance of Gods precepts chalkes out a way for our prayers to Heaven the chiefe of which precepts is That we come not first to make our atonement with God on his Altar before wee have made our atonement with our brother in our hearts For what profit is it to come to the peace of God without peace to come for remission of debts without remission of debts How can he appease his Father that is angry with his brother Idem de Oratione Let us not approach unto Gods holy Altar before wee have made peace with our offended brother for to what end should wee come to the God of peace without peace for the remission of our own sinnes without any intention to forgive one another How can hee that is not pleased with his brother thinke to please the God of his brother seeing that God commands him not to be angry at all but forgive him Hee that then prepareth himselfe on earth shall be sure of his reward in Heaven Tertullians houres of prayer They were the third the sixt and the ninth houres for they are saith he the more eminent part of the day to distribute and distinguish the publike affaires of men so have they beene accounâ—ed the most solemne times for Prayer and Divine Duties in the Church of God For at the third houre were the Apostles met together at their Devotions and were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost GOd Almighty who is the protector and defender of Kings grant to your Sacred Majesty along life a happy Reigne a secure State and habitation a strong Army a faithfull Senate or Councell and a Royall people These were the solemne Prayers of Tertullian for the Emperours and used by the ancient Church De Sanctorum Passione Tertullian saith that Paul thought himselfe unworthy to suffer for his Saviour because hee had no more lives to lose for his sake For hee that lost his life for us that wee might live deserves our lifes and all to bee laid downe for him Whence it is that the Saints have rejoyced in their sufferings not counting their life deare that they might winne Christ. Yea to mee saith Saint Paul in his Epistles to live is Christ and to die is gain And elswhere he saith I beare in my body the marks of the Lord Iesus And indeed the sufferings of the Saints though for the present grievous and hard to bee borne bring forth an hope of reward exceeding great and glorious while wee looke not at the things temporall but at the things eternall And this should encourage us for Christs Name sake to passe through bad report and good report setting before our eyes the example of the Saints and not onely so but with cheerfulnesse to sustain all injurious dealings of men though they deprive us of livelihood and life it selfe for Christ and his Truths sake knowing that it is a good thing to suffer in a good cause and that this shall make our Crown to be glorious and enstate us into blessednesse with eternity to have a period De Christo VERBO Tertullian upon occasion taking a
which had caused great discord betwixt two Breâ—hren that Hee by His prayer stopt the force of the River Lycus which overflowed and drowned the neighbouring fields and so brideled the swelling waves that ever after they did keep within their own bounds and banks That this Faâ—her likewise cast out Devils out of the bodies of men that He stayed the plague in places that were infected that he heald the sick and weak and that He also raised the dead and that Hee brought many souls to embrace the Gospel of Christ Iesus Whether he was so full of these Works and Wonders I doe not here intend to dispute but I have onely related what I have read of him and I have not much cause to suspect the wordes of so many Fathers of the Church who witnesse it of Him Take therefore I pray you the commendation which Saint Basil the great affords Him in His Booke of the Holy Ghost Chapter 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Where shall I find a fit place for this great Gregory and his praises May I not fitly set him with the Prophets and Apostles a man endued with the same spirit in great measure a man whose life paralled those former stars of Heaven a man who did powerfully shew the vigour of the Word of God We should do injury to the Truth if we should not account him amongst the blessed in glory and felicity which like an eminent Torch shined in the Church of Christ ope S. S. tremendam habuit adversus Daemones potestatem And who by the helpe of the Holy Ghost had mighty power against Devils Hee had received such a plentifull portion of the graces of Gods Spirit that by the helpe of seventeen more Christians he brought whole Cities and Countries to the obedience of the Gospel Hee also chang'd the course and bridled the force of Rivers and of a great Lake which was cause of dissention betwixt two brothers and his predictions of things to come makes him that hee may be reckoned amongst the Prophets If saith Saint Basil I should reckon up all His Wonders and Miracles which hee did in the sight of the people I should even attribute that title to him which his very adversaries afforded him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a second Moses for they are so fixed in the hearts of men and so knowne amongst all so faithfully registred amongst Historians that the envy of the Devill nor the length of time can ever abolish the memory of them Qui à tempore magni praesidis Ecclesiae vestrae Gregorii Who from the time of that Great President of your Church Saint Gregory have flourished Here I cannot but cite the admirable commendation that Eusebius the Historian giues him beginning thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the same time that Xistus ruled the Roman Church and Demetrianus who succeeded Fabianus in the Church of Antioch and Firmilianus the Church of Caesarea that this Gregory called Theodorus who was an Auditour of S. Origens together with his brother Athenodorus did wisely manage the Church of Pontus and in another place the said Eusebius reckons up this famous Gregories actions Verum quoniam Beati Gregorii historiae textus mentionem attulit c. But for as much as the Text of the History hath mentioned this Blessed Saint Gregory I will not omit the worthy Workes of so great a man There was a great Lake in Pontus full of all sorts of fish which came to be the Inheritance of two Brethren who fell to civill dissention about it so that many men had lost their lives in the quarâ—ell which thing when Gregory heard of he presently came to the place and uttered these words to the two contentious Brothers Nolite ô Filioli rationales animas pro multis animantibus viâ—lare Fraternam pacem quaestus cupiditate dissolvere Dei leges naturae pariter jur a temer are that is Do not ô my sonnes ô doe not destroy so many reasonable soules for a few mute creatures break not the bond of brotherly love and peace for transitory gaine doe not so rashly and desperatly violate the Laws oâ— God and Nature at once come wiâ—h mee to this fatall Lake and I will by the help of God reconcile you for ever Whither comming this good man upon his bended knees prayed heartily to God in the sight and hearing of all present and Eusebius sets down the words of his prayer That he desired of God that never any more fish might be in it but that it should be a field for corn that by this means these two Brethren might agree in love together whose prayer God heard and did immediatly grant his request to the amazement of all the standers by Such force have the prayers of a faithfull man with God this one action is enough to renowme him in all Ages but he was admirable likewise for ingenuity and dexteritie of wit as the same Eusebius gives testimony of him in these words Sed ingenii sui in parvo nobis maxima monumenta dereliquit But hee shewed in briefe the excellency of his wit For Magnificentissime scripsit that is He writ most elegantly upon Ecclesiastes and left a brief but an eloquent Exposition upon the Catholike Faith which hath beene and is a great edification of the Church of Christ His wordes begin thus Vnâ—â— Deus Pater Verbi Viventis that is One God the Father of the Living Word of the Subsisting Wisdome of the Ever-living Power the Perfect begetter of the Perfect One the Father of the onely begotten Sonne and so goes on expressing the Deitie and Triniâ—â— in most apt and significant judicious termes Saint Gregory Nyssen affords this man a singular Encomium and Eulogie in these words Sicâ—t de Mose ait Scriptura c. that is That as the Scripture speaks of Moses so may I of this Gregory Hee was seene in all the Learning of the Gentiles hee found how weake and unwise their opinions were and embraced with great ard our and sanctity the Gospel Saint Hierome also blazons 〈◊〉 his Works with prayse and commendation They begin thus Theodorus qui postea Gregorius a pellatus est Theodore who was after called Gregory was Bishop of Neocaesarea in Pontâ—s in his youth to learne the Greeke and Latine with his Brother Anthenodorus he passed from Cappadociâ— to Beritum and afterwards to Caesarea of Palestine where Origen seeing their admirable wit taught them Philosophie and so instâ—ucted them in Divinitie and sent them to their Mother this Gregory wrote an eloquent Letter to Origen extant yet And Hierome stiles him Virum Apostolicorum signorum virtâ—tum that is A man ful of signes and Apostol call Miracles And he that will read more of him let him accept of this cloud of Witnesses Sanctus Gregorius pap lib. 1. Dialogorum cap. 7. Socrates lib. 4. c. 22. Enagrius lib. 3. cap. 31. Cedrenus in anno 12. Anastasii Imp.
love or hate of God weareth away through age of the body and so at length comes to nothing Life is of its owne nature a grievous thing most miserable and full of innumerable cares O life saith a wise man how may a man get from thee without Deaths helpe thy evils be infinite and yet no man is able either to avoid nor yet to abide them And if any good thing happen to a man in his life he feeleth also therewith tribulation and sorrow as sometime no other which maketh our joyes little and our life deplorable For the manner of his life it was solitary for he would say by this meanes Ex turbulentis hujus saeculi perturbationibus ac procellis liberari c. that is He was freed out of the turbulent turmoiles and stormes of this World that hee did sweetly enjoy his thoughts without distraction that hee was the more fit for divine Contemplation and studie Yet hee often remov'd but it was still to doe some notable service for the Church of Christ. Hee went to the Citie of Edissa to visit the Churches and to meet with some learned Father to conferre but by the providence of God he met with an Harlot who was impudent yet witty this Ephraem presently turnd his eyes away not willing to behold her but she the more earnestly lookt him in the face to whom hee spoke Oh woman why doe you so greedily gaze on mee to whom shee readily replyed Ex te viro ego sumi I am come from your loines why then doe you cast your eyes upon the earth out of which you were taken and neglect me well he rejoyced that GOD had sent him good counsell from the wicked But not staying here hee went to Caesarea of Cappadocia where hee both heard and saw that sweet Trumpet of Gods glory Saint Basil whom he entirely reverenced here he desired of God to give him abilitie of utterance to preach to the people which God gave him abundantly he did not any wayes affect prayse so his will runs Nulla Ephraem cecineritis carmina c. that is sing no Verses in commendation of Ephraem bury mee not with any lofty Linnens or Ointments rayse no Monuments or Tombs for I am a sojourner and a stranger here as all my Fathers were Psal. 39. He was wondrously mercifull to the poore for though hee had not of his owne to give yet by his sweet and attractive Sermons he stirred up the hearts of others to relieve them he was of so Angelick an Aspect that his Dove-like simplicity his compassion and integritie was easily decyphered in his countenance Gregorius Nyssenus compares him with Abel for offering sacrifice to God which was his soule and body as an acceptable sacrifice to Enoch for his constant walking with God to Noah for his never making shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience To Abraham for leaving his owne and going forth by Gods promises To Isaack being willing to lay down his life for the Gospel To Iaakob for supplanting Esau so hee the Hereticks and for blessing the people at his death To Ioseph for Chastitie and especially for distributing the pure wheat of GODS Word wiâ—ely to the famishing soules in many things to Moses for striking the Rocke and bringing forth water from the flinty stone so he by the Rod of Gods Word did fetch teares from hard-hearted men and brought many to repentance To Iosuah for bringing many into the spirituall Canaan to Samuel for devoting his youth to God To Elias for reproving false Teachers to Elizeus for abundance of the spirit to Saint Iohn Baptist for living in the Wildernesse and teaching men to repent To Saint Paul for his manifold sufferings and indeed it is hard to say wherein hee was defective at the time of his death hee denied to have any cost bestowed upon him but willed them to give it to the poore And a great man having prepared a rich Vestment for him said That pietie should be respected before povertie and so did not give it as Ephraem had willed him but hee was presently sorely visited and could not be released till this old man imposed his hands on him and blessed him and then said to him Perfice Homo quae dudum promisisti Perfect that which whilome ô Man thou diddest promise and so he was restored to health Well this Father gave the people comfortable directions at the time of his death so that it was rather Transitus quà m mors a sleeping in the Lord quietly and comfortably in fulnesse of dayes and was buried by the Monkes that were his Disciples I could bee tedious if I should largely and particularly expresse the prayses that many Writers afford Him Basil the Great sayes of him that distabat à mundana sapientia He affected not worldly wisdome Saint Ierâ—me sayes that He came to be of that fame that next to the Scriptures his Works were publikely read Theodoret stiles him a most admirable man an excellent Writer in his fourth booke Chap. 29. Zozomen saith of him that about that time there liv'd one Ephraem Syrus a man excelling others and a singular ornament to the Catholike Church the Tripartite History calls him a man admirable for knowledge and writing So also doth Simeon Metaphrastes Anastasius Synasta Photius Cedrenus Nicephorus Trithemius and others so as I have said He flourished under Constantine the Great and died under Valens Ephraem Syrus his Sayings Of the excellencie of Faith As the body is more worth then the raiment so the soule more worth than the body and faith in Christ more excellent than all get therfore that in thy soule which may get him who is the rich clothing both of soule and body Vpon earnest though late repentance Despise not an old man who desires to come to the haven though he comes late yet he comes in time God rejected not those that come at the eleventh houre thou knowest not but that hee may have his penny as well as the first Of perseverance in Grace The resolute Traveller knowes that his journey is long and the way durty and dangerous yet goes on in hope to come home to his house so let the Christian though the way to Heaven be narrow and difficult though it be set with troubles and persecutions yet let him goe on till hee hath finished his course with joy for Heaven is his home Of the neglecting the Soules welfare Hee that feasts his body with banquets and delicate fare and starves his soule for want of spirituall food is like him that feasts his slave and starves his own wife therefore rejoyce rather with thy wife and keep under thy servant and so all shall be safe Of comming to Christ. Stay not away o my soul from him though thou beest wounded for hee came to heale though thou beest lost for he came to seek let not thy diseases affright thee from the Physitian for hee calls those that are
complaints made by the poore St. Basil to mitigate this griefe did whatsoever he could for he sold all his Lands and other goods and freely distributed them to the poore as well Iewes Children as Christians the goodnesse of this man stayed not here but as he had made himselfe an example to all so he frequented the publicke places and there exhorted the rich by severall places of Scripture and sweet speeches to distribute to the poors necessity so that at last hee got provision for the needy Hee was also as carefull to see the sick provided for and he caused publicke places to be erected for their maintenance and would often not onely visit them but also administer to them Some there were that hated him even for these worthy deeds but he left not off but proceeded the more couragiously because he was opposed for vertue is alwayes envyed yet it faints not Iulian the Emperour having knowne him at Athens before sent and desired him to write to him but though he was Emperour yet because of his Apostacy this Basil would not entertaine any courtesies from him whereupon this Apostata intended when he had finished the Persian Warre to have put this Basil and Nazianzen to death but he failed for he dyed miserably in that warre nay when Valens the Emperour persecuted the Orthodox Christians and had remov'd some and had put 80 Priests into one Vessell thinking to have burned them in the Sea this Valens meeting St. Basil spoke him faire and afterward sent to him by severall messengers to winne him to that Heresie yet nor the threats nor promises of this Emperour could once stirre or move him Then Modestus his Praefect commanded him to be brought before him which was perform'd and Basil being come the Praefect looking sternly upon him told him he wondred that he could stand before him so impudently and art thou only he that opposest the Emperor to whom St. Basil answered he wondred that he should so taxe him of Impudence when as he was free but he was bound to obey the King and Emperor of heaven earth but saith the Praefect will you nil you you shall be made to obey for know you not who we are that command it no body said St. Basil while you do command such things Know you not said the Praefect that we have honours and preferments to bestow upon you but said St. Basil they are but changeable like your selves then the Prefect said none of the Christians ever answered him so perhaps said St. Basil you never examined a true Bishop before Upon this the Prefect all in a rage threatned to confiscate his goods to torment him to banish him or to kill him to whom St. Basil made this answer he need not feare confiscation who hath nothing to lose nor banishment to whom onely Heaven is a Country not torments when his body would bee dasht with one blow nor death because it was the onely way to set him at liberty Thus they parted onely St. Basil had that night given him to resolve what he would doe but he was the same next morning The Prefect related all to the Emperour how he lost his labour in examining this Basil whereupon the Emperour thought to have disturbed him even in the performance of holy duties in the Church upon a Twelfth-day but suddenly comming in and seeing the Reverend carriage of the Bishop and the Priests about him all seeming as glorious starres he made a large offering but Basil refused it as comming from an Hereticke The Emperour was so suddenly taken with a swimming giddinesse in his head that he was faine to be upheld by the hands of his Courtiers and after speaking with this St. Basil he was so mitigated that he was intended to have proved favourable to all the Orthodox Christians but such was the uncessant malice and policy of the Hereticks that they procur'd that Valens banished this Great and famous Basil. And now it was expected that the Emperors decree should be fulfilled to the griefe of the people and to the joy of the Hereticks his adversaries but God crossed this for the same night the Physitians had laid the Emperours sonne Galate downe sicke of a doubtfull disease whereupon the Empresse told Valens this is a just revenge from God inflicted for the banishment of St. Basil whereupon the Emperour called for him and said to him If thy prayers bee right and faithfull pray that my Son may live to whom St. Basil replyed If you would be of the same faith your son would be well his son did recover and Basil went home but shortly after the Emperor caused the Hereticks to pray for his sonne it was performed but to the grief of the Emperour afterwards for his son speedily dyed The Arrians insisted and urged that there was no hope of good successe as long as Basil stayed at Caesarea whereupon it was decreed again to have him banishedâ— but when the writing was brought to Valens to confirme the pens would not write being often tried and the Emperour could not write hee was so amazed and convinced in his owne judgement finding that God did protect this Basil. Many and great were the troubles and tryals of this great Bishop but he still kept his faith and constancie and never was moved by feare or favour it was not the frownes nor promises of great Ones that could taint Him he desired heavenly not earthly contentments So having beene Bishop of Caesarea and Cappadocia eight yeeres and an halfe and some odde dayes hee departed this life with these words Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit he was buried with great state and lamenting by all the Inhabitants of Caesarea as well Iews as Christians but above all the Physician which Saint Basil converted from Judaisme to Christianity shewed his depth of sorrow The Church of God is enriched with the rare labours of this father Saint Gregory Nazianzen writing of this Saint Basils workes avers thus much of him Neminem ante ipsum adeò divine adeoque securè sacr as liter as interpretatum That before this man none ever did expound the sacred Scriptures more divinely or more safely and the same Father calles him elsewhere nolesse then Vinculum pacis Tubam Veritatis Clarissimum Reipub. Christianae oculum virumque cujus doctrinae moribus doctrinae mores rectè concinuerint The Generall Peacemaker Truths Trumpet the bright Eye of the Christian World and a man whose life and learning did in all points justly concentre Gregory Nyssen stiles him thus Prophetam Sancti Spiritus Interpretem Generosum Christi Militem Excellentem Veritatis Praeconem Invictum Catholicae fidei propugnatorem that is a Prophet an Interpreter of the blessed Spirit a truly valiant Soâ—idier of Christ an excellent Preacher of the Truth an unconquered Defender of the Catholick Faith and that for valour and for strictnesse of Life hee was another Elias or like Saint Iohn Baptist. Saint Ephrem saith
Commentaries on some Psalmes 21 Another apologie of David 22 Of Davids interpellation Bellarmine allows not of these apologies to bee Saint Ambroses Tome 5 1 On the Gospel of St. Luke ten books 2 Commentaries on all St. Pauls Epistles 3 Of the Resurrection 4 Holy Prayers 5 Hymnes holy 6 A Song of the Saints by Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine that begins Te Deum laudamus Some of the Commentaries on Saint Pauls Epistles are doubted not to be of Saint Ambrose his Writings and as Bellarmine sayes well not without cause First because Saint Augustine against the Pelagians useth the authority of S. Ambrose and yet doth not use any out of these Commentaries So having done such famous things for the truth his memory will ever be sanctified and at the day of the Resurrection will be gloriously rewarded by our Lord Jesus Christ. An. Christi 380. Sanctus Gregorius Nyssenus S. GREGORIVS NYSSENVS THis famous Father of the Church was Brother to St. Basill the great he is called Gregorius Emisseâ—â—s by Honorius and Trithemius his Life Studies Actions and Sufferings though mentioned all by severall Writers yet by way of History none have compleatly done them but those things which Gregory Nazianzen remembers of him in His Epistle to him are so many great and large that they may serve in place of 〈◊〉 History Theodoret so Cratos Suidas Nicephorâ—s and the Roman Martyrologie with some later Writers as Volateranus Trithemius Possevinus have written most Honourably of his Life Doctrine Eloquence accounting of him as a Father of Fathers Gregory Nazianzen doth speake of Him in severall places with great commendation and approbation and did write many Epistles to him as his 34 35 36 37. 42 43. 95. 142. But if there were nothing else to set forth his praise and to cause him to be worthily ranked amongst the great Fathers of the Primitive Church it is enough that hee was sent into banishment by the Arrian Hereticks under the Emperour Valens and this Emperour dying he was appoynted the onely man by the Antiochian Synod to goe and settle and order the Easterne Churches had he not been eminent and faithfull the Fathers of that Councell would not have employed him in so weighty a charge for it is a labour full of difficultie and must be undertaken with a great deale of wisdome and patience and this honourable charge was not onely imposed upon his shoulders but also the Oecumenicall Synod of Constantinople under Theodosius the Emperour destined this man as most fit to visit the Churches planted in Arabia so that for these his actions hee is worthy to be accounted amongst the chiefest Champions of the Church this Father was likewise admired for his Eloquence and Rhetoricke by those that have the knowledge in the Greeke Photius sayes of him that hee alone carried away the Bell from all men for his elegant stile and eloquent expressions One calls him a learned man pervigilom Antistitem the faithfull and vigilant Prelate He was the elder brother of Basil the Great hee embraced a Monasticke life highly respected in those Primitive times and so joyning Theology to his other indowments he proved in short time an eminent Pillar of the Truth he did read the Scripture with all diligence reverence and strictnesse having a speciall regard to the genuine sence of it at all times so being made Bishop of Nyssa of which City he tooke name he did for a while surcease the reading of the old and new Testaments and addicted himselfe to the study of Rhetorique insomuch that Gregory Nazianzen in his 43 Epistle to him seemes a little to reprehend him for his time of comming to his Bishoprick it was under Valens when Gregory Nazianzen had the Bishopricke of the Sasimes allotted him by St. Basil This Gregory did as Theodoret relates it succeede his brother Basil in the Bishopricke of Caesarea which some have questioned for an improbability Well he was a man meriting commendation and so you shal heare what report the Ancients doe afford him Saint Hierome speakes of him thus Gregorius Episcopus Nyssenus c. That is Gregory Bishop of Nissa brother to Basil of Caesarea not long since reade to mee Gregory Nazianzen his learned bookes against Eâ—nomius who is said also to have written many other famous Treatises Nicephorus in his Ecclesiasticall History describes him in these tearmes Basilius habuit fratres c. That is Basil had brethren of whom Gregory Bishop of Nissa was one the light and ornament of the Nyssen Church a man answerable to his brother for Life Manners Learning Piety Faithfulnes Courage who though he was married yet he did not any waies neglect the care of soules He writ his book called Hexameron after his brothers death and also against Eunomius and Apollinaris he is greatly praised for his indefatigable labour and study especially for that funerall Oration in praise of Gregory Thaumaturgus Socrates also describes him by praysing his parts and abilities saying Basilius autem duos fratres c. That is Basil had two famous brethren especially this Gregory who finished the booke not perfected by his Brother called the Hexameron not without demonstration of singular learning and piety Theodoret writing of him prayses him for his strictnesse of life and purity of learning Photius in his Bibliotheca makes mention of this Gregory in these words Lectus est similiter Gregorii Episcopi prâ— Basilio adversus Eunomium liber That is we reade and approve of a Booke of St. Gregory Bishop of Nyssa for St. Basil against Eunomius he uses a stile that is so full of Eloquence and Rhetoricke that it doth even ravish the mindes of the Readers and captivates the eares of the Auditors Hee doth methodically beate downe Eunomius He is more concise than Theodore more copious than Sophronius full and abounding with Enthymemes and examples of all sorts so that I may truely pronounce it that as farre as Gregory for comelinesse splendour and pleasantnesse excells Theodore so farre doth this man surpasse in copiousnesse and confluence of vailed arguments and illustrating examples and the same Photius in another place goes on in his praise in these words Lectum est Alterum Gregorii Nysseni opus That is there is another worke of Gregory of Nyssens read of the same matter in which grappling with Eunomius he armes himselfe with all sorts of arguments dextrously so that overthrowes him by maine force of wit and learning and pulls downe and defaces all the said Eunomius tottering ill-grounded Conceits and fancies but the gracefulnesse of his speech and the lustie joyned with sweete pleasure doth manifestly shew it selfe in every line and amongst many others that testimony which Suidas doth yield unto him is not to be slighted or neglected it begins thus Gregorius Nyssenus Episcopus c. that is Gregory Bishop of Nyssa brother to Saint Basil of Caesarea a man excellent for his qualification being compleatly furnished
the Historian came to see him so did Sulpitius Severus who highly commended him Apodemius out of France with many others with him Hee was full of Eloquence but hee that will read Erasmus commendation of him will admire how one man should be so generally expert in such rare gifts Quis docet apertius quis delectat urbanius quis movet efficacius quis laudat candidius quis suadet gravius quis hortatur ardentius c. that is who teaches more distinctly who delights more modestâ—â— who moves more effectually who prayses more candidly who perswades more gravely who exhorts more ardently Dalmatia Pannonia Italy may boast of him Stridon rejoyceth in him for bringing so great a Light to the world Italy comforts her selfe in three respects First that she instructed him next that shee baptized him lastly that shee reserves his bones as a memoriall of him France is glad that hee sent Epistles to her inhabitants all the world may bee comforted in having such an excellent Bulwark for the truth all ages and sexes may get profit out of his Volumes the best wit may hee helpe and all cannot but praise him except Heretikes whom hee detested Heare but what Trithemius speaks of him Vir in saecularibus valde eruditus in divinis Scripturis inter omnes doctores eruditissimus c. that is Hee was a man well seene in secular Learning but in Divinitie he carries the chiefe fame amongst all the Doctours of the Church famous for the knowledge in Languages he was the rooter out of all Hereticks the defender of the Truth a labourer in Vertue an hater of Vice a true Meditatour on Gods Law Baronius doth commend him deeply as you may read in his Annals So doth Prosper Sentences out of Saint Hierome Vpon Heresies Dead flesh is to bee cut off for feare of Gangreenes the scab'd sheepe is not to be admitted into the Fold lest it defile corrupt and spoile others Arrius at first was but as a sparkle but because he was not at first suppressed he proved the incendiary of the whole Church Of Innocence Wee must be like to children who forget hurts who doe not retaine anger look not on beauty to lust after it doth not speak one thing and think another so unlesse wee have puritie and such innocence we shall not enter Heaven Of Gods Word If according to the Apostle Christ is the power and the wisdome of God then hee that knows not the Scriptures knows not the power of God hee that is ignorant of Gods Word knows not Christ. Of simplicitie Thou must be a Dove and a Serpent the one not to doe hurt to others the other not to be hurt by others Vpon disgrace The Sonne of God endured the shamefull death of the Crosse and dost thou think to follow him and be where hee is and live here in pleasures Vpon Women Womens beauty is not to be respected but their chast modesty shee is truly chast who hath liberty and opportunitie to sinne and will not E duris ad placida He used to say of himselfe that whether hee did eat or drinke or whatsoever else he did that horrible voice was ever in his eares Surgite mortui venite ad jâ—dicium Arise you dead and come forth to judgement He saith the first Adam sinned by a Tree whereby we were lost and our second Adam to redeeme us dyed on a Tree If Adam was cast out of paradise for one sin O Lord what shall become of a sinner that hath a world of sins All Vertues are so united together that hee that wants one wants all and therefore hee that hath one hath all Whatsoever it is a shame to speake it is a shame also to thinke therefore the safest and perfectest course is to accustome the minde to watch over the thoughts and at their first motion either to approve or reject them that so good cogitations may be cherished and the bad extinguished Beware that thou hast not an itching tongue or eares Doe not detract from others nor harken unto them that doe detract from others He that doth afflict his body and yet forsake concord doth prayse God in the Cymball but doth not prayse him in the Quire He that gives almes to a poore sinner is truly mercifull For nature is to be respected not the person For he that gives to a poore sinner not as hee is a sinner but as hee is a man hee doth not relieve a sinner but a man Christ was a sacrifice ordained for our reconciliation and if thou dost contemne the mystery of the Sacrament thou contemnest the remedy contained in the Sacrament A just and valiant man should neither be deject in adversity nor puft up with prosperity but in both estates should be moderate When the body is strong the soule is weake and again when the body is weake the soule is strong The kingdome of Heaven suffers violence for it is great violence that men borne on earth should seek Heaven by vertue possesse it whereunto they have no right by nature I have here set out his Works as they are recorded by the Edition set forth 1567 contained in nine Tomes Tome 1. 1 Hortatory Epistles 42 2 To Heliodorus 3 To Rusticus and Laeta 4 To Salvina 5 To Ageruchia two Epistles 6 To Paulinus 7 To Paula 8 To Eustochius 3 Epistles 9 To Paulus Concordiensis 10 To Theophilus of Alexandria 11 To Castrutius 12 To Exuperantius 13 To Julianus 14 To the Virgins of Hermon 15 To Ruffinus 16 To Chromatius to Antonius of shunning suspected places 17 To Sabinianus Nepotianus 18 To Florentius Demetriades 19 To Furia Gaudentius 20 To Caelantia Eustochius two Epistles 21 To Lucinius Abigaus 22 To Julianus Castorina 23 To Theodosius Augustine 24 To Nycaeas Chrysogonus 25 To Rusticus 26 Twelve funerall Epistles in prayse of many Tome 2. 1 Against Heretikes 2 Helvidius Jovinianus 3 Apologie for his bookes against Jovinian 4 Apologie to Domnio 5 To Pammachius 6 Against Vigilantius 7 Against the same one booke 8 To Marcella against Montanus 9 Against the Luciferians 10 Originists 11 Against John of Jerusalem 12 To Pammachius to Theophilus 13 Apologies against Ruffinus three books 14 To Câ—esiphon against Pelagius 15 Against the Pelagians three books 16 Thirty Epistles of divers Arguments 17 Eight Epistles to Hierome Tome 3. 1 Prefaces and explication of questions 2 To Paulinus 3 Prefaces on the Pentateuch 4 On Jonah Kings Chronicles Esdras Tobiah Judith Hester Job Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles Esaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Daniel 5 Twelve prophets and foure Evangelists 6 Then follow the explication of questions propouÌ„ded by divers as Damasus Dardanus Vitalis Amandus Miverius Alexander Cyprian Paula Euagrius Marcella Sophronius Hedibia Principia Fabiola Ruffinus Sunia Fretella Algasia Paulinus Desiderius 7 Then follow some questions out of Hebrew on Genesis Chronicles Kings 8 Also books of Hebrew names which are in the Old or New Testament
Cardinall Bellarmine doth doubt of some of these Workes whether they be Saint Hieromes or not as those upon the Kings and Chronicles Tome 4. 1 Commentaries upon the foure greater Prophets and on Jeremies Lamentations Tome 5. A Commeâ—tarie upon Ecclesiastes as also upon the twelve lesser Prophets Tome 6. 1 Commentaries upon Saint Matthew 2 Vpon the Epistles to the Galatians Ephesians Titus Philemon 3 A book of Didymus put into Latine by Saint Hierome Some doubts are made whether in the fourth Tome the Lamentations of Jeremy were done by Saint Hierom it is thought to be Rhabanus Maurus because it is found amongst his Works Tome 7. 1 Commentaries on all the Psalmes Bellarmine makes some doubt of some of the Psalmes viz. against 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19 20. and sayes they are not of Saint Hieroms turning Tome 8. 1 Commentaries on Job 2 On the Proverbs 3 Homilies on the Canticles These are rather attributed to Beda because they are said to be written in favour of Vecterius Now Vecterius was a Bishop in England in Beda's time as hee testifies those on the Proverbs are thought to be of Beda his Works because on the 21. and 31. Gregory is cited and in the 30 Saint Hierome himself is cited Commentaries on the Epistles are suspected to be Pelagius Tome 9. 1 There are many things of other mens as of Eusebius Caesariensis Ruffinus Augustine Gennadius and others which are all good pieces but not to be ascribed to this Father And so I will shut up the life of this Great Saint Hierome with the prayses that Saint Augustine gives him in his 18 booke de Civitate Dei Non defuit in Temporibus noster presbyter Hieronymus that is there wanted not in our time that Priest Saint Hierome a most learned man skilfull in three tongues especially which turn'd the Scriptures not out of Greeke but out of Hebrew into Latine So his actions and indefatigable pains with his many sufferings doe serve to shew that hee did well employ his time to Gods glory and the Churches good which doth even to this day reap great benefit out of his Works An. Christi 411. Sanctus Chrysostomus S. CHRYSOSTOM I Am now to Write and describe to the view the sweetest Father that the Church of God inioyd in many ages whom to prayse is but of Desert whom not to Commend would seeme barbarous and unchristian He was an Auditour and Disciple to Eusebius then when hee was Priest at Antioch hee got this name Chrysostome as one saith Ob venustatem Eloquii for his gracefull Eloquence it signifies a golden tongue for hee was prevalent and attractive a man most learned in Theology of an admirable Wit in his framing his Homilies hee was beloved and reverenced of all men His fathers name was Secundus and his mothers name was Anthusa both able and noble Hee was borne at Antioch in which place after some time spent in secular affaires he entred into the Priesthood and was made Governour of the Church at Antioch and Nectarius Bishop of Constantinople dying being by the perswasions of Arcadius the Emperour placed Bishop in the same See hee did worthily manage that great charge Sophronius doth highly commend this man for hee writes Nunquam eum mentitum fuisse nec unquam alicuj maledixisse neque scurrilialoquutum nec Iocos admisisse i. e. That he never told a lye never cursed any never spoke any scurrilous matter never admitted of vaine sports Admirable parts â— and indeede fit for a man of his Calling many learned men have admired his parts Anianus sayth thus Chrysostomus certè peculiare illud custodit c. i. e. Chrysostome keepes that peculiar gift and property that though wondrously studious alwayes watchfull though an enemy to dulnesse and stupidity yet never doth his words flye out into vaine flashes but still applyed to the profit of the hearer for his very stile is accommodated to the profit of the Church expressing antiquity and learning together neyther too lofty nor too meane at all times keeping equality and measure full ripe modest free from all fault of too much affected curiosity not too luxuriant not sordid nor yet too much garnished yet sufficiently and powerfully trimmed and decked not too subtile not too smart or sharpe unwantonly pleasant wondrously copious expressing an admirable faculty of the Master yet alwaies free from pride hence it is that the plain man may read him with profit and the greatest scholar cannot but praise him with just desert He doth not onely equallize Saint Basil nor yet parallell Saint Gregory but exceeds them in a word here the curious Palate shall find true Eloquence joyned with Wisdome sound Theology set forth with lustre Holinesse and Scholarship joyned in one in his Works throughout there is store of Bread and abundance of Milke with variety of sweet Delicates of all sorts for Divines In his Homilies to the people he studied for their profit not to tickle their eares but to ravish their hearts performing in all the office of a painfull Doctor he was industrious in his Expositions powerfull in his Morals in all full of Complacency hee would tell his Auditors they were not onely to learne but to exercise themselves in practising and searching the Scriptures lest they should bee addicted to Idlenesse Hee very seldome handled any questions that were curious to the Auditors as of Predestination Reprobation of Grace or of Free-will but when necessity and the Auditory in his judgement were fit to understand them then hee performed them plainly soundly and with a great expression of Piety and Learning He had excellent judgement in Morality and did contemne Riches and hated Vices so that it doth appeare by some golden sentences that hee was as one stiles him verè Aureum flumen truely a golden River Take an Instance in some of them here set downe to your view 1. Vertue is neither troublesome nor hard to be obtained 2. It is easier farre to live well than ill 3. Small and little vices ought to bee avoyded with greater study than great 4. No punishment so great as an evill Conscience 5. No man is hurt but by himselfe 6. It is better to suffer than to offer injury 7. Many doe hurt unjustly none are hurt unjustly 8. This worlds glory is reproach and reproach in this world is glory 9. This Life is rather a Death than a Life 10. Death is better than this worldly Life 11. We gaine most in Afflictions and Miseries 12. That all punishments are to bee accounted and may be made beneficiall 13. Charity is the most gainfullest trade 14. A private seclused life is preferred before all worldly contentments 15. To be deprived heaven is a greater punishment than to be punished in Hell 16. Not to be too wise is to be truely wise 17. That we may powerfully and evidently prove the Divinity of Christ without Scripture Saint Chrysostome as it appeares by all Ecclesiasticall Writers doth surpasse
ordained Bishop of that City so that Megalius Bishop of Calama and Primate of Numidia comming to visit the Church of Hippo with other Bishops this Valerius did obtaine of his hands what he desired with the generall rejoycing of all the Clergy though Saint Augustine did mainly at first refuse it and alledged it was not fitting neither was it the custome of the Church to ordaine any to be Bishop of a City before the other was dead but it was imposed upon him and so being ordained hee doubled his vigilance and not onely in that City but in every place hee taught and writ against the Donatists There was a sect of perverse and desperate people who under the colour of great continence were called Circumcellians who being not able to withstand the Writings nor Preachings nor Disputations of this Augustine they did by might and violence and force of Armes strive to stop Saint Augustines proceedings but all their Actions were in vaine for Gâ—d did still prosper and blesse the labours of this Augustine for he ordaind Orthodox Priests men approved and well knowne to him for Life and Learning and did give them promotion in the Church so that the sincere Doctrine of Faith Hope and Charity was not onely taught in the Affrican Churches but also in other Transmarin Regions Books being printed and sent abroad which made these Heretiques rage insomuch that they intended to have killed this Saint Augustine had hee not by the great providence of God escaped by missing that way in his Visitations which they had beset but such was their fury and power that they neither spared Clergy men nor Lay men but there was a meeting at Carthage appoynted and one Crispinus was the Donatists Champion against whom Saint Augustine opposed himselfe who did by force of arguments convince this Crispinus and so by the Proconsuls authority hee was adjudged as Hereticall and a fine imposed upon him and further it was ordered that all the Donatists should be accounted Heretiques and fined but by the Catholike Bishops perswasions with the clemency of the Proconsull their fine was remitted and peace restored happily to the Church under the Reigne of that glorious Emperour Honorius though there were some that gave out that the Donatists were unjustly condemned by the Bishops at the meeting at Carthage because they had not as these favourers pretended free liberty to speak their mindes Especially one Emeritus maintained this but not long after this Saint Augustine going to the City of Caesarea in Mauritania being sent for by other Bishops by Letters to determine some necessary affaires of the Church this Emeritus being then a Donatist and Bishop of the said place Saint Augustine told him that he had so given it out and wished him now before all those Bishops and all the people if he could to defend his assertions but he would not nor could not performe it onely said that what he should say would bee by the Notaries Registred at Carthage what a poore evasion was this for if it had beene truth it was the onely way to preserve it if it was a lye as indeede it was it would for ever bee his disgrace Possidonius reports an admirable passage of Saint Augustine it so fell out that preaching against the Manichees that there was one Firmus by name a Merchant by profession who was stiffe for that side and had given and spent amongst them much monies hearing Saint Augustine preach was touched in heart and presently came to this Father other men being then with him and did ingenuously confesse that he was infected a long time with that Heresie but by the blessing of God hee was fully resolved now to forsake it and with teares on his knees he desired Saint Augustine and the other Catholicke Priests to pray to God to pardon him and to give him grace to persist in the true Faith which was performed and he reduced from Heresie and leaving his former course of life and living with the faithfull obediently at last proved an eminent Preacher of the Orthodoxe Christians and not onely saved his owne soule but many others See saith Possidonius the wonderfull goodnesse of God that calls whom he will whom he will where he will and how he will to salvation God as he is Almighty so may he worke in all creatures and things after his owne Minde and Will for there is nothing that God cannot bring to passe and that without labour and travaile It was Saint Augustine by the preaching of the Word which caused the Merchant to forsake all and cleave to the Truth but it was chiefely the power of God which had that efficacy in that Word that by one knocke at the doore of the heart of this man that it should open and receive the seale and covenant of Grace which he did without any prorogation or delay or time to consider of it for in these cases delayes are dangerous for the devill the world or the Flesh may cast a baite in our way and so hinder us Therefore let all men in this be truely perswaded that God is the Moderator and Governour of all things both in heaven and in earth and that all things are done by his owne power and appoyntment and that he it is who most clearely beholdeth every man both what hee doth and what he admitteth in himselfe with what minde and godlinesse he doth love and favour Religion and that hee hath also a regard both of godly and wicked men So likewise one Foelix being one whom the Manichees called Electos came to Hippo and thought to have spread his Heresie there but Saint Augustine by publicke Disputation so solidly convinced him that he likewise acknowledged his error and was joyned to the Church This Augustine was termed Haereticorum malleus the Hammer against Heretiques How judiciously did hee overcome those two great Arrians Pascentius and Maximinus the one being full of wealth and authority at Court the other a great Bishop Pascentius who was great in Riches disturbed many poorer Christians and boasted in it that none could object any thing justly against the Arrians St. Augustine hearing this with other Priests went to him and desired to have some private conference with him before they should publickly dispute it this Pascentius admitted but hee was quite overthrowne and had no warrant for his poynts but afterwards bragged it how he had confuted this Augustine whereupon St. Augustine with speed sent in writing many great men being witnesses the grounds of Faith confirmed by the Scriptures to him which he never did replie against so also dealt he with Maximinus the Arian Bishop who had belyed him in the like manner The Pelagians likewise politique and subtle Sophisters who did seduce many and did great mischiefe to the Church how did hee the space of tenne yeares convince and overthrow that afterwards it was determined by Innocent of Rome and Zozimus that their poynts should be anathematized and sent Letters to the
Beda Dei famulus Presbyter Monasterii Apostolor Petri Pauli quod est ad Wirimudam Ingiruam c. omnem meditandis scripturis operam dedi Hee was sent for to Rome by Pope Sergius that he might discourse with him Bede being so famous in all parts for his vertues and science The Epistle of that Pope is to be seene in the third Tome of the generall Councells and begins in these words Opportunis ergo c. the subject of it was that there was a great need of the advice of learned Divines to settle the Churches peace and he was knowne to be able in the study of Theology and therefore was desired to repaire to Rome with all convenient speed but it is concluded by the best Historians that he stirred not out of England He was wonderfully modest and did never hunt after preferments but contented himselfe with that life and daily study in his readings oftentimes he was so devout that hee would shed teares abundantly and after he had done reading he would fall to prayers for he would say that prayer was of great force to get the true understanding of Gods Word O famous instrument to Gods glory who not onely was fervent in his prayers but exceedingly both by life and learning edified the Church of Christ. Hee hated idlenesse and would say hee thought there was so much worke to doe for a Divine in so little a space of time that hee ought not to lose any of it it is imployment keeps the soule safe and sound He did not begin to take this taske upon him when the Sun was setting in his old age or begin to live when he should dye no he offered God his youth and began in the strength and prime of his age He was a Bee in his owne hive he dressed his own Garden hee managed his owne affaires forgetting all desire of honour and riches which bringeth with it miserable and stupendious effects And for pleasure and delights of the World we must deale with it saith hee as men doe who buy and taste honey onely touch it with the tip of the finger not with our whole hand for feare of surfeit He had many famous Schollars which he provoked to study by his owne example in a word he was full of knowledge charity devotion and chastity For his person he was of a comely stature grave in his going of a lofty voyce pleasant of speech comely of countenance and pleasantly severe Being aged 59 yeares in the yeare of Grace 731 he finished the Catalogue of his Workes but it is not on all parts resolved justly what yeare he dyed in Marianus Scotus saith in the yeare of oâ—r Lord 729. Sigebertus saith in the yeare 731. Trithemius saith in the yeare 733. Some have much erred who say that he dyed in the yeare 700 but Baronius he approves them not How he departed this life is to be seene by an Epistle of one of his Scholars who after great commendations of him for piety learning patience and the like saith Gravatus infirmitate anhelitus hardnesse of breathing a little after Ascention day hee was sicke of it and had a tumor in his feet in his sicknesse hee was not any whit disturbed to appearance but would often exhort his Scholars to bee quicke in gathering notes from him for hee had not long to stay with them For my life said hee is uncertaine at the best and that man which goeth on wandring without any faith or constancy feedeth his thoughts and cogitations with vapour no man knoweth what will happen in time to come howbeit God governeth all men in the midst of all perills and dangers and many times on the contrary hee bloweth upon us a strong winde or tempest of adversity And that life is good and best to be esteemed which is led in honesty and vertue for at the day of death it will trie it selfe for the day of death is the Master and judge of all other dayes being the tryall and touch-stone of all the actions of our life then doe wee make our greatest assay and gather the whole fruit of all our studies and he that judgeth of the life of a man must looke how he carrieth himselfe at his death for the end crowneth the workes and a good death honourerh a mans whole life There was a young man one Witberch that spoke to him and said Loving Master there is something left to write to which he answered and said it was finished and so cald him to hold his head and then singing Gloria Patri Filio Spiritui Sancto with cheerefulnesse he breated out his Spirit and slept in the Lord. Many famous men have praised him as Hildwines and Marianus Scotus Albinus Flaccus termes him Eximium Doctorem and Amalarius calls him Venerable according to that Verse Hic sunt infossa Bedae venerabilis ossa So also St. Boniface the German Apostle calls him sagacissimum scripturarum Indagatorem I should bee too large should I reckon up each particular praise that is given to this Father yet I cannot let passe that which Trithemius speakes of him in his Ecclesiasticall Writers He was saith he uncorrupt of life devout in heart full of knowledge wondrously industrious excellently acute usually reading the Scriptures adorned and graced with all sorts of vertues a witty writer Possevinus speaking of him useth these expressions Ingentibus Dei dâ—nis doctrina sanctitate ornatus c. that is adorned with the great gifts of Gods Spirit with learning and sanctity a diligent Writer full furnished with wit and wisedome wondrous charitable devout humble patient in a word a patterne to Preachers a lanthorne shining into all parts c. So doth Cardinall Bellarmine extoll him also But I shut up all in these wordâ— Hee did much and suffered much to defend Gods Truth and to propagate the Gospell of Iesus Christ. Hee flourished in the time of Gregory the Great and long after to the yeare 750. being the ancient glory of our English Nation and a man of greatest worth and learning of any in his time So after hee faithfully shewed himselfe a worthy Steward a carefull Watchman a painfull husband-man a powerful Labourer a learned Priest in the thirteenth yeare of his Primacy God cald him from hence His Sayings He is a sluggard that would reigne with God and not labour for God In the promised rewards he takes delight but the commanded Combates doe him affright Flattery is the nurse of sinne which like Oyle doth feed the flames of sinfull affections True love doth love truth judge in truth strive for truth and finish Workes with truth None doth ascend into Heaven but hee that doth descend from Heaven Therfore he that will ascend into heaven must joyne himself by true faith and love unto him that descended from Heaven knowing that hee cannot ascend into Heaven but by him that descended from heaven It is lesse labour to resist carnall pleasure unknowne than
16 Of the two wils in Christ. 17 How we are created in the Image of God 18 Of Images three speeches 19 St. Stephens life 20 A dispute of a Christian and Saracen 21 A fragment of Sentences 22 Of the eight naughty thoughts by Euagrius 23 Of the same by Nilus 24 Of the day of judgment 25 Damascens History 26 Of the holy Sabbath 27 An Oration by Damascen Cardinall Bellarmine amongst his Ecclesiasticall Writers calls him a man of great Holinesse and Learning And as Beda was admired in the West so was he in the East Hee suffered many things for the Faith under Constantinus Copronymus wrote many famous things before he died whom the Master of the Sentences and all the Schoole Doctours have imitated for his worth and wit An. Christi 828. Sanctus Nicephorus NYCEPHORVS HAving drawne the pictures of so many famous Fathers eminent in the Church for their piety sanctity and learning it is necessary leviter tantûm vitam S. Nicephori adumbrare lightly to shadow out the life of St. Nicephorus for indeed what praises can reach the height of his perfection who like a bright lampe of learning and of religious life shined forth in the Horizon of the Church in the yeare 840. for then he lived in his brightest lustre like the East starre leading both the vulgar by his Doctrine and the wise men by his writings to the knowledge of Christ for sapientes faciunt loquuntur sapienter omnia wise men doe and speake all things wisely and Nicephorus being really religious must needs bee wise in words wise in actions and which is the highest wisedome wise to salvation Neither was he inferiour to most of the Fathers for profound judgement and learning both in Humanity and Divinity having read much and spent many houres to adorne his soule with Art and Grace that so he might informe others in the Doctrine of Salvation and illuminate the world then being in great darknes and under the shadow of sin and death He was a Physitian to cure the miseries of humane life and especially those which are incident to the soule namely tenebras intellectus errores mentis vitia appetitus irrectitudinem voluntatis the errors of the understanding the viciousnesse of the appetite and the crookednesse of the will for all these maladies of the soule he cured by his powerfull Doctrine and religious exemplary life so that those that were blind through spiritual ignorance he made them see and abhorre their sinne the lame in Charity and good workes hee made chearefull and forward to doe good the stubborne hee convinced and confuted by Arguments the weake he comforted and instructed And as the Sunne doth with his chearefull beames soften waxe refresh the drooping flowers and cherish the new sowne seeds so with the beams of his life and learning hee did warme and soften the obdurate hearts of men refreshed wearied soules groaning under the burthen of their sinnes and by his Doctrine cherished the seeds of Grace to bring forth in others the fruits of good life and conversation The Philosophers were derided quia in librossnâ—s quos de gloria contemnenda scripserunt nomina sua inscripserunt because to those bookes which they writ of contemning glory they set their owne names shewing themselves thereby most vaine-glorious But Nicephorus Workes are a glory to his name living to eternity in his learned Volumes If therefore his great wisedome and learning which attracted generall admiration may deserve commendation If the gifts and graces of his soule were so wonderfull and divine If his life were so sanctimonious and exemplary hee being a spirituall Physitian and a Sunne to illuminate the ignorant world if all these may render his life perfect and glorious then Nicephorus may be acknowledged amongst the most famous Fathers of his time who after this Pilgrimage of life peregrè constitutus properabat in Patriam regredi being a stranger on earth made haste to returne to heaven leaving to the world his Sentences and Workes He lived in the time of the Emperour Andromicus senior to whom he dedicated his Ecclesiasticall History containing eighteen Bookes and survived after the yeare of our Lord 1300. not long after exchanging this life for eternall glory His Sayings Of Example The naturall man cannot attaine to the height and perfection of active vertue or contemplative unlesse he propose unto himselfe our Saviours example as perfect God and man equall in power and vertue to God the Father and beseech him to give him the power of operation and contemplation Of Security He that liveth in security is so farre from thinking of appeasing Gods just anger towards him that he heaps sinne on former sinnes as if God did not behold them and would not require an accompt of them Of Providence God doth behold and moderate our actions using the scourge of affliction for our castigation and conversion and after due correction sheweth his Fatherly affection to those that put their trust in him for salvation Of the Scriptures The Scriptures rightly conceived make us cheerefull and active in the performance thereof also good just quiet upright and conformable to our great example of righteousnesse Christ Jesus Of Christ. The Wisedome and Divinity of Christ was seene by his words and actions drawing his Disciples to divine contemplation and imitation and working Miracles for their Faiths confirmation so bringing them to perfection which consisteth in the love of God Of Martyrs The ancient Martyrs would not be so called though they suffered Martyrdome yet they would not bee called Martyrs ascribing that title onely to Christ and so by their humiliation deserved a glorious exaltation Of Faith None of the ancient Fathers and Patriarchs did please God but by Faith in Christ as appeareth by Abraham his faithfull obedience being his justification Of Peters denyall Christ asked Peter three times if he loved him not for his own knowledge or information but that by his three-fold profession he might help and heale his threefold negation of him These are those things which he writ Namely his Ecclesiasticall History which hee composed both for style and words in elegant Greeke Also a Synopsis of the whole divine Scripture digested into Trimeter Iambicks wherein he briefely contained the arguments of all the bookes This Worke beginneth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Gulielmus Esingr in his Catalogue of Ecclesiasticall Writers doth adde that he did write of the Acts done after the Maccabees even to Christ and the destruction of Ierusalem The Genealogy of the Patriarchs unto David Of Mosaicall Rites A Catalogue of the Iudges of Israel A description of tbe Kings of Israel and of the Patriarchs of Constantinople The Genealogy of Christ. Of our Saviours Miracles according to the foure Evangelists An. Christi 1071. Sanctus Theophylactus THEOPHILACTVS THe birth place of this Father was the famous City of Constantinople which once was the glory of the Roman Empire and the bulwarke of Christendome against the Turkes but